The Alpha & The Nerd

Ch. 4

Reena POV

“So he’s your ex?” he questioned me. I sighed as I leaned back, I knew he would want to know more about that, but there really wasn’t a whole to tell. “Yes. That was my ex…” I answered, trailing off, debating how much I should say to him. I just met him today, so it’s not like I owed him an explanation, right?

Silence fell over us as we sat awkwardly across from each other. Thankfully the waitress came to take our order, but when her eyes lingered a little too long, and her smile seemed a little too bright, I felt a tinge of jealousy. I was surprised, not sure why I would think I had any reason to be jealous, he wasn’t my boyfriend, and I’m not even sure I can call him a friend yet. An acquaintance at best. I watched him as he ordered the same as me, burger and fries with sweet tea; his eyes stayed locked on hers as he placed his order, and then he quickly looked back to me.

“So, how long has he been your ex?” he asked me, his tone a little softer than before. Agitation boiled within me, not sure if it was because he wanted more explanation about Ed or because Ed was here and had the nerve to call me his girlfriend still, “Does it matter?” I countered, “he’s an ex. That’s all that matters.” I looked toward the front door but didn’t see Ed and his friends there anymore, to my relief. I could tell Atlas wanted to ask more, but thankfully he dropped it. “So, tell me,” I started, “is there a particular reason you don’t know how to use a computer? I mean, most people nowadays at least know the basics.” I had been curious all day about it. A part of me felt like he was lying about it and this was going to be some cruel prank.

I mean, if we’re being honest, I know I’m not even close to being considered in his league. The complete opposite, actually. He looks like the type to date beauty queens and models. “I guess you could say I’m old-fashioned. I’ve never felt the need to use one, and I’m still not convinced they will be of any use,” his deep voice sent shivers down my spine. I cleared my throat, trying to refocus on our conversation that I had started, “Okay, fair answer. What made you consider them, and what exactly will they be used for?” I quickly realized I was asking many questions that he may not be comfortable answering…just like I didn’t want to talk about Ed, “Sorry, I’m being nosey. You don’t have to answer that.” He smiled, showing his bright white teeth.

The waitress showed back up with our food, making sure to bend over and show her cleavage as she placed his plate in front of him. I narrowed my eyes at the woman, glaring at her as she stood straight, “If you need anything, just let me know,” she told him before walking off, her hips swaying with every step.

“You okay?” Atlas asked me for the second time this evening. My eyes snapped to meet his, an amused smile on his face, “Yes, I’m fine; why?” He laughed deeply, “You were looking at our waitress like you could rip her apart.” Oh god! He had seen that?! I couldn’t hide the embarrassment I felt; there was no telling what he thought of me now.

“Don’t worry. She can’t hold a candle to you,” his voice was low as he stared at me, causing blush to coat my cheeks. “And to answer your question, I’m considering using computers for…business. Evidently, some think it would make things easier.”

I wasn’t sure if he was being truthful or not. I mean, how many people can operate a business without a computer? Unless it was a really small business, then I guess it would be possible. We continued to talk, keeping the conversation light. There was something about Atlas that seemed to draw me in. He made me feel things I had never felt. He didn’t feel like a complete stranger whom I had just met, and I felt I could trust him. It not only confused me but also scared me a little. “Would you like anything else?” he asked as I popped the last French fry in my mouth. “Gosh, no! I’m stuffed!” I laughed as I rubbed my belly. He threw a hundred on the table as he stood and reached his hand out to me. “Do you want to wait for your change?” I asked, knowing our meal wasn’t that much. He shook his head as he helped me to my feet, “Not really.”

I couldn’t help but look around the parking lot as we walked out the door, the darkness engulfing everything around us, afraid Ed was still here. I hadn’t realized it was already dark until now. My eyes zoned in on his small four-door red car parked across the street. My heart began to race as soon as I saw it. Why couldn’t he just leave me alone? He was acting more and more like those crazy ex-boyfriends from the murder mystery shows I watch on my days off. Warmth spread through me as Atlas slipped his arm around me, pulling me close to his side. I looked up at him as we continued to walk to his car, his eyes trained on none other than Ed’s car. Did he know that was Ed? Or was he just curious why it was parked there with no lights on? His jaw was clenched tight as he unlocked and opened the car door for me. He waited until I was seated before shutting my door and walking around to the driver’s side.

Atlas started the car, turning the heater on high before putting it in reverse, “I don’t mean to pry, but is it normal for your ex-boyfriend to sit and watch you?” My eyes widened in surprise as I cleared my throat, “Well, yes and no. No, it’s not normal, I don’t think, but yes, he tends to do this.” The words were out of my mouth before I could even think twice. I noticed his grip tighten on the steering wheel as he pulled from the parking lot, going in the opposite direction of my apartment. I didn’t feel scared, though, “He’s harmless. I guess he’s not taking the break up well,” I tried to ease the growing tension.

Atlas didn’t speak; he just kept driving. I noticed him glancing in his mirror a few times and quickly realized that Ed had been following us. “Are you okay?” I questioned, resting my hand on his bicep, warm tingles making their way up my arm. I could feel him slightly relax under my touch, “Yeah, I’m fine,” he gave me a small smile. Atlas stopped at the I Scream Shop, and I noticed Ed passing by slowly. Atlas ordered us both chocolate cones. “Are you sure you want us to eat this in your car?” I laughed as he handed mine to me. He shrugged his shoulders, “Why not?” I made a production of looking around his car, “Ummm, how mad will you be if I get ice cream everywhere?” I didn’t think he would get mad, not really, but at the same time, there was no telling how much this car was worth, and some people don’t play around when it comes to their vehicles. “You can get ice cream wherever you want, and I wouldn’t care.” He wasn’t smiling when he said it but instead looked at me intensely like there was nothing I could ever do to make him mad. Atlas slowly drove us back to my apartment, walking me upstairs to my door, “Thanks for spending your evening with me,” he said sincerely as I unlocked my door. “I had fun,” I looked down at my feet, biting my bottom lip as I briefly thought about what I was about to do, “would you like to come inside?” The shock was evident on his face as a huge smile spread, “I would love to.”