He stopped, setting his bag on the arm of the couch.“What’s that?”
“Violet’s dad is missing.Simon just called to let me know.He asked me to call Brantley, but I figured I’d call you, see what you thought.”
Atticus was pretty sure Violet was the woman who owned the bookstore, and he thought he’d heard something about her dating Simon, but he wasn’t positive.From Archer’s tone, she sounded important.“I’m headin’ back to HQ.I’ll give him a call.”
“You mind swingin’ by and pickin’ me up on the way?”
“Sure.The B and B?”
“Yep.”
“See you in a few.”
Atticus ended the call and shoved his phone in his bag.He started toward the door, intending to walk out without saying goodbye.Unfortunately, the thought of leaving Slade in this state didn’t sit well with him.No, maybe things weren’t working the way he’d hoped, but that didn’t mean he wanted to put a rift between them.Even if their relationship ended, they still had to work together.
Exhaling slowly, Atticus turned around to find Slade standing there, staring.He looked pained.Atticus wanted to feel bad for him, but the man’s reactions were outrageous.Slade had no reason not to trust him, yet it appeared that was exactly what was happening.
“I’m gonna head to HQ.I’ve gotta pick Archer up on the way.We’re drivin’ up together.I don’t know how long we’ll be up there.That’s not up to me.But I’ll text you when I can.”
“Is this it?”
Not sure what Slade meant, Atticus frowned.“Is what it?”
Slade gestured between them.“This.Is it over?”
Half an hour ago, he wouldn’t have known how to answer that question.But after this, he knew there was only one right answer.Only he couldn’t bring himself to say it.
“We’ll talk when I get back.”
Slade’s jaw ticked.“You’re fuckin’ him, aren’t you?”
Atticus exhaled, grinding his teeth, trying to hold onto his patience.They were wearing thin.“Archer’s my partner.We work together.You know that.I didn’t touch him.I didn’t fuck him.And I don’t intend to.We.Work.Together.That’s all.”
“Then why does it feel like it’s over?”Slade demanded.
Atticus stared at him for what felt like an eternity.“Isn’t it obvious?”
Not waiting for a response, Atticus spun on his heel and walked out of the house.
