Page 14 of Atlas (The Chaos Demons MC #6)

Atlas

“Everything okay?” Rue asks.

I’ve been quiet since out little encounter with Anita. I didn’t expect her to be here. Seeing her again is hard. It’s much easier when I’m with Rue and I can pretend Anita doesn’t exist. But now, faced with her, everything feels messy and painful.

“Yeah, fine.”

She bites on her lower lip for a second, like she’s finding the right words. “That was her, the posh woman Kasey told me about?”

“I didn’t know she’d be here,” I mutter, rubbing the back of my neck.

“If you want to go and talk to her, go,” she says. “I can find Kasey to keep me company.”

I shake my head. The last thing I want to do is send her off to Kasey who’s chatting with the guys. I don’t need to be getting into fights with my brothers if they try it on with Rue. “I don’t need to talk to her. I’ve said everything I need to.” And my words are true, there is nothing else to say.

“You sure?” she asks. “Because she keeps looking over here.”

“Ignore her.” Her eyes go back to where the old ladies are sitting. “Ignore her,” I repeat, a little too firmly. Rue blinks, surprised, and I exhale to soften the edge in my tone. “Sorry. It’s just . . . complicated.”

She nods slowly, the firelight catching the flecks of gold in her eyes. “I figured.”

I hate the way one look from Anita can yank me back in, and now, she consumes my thoughts again. She’s a hard habit to break, but one I have to if I want to keep seeing Rue.

She takes a sip of her drink and fiddles with the hem of her sleeve. “She’s really pretty.”

Her words surprise me, her tone is soft and unsure, like she’s comparing herself to Anita. I glance at her. “So are you.”

Her lips part slightly, like she wasn’t expecting that. She gives me a shy smile, but I can tell she’s still unsure. I’m not used to women like her. Women who doubt their beauty.

I lean against the side of the bar, turning slightly towards her. “Anita and I . . . we ended things badly. There’s a lot of history there, but it’s history for a reason.”

Rue studies me, like she’s trying to read between the lines. “Do you still love her?”

The question hits me in the chest. Not because I don’t have an answer, because I do. It just doesn’t fit into anything neat.

“I don’t know what I feel,” I admit, my voice low. “I thought I could put it all in a box and move on. But seeing her again . . .” I trail off, clenching my jaw. “It’s hard.”

Rue nods, looking down to the floor. “Thanks for being honest.”

I reach out, fingers brushing hers where they rest on the edge of the bar. “I’m glad you came.”

Her eyes lift to mine. “So am I.”

But there’s still that shadow between us, Anita’s presence, looming like smoke from the firepit. I can feel her gaze burning into my side.

I turn back towards the crowd. She’s still there, drink in hand, laughing at something one of the old ladies says. And yet, her eyes flick to me the second she thinks I’m not looking.

Rue follows my gaze. “You’re not as done as you think.”

“I don’t want her back,” I say quietly. I say the words with a confidence I don’t feel, but it’s not because I want Anita— I don’t think —more that she’s a habit I’m still trying to break.

“That doesn’t mean you’re over her.”

I sigh. Rue doesn’t say it like an accusation. More like a truth I haven’t wanted to face. She finishes her drink and offers me a half-smile that doesn’t reach her eyes. “I’m gonna use the bathroom,” she says, stepping away before I can respond.

And I’m left standing there, the weight of two women and all the silence between us pressing against my chest.

Rue

I knew she’d follow. Maybe that’s why I came in here. She clearly has things to get off her chest and although I hate confrontation, I’d rather she just say what she needs to instead of staring at me.

I run my fingers through my hair, staring at my reflection whilst she drops her bag on the sink unit and rummages through. She pulls out a lipstick and glances at me through the mirror. “I’m glad he’s found someone,” she eventually says.

Her words surprise me. She doesn’t look glad at all. “It’s barely even begun,” I reply.

“But you like him?”

“So do you,” I state.

She smirks, applying the lipstick. “We just hook up from time to time.”

“It’s just you’re watching him like he’s yours.”

“I’m surprised is all,” she says, putting the lipstick away and turning to me. “One minute he’s asking me to be his old lady and the next he’s with you.”

“He told me you were hooking up for a year. And when it came to it, you didn’t want to commit.”

Her eyes narrow slightly. “Seems he’s quite the open book with you.”

“Look, I’m not here for any trouble. He told me you and him were done. If that’s not the case, just tell me and I’ll leave.”

The door opens and Atlas fills it; his arms folded across his chest. “Well,” he says, his eyes fixed on Anita. “Tell her the truth.”

Her smirk is back. “And what’s that, Atlas?”

“That we’re done. That you’ve moved on. That you’re not interested in anything serious with me because I’m not good enough for you.”

Her smirk soon fades. “That’s not it,” she almost whispers. “You are more than good enough.”

I step towards the door. “I’ll let you two talk.”

Atlas doesn’t budge. “No,” he says firmly. “There’s nothing left to say. Anita doesn’t want me.”

I press my lips together in a fine line. “But you want her,” I say, the words almost choking me. “I can see it in your eyes. Anyone with half a brain can see it.”

His brows furrow like he’s trying to make sense of the words. As if I’ve just told him something he doesn’t already know. And then he shakes his head. “I don’t.”

Anita scoffs but I keep my back to her, my eyes fixed on his. He gently places his hands on my shoulders. “We’re over. I don’t want her,” he adds.

Anita

I owe it to him to be honest, to tell him I love him more than I’ve ever loved anyone.

But I can never be with him, not really, not if I want my son back.

So, I force a smile. “He’s right,” I say, and Rue turns to look at me.

Her eyes are innocent, unsuspecting, like she’ll believe whatever I say but still deep down know the real truth.

“We were just sex, nothing more.” I take a step towards the door, feeling the way Atlas glares at me.

I give a small laugh. “And he’s good at it.

” I pat him on the shoulder, and he steps to the side so I can leave.

“When was the last time?” Rue’s question stops me.

I exchange a glance with Atlas. “Ages ago,” he says. “Way before us.” Her eyes train on me, and I shift uncomfortably. “Nita,” Atlas barks, making us both jump with fright, “fucking tell her.”

I nod in agreement. “A few weeks ago,” I admit.

I give Atlas one last lingering look before stepping out and heading back to the old ladies.

Gemma pats the empty space beside her, and I lower to the blanket. “You okay?” she asks.

I nod. “I think so.”

“And you and Atlas are . . .”

“Done,” I confirm with a nod. “He really likes her. I can see it in his eyes.”

“You did go on dates with other guys,” Tessa points out.

“I know.”

“He was gonna get sick of waiting eventually,” she continues.

“I know, Tess,” I say a little more sharply.

“Doesn’t hurt any less though,” Gemma cuts in, knocking her shoulder gently against mine.

My phone buzzes, and I glance at Anthony’s name on the screen. “Is this the new guy?” asks Gemma, also looking at the screen.

I nod, cancelling the call, but when he calls straight back, I stand and step away from everyone to answer the call. “Hi?”

“Hey, I just wanted to check you’re okay?”

I smile to myself, because even though I see the warning signs in almost everything he does and says, there are sweet moments like this that still make my heart stutter. “I’m okay.”

“How’s the migraine?”

“A little better,” I reply, glancing out towards where the bikers are gathered. My eyes seek Atlas out without permission, watching as he chugs a beer. Rue isn’t beside him and I wonder if she left upset or happy.

“I could come by your place if you like. I’m just about to leave.”

“No, I’m not much company right now. I’ll call you tomorrow?”

“Okay. And it was great meeting your parents, Anita. I think they loved me.”

“I’m sure they did,” I say with as much enthusiasm as I can muster. “Goodnight.”

I disconnect and tuck my phone away, looking up as Atlas steps into my space with a fresh beer in his hand. “You happy with yourself?” he asks, arching a brow. “You don’t want me, but you don’t want me to be happy either?”

I shake my head. “That’s not true. I want you to be happy.”

“So, what the fuck was tonight about?”

“Tessa invited—”

“I don’t care,” he snaps, cutting me off. “I don’t give a shit who invited you, Anita. You’re not a part of this club anymore. You chose not to be.”

His words hurt way more than I want them too. “I work for the club,” I remind him.

“But being a part of the old ladies, was because you were with me.”

“We weren’t actually together.”

“Fuck you,” he yells, running his hand through his hair in irritation. “You keep playing it down, but you were in my bed most fucking nights.”

“We should go somewhere and talk,” I suggest, looking past him to where some of the brothers are watching us. “I’ll explain everything.”

“You had your chance,” he mutters, shaking his head. He turns and marches away in the direction of the club.