Page 68 of Somewhere We Belong

“Ok,” I murmured, taking a few more sips.

“Good girl,” he said softly, as my eyes widened.

His little smirk told me it had been done on purpose.

“Come on, let's go take a nap,” he said, helping me up as I looked over to see Sol asleep on the sofa with Theo who had also fallen asleep.

Atlas grabbed a blanket laying it over them. Sol had her feet in his lap curled up on her side. They looked adorable together, reminding me of my earlier memory and I wanted a picture to remember this, even if it hurt to look at later.

“I want a picture,” I said, wondering where the hell my phone was.

Atlas took his phone out as he took too many pictures and his smile grew bigger with each photo he took.

“Damn, they look so cute together,” he said, putting his phone away.

“They do; he’s a natural.” I sighed.

“Yeah, he is,” he agreed, leading me into my bedroom.

“Where is Colt?” I didn’t want to ask, but I was curious.

“He had to work and volunteered to do morning chores for Theo,” he said, glancing back as I nodded.

Atlas pulled the covers up, motioning for me to get in. He took off his shirt, keeping his pants on as he slid behind me. I tensed as he wrapped an arm around my waist, pulling me closer to him. It had been so long since I had cuddled with someone—minus Sol, because that girl was tactile and needed touch, even when I felt all touched out.

“Is this ok?” he asked.

“Yeah, it’s been a while since I've slept with someone.” The admission was another reminder of how alone I had been for the past six years.

“That was one of the hardest things to get used to, sleeping without Colt or Theo and then coming back home and having to get used to it all over again,” he said against my back. “So, if you need space just tell me, ok?”

“Ok,” I muttered.

I grabbed a pillow to hug, breathing out the tension in my body and I thought it was going to be hard to go to sleep. Hemade me feel safe and wanted. My eyes grew heavy quickly and I fell asleep in minutes.

The guys alternated staying with us for one more day and when I offered to pay them back for the groceries and everything else they bought, they told me I could repay them in dates. The thought of going on a date with them made me more nervous than I had been in years.

They didn’t give me much to go by, so I wore a blue maxi dress with short boots. Fall was settling in, and the nights were growing chillier. I put on my lipstick, grabbed my jacket and walked out to the living room. Stellar and Sol were playing Go Fish, and laughing. They meshed so well together and I was grateful they got along and Stellar was willing to babysit for not a lot of money.

“Alright ladies,” I said, grabbing my purse. “If you need anything, call me.”

“Alright, Ms. Nova, have a good time,” Stellar said, but Sol didn’t turn around.

“Alright baby, I’m leaving, have a good time,” I said, expecting her to turn around and say bye. “Sol, I’m leaving.”

“Hey, your mom is talking to you, Sweetie.” Stellar nudged Sol who still didn’t say anything.

“Hey, are you ok?” I squatted next to Sol.

She glared at me. “Have a good time.”

“Whoa, where is the sass coming from?” She turned back to the game. “Do you not want me to go?”

“Have fun.” She dismissed me.

Stellar and I exchanged a glance, both of us confused by her behavior.

“Hey, I saw some lemonade in the fridge, you want some? Maybe with strawberries?” Stellar asked.

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