Page 28 of Atlas
I openthe door to my apartment, and we are greeted by a very happy Bruno. Atlas has an appointment tonight with the model,Valentina,but needs to grab his backpack that he forgot. The ride to take Howard home was quiet, save for David asking a hundred questions about how Howard was feeling and Howard screwing with him to make him more nervous. Once Howard was delivered safely back to the nursing home, Atlas and I drove our respective vehicles back to the apartment, which I am so thankful for because the second I was safe in my own car, I broke down like a baby. The love that man has for his wife, even after five years of her being gone… what’s the point in looking for a man if the perfect one is in his nineties and already taken?
“Hey bud.” I scratch Bruno’s head. “I’ll take you out in a minute.” I head to the kitchen to grab some juice.
“How’s your sugar?” Atlas asks, his voice startling me. It’s then I realize he hasn’t spoken a word since he helped Howard out of his wheelchair.
“O-oh.” I tap open the app on my phone. “I’m alright, a little low, but the sugar should–” I can’t speak, I can’t think. Atlas’ firm, large, strong and oh so warm body is wrapping itself around me, pulling me into his chest.
“A-Atlas?” I squeak, unsure what is happening.
“I just, let me hold you for a second, okay?” His voice is desperate and pleading. I find the edge of the counter and set my juice down before wrapping my arms around him and squeezing him back. We stay like that for a long minute. I can feel his heartbeat and it’s oddly soothing. I feel tension loosen throughout my whole body and when he goes to pull away, I nearly cry out in protest. Until his hand moves to my neck and his thumb runs over my jaw. My breath stutters and I’m starting to wonder if Atlas can hear how loud my heart is pounding.
Atlas looks at me, and a small, sweet smile graces his beautiful face. I hold my breath as he leans down, but am slightly disappointed when his lips land on my cheek. He pulls away and takes a step back.
“I’d better get going before I’m late.” He juts his thumb over his shoulder towards his bedroom. I give him a stiff nod as he turns and heads to grab his backpack. Once he is out of earshot, I exhale loudly before grabbing my juice and downing the rest.
Glancing over at Bruno, I see him waiting by the door expectantly. Rolling my eyes, I grab his leash and head towards the door to get his evening walk over with.
Chapter 12
Atlas
“Hey At!” Fox calls from the back room that is being remodeled and turned into a piercing area, something all of us are excited for, though Janie refuses to tell us who she’s hiring. I think it’s because she doesn’t have anyone yet. I set my machine down and give Valentina, my client, an apologetic smile.
“Sorry, I’ll be right back.” Her slim, sharp face turns to me and she gives me a sly smile.
“I’ll be counting the seconds.” She purrs in her Americanized Russian accent. I watch as her blue eyes look me over, and I give her an awkward smile before walking to the back room. Tonight is the last night and this tattoo will be over. In the beginning, I was so excited to do this tattoo with the intricate lines and lacework, but Valentina is relentless in her quest to fuck me, even though she knows I’m married. After the first night, she tried to kiss me and I put a stop to it, letting her down gently, apparently too gently because she keeps trying. Like moaning when I wipe the ink off her.
Luckily, the guys have noticed my discomfort and have been staying late with me, so I’m not alone with her in the shop.
“What’s up man, I am trying to get her out of here….Millie?” I stare in weary surprise as my sister stands next to Fox. She looks really fucking terrible. Her once long black hair is snarled and faded with grey streaked through it. She’s thin, too thin. I can see her hip bones protruding out of her filthy jeans. Her skin is pale, and her eyes and cheeks are sunken in, adding to the skeletal look, and then there are the sores that cover her bare arms and face.
“Atty,” she smiles, and it sends chills down my spine. “Atty, I need help.” I feel a wave of embarrassment wash over me as I see Derek and Fox watching off in the corner. My family has never come to visit me at the shop, and this is why. My mom and sister are addicts. Amelia is more functioning, usually, than Mom. But when my sister is bad, she’s really bad.
“Amelia, you know better than to come here.” I state as I try to push her towards the back door.
“You won’t answer your phone!” She shouts, and I flinch at the abrupt shrill noise. “I need money! I’m going to get sick if I don’t get money, Atlas!”
Derek clears his throat and walks over, patting me on the shoulder. “Why don’t I tell Valentina you need to finish up tomorrow?” I run a frustrated hand through my hair, while fighting the urge to both cry and punch something. I nod my thanks to Derek, though I’m a little thrown at the change in him. He and I are constantly at each other’s throats, it’s weird to have him trying to help me. But right now, I need it, and I am not too proud to admit it.
“Amelia,” I sigh, already exhausted from this ordeal. “You know I can’t do this. I gave you money–”
“For mom’s hospital you selfish ass!” She shouts, and I watch Fox tense up. I give him a look, telling him to stand down before turning back to her. “You live such a puffy-cloud life, Atlas.” She spits out as she starts to head to the door. “I am so glad that youand that other waste of space brother got to go off and live such amazing lives while I sacrificed everything! All I am asking for is a little bit of money, so I don’t get sick! I gave up everything for you! All you two did was feed off of me and now, when I need help, you throw me away? How do you sleep at night?”
She begins to sob and, as usual, I feel like absolute shit. I know what she’s doing, I’ve been to enough meetings for the families of addicts to recognize that she is about to go through withdrawals and she will hurt anyone and anything she has to in order to stop it from happening, and I happen to be the “anyone” today. I lower my head as I reach in my jeans pocket and fish out my wallet. I hand her the few twenties I have in there, and she leaves without a thank you or goodbye.
“Do you want to talk?” Fox asks after a long silence.
I shake my head no. I know Fox wouldn’t judge me. He had a rough family life, his father was terribly abusive, and his mother and sister were both mentally ill. But still, talking to Fox isn’t what I want right now. My mind goes back to Ren and that hug. I nearly broke down when she started hugging me back, like she knew I needed to feel closer. I almost kissed her, like really kissed her. In that moment, she was it. She was everything I wanted and needed.
“I think I’m going to head home.” I state as I scratch the back of my head. Thoughts of my sister using that money and what could end up happening are consuming my mind as I head to clean up my now vacant station. I look up in surprise to see my station is clean and sanitized.
“Just shut up and go home.” Derek mutters, while removing his gloves and tossing them in the trash bin.
“I am…” I cough and try to muster up enough strength to put my happy mask back on. “I’m deeply concerned with what is happening between you and me. Are…are we about to fall in love?” I bat my lashes as Derek gives me a deadpan stare beforeflipping me the bird and turning to clean up his own station. I grab my backpack before giving Fox a small wave and heading out the door.
It’s abouteleven thirty when I walk into the apartment. Bruno pops his head up from his place on the couch and wags his tail.
“Hey bud,” I whisper and scratch his ear. “Is your mom asleep?” I look around the empty living room before walking down the hall. I see Ren’s bedroom door is open, so I peer in to find her curled on her side under her blankets, sleeping. Quietly, I back away and head to my room. I start disrobing when I feel a vibration from my phone, followed by another. Halting, taking off my clothes, I pull my phone out of my pocket and look down at the screen.
