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A wide grin split Atlas’s handsome face. “No shit.”
Was Colt calling Milo a friend? He had no clue what was going on. Their reactions seemed a bit much for Colt making a friend. This was the strangest night of Milo’s life. “I have to get back to work. I’ve probably forfeited my break, but if that’s the worst that happens, I’m fine with it.”
“You never answered my question,” Colt said to Milo.
Milo didn’t like the way Kellen was looking at him. Like Milo was a rare specimen that intrigued him. Was it that rare for his brother to make friends? “What question?”
“If you’ll come home with me,” Colt said.
“We’re gonna leave you two alone.” Atlas grabbed Kellen’s arm. “Don’t get him into trouble again, Colt. It’s his uncle’s job riding on the line.”
“Yes, Dad.” Colt rolled his eyes.
Milo quickly grabbed his tub off the table and tried to escape before Colt turned back around. This night had turned into a complete disaster, and he still wasn’t sure why he’d touched the guy. He’d known better, and now he was going to pay the price when Eric found out.
“Not so fast,” Colt said.
“Stop it.” Milo pivoted on his heel to glare at the guy. “This was just a fun way for you to pass the time, but it’s not your ass in a sling if I get my uncle fired. If you’re that bored, go hang out with your mom. Stop using me for entertainment.”
There was a lethal calmness in Colt’s eyes. “Don’t pretend to know me. She’s not my mother. My own mother was a cruel, heartless bitch who derived pleasure out of torturing me.”
Images of Eric’s own abuse surfaced in his mind. Colt was speaking in past tense, but Milo’s torture was still ongoing.
“I don’t play with livelihoods, Milo. I know the cold pains of hunger and wouldn’t wish that on anyone.” Colt stormed away.
Tears stung Milo’s eyes as he hurried over to where he could deposit the dishes and trash from his tub. After he emptied it, he moved quietly around the tables, grabbing dirty dishes as he fought to compose himself. Dan would be all over him if Milo started crying in front of everyone.
“Hi. I’m Atlas.”
Milo kept his eyes cast downward as he continued to clear the table he stood in front of. “I really don’t want to get into trouble again.”
“I’m not trying to get you into trouble, Milo. I just wanted to check to see if you were okay.”
Milo hadn’t been okay for a very long time.
“I appreciate your concern.” Milo bent and grabbed some stray napkins off the grass. “I just—” He squatted there, holding the back of the chair as tears threatened to spill again. If only he could switch places with the people around him.
Mrs. Havis seemed like a supportive and loving mom. The idea of Atlas experiencing any kind of abuse or hopelessness seemed far-fetched. On top of that, the guy had someone special in his life. Kellen would most likely pulverize anyone who looked at Atlas the wrong way.
Milo stood and blinked back his tears. “Just…thanks.”
“We’ll talk again,” Atlas said.
That wasn’t happening. They were from two different worlds. Midnight Falls was a small town, but there were divided social classes. While Milo lived with his uncle in a house that was in serious disrepair, Atlas likely lived in a much nicer home. The guy didn’t know anything about struggling just to get by or the nightmare of being abused. Not that he held that against Atlas. It was nice to know that not everyone was as miserable as he was.
“It was nice meeting you.” Milo hurried away when he saw Dan watching him.
Chapter Two
Colt sat there, elbows on knees, watching Milo as he worked. Why in the hell had he practically bitten the human’s head off? It wasn’t as if Milo had assumed that Monica was Colt’s mom. Colt had made the claim when he’d been talking to that dickhead boss.
Even so, Colt struggled to justify his short temper toward Milo, but deep down, he knew the real reason. The hurt and betrayal caused by his own mother still cut deeply, although it had been a very long time since their last encounter. The pain was still raw and ever-present, a constant reminder that he hadn’t been enough for his own mother to love.
Logically, Colt knew that his mother’s cruelty was the root of her heartlessness, but the little boy within him still longed for her love and acceptance, believing himself to be too broken, too damaged, to ever receive it from anyone. It was a constant internal battle, leaving him feeling worthless his entire life.
When Milo had snapped at him, Colt found he couldn’t hold back his own sharp words. The memory of what his mother had done to him was too vivid.
Colt wished to god he’d had a mother like Atlas’s. Monica’s kindness only reminded him of what his own mother could have been like, of how she’d robbed Colt, Kellen, and Jared of a safe and happy childhood.
