Atlas
Pulling into the school, I park and climb out of my car. I head toward where it looks like the other parents wait to pick up their kids. Looking around, I take in the building. It appears to be a typical elementary school. At the front of the building, there’s a flag fluttering in the breeze, and little shrubs that line the edges. The wind picks up, and I feel the chill a bit more. I left Cora at the house in my hoodie, and I can’t wait to get back to her.
I barely slept last night, but I’m used to going without sleep. Pride fills me when I think of how well I’m able to take care of her. She makes it easy. Cora’s always been independent and done everything on her own, but those days are over. Rescheduling my clients for the day wasn’t hard, and we aren’t so busy that the guys can’t handle the shop without me.
Ignoring the stares from other parents, I pull my phone from my pocket and fire off a text to Emma. I wasn’t kidding when I told Cora that we were going over for dinner. I know it’s Tuesday, and Noah has practice Tuesday nights, but there’s rain in the forecast. The sky is already dark, so we’ll see.
Me:
Tonight still okay?
Emma:
Of course! I’m looking forward to meeting her and her brother.
Me:
… and see me too, right?
Emma:
As long as you’re with them *Winky face emoji*
Shaking my head, I laugh at her answer. Pocketing my phone, I reassure myself she doesn’t really mean it. At least I don’t think she does.
“I didn’t know you had kids,” a voice states from my right.
Turning, I find Matt standing close by. He’s almost as tall as I am, and a bit bulkier, but I don’t trust him. I know he wants my girl. Matt looks at me, assessing, actually. He’s trying to figure out what I have that he doesn’t. Why Cora gravitates toward me, and not him. He’s probably confused about how he landed himself safely in the friend zone, and I didn’t. I almost smile because it has to burn.News flash, asshole. I plowed my way in and I’m not going anywhere.
I hope he likes what he sees, because he’ll be seeing me more than he realizes. Reminding myself he’s the older brother of Noah’s best friend, though, has me playing nice.
“Just the one.” It’s all I feel like offering, which is generous enough.
“Right…” he starts. “How’s Cora feeling?”
The urge to punch him for saying her name washes over me, but I shove it down. I don’t think I’ll be allowed back for Noah at school if I do that.
“She’s getting there.”
“It was too bad we didn’t get our game on Saturday,” he continues. “I got called into work and didn’t leave until late. Guess I’ll be taking her to a different one instead.”
Does he have a death wish?“I don’t think you will actually.” I keep my eyes trained on the building.
“And why is that?” he asks, turning toward me.
I take a quick glance at the crowd around us and realize no one’s really paying attention. “Well, it’s because it’ll be really hard to coach soccer with a broken leg, right?” Tilting my head as if I’m actually thinking about it, I add, “You don’t actually use your hands, but legs are essential if I remember correctly.”
I take a bit of pride in how he stiffens. Who am I kidding? I’m glad he realizes I’m serious. If Matt thinks I’m joking, he can try me. Before he can respond, a bell sounds, and the doors to the school open.
Kids start piling out, but I’m only looking for one. Noah comes through the door a few minutes later, talking with another boy around his age with light hair. As the pair walks toward us, it dawns on me that this must be Matt’s younger brother.
“Hey, Noah. How’d today go?” I ask even though I always thought it was stupid to ask kids if they had a good day at school. It’s school, so how much of a good day can they have sitting at a desk all day and learning math? There is recess and gym, I guess, but still.
“It was okay,” Noah responds with a shrug.
Smiling wryly at him, I nod. “Sounds about right.”
“Hey, Noah. How ya feeling?” Matt interrupts. “It sounds like you and Cora went through it this weekend.” He’s purposely not looking at me. It’s like I didn’t warn him at all.
