It Ends with Us

part of me trying to blame Ryle’s reaction on my lack of closure with Atlas.
There’s no excuse. None.
This is just another wave I’m being forced to ride on. A wave of
complete and utter confusion.
Atlas can feel the change in my composure. “You okay?”
I’m not.
I’m not okay, because until this moment, I had no idea how hurt I still
am that he never came back for me. If he’d have just come back for me
like he promised, I would have never even met Ryle. And I would have
never been in this situation.
Yep. I’m definitely confused. How am I possibly lending blame to Atlas
for any of this?
“I think I need to call it a night,” I say quietly, pulling away from him. I
stand up and Atlas stands up, too.
“I’ll be gone most of the day tomorrow,” he says. “Will you be here
when I get home?”

---

I cringe at his question. Of course he wants me to get my shit together
and find another place to stay. What am I even still doing here? “No. No, I
can get a hotel, it’s fine.” I turn to walk toward the hallway, but he puts a
hand on my shoulder.
“Lily,” he says, turning me around. “I wasn’t asking you to leave. I was
just making sure you’d still be here. I want you to stay as long as you need
to.”
His eyes are sincere, and if I didn’t think it would be a little
inappropriate, I would throw my arms around him and hug him. Because
I’m not ready to leave yet. Just a couple more days before I’m forced to
figure out what my next step is.
I nod. “I need to go in to work for a few hours tomorrow,” I tell him.
“There are some things I need to take care of. But if you really don’t mind,
I’d like to stay here for a few more days.”
“I don’t mind, Lily. I’d prefer it.”
I force a smile and then head to the guest bedroom. At least he’s giving
me a buffer before I’m forced to confront everything.
As much as his presence in my life confuses me right now, I’ve never
been more thankful for him.

---