Page 28 of Atlas
I look at her a long moment, and for once, I don’t feel the need to hide it. “Yeah,” I say finally, “there is.”
And right then, Kasey barrels out the door like a hurricane, snapping the spell.
“Ugh, finally,” she groans. “You two having a moment or what?”
Rue rolls her eyes but laughs, and I find myself watching her again, loving the way she lights up around her sister.
Kasey throws her arms around Rue in that clumsy way she hugs, more like a shove with affection hidden inside it. Rue just laughs and hugs her back properly, like she means it.
“You look tired,” Rue says, pulling back slightly.
“You look like a librarian,” Kasey shoots back with a grin. “Glad to see we’re both thriving.”
“You’re an idiot,” Rue mutters affectionately, brushing a thumb over a small scrape on Kasey’s cheek. “You okay?”
Kasey nods, but there’s a flicker of something raw in her eyes. “Getting there.”
She says it so casually, likegetting theredoesn’t mean recovering from the kind of trauma that leaves marks you can’t see.
I step back a little, ready to give them space, turning towards the clubhouse door.
“Hey,” Rue calls gently, and I glance back. She’s still got one arm looped around Kasey’s shoulder, but her gaze is on me. “You don’t have to go.”
I hesitate.
Kasey smirks, catching the shift in the air between us. “Oh god. Don’t flirt with my sister, please. I’m begging.”
Rue flushes instantly. “I wasn’t.” There’s a softness in her face that wasn’t there when she arrived, like she’s easing into something without even realising it. “Why don’t we walk a bit?” she suggests. “It’s stuffy in there.”
Kasey arches a brow at her. “Wow. First you hug me, and now, you’re going on a romantic stroll with my babysitter?”
“I’m not your babysitter,” I mutter.
“Sure, you’re not, Daddy,” she throws back, and Rue chokes on a laugh.
I shake my head, smirking despite myself. “Come on, before she says something else I can’t unhear.”
Rue falls into step beside me, her arm brushing mine lightly, like she’s still not sure how close is too close.
“You fancy my sister,” Kasey states, walking backwards so her eyes can flit between us.
“I didn’t say anything,” I reply.
“I mean, look at her,” Kasey continues. “What’s not to fancy, right?”
“Jesus, Kase, stop,” hisses Rue, her cheeks burning brightly.
I laugh, enjoying the flow of the conversation. “Right,” I agree.
“Then ask her out,” Kasey pushes.
“Did I tell you she has some kind of autism?” Rue cuts in. “She says things as she sees them. And I’m certain there’s some ADHD there too.”
I give a nod. “I noticed that.”
“Which is why I can see how well you go with my sister, especially over that suited-up posh bird.”
“There’s a posh bird?” asks Rue, her eyes finding mine.
