Chapter Ten
Atlas
WhenWrenfinishedmy massage, I felt like a new man. My body tingled as the blood rushed to my muscles. She was truly talented.
I slipped my shirt back on without any pain left at all in my back or shoulders. Wren screwed the lid on the jar of coconut oil as I stood up with a relieved sigh.
“Thank you. I owe you one.”
She cocked an incredulous eyebrow. “You owe me?” She shook her head. “No, it’s literally the least I can do. I can be your personal massage therapist whenever you need it.”
I bit my tongue, liking that idea way too much.
Her shoulders slumped. “I’ve been thinking that it’s not right to allow me to stay in the guest house for free.”
“So, you’re staying?” I ignored her insinuation that she owed me anything.
She hugged her arms around her chest, gripping herself tight. “I don’t have any other options at this point.” She sounded almost ashamed. “But please, let me at least pay you rent. It won’t take me long to earn enough for a decent rent this month.” Her eyes pleaded as she looked up at me.
I didn’t want her money. We weren’t using the guest house. Hell, we didn’t use half the rooms in the main house. But the way she stared at me, I think she needed it. Maybe she needed to feel like something was hers, that she’d earned it.
I ran a hand through my hair, realizing I hadn’t done anything to it after rolling out of bed. It felt like a tangled mess.
“I don’t need your money, Wren,” I told her calmly, holding up a hand when she opened her mouth to argue. “But if you want to pay rent, I’ll accept it. Whatever amount you think is fair.”
Her face lit up, eyes shining. “Thank you.”
I was afraid she might burst into tears, when the door to the garage opened, slamming shut again as Ty sauntered into the house.
He was looking at his phone, a backpack slung over one shoulder.
I hadn’t had time to tell him in person that Wren was staying with us, and maybe I should’ve asked him before I let someone stay here, but that ship had sailed. I’d had to settle with sending him a short text before passing out in bed this morning.
Ty didn’t look up from his phone until he entered the dining room where Wren and I stood.
He pocketed his phone, glancing up at me with the slightest narrowing of his eyes.
“Atty.” He took in my messed-up hair and sweats before his eyes slid to Wren…who appeared to be wearing only my T-shirt.
I inwardly groaned as his brows shot up and a crooked, sly grin spread across his face.
“Well, well,” he almost crooned. “My brother does have game after all.”
Wren stumbled back, bright red splattering her cheeks. Her eyes shot from herself to me and back to Ty.
“Oh, my God.” She slapped both hands to her flaming face and shook her head. “This isn’t…we didn’t…”
Ty glanced at the lone jar of coconut oil sitting on the table, a crease forming between his eyebrows. “For the love of God, Atty. Please tell me you did not have sex on our freaking table. Where we eat.”
I let out a long breath through my nose and hung my head as Wren sputtered beside me.
“We didn’t…it’s not like…oh my God.”
“First of all,” I started, leaning a hip against the table. “Let’s not pretend you haven’t ever had sex on this table. I’m not an idiot.”
Wren squeaked beside me as Ty rolled his eyes.
“And two,” I continued, holding up my fingers. “Nothing is going on between Wren and me. She came in for coffee, that’s all.”