Page 16 of Twisted Ruck

"I've seen you on the field," I said. "Your hyper-focus, it makes you one of the best players out there."

He blinked a couple of times, clearly surprised by my response. "Yeah, if I like something I fixate on it. I look at it in a different way from the other players. Like— Like analysing the best way to catch, and how other teams are playing so we can figure out where their weaknesses are."

"He's pretty amazing," Atlas said softly. "The sport needs more people like him."

Jay shifted uncomfortably. "Can we talk about something else?"

"Of course," I said. "Can I ask you both something?"

"Can we stop you?" Atlas teased. He had half an eye on Jay, until the other player started to relax. He was clearly in tune with Jay's moods and levels of overwhelm.

I liked him even more for it.

"You can try," I joked back. I sobered for a moment, "Obviously you like each other, but I'm wondering how far…"

"We've fucked," Atlas said. "Was that what you're asking? We don't make a big show of it, because other guys can be pricks. But we've more or less been a thing since we both started playing for the Devils—" He cut off his words, pressing his lips together.

Jay gave him the side eye. "What the fuck?"

Atlas rolled his lips and averted his gaze from Jay.

I frowned at both of them. "What is it?"

"You fucking didn't?" Jay gaped at Atlas.

Atlas glanced away for a while before looking back. "It wasn't going to let you come to Dusk Bay alone."

"You hated the idea of transferring," Jay argued.

"If I told you I did it for you," Atlas said, "you would have been pissed off. Plus we have to put up with Storm. That would piss anyone off. Some of my pissed-off-ness was genuine."

Jay shook his head. "You're out of your fucking mind."

"What was I going to do?" Atlas asked, spreading his hands to either side. "I wasn't staying at the Devils anyway. I might as well be here with you. I don't regret it. I get to be with you, and I met Chelsea. Between us, we can make the Smashers not suck so much."

"I think it's sweet," I said softly. "Following him here. You more than like each other."

That was becoming more and more obvious. Why else would Atlas have made that choice? It wasn't a thing someone did unless their feelings ran deep.

Jay looked uncomfortable again, but Atlas was visibly relieved.

"I love you," Atlas said matter-of-factly. He looked as though the weight of the world was literally off his shoulders. Like he didn't have to keep living up to his namesake.

I had the impression this was the first time he said those words out loud, but he'd wanted to for a long time.

"I love you too," Jay told him. "You're an idiot for transferring here, but I love you."

Atlas grinned and worked on finishing his dinner.

I smiled to myself. This was going to be interesting, to say the least. I knew both would get along well with Frost once they gave each other the chance. If Storm would let them.

As long as he was in control, he might let them do whatever they wanted to each other.

"So," Jay said after a few minutes of companionable silence. "Do you have… Permission to do what you want with whoever you want?" He raised an eyebrow at me.

"Do I need permission?" I asked lightly.

Atlas snorted. "Considering it's Storm Keller we're talking about, you probably need written permission, witnessed by thirteen other people, with strict stipulations of exactly what you can and can't do." He smirked and started to count the points off on his fingers.

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