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)
This baby, this sweet innocent life growing inside of me, is what gave me the courage and the strength to get out, but I don’t think I really had the brain space to worry about all of the things most first-time moms do when I was still locked away. Now that I’m free, the what-ifs have been raining down on me relentlessly.
It may seem strange, given the circumstances, but this little one is everything to me, and I need to know he’s okay, to hear his heartbeat.
I need those things, because then it will be real. Then I’ll know that I’ll never be alone ever again. Then I’ll know that my life truly has a purpose.
Atlas studies me for a long minute, tilting his head to one side and then to the other. I’m half-expecting him to call me on my sullen mood.
“Well, let’s head out,” he says instead, because that’s the thing about Atlas—he knows when to push and when to let it go. “Scarlet said she’d let us in once they cleared the office out for lunch.”
“That’s nice of her.” I try to focus on that, rather than her clearly complicated relationship with Atlas.
“Yeah.” He chuffs out a laugh. “She has her moments.”
“How did y’all meet?” I ask as we walk to his truck, clearly abandoning the idea of not thinking about them. “If you don’t mind me asking.”
“We met at The Creek. She was there with some guy, and he ended up being an asshole. Ellis and I found her crying outside, drunk as hell. So, we brought her back here to sleep it off on the couch. Then she sort of just…kept coming around.”
“So, you have a hero complex then?”
“What?” He opens the passenger door for me and then lifts me up into the truck.
I wait for him to join me in the cab before replying. “You like saving people. Scarlet, and now me.”
He scoffs as he starts the truck. “I’m not interested in saving anyone.”
“Anyone else.” I roll my lips inward to keep from smiling. He’s getting all growly over this, and I’m not going to lie—I kind of love it.
“Pip.” The single syllable holds a warning, but I know he’s only joking.
“I’m just saying. One more helpless female and you’ve got yourself a pattern.”
“First of all—” He cuts his eyes my way before checking the road and pulling out of the driveway. “You are far from helpless, so cut that shit out. You are the strongest person I know. Honestly, Nora, I’m in awe of you.”
Emotion clogs my throat as I process his words. “That, uh, that got really serious, real fast.”
“Sometimes I think you need the reminder.” Atlas drums his fingers on the steering wheel as he waits for the light to change. “Not a reminder of what you’ve been through, but that you’ve made it to the other side.”
I tuck my hands under my thighs to keep from fidgeting. “I guess you’re right.”
“And one more thing, Pip. You didn’t need a knight or a prince to save you, because you did it your-own-damn-self. So anytime you’re feeling down, just remember that you realized you had something to fight for and said screw the prince, I’m saving myself.”
This time, I don’t try to stop my grin. “Man, it’s almost like you’ve read my diary… Oh, wait!”
He flicks on the blinker and shoots me the cockiest smile known to mankind. “That’s right, pretty girl, I got that insider knowledge.”
I shake my head, but I’m smiling. This kind of light, playful banter is one of the things I missed the most. It’s also one of the things I refused to let myself think much about. Out of sight, out of mind, and all that.
We fall quiet as Atlas navigates through town to the doctor’s office, but with every turn, my anxiety climbs.
“Will you stay with me?” I ask as he expertly parks his beast of a truck near the back of the building. “During the appointment, I mean.”
“Pip.” He glances my way, his mouth frowning around his nickname for me.
“You don’t have to,” I rush to add, not wanting to make him uncomfortable. He’s already done so much for me, so if this is his line, I’ll be okay.
Reaching over the console, he takes my hand in his. “I won’t leave your side, not just for this appointment, but for all of them. I’m with you every step of the way. Hell, I’ll even hold your hand while you give birth if that’s what you need from me.” He brushes his thumb over my knuckles. “I mean it, Nora. Whatever you need, big or small, I’m there.”
His words send a spike of relief through me. I lean over the console, intending to press a kiss to his cheek, only my aim is off and my lips meet the corner of his mouth instead.