Chapter 37
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Atlas
It’s been a few days since we went to Noah’s game, and Cora seems to have retreated into herself.
I don’t like not being able to talk to her, and I’m itching to see her. I don’t want to overstep with him, but when I found out that the kid who was bullying Noah was on the other team, I couldn’t help myself.
She’ll text me and come in, but it doesn’t feel the same. I’ve been a bit busier than normal, and with Halloween coming up, everyone wants a creepy tattoo, but business is business.
Looking over at my girl, I take in her appearance.
I know she’s beautiful, and so does every fucker who looks her way, but she’s all mine.
Only I get to see the way her eyes shift color depending on her mood, or when she’s looking at me.
There’s something sexy about seeing those blue orbs directed my way with a hint of fire.
She’s currently sitting at the reception desk, looking over something on the computer with Kash.
I don’t want him close to my girl, but I also know he’d never do that to me.
We’re brothers in all the ways that matter, and I know he sees Cora as an extension of me. If he didn’t, we’d have a big problem.
He finally broke down and did the piece I wanted. Naturally, he gave me shit about it, but I told him to count it as my birthday gift and to shut up.
Cora’s hair is in another updo, with her glasses resting on top of her head. Her contacts have been bothering her, so most nights when she shows up here, she’s in her glasses. I’m not going to complain. It just adds fuel to my ‘sexy librarian’ fantasies.
The bell over the door goes off, and my eyes shift to whoever is coming in.
It’s the delivery guy again. What the hell?
He heads to the desk and drops off a package to Cora, who quickly takes it and places it behind the desk, thanking him.
She gives Kash a small smile, and their gazes connect with mine. I don’t like that one bit.
Walking over to the desk, I notice Cora shuffling the box under it. “Whatcha got there, pretty girl?” I ask, gesturing to the box at her feet.
Shrugging her shoulders, she slides her glasses back onto her nose. “Nothing, just some supplies for the shop. I’ll check them in later.”
“Right…” I trail off. “I thought we just got supplies yesterday.”
“We did,” Kash cuts in. “But they didn’t send all of it, so this is the last box, right, Care Bear?”
Care Bear? “What did you just call her?” I level him with a glare.
Slinging his arm over her shoulders, he pulls her in and puts his head on her shoulder. I’m dangerously close to removing it completely. “She’s like a Care Bear, man. All small, cuddly, and cute and shit,” he explains with a smile.
If he doesn’t remove his arm right now, he will lose that or his head completely. As if sensing the tension, Cora slides out of his embrace and pats his knee. “Back to work, Money Man.”
“Money Man?” I question. What the fuck?
“Yeah, I mean, he’s literally named Kash. Who names their kid after money?” She laughs. It’s a sweet sound, but I see the shift in him. She doesn’t fully understand all our stories, and I know she doesn’t mean anything by it, and so does Kash, but the ugly never really leaves us.
“Well, who names their kid Cora anyway? What’s it even mean?” Kash slings back, trying to lighten the mood.
“It comes from the Latin word ‘cor,’ which means heart,” I respond, causing both of their gazes to snap to mine.
“What?” She looks confused.
“Ah, that. Yeah, it’s one of Atlas’ quirks,” Kash explains with a chuckle, ignoring the look I give him.
“What do you mean?”
“When we were growing up, Atlas would spend time in the library at school. Not because he liked reading, mind you, but because the dumbass couldn’t keep himself out of detention. Anyway, one day he comes home, and starts telling everyone what their names mean from different origins.”
“Seriously?” She looks from him to me. I shrug, not knowing how to respond.
How do you tell the center of your universe, the core of your heart and being, that your own name means to endure?
Perhaps all the suffering you went through was what you were destined to have.
I could never understand what made my parents give me up the way they did, until I saw what my name meant. I was destined to exist in darkness.
“Yep, mine has something to do with the sky or universe in Sanskrit. Rhett has some Dutch origins, something about being ‘advice or counsel,’” he says in air quotes. “And then Seth—his is fun, lucky bastard.”
“What’s his?”
“It means ‘appointed or placed,’” Seth answers, joining our conversation. “It’s from the Bible. Seth was the replacement son when Abel was killed. Or there’s always the Egyptian origin if you prefer, where it derives from the Egyptian god Set, who was linked with chaos, storms, and violence.”
Cora looks between the three of us, and her eyes shift to where Rhett is currently chatting with a client while he works on their calf. “So, what does Emma’s name mean?”
“That’s the best one, of course. Emma’s name means universe, or whole. Kind of funny if you think about how out of all the people in the universe, we got her,” Seth admits with a rueful smile.
“I love that. Now I’m curious about Noah’s name. I’m going to look it up.” She turns back toward the computer.
“His name means ‘peace’ from the Bible. Noah was a beacon of peace and comfort for many,” I explain.
Cora freezes in place, her hands hovering over the keyboard. I feel three sets of eyes drift my way, and it makes me suddenly wish I was anywhere but here.
“That’s amazing.” She smiles.
“It’s stupid,” I point out.
“No. It’s not. It’s cool,” she argues, her blue eyes lighting with a challenge.
“If you say so,” Kash interrupts. Standing from his chair, he points at the clock behind the desk. “You’re all done for the night, Care Bear. Why don’t you head out?”
“I’ll walk you out,” Seth offers. Lately, it’s been getting dark much earlier, and with the flowers and notes being sent, I don’t want Cora left alone.
“The fuck?” I whirl around to look at him. “I can walk my girl out.”
“Atlas!” Rhett shouts from the back. “Can I get your opinion, man? Real quick. It’ll take like a minute.”
“I’ll be right back; gotta walk Cora out.”
“I need you now, though,” he shouts.
“Dude—”
“It’s fine, Atlas. Seth can walk me out. I’ll see you tomorrow.” She steps around the desk, belongings already in hand. What the fuck?
As she walks past me, I snake my hand out and grab her waist. “Hey, what’s wrong?” I ask her. My head is spinning because something seriously feels off. I thought we fixed everything.
“Nothing,” she responds, not meeting my eyes.
“See you tomorrow.” Cora brushes past me with a quick kiss to the cheek.
I watch as Seth opens the door for my girl, talking to her as they walk outside.
Waiting until I see her headlights leave, I whirl around on Rhett, who is now finished with his client.
“What the fuck was so important?” I hiss at him, not caring who hears.
“Oh, nothing. I figured it out.” He shrugs. Looking from his client to me, he clasps the guy on the shoulder. “Alright. You’re all set, man.”
What the fuck is going on here? “Ya know what? I’m out.” I grab my keys and head to my car, not answering the shouts from the guys. Someone owes me an explanation, and I guess I’ll have to go to the source.
Driving across town, I debate if I’m being irrational, but no. No, I am not. There’s something weird going on, and I’m not okay with it.
Pulling into Cora’s, I notice all the lights are off. What the fuck? Where is she? She left over half an hour ago. She should be home. Pulling out my phone, I fire off a text to her.
Me:
Why’d you leave so quickly?
My Heart:
Had a few errands to do.
Me:
So, did you make it home?
My Heart:
Yep. See you tomorrow night!
What the fuck? She’s lying to me. My Firefly is lying to me. I’ll give her tonight, but tomorrow my girl has some explaining to do. If she’s with someone else, I’ll kill them no questions asked, and I’ll make her watch, so she knows what’ll happen if anyone else touches her.
Pulling into the shop, I’m in a foul mood.
I didn’t get much sleep last night, and I want answers.
The entire evening was spent tossing and turning while my mind wandered.
I thought we were in a good place. Why would she lie to me?
She knows that she can tell me anything, but for some reason, she chose not to.
Is she afraid of me? Is it because she doesn’t feel safe with me? That can’t be it. I only threatened that guy’s life a little bit after I found him in the parking lot before we left. I doubt his kid will be a problem anymore. She doesn’t understand the lengths I’ll go to for her, and Noah.
Emma called me this morning, needing help around the house, so at least I was distracted.
Somehow, she had multiple cabinets coming off their brackets, and she swore the snow blower wouldn’t start.
Why she was messing with it, I still don’t understand.
Shaking my head, I pull into the alley behind the shop.
Getting out of my car, I pull my collar up and try to ignore the way the wind cuts through it. I was hoping to park in the lot by Cora, but there are no free spots. Everyone must be out shopping, because the complex by the shop is full.
Opening the door, I walk in and flip the switch on the wall. When the lights come on, I nearly jump out of my skin when I see a group of people yelling, “SURPRISE!”