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Atlas and Blair are exchanging looks over Shiloh’s shoulder as he excitedly tries to get his best friend to play along.
“You’re a menace. Dare.”
Shiloh’s grin is automatic.
“I dare you to chase Blair down and spank him.” He says it so lightly and full of mirth.
Atlas laughs, but there’s no mistaking the heated look he throws at Blair, who smiles right back and jumps up from the chair.
It’s like a childhood game of tag watching the two of them running around the living room like school kids. Shiloh must agree because he’s got a sort of wistfulness in his eyes that gains a drop of sadness when his gaze wanders to mine.
“Would you like to be chased and spanked, firecracker?”
He bites down on his lip and rolls his eyes, but I know the thought is there.
“I am so getting you back for that,” Blair pants through a series of chuckles as he plops into the seat next to Shiloh and nudges his shoulder.
“You’re such a baby. I’d like to see you try.”
Atlas comes over, and the two of them make a sort of Shiloh sandwich that he pretends to hate as the three rib each other.
They go back and forth with a couple of innocent truths and juvenile dares, so I gather up the discarded dishes and take them to the sink. It wasn’t like I came here to socialize in the first place. I came to remind Shiloh of the family that he has. Of the people that still care about him.
A tap on my shoulder reveals Atlas, who directs a subdued smile at the other on the couch before turning back to me.
“Sorry if we made you feel put out. Things have just been so tense with us… it’s nice to have a sense of normalcy back.”
It’s far from the first time I’ve been on the outside looking in with Shiloh.
“It’s no problem. I figured he needed you more than he needed me.”
Atlas gets a crease in his brow that smoothes out with another easy smile. “Shiloh tends to think being cared for is suffocating. But secretly it’s exactly what he needs. Caring for himself is hard.”
“We’re figuring out what works for us.”
Atlas has always been a kind, affectionate guy, so I expect the squeeze to my shoulder and even the little semi-hug he pulls me into.
Less expectable is the raw undertone to his voice when he whispers in my ear, “Thank you. For going with Blair and being there for Shiloh. I’m sure that wasn’t easy.”
If only you knew.
“Why doesn’t he stay here tonight? I could grab him some clothes and swing them by. He’s missed you a lot… and it might be good for him to be somewhere else. Pretty sure he feels like a prisoner in the dorm.”
Atlas snorts and steps away. He crosses his arms and leans back on the counter.
“I don’t think he’d stay if I offered. He says me and Blair being together doesn’t bother him, but I also know he can lie through his teeth like a pro. Besides,” he pauses, eyes flashing over to me. “I think Shiloh has other plans for tonight.”
I quirk my brow and mirror his position. “What gives you that impression?”
“Normally, Shiloh would curse you out or scowl constantly anytime you two are in a room together. Tonight? Touching and bickering with you hasn’t been a problem.”
“And that makes you think there’s something going on?”
“I think the fact that he flinches when Blair or I touch him but not when he touches you is very telling.”
Shiloh and I have had minimal contact since the day after his attack. A few hand brushes here and there. The usual commanding touches to keep his attention. But I’d never noticed if he seemed skittish when they were offered.
“Just be kind with him. I like you, and I’d hate to kick your ass.”
