Page 78 of These Wicked Hearts

“Here.” He tosses his keys at me. “Go start up the car, I’ll be there in a sec. Just going to piss.”

“I have those snacks for you too,” Theo says. “He’s obsessed with these chips he can only find here,” Theo says to me.

“Oh, shit. I’ll be out in a minute, okay?”

I nod, looking at Theo, and say goodbye to the guys, then I head out to Knox’s car and slide in. It’s been so long since I last drove. I have a truck back home in Jersey, but when I’m playing, I don’t even bother. I’m constantly being shuffled from one place to the next.

I grab my phone out, my thumb hovering over Gage’s name.

You up?

I wait for a moment. Light flashes when I see his name on my screen, and I answer. “Hey.”

“Hey.” His sleepy voice makes me take note.

“Were you sleeping?”

“I was waiting for you to call, lying in bed.”

“I’m sorry. I’m uh, heading back to the hotel now. I just wanted to talk to you. I’m going to be busy pretty much all day tomorrow.”

“Did you have fun with your friends?”

“Yeah, it was nice.”

“You didn’t drink, right?”

“No.”

“Good boy.” I can imagine the smile on his lips.

“Um, is it okay if I text you while I’m away?”

“You texted me now.”

“Yeah no. I meant like . . .” I scrub a hand down my face. “I don’t want to annoy you.”

“You already annoy me, Atlas.”

“But like, in a sexy way, right?”

“What does that even mean?”

“I just . . .” I swallow. “I don’t want you to get annoyed if I’m calling or texting a lot.”

I see Theo’s door open as Knox steps out, and I swallow. “I’m sorry, um, get some sleep, okay⁠—”

“Hey Atlas.” His sleep voice feels like a soft touch. “Call or text whenever you need to, okay.”

I nod even though he can’t see me. “Okay. Uh, have a good night. Get some sleep.”

“I will. Good night, hockey boy.”

SEVENTEEN

Gage

Atlas: My legs are killing me.