Honestly, he wasn’t too keen on listening to Slade’s accusations.He’d already faced a confrontation in front of Archer when Slade stopped by HQ to remind Atticus about their plans—dinner with Slade’s parents, of all things.Since Slade didn’t believe him when he said he completely spaced, Atticus had to reassure him.Lately, it seemed like a lot of that was happening because Slade tended to assume the worst.But Atticus was pretty sure he hadn’t given him any real reason to.
Well, not until last night, anyway.
Not that anything had happened, but he seriously doubted Slade would believe him when he said as much.
Slade would just have to suck it up.
When he made his way up the steps to the house, Atticus wasn’t surprised to find the door unlocked.Slade tended to get up early, not only on weekdays.More than likely, he’d come outside to see if Atticus’s truck was there and just left the door unlocked afterward.
Walking inside, he felt the tension in the air.It could’ve been his imagination, then again, probably not.
Because he wasn’t eager to have an argument, he made a beeline for his side of the house to shower and pack.Without wasting time, he got the shower out of the way, taking a few minutes to shave and brush his teeth.When he was finished, he wrapped a towel around his waist and made the short trek down the hall to his bedroom to find Slade fully dressed, sitting on his bed, propped against the headboard, feet out in front of him, ankles crossed.
Slade’s gaze raked over his mostly naked form as he said, “Did you have fun last night?”
Atticus turned away to get clothes from his dresser.“I wouldn’t call it fun.More like work.”
“Yeah?You and Archer hard at work all night?”
“Actually, yes,” he said, turning back to put some of the clothes in the duffel bag.
“What’re you doin’?”Slade asked, jumping to his feet like the bed was on fire.
“Packing.”
“What the fuck, Atticus?Seriously?”
Frowning, Atticus turned back.“That’s kinda how it works.”
“You’re movin’ out?”
Atticus slowly pivoted back around.“I’m goin’ to Dallas with Brantley, Reese, Simon, and Archer.”
Slade stared at him, eyes wide.“When?”
“Today.”
When Slade didn’t say anything, Atticus turned back to his task.Not realizing what he was doing, he continued to shove more clothes into his bag.He didn’t stop until the drawer was empty.
Realizing he needed something to wear, he dug through the bag, pulled out jeans and a T-shirt.Forgetting underwear, he dug around more for those.
With Slade staring at him, Atticus managed to get dressed.He sat to put on his socks and boots.
“When will you be back?”
Standing up, Atticus grabbed his phone charger from the nightstand.“I guess when they say it’s time to come back.”
“No.”
Slowly, Atticus looked at Slade again.“Excuse me?”
Slade shook his head emphatically.“You can’t go to Dallas.Not with… Someone else can go.Evan.He’s got more experience.”
Atticus was dumbfounded.Not to mention, hurt by Slade’s lack of faith in him.So much so, he considered going into the closet, grabbing another bag, and filling it with the few items he’d hung in there.That was all it would take to pack up every single thing he owned and walk out of Slade’s house and not look back.
Kinda sad that the contents of his life could fit into two duffel bags.
He paused, took a deep breath.He couldn’t end things.Not like this.
