Page 86 of Atlas
“You never followed it up?” I ask.
She shakes her head. “Why would I? He left me alone a few months after, and when he asked me to babysit, I did it for the money. He never touched me after my eighteenth birthday.”
“Why didn’t you tell us you’d reported him?” asks Axel, picking up his mobile.
She rolls her eyes. “You didn’t ask.”
Rue
Anita laughs at something Grizz says, tossing her hair back like she’s been part of this place forever. The guys around her—Grizz, Fletch, even Axel—are smiling, engaged, drawn in by her ease. She fits here, knows when to tease, when to flirt, when to listen. The kind of woman who doesn’t hesitate.
I sip my Coke and try not to stare.
I wish I had that confidence. That natural ability to glide into any conversation and make it look easy. When I speak, my voice trembles. My jokes fall flat, and I never know where to put my hands.
I glance to the far side of the field, and I see him.
Atlas.
Leaning against the rail with a bottle in his hand, watching everything and nothing at once. His arms are folded, jaw tight, brow furrowed like he’s halfway through an argument he can’t win. Alone, for once. And for a split second, the ache in my chest is unbearable.
That used to be my place. Right there beside him, even if it was for just a short time. It felt right. He was my safe person.
My hand curls tighter around my drink. Because even now, after everything—after the lies, the betrayal, the heartbreak—my body still reacts to him like he’s gravity.
But I’m not that girl.
I’ve spent my whole life watching women I love, fall for the wrong man and make excuses for him. I told myself I wouldn’t be one of them. I told myself I’d be smarter. Stronger.
So, I square my shoulders and turn my attention towards the firepit, even as my heart whispers,just one more look.“Rue,” a warm voice cuts through my thoughts, “you alright?”
I blink then glance sideways. Duchess. One of the older women, her silver hair is swept into a braid, her smile lines deep from a life well-lived. She’s holding a half-empty glass of wine and wearing a leather vest over a floral blouse like it makes total sense. Somehow, it does on her.
I nod quickly. “Yeah, just thinking.”
She hums, clearly not buying it, but kind enough not to press. “Come sit with us. Xanthe’s telling the story of how she met Fury.”
I hesitate.
My eyes flick back to Anita, still laughing with the boys like she was born to do this, and I almost say no. But then Duchess reaches out and loops her arm through mine like she’s already decided.
“Come on,” she says. “If you’re going to stick around for a few days, you may as well make new friends.”
I let her guide me to the circle of lawn chairs by the fire pit, where a few other old ladies are curled up with drinks and stories. They greet me with easy smiles.
“Rue, right?” one of them asks.
I nod. “Yeah.”
“Everyone,” says Duchess, “this is Rue. I’m sure you all remember her from the barbeque a few weeks back, but she was here with Atlas.” She proceeds to go around the circle and point everyone out. Lexi gives a small wave and pats the space beside her. I take it gratefully.
“Are you and Atlas . . .” Tessa trails off, waiting for me to answer. I give my head a shake. “Oh,” she replies, giving Lexi a frantic glance.
“It’s fine,” I say, forcing a smile. “He just . . .”
“He almost shagged Anita,” says Kasey, appearing like a lightning bolt and shoving her backside down beside me. “He doesn’t deserve my sister.”
I give an awkward smile, hating how honest Kasey is all the damn time, but equally relieved she’s here to fill the silence.
