Page 52 of Reaper & Ruin
“Good girl. Now, nice and easy on the gas,” he said, watching me closely. “Release the clutch slowly. It’s all about balance. You only want to do it a little at a time.”
“Balance,” I repeated under my breath, like I was trying to summon the power of the universe to aid me. My foot eased off the clutch, but the truck lurched forward with all the grace of a dying fish before jerking to a complete stop.
Atlas chuckled as I cursed. “Not bad for your first try. Let’s go again.”
I shot him a glare, my cheeks heating. “Not bad? I just gave you whiplash.”
He squeezed my leg, smile still firm. “Relax, Heaven. You’re not going to break me. I promise. Just try once more, but go a bit slower still.”
It took a few more tries—and a lot more stalling—but eventually; I eased the truck into motion. The wheels rolled forward, slow and steady, and my heart swelled with a weird mix of pride and relief as we headed home.
I was driving a stick.Me. HeatherMotherfuckingKane. Fuck, I really was a God. A car wizard. A driver. Racer. Ruler of the streets.
The gears shifted, and the car groaned as I stalled and clipped a piece of fence on the side of the road. But that was fine. It was in a stupid location, anyway. Who had a fence outside the front of their yard? Idiots.
“See?” Atlas said, his tone bordering on smug. “You’re a natural. You’re doing such a good job.”
“Oh, please,” I shot back, gripping the wheel like my life depended on it. “I’m about as natural at this as I am at being a murderous goth.”
That earned me a laugh, a rare sound that made my stomach do a weird little flip. I loved hearing him laugh. He didn’t do it nearly enough. Especially lately.
I wanted to make him laugh more. All the time. So much so that he died of hysteria, like my computer minions did in The Sims. Just because it was their birthday, they liked the decor, and their creepy neighbor had told them a joke as they forced their unwanted cakes on me.
Atlas didn’t say anything when I fucked up. He just kept giving me calm, clear instructions, his voice a steady anchor that kept me from panicking every time I messed up.
“You’re doing good,” he said as we hit the main road toward our cabin, his pretty, blue eyes flicking between me and the surroundings. “Better than most people on their first real try.”
I glanced at him, trying not to let the compliment go to my head. “I think I could do this again. It’s not as scary as it was last time.”
“I want you to be comfortable in a car,” he replied. “Not just for emergencies, but for you. If you ever need to go somewhere without us—whether it’s because you’re in danger or because you just want some time to yourself—I want you to have that option.”
I tightened my grip on the wheel, his words sinking in. It wasn’t just about teaching me a skill. It was about giving me freedom. Independence. Choices I hadn’t had before because I hadn’t been able to afford them. Or had people to teach me.
He was making sure I could survive and thrive regardless of what happened, and I… I loved that. I loved him.
“That’s… really thoughtful of you,” I said, the words feeling too small for the weight of what I wanted to say. “You are always really thoughtful.”
He shrugged as if it were no big deal. “It’s just practical.”
“Sure,” I said, unable to hide the smile tugging at my lips. “Practical.” My heart buzzed in my chest. My palms a little slick. “Well, I appreciate it. I appreciate you. You’re pretty cool.” The words came tumbling out. “In fact, you’re probably the joint coolest person I know, aside from me and Gio. Which is why I love you. I do. I don’t know if I’ve said it? I feel like I haven’t. Or at least, I haven’t been specific. So yeah.”
There was silence for a solid minute after my ramble finished. At the same time, we reached the cabin, and thoughmy driving nerves had settled into something resembling confidence, I was worried about Atlas. The truck rumbled to a stop, and I turned off the engine with a triumphant little flourish.
“Has your tongue been broken?” I wondered, only a little nervous.
“You said you loved me.” He almost tasted the words on his pierced tongue.
“I did. I do.” I pouted. Then smiled. Then pouted again. I had no idea what to say.
“You love me?” His voice was distant. Unsure. Oddly, not confident.
I nodded. “Yes.”
“Are you sure?”
“Atlas,” I unbuckled us both, and slid into his lap. “Of course I’m sure. How could I not be?”
I shifted nervously on his lap, trying to gauge his reaction. His arms loosely wrapped around my waist, but his body was stiff, and his usually sharp blue eyes seemed far away, lost in thought.
