Page 118 of These Wicked Hearts

“You too, Coach.” Hunter dips out of the office and I look at my friend.

“Don’t start.”

“Oh, I am starting. The start has already begun. You can’t stop the start once the start starts starting.” I smirk at the flick of his eye roll. “I guess no more Road Daddy, huh?” I laugh as he glowers at the nickname our old team used to give him. “I’ll call you Coach Daddy now.”

Grey stares at me. “If I had a nickel for every time I’ve been called that . . .”

“How much?”

“Ten cents actually.”

“Twice?” I laugh.

“Twice too many, Atlas.”

TWENTY-SEVEN

Gage

“They’re on the way back now.”

“Oh, good.”

Felix leans against the kitchen counter, mug in hand. He brings it to his lips, watching me over the rim. The kitchen is warm in a way that feels lived in. Soft lighting, an open space, and a wax melt warming on the counter. I shift awkwardly in my chair at the table. It’s only been about half an hour, and I’ve never been great at small talk.

Felix gave me a tour when I first came in here, and has spent most of the time since filling every silence before it can turn uncomfortable. “You sure you don’t want anything else to drink?” he asks.

I glance down at the half-finished glass of water I have. “I’m okay.” I take a breath. “This is a little awkward, right?”

Felix snorts softly into his mug. “A little.”

With his admission, I relax a bit. “Sorry,” I mutter. “I know this whole thing was kind of last minute.”

He shrugs his shoulders. “Oli and Andre are coming up tonight anyway. We’re all going to the same game tomorrow.” He tilts his head. “Is that what you guys came up for?”

I nod. “Yeah, he was nervous.”

Felix’s expression softens, understanding something I don’t. The words sit between us for a second before I have the nerve to ask what’s been bothering me. “Can I ask you something?”

“Yeah, of course.”

“I don’t really know what happened, but Atlas has been nervous to come here. I think he expected Grey to scream at him or something. I don’t really know, just that he seemed to be . . . I don’t know⁠—”

“In love with Grey?”

That surprises me. I mean, I knew that, but hearing Felix just say it makes me wonder how he’s doing right now. “I mean, Grey seemed happy to see him, but what about you?”

“Are you asking me if I’m angry with Atlas? Or jealous?” I nod. Felix lowers his mug, placing it on the counter. His eyes stay on the mug for a moment before he shakes his head. “No.” He smiles. “I’m not angry with him. Honestly, I feel bad for him.”

That surprises me. “What do you mean?”

“Atlas has been through a lot,” he says carefully. “And the worst part is you wouldn’t realize it because he hides it so well.”

“What do you mean?”

“He keeps everything inside.” Felix rubs his thumb along the handle of his mug. “If he’s hurting, you probably won’t know unless he decides to tell you, but even then, he likes to downplay it.” He smiles faintly. “I thought he hated me for the longest time.”

I blink. “Seriously?” I can’t imagine Atlas hating anybody.