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“I’m not scared.” But Atlas was. Committing to one person and promising to love and protect them for the rest of your life was terrifying without the hitmen, the FBI, and Atlas’s concern for Declan’s mental health. “What if I can’t balance it all and I end up hurting him?”
“That’s the least of my worries, Slider. Talk to Declan. That’s the only way you’ll know if he’s ready. And it might be what he’s been waiting for,” Byron urged.
“I will. Soon,” Atlas promised, then let his dad go. He had a feeling his father was right and that he was stalling because deep down Atlas knew that with all of the many complications Declan was still the one. And once they did get past the first date and all the other exhilarating firsts there would be forever. His heart told him he was ready, but Atlas knew there was no going back once he finally had Declan in his arms. Given all that had already happened and all Atlas had been willing to compromise, he knew his feelings would only get more intense.
“I’m already obsessed and pathetic. I don’t think it could get any worse,” Atlas muttered and went to nitpick over the clothes he’d picked out for the run and brunch, hoping he hadn’t just jinxed himself.
ChapterSix
If there was one thing Declan hated, it was running. The only good reasons a person ran—according to Declan—was if something was on fire or a bear was chasing them. Declan was generally the type of person who would “run” in the direction of most animals, but he had no interest in joining the others for their sadistic pre-brunch run.
But there he was, dressed in a pair of Reginald’s joggers and Sage’s sneakers, stretching and pretending he had a clue. Declan was wearing his ownStar Warst-shirt and felt like a child as Lavender teased Lane and Wilder in what looked like black tactical gear. There was a lot of sleek black and camouflage and they were all so much bigger and stronger than Declan.
Then, he looked around and noticed that he and Blake (obviously a runner) were the only “civilians” in the group assembled on Lavender’s front lawn. The giants—Wilder, Denver, and Hawk were already wrestling and boasting about how hard they were going to hit each other. Blake and Atlas were comparing their stats on their smartwatches while Lavender and Lane discussed the terrain in the woods. Apparently, the trail would be extra wet and slippery.
“Where’s Sage?” Declan asked, whipping around to check the porch, but there were snickers from the party on the lawn.
“Sage doesn’t run. Ever,” Lavender added.
“But he…” Declan’s lips pulled tight as he glared over his shoulder at the house, then down at the running sneakers on his feet. “I should have known when he said he’d never worn them. He told me he wanted to start running but that he doesn’t like running with you because you turn everything into an abduction prevention lesson,” he muttered at Lavender, making everyone laugh again. While Declan was genuinely glad they were all amused, he was a little tired of wandering haplessly into traps.
Lavender chuckled as he nodded. “Some of that is true.”
“He promised we’d go for an easy run to the lake,” Declan said.
“The lake?” Lane asked loudly and it turned into a cackle.
Declan threw up his hands, heading back to Paul and Reginald’s to change. “I’m out. I should have known Sage was up to something.”
“No. Don’t,” Atlas called after him. “I’ll run to the lake with you.”
That earned a gasp from Blake. “Are you sure you wanna—” He stopped when Denver cleared his throat loudly.
“I think that sounds like agreatidea,” he said, widening his eyes at Blake. Declan opened his mouth to ask why everyone thought it was funny, but Lavender coughed as he checked his watch.
“It’s time to go, gentlemen. Those taking the trail, follow me,” he said, then took off. Everyone but Atlas went after Lavender, leaving them alone.
“You should go with them,” Declan insisted, giving Atlas a gentle shove. His bicep was so large and firm. “Nice,” Declan whispered to himself, his teeth digging into his lip. Atlas’s nose wrinkled as he watched the other runners.
“Between you and me, I’m glad I don’t have to go,” he whispered out of the side of his mouth. Atlas tipped his head in the direction of the lake, then waved as he set off at an easy jog. Declan sighed and followed begrudgingly. “They get a little carried away and I ended up with that busted lip last time. Remember?” Atlas said.
“Who does any of that for fun? Ihaterunning,” Declan said, earning a soft laugh from Atlas.
“Those guys get restless and it’s good practice, I guess. I like to meditate when I run so I’d rather stick to the road or a track,” he explained.
“Oh. I won’t interrupt you, then,” Declan said, waving clumsily as he huffed. He was already out of breath and sweating while Atlas’s strides were light and bouncing.
“You aren’t interrupting and talking to you is almost the same as meditating,” he added, causing Declan’s steps to falter.
“What?”
“Um.” Atlas gave his head a shake and Declan thought he heard him curse. “Our conversations are usually pretty relaxing,” he said with a wince.
“I guess…” Declan squinted at the pavement, envious. He wasalwaysa tangle of anxious nerves, clumsy limbs, babbling lips, and a loose tongue.
He wasn’t capable of contributing to the conversation, though. Declan’s body fought him every step of the way. His calves tightened, his side pinched, and he was wheezing like a tea kettle. Meanwhile, Atlas chatted about the schools in Chicago and his favorite things to do in the city in the fall and winter. Declan did his best to follow along and take good notes, but he began to feel lightheaded and like he might throw up.
“I’m sorry. Can we just…? For a moment.” He stopped and staggered over the curb and reached for the nearest tree. “Did they move the lake?” He whimpered, making Atlas laugh as he joined him.
