Page 32 of Atlas
“Piano,” I practically scoff. Leo hates it, it’s just another thing Damien forces him to do. “I think seeing his mother is more important than piano practise.”
“Anita, get a hold of yourself,” Father hisses.
“But you enjoy your meal,” Damien says, ignoring me and staring at my parents. “I’ll pay the bill to compensate for the inconvenience.”
“That’s very kind,” Father tells him, shaking his hand.
“And I know how you all love to get together. It’s not often your schedules align.” He gives me one last smirk before lookingdown at Leo. “Say goodbye.” Leo turns to me, but Damien cuts in sharply, adding, “To your grandparents.”
I stand abruptly. “Can we talk?” I ask Damien.
He eyes me reluctantly. “If we must, but you know we should do it through our solicitors.”
“Fuck the solicitors,” I snap, grabbing my things and marching out the restaurant. I wait for him to follow, and when he steps out, he looks calm, even though deep down I know he’s angry. He hands Leo the car keys and tells him to get in the car, which he does.
“You went to all this trouble so I could have lunch with my parents,” I snap.
“I don’t have time for your childish accusations.”
“When can I see him?” I ask.
“You just saw him.”
“You know what I mean. I want quality time with my son.”
“Did you get the court date?” I nod. “Then let’s wait to see the outcome of that before we fix any more dates.”
I narrow my eyes. “Damien, that’s weeks away.”
“I’ll see you in court,” he mutters, heading to the driver’s side of the car.
I growl in frustration and before I can stop myself, I rip open the passenger door, taking Leo by surprise. “I love you,” I tell him.
“Anita, close the door,” Damien snaps.
“And I will get you back so we can do all the things we used to do.” Leo’s eyes soften. “Do you remember them?” I ask, smiling with tears in my eyes.
“Anita, I’m warning you,” Damien hisses, getting back out the car.
“Ice cream Sundays,” I continue, keeping my eyes on Leo. “Trips to the beach. Film nights way past bedtime.” Leo nods, his eyes also filling with tears.
Damien rounds the car quickly, gripping my arm until it’s painful but I refuse to let Leo see. “You just have to be honest, Leo,” I whisper, wincing as he twists it up my back. “And we can be together again.” I’m hauled back, and Damien slams the door closed, spinning me and pushing me against the car. I smirk, unaffected by his face so close to mine, because for the first time since this all began, Leo acknowledged our time together, and I know he misses it too.
“You try a stunt like that again and I’ll have a restraining order slapped on you,” he sneers, gripping my arm tighter.
“Careful, Damien,” I whisper. “We both know how you get when you’re feeling violent.” His nostrils flare. “Pinning me down was your speciality,” I add.
“Everything that happened between us,” he whispers, pushing his forehead against my own roughly, “was because you deserved it.”
A smile plays on my lips. “No, Damien,” I whisper back. “Everything that happened between us was abuse. Now, get the fuck off me.” I shove him back, and he releases me, his hair falling out of place. It satisfies me to see him dishevelled for once, and I laugh as he rounds the car and gets back into the driver’s seat, speeding off.
Chapter Seven
Atlas
“It’s just coffee,” I tell Fletch, grabbing my keys off the table.
He leans against the doorframe, arms folded, smirking. “Sure, it is.”
