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Chapter 15
Atlas
Atlas dove to the ground, extending his arms upwards as far as they would reach. He made contact. Oof! Gritty sand sliced over the bare skin of his chest.
“Good save!” Mikel said.
“Out of bounds,” Bently grumbled.
Atlas got to his feet and shrugged it off. It had been too long since he’d played volleyball.
“It’s nice to finally be able to have two on two,” Andre said.
His eyes flicked to the window next to his at the inn. Is she okay? He didn’t know the first thing about kids, but anyone could see she had kept her cool under fire as long as possible. The way her eyes had flashed with regret before she’d taken off inside made his chest squeeze.
“Game point,” Bently said, as he served.
Atlas snapped his gaze back to the sky, the white and blue ball coming towards his side. He hit it, knocking it over the net. Andre volleyed it back. Mikel jumped up to set it. Atlas spiked it down. Bently dove, barely recovering it. Andre swung his arm, sending it over both Mikel’s and his head, scoring the final point.
“Ahhhh. Too bad.” Mikel lifted his fist. Atlas knocked his against Mikel’s.
“Sucker! You owe me fifty bucks,” Andre teased.
“Best of three?” Mikel challenged.
“Can I play, Daddy?” Lyra asked Mikel.
He picked her up and put her on his shoulders. “Sure thing, princess. You can be on the winning team.”
“Ha! You know you have to actually win to be the winning team, right?” Andre teased.
“Uncle Dre is jealous I’m faster than him,” Mikel said.
“You’re a comedian now too? Keep your day job.” Andre snickered.
“Lyra, who’s the best uncle ever?” Andre smiled.
“Uncle Bently!” Lyra yelled.
Andre’s smile dropped. Bently burst out laughing. It was the first time all afternoon his expression had broken from a scowl—other than when he looked at his wife.
“That’s right, and don’t you forget it.” Bently chuckled.
“Traitor,” Andre growled at Lyra, who giggled.
He liked these guys. No one was talking about which million-dollar deal they’d just closed or which new car they’d bought their mistress. These were wholesome, fun-loving, dedicated family men. They stared awestruck at their wives, like these women had hung the moon. Was there something in the water in Shattered Cove? In his thirty-five years, he’d never seen anyone gaze at their spouse that way except Oliver and Christina. And the kids were all welcomed and included in conversation and events—not pushed off to the side with nannies and ignored.
“What work do you do?” Bently asked.
Atlas shifted on his feet. “Real estate.”
Bently’s eyes narrowed. “That sounds like a non-answer to me. What exactly is it you do?”
“My company acquires land and buildings. We work as a brokerage between companies who wish to expand.”
“Like chain restaurants?” Mikel asked.
Atlas nodded. “Yeah, and companies like the online retailers who need shipping plants or manufacturing companies.” And hotels or resorts.
