Page 96 of Atlas
“It makes her coffee just the way she likes it,” I say, sharper than I mean to. “She can’t leave the compound, so I figured . . . I’d bring it to her.”
Axel whistles. “You kiss one lawyer and now you’re compensating with appliances.”
I shoot him a look. “That’s not what this is.”
“Sure it’s not.”
“I messed up. I know that. But I’m starting again with her, behaving how I should have in the beginning.”
Kasey moves into the kitchen and grabs a mug from the shelf. “She doesn’t stop looking for you when you’re not in the room. But if you tell her I told you that, I’ll end you.”
I give a small smile, thankful she’s trying to help me. Having her on side is half the battle won.
Axel reaches for the machine just as it lets out a high-pitched beep. “You reckon this thing’s gonna kill me?”
“Touch it and I’ll break your hand.”
He grins. “Ah, there’s the romantic we know and love.”
I ignore him and pour the first coffee. It’s got the swirl. The foam. The vanilla syrup.
It’s not an apology. But it’s a start. It’s stupid,probably.She might not even take it.
But I carry it anyway.
The clubhouse is louder than usual, someone’s music is playing down the hall, and girls are laughing near the pool table. But all I see is her.
Rue.She’s curled up at the table with Lexi, her knees tucked to her chest like she’s guarding herself. I don’t think she even knows she does it.
I step through the doorway, mug in hand, and then I hear her and my heart sinks. “Atlas!”
I turn to glance in Anita’s direction. Her voice slices the moment clean in half. Too cheerful. Too much. I pause, barely, then keep walking.
“Can I talk to you a sec?” she calls out again, her heels tapping behind me.
“No.” I don’t turn. Don’t flinch. Just keep my eyes on Rue.
She sees me. Her back stiffens, then her hands freeze mid-fidget. She’s wary, cautious.
I slow as I reach her, the mug held steady.
“You said you missed the coffee at that place near your flat,” I say quietly, aware of Lexi watching like she’s front row at the theatre. “I figured I’d try and bring it to you. Just how you like it.”
Rue doesn’t answer. Doesn’t even reach for it.
She just looks at it. Then at me.
That pause, the stretch of it, hurts more than it should. But I don’t move. I wait. She has to come to me. Her terms. Her pace.
Her fingers finally wrap around the cup. The way she holds it, careful like it’s a delicate thing, it makes something in my chest ease.
“Thanks,” she whispers.
I nod. That’s all I get. But that’s enough, for now.
I turn to leave, and Anita’s standing by the doorway still. Her arms crossed, her smile long gone.
I don’t stop because I can’t have Rue see me talking to the woman I cheated on her with, but she follows me into the kitchen. “I only wanted to tell you that you were right. Damien does know Kasey.”
