Page 64 of These Wicked Hearts

A knock makes me jolt.

“Fuck.”

“Who’s that?”

“I’m not sure. I can’t see through my door, now, can I?”

He rolls his eyes, still annoyed with me, and I don’t like the role reversal. I much prefer being irritated not the irritator. I walk up to the door as another round of knocks echoes. I look through the peephole. My forehead thuds on the door.

“Fuck.”

Mouth full of potatoes, he looks at me. “Who is it?”

I could ignore him. I could pretend I’m not home.

“I see your shadow, dick. Let me in!”

Or not.

I open the door and let Chen inside. This is going to suck.

“What are you—oh.” Chen looks back at me. “Oh, hello.” Chen grins wide, looking between us. “I’m interrupting something?”

I look back at Atlas who now has that ridiculous wide-eyed look. I will say it’s better than the hard lines from earlier. “Who’s this?” Atlas asks.

“His best friend.” Chen sits beside him on the stool, sticking out his hand. “And who are you, gorgeous, large man?” He looks at me and mouths, “Oh my god.” His eyes study him then his mouth drops open. “Wait! Why do you look so familiar?” Then I see the moment in his brown eyes that he remembers. “Oh shit! You’re the guy from the show. The bathroom guy.”

Atlas’s brows rise. “The bathroom guy?”

He looks at me. “You’ve never slept with a fan before.”

“I’m not a fan,” Atlas says.

Chen’s brow lifts. “I bet you’re a big fan now.” He winks.

“Can you please fuck off.”

“He’s so moody.” Chen shakes his head at Atlas then takes one of his potatoes. “I can leave⁠—”

“Please.”

“But this is too much fun.”

“I actually have to get going,” Atlas says.

I look at the clock and I know, technically, he has hours left before he has to leave. Fun’s over, then, I guess. I’m not upset at all about it.

“Thanks for breakfast.”

I want to keep him here and ask him if he’s okay. I don’t know what happened, but it’s jarring seeing him so serious and upset. Even worse that I know I’m the reason.

“I’ll see you. It was nice to meet you.”

“You too.”

“Have a good flight,” I say simply, as he walks back into my bedroom only to return a moment later, dressed now. He nods at Chen before his blue eyes pass to me. I watch him walk away and there’s this urge to kiss him before he leaves. I can’t stop thinking about it. Atlas looks at Chen then me before making it to the door.

“Go ahead and kiss him. You know you want to.”