Page 33 of Somewhere We Belong

“Atlas,” I said, feeling emotional. “We have to go home and tomorrow gives us a chance to get back into the groove of our schedule.”

He nodded, looking like I had shit in his cheerios.

“Ok, but I’ll only let you leave if you please call us if you need anything,” he pleaded.

I rolled my eyes. “I will, but we need to go home.”

“I know, I’ll just be even more worried,” he said, smiling but it held no warmth.

“It’s not your job to take care of us.” I looked down. “I appreciate everything you've done for us and allowing us to stay here. You took care of Sol when I couldn’t, and I will forever be in your debt.”

My lip threatened to tremble before I bit it. Atlas stared at me like he wanted to say something. He glanced over my shoulder as he spoke to Colt with just one look. I hated that they could do that and it made me feel weird as they did it.

“You don’t have to thank us, that's what—” he shrugged. “That's what neighbors do.”

Not where I come from, I almost said.

“Thank you,” I said, walking to him to give him a hug.

He wrapped his arms around me, careful with my shoulder. He wasn’t as tall as Colt or Theodore or even as big as they were. He also smelled so good as I squeezed him tightly.

“Come on, let's get your stuff in the truck.” He grabbed the bag from my hand.

I opened the door, getting nervous about saying goodbye to Theodore and telling Sol we had to go. We had discussed it this morning, but I knew it would be hard for her. Just as I suspected, her eyes welled with tears that felt like a stab through the heart. She was holding a piglet in her hands, I was feeling so guilty, that had she asked, I would probably have said yes to her bringing it home with us.

“Momma, I like it here,” she cried, holding the little pig to her face.

“I know, baby girl, but this isn’t our home,” I said, kneeling down. “Our home is just across that clearing, we can come visit.”

“Yeah, Sunflower, you’ll never be too far for a visit.” Theodore knelt next to me.

“But I really like it here momma,” Sol cried, gutting me.

Theodore gave me a small smile, looking so calm.

“I know baby, but Theodore, Atlas, and Colt need their own space,” I said, pulling her in for a hug.

“I don’t understand,” she murmured against my shoulder.

“You belong at home with your momma,” Theodore said, looking at Sol with an expression that I couldn’t decipher.

The pig snorted, pushing its nose into my chin.

“Can we bring?—”

“Hey kiddo.” Colt knelt next us. “I have the perfect idea. How about you leave her here and now you have an excuse for you to come whenever you want. We can name her before you leave.”

He patted the pig that was squished between Sol and me. He glanced at me, and I really didn’t like this side of Colt. Mad,broody, silent Colt, I could deal with, but him being sweet tomeand my daughter made me nauseous.

“Really?!” Sol pushed me away, launching herself to Colt.

He chuckled as he caught Sol. I turned away to stop the overwhelming need to cry; I didn’t want to ease my anger towards him. He was out of line, he had treated me like shit, and I needed to remember that.

“Of course, Sol.” Atlas sat on the ground in his slacks. “You can come visit her anytime as long as you ask your momma.”

“It gives you a reason to see the other animals too,” Theodore added, glancing at me with a blush on his cheeks.

Sol started talking animatedly about what to name her when began to study the three men in front of me. What the fuck was going on? They owed her nothing but had always been so sweet to her. They would make amazing dads if they ever wanted any kids. It made me wonder if I would ever find men like this who would want us.

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