Page 75 of Westward

The room was filled by then, including the coach, Samuel, and the actual authorities.

It took hours to get everything worked out, and we all did indeed miss practice. By the end, we were all excused, and I pulled out my phone, hitting Lizzie’s number before I even made it to the locker room.

“Atlas?”

Her voice nearly sent me to my knees, and I let out a deep breath. “Hey, baby.”

“Are you okay?”

“I’m fine.”

“They said you were cut? With a butcher knife?”

I shook my head, grateful for some privacy. “It wasn’t that bad. I do have a slight cut, but it wasn’t deep. I didn’t even need stitches.”

“Atlas—”

“I’m fine. I promise.” And then I explained to her everything that had happened, with detail. She laid into me for not talking about the texts, but as I had thought it was just a random fan, I hadn’t told her for a reason.

“Atlas. If this is going to work, you have to tell me the truth. Everything about your job is important, including the people who might want to push us apart.”

“I know that. Fuck. I know that. I didn’t think it would go this far.”

“I don’t think anyone did. Okay, baby. Okay, Atlas. Just let me know when you get to your apartment, okay?”

I looked up to see security standing there, and I nodded at them. “I won’t be going home alone tonight.”

“Oh?” Lizzie asked.

I cringed. “I mean, security’s going with me. They’re going to check the apartment and everything. The authorities are taking care of things now that they actually know what the hell happened last year. And everything will be safe when you get here.” I paused, fear coating my tongue. “You are coming here, right?”

“Of course I am, Atlas Carter. And I’m bringing your very scared family with me. Now, you’re going to talk to your mother, and probably the rest of your family one by one, since they’re sitting here in your house, and Will will be here too, because you need to reassure all of us. We love you, and we need you to kick ass this season on the ice. But we also don’t need you to get stalked by random people who want to hurt you. Do you get me?”

I barked out a laugh even though it wasn’t funny. “I get you. Always, Lizzie. I love you.”

“I love you too. And apparently I do need to get there sooner than later, because someone needs to take care of you.”

I grinned as I put my bag over my shoulder and headed towards my team. “Yeah. I do need you out here.”

“Then I’ll be there as soon as I can. Take care of yourself, Atlas. Because I’ll be taking care of you soon.”

And with that, I knew that no matter what happened next, we would persevere. And we’d find our way.

Because if we could survive these past few weeks, we could survive anything.

And in the end, as long as Lizzie was mine, that was all that mattered.

Chapter 15

ELIZABETH

Weeks later

The ride from the airport had been daunting, but this wasn’t my first time in Portland. And I knew it wouldn’t be my last. Hands shaking, I tightened my grip on my purse and suitcase as I made my way down the hall and knocked on the door.

It swung open quickly, and a shirtless Atlas stood there in gray sweatpants, with wet hair and a mile-wide grin.

“You’re here.” He took me in his arms and crushed my mouth to his before I could even take a breath.