Page 68 of These Wicked Hearts

If Grey saw me right now, he’d lose his mind. But I’ve already crossed a line, haven’t I? What’s one more bad decision?

“I can feel you thinking,” Rome says, resting his elbows on the table we’re sitting at. “Relax. If anyone sees us, just tell them I abducted you.”

I snort. “You couldn’t abduct me.”

One dark brow lifts. “You don’t think I could? I’m one of the strongest defensemen in the league.”

“And I’m the fastest skater.”

“But how are you at running?” He winks.

I scoff, folding my arms across my chest. “You couldn’t catch me.”

He smiles, softer this time. Something about it throws me off. Our waitress appears. “Can I take your drink orders?”

“Lime seltzer,” I say. Sometimes, when the urge to drink gets a little too strong, I can trick my brain with a good seltzer. Who knew being here with my enemy would make me want to drink.

She looks at Rome. “Iced tea please.”

“Are we ready to order?”

Rome orders a burger and I almost do too, but then I remember Gage. I look at the vegan options on the menu and find a black bean burger. I’ll give that a shot. “Thank you.” She takes our menus and goes to put the orders in. I glance at him. “You can drink. I mean it.”

He shakes his head. “I’m good, thanks.”

“I’m serious.”

“So am I. What? You think because I’m Russian, I need to drink?”

“No. I mean, not completely.”

“Good, because I’m not Russian.” He huffs a quiet laugh.

“Wait . . . You’re not? Where are you from?”

He shakes his head. “Belarus, though I’ve lived in the States since I was a teenager to play hockey.”

“What did you do to piss Coach off the other day?”

Rome’s dark brow cocks.

“I mean I⁠—”

He huffs, and a small smile slips onto his lips. “I knew you were eavesdropping.”

“I wasn’t eavesdropping! I was eaveswalkingby and heard you both arguing. What’s up with that? Coach is kind of a dick to you. I mean to all of us, but like, you specifically.”

“That, Atlas, is one thing we can agree on.” He doesn’t say any more, and I let it go for now.

“So, who was your roommate before me?” I asked.

“I roomed with Andre before.”

“What? He never mentioned that.”

Rome shrugs. “We didn’t talk much.” No one seems to talk to him.

“This is weird,” I say. “I can’t relax.”