Page 83 of When Love Found Us
“Did you sleep okay?” I ask, testing the air between us.
He hesitates just for a second before pouring his coffee. “Yeah.”
Lie.
I hear it in his voice, see it in the way tension sits heavy in his shoulders. Something is wrong. But I don’t ask. I’m not brave enough. What if it’s about me? About Winston? The idea grips me hard. I don’t want to run. Not yet. I’m not ready to leave this place—or Atlas.
But maybe I should.
I have enough money to disappear anywhere. Maybe Canada. It would be harder for Winston to find me, right?
I take another sip of tea, forcing the thought away.
Atlas leans against the counter, arms crossed, watching me. “What’s on your mind?”
I huff a quiet laugh. “That’s my line.”
He doesn’t smile. Just keeps looking at me like he’s searching for something.
My pulse stumbles.
Before I can say anything, the doorbell rings.
Atlas stills. Every muscle locked tight.
Then, just as quickly, he moves. The spatula clatters onto the counter—abandoned mid-motion—before he strides toward the front door without a word. I watch as he checks the peephole, his jaw tensing before he unlocks the door and pulls it open.
Malerick stands on the other side, this time in uniform.
Atlas doesn’t step aside. Doesn’t invite him in. Just leans against the frame, crossing his arms. “What now?”
Malerick exhales, hands braced on his hips. “We need to talk.”
Atlas flicks a glance over his shoulder, unreadable. “Not now,” he says, glancing at me.
Malerick’s gaze shifts—to me. “But we do.”
Something changes.
It’s small. Subtle. But I feel it, like a crack in the air.
Atlas moves—just slightly—stepping in front of me, his voice dipping low. “Mal.”
Malerick drags a hand down his face. “Does she even know?”
Does she know what?
I want to say, “Are you talking about me?” But I can’t. The words sit heavy on my tongue, but I can’t seem to force them past my lips. My fingers tighten around the mug, unease creeping under my skin like something alive.
Atlas doesn’t answer. Doesn’t move.
Malerick exhales, his voice quieter now. “She deserves to know, Atlas. You can’t keep her in the dark.”
The world slows.
Carefully, I set my tea down. My hands suddenly don’t feel strong enough to hold it. “Know what?”
Atlas’s jaw tightens, something flashing through his eyes. He doesn’t look at me. Just keeps his focus locked on his brother.
