Chapter 3 Atlee
THREE
ATLEE
The next morning, I wake up with soreness between my thighs. Devlin ended up taking me twice more before the night was over, and I ended up falling asleep in his bed, right next to him. He’s not next to me, but there’s a piece of paper on his pillow.
Had to go out and work at Grizzly River. I’ll be back tonight. Feel free to make yourself at home.
Reaching over, I grab my phone off the nightstand.
I ignored it yesterday and last night while I was with Devlin.
When he’d come and gotten me at the pharmacy, I hadn’t expected him to bring me to his house.
It hadn’t even been a thought on my mind.
I assumed he would take me home to my apartment.
I hadn’t imagined he’d bring me here, not when the Nelson brothers are so private about what their home and business look like.
There aren’t a lot of people here that actually know what the hell is going on out on the Nelson ranch.
Opening my phone, I see a few texts from my sister.
Lennon
Atlee, I heard about what happened last night, are you okay? People said they saw you leave with Devlin. Get back to me as soon as possible.
God, I hadn’t even thought about texting her to let her know I’m okay. Not that our parents would care. She and I have always been the keepers of each other.
Me
I’m so sorry I didn’t text you after everything went down. I was slightly in shock. Even more in shock that Devlin brought me to his house.
Lennon
You’re on the Nelson ranch?
She’s gonna flip her shit when I tell her this.
Me
I’m not only on the Nelson ranch, but I’m in Devlin’s house. He lives separately from the rest of his brothers.
I wait for her to get back to me, but three little dots keep appearing and then disappearing. I know her better than anyone else, so I know she’s trying to get her thoughts together. But I’m not surprised when the text comes through.
Lennon
SHUT THE FUCK UP! Atlee, what the hell is happening?!?!?!
Me
I don’t know. I was at work, and then someone came in and threatened to rob me. I called Devlin because he told me to call my boss. He came storming in like he was about to save the damn day. Fuck it all if he didn’t. He was the hottest thing I’ve ever seen running in there.
Lennon
I’m sure he did, and I would have loved to have seen him running to save the day. Do you know how hot that is, Atlee? You’re living a real-life romance novel right now. You realize that, right?
I inhale deeply, hoping that it’ll settle the nervousness in my stomach. While I may be living a real-life romance novel, what got me here is bound to give me nightmares for a while.
Me
Yeah, I just wish I didn’t have to look at my face and see what happened to me.
Lennon
What do you mean?
Shit. I didn’t realize that she hadn’t been told about the violence of the robbery.
Me
What do you know about what happened?
My stomach is full of nerves as I wait for her to answer.
I’ve never been the type of person who liked to call attention to myself, even if I’m not the one doing it.
I’ve always been the one to make myself smaller.
It was the easiest way to live in the household where we grew up.
We were encouraged to never tell the truth, to always make people feel sorry for us, and to gather sympathy.
If we didn’t, there were consequences. Now?
I find it difficult to be honest without feeling guilty.
Lennon
Just that someone broke in and then Devlin came charging in to save the day. Is that not what happened? I saw Noah at the gas station this morning. He said you were lucky, but didn’t mention that anything worse than what I thought went down. Am I wrong?
My hand shakes as I lift my phone up and turn the screen so that I can take a selfie.
It takes everything I have to firm my bottom lip up and clear the tears from my eyes, but I don’t want her to see me as her small, little sister who she’s had to protect her entire life.
Quickly, I snap the picture and attach it to the message I’m sending.
Me
I let Payton go home early because there was only about an hour left, and it’d been so slow.
A man came in wearing a mask and with a gun.
I told him I didn’t have the combination to the safe to get the drugs he wanted, and he instructed me to call my boss.
I knew Joseph would do nothing except think I was playing a prank on him.
Instead of calling him, I called Devlin, who showed up.
But not before the guy backhanded me and pulled my hair.
I hit send along with the picture and wait for her. She won’t call me. I know she won’t. She and I are fully texters. I’ll sit here with my phone in my hand, watching the call come through and letting it go straight to voicemail. It takes longer than I expect for the follow-up text.
Lennon
OMG Atlee. Noah didn’t say a word about any of this. I’m so sorry this happened to you, and I’m thankful that Devlin was there. Is there anything I can do for you?
Tears pool in my eyes. This is my protector when I didn’t have any others. She’s always been one of the most important people in my world.
Me
No, I’m safe here. I can lick my wounds, and no one has to see this other than me and Devlin. I have a feeling everyone else was told to stay away.
Lennon
How long do you think you’re going to be out there?
Me
Until the bruises fade. Until the questions about what might have happened at the pharmacy die down a little.
Probably around a week. Can you do me a favor?
Devlin said he’s going into town this afternoon, can you give him a bag of my clothes and some toiletries?
I don’t want to be stuck wearing the same clothes for the week.
Lennon
Will do, but what are you wearing now?
Looking down, I realize I don’t want to tell her I’m naked in Devlin’s bed. That’ll lead to questions I don’t want to answer just yet.
Me
One of Devlin’s shirts and a pair of his sweatpants. Not entirely the most comfortable thing. I’ll appreciate whatever it is you bring me.
Lennon
All right. I’m trusting you because you’re an adult, and although I’ve taken care of you for most of our lives, I have to realize that you’re an adult.
It’s hard for me because you’re my favorite person, and I’ve taken responsibility for you for so long.
It kills me that something happened to you and I wasn’t around.
Me
As you said, I’m an adult, and you can’t be around all the time. I love you, and I’ll see you soon.
Lennon
Love you, and send Devlin over here. I’ll make sure he gets your stuff. Please be careful and safe.
There’s nothing else to say. I’m in the safest place I can be, and for once I’m not scared. For the first time in my life, I can take a full breath and relax.