Page 17 of Tracker
Tracker’s hands rose and fell. Atticus knew nothing about him. Tracker had no idea why he started talking, but he did. “Yeah, so. Um.” Tracker swiped his eyes. “Truthfully, I have no idea where to start.”
“With Zeus.”
A horrified chuckle escaped him. Tracker sounded like a crazy person. Maybe he was. “He’s my best friend. At least, he was until a few days ago when he asked me to take things further.” Another unfortunate-sounding laugh fell from his lips. “Like I said, he’s my best friend. I knew how bad of an idea that was, but I trusted him. I thought he loved me. Don’t say anything. I know how pathetic that sounds, but I don’t mean romantic love. He’s always told me I’m special. Yes, I’m an absolute idiot for believing that, but it was nice, you know. Someone like me doesn’t have sexy men wanting to be near them, even if it is only friendship.”
“What do you mean someone like you?”
All Tracker’s fucks were gone. Likely, he was done with everything. Without looking Atticus’ way or saying a word, he lifted the hem of his shirt for a moment.
“You have scars. So? What do you mean someone like you?”
Tracker closed his eyes. He didn’t know how to explain his pain.
“Do you know why I was at Affinity last night?”
“Because it’s your thing, I guess.” It wasn’t like Tracker understood anything that drove people to kink clubs.
A soft chuckle rumbled from Atticus’ side of the car. “In a lot of ways, that’s true, but last night, I was punishing myself.”
That had Tracker’s gaze sliding Atticus’ way.
Atticus held his stare with zero shame in his eyes. “I’m a narcissist who hurts the people I care about. Even though I’ve tried all the therapy, those sessions are the only thing I’ve found that works for me. My friend told me I treat him as if he would always be at my beck and call. That he’s a real person who’s supposed to be his friend. Not just some AI program I open when I’m bored with whatever I have going on in my life. He feels like he’s left sitting around, waiting for whatever crumbs I offer him.”
The truth hit like a bolt of lightning. “You’re Atlas?”
Atticus tossed him a wry smile. “Told you it’s a small world.”
Tracker forgot about Zeus. “No. I don’t believe in coincidences this big. Who are you?”
“A bad person, but you really are my friend.” He looked uncomfortable for the first time. “I suppose there’s been a huge part of me that’s wanted to meet you in person and try for more than friendship.” He stared at nothing, visibly turning inward. “I guess that makes me no better than Zeus, but I already knew that about myself.” He shook his head slightly, as if shaking off whatever haunting thoughts had taken hold. He focused on Tracker again. “Before yesterday, you’ve never treated me like I’m the horrible human I am. Maybe I got a little addicted to that. I dug into your life, trying to learn everything about you. It truly turned out to be the biggest of coincidences that Zeus is your best friend. I never expected to see you in that place.Getting coffee here wasn’t just us running into each other, though. That was contrived. Like I said, terrible human.”
Tracker didn’t know what to think. Everything had happened all at once, and now his brain didn’t want to work properly. But Tracker knew one thing: Atticus wasn’t pathetic. Tracker fully got it. “I guess I got a little addicted to talking to you too. So much has happened in the last few days that I was impatient when I talked to you yesterday. I didn’t mean half of what I said.”
While Tracker looked on, a humorless smile appeared and disappeared. “You did, and that’s okay. I probably was treating you exactly that way. That’s who I am. Plus, since the night we met, I’ve looked forward to talking to you every night. Like I said, addicted. When you kept going quiet the last few days, I thought I’d ruined this friendship too—the way I do with everyone. It was like you’d finally seen the real me, and I was mad at myself for hurting you. But wow. Zeus, huh? What a dick. Am I right?”
A bark of laughter burst from Tracker. “There’s a fool born every minute, and I’m one of them, apparently.”
They shared a smile. Despite how crazy things were, Tracker was genuinely happy to finally meet Atlas… Atticus. In his world, nothing looked as insane as he was. Killing people, trying to find a footing in a world he hadn’t been trained to take part in, and failing at every turn, this felt like nothing. It wasn’t like he hadn’t stalked people.
“At least I still have one friend.”
The way Atticus smiled lightened the weight on his chest and shoulders. It seemed he would go right back to waiting for their messages. As always, he had nothing else going on.
A calm mask fell over Atticus’ face as he took off his jacket and set it in the passenger seat of his hundred-thousand-dollar car. He rolled the sleeves of his thousand-dollar dress shirt to his elbows before taking off his tie. The thing about him was that everything everyone saw was a lie. A facade. He had his kinks. In some areas of his life, he held all the power. Atticus felt completely at ease with both sides of himself. There was also a third side of Atticus people rarely saw. It was led by training and skill from a life he had left behind. Today, he was that third person.
Atticus climbed from the car and headed for the door of Affinity. Technically, the place didn’t open for ten more minutes. That was exactly how Atticus planned it. Despite not being open, the usual security guard stood outside the door. He was a pretty guy named Bronx. Very disciplined. Retired military. Nothing special or unique. A complete turnoff for Atticus.
Still, Atticus donned his most charming smile. “Hey, Bronx.”
Bronx smiled back. Fuck, he really was all boy scout and shit. Sickening. “Hey. You’re a little early.”
Atticus shrugged. “What can I say? If you’re not early, you’re late. I have an appointment.” He never let his smile slip. People rarely saw the insanity behind his eyes.
Bronx opened the door for him. “Since you’re headed for a private room, I don’t see why you can’t go ahead and get ready.”
Atticus winked as he passed. “Thanks.” He didn’t wait to see Bronx’s reaction. Atticus jogged down the stairs, passing by the private rooms, and headed straight for the doors that led to the club. He didn’t make a grand entrance. Atticus slipped inside. Zeus sat with a brown-haired guy. They each had a beer. Atticus hated the other guy on sight. Surely, this wasn’t who Zeus had his sights set on now. He was big in a muscular way. That didn’t seem like Zeus’ usual prey. Not that it mattered. Atticus wasn’t here for him. The pair looked his way as Atticus neared.
Zeus looked confused. “We’re not open for the night yet.” His firm tone made Atticus laugh. Zeus wasn’t the one in control tonight.
