Chapter 16
Chapter Sixteen
Atlas
Cora rides with the girls, while the boys and I pile into Kash’s SUV. He has the most space since he’s the biggest of all of us, and it’s fun to mess with things in his car. Rhett is currently adjusting his seat and the side mirrors.
“Leave them alone, or I swear you’re walking.” Kash glares at him.
Seth and I opted for the backseat.
The girls decided to go to the Gravel Pit. It’s a local bar with a small dancing area, which no doubt will be packed by the time we get there. I tell myself it’s fine because I’m getting to spend time with Cora outside of the shop.
We’ve been getting along better, and since I apologized, my feelings have only grown.
She’s still the happy, friendly girl she’s always been, but there’s something different.
When she thinks no one’s watching, I see the smile slip.
She looks tired and like she wants to be anywhere but where she is.
She likes us enough to bring us in treats occasionally, but she’s always working on something.
Whether it’s for the shop or her other job as a librarian, I don’t know when she stops. I want to take care of her.
Pulling up to the Gravel Pit, Kash parks in the furthest part of the parking lot. “If anyone dents my baby, I swear I’ll kill someone,” he grumbles. I think he’s mostly kidding. Kash loves his car, though, so maybe not.
As we enter the bar, I scan the area for Cora. She said they had to stop and grab something, but we left about twenty minutes after they did. Not seeing them yet, I grab a newly vacated booth in the back. Settling in, I suddenly wish I were anywhere but here.
Clubs and bars in general aren’t really my thing; all the alcohol and bad decisions places like this represent put me on edge. Old habits die hard.
Kash heads for the bar, ordering a round for everyone, knowing only to get me a soda.
I promised myself a long time ago that I’d never touch the hard stuff.
I’ve seen what it does to people, what it can turn them into, and I want no part of it.
There’s enough poison in me without adding alcohol, so I stick with dark sodas instead.
Stealing a glance at my phone, I notice we’ve been here thirty minutes already, and I don’t see Cora or her friends. Did they decide to ditch us and go somewhere else? I’m getting ready to text her when Rhett spits his drink onto me.
“Dude, what the fuck?” I yell at him while trying to wipe the remnants of his beer off me.
“What is your issue?” Following his line of vision, the breath I was about to take is ripped from my lungs.
Gone. Stolen. Never needed in the first place.
There are no words to describe how beautiful she looks.
Cora and the twins are walking toward us, but she looks different. Usually she wears a hoodie, or some type of sweater at the shop because it’s cold as shit out, but not tonight.
Grinding my teeth so hard I think I may crack a molar; I flash my patented death glare at anyone who dares to look her way.
She’s gone from her signature hoodie and leggings to a pair of dark, skintight jeans that hug her little curves, heeled ankle boots, and a loose white shirt.
Over the shirt, there’s a black leather jacket and a long necklace.
Fuck me.
I can’t make out what the necklace is because I’m too caught up in staring at the smoky eyeshadow that makes her blue eyes pop, and the loose curls framing her face.
She’s laughing with Mila, so she doesn’t see my expression, but I can’t turn away.
She’s breathtaking and doesn’t even know it. I need our kids to have her smile.
Joining us at the table with a smile and a greeting, she takes her jacket off, and the action almost has me putting my shirt on her.
Her white tee hangs off her shoulder and hints at the bare skin underneath.
She’s wearing a pale pink bra, and I’m dying to know if it’s part of a set.
Along with every fucker in here. Scanning the room, I fight the urge to shove Rhett out of the booth to cover her up from prying eyes.
“What the hell are you wearing?” I grit out as soon as she smiles in my direction. I’m currently crammed on the inside, but I lean over Rhett, ignoring the way he snickers.
“I think what Atlas means is that you look lovely,” Kash interjects, setting more drinks on the table. “I wasn’t sure what you’d like, but I can happily get you anything.” Smiling at Mila, he adds, “Anything you want.”
He ignores Mara’s gagging noise, but I’m still staring at Cora. Her eyes won’t meet mine anymore, and that won’t do. You can’t ignore me, pretty girl. You’re in trouble.
“We can get our own, pretty boy.” She nudges Mila to get up, and Cora walks toward the bar with them. She can’t ignore me forever.
“The hell is your problem, asshat?” Rhett hits me on the shoulder. “Didn’t you just get done apologizing to her? She looks hot, man. You know it, and so does every man in here.”
“Don’t talk about her like that,” I grit out.
“What? You don’t want me to call her hot? Sexy? Banging? Take your pick, my brother.” He laughs.
“It’s not funny, Rhett. I will break your nose.”
“Yeah, Rhett, it’s not funny to say Cora looks as delicious as a hot fudge sundae on a summer day, but what do I know?” Kash laughs.
Assholes. “You guys are the worst brothers. I don’t even need any of you.” I glare at all of them. Sure, poke fun at the guy whose girl looks like temptation personified in a bar full of sinners, current company included.
“I know I’m going to regret this”—Seth leans forward in his seat— “but while you’re stewing over all the ways we’re calling your girl attractive, that guy over there”—he points—“is ready to do something about it.”
What’s the most painful way to die? Drowning? Fire? Or maybe it’s having your spine pulled out through your mouth? The guy heading Cora’s way is about to find out. If he touches her, there’s no telling what I’ll do to him.
Shoving Rhett out of the booth, I stalk toward the bar. If he lays a finger on what’s mine, because Cora is mine, he’s going to be picking his teeth up off the floor, and heaven help anyone who comes between us.