I Swear I Still Hate Him (Atlas Lawson) novel Chapter 42

Chapter 42

Emery’s POV

:

“You stalking me now?” I asked, my voice scratchy, low, more tired than teasing.

Atlas didn’t smile. Not exactly. But one corner of his mouth twitched like he wanted to. “Maybe.”

69

B

55 vouchers

His voice rumbled, deeper in the quiet, like the night soaked it up and gave it back softer. Warmer.

I swallowed, my throat dry. My body still damp and aching, my limbs heavy like I’d been swimming through molasses instead of water. And suddenly, just standing in front of him, I felt seen.

Too seen.

“I’ve been calling you,” Atlas said after a beat, his eyes flicking to my hand still holding my phone.

Crap. My brows furrowed as I checked my screen.

6 missed calls.

“Shit…I didn’t even realize… it was on silent,” I said quickly, thumb swiping across my phone, guilt bubbling in my chest. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s cool,” he replied easily, pulling open the passenger door for me like a gentleman, which, let’s be honest, was so not the Atlas I knew from high school.

“Thanks,” I muttered, sliding in, the cold leather biting my thighs through my damp leggings.

He got in and started the car, the engine humming to life as the heat kicked on low. I tucked my arms around myself, letting my head rest against the seat.

“How’d you even know I was here?” I asked, honestly curious.

His fingers drummed once on the steering wheel. “It was easy. One place Emery Collins loves more than her cozy bed…”

He glanced sideways, smirking faintly. “Is the water.”

That pulled a tiny grin from me despite the throbbing at my temples. I might’ve thrown a comeback at him, something clever or sarcastic, but my head was banging too hard to keep up the banter.

I pressed two fingers to my temple, gently massaging in slow circles as my eyes fluttered closed.

The car ride was quiet after that. Not awkward. Just calm. Like silence was its own language between us. A soft

space.

Eventually, we pulled into the apartment lot. The headlights clicked off, and I murmured a tired “thanks” as I climbed out.

14:59 Tue, Dec 30

Chapter 42

69

55 vouchers

Once inside. I shuffled toward the kitchen, dropping my bag by the door without looking back. My throat was parched, and all I could think about was water. Sleep. Maybe death, if this headache kept up.

I grabbed a glass and filled it, the coolness soothing against my lips. And just as I turned around to head to my room, I spotted it.

A messy stack of papers. Pens. Open notebook.

Our Financial Strategy and Management project.

Crap.

My eyes widened. “Oh no, shit. You were working on our project. That’s why you kept calling.”

I walked toward the table, guilt pooling hard now. “I’m so sorry, Atlas. I completely forgot. You’ve been carrying this for weeks and we’re partners… I should’ve helped…”

“Emery.” His voice cut through gently.

I blinked, and before I could say more, I felt his hand on my shoulder, warm, steady.

“Go shower,” he said softly, eyes meeting mine with a quiet firmness. “Get some rest. We’ll work on it later. We’ve still got weeks.”

I stared at him, lips parted slightly, that stupid fluttering warmth blooming in my chest again.

He wasn’t mad.

He never was.

I let out a tired sigh, nodded. “Okay… but tomorrow, I’m helping. No arguments.”

He gave a small half-smile. “Deal.”

I walked to my room, my feet dragging, head pounding like someone was playing the drums behind my eyes.

The second my door shut, I peeled off my clothes and stepped into the shower, turning the knob as hot as I could stand it. The steam fogged the mirror and curled around me like a blanket, washing off chlorine and exhaustion. I leaned my head against the tile and let out a long breath.

Get it together, Collins. You’ve got three weeks to not humiliate yourself at Cal U.

Once done, I wrapped myself in my robe and padded barefoot into my room, drying my hair with a towel.

That’s when I saw it.

On my nightstand.

A glass of water.

And a single painkiller.

14:59 Tue, Dec 30

Chapter 42

I blinked.

I hadn’t told him about my headache.

My lips parted slightly as I stared at it, a little stunned.

How did he know?

:

4 200

55 vouchers

A slow, uninvited smile tugged at my mouth, curling at the edges like it didn’t ask for permission. My chest warmed, the ache in my head suddenly not the only thing I was feeling.

I picked up the pill, popped it in my mouth, and took a long sip of the water.

And whispered to myself, “Thanks, Atlas.”

Even if he couldn’t hear it.

****

Sleep was impossible.

Every time I closed my eyes, the voices came back…louder, meaner, echoing in my head like a damn broken record.

You were supposed to ace it at Cal U!

How could you embarrass us like this?

And to think she claimed she got medals… What a sham.

“Fuck,” I muttered under my breath, squeezing my eyes shut as if that could erase the noise.

It didn’t.

I sat up, scanning the dark room, my heart thudding. My fingers reached for the lamp switch, and with a soft click, warm yellow light filled the small space. My phone blinked beside me.

2:03 a.m.

“Perfect,” I whispered, dragging a hand down my face.

Still no sleep. No peace.

The good news? My head wasn’t throbbing anymore.

The bad news? My mind wouldn’t shut the hell up.

I lay there for another few seconds before groaning and throwing my covers aside.

I didn’t even think. Didn’t try to talk myself out of it. I just… needed to breathe.

15:00 Tue, Dec 30

Chapter 42

:..

And somehow, that led me straight to his door.

I knocked softly.

No answer.

69

55 vouchers

I hesitated, biting my lower lip, and knocked again. This time, a groggy mumble came from inside. “…Come in.”

I pushed the door open.

Atlas was half-sitting, half-slumped against his pillow, shirtless, hair a complete wreck, like he’d lost a fight with his pillowcase. His eyes squinted through the dim light, sleepy confusion written all over his face…. until recognition hit.

“Emery?” His voice was rough, deep from sleep.

“Hey…” I said quietly, stepping inside but stopping near the edge of the room. My hands twisted the hem of my oversized hoodie. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to wake you.”

He blinked, sitting up straighter. “Are you okay?”

That simple question almost broke me.

“I… I’m sorry,” I started, shaking my head. “I shouldn’t be here at this hour. I just-

My throat tightened. Words failed. My chest burned. And before I could stop it, the tears welled up again.

He was already out of bed. Moving fast.

“Hey,” he said, voice gentler now, his hand brushing my arm. “Talk to me.”

That was all it took.

My lip trembled. My breath hitched. And then the tears fell, hot and fast and humiliating.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify