Chapter 13
Lane (April 2023)
...
The sun was hidden behind gray clouds and the afternoon was foggy and damp when Lane left to go to work. They had to leave their car behind when they left Atlas. The car was never actually Lane's to begin with. Atlas bought it and paid for the insurance. Everything was under his name. It was another shiny present that was used to guilt Lane during their relationship and Atlas loved to bring up the gifted vehicle when they would have even the slightest disagreement. Atlas would always ask Lane where they were going before taking the car; it didn't matter if Lane was simply going to work. He needed to know just where Lane was going in the car he had bought for them. Lane hopped on a city bus to go to the job they had started right before moving into the apartment. Before, when Lane was living in a three-bedroom house, they used to work as a bank teller, a career choice that Lane would have never picked. Atlas had urged them to apply even though Lane hated the thought of the profession.
"You'll love working at the bank!" Lane recalled Atlas saying. "Ben can get you a job there easy. He owes me one."
"Atlas, I'm not too sure about that. I don't think I would like it."
"What's not to like? You'll make a shit ton of money. You need to be pulling in a good income. I'm paying for everything but the least you could do is make a good amount of money to help out."
"I like my job," Lane insisted. "I buy stuff for the house all the time."
"You're a barista," Atlas scoffed. "It's not a real job."
"But it's something I enjoy. And I do make good money. Tips too."
"Well, I need you to start pulling your weight. It would be nice if you paid for your own gas once in a while or even paid for the dinners I'm always taking you out on. I bought the damn car and paid for repairs and the fucking insurance. You can help out!"
"I can fucking afford gas."
"It isn't enough. The guys ask me what you do and I don't wanna tell them I'm dating a barista. It's sad."
"I don't understand why you care so much about what they fucking think." Lane felt a lump in their throat.
"You need to step up!" Atlas shot back. "You need to be better! Better for me. You need to grow up and get a real fucking job and you should be happy that I have Ben who can get you the damn job next fucking week!"
Lane reluctantly agreed that they would apply. Atlas resumed his happy charade and in less than a week, Lane started their new job as a bank teller.
Now, Lane was returning to a profession that they enjoyed. They were starting at a different coffeehouse than the one they worked at before and this time, Lane wasn't just going to be a barista. They were hired to be a shift supervisor, the position Lane had to give up to fulfill Atlas' dream of them working at the bank. Atlas had no idea that Lane had quit the bank and moved on to a new coffeehouse that was across town from the house they once shared. The timing was perfect and then Lane escaped in the night, never to look back. Never to have to work at the bank with horrible, sexist Ben ever again. Lane was thrilled when they got hired and got along with their new co-workers right away. They all loved Lane and Lane loved their co-workers.
When Lane stepped off the bus, their heart dropped. Atlas was standing and waiting right next to the entrance of Declan's Coffeehouse. Lane felt a lump form in their throat when Atlas saw them. Lane gritted their teeth and crossed the street to meet Atlas.
"I found out where you're working now," Atlas said. "Really? Back to this? I had to hear it from Heather. From fucking Heather!"
"Hello, Atlas." Lane steadied their breath.
"Why don't you stop this horseshit and come home, hm?"
"That house is not my home," Lane said. "Don't you get that it's over? I'm done."
They tried to walk into the coffeehouse but Atlas blocked the door and pulled Lane aside. "I need you to come home," Atlas said in a calm voice. "I miss you."
"You can't control me anymore. Now, I have to go to work." Lane tried to leave again but Atlas stepped back in the way.
"You need to fucking go back to the bank!" Atlas screamed. "You need to stop this fucking bullshit and come home! I love you! I can't believe you're doing this to me. You're hurting me!" Atlas' voice was trembling and Lane saw tears welling up in his eyes. It was a marvelous display of acting.
"I'm hurting you?" Lane asked. "So what about the times you've hit me? Gave me bruises, hm? How you would control every aspect of my life and mentally abuse me? Did you not hurt me then?"
"I never hit you," Atlas said.
Lane laughed. "Get the fuck out of my face."
Atlas got closer to Lane, stared at them right in the eye, and whispered, "You're nothing but a fucking piece of shit and no one will ever love you as much as I did."
"I don't need someone else's fucking approval," Lane replied. "I'm done with this. I'm living my life for me and I had to fucking work so hard to take it back from you!"
Atlas didn't say anything as he backed away from the coffeehouse entrance. His face was red and his fists were balled up by his sides. Lane knew if they weren't in public, Atlas would not hesitate to punch them. Lane opened the front door, causing a little silver bell to ring. They looked back at Atlas with such sternness.
Atlas took a deep breath and said, "You will be so fucking sorry."
Without dignifying his statement with a response, Lane shut the door and went inside to work. They went behind the counter and realized a few of their co-workers had witnessed the altercation through the large glass windows.
"Everything okay, Lane?" Tanisha asked. Shock was clear across her face.
"Yeah. Everything is fine," Lane said. "But that guy out there? He's not allowed in here. He's fucking banned."