Page 255 of Red Marked

I sit and open the three-day leave form on my screen because I still haven’t done it. I’m supposed to go home tomorrow.

There’s a knock at my door.

“Not now!” I growl.

The door opens anyway.

“Can I come in?” Atlas asks.

“It isn’t a good time. Unless it’s important.”

“It is.”

I point at the chair. He closes the door, sits, and stretches his legs out in front of him.

“How are you doing?” he asks.

I frown. “You’re wasting my time with bullshit. I’ve got things to do.” I nod at the screen. “Say what you came to say or leave.”

“It isn’t bullshit.” He doesn’t move. “How are you doing, Flint?”

“I’m fine.”

“You’re not fine. Not even close.” He laces his fingers. “You’ve been a nightmare for a week and a half. Since she left. Every single day.”

“You’re talking shit.”

“Ask anyone on the team. They’ll all say the same thing. All you’ve done is snap at everyone. Brian didn’t latch a case, Flint. That was it. That was the crime. You looked ready to put him through the fence. He only dropped that dart because you made him nervous. You have everyone walking on eggshells.”

“I’ve been tired.” I lean back. “I’ll admit I’ve been in a bit of a bad mood. You’re overreacting.”

He laughs at me.

“You’ve been impossible. Nobody wants to be anywhere near you. Do you want to know what the mood on the pad was this morning when I said you were off from tomorrow? They were happy. They were relieved. Dane said, ‘Thank fuck,’ out loud.”

“It can’t be that bad.”

“It is. It really is.” He tips his head. “Rift and I had a chat about it. We both agree that you’re in love with Star.”

“What the fuck?” I’m on my feet. “The two of you have been talking behind my back. Did you tell her I slept with Star?”

“Are you fucking kidding me?” He laughs again and shakes his head. “I didn’t have to tell Rift anything. It’s as clear as day that you had plenty of sex and that you’ve got all the feels for that female. You have been completely and utterly miserable since she flew out of here. You’re an idiot for letting her go, by the way.”

“You’re the third person to tell me that,” I grumble.

“Then maybe I’m the one you should actually listen to.” He sits forward. “I’m not going to sugarcoat anything. You’re an idiot. We don’t like working with you like this. This is an intervention right here and now. I’m here on behalf of the whole team. Go and see her. Get on your knees and beg her to take you back.”

“How do you know she didn’t dump my ass?” I sit down again. “You’ve got some nerve, Atlas.”

“I’ve seen how she looks at you. I’ve also seen how you look at her.” He shrugs. “And I can tell a scared-shitless male from a mile off. You, my friend, are very fucking afraid. You’ve made up some story in your head that makes sense as to why you’re not going to pursue her. Trust me. It’s bullshit.”

“You don’t know me. Not really. You know nothing about my life.”

“I don’t have to. You’re afraid of being hurt. You’re trying to protect yourself. You’d rather be miserable and alone than put yourself on the line.”

Shit.

Is he right?