Page 137 of These Wicked Hearts

“That might be the nicest thing anyone’s ever said to me.”

“I’m serious. Why does everyone hate you? I mean, I know why I hated you but⁠—”

“Hated. Wow, past tense. Moving up in the world.” The smile slips from his face so fast. “I’d rather talk about why you’re pissed off.”

I groan. “Can you give me something? Anything?”

Rome sighs then shrugs. “Bad guys make headlines. Headlines bring money and attention. Coach thinks I’m good for the role.”

“And you just . . . do it because he tells you?”

He takes a bite. “Your turn. What’s going on?”

My knee starts bouncing under the table. This is the part where I usually run. Or drink. Usually both together.

“I won’t tell anyone, Atlas.”

I stare at the table and think. How did I fucking get here with Rome Acciari of all people?

“I’m in love with someone who doesn’t love me back.” Again.

Rome’s expression softens slightly. “I figured.”

I blink. “How?”

“I know heartbreak when I see it.”

I laugh under my breath. “Great, well, now you know how pathetic I am⁠—”

“You’re not pathetic,” he says between bites. “You’re human, Atlas.”

I take my time chewing my pizza. “Coach is going to kill me.”

“Probably.”

“That’s not very comforting.”

“Not, but it’s honest.” He sets his slice down. “Tell me what happened.”

Grey’s rejection had hurt, but Gage’s is destroying me. I get it, people aren’t obligated to return my feelings, but that night with Gage back at my house was the most intimate thing I’ve experienced with anyone. For a moment I thought he felt it too.

“I went home during my break and they came with me. I thought maybe it meant something. Turns out no. It meant nothing.”

“Nobody important.”

“That’s rough,” he says after a second. “Did he actually say that or are you assuming?”

“Oh, he said it.” My eyes widen immediately. “Shit, don’t⁠—”

“Atlas.” Rome cuts me off. “You can think the worst of me all you want, but I’d never out somebody. Ever. Your business is your business. I just had a feeling, okay?”

I exhale shakily. “He said I’m nobody important.” I put my pizza down, pressing my palms into my eyes. “I ruin everything. I’m so fucking stupid. I talk too much, I’m annoying and childish. I like comic books for fuck’s sake⁠—”

“I think you’re spiraling.”

“And I snore,” I continue miserably. “Like, loud. I tell people I don’t, but I know I do. I drove him away.” My forehead thuds on the table. “All I want to do is shut my brain off for a few hours.”

It’s quiet for a moment. When I look up again Rome is resting his head on his folded arms too, watching me sideways.