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Thirty-Three

Dash

I’m ten minutes later than I intended—fucking L.A. traffic—but I make my way backstage to meet up with the others. I spot Atlas and almost stumble because…he’s not wearing a suit.

He’s not wearing a suit?

I can’t help but stare in confusion.

Other than our occasional hockey games, where he shows up in sweats, or when we golf, Atlas always wears a suit.

Tom Ford is his go-to, though he saves the Armani for special occasions.

Even when we hang out at The Sapphire Room and the rest of us are in jeans, he wears a suit.

He takes the jacket off and rolls up his sleeves after a few drinks but—I’m having a really hard time with this.

Not only is he not wearing a suit, he’s in jeans .

They’re starched and someone probably ironed them, but he’s wearing them.

Along with a Jade Cantrell concert T-shirt.

What’s happening here?

“Hey.” I walk over to join him and Royal, who are drinking beer.

Atlas also rarely drinks beer, only at the beach or the hockey rink.

“You’re late,” Royal points out with a smirk.

I flip him the bird. “Some of us work for a living.”

He rolls his eyes. “Take another ninety-year-old to the doctor today?” He always teases me about my favorite elderly client.

“Better than sitting on my ass all day.”

He smirks. “Jealous much?”

“You’re late!” Briar comes over to join us.

“Thanks.” I look around for Willow, frowning a little when I don’t see her. “Willow in the ladies room?”

Briar shakes her head. “No, haven’t seen her since she dropped off Frankie’s jacket.”

I pull out my phone to check for messages but there’s nothing from her.

I’m about to text her but then stop myself.

She needs freedom.

L.A. traffic is the worst—and unpredictable—at any time of day. She’s probably sitting in it and I’m not going to pull a page out of Dylan’s book by demanding to know where she is.

“Hey, everybody.” Jade comes out of her dressing room, all dolled up for the show, and I can’t help but smile at the way Royal looks at her. Like she’s an appetizer, main course, and dessert—all rolled into one.

“Auntie Jade, can we take a selfie?” Frankie asks as she runs up to her. “For my Insta?”

I nearly choke on the beer Banks just put in my hand.

“Her Insta ?” I ask before I can stop myself.

Frankie giggles. “Mommy let me!”

Briar chuckles. “Don’t worry, she only has access to it on my phone, and it’s mostly pictures of cats.”

“And Auntie Jade.” Frankie’s eyes beam with delight.

She really loves her aunties, which is pretty cool.

They take pictures while we talk about the Vipers’ season, and I surreptitiously keep checking my watch.

“Call her,” Atlas murmurs. “You’re about to crawl out of your skin.”

“I have to let her…be,” I say quietly. “I can’t constantly check up on her. That’s what Dylan did and she needs to be able to… adult.”

His brows furrow together. “But?—”

“Believe me, I know. But I can’t be so overprotective that I potentially drive her away.” I take a pull from my beer bottle. “I love her.”

Royal’s brows nearly reach his hairline and Banks throws back his head and laughs. Atlas simply cocks his head. “So… this is it, huh?”

“She paid off my house and I put her name on the deed this morning, so yeah.”

“That was fast,” Royal says, letting out a low whistle. “But I get it.”

“She needed something of her own, but she wanted it to be half of my house. We looked at other properties and nothing felt right to her. Except my place.”

Banks grins. “That’s awesome.”

“Happy for you,” Atlas says, nodding.

“Poor Willow,” Royal deadpans. “Does she know what she’s getting into?”

“Don’t make me kick your ass,” I mutter. “Can’t be worse than what poor Jade has signed on for.”

We all laugh, our light-hearted banter distracting me from worry.

But I glance at my watch again.

Then I check my phone.

“She’s fine,” Aspen says, smiling at me. “Like you said, let her figure out her new normal. Maybe she stopped for a bottle of water or to buy flowers for Jade or whatever. I’m sure there’s a perfectly reasonable explanation.”

“Traffic,” Atlas and Briar say at the same time.

I narrow my eyes at them, about to say something snarky before I remember my suspicion that there might be something between them.

Until Lily walks in, running over to Jade.

They hug and whisper together, obviously talking shop, but it’s the way Atlas stares in that direction that gets my attention.

He’s… fascinated? Infatuated? I don’t know how to describe the look on his face.

I’ve never seen it before. Then he guzzles the rest of his beer—something else I haven’t seen since college.

Okay, so it’s not Briar he’s into.

This is a fun twist.

I momentarily feel bad for my sister before realizing she’s not even aware, completely immersed in her conversation with Aspen, oblivious to the…lovesick look on Atlas’s face?

What the hell?

I almost laugh, but I don’t dare. Not only would he kill me, but I wouldn’t want to do anything to embarrass Lily. Especially since I don’t know if there’s something going on there.

I have no qualms about giving Atlas shit, though.

“What’s wrong with you?” I demand, elbowing him.

“What are you talking about?” he snaps, scowling.

“Why are you staring at Lily like she’s your next meal?”

“Because he’s got a hard-on for her,” Royal stage whispers. “Duh.”

“I do not.” Atlas straightens his spine and fixes us all with the same look that tends to make his business competitors quake in their boots.

It’s less effective on us.

“It’s okay to like a girl,” I say pointedly.

“Fuck you,” he mutters.

“Does she know you’re alive?” Royal asks dryly.

“Oh, she knows,” Banks says. “She’s just not interested in the moody fucker.”

“Fuck all the way off,” Atlas grunts.

“Good evening, everyone,” Lily says, coming over to us with Jade in tow.

“Lily’s going to do a song with me tonight,” Jade says, sliding her hand into Royal’s. “And then Royal will come out to do ‘Midnight Snow,’ so it’ll be a fun night.”

“Hey, Lily.” I smile at her.

“Hi, Auntie Lily!” Frankie comes running over.

“Hey, there, sugar plum!” Lily reaches down to scoop her up and spin her around.

“Mommy, are you getting this?” Frankie demands when they’re done.

“I’m on it,” Briar says dryly, holding up her phone to signify she took pictures.

“How’s it going, Atlas?” Lily’s eyes twinkle as she looks at him, and I realize she knows. She knows he likes her and is teasing him. I’m not sure whether to feel bad for him or if he’s getting exactly what he deserves after so many years as the consummate playboy.

Because I’m a thousand percent sure this woman will have no trouble going toe-to-toe with him, whether it’s in the bedroom or the boardroom.

“Er, uh…good,” he stammers. “How is… uh, how are… you?”

It takes a lot of self-control not to burst out laughing, but as much as we love to give each other shit in private, embarrassing him in front of a woman who isn’t part of our inner circle isn’t something we do. And anyway, Lily appears perfectly capable of handling herself. And him.

“I’m doing great!” She grins at him. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you without a suit—I like it.”

“Oh.” He looks down, as if caught by surprise. “Uh…thanks.”

Jesus.

He’s got it bad .

I’ve never seen him tongue-tied for any reason, much less in front of us.

He’s a grown man, but my buddy obviously needs a little help here.

“When’s your next album coming out, Lily?” I ask, opting to change the subject and save Atlas from himself.

“No idea,” she says, laughing. “I’ve been on tour for two years, on and off, and I’ve written enough songs for two or three albums, but I’m not feeling the urge to go into the studio. For one thing, I get restless, and for another, I make most of my money on tour.”

“Meanwhile, I love the studio,” Jade says, laughing. “So I can go home to my honey every night.”

We all groan and roll our eyes as Royal kisses her.

“Where’s Willow?” Lily asks, looking around. “Isn’t she coming?”

I realize it’s almost showtime and Willow still isn’t here.

I check my phone again, but there’s nothing.

“I don’t think calling to make sure she doesn’t have a flat tire or something is hovering,” Banks points out after a moment.

I nod and grab my phone, dialing her number.

It rings and rings…and rings.

Until voicemail kicks in and I hear her sweet voice. “This is Willow. You know what to do. Have a great day!”

“Fuck.” I disconnect and try not to freak out.

Even if she’s stuck in traffic or got a flat tire or something, she should have picked up. She has to know I’m worried.

“She went to get her picture,” Frankie chirps when no one says anything.

My blood runs cold.

“Her what?” Briar asks carefully.

“Her picture. At her old house.” Frankie cocks her head. “Of her daddy.”

Oh my fucking God.

I whirl and start to run.

“Call my team for back-up!” I yell over my shoulder. “I’m heading to Dylan’s!”