Cocky Secrets (Cocker Brothers #29)

149. Celia

ONE HUNDRED FORTY-NINE

Celia

A ll the Ciphers are out front to greet Sofia Sol and Luke as they ride up the driveway, returning home. I’m standing on the porch between Atlas and Sean, a few days after the confession-about-my-stupid-feelings incident. And I mutter to Atlas, “Be strong.”

He nods as Sage takes off running and flings herself at her very missed brother, arms wrapped around his ribcage as they walk up. Meg hugs him next, all smiles to have her son back. And after her, everyone takes their turn reuniting with both Sofia Sol and Luke, turning from one to the other with huge hugs and loud voices.

God, it’s so great to have them back home.

To see how in love Sofia is with him, is crazy. She’s glowing, all smiles, stealing glances at him which he returns. And he’s got this strong confidence that he grew into since I saw him last. She must bring that out in him.

Every other man she’s ever been with, she’s spit out, picking her teeth with a bored look as she shouted, Next! But Luke somehow got her to turn the coin over from friends…to forever.

The house is up in arms with excitement as their gift is given to them, and lots of jokes and ribbings are passed around. At dinner that night, it’s Atlas and Luke I’m worried about, try as I might not to be. The brothers haven’t spoken yet. Everyone knows it. Jett and the Badger are back to normal, but the Martinez brothers are far from it.

I just want Luke to forgive Atlas so our crew can go back to the way we were.

Sean touches my arm as he passes me to put his empty plate in the dishwasher. His look says he knows how worried I am. It’s a little show of friendship, and I give him a smile for it.

All of a sudden Atlas creates a hiccup in the many conversations, asking over the sound of them and the TV, “Can I talk to you, Luke?”

The answer comes through gritted teeth, “Sure,” as he exchanges a charged look with Sofia. They both stand and she picks up his plate to carry to the sink. Before he disappears outside his admiring gaze follows her, no longer hiding how he feels about my best friend.

Sage is sitting next to me on the couch, and I glance over as she pinches my arm, “They’re so cute.”

“Aren’t you wondering what’s going on out there?”

“Luke’s going to kick Atlas’s ass, that’s what.” She gives this smirk like she wants that to happen.

Well I don’t.

Even if I believe Atlas shouldn’t have snitched I still want forgiveness to bring us all back together. Setting my plate on the coffee table I hurry outside, behaving as casually as I can while I squint into the darkness to see what they’re up to. “You guys want some pie?”

Atlas’s voice drifts on the wind. “We’re not gonna fight, Ceels.”

Tucking my fingers in my back pockets I lie, “Didn’t think you were. Just checking how many we need to cut.”

The screen door clatters and Sean walks up to my side. I glance to him, a silent thank you for backing me up. Atlas has really warmed up to Sean and the feeling is mutual, so together we wait to show him we’re here and he’s not alone, and to stop fists from flying when tempers ignite.

Atlas trudges to us, and I exhale, hands dropping to my side as I whisper, “You okay?”

He opens the door for me. “I’ll have some pie, Ceels,” he answers loudly enough for Luke to hear. The three of us start to go in, but Luke calls to Sean that he wants to talk to him.

We leave him out there, walk inside and head for the pie though neither of us really wants any. As soon as normal conversations restart in the TV room, Atlas quietly grumbles to me, “What’s that about? Why does he want to talk to him?”

Sofia was listening, and she snaps, “We were the ones who found Sean, remember?” The club goes silent as she growls, “Luke wants to see how he’s doing here. That okay with you, Atlas? Not everything revolves around you, you selfish...” Her lips tightly lock against the cuss word, not allowing it to fall from her sharp tongue. We Ciphers don’t call each other names when we really mean them. Teasing, yes. In anger, no. Words can cut if you’re not careful. And it’s a wound that can take years to heal, if it ever does. This house may be huge but it’s too small for that bullshit.

With everyone looking at him, Atlas storms out, ashamed, embarrassed. Helpless.

We hear Meg and Honey Badger returning from the grand parlor where they’d eaten their meal with Jett and Luna. Out of view, they ask Atlas where he’s going.

He mutters, “To bed.”

Sage rolls her eyes, which disgusts me.

Upset, I look for support, scanning the faces of everyone present—Fuse, Melodi, Scythe, Denita, my dad, mom and my brother. “We’re a family! We stick together! And we forgive.”

Meg and the Badger pause at my words as they walk in. Their eyes flicker with comprehension that something happened in here with Atlas. They turn around to go help their son.

But Sage’s voice rings out, “No! It’s gotta be me.”

Surprised they watch her disappear and Meg locks eyes with me to whisper an emotional, “Thank you!”

Clearing her throat, Melodi offers, “I’ll make him some hot cocoa with marshmallows.”

My brother rises from the couch. “I’ll bring it up to him. I’m the least involved.” At my look he shrugs, “It’s not a big deal, Ceels. Don’t worry about me.”

“I would if you’d stop pointing out that you’re on the outside.”

“I don’t point it out. I’m just stating a fact. If I go up there, Atlas won’t bite my head off because I’m not really a part of any of the drama here. I’m like Switzerland.”

Sighing I lean against the granite counter and take little comfort in that cocoa delivery.