Series: Peach State Stepbros Series by Riley Hart
Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 92311 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 462(@200wpm)___ 369(@250wpm)___ 308(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92311 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 462(@200wpm)___ 369(@250wpm)___ 308(@300wpm)
Just one fucking minute.
10
Atlas
“Hmm?” I ask Tim…Tom? Hell, I can’t remember the man’s name. He’s worked with my dad for years, but he’s also a dickhead, so I don’t give a fuck what he has to say. He’s been rambling for ten minutes straight while I’m trying to figure out where in the hell Troy went. From the way Dickhead T is staring at me, it’s clear he asked me a question I haven’t answered in who knows how long.
Where the fuck is Troy?
“Your mom…she looks happy today,” he says again, so not a question but something he expects me to agree with rather than what he said making me feel like I’m being cooked alive.
“My mom is dead. I don’t think she looks very happy.”
Dickhead T gapes at me, as if he can’t believe I said that. It just proves he doesn’t know me and likely thinks I’m like dear ole Glen and going to kiss everyone’s ass so I can get something out of it.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean… Your stepmom, of course.”
“Later,” I tell him, and walk away. I’m over listening to him talk and doing a shitty job of pretending I give a fuck.
Even though I tell myself I’m not doing it, I’m looking around the backyard for Troy. Everyone is laughing and talking, and all I can think about is how fake it all is. How this facade we have in place has everyone tricked, or maybe it’s really that they’re all wearing facades too. They see right through ours but pretend they don’t, just to whisper behind our backs.
“Richard, I’d like you to meet my son, Atlas.” I hear Glen’s voice getting closer and closer, and I’m trying with everything I have not to be sick. Christ, he’s so fucking fake. “Atlas, this is Richard, one of our new controllers. Richard, this is Atlas.”
I reach out to shake Richard’s hand. “Nice to meet you,” I tell him when it’s really not. Meeting and talking to him or anyone at this party is the absolute last thing I want to do.
“You too. You’re an engineering major at Peach State, right?” Because of course that’s what he would ask. It’s a much more respectable career choice in my dad’s circles than being a sociology major. Hell, Glen probably led him to believe I was Mr. Perfect Troy. That his real son isn’t going into a career he thinks is a waste of time.
“Nope. Sociology.”
“My mistake,” Richard replies, darting a quick glance at Glen. “I think that’s your brother.”
“Stepbrother,” I counter because there’s a chance I’ll end up with Troy’s dick in my mouth, so it’s important I stress the truth of our relationship. “I’m the disappointment.”
“Atlas,” Glen says, warning in his voice. He turns to Richard and starts bragging about my grades and how proud he is of me, like he gives a fuck about me at all.
I tough it out as long as I can before I say, “I need to go to the restroom,” which is a lie. What I need to do is find Troy because he’s been missing for a while, and something feels off about that.
I head into the house but don’t see anyone. I go through the kitchen, living room, family room, and don’t see Troy anywhere.
Where the fuck is he? I wonder as I make my way upstairs. All the doors are closed, but somehow I know Troy is behind his. It’s like I can sense him there.
I don’t bother knocking and just go inside. He’s lying on his bed, tossing a football up in the air. “I’m not in the mood, A.”
“How did you know it’s me? You didn’t even look up.”
“Just do.” He sets the ball down, and my stupid brain starts to wonder if somehow he can sense me the way I can sense him, which is a totally fucked-up—and ridiculous—thought.
“What’s wrong?” I ask.
“Nothing.” He stands, then goes to the window and looks out. “I think they’re going to do cake soon. We should go.”
“Fuck cake. What’s wrong?” My hands curl into fists, which probably isn’t a healthy reaction, but did some stupid motherfucker at this party say something to hurt him? Bring up his brother or say some homophobic shit? Troy isn’t the type to sit in his room and hide for no reason. “What. The. Fuck. Happened?” I ask again, letting him know I’m not going to let this go.
“Drop it, Atlas.” He turns around and tries to push past me to get to the door, but I block him.
“I’ll make a scene if you don’t tell me. You know I will.” Why do you care what these people think? You’re better than them. “Who hurt you?”
I can practically see the thoughts stumble in his head. His pupils go a little wide, clearly not having expected me to ask that, and honestly, that makes two of us.