Page 83 of On the Edge

“Right.” Sitting up, he rolls his eyes. “But see, I know how much you love hearing my opinion, so?—”

“No.”

“So,” Nate continues, raising his voice a little bit in case I try to interrupt again, “my opinion is you need to pull your head out of your ass, and go talk to him.”

“We do talk,” I grumble.

“Atlas, I’m telling you right now, if you want something to change, then you’re the one who’s going to have to make it happen. You told Vas to fuck off, and he’s too nice and respectful to fight you on that. Iffriendsis really what you want, fine. I’ll shut up about it. But if it’s not, you have to talk to him.You.”

I can’t even be annoyed at the unsolicited advice. He’s right. Henri could give Victorian etiquette lessons to gentlemen in the nineteenth century, he’s so proper. Any overtures past our virtual relationship will have to come from me. I told him to leave, which means it’s on me to ask him to come back.

“Yeah,” I agree morosely. Do I want to get back to what I had with Henri? Yes. Am I sure that’s the best decision for him and myself? No. Relationships scare me. Feelings scare me. FuckingHenri, with his floppy brown hair and pretty blue eyes, scares me. I am so beneath him, it’s a miracle he looks at me at all.

“I’d better go. I want to grab my shit from the bookstore before I head over to Marcos’ apartment.”

He tries to stretch again, but only gets his arms halfway above his head before he flinches and drops them back to his side. His shirt pulls up with the minor movement, and I catch a glimpse of a black bruise snaking around his pelvis. Did he hurt his hip, too? Maybe Ishouldtell on him to Henri.

“Nate, let me see that fucking bruise.” I take a step toward him and put a hand out, meaning to catch the hem of his shirt. He shoves my arm away.

“I’ve got to go.”

“Wait a second, who the hell is Marcos?” I yell after him as he walks down the stairs.

Henri

I am taking German this semester.

Atlas

sounds tough think you’ll pass?

Henri

By the skin on my teeth.

Atlas

LMFAO

by the skin OF your teeth

Henri

Ah, yes. When I read that back, I see now that teeth do not have skin.

Atlas

why are you taking german?

have you been lying to me this whole time and you don’t actually speak german

do I even know you at all??

Henri

I am actually Czechoslovakian spy, here to infiltrate the NHL. I am working my way up to become commissioner. Then, I will control hockey as I wish and will create a super team of all the best players. We will be the best team in the world. We will take over.

Atlas

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