Chapter 8
Chapter Eight
Mila
I’ve put the incident with Kash out of my mind. Now that Cora and Atlas are more of an item, I have no doubt I’ll see him around, but at least he hasn’t been back to the bakery. It’s almost disappointing that he gave up so easily.
Snuggling deeper onto the bleacher, I kick myself for not bringing a blanket to Noah’s soccer game.
We all came to support Noah since it’s getting colder, and he probably won’t have many more opportunities to play.
Watching my breath swirl around me, I almost choke on air when I hear Mara say, “Holy shit. They came.”
When I follow her gaze, I see the guys all walking toward us.
Seth and Kash are having a discussion, while Rhett is saying something to Atlas.
It’s not fair for someone to be that good-looking.
His hair is tied back tightly, not a piece out of place even as the wind blows around us.
His dark hoodie and jeans make me shiver just by looking at him. How is he not cold?
“Let’s go, Noah!” Kash shouts before waving at him. Noah’s face lights up when he sees Kash. I watch Noah run over and show Kash his arm. I’m guessing the whole temporary tattoo thing is still a sore subject to Cora because I hear him utter an apology. He seems sincere. Interesting.
When the guys make it over to us, I move down so they can all have space.
Atlas brought a blanket for Cora, and God, I want that.
I want someone who is willing to sit in the cold at our kid’s soccer games, and bring me blankets, and smile at me like I hung the moon.
I shouldn’t be jealous of my friend, but I can’t help it.
For as grouchy as he comes off, Atlas only has eyes for her.
Paying attention to Noah’s game, I ignore the looks I feel Kash giving me. He’s sitting further down the bench, so I don’t have to worry about it. Mara nudges me and gives me a ‘what the hell’ look. I’m usually quiet, but not this quiet.
“I keep telling Mara we should get some new ink. Do you guys have any openings?” I toss out before I can think about it.
Kash’s gaze zeroes in on my face. “You have a tattoo?”
“Tattoos. Plural.”
“There’s no way. Where?” He looks me over, and I almost laugh because I keep them hidden. Unlike Mara, I like to keep mine a secret.
I have a few tattoos, and they aren’t anything overly fancy.
Mara and I actually have a matching one.
When we turned eighteen, we got our first tattoo together.
One of the few hobbies we share is stargazing, and of course with our birthdays being at the end of May, we’re Geminis.
It’s probably pretty common, but it’s okay.
We’re always carrying a piece of each other with us, no matter what.
I got mine on my left shoulder; Mara got hers on the right.
Of course, now she jokes that hers is on the right because she’s always right.
I’m about to answer him when Dad clears his throat, giving us a look.
Right, I probably shouldn’t be encouraging him anyways.
I can still feel his gaze on me, so I try my best to ignore it.
Atlas and Cora are chatting, and Mara is watching the game intently.
Resting my head on her shoulder, she offers me a small smile.
Everyone thinks Mara is gruff and standoffish—which, don’t get me wrong, she can be—but she’s also my other half and has a softer side she doesn’t show most people. I can’t imagine my life without her.
I stay like that for the rest of the game, then once the final whistle blows, I stand and stretch.
Between those bleachers and the game, I’m going to have to book an appointment with a chiropractor soon.
Turning to grab my bag, I stand and find Kash waiting next to me, a serious expression on his face.
Mara and Rhett are talking to Mom and Dad, while Cora, Atlas and Seth have made their way across the field. By the looks of it, they’re having a heated conversation with someone.
Deciding to be nice, I offer him a friendly smile. “Hi, Kash.”
“Where?”
“Where what?”
“Where are your tattoos? Your skin looks so pure, and trust me, I’ve spent time looking at it and thinking about it.”
Staring at him for a moment, I try to keep up with him but find it difficult. “Are you okay? Like, mentally?”
“That’s debatable.” He smiles. “But don’t change the topic, Mila. Tell me where you’re hiding the tattoos, or I’ll be forced to go on my own scavenger hunt. I’m hoping for prizes along the way.”
“I don’t know if you’re actually serious or not.”
“I don’t joke about prizes.” He moves closer, and every part of me is screaming to step back, but I don’t.
The wind whirls around us, causing me to shiver.
His hair blows loose in his bun, and I suddenly wonder how long it is.
The thought comes out of nowhere and I scold myself.
I should not be wondering about him like that.
I also shouldn’t be curious about what cologne he wears because it makes me want to get a closer experience.
Taking a step back, I avoid his eyes. “It’s not a big deal, Kash. They’re just tattoos.”
His warm hand grabs my chin, tilting my head back to look into his eyes. “It matters because someone else touched your body, and I need to know where and who it was.”
Is he serious right now? “I don’t owe you any explanations, Kash. We aren’t an item. I’ve made that clear to you.” Stepping back, I pull out of his grasp.
“So, who wants to get pizza?” Cora asks the group. I spin around, surprised to see them back already. Atlas is still glaring across the field, but for once, Seth looks amused.
“I’m buying,” he offers.
There’s murmuring around the group, and I avoid Kash’s stare, walking back toward my parents like the coward I am.
If I have to spend more time with him, there’s a high likelihood I’ll eventually cave and I can’t risk that.
Glancing quickly at Kash, I see his quiet form watching me still.
Sure, if I gave into him, it would be fun at first, but then he’d inevitably get tired of me.
I’m more of a ‘stay in and watch junk TV’ kind of girl.
Mara likes to go out, but I’m not a big partier.
I get excited about new cookbooks and baking supplies.
Maybe I should try to push Mara and Kash together instead, but I immediately dismiss the idea.
The thought of Mara and Kash together sends a pang of sadness through me.
I have no right to feel that way, but I do.
Offering him a tight smile, I head back to my car. I know his gaze is on me; I can feel it. I have to get used to him being around. Judging by the looks Cora and Atlas are giving each other, I don’t think he’s going anywhere, which means Kash isn’t either.
“You stupid fixture! Why are you like this?” I growl, glaring at the leaking faucet in my bathroom. I never got around to calling for a plumber to come look at my bathroom faucet and now it just continues to leak, but it’s getting worse. I don’t have time for this.
Pushing my hair from my face, I take in my appearance. Tonight is a surprise party for Atlas’ birthday that Cora put together a couple of weeks ago. I’m starting to think they’re going to be good for each other. I’m happy my friend has him; plus, Noah seems to like him, so that’s a bonus.
Grabbing my keys, I head over to Exiled Ink. I wasn’t sure what to get him, so I opted for an online gift card. That way, he can get whatever he wants, and I’m not showing up empty-handed.
We all get into place and shout “Surprise” when he comes in and the party kicks off.
We’ve been so busy at the shop lately with Halloween, but I promised Cora I would make this chocolate cake for him.
She doesn’t ask for much and given what I’ve learned about Atlas and the other guys, I’m guessing they could use all the kind gestures they can get.
I was shocked to find out they all grew up in foster care together with Emma, their pseudo mom.
Kash is so happy whenever I see him that I never would have guessed he grew up in the system.
It makes me more curious about him, and I can’t afford for that to happen.
I have to remind myself that Cora only works here because the other girl went nuts after Kash didn’t want a relationship with her.
At least, that’s what I hear. From Cora’s run-in with her, she’s pretty firm something must have been off with her in general.
Mara and I stay for a bit and mingle with the guests. I try my hardest to avoid Kash, but he’s always popping up right by me.
“Where have you been, Sunshine?”
“Would you stop calling me that?”
“Nope. It’s either Sunshine, Sweetheart, or Wifey.”
Choking on my drink, I look at him in bewilderment. “Are you sure you’re not crazy? Have you actually been checked?”
“Are you worried about me, honey? Hmm…” He tilts his head as if in thought. “I don’t care for that one as much as the others.”
“Are you like this with everyone?”
“Like what?”
“Like this.” I wave my hand in his general direction. “You’re oddly happy right now.”
“Why wouldn’t I be happy? I’m here with my girl, and my buddy gets to celebrate his birthday with his girl.”
“I'm not your girl, Kash. We’ve been through this.”
“Maybe not yet, but you will be. I’m not giving up, Mila. I know you’ll come around.”
Would it be so bad to give in? I know I don’t really date, but maybe one night with him would settle me for a while. It’ll be a nice memory to hold on to.
“Can you help me with the cake, Mila?” Cora’s voice cuts into my thoughts.
Smiling at my friend, I walk away from Kash. “Of course.”
“Talk soon, Sunshine,” Kash murmurs from behind me.
“What’s that all about?” Cora asks with a lift of her brow.
“Nothing. I swear. He’s just being friendly.”
Cora’s quiet for a minute as I grab the candles and get ready to place them strategically around the cake. There’s a smattering of chocolate covered strawberries on top, and I don’t think anyone wants to eat wax.
“Mila,” she starts, “I know I said Kash is a bit of a flirt and all that, but he’s not a bad guy.
He’s dependable, kind, and is really sweet to Noah.
I think Noah actually likes him more than Atlas.
” She smirks. “Maybe at least try to be friends with him. I’m not saying you have to go out with him, but maybe you could try to be friends? ”
Placing the last candle in the cake, I step back and think about what she said. Looking across the room, I see Kash standing with Rhett, deep in conversation. As if he can sense my gaze on him, he turns and offers me a large smile.
Maybe she’s right. Maybe I can be friends with Kash. Just because I find him funny and good-looking doesn’t mean I have to date him.
I’ll just keep him in the friend zone. That should be easy, right?