Protector Series: Bonus Chapters and Content

BONUS CHAPTER 28: Mixed Feelings

Spoilers from: Protector 1.1-3.3, Atticus's book

I haven't been left on read yet today, so here you go. cx

BONUS CHAPTER 28: Mixed Feelings

~Orchid: Age 19~

       I walked up the front steps of the Smythes' home before knocking on the door. I really hoped he was home right now, because it took me a lot of convincing to come here in the first place.

       Just kidding. I told myself I had to come here, so I did. I just didn't want to waste my time coming back here if he wasn't home.

       Athena was the one who answered the door and she smiled when she saw me. "Hi, Orchid," she said. "I really miss seeing you. Are you here to yell at my brother for breaking up with you?"

       "Actually, yes," I said. "Is he home?"

       "He is, and I want him to get yelled at, so I'll go get him," she said, slightly closing the door before I heard her calling for Atticus. "Atticus! Someone is at the door for you! Don't ask who it is, because I don't know!"

       That was smart of Athena for saying that. Atticus might not come to the door if he knew it was me, so it was best saying that she didn't know who it was.

       Atticus opened the door and sighed when he saw me. "I'm guessing you're here to yell at me for breaking up with you and moving out?"

       "Nope," I said. "I was fine with all of that. Well, fine enough not to yell at you. But you know what I am going to yell at you about? What you did. A few days ago. At a party. Ring a bell? Here's a hint. It involves my brother. I'm sure you know which brother."

       Atticus rubbed the back of his neck and looked away, not saying a single thing.

       "You're not even going to say anything?" I asked. "You broke up with me, then you went to a party and kissed my brother."

       "Yes, I'm aware of that," Atticus said. "Look, we were drunk, I wasn't thinking straight, he was there for me and it happened. It didn't mean anything."

       "That doesn't make things better," I said. "You know what's worse. Both of you hid it from me. I don't care if we were broken up when it happened. No person should ever go for their ex's sibling."

       "I didn't go after him, Orchid," Atticus said. "I told you, we were both drunk and I wasn't thinking straight. And I don't even know why you're mad about it. We were broken up, so it's not like I cheated on you."

       "Uh, because it was with my brother!" I said. "Not just my brother, but my triplet! How would you feel if you had a twin brother, and I broke up with you, then kissed him the next day? You wouldn't like that, right?"

       "Well, it depends on the situation," Atticus said. "If you're both drunk, then I wouldn't care."

       "Drunk words are sober thoughts, Atticus," I said. 

       "Not all the time," Atticus said. "I'm telling you, it meant nothing. He's my best friend, and he was there for me when I was moping."

       "When you were moping?" I asked. "You're the one who broke up with me. You know what? I don't even know why I'm bothering with you right now. It was nice talking to you. Not really."

       I turned around to start walking away, but Atticus wasn't done with the conversation. "You know, after two years of dating, I'm really glad you remembered the one thing I told you that I'm struggling with."

       His sarcastic tone made me turn around to face him. "And what would that be?"

       "Are you serious right now?" Atticus asked. "You completely forgot how I can be emotionally distant at times? How I find it hard to express my feelings? I broke up with you because I didn't know how to deal with our arguing."

       "Then why didn't you just talk things out with me?" I asked.

       "You're not getting it," Atticus said. "I can't. I don't know how to. I really don't. I love you, Orchid. You know I do, but....I just can't express how I feel all the time, so I take the easy ways out, like breaking up with my girlfriend that I will forever be madly in love with. While you still don't understand how emotionally distant I can be, you're the only one that really gets me."

       I hesitated before walking over to him. "Promise me that if you ever have a hard time expressing your feelings, you'll do something so I know you're struggling."

       "Yeah, I promise," Atticus said. "I mean, I'll try. So....will you give me another chance?"

       "Under one condition," I said. "Don't go kissing my brother again."

       "Yeah, I'm sorry about that," Atticus said. "I really wasn't thinking clearly." He then cupped my face in his hands. "You have nothing to worry about, though. He has nothing on you." He leaned down and pressed his lips softly on mine.

       When he pulled away, I gave him a smile. "Does that mean the bromance is dead?"

       "Uh, no, the bromance will never die," Atticus said. 

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Atticalan shall live on! And Attichid, but Atticalan.

Chicken nuggets shall live on too, because I am going to go get some because....chicken nuggets. 

lol