These Violent Delights

Eight: Atlas

When I wake up in the morning, Greer is already sitting at the end of the bed, eyes glancing out the window. My head throbs. Heart leaps at the sight of her. A mix of emotions. An unwanted awkwardness looms over me, leaving me unsure of what to say or do. Last night was...great. More than that. But also, too great to feel true.

I sit up in the bed, it creaks, making Greer look over her shoulder at me. Her curly brown hair is in disarray, somehow making her look even more gorgeous. She stands quickly from the bed, clasps her hands together, and looks at me through her dark lashes. "Morning!" I can tell she's feeling nervous as well, unsure of what the new day brings. "I was super drunk last night." She laughs anxiously—a laugh unlike her normal ones. It sounds forced.

My body stiffens. I pull myself out of bed. I'm in my boxers. I lean down and pick my sweats up off the floor, slipping into them. I don't know what to say. Her eyes remain on me as I get dressed. "Last night...I mean, that wasn't a good idea, right?" She says this, sitting back down on the bed. "We were both drunk, and I'm sorry for even showing up at your door, especially when we both aren't in good places at the moment, and getting cheated on has me all self-conscious and insecure. I just...I've never done that before. Slept with someone...like this."

I nod slowly. "You don't need to explain yourself." I fold my arms across my chest. We're on opposite ends of the bed. My chest feels tight.

"Have you done this before?" She nibbles on her bottom lip.

"Uh, not really, no."

"Never?"

I rub my eye with my finger. "Look, uh, we were drunk. It happens." The sunlight rains in through the cracks in the blinds. Last night was definitely too good to be true. "Really." I insist. "Let's forget it."

She looks at me hesitantly, then exhales heavily. "Okay, great, let's just...forget it. Last night was a drunken mistake."

In a way, I know she's trying to not make this awkward, but somehow, her words just keep making me feel worse and worse. I flinch slightly, making her extend her hands to me. "Last night was great. You were great! I enjoyed it—"

An uncomfortable chortle escapes my throat. "Greer, please, just stop talking."

She groans and falls back on the bed, covering her hands with her face. "I'm sorry. I just keep making it worse."

"No, not at all." I say it sarcastically.

She peeks at me through her fingers and giggles. "I'm the worst. Do you even still want to be my friend after this?"

My face softens. "Of course I do."

Her hands drop from her face, and she looks at me with an adorable grin. "Okay, good. Because I'm pretty sure my sister and Fraser are already planning their wedding, given how in love they seem to be. It'd be pretty awkward if the maid of honor and best man disliked each other."

I shake my head with a small smile just as someone raps on the bedroom door, making both our heads snap in the same direction. "Um, I'll get it." I say this as Greer gets off the bed and steps more towards the window, away from the door. I open the door slightly to see Grove standing on the other side. She's in, pretty sure, one of Fraser's pullover hoodies and a pair of jeans, her hair pulled back into a ponytail. "Morning," she says. "Have you seen Greer? It looks like she didn't sleep in her room last night."

I swallow hard, not knowing what Greer wants me to say. "Uh—"

Grove cocks her head. "Nobody else has seen her, and if you don't know where she is, then I'm concerned."

Thankfully, Greer appears behind me, making Grove's eyes widen and a cheeky smile grow on her face at the sight of us together. "Oh!" she says excitedly. "Hello sister, fancy seeing you inside Atlas's room in your..." Her eyes scan us. "Pajamas, as if you slept here last night."