Page 145 of These Wicked Hearts

A deep ache settles in my chest, but talking about him is better than not thinking about him at all. “What do you want to know?”

“How did you find out he was Death?”

“The night of the concert.” He looks at me. “Yeah. When he came close to our section I saw the snake tattoo. I knew it intimately.”

“The bathroom. That’s why he took you to the bathroom!”

I nod. “He wanted to know if I’d been stalking him. If I knew who he was all along. I didn’t. I just promised him I wouldn’t tell.”

“And you guys kept going.”

And couldn’t stop. “He came with me to New Jersey, and to the Hawks and Otters game. I went to visit Grey with him.”

“So what happened?”

I shrug. “I may have thought it was more than it is.” I look down at the invite. I’m too curious not to go. “The morning we got back from New Jersey there was a man here, and Gage basically told him I was nothing when he asked who I was.”

“Oh, shit. I’m sorry.”

Me too, but right now I feel more hope than I should. He gave me the invite. It has to mean something. “So, now that I’ve told you, can you finally tell me about Colton? You two weren’t hooking up, right?”

“Ew, fuck no.” Okay, damn. He sighs heavily and I watch his knee bounce. Finally, he places his hands on his knees and sighs. “Colton and I used to be best friends. We ran in the same hockey circles and became really close. We all knew he was going to get into the NHL, so maybe I was a bit lucky for meeting him then. Scouts were always around for him. Not that he needed them. Mr. Legacy had a one-way ticket, we all knew that. They noticed me too, through proximity. I thought he was my best friend, and he betrayed me. He stabbed me in the back. I don’t want to get into the specifics, though, because it involves more people than just me and him. No matter how much they hurt me, I’d never want to hurt the other person involved that way. Even after all the pain they’ve caused me.”

“He always seemed like a good guy when I was playing with him. I’m sorry, though. For whatever he did to hurt you.”

“I don’t know him now, but I used to think so too.” Knox stands. “So, you need a ride for Saturday.”

“Knox—”

“Oh, what? You think I’m going to sit here while the love of your life gives you an invite and you don’t go? I’ll be over by five Saturday. You better be showered and dressed to go when I show up.”

“You sure you want to do this? It might taint their image for you when you realize they’re just normal people like you and me.”

“Do you think it’ll be weird if I wear their band T-shirt? I have a real slutty one of your man. His abs are very prominent behind the black paint.” I bark out a laugh. “Hey! You may have dibs on Death, but there are still three more bandmates.”

“Uh, well, Jesper and Declan are together.”

“Who?”

“Famine and Conquest. They’re like, dating, I think.”

“No shit! Oh my god, I have so much lore, this is fucking awesome. What about War? What’s he like?”

“He’s hot, I’ll give you that. I don’t know if he’s into men, though.” And he loves his best friend and only wants the best for him.

Knox stretches his arms above his head then turns slowly, cracking his back. “Only one way to find out.”

“I’m so nervous.”

“Why are you nervous?”

Knox ruffles his hair. He’s not wearing the band shirt, thank god. Instead, he’s wearing a normal black shirt without the man I love’s abs on it. “How do I look? Would you take me home if you were a rock star?”

“I can smell the desperation leaking from you.”

When we enter the bar, I’m shocked by the number of people here. “Hey there.” Vanessa approaches us with a tray of drinks. “Glad you guys could come.” She ruffles my hair. “No alcohol for you. I’ve already told the bartenders.”

I laugh at that. “Thank you.”