Page 30 of Milked

I’d barely spoken to them since I left Nebraska eleven months ago. It was too much pain and a reminder of all that I’d lost. My eyes watered, and my hand trembled, debating on answering before my phone went silent.

I could only avoid them for so long. It had been almost a year since I left, except for when I came home a few months ago. My past would catch up with me, but I wasn’t ready to face it. I couldn’t handle it. Not yet.

After setting my phone down, I took a quick shower, got dressed, and walked out of my bedroom to find Emma knitting on the couch, drinking coffee, and watching the news.

“Hey,” she said. “Want some coffee?”

“Thanks, but I think I’ll head over to Daily Dose and grab something there. Atlas is working, right?”

“Yes, I saw him leave earlier this morning.”

“Can I bring you back anything?”

“Oh, could you grab me one of their chocolate croissants?”

I bowed to her, smiling, though I wasn’t feeling it. “Indeed, my dear.”

She snorted a laugh and waved me away.

The mid-September morning was warming up, but you could feel the impending fall coming on. I didn’t mind the cold because I was used to it, but I’d always favored the summer. Although, the snow came in a close second.

Daily Dose Coffee was just a few blocks away, which was probably why Atlas worked there since he didn’t own a car. In the evenings, he also worked as a server at a restaurant nearby, like Emma did. Whenever he found the time, he created art, which he was really good at. He must have believed in himself, too, because he’d been trying to get his pieces into some galleries.

I opened the glass door and stepped inside to the scents of coffee, sugar, and pastries. The aroma alone could get you to gain weight.

Because it was later in the morning, it wasn’t as busy, so I walked up to the counter and greeted Atlas. He wore his black polo shirt with the coffee shop’s logo paired with tan chinos and a black apron.

He was an attractive guy with a large nose and thick brows. The Greek in him really stood out. I especially liked his curls, but we were roommates, so I never tried anything with him.

“Hey, Ryder Die.”

“How was your morning?” I asked, laughing at his stupid nickname for me.

“Busy as hell. Do you want your usual?”

“Yeah, and a chocolate croissant for Emma.”

“You got it.”

Atlas left to make my cappuccino, so I stood off to the side, allowing the next customer to order.

When he returned with my coffee and the treat, he didn’t hand it off, but instead called back to the rest of the staff. “I’m on break.”

He came out from behind the counter, and we walked over to a small table.

I grabbed my coffee from him, took a sip, and closed my eyes to the delicious flavor and much-needed caffeine.

“So, you’ve been gone a few times now, visiting your wealthy boss and his stepson. Come on… spill all the tea with that?”

I’d been practicing my lie because no one could know what was going on. “Finn, his stepson, and I have become really good friends,” I said, shrugging.

“Are you dating him? He’s fucking hot as hell, like that really sexy boy-next door thing he’s got going on… Finn Larson, supermodel. Isn’t he one of the models forBalenciaga?”

“Who? I… have no idea. Fashion isn’t my thing.”

“Don’t think I didn’t notice you not answering my question about dating him. You and Finn would besohot together.”

Atlas fanned himself, making me laugh.

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