Page 44 of Atlas
Janie nods and stays quiet for a moment. She pushes her mass of red curls out of her freckled face while rubbing her chin. “Ren, you know I love you, right?” Oh god here we go.
“Yes Janie. I love you too, currently.” I shoot her a warning look that doesn’t faze her in the least.
“I would die for you, I would kill for you, but more importantly, I am willing to accept you being mad at me if need be because I’m about to fuck you up with all the truths right now.” Just once, just one time, I would like to converse with her without a“Janie-fied”television quote getting thrown into the mix. “Seriously Ren,” she continues as she crosses her legs. “That man worships the ground you walk on and has for, well, for longer than I’ve known you. And he doesn’t make it a secret. Think about it. With Fox and I, Jesus, we were in love and still telling the other we hated each other. Not Atlas, you are always on his mind, and god, the way he flirts with you.”
I blush and tuck a lock of fallen hair behind my ear. “You know he’s a big flirt.”
Janie looks up at me, giving me the most serious look I’ve seen from her in a long time. “No Lauren, he isn’t. He is a big flirt with you. If you think he is here acting that way with other women, you are very wrong. Jesus, look at his station! He has photos of you two and he always hashiswedding ring on.” She states, and I subconsciously cover my bare hand. “My point is, you are closer to him than anyone, and it would hurt him to hear you say you thought that what you two shared last night wasn't genuine. Because if Atlas showed you himself, you know it was real. I don’t know a lot about Atlas’ family. But I know with Fox, he held a lot of heavy guilt, hell he still does. Fox liked to keep a certain persona up, it kept everyone back. And all of us know how hard it is to break that habit. Atlas is stressed, and I believe he wants to be who you turn to, but fears if he shows his weakness, you won’t feel able to. So maybe give the guy a break. I’m not saying he should’ve run off. But maybe we shouldn’t look at this as him trying to hurt you but rather him still struggling tobe okay sharing things with you. After all, this is new to him, he’s spent his life not having anyone. It’ll take time to break that.”
I take in her words before nodding and letting out a sigh. “You’re right, I know you are. I don’t like it, though.”
Janie shrugs and gives me a smile. “You don’t have to like it. Just accept it.”
I laugh, “I feel like poor Fox hears that quite often.”
“He wouldn’t have to if the idiot would stop fighting me. Now, on to more important matters, how was it?” Janie grins and runs her tongue over her teeth.
I blush deeply as I giggle. “Did you know he’s pierced?” Janie’s eyes widen.
“Shut up… like… how? Did it hurt?”
“No, it’s on the top and it was, it was amazing.” I sigh, remembering the balls massaging the perfect spot.
“Wowwww! Atlas is a freak.” I laugh at my friend, deciding I would keep the squirting to myself, at least for now.
Chapter 18
Atlas
“Atlas fucking Hart,” a familiar, mature feminine voice purrs as I down a shot before signaling to the bartender to get me another. I turn to see the petite brunette make her way over to the barstool next to me. She's attractive, older than me, maybe mid to late forties. Fuck, she looks familiar. What's her name? I run my eyes over her thin frame, and stop when my eyes land on the cat tail tattoo that wraps around her wrist.
“Josie,” I smile fondly and watch her relax when I say her name. “How’s my favorite pussycat?” She laughs as she sits on the barstool.
“Better than you, I’d say,” Her dark eyes look at the shot glass I have pressed against my lips. “Aren’t you on probation?”
I down the shot and signal for another. “Yes ma’am. Guess you were wrong about me being too much of a good guy for you, huh?” I laugh dryly as she rolls her eyes.
“Hart, you are a good guy. Why you try so hard to come off as a flake, I don’t know.”
“I am a flake! You told me you don’t do good guys, and I proved to you what a douche I am by having a one-night standwith you! Never called you back. That is a textbook flake.” I go to get another shot, but Josie reaches over and covers my hand to stop me and she gives me a sympathetic look.
“Atlas, you and I had a one-night stand over four years ago and you remember my name. And I bet if you weren’t so intoxicated you would remember more than that. You aren’t a flake and you are a good man. Trust me, I’ve had my fair share of bad men, you aren’t one of them. So whatever this is,” she gestures to my shot glass. “Stop before it puts you in a place where there is no chance of you coming back out as a good man.”
“I’m tired.” I say while staring at her hand covering my glass.
“Ain’t we all, sugar.” She chuckles as she sits next to me. “Wanna talk about it?”
I huff and shake my head. “Do I want to unload all of my personal baggage on a woman I was a dick to four years ago? No. I think I’m good.”
“Listen, excuse my language but, I fucked you sugar. Remember? It was my forty-third birthday, and I was in the middle of my first divorce and you showed up at the bar looking younger and more fit than any man I ever dreamed I could have and I had my first ummm… what is it?Cougar moment?”
I laugh lightly as she continues. “We had a one night stand and I, not you, said bye and no thanks to the phone number. So again, you weren’t a dick.”
Groaning, I rest my head on my forearm and look at her. “I have a wife.” I blurt out, and she smacks my arm.
“That is amazing! About time someone snatched you up.” I shake my head and sigh.
“She is amazing, and so smart… like way too smart to be with me. And she’s so pretty. She went to law school, she comes from wealthy parents. She’s just so sweet and well, she met my mom and sister today who are deep into their addictions.” Josiewinces, and nods as if knowing exactly what I’m talking about before urging me to continue.
