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I can’t believe I wasted five years of my life with someone like him. Have I always been this blind?
“I want us to date like how we were before the car accident. Things were good between us.” He thrusts his fingers through his thick hair, stepping forward. “My parents were drowning in debt an—”
“Back the fuck up before I punch you,” Poppy says, balling up her fists, keeping them glued to her sides.
I tug on the end of my hair. “The only reason you want me back is because you see me in the arms on a billionaire, so now you want me to be your shining new trophy. I make you look good.”
“That’s not what this is. I tried to talk to you at your mo—”
“You have no regard for other people’s feelings, and you expect me to fall back into your arms. You broke me!” I scream at the top of my lungs. “You made me feel like shit.” The tears stream down my cheeks, and I’m pretty sure my face looks like a mess. “You made me feel like I wasn’t worthy of love, and you’re ruining my night by being here.”
Anger stamps on his face, and he slides his hands into his pants pockets. “Do you really think Atlas is with you because you’re pretty?” He shakes his head. “Be realistic. The only reason he’s with you is because you have something he wants. He can have anyone he w—”
Poppy smacks her hand across his cheeks. “Shut up, Carter. Don’t ever talk to her again,” Poppy says, ushering me to the door. “Oh, yeah, and tell Link to stop calling me.”
“You’re trash, Carter,” I say. “I’m glad I didn’t marry you; you would have been the worst mistake of my life.”
Once we walk inside, I spot Atlas and Jasper speaking to other people. We join them, and Atlas stares at my face. Raising his eyebrows, he wraps his arms around my waist. I look up to the wonderful man, and he kisses my forehead and my scar. More tears wet my eyes, streaming down my face.
The lines deepen on his face. “What’s wrong? Why are you crying, Boots?”
“Carter was here, and he was mean to her. Don’t worry, we handled him,” Poppy answers, stroking my hand.
“Good.” He brushes his knuckles against my cheek. “If he ever comes near you again, I swear I will destroy him.”
Carter is wrong about Atlas. He’s mad that he can’t get me back and he’s afraid I’m in love with Atlas. Iamin love with Atlas. Maybe… the ugly girl gets her prince, too.
My eyes beam with excitement as I stare out the window. I love the snow. I love how it glistens in the sunlight and how I can use it to play outdoor games. Aspen is pretty. So, so pretty. The nature. The isolation. The quietness. It’s so welcoming. I turn to look at Atlas, and he’s on the phone with someone. He gazes at me and slides his fingers between mine, giving me a quick peck on the cheek. My eyes land back on the tall, leafy trees and I stuff my hands in my coat pockets.
My father wanted me to spend Thanksgiving with him and Nicole, but honestly, I don’t feel like going home. After the blowout we had at lunch, there isn’t anything I have to say to him. He hurt me to the core, and I need distance from him, at least to clear my head. I want to get away from my stressful life. This will be the first Thanksgiving without my mother, so I’m going to make the most of it; I promised myself I wasn’t going to spend the holidays crying. My mom wouldn’t want that.
The driver pulls into the frosty driveway. I exhale at the view of the two-story cabin. I’ve never seen one so big. Atlas grabs our bags, and we stroll inside. The air warms my face. Glancing around, the living room is spacious with a lit fireplace, a leather couch sits in the middle of the room, and a TV is mounted on one wall. We make our way to the bedroom and Atlas sets our bags next to a wooden dresser.
“I’m going downstairs to work. Help yourself to a tour of the place. Jasper is going to be here soon with someone else.”
My stomach makes a growling noise. “I’m going to the kitchen.”
He kisses my forehead. “Okay, Boots.”
I make my way to the kitchen to find that it’s fully stocked with fresh fruit, veggies, and juice, so I grab a container of strawberries and flop onto the couch next to Atlas. He unbuttons the first three buttons of his shirt, exposing his chest.
“You’re so handsome.”
“Yeah, I know. Chicks dig me.”
I burst out laughing. “What are you working on?” I ask, popping a strawberry in my mouth, and I set the container on the table.
“Work.”
“You’re such a workaholic.”
He doesn’t comment but keeps his eyes glued to the screen.
“You need to relieve some tension.”
Slowly, I yank his zipper down and slide my hand into his boxers before pulling out his hard erection.
His eyes beam with lust and excitement. “What are you doing, Boots?”
