Page 6 of Atlas
“No.” I blink at his completely straight and short answer.
“No?” I repeat, looking around the room. “So all the flowers and balloons aren’t from you?”
“Oh no, they are, but I bought out the gift shop on the maternity floor. The stuff there was nicer, they have a Starbucks on that floor too.” Well, that explains the ‘It’s a girl’ balloon.
“Okay, but why? Why did you buy all of this?” I watch as he shrugs and takes another sip of his drink.
“You needed something pretty to look at. I got upset when I saw that your window only had a view of the other part of the hospital.”
I will not cry. But goddamn it, that was the sweetest fucking thing. No, stop it Lauren. “Okay, and the cow?” I ask, while clearing my throat.
“It’s a highland cow,” he states with a grin. “Those are your favorite type of cow.”
“Yes, I am aware of my favorite animal. My question is, how do you know?” I watch as he is quiet for a very short second, but in that flash, his eyes darken and his jaw ticks.
“You were coming in for your first tattoo at Hel’s and the douchebag that used to work there, Les, was up for the next walk in, but he passed on you and Fox took his spot because he said he didn’t work on…”
“Cows.” I finish and watch him wince as if it hurtshim.
“Yeah, and once back there, you told Fox and Tony that you love cows so you were choosing to take his comment as a compliment. And then you showed them your keychain with the highland cow on it.”
Speechless. I am speechless. Thinking back to that day, I remember that dick making the comment, but I wasn’t going to allow him to ruin my day because it was my first tattoo and I had graduated law school. I was getting a tattoo at the famousHel’s Ink.Fox and Tony had apologized over and over again, and Tony said he would be handling that guy. The comment was slightly embarrassing, but nothing I hadn’t heard before, so it was easy to hide.
“I don’t even remember you being there…. like at all. I’m surprised you remember that.” I say as I absentmindedly stroke the stuffed cow.
“Yeah, I heard him. Then I beat his ass, and came inside and said I fell trying to do a handstand.” He speaks as if it’s no big deal. I feel my lower lip tremble and I go to cover it. “Stop it Princess.” I look up at him, his green eyes almost glowing. “Pretty girl, don’t–”
“Don’t what?” I whisper softly. I am feeling way too much right now. It’s all too confusing. Atlas has to stop looking at me this way.
“Don’t cry when someone can’t be there to wipe your tears away. Please…it will kill me.” I hear Derek, another tattoo artist, yelling to Atlas that his client is here. “Tell him I’ll be out in a few!” He calls back before looking right back at me, all his attention directly on me.
I give him a smile, “You better go do that tattoo, you’re going to need the money.” I joke and he hangs his head and lets out a breathy laugh.
“Ah, I’ll be okay. It’ll all get taken care of.” He gives me a smile, not a grin, but a soft beautiful smile which makes my heart flutter in a way that I hope doesn’t alert my monitors.
“You should’ve let me say–” I stop speaking when I notice his eyes have the same dark look in them from the night at the bar and I feel my stomach knot. “Atlas?”
“It was worth it,” his voice is low and I feel a current run through me. “It would’ve been worth years in prison if that had been my fate. But my fees, my community service, it’s all worth it because he got what he deserved for daring to raise a hand to you. And that’s all that will be said on this subject because…” He exhales harshly, and his jaw ticks as he grits his teeth. “Because that fear in your eyes already haunts me in my sleep. If I see it while I’m awake ever again, I will lose it Ren. I will lose it and I will kill him.”
We stare at each other in silence for several seconds before I finally give him a weary smile. “You need to go to your client, Atlas.”
“I don’t give two shits about that client,” He scoffs as his stare continues to burn through me. “I’m not leaving if you aren’t okay.”
Damn it, that stinging in my eyes is back. I look at the ceiling and blink back the tears before turning my gaze back to him. “I am okay, go on, and do your thing.” He opens his mouth to protest, but I stop him. “I get out of here in the morning, as long as there are no hiccups tonight. How about I text you after I’m out? Will that get you going?” I smirk playfully at him as he bows his head and sighs.
“Fine,” He states, his voice holding a hint of annoyance that I find far more adorable than I have any right to. “But just know, if you ghost me again, I’m going to steal your dog.” My mouth falls open and I stare in shock. Atlas shrugs, “Yeah that’s right, I met Bruno at Fox’s. He likes me so I’ll just take him and then you’ll be forced to talk to me.”
“Fine. Now,GO, do your job.” I grumble as he gives me a half salute.
“Good night Princess, try not to havetoomany dirty dreams about me.” He winks and ends the call before I’m able to react. I stare at the dark screen in shock as I feel my face heating up.That is the most Atlas and I have ever talked to each other. It felt so natural and easy. God, the way his eyes never left me. Atlas has a very difficult time focusing on one thing for long, but that conversation, he never strayed, not even when his client showed up. I’ve never felt so… seen. So important.
Resting my head on my pillow, I stare out the window at the dark sky and groan. My crush might not be as over as I had previously thought.
“Is this everything?”Sunday, my silver maned friend asks as she loads the back of Stevie’s car. From my wheelchair, I see Stevie’s turquoise hair through the car window.
“Yeah,” I smile weakly as Sunday comes over to help me into the back seat. I’m more than a little impressed at the strength she has when she all but supports all of my weight to help me. Then again, I shouldn’t be that shocked. Sunday is a lead pole instructor, before that was a very sought after ballerina, and before that still she grew up in Alabama working as a bar loader under the table. Her body is long, tanned, and toned. “I’m so exhausted,” I groan as I close the door once I’m inside. “I hate that I have to go to work tomorrow.”
Stevie scoffs. “You aren’t even better yet.” Her northern Louisiana accent mixing in harmony with Sunday’s southern Alabama drawl is such a rare, sweet melody. Here in California, everyone tries their best to sound void of any accent. It makes it easier to brand you here if you’re a blank slate. But these girls never tried to get rid of their roots when they moved here and I love it.
