I Swear I Still Hate Him (Atlas Lawson) novel Chapter 147

Chapter 147

Atlas POV

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I cleared my throat, forcing my eyes off her mouth. I took a sip of water like it could cool the heat under my skin, which it didn’t of course…Then I tried to sound normal.

“So…” I said, keeping my voice light even though I was watching her like a hawk. “How are you feeling?”

She paused, spoon hovering over her bowl.

For a second, just one, I thought she might finally let the mask drop. Might tell me the truth.

Then she smiled, quick and easy like she was on camera.

“Good, actually,” she said. “I mean, the asshole’s probably gonna fot in jail, and I’m getting homemade oatmeal. Win-win.”

She went back to eating like that was the end of it.

And I let her.

Even though I could see it, the stiffness in her shoulders, the way her eyes didn’t quite settle, the way she swallowed like she was forcing everything down.

She didn’t have to pretend with me.

But I wasn’t going to force her to open up if she wasn’t ready.

I nudged the conversation back to safe

“Yeah,” I said, picking up my spoon again. “I’m glad you’re okay and I want you to know. That assholes never gonna come bear you again.”

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She smiled genuine and heartfelt. ” Thank you Atlas…I really mean it.

I smiled back.

”

******

After breakfast, I stood up to clear the plates, but Emery beat me to it like she was determined to prove she wasn’t fragile.

“Relax, Lawson,” she said, stacking the bowls. “I appreciate your Hospitality, but I’ve got this.”

I leaned back against the counter, hands up in surrender. “Alrigh. Do the honors.”

She walked over to the sink, sleeves pushed up, hair still messy from sleep. And yeah… I did the smart thing.

I pulled out my phone and pretended to scroll.

Because I couldn’t afford to stare at her ass like a creep.

I cleared my throat, aiming for casual. “So… you got any plans today?”

I barely got the words out when her phone started ringing.

She sighed like she already knew the chaos on the other end. “I’m pretty sure that’s Thomas.”

She glanced at the screen, then nodded. “Yep. This is gonna be along call.”

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Chapter 147

She answered and put it on speaker.

“Hey, Tommy.”

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“EMERY, THANK GOODNESS!” the guy practically shouted through the phone. “I just got your message and I’m on my

way.”

“It’s fine, Tommy,” she said, voice calm.

“No, it’s not fine!” he snapped. “Where are you? Are you safe? Oh my God, when I catch that asshole, I’m gonna break him into pieces.”

My jaw tightened automatically.

Emery’s tone stayed steady. “Relax. I’m with Atlas.”

There was a pause.

Then: “Oh…”

Emery’s eyes flicked to me for half a second, then away, like she suddenly remembered I was standing right there.

Tommy repeated it, slower this time. “Oh.”

I wasn’t trying to eavesdrop, but… she had him on speaker. At that point, I was basically an unwilling participant in the conversation.

“Relax,” Emery said quickly. “Nothing happened.”

Tommy let out a dramatic sigh. “Oh, thank goodness… because that man has a face that makes women wanna rip their panties off and…”

“Okay!” Emery cut in, loud and sharp. “That’s enough, Tommy.”

Her cheeks went pink. And I couldn’t help it, I smiled. She looked adorable when she got flustered. Like she didn’t know what to do with herself.

“Okay, okay,” Tommy said, clearly enjoying himself. “Switching to professional manager mode. I’ll scout for a new apartment, get you moved out and safe in…”

“No,” Emery cut in again then she said voice lower ” I’m gonna stay here”

There was a pause…

Then Tommy’s voice shot up. “What?!”

Emery exhaled like she was already tired. “Tommy, I’m exhausted. We’ll talk about it later.”

“No, wait…Emery, you can’t just….”

“Byeeee,” she sang out sweetly, and ended the call.

She stared at the dark screen for a second, then let out a long sigh like her soul had just been mildly inconvenienced.

I pushed off the counter, trying to keep my voice light even though my chest felt… strange.

“Tommy’s intense,” I said.

She snorted, turning on the faucet. “You have no idea.”

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Chapter 147

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We stared at each other for a second, this small, stupid grin on both our faces like we were back in some easier version of life. Like the world hadn’t just tried to rip her apart last night.

I wanted that moment to last.

I wanted it to stretch out forever.

Then my phone started ringing.

Of course.

I glanced at the screen and my stomach dipped.

Coach.

I picked up, still watching Emery. “Hey, Coach.”

His voice came through sharp and all business. “Lawson. Don’t tell me you forgot. Conference call in forty. Sponsor’s flying in, BayBridge wants the final media plan and your availability locked for San Francisco. We’ve got the Hawks on Saturday and they’re pushing for extra promo.”

I blinked.

Shit.

I did forget.

My jaw clenched as I rubbed my forehead with my free hand. “Yeah. Yeah, no…I’m on it. I’ll be there.”

“Good,” Coach said. “And don’t be late. You’re the captain. They want you front and center.”

“Got it.” I swallowed. “See you.”

I ended the call and let my phone fall into my palm like it weighed a hundred pounds.

Emery’s eyes stayed on me, cautious. “Everything alright?”

I forced a smile, “Yeah. Just… work crap.”

She lifted a brow. “That’s not an answer.”

I huffed a quiet laugh. “Coach reminded me I have a sponsor conference in San Francisco. Prep stuff for the game. Media, partnerships, all that fun adult nonsense.”

Emery nodded like she didn’t care. Like it was casual.

“Great,” she said. “That’s nice.”

But it didn’t take a second to see it.

The shift.

The way her shoulders tightened just a little. The way her mouth went into that practiced neutral line. The way her eyes dipped away too fast like she didn’t want me to catch what she was feeling.

I set my phone down and stood.

I walked up to her slowly, careful not to crowd her, but close enough that she couldn’t dodge me with distance.

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Chapter 147

“Hey,” I said softly. “What’s wrong?”

Her eyes flicked up. “It’s fine.”

“No,” I said, voice firm but gentle. “It’s not.”

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She exhaled and looked away, biting her lower lip like she was chewing back words. Her gaze darted around, anywhere but my face.

And I hated it.

I hated that she was doing that thing where she acted like she was okay when she clearly wasn’t.

“I really wish you’d open up to me,” I said quietly. “Like before.”

She didn’t answer right away. Just stood there, fingers twisting together.

Then finally she said, “It’s just… with everything that happened last night, I…” Her voice wavered, and she stopped herself like she’d almost stepped off a cliff.

Then she chuckled, too bright, too forced, running a hand through her hair.

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