Apparently, he talked with Noah, and they thought it was a great idea. I still need a lot of help, and I decided while in that basement that I’d never waste time again. I regret not hearing him out at Thanksgiving. I’ve apologized a bunch of times to him, but he shakes it off.
Seth is picking me up today for an appointment because Atlas is busy finishing some last-minute things for Christmas. He’s wrapped up everything I had for Noah and hasn’t complained once about doing basically everything. I don’t feel like myself yet, and have little to no energy most days, so I hate it.
The Morgans came over, and when I finally got to see Mila, Mara, and their parents, the floodgates fully opened. Daniel apologized for not seeing it sooner, but no one knew that Bea had moved. We all tried to forget she existed, but she never forgot about us. I told the police about what she did to that family, even though I don’tknow what they can do about it now. So much evil from one person has destroyed so many lives.
I still have nightmares most nights, and wake distressed, thinking I’m in that cold basement, but Atlas is there for me. He holds me tightly and reminds me I’m safe. I start counseling in the new year, but I’m thankful it’s over, and Noah and I can move on with our lives. He’ll never know what really happened.
“Who even has a doctor’s appointment on Christmas Eve?” I grumble to Seth as we head toward the hospital.
I have to talk to an orthopedic doctor to see if I can graduate from the cast to a brace or splint. That bastard Aidan did some damage when he broke my finger.
I know Atlas said he killed Aidan, but I’m better off not knowing specifics. The police never questioned Aidan’s absence. They figure he skipped town, violating his parole. They’ll never find him, according to the guys.
Seth has been a bit distant around me, so I’m glad we have this time together. We need to clear the air.
“Seth?” I turn to face him in my seat. He has a beanie pulled down over his light hair, even though a few stray pieces creep out just like Atlas’. They really are brothers.
“Yeah?” He turns to glance at me, eyes returning to the road quickly.
“We need to talk. I don’t blame you for Thanksgiving.”
“You should.” He scoffs. “If I hadn’t opened my stupid mouth, none of this would have happened. You wouldn’t have left and probably wouldn’t have been taken.”
“We don’t know that,” I reason. It’s true. I thought about it a lot in the hospital, and I think eventually they would have tried something anyway. Aidan apparently racked up some debts to drug dealers, and Bea was just an evil old woman.
“You don’t have to be kind, Cora. I know I messed up.”
“How you went about it was shitty, but I know it came from a place of concern for Atlas. I love him, ya know?”
Smiling, he nods. “Oh, I know you do. I just wasn’t sure if his head was in the right place. He was slipping into this father-type role, and it’s not something to take lightly.”
“I agree, but Atlas knew that he was always all in. I may not have seen it, but the signs were there.”
“He’s so protective of you and Noah. You have no idea, Cora.”
After watching the way Rhett looks at him sometimes now, I’m getting an idea. It’s like he’s equal parts in awe and afraid, but no one will explain it.
“Atlas isn’t going anywhere, so that means you aren’t going anywhere, either,” I point out. “I hold no grudges, and I want you to stop beating yourself up.”
Nodding his head, Seth pulls into the medical center. Turning to give me his full attention, he offers me his hand. “Deal, but you have to promise that you’ll get Noah to stop thinking Kash is the best uncle he has.”
Laughing, I shake his hand but break his heart. “I don’t know. He keeps letting Noah get those stencil tattoos, so you may have to up your game.”
“Cheating bastard,” he grumbles, getting out of the car before he helps me in. I have crutches, but I hate using them, so Seth brought my chair. The bullet didn’t hit anything major, so it was an easy extraction. It still hurts and swells occasionally, but I start PT soon, and that should help. The idea of using crutches with a cast as I hobble through the parking lot isn’t my idea of a good time.
Seth pops a wheelie in my borrowed wheelchair, making me giggle.
“See, I can be the fun one.” He smirks, wheeling me in. It feels so good to be out of the cold. After spending that time down there, I feel like I can never be warm enough.
I head up and wait for my turn. As it turns out, I need the cast for a few more weeks, then maybe after the holidays are over, I can upgrade to a brace. Not the answer I was hoping for, but it is what it is.
On the journey back home, I start to feel tired. The headaches still come and go but are getting better. Atlas is always there for anything I need.
Pulling into the house, I see his car in the driveway and smile. As Seth helps me out of the car, Atlas beats him to it. “How was your appointment, baby? Sorry I couldn’t be there for it.”
“It was okay,” I explain, walking into the house. The smell of cinnamon and apple fills the air. “What’d you make?” I ask, limping into the kitchen.
“Just some apple dumplings. Noah said Matt made some really good ones, and I couldn’t have him thinking his were better. Here.” He pulls out a chair, placing one in front of me with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. “Try it.” Cutting a piece off, I pop it into my mouth and let out a groan. The apple is just soft enough, and the cinnamon sugar combination melts on my tongue—don’t even get me started on the crust. It’s so flaky and buttery.
