2. Atlas
Beckett’s excitement blasts through the room when I offer to move in with Eloise. Sage and Ian exchange a look. Ian’s holding back a smirk like I’ve taken on more than I can handle. But he doesn't know shit. What none of them know is this isn't just a bid to escape Beckett's but maybe something more.
Eloise gently tucks a loose strand of hair behind her ear, a small gesture that seems to illuminate her heart-shaped face.
I recall how I relentlessly teased Ian when he fell madly in love with Sage at their very first meeting.
Now, it seems the universe has decided to teach me a lesson.
The moment I saw Eloise, unfamiliar feelings hit me like a tidal wave. My heart skipped a beat, my cock turned to stone, and a flurry of emotions rushed through me, leaving my mind and body jumbled messes.
I can barely focus on the conversation as her bright smile and sparkling eyes take center stage in my thoughts, each detail of her appearance unraveling my composure and sending my mind into a whirlwind.
Ian stands between Beckett and Dawson with his arms folded, clearly evaluating if I've lost my mind. To hell with them.
"It makes sense," I begin once more, speaking faster with each word. "I'll cover Sage's portion of the rent while I'm here.” Then I list all the reasons I'd make a great roommate. “A woman shouldn’t be living alone in this area.” That's a bit of a stretch. This is one of the safest towns in the entire state. "Plus, I'm handy with tools and a whiz in the kitchen."
I try to play it cool, but I know my brothers can see right through me. My neck is heating up like I'm in a goddamn inferno. Eloise stares at me with shock in her eyes, and my heart pounds as I fear she’s going to refuse my suggestion.
Eloise isn't saying a word, just looking at me like she's trying to decide if I'm joking or maybe a little insane.
Ian tilts his head, his eyes narrowing in on me like he's getting ready to give me shit. Sage's eyes are on Eloise, wide and hopeful. It's clear she's not sure what's going to happen either. No one's really sure, except maybe Beckett, who nods again with that annoying confidence that makes me want to punch him.
I'm out on a limb here, but the longer Eloise looks at me, the more I start to worry she’s going to refuse. What started as a crazy impulse is turning into something that feels like it’s meant to be. I know I sound like a cheesy greeting card, but I don’t fucking care.
When I look at her, I can’t even picture Coach Martin's kid. All I see is a confident, beautiful woman who reached right into my chest and stole my goddamn heart. She's not the shy, quiet kid I remember. Hell, I'm not the same guy either. A million things have changed, but I get the sense we're both still wondering who the other really is.
"You would be doing me a huge favor. I'm desperate to escape Beckett's zoo," I lie. I love my brother’s animals, but I’m willing to say anything to convince Eloise to let me move in. My voice sounds strange, like it doesn't quite belong to me.
There's a moment when I think she's about to tell me to fuck off, that she'd rather be homeless than live with me. But I don't move, and neither does she. We're stuck in this stand-off, both trying to outlast the other.
Then it hits me. I need this to happen. There’s no other choice.
"Don’t worry, Eloise," Ian finally breaks the silence. "He’s mostly housetrained." His voice drips with mock surprise, and Sage nudges him, trying to keep the moment from turning into a total shit show.
"That's good to know," Eloise says with a laugh, her voice slicing through the suffocating tension that cloaks us. "It would be great for you to move in." Relief floods my body like a crashing wave, my pulse pounding furiously in my ears, drowning out everything else.
"This is great news," Sage chimes in, her voice carrying relief mixed with excitement. But that's not what I'm after, even if no one but me really knows that yet. “We can all help Atlas move in here this next week.” A round of groans rolls through the room at her declaration.
I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding, feeling the tension ease from my shoulders. "Sounds great."
There's a spark of something in Eloise's eyes, like she can't believe this is actually happening. Hell, I can't either, but that doesn't stop me from wanting it even more.
"It's settled." Beckett claps his hands, and his grin says he didn't expect me to pull this off. The asshole turns to my girl. "Just remember, I don’t take returns."
"Like I want to return to your madhouse." I glare at the fucker, hoping to hide the fact that I’m completely out of my damn mind for this girl.
Before Beckett and I can really get started arguing, Sage starts handing out orders like the best drill sergeant. "Time to get back to work.”
While I help my brothers gather more boxes, I can’t help but watch Eloise.
She's engaged in conversation with Sage, and the way her laughter rings out sends a whirlwind of sensations through my body. Her light and infectious laughter seems to dance in the air, making my heart race and my skin tingle with an inexplicable thrill.
"We should celebrate," Beckett suggests, throwing his arm around Sage. "Pizza and beer after we finish this round?"
Ian automatically growls, “Keep your goddamn hands to yourself,” before stepping between Beckett and Sage.
"We can go to Rosie's," Dawson cuts in. “Ian’s buying.”
That gets Ian’s attention. "How come I'm buying?"
"Because we’re all spending our Saturday off helping you move boxes," Dawson replies before mouthing, “duh.”
"Fine, but I'm picking the toppings." Ian can’t resist pizza. My parents used to say he was going to turn into a pepperoni.
I can hear their banter, but it's Eloise who I can't stop watching. The way she moves, the way she talks, it's like everything comes alive around her.
* * *
Ian's truck engine rumbles beneath me, but it's nothing compared to the noise in my head. I'm fucking moving in with my woman. Jesus. My thoughts keep me occupied as we pile all the boxes into Ian and Sage's house.
Once we finish up, we head over to Rosie’s to wait for Eloise and Sage. My dumbass brother insists on waiting for them before we’re seated so we end up standing in the front of the restaurant twiddling our thumbs.
Finally, the girls walk in, and Sage flings herself at Ian, kissing him as if they haven't seen each other in ages.
“Hi,” Eloise says, glancing at the rest of us with a faint smile. “Sorry we’re late.”
“It’s fine,” Beckett mumbles as the hostess leads us to a large booth.
Eloise is wearing a vibrant print dress that immediately catches my eye with how perfectly it fits her delicious curves. This is going to test my self-control to the limit.
Ian whistles and compliments Sage’s appearance, and Dawson makes a show of rolling his eyes while muttering, “Pussy-whipped asshole.”
“You’re just jealous,” Ian responds, and the bickering starts again.
I ignore them and glance around the bustling restaurant. I’ve known most of the patrons in here forever, but Eloise is the only person I notice.
We all pile into the large booth, and Eloise ends up wedged in next to me, her curvy thigh brushing against mine, and I'm convinced the universe loves me. Her slight indrawn breath and the pulse beating at the base of her elegant throat tell me she’s feeling the same pull toward me. It makes me want to drag her closer, hold her in my arms, and forget we’re in a crowded pizza place with my dumbass brothers looking on.
A server swings by with water and promises he'll be right back. We haven't even ordered, and I'm already wondering how I'll survive this dinner without kissing Eloise until we’re both breathless.
Eloise and Sage chat about the upcoming week at school, while Ian, Dawson, and Beckett discuss the new equipment we’re expecting at the firehouse.
I'm too preoccupied with the presence of my curvy girl tucked up against my side to really focus on their conversation. I just nod or shrug whenever my brothers glance my way, though I have no clue what I'm acknowledging.
The server finally returns to ask if we’re ready to order, and Ian turns to us. “Does a large supreme and a large pepperoni sound like enough to you guys?” I roll my eyes at my cheap ass brother thinking he’ll get off that easy.
"I’ll take my own medium meat pie," I tell him, feeling the anticipation of a delicious meal and a small hit to his wallet. “Make that a large.”
“A large?” Beckett snorts. “I dare you to try to eat a whole fucking eighteen-inch double stuffed pizza.”
“I’m not cleaning up the puke this time.” Dawson jumps at the opportunity to remind me about the one time in college I ate two pizzas and got hideously sick.
"I’m a growing boy," I say with a playful roll of my eyes, amused by their relentless ribbing. “Plus, this will give me extra to take home for my lunch tomorrow.”
Ian lets out a dramatic groan, clutching his wallet in mock despair. "It's going to cost me a fortune to feed you," he laments, his voice tinged with exaggerated agony.
I shrug and glance at Eloise. "I’ll share my meat with you."
"Sounds good," she smiles.
Ian also orders a pitcher of beer and a pitcher of iced tea. The kid takes our order and hurries off, trying not to trip over his own feet.
Time goes by in a blur, or maybe that's just me, trapped in some alternate reality where the only thing I can concentrate on is the way Eloise laughs and the way she drives me fucking insane.
My brothers keep glancing over with shock in their eyes, but I just ignore the fuckers, lost in my own thoughts. All the blood in my body has headed straight to my cock, and I’m starting to wonder if the continuous erection will cause permanent damage.
Eloise is so damn close I can't focus on anything else. I'm supposed to be the laid-back one, but right now, the way she's looking at me makes me feel like I've forgotten how to act human.
When the food arrives, I eat like I'm starving, which is a good cover for the rest of my hunger. Eloise talks with Sage about shared custody of Winnie, and I'm just trying to keep myself from pinning her to the seat and kissing her in front of the whole goddamn town.
A few weeks ago, Ian was me. A few weeks from now, who the hell knows. I just know I'm about to lose it.
My body's acting like a live wire, and I'm starting to suspect she knows exactly the effect she's having on me. Or maybe she doesn't. Maybe she's so effortlessly perfect, she can't imagine that some guy might literally fall apart because she's pressed up against him in a booth at Rosie’s.
Everything feels amped up. My pulse is a train roaring down a track, and my dick is pushing against the zipper in my jeans. Everything is wound tight with want and needing her so badly; I'm ready to drag her off to a corner and talk her into marrying me by dessert. It's insane.
I try to focus on eating more and thinking less about her lips and the way she's leaning in like she can't get close enough. The way the skin of her arm brushes against mine. I want to memorize every detail to replay later when I’m lying alone in bed.
The universe clearly wants to test me because our frat boy server is suddenly all about paying extra attention to Eloise, staring at her like she's the only person at the table. My blood pressure shoots through the roof, and the little twerp's hopeful smile makes my blood boil.
"Can I get you anything else?" he asks, leaning way the fuck too close to Eloise.
"She's good," I bark before she can answer, and my voice comes out more possessive than I intended. Great. Now I look like a lunatic.
Eloise glances at me, surprised, then back at the server. "Thanks, but I’m good," she says with her sweet smile. The kid nearly trips over his own feet and bumps into Dawson on his way to the next table.
"That waiter is fantastic," Ian remarks, lifting an eyebrow. "I'm going to give him a bigger tip for his attentiveness."
I rub the side of my head and discreetly gesture at Ian with my middle finger where the girls can't see.