Chapter 13
CHAPTER 13
ATLAS
S carlet’s glacial glare softens as she turns her focus from Ellis to Nora.
“Sit by me.” She pats the spot next to her.
“Regardless of what some might say, I don’t bite.”
Ellis snorts in a poor attempt to cover his laugh, but Nora remains rooted at my side.
“Go on, Pip. I’ll sit with you.” My voice is as soft as I step back and let her take the lead.
If she wants to join Scar on the couch, then we will; if she doesn’t, then we won’t.
It’s as simple as that.
Hell, she can stand right here in this very spot all night for all I care.
I’ll be by her side like I’m glued there.
She’s one hundred percent in control, even if she doesn’t realize it.
“Okay,” she whispers, nodding to herself.
She tries to hide the way her hands shake by balling them into fists, but I don’t miss it.
I’m too tuned into all things her to miss much of anything.
She takes a hesitant step before pausing and glancing back at me, as if to make sure I’m following behind her.
When she sees I am, she crosses the room quickly and perches herself on the edge of the center cushion.
I hate how apprehensive she feels, but I can’t lie—something warms inside of me when the unsure look melts off her face at my reassurance.
Scarlet eyes me suspiciously as I claim the seat next to Nora, like she knows something I don’t.
It’s unsettling. I’m not sure any of us can handle any more surprises this weekend.
“Do you know the date of your last period?” Scarlet asks, jumping right into things.
Ellis’s eyes damn near bug out of his head.
Of course, the jackass gets grossed out by a little blood.
“Um.” Nora’s cheeks are so red they rival a fire engine.
“I’m not… I don’t know.”
Scarlet waves away her concern.
“That’s okay, an ultrasound will give us a clear idea as to when you’re due. I’m guessing you don’t have insurance, but my doctor offers private pay, so that shouldn’t be an issue. I’ll talk to her tomorrow, and we can figure out a time for you to come in?—”
“That sounds expensive.” Nora swallows hard.
“I-I don’t have a lot of money, but I’m going to get a job soon. I think. Hopefully…”
I can see the panic beginning to build as her breathing accelerates and the blush staining her cheeks works its way down her neck.
It’s on the tip of my tongue to tell her not to worry about the cost, that I’ll gladly pay it and more, but I grit my teeth and stay silent.
The only thing I’d accomplish by offering to foot the bill is making Nora feel more uncomfortable than she already does.
I’ll just arrange it with Scarlet later.
Ellis shoots me a look that says fix this and I nod, because one way or another, I intend to.
“I’m sure it won’t be a problem,” Scarlet says, her eyes pinging back and forth between Ellis and me before settling on Nora.
“Do you want to give me your number so I can text you about everything?”
“Could you text Atlas instead?” She glances back at me over her shoulder.
“I don’t have a phone.”
“Yup.” Scarlet’s eyes flare as she looks my way.
“Not a problem.”
Nora’s relief is palpable, to the point where even my shoulders relax a little.
“There’s just one more thing,” I say, hoping it’s something they can accommodate.
“Her appointment needs to be completely private. I’m talking off the books and during lunch or something. I don’t want anyone in that office other than you and your doc even knowing she was there.”
Scarlet’s looking at me like I’ve lost my mind, but I can’t find it in me to care.
“That’s a big ask, but I’ll do my best.”
“Gonna need better than your best, Scar. I need to know that Nora’s safe. Especially since we don’t know where my dad is.”
She runs her fingers through her long hair before flipping it behind her shoulder.
“Got it.” She turns her attention to Ellis.
“Y’all are looking for him, right?”
“Yeah, we are.” He nods, his eyes locked onto the woman at my side as he puzzles something out.
“Hey, Nora, can I ask you something kind of random?”
She glances up at him with wide eyes and nods.
“When was the last time you ate?”
Shame immediately flares to life inside of me.
I’ve been with her since last night and not once did it occur to me to feed her .
Some protector I am, I think bitterly.
“Today, I um, I had some chips while you stepped outside.”
“Chips.” I parrot the word back to her, feeling lower than low.
“Fuck, Pip. You’ve got to be starving, why didn’t you say anything?”
She shrugs, refusing to look my way.
“Nora.” I brush my fingers against her knee, causing her to startle, her hazel eyes flying up to mine.
“I meant it when I said you were safe with me, and part of being safe means your needs are being met. The thought of you being cold or hungry or without medical care—” My words halt as I suck in a deep breath, as I try to regain control of my emotions.
“I can’t stand it.”
The room is quiet enough you could hear a pin drop.
Maybe later I’ll feel weird over my outburst, but for now I’m on a roll.
“Anything in that kitchen is free game. I don’t care if it’s the last Oreo—you want it, eat it. You’re cold? Turn up the heat. Tired? Take a nap. Anything you want, Nora, just tell me and I’ll do my best to make it happen.”
“I can’t.” She shakes her head as she wraps her arms around herself.
“This is your house, and I?—”
“What’s mine is yours, Nora, for as long as you need.”
Scarlet gasps, but I’m too focused on the trembling redhead at my side to pay her any mind.
Tears gather along Nora’s lash line and her lower lip wobbles, but she doesn’t actually cry.
So damn strong.
“Honestly, I’m just really tired.” She rubs her eyes.
“It’s been so long since I’ve been able to truly sleep. I think…if it’s okay, I mean… I’d like to lie down for a bit.”
“What did I tell you?” I ask, crossing my arms over my chest. “You don’t need my permission, Pip. You want something—take it.”
“Okay.” She stands from the couch.
“Maybe after I rest I can fix y’all some dinner?”
“Absolutely not,” Ellis says, reading my mind.
“We’ll throw something together and wake you up when it’s ready.”
“Are you sure?” Her eyes flit back to mine, like it’s my approval she’s truly after.
“Positive.” I can’t wait for the day when she’s bossing me around, all assertive and shit.
It’s going to be glorious.
“Do you think I could have my diary back?” She nibbles her lower lip as she looks over at Ellis.
“You know, if you’re finished with it.”
“Yep.” He hops from his chair and grabs it from the dining room, passing it to her on his way to his chair.
“Thank you.” She clutches the leather book to her chest. “All of you.”
We watch in silence as she retreats back to my room, waiting for the snick of the door closing behind her.
“Atlas.” The way Scarlet sighs my name instantly sets my teeth on edge.
“What’s really going on?”
Ellis, the damn jackass, kicks back in his chair, pretending to toss popcorn into his mouth.
He knows her cool and calm was all for Nora’s benefit, and now that she’s not here, all bets are off.
Still, I try for dumb, because at the very least I’d like to have this conversation privately.
“I’m not sure what you mean.”
“Cut the shit. You’re treating her like she’s this priceless treasure.”
“She’s been through a lot,” I argue.
But that’s not all it is, the asshole part of my brain adds.
“Yeah, she has.” Scarlet nods and I internally celebrate—she’s seen reason.
“But that doesn’t change the fact that you have feelings for her.”
I should have known better than to think she’d let it drop.
But at the same time, is she right?
Do I have feelings for her?
The realization hits me like a two-by-four to the face.
Shit… Oh, shit. She’s right, I definitely have feelings for Nora.
“I can see from the dumbstruck look on your face that you’re only now realizing it.” She rolls her eyes.
“Men are such idiots.”
“It’s not… I don’t?—”
Scarlet holds up a hand.
“Save it. You’re so gone over the girl it’s sad.”
“She’s my stepsister.” My whispered words hang between us until finally, Scarlet laughs.
Hard.
I’m talking belly-clutching, tears-in-her-eyes guffaws.
Personally, I don’t see what’s so funny, because it feels like my entire life just imploded for the third time in as many days.
Maybe we’re wrong. Maybe I’m just feeling really overprotective because of everything my dad did.
Like some kind of misplaced guilt.
Fuck, man. Even as I try to rationalize it, the truth might as well be a flashing neon sign in front of my face.
I’m crushing hard on my stepsister.
What in the hell is wrong with me?
“I don’t see what’s so funny.” I cross my arms over my chest, feeling oddly defensive.
“There are people out there fucking their actual siblings, and you’re worried about liking Nora—who you’ve spent virtually no time around?” She swipes beneath her eyes.
“It’s not like it’s incest, Atlas.”
“This feels weird to talk about with you,” I mumble, my cheeks heating.
“Why?” She tilts her head to the side, like she truly doesn’t get why this is weird.
“Clearly we’re over, and honestly, I think you’d be good for her. She needs someone like you.”
I look to Ellis for—hell, I don’t know, consolation?
Backup, maybe? But he’s too busy smiling like the cat who got the canary to be of any real help.
“What do you mean someone like me?” I’m not sure if her words are meant as a dig or not.
Either way, they rankle, like I’m somehow not worthy of Nora.
Not that Nora’s interested in me.
God, how could she be?
After everything she’s been through, I’m sure I’m the ultimate reminder of all the hurt she’s experienced.
No, the best I can ever hope for with her is friendship—and that’s if I’m lucky.
“Someone soft.” Her lips quirk up into a semi-smile.
“Someone gentle. Patient. Kind.”
Ellis coughs, and I look his way to see him shifting in his seat, an unreadable look on his face.
“Scarlet,” I say, stopping just as quickly as I start, because what is there to say?
We were never really serious about each other, and our relationship wasn’t going anywhere, but it’s still weird to have her tell me that I have feelings for someone else.
It makes me feel like a bad guy in her story, and that’s the last thing I ever want to be.
“Don’t worry about me, Atlas.” She pushes herself up from the couch.
“We both know we weren’t working out. Plus, she needs you, and if I’m being real, I think you’re the kind of guy who needs to be needed. Take care of her, okay?”
“I will,” I say, standing to walk her to the door.
“I appreciate you, Scar. And I mean that.”
She rolls her eyes as she slips her boots back on.
“I know you do.”
“Just leave without saying bye then,” Ellis calls from the living room.
“Rude ass.”
Without looking back, she pulls open the door with one hand while raising her middle finger in the air with the other.
“Peace out, Officer Jackass.”
DIARY ENTRY, PRESENT DAY
Dear Diary,
Is it weird to say I’ve missed you?
Because I really have.
These last few days without you have been unbearable.
I have so much to tell you, but I don’t even know where to start.
Wait, that’s a lie. Yes, I do.
I did it—I escaped! It feels surreal to even say it, but I’m free, and that monster will never hurt me or the baby growing inside of me ever again.
It’s crazy how it all worked out.
Honestly, I keep thinking I’ll wake up any minute back in the basement.
I took a chance and left you for Ellis, hoping he would be able to help me, but Atlas found you instead.
I was so scared when he showed up at the motel.
I thought he was going to drag me kicking and screaming back to Rand, but he didn’t.
He says all he wants is to keep me safe, and even though it’s hard, I believe him.
Atlas seems like a good man.
Fingers crossed he doesn’t prove me wrong. Hopeful, Nora