Page 78 of Claiming Atlas

Pulling in a deep breath through my nose, I set the envelope on the table. “It’s probably a non-disclosure agreement. Doesn’t want me to tell anyone about the real Atlas and how much of an asshole he is.”

“Oh my god, Kayla.” Scarlet sighs loudly then grabs the envelope up off the table. “Could you be more stubborn?”

Probably.I shrug.

Scarlet gasps. “Holy shit. Someone’s in love.”

If she ever says love around me again, she’s dead to me.

I look up as she pulls a bunch of lanyards out of the envelope. I don’t have to see them to know what they are, but I look anyway. The Cade logo is right there, staring back at me.

Shaking my head, I wrap another glass, busying my hands so they don’t reach for my only connection to Atlas.

“They’re front row, Kay, and backstage, and oh wow, there’s a note.” She pulls it out and I look up at her raising my hand.

“Please don’t read that out loud.”

“Fine.” She smiles, then reads the letter quietly to herself. “Aw.” She puts her hand over her heart. “He says you’re not just another banger.”

I snort. “That’s it?”

That’s his big gesture? Concert tickets he’d give out for free as promo to whomever? Way to make a girl feel even less special, Atlas. How many other girls will be sitting in that front row with me, knowing all too well what it feels like to make love—

I almost laugh out loud.Make love.Ha.

“No, babe, but you told me not to read it out loud.” She grins sweetly.

I sigh, then look at Des. “Thanks, but... why don’t you and some of the girls from work go?”

Des shakes her head, eyes narrowed. “Uh-uh, girl. We all go, or none of us go.”

My brows furrow. “Wasn’t their last show last week? I thought the tour was over?”

Des shrugs. “Looks like they extended it.”

“Oh my gosh, Kayla, do you think he did this for you?” Scarlet’s face is lit up like she just found out she could have every puppy in the world.

“Yeah, Scar, I’m sure the entire band stuck around in Vegas so I could see a freaking Cade show.”

She scoffs, but doesn’t say anything.

“Well, let me know if I need to get ready tonight,” Des says as she gets up to leave. “He obviously wants to see you again.”

I shake my head. “Not going to happen.” My heart flutters, but I push it back down into the black hole it’s called home for the past week. Curiosity can’t overpower the way he destroyed me in just a few short sentences, and Atlas Reynolds doesn’t deserve my time. He owns a few wild nights in my past, but he doesn’t get any of my future.

“Thanks for bringing those by, Des. Guess I’ll just see you at work tonight.” Scarlet closes the door. “Because my best friend is mean and doesn’t let me have any fun.” She sits down on the table, so close to me that I can do nothing but look up at her. I raise my eyebrows, but she raises hers higher. “Don’t act like you’re not going to that concert tonight, Kayla Jane.”

I shrug. “Who’s acting?”

“Oh, you’re going. Those are front row VIP backstage passes to see your favorite band, and the boy you obviously love—”

I raise my finger at her. “You can stop right there.”

“Well? Tell me you don’t.”

“I don’t evenknowhim, Scarlet. I spent two whole nights with him and all we did was fuck.” I shake my head. “Contrary to what you might believe, that doesn’t constitute love.”

She flinches.

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