Total pages in book: 124
Estimated words: 119476 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 597(@200wpm)___ 478(@250wpm)___ 398(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 119476 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 597(@200wpm)___ 478(@250wpm)___ 398(@300wpm)
He grabs her left ankle and repeats the motions before standing and dropping both of her shoes unceremoniously by the door. “It’s fucking rude to wear dirty shoes into someone’s home. It’s even ruder to put said shoes on their furniture. Understand?”
She crosses her arms and kicks her sock-clad feet up onto the coffee table. “That you’re a jackass? Yeah, that’s coming through loud and clear.”
He smirks as he drops back down into his chair. “That’s Officer Jackass to you.”
I give Nora a told you so look before clearing my throat. “If y’all are finished, we’d like to join you.”
CHAPTER 13
ATLAS
Scarlet’s glacial glare softens as she turns her focus from Ellis to Nora. “Sit by me.” She pats the spot next to her. “Regardless of what some might say, I don’t bite.”
Ellis snorts in a poor attempt to cover his laugh, but Nora remains rooted at my side.
“Go on, Pip. I’ll sit with you.” My voice is as soft as I step back and let her take the lead. If she wants to join Scar on the couch, then we will; if she doesn’t, then we won’t. It’s as simple as that.
Hell, she can stand right here in this very spot all night for all I care. I’ll be by her side like I’m glued there. She’s one hundred percent in control, even if she doesn’t realize it.
“Okay,” she whispers, nodding to herself. She tries to hide the way her hands shake by balling them into fists, but I don’t miss it. I’m too tuned into all things her to miss much of anything.
She takes a hesitant step before pausing and glancing back at me, as if to make sure I’m following behind her. When she sees I am, she crosses the room quickly and perches herself on the edge of the center cushion.
I hate how apprehensive she feels, but I can’t lie—something warms inside of me when the unsure look melts off her face at my reassurance.
Scarlet eyes me suspiciously as I claim the seat next to Nora, like she knows something I don’t. It’s unsettling. I’m not sure any of us can handle any more surprises this weekend.
“Do you know the date of your last period?” Scarlet asks, jumping right into things.
Ellis’s eyes damn near bug out of his head. Of course, the jackass gets grossed out by a little blood.
“Um.” Nora’s cheeks are so red they rival a fire engine. “I’m not… I don’t know.”
Scarlet waves away her concern. “That’s okay, an ultrasound will give us a clear idea as to when you’re due. I’m guessing you don’t have insurance, but my doctor offers private pay, so that shouldn’t be an issue. I’ll talk to her tomorrow, and we can figure out a time for you to come in—”
“That sounds expensive.” Nora swallows hard. “I-I don’t have a lot of money, but I’m going to get a job soon. I think. Hopefully…”
I can see the panic beginning to build as her breathing accelerates and the blush staining her cheeks works its way down her neck.
It’s on the tip of my tongue to tell her not to worry about the cost, that I’ll gladly pay it and more, but I grit my teeth and stay silent. The only thing I’d accomplish by offering to foot the bill is making Nora feel more uncomfortable than she already does.
I’ll just arrange it with Scarlet later.
Ellis shoots me a look that says fix this and I nod, because one way or another, I intend to.
“I’m sure it won’t be a problem,” Scarlet says, her eyes pinging back and forth between Ellis and me before settling on Nora. “Do you want to give me your number so I can text you about everything?”
“Could you text Atlas instead?” She glances back at me over her shoulder. “I don’t have a phone.”
“Yup.” Scarlet’s eyes flare as she looks my way. “Not a problem.”
Nora’s relief is palpable, to the point where even my shoulders relax a little.
“There’s just one more thing,” I say, hoping it’s something they can accommodate. “Her appointment needs to be completely private. I’m talking off the books and during lunch or something. I don’t want anyone in that office other than you and your doc even knowing she was there.”
Scarlet’s looking at me like I’ve lost my mind, but I can’t find it in me to care. “That’s a big ask, but I’ll do my best.”
“Gonna need better than your best, Scar. I need to know that Nora’s safe. Especially since we don’t know where my dad is.”
She runs her fingers through her long hair before flipping it behind her shoulder. “Got it.” She turns her attention to Ellis. “Y’all are looking for him, right?”
“Yeah, we are.” He nods, his eyes locked onto the woman at my side as he puzzles something out. “Hey, Nora, can I ask you something kind of random?”