Page 12 of Atlas Uncharted

The whole time.

I could feel it. Heavy. Intentional.

Every time I shifted. Every time I tucked my legs under me. Every time I adjusted my shirt. His eyes followed.

Mike noticed.

He didn’t say anything. But I could feel his irritation building. He kept glancing over at Atlas like he wanted to say something.

Then, the front door swung open again.

Ashlen came in.

I was so happy, until I saw she was drunk.

She stumbled inside, heels clacking against the floor, laughing at nothing at all. When she spotted Atlas, her whole face lit up.

“Baby,” she slurred, making a beeline for him. She practically climbed into his lap, draping herself over him like she belonged there. “I missed you.”

His jaw clenched. His hands hovered like he didn’t know what to do with them.

The flatly he said. “It’s fucking Tuesday, Ashlen. You have class tomorrow.”

Ashlen just giggled, ignoring the irritation in his voice. “So?”

Atlas grunted something, his frustration was written all over his face. Then, without another word, he scooped her up.

She let out a surprised squeal, legs wrapping around his waist like second nature.

He carried her toward the bedroom.

Mike shook his head as soon as the door shut behind them. “This some bullshit.”

I sighed, rubbing my temples. “always.”

Mike turned toward me.

“Can I ask you something?”

I looked at him, wary. “What?”

He ran a hand over his face. Then, dead serious he asked me “Why is he always here?”

I blinked. “What?”

Mike scoffed. “He’s got a big-ass apartment, Kairi. A three-bedroom apartment. So why the hell is he always here? Always up under you? Staring at the side of my head like I did something to him? And that’s when he isn’t fucking gawking at you.”

I stiffened. “Mike—”

“Nah.” The bass in his voice picked up. “Be real with me. Are y’all fucking?”

I froze.

Then—anger.

“What?” I snapped.

“You heard me.” His jaw was tight. “Are you and Atlas fucking?”

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