I Swear I Still Hate Him (Atlas Lawson) novel Chapter 92

Chapter 92

Chapter 92

Emery’s POV

Laila took a big, dramatic bite of her triple–chocolate scoop, eyes fluttering shut like she was tasting literal heaven.

Then she groaned, “Babe, I’ve missed you so much. Would it be bad if I tossed you in my box and smuggled you home with me?”

I snorted, almost choking on my own spoonful. “I’d love that–but then I’d miss a semester, be declared wanted, and you’d end up in jail. So maybe let’s not.”

“Still worth it,” she said with a wink, then took another obnoxiously sensual bite like she was in an ice cream ad.

I grinned, swirling my spoon through the little puddle of melted vanilla–strawberry in my bowl.

And then it came.

“Sooo… now that we’re alone. No nosy parentals. Spill. What’s it like getting a shiny new step–mama? And, more importantly, what’s it like having your sexy–ass stepbrother around?”

She fanned herself dramatically like she was seconds from fainting.

I froze mid–bite.

“Um… good,” I said, stabbing my ice cream like it owed me rent.

Laila blinked. “Wait, that’s it? Good? Emmy, you used to despise Atlas. I was expecting World War III tea. Like, fire and brimstone levels of petty.”

I rolled my eyes. “Okay, don’t you think you’re exaggerating…”

She raised one brow. That you know, I’m right, look, she’s perfected since seventh grade.

I sighed. “Fine. So maybe I thought he was the bane of my existence, but living with him changed things. You know? Like… yin and yang or whatever. He’s like… the night, and I’m the sun, or maybe I’m the moon? Wait, no, that doesn’t make sense because technically…okay, I’m rambling.”

“You think?” she deadpanned, squinting at me like she was trying to find the punchline.

I stared at my melting ice cream. And then, before I could stop myself, I blurted out…

“I’m having sex with Atlas.”

Yep. Just like that. Right into the soft–serve silence.

Then I took the most casual bite of my ice cream like I hadn’t just dropped a tactical nuke into the middle of a sweet shop.

Laila blinked. “Wait… what?!”

I didn’t get a chance to respond because just then, a tall man in a sleek black suit approached our table like he was about to sell us luxury yachts or start a Netflix show.

“Excuse me, ladies,” he said, voice smooth as silk. “I’m sorry to interrupt, but I couldn’t help noticing you.”

Um…what?

I blinked, stunned.

“My name’s Nolan, from MK Agencies,” he said, handing me a business card like this was some kind of casting scene. Have you ever considered a career in the entertainment industry?”

I looked at him like he’d just offered me a spaceship.

“Uh… no. I’m a student. I’m actually focused on my swimming career right now.”

He nodded like he totally got it. “Understood. But just in case you change your mind…”

He tapped the card. “We’d love to work with someone like you.“.

Then, just like that, he smiled, told us to carry on, and disappeared out the door like a well–dressed illusion.

I stared after him. Then turned back to Laila.

“What the hell just happened?”

She looked just as lost. “I have no idea. But…back up. You’re hooking up with Atlas?!”

I chewed the inside of my cheek. My heart was trying to escape my ribcage.

And yet somehow…I nodded.

1/2

Chapter 92

Laila gasped so hard she practically sucked the air out the shop.

“Girl…girl. Start talking. All of it. Now.”

So there I was, sitting in this pastel ice cream shop, confessing to my best friend that I’ve been hooking up with my soon–to -be stepbrother like it’s the most normal thing ever. I’d just finished spilling the entire chaotic, complicated mess that is me and Atlas. And now…I waited…Waited for the gasp. The head tilt. The inevitable “Emery, what the hell is wrong with you?”

But Laila said nothing.

Which was, somehow, ten times worse. My stomach twisted as I stared at her wide, unreadable eyes.

“Say something,” I finally blurted, nearly knocking over my cup of melting ice cream.

She blinked. “Um…well…”

Oh god.

“Just judge me already. Tell me I’m a selfish bitch with zero morals,” I groaned, slumping over the table and burying my face in my hands.

She laughed. Actually laughed.

“What? No. Hell no. I am not judging you, Emerald.”

I lifted my head and narrowed my eyes. “Great, you just pulled out the full name, definitely judging.”

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