The Girl Who Doesn't Quit (Soulless 12)

“Aw, that’s so cute.”

“Bear is gonna get laaaaaaid.”

“Shut up, they’re cousins.”

“Bear doesn’t care if she’s his cousin or not.”

“Okay,” I said. “Don’t be gross.”

He chuckled and drank his beer. “What’s going on with you? I’m sorry we don’t see each other as much as we used to. With two little ones, it’s just hard.”

“I understand, Dex. Don’t worry about it.”

“No, you don’t understand,” he said with a chuckle. “When you have kids of your own, then you will understand.”

“You really make me excited about it…”

“Nah, it’s great. It’s harder for Sicily because she’s the one who has to be awake all night.”

“Wow, you’re a dick.”

“Come on, I have to sleep well every night. I literally stop people’s hearts.”

“Okay, okay…that’s fair.”

“I do the cooking and dishes, though. Plus, all the loving when the kids are asleep…”

I smothered his mouth under my palm. “Okay, enough. Mom and Dad are on their honeymoon over there, and now you’re being gross.”

He pushed my hand away. “Because we’re in love, Daisy. When you bring Mr. Right around, you’ll be doing it too, and I’m going to give you as much shit about it as you’re giving me.”

Dad took Derek and the kids fishing in the morning, and then the rest of us went on a hike. Mom told me she used to go on hikes with Dad when Derek was little, and Derek would search the trees in the hopes of finding a bear.

“I thought Derek was smart?” I asked. “Who wants to find a bear?”

She chuckled. “He was fearless. Found a lot of interesting bugs, though.”

When we returned to the cabin, I hit the fridge and got a cold bottle of water and downed the entire thing before I headed to the back patio. My dad and brother were back from fishing, and the grill was smoking, smelling like a mixture of juicy burgers and fish.

I shut the glass doors behind me and noticed the guys gathered around the barbecue.

I had to do a double take.

Because Atlas was there.

Or am I losing my mind right now?

My eyes narrowed on him, seeing him in shorts, a t-shirt, and Keds. He had sculpted and toned legs, and his arms looked strong as always. The stubble was gone because he must have shaved that morning.

Dad didn’t look at me because he was so absorbed in Atlas, giving him smiles in their conversation. My brothers talked to him too, like they were all old friends.

When I gathered my bearings, I walked over. “Uh, what are you doing here?”

Dad stopped talking and stared at me.

My brothers both looked at me, silent at my outburst.

When Atlas looked at me, he wore a look I’d never seen before—like he was uncomfortable.

I realized how rude I’d just sounded. “Sorry, that didn’t come out right. Just surprised to see you, is all.”

Dad flipped the burgers. “I invited him.”

I glared at Dad with pure menace.

Dex nudged me in the side, trying to get me to snap out of it.

I was so annoyed I didn’t know what to do—except go to my mom to vent. I turned around to do just that.

I stepped into the house. “Mom?” When she didn’t answer, I looked through the glass doors and saw that Atlas had followed me.

Oh no.

“Mom, where the hell are you?” I went to the foot of the stairs and looked up, realizing she was probably in the shower.

Atlas caught up to me. “I thought he told you I was coming.”

I crossed my arms over my chest and faced him. “That’s a reasonable assumption.”

His eyes shifted back and forth as he looked at me, a little wounded. “I’ll go if you want. I didn’t realize this would make you so uncomfortable.”

I glanced past him, seeing my dad and brothers looking through the glass to stare at us. They didn’t even try to act like they weren’t watching. I grabbed Atlas’s wrist and pulled him out the front door with me. “Come on, let’s talk.”

We went to the front of the cabin where the driveway full of vehicles was. A little farther out, a sea of pines provided adequate shade and relief from the summer sun. I was still in my workout leggings and sports bra, my hair pulled back in a tight ponytail. The sweat still dampened the roots of my hair, and my skin probably glistened with perspiration. Basically, I looked like shit.

We made it to the trees, and I turned around.

Atlas stood there, his hands in the pockets of his shorts, one foot slightly in front of the other. He stood tall and exuded confidence.

“It’s not you, okay? I’m just annoyed with my dad right now.”

“Really? Because it seems like the reason you’re annoyed with him is because he invited me here.”

“Because he’s trying to be Lady Whistledown or something.”

Both eyebrows rose. “I’m not following here.”