Chapter 13
Chapter Thirteen
Cora
There’s no practice today for Noah, which means it’s back to the shop for me tomorrow.
I left the library earlier than I’d intended, but seeing Bea had me shaken up.
I knew it was too good to be true that she hadn’t shown her reptilian face in a while.
There is no reason for her to see either of us.
It felt like everywhere in the library had been tainted by her presence.
The children’s room didn’t have the same shine as it did before.
All I could see was Bea’s calculating gaze looking over everything, assessing it.
Annie was confused about my change in demeanor for the day. Leaving before Reading with Dogs wasn’t like me, but I couldn’t stay there. How do you explain to someone that your grandmother was a monster and raised an even bigger monster?
Instead of teaching you to bake or spoiling you, she sat with you at the emergency room and pinched you when you almost told the doctor that your father broke your arm for being late. Anything to protect her precious son.
The need to make sure Noah was okay was overwhelming. I was early at school to pick him up, and we spent the evening hanging out and watching movies. He was surprised but didn’t question it.
He’s still only eating lightly, which I don’t mind. Some vegetable soup and bread is perfect for the weather we are having. It is only a matter of time before winter sets in.
“Matt said if the snow comes too early, we won’t have soccer anymore,” Noah says sadly, his head resting on my shoulder.
We’re camped out in the living room. Soup, blankets, bread, and a superhero movie are all we need.
It’s been so hectic lately, I think we both need a night off, just the two of us.
“That’s okay. Do you like it, though? You have a game on Saturday. Feeling good about it?”
“Yeah. Matt says I’m a good runner, and I have a boot. Whatever that means.” He looks confused. “I thought we had cleats.”
Laughing, I ruffle his hair. “It’s an expression. Basically, he thinks you can kick really well. Lots of power. Super strong.” Flexing my nonexistent muscles, I give him my best tough look. Naturally, he laughs at me. It’s good to hear it.
“You’re so weird, Cora.” Rolling his eyes, he fights back a yawn.
“Alright, bud. Bedtime. Brush, floss, mouthwash. Let’s go.” Pointing him toward the stairs, he doesn’t even argue with me. He must be really tired.
Grabbing the bowls off the table, I shut the TV off. We’ve already seen it a dozen times anyway. Loading them into the dishwasher, I wipe down the counters and look at the wall calendar. So much to do. Events at the library, hours at the shop, and of course, Noah’s first game
After turning out the lights and double-checking that the doors are locked, I head upstairs to my room.
The water in the bathroom turns off as I walk past. I sneak a glance into Noah’s room and make a note to grab his overflowing laundry basket and change his bedding.
His walls are painted a light blue color with dark gray accents.
The twin bed with navy blankets sits off the wall opposite the window.
Mila thought it would be better to have something more neutral. When he gets a bit older, he can redecorate it if he wants to. His soccer stuff is strewn over his desk chair, and I make a note to clean his uniform as well.
“All clean!” Noah shouts. “Night, Cora!”
“Night, Noah. Love ya,” I holler back.
“More than chocolate, right?”
Laughing, I agree, “You know it.” Who needs boys when I have Noah to keep me entertained and busy?
Sure, he can’t cook for me yet, but maybe I can teach him how to use the stove top when he gets a bit older.
One day, he’ll be someone’s husband, and I’ll be damned if he doesn’t know basic cooking skills or how to help out around the house.
Settling in for the night, I grab my phone and check for any messages from Mila or Mara.
They’re supposed to come up with a plan for a girls’ night, but I haven’t heard from them yet.
Matt messaged me tonight with a few dates for games.
I’ll have to text him back, but that’s a duty for another day.
Tomorrow is Tuesday, and it’s back to the shop and the guys. Which means it’s back to Atlas.
Tossing my phone aside, I slide under the covers.
Closing my eyes, I don’t dream of Matt or have nightmares about Bea.
My dreams are focused on a certain tall, dark-haired, tattooed man with eyes that never stay on mine long enough to figure out if the brown I see is hazel or chocolate. And I’m a sucker for chocolate.
After parking, I take a deep breath before going in. I still have a few minutes, but it’s the first time I’ve been here since Noah got sick and Atlas went full jerk. If he starts again today, I don’t think I’ll be able to take it. Positive thoughts, Cora.
Sliding out of my seat, I grab my bag and head in the front entrance.
We have parking behind the building, but there are also spots out front.
However, Kash told me he’d feel better if I parked close to the building instead of out by the alley.
He’s a good guy, a bit of a playboy, but he seems like he has a good heart underneath it all.
Walking into the shop, I take in the quiet lobby.
Seth’s head pops up from his station, nodding a greeting.
The music playing through the speakers is on shuffle, featuring some sort of EDM, which means Kash is roaming around here too.
There’s an unspoken rule between the guys that whoever opens the shop gets the first pick of music.
Heading to the break area, I wave at Seth and take a deep breath. I don’t know whether I’m relieved or disappointed that I don’t see Atlas. He’s usually here on Tuesdays. I’ve discovered it’s his busiest day. Walking through the doorway, Kash greets me with a huge smile.
“There’s my favorite girl. How’s it going? Is everything okay now?”
“Yeah, I’m fine. Thanks for asking.” Kash is one of those guys who you know would sleep with you the second you gave them the green light but isn’t serious. I’ve safely stuffed him and all the guys into the friend zone. Well, almost all of them.
“Hey, man. I didn’t think you were in yet,” Kash greets someone behind me.
Without turning around, I know it’s Atlas.
There’s a tension in the air that wasn’t there before, and I brace myself before turning.
He’s standing in dark jeans and his signature hoodie and beanie combo, hair poking out.
There’s something different about him, though.
I can’t quite put my finger on it, but it might be the black eye he’s sporting.
“What happened to your face? Are you okay?” I hate that I feel concerned.
“Yeah, I’m fine. I made a stop in town and thought I’d come in early. Can I, uh, talk to you, Cora? In private?” He seems nervous, which is not like him.
“Whatever. Behave, you two.” Kash wiggles his brows as he heads out. “Glad you’re back, girlie.” He gives me a quick peck on the cheek as he passes. I can’t help the giggle that comes out, especially when I see the death glare that Atlas aims his way.
“Come to yell at me some more?”
Sitting my stuff down, I avoid looking at him. I’m not an angry person, but he brings out this other side that I don’t recognize.
“No. Though you deserve to yell at me,” he admits.
For once, I’m speechless. Is he apologizing?
“Yes, I’m apologizing.” Shit, I must have said that out loud.
“For what?” I’m dying to know.
“I guess for everything. I have no excuse for the asshole I’ve been. You don’t owe me any explanations about your life, just like you don’t ask for any from me. I overstepped, and I’m sorry.”
“Try again, dumbass!” Kash yells from out in the lobby.
Angrily stalking toward the breakroom door, Atlas swings it shut, trapping us together.
“Um, what was that about?”
“Just Kash being stupid.”
I eye him skeptically, “Mhmm, sure. Look, I don’t want to fight with you or anyone else, Atlas. I’d like to stay here working with you guys, but if this keeps up, I’ll—”
“You’ll what?” He steps toward me, right into my personal space.
The instinct to step back comes over me quickly, but I push it away. For all the things Atlas is, he isn’t violent, at least not with me. “You’re in my space, Atlas.”
He looks away, but I swear I hear something that sounds like a muttered, “And you’re in my brain.”
“I’m sorry, Cora,” he murmurs, taking another step toward me.
His hand comes up behind his head, where he rubs it, looking uncomfortable.
A part of me feels bad for him, but the other part doesn’t.
He was wrong to yell at me the way he did.
His treatment in general over the last few weeks has been uncalled for.
“Which part are you sorry for, Atlas? Explain it to me. Is it the way you scowl at me all the time?” I poke his chest with my finger.
“Or is it for the way you took all the drinks I got just to be a jerk?” Poke.
“Or is it maybe how I don’t do anything but be nice to you when you clearly don’t deserve it? ” Poke.
His chest rises and falls rapidly, but he stands there silent and otherwise still, dark eyes locked on me.
“Well?” I poke his chest again.
His hand shoots out, grabbing mine. “I’m sorry for all of it, Cora. I don’t deserve your smiles, your kindness, or your attention, but I know that I want it,” he admits in a low, husky voice, pulling me closer to him.
Standing chest to chest, I try to collect my bearings.
Being this close to him should scare me, but it oddly doesn’t.
I didn’t expect him to be so honest. He accepted responsibility so quickly.
What did he mean that he wants it? Taking in my shocked expression and silence, he stares into my eyes and sighs.
“You don’t have to forgive me, but it’d be nice.”
The wall I’ve built around my heart crumbles a bit.
His expression seems so lost and sad, it softens something inside of me.
Looking at where our hands are joined against his chest, I notice the faint lines that run along the edge of his fingers, up his hand, and onto his wrist. They look like scars.
What happened to him? My eyes flick to his, and as he realizes where my line of vision went, he drops my hand and takes a step back.
I ignore the way I immediately miss his closeness.
Silently, he opens the fridge and pulls out a coffee from Mara’s shop and a bag from the cabinet next to it. Sitting both items on the small table next to us, he sighs and shrugs his shoulders, not meeting my eyes.
“Mara said that you like this coffee and croissant together. There’s also a tea and a muffin for you to take home for tomorrow. Consider it a peace offering, Cora.”
Stunned. I’m completely stunned. No one’s ever done that for me before. I’m always the one who goes out of their way to take care of others, but no one takes care of me. Sure, Mara and her family do, but they’ve been around all my life. This feels different. Bigger.
“Mara told you my favorites?”
“Well, she didn’t tell me what the drink is; she just made it while glaring at me the whole time. She’s kind of scary, to be honest.”
A smile splits my face. He’s not wrong. Mara can be terrifying to the right people. She has such a tough exterior, but underneath, she loves so big. She’s one of the most loyal people I know.
“She also charged me double and demanded a thirty percent tip.”
Now I laugh. That sounds like Mara.
My heart stops in my chest when a genuine smile breaks out across his face.
I think it’s the first time I’ve seen him smile like that, and it’s hard not to gawk at him.
He’s handsome and has a hard edge to him, but when he looks happy, it’s like he’s a different person.
Not a better version, but one that looks right, like it’s the real Atlas in front of me.
“Apology accepted.” I offer him a smile. “By the way, it’s an Irish crème iced coffee. Mara’s shop is the only one around here that makes it right.”
“Mara owns that shop?”
“Yep. You never noticed the name?” Turning the cup, I show him the logo, Twin Roasts. There are two coffee beans in a basket with muffins and baked goods.
“I don’t get it.” Confusion mars his face.
“She has a twin sister named Mila. Mila bakes, and Mara is a whiz at coffee. They’re basically sisters to me.”
“You have a friend who is a twin?” Kash is standing in the doorway. “Girl, Cora, you have to introduce me. Are they identical? I’m begging you. It’s on my bucket list.” His hands fold together, a hopeful look on his face.
Rolling my eyes, I give him the same warning I give everyone. “They are not the same person. Mara will eat you alive, and Mila will be there to watch. We like to joke that Mara is the reason it says ‘roasts’ in the name.”
Kash’s eyes light up. “Really?”
“Did you need something?” Atlas makes a sound of exasperation.
“Oh, yeah, your next client is here, Atty boy. Some guy named Aidan. Oh, and Cora, my girl. We need to have a chat. Don’t think you’re off the hook.”
Checking the time, I realize Atlas and I have been back here for twenty minutes, and I should probably get to work. “I’m going to head out there. Thanks again for this, At.”
“At?” Kash looks between us. “Oh my gosh, you guys made up! Yay!” He wraps an arm around Atlas and then grabs me and crushes me to his other side. “We’re just one big family again!”
Shaking my head, I twist out of his grip as Atlas smacks him in the back of the head. Smiling, I take a sip of my drink and head to my desk. I sneak a glance at Atlas and see him already looking at me with a small smile on his face. Maybe this will work out after all.