Page 11 of For the First Time
My car was quiet, the radio being completely turned down, and it was apparent how alone I was.I could have called Hannah.She would have celebrated with me—she was a good friend.Heck, I probably could have even called Koda.She’d been doing interviews recently as well to try and find a private institute to help fund her research into blackhole something or others after she graduates next year.If anyone would understand the joy of a successful interview, it would be her.Yet, I didn’t call anyone.
I don’t know what I expected.If I didn’t tell anyone about the job, or the interview, they wouldn’t know so they wouldn’t call.That was logical.
But I didn’t want logical.I wanted overprotective.I wanted meddling and caring.I wanted an emotional connection.
Maybe I should start dating?Having someone had to be better than being alone.
My thoughts circled the entire drive home.Go on a date, I was better off alone, just call Hannah, I needed to be in a relationship, I had to stop thinking about Atlas and Oaks.By the time I parked in front of my apartment complex, my head throbbed with the constant back and forth.
“Fuck it.”I grabbed my phone, ready to call Hannah, except I already had a message.I’d silenced my phone when I’d arrived to ensure it didn’t go off in the interview, so I’d missed the notifications of texts.
From Oaks.
A smile forced its way to my lips, and my chest felt lighter, the pain in my head almost instantly disappearing.I hadn’t realized he sent a message to himself to get my number.Then I read the text.
Hey darlin.I stole your number from your application after I realized I didn’t get yours saved to my phone.I want you to let me know when you get home.
Another message only a few minutes after that.I saw the gift basket.Atlas is being very territorial about it.Won’t even let me touch the decorative string.You did good.
Then, another text just a few minutes ago.I should have asked how far you lived.Unfortunately, I’m getting nervous now.Let me know the minute you get home.
I typed out a message.Erased it.Typed out another.Erased it.Typed out,I’m home.Sent it.Then I added,I’m glad Atlas is enjoying the basket.
He didn’t respond right away, and I refused to acknowledge the fact that I stayed in my car for several minutes, just waiting.Finally, the realization that he was probably working had me finally getting out, making the trek to my apartment.It didn’t stop me from turning the sound up to make sure I didn’t miss any other texts.
As I was taking off my shoes, my phone dinged.I didn’t even have to pull it out of my purse since I was gripping it in my hand.I smiled down at Oaks’s name as I unlocked my phone, only for my jaw to drop.It was a picture of Atlas, obviously in mid-conversation to someone else.He was standing in a doorway.Not quite inside and not quite out.There was no denying he was a pretty omega.Oaks said he preferred the term handsome, and he was, but he was also pretty.Pretty to look at, like a model despite the dirt and roughness of his work.Or maybe because of that.
What truly caught my attention was the string wrapped around Atlas’s hat.He’d obviously unwrapped the ribbon on the basket, the one with the apples on it, and wound it along the base of the crown.I didn’t fully understand the implications of it, but it had to mean something.Right?
Chapter Four
That weekend, I wentover to Hannah’s place to celebrate my new job.Her alphas, Jackson, Sebastian, Han, and Zeke were around as well, some in the kitchen preparing dinner, others in the living space watching whatever sports game was muted so Hannah and I could talk.We were sitting in her living room, on the floor, resting against the couch.
I had brought over a simple crotchet package that was meant to teach people how to crotchet stuffed animals.Hannah had quickly lost her enthusiasm for the activity.I had made the first knot for her after she started to struggle, and then she couldn’t hook the yarn properly no matter how many times I slowed down my own actions.All the pieces simply sat in her lap as she played with the yarn, twining it around her fingers and making bows and such.
My own horse was nearly done.It looked more like a giraffe with the long neck, if I was honest.Still, it was cute.And I’d planned to bring it to work with me.
