Chapter 52

"Vanessa, how long have you known you wanted to be a detective?" Atlas looked curious,

Makenna could've sworn Vanessa's face lit up at the mention of her dream profession,

"Honestly, I can't say, it feels like forever." She looked at their faces, "My dad was a cop for a long time and I think that's where it started. But as I got older, I found joy in getting to the root of a problem and helping people."

"That's admirable,"

Vanessa looked at Will who spoke and smiled at him.

"I can already imagine how many people's lives you're going to change," Makenna smiled at her, thinking of all the people who had been a part of putting her assailants behind bars.

"Atlas?"

Everyone at the table turned to find Thea heading towards them, Killian not too far behind.

"Hi, Thee,"

"Hello everyone,"

"Hi,", "Hey," Will and Vanessa said,

Thea stood behind Atlas and placed her hands on his shoulders, smiling at Makenna who sat across from him. Makenna smiled at her and shifted her gaze to her brother who stopped near their table.

"Hi," Killian said and there was another round of greetings,

Makenna noticed the dullness on Killian's face but didn't say anything.

"I haven't seen you two in a bit," Thea looked at Will and Vanessa,

"Not with the crazy schedule we've had," Vanessa said,

"Right," Thea said, "And you two are leaving us soon,"

Thea tapped on her brother's shoulders while looking at Will and she had a light bulb moment that made her gasp,

"We should hang on this weekend,"

Killian smiled at Thea knowing she was already making plans even without their approval. Thea looked at Killian and then smiled because she knew she had been caught in the act. Makenna thought she saw a glow on both their faces every time their eyes met. She felt like she was intruding on an intimate moment and looked away. Somehow, her gaze shifted from Thea to Atlas and she froze.

Atlas hadn't taken his eyes off Makenna since Thea arrived. He had the urge to stare at her face till he could spot and understand every single facial expression she made, even the ones she didn't know she made. It dawned on him that he'd always enjoyed doing that, but would've never admitted it - maybe even lied to himself that he did it just to get on her nerves.

She caught him and he wasn't concerned, but rather pleased when she blinked a couple of times while looking away from him. He realised that she did that when she was embarrassed.

Or shy?

He asked himself, certain he hadn't seen Makenna shy before.

"A break from routine sounds like something I need," Vanessa let her shoulders fall at the thought,

"Yeah?" Thea looked at Will who nodded,

"I mean, I'm down," Will nudged Atlas, "Mate?"

"Oh, he doesn't have a choice," Thea told Will,

Atlas tilted his head back to look at Thea who smiled and ruffled his hair,

"You know you don't,"

"Order up!"

"I'll get it," Makenna got up,

"I'll help," Atlas said,

"That's alright, I'll bring Killian." Makenna needed to get her brother alone,

Killian followed Makenna to the counter to get their drinks, including his and Thea's.

"What was that about?" Killian looked suspicious,

"Nothing,"

"Uh, clearly not nothing." He had her, "We might not talk as much, but you're still my sister - I know you."

Makenna felt a stab in her chest as he voiced the state of their relationship and she hated herself. She'd been so clueless about her stunted relationship with her brother for years. But being around Atlas and Thea and seeing how they were with each other was the smack to the head she needed.

God, is that Your doing?

Makenna pushed away the thought that flickered into her mind.

She wanted to sit with her brother and just talk like they used to. But she knew they had to get past the past before moving forward and she knew it wasn't the time or place.

"Are you alright?"

Killian frowned,

"Yea, that's it - something is definitely wrong,"

"Yea, it is. With you." Makenna frowned, "We might not talk as much, but you're still my brother - I know you."

Killian went quiet as he looked at her, letting his mask drop for a moment. Makenna saw her little brother behind those eyes and she wanted to hold him and tell him it was all going to be alright like she used to.

Makenna swallowed and placed her hand over his,

"It's going to be alright. God will work things out for our good and His glory."

Killian's eyes brightened and a smile formed on his lips. Makenna knew her relationship with God was a lost cause but her brother's wasn't and she'd said those exact words to him when they were kids. She wanted to alleviate his worry and that's all she could do at the moment. But right then and there she decided she was going to work on her relationship with her brother. She didn't know how long it would take to get back to how they used to be, but all that mattered was that she kept trying.

"I knew you weren't too far gone," Killian muttered beneath his breath,

"What?"

"We should get these drinks to them,"

Makenna hadn't heard what he said, but something told her it wasn't that,

"Yea,"

They headed back to the table that now had two extra seats with Thea seated at Makenna's previous spot.

"Atlas got you that seat," She beamed then frowned, "Sorry,"

"You don't look sorry," Killian whispered to Thea as he took the seat next to her and she shushed him quietly,

"Here you go," Makenna passed the drinks down, "And you,"

Atlas and Makenna looked at each other as he took his drink from her,

"Thanks,"

"You're welcome,"

Thea silently freaked out as she watched her brother and Makenna. Killian watched Thea, trying not to laugh at how cute she was trying to play matchmaker.

"So, does Saturday work for everyone?" Thea asked,

"Sure,", "Yea," Will and Vanessa said,

"Not for me,"

Everyone looked at Atlas,

Thea frowned,

"Why not?"

"There's something important I've been looking forward to,"

"What is it?" Thea asked quickly,

"I can't say,"

Thea sighed in defeat,

"I will get it out of you one way,"

"Not this one. Not this time."

Makenna loved their banter and she looked at Killian, hoping they could get back to the way they used to be.

"We can reschedule,"

"No, you guys go have fun." Atlas said, "I'll make the next one,"

Thea nodded and looked at Makenna,

"Mac?"

Makenna paused mid-sip and looked at Thea.

"Saturday?"

Makenna looked at each of them, her gaze stopping on Atlas. He wasn't looking at her but she could tell he was aware of her gaze on him. She placed her cup on the table and caught sight of a movement beneath the table - Atlas' forefinger tapped on his leg continuously.

Makenna looked at Thea,

"You can send me the details, I'll be there if I can."

Thea smiled and gave her a quick nod,

"Great! We've got two couples..."

"Oh, we're not..." Vanessa and Will began together but stopped and looked at each other,

"I'm sorry, I just assumed," Thea looked apologetic,

"That's ok," Vanessa said,

Makenna looked from Vanessa to Will and smiled to herself, knowing Thea was on to something.