Page 100 of Atlas
That gets a flicker of a smile from him, barely there. “I can live with that.”
“I’m not saying I trust you again,” I add.
“I wouldn’t expect you to.”
“But I’m not done talking to you either,” I say, softer now. “And I don’t want you to go.”
He studies me like I’m something precious, something he’s scared to touch. “I’ll stay,” he says, “if you want me to.”
I nod once. “I do.”
He lowers himself back to the beanbag, and I do the same, heart thudding a little louder than it should.
Anita
“Call off the pitbulls,” yells Damien the second I answer his call. “Or so help me, I’ll—”
I hold the phone from my ear. “Careful, you’ll give yourself a hernia yelling like that.” It feels easier to be confident when I know I’m winning the battle.
“I will drag you through that courthouse,” he screams. It’s also satisfying knowing I’m getting to him.
“You already are.”
“Is this what you want for our child?” he asks.
“I want the very best for Leo,” I state.
“And you think that’s with you?” He laughs, it’s cold and empty.
“Yes, Damien, I do. I’m his mother.”
“You’re nothing, sweetheart. A scrubber who fucks bad boys like they’re going out of fashion.”
“Remind me again how old Kasey was when you first had sex with her?” I keep my voice even, and Tom fist pumps the air with a huge grin. I glow under his praise. “At this point, I’d like to offer you regular contact,” I say firmly. “Agree to Leo living back with me, and I’ll be reasonable, which is more than I can say for how you’ve behaved.”
“I’ll be speaking with your parents, Anita. Without their backing, you don’t stand a chance.”
He disconnects, leaving me staring at the phone still in my hand.
“You did great,” Tom rushes to say.
“He’s right,” I almost whisper. “What judge would give me my child if my own parents think Damien is the better option?”
He sits on the seat opposite my desk.
“Win your parents over,” says Tessa from her desk. I glance over. “You’re their daughter, remind them.”
“They hate me, Tessa. Everything I do pisses my father off.”
“What would make him happy when it comes to you?” asks Tom.
I think over his question. “If I went to work for my father’s company.”
He winces. “Well, that can’t happen.”
“Exactly. He’d also be kinder if I was to marry right.”
“Right?” he asks.
