Page 84 of These Wicked Hearts

“Hey, Gage . . .”

“What?”

“I haven’t hooked up with anyone. What about you?”

I nearly laugh. I’ve barely left my apartment. “No. I haven’t.”

“Good, because that would make me insanely jealous.”

EIGHTEEN

Gage

I give my black beans a toss and smile when my phone lights up. “Hey.”

“Are you busy?”

“No, I’m making food. I’m about to go out with Chen in a bit.”

“That sounds nice. I can’t wait to come home. I’m at the airport right now. Thankfully I’ve got two days off. I’m so tired.”

“Too bad you have to play on your birthday.”

“Yeah, but I get to see you before it. How did my ass look on TV yesterday?”

Part of me wants to tease. He always assumes I’m watching now, but how can I tease him when the assumption is right. “Very delicious. Too bad the way you played distracted from it.”

“Hey, I played fine!”

“Yeah, okay. You played fine.”

“How good do I look in my jersey on TV? Real muscular and manly, right? Tell me.”

“Noodle arms.” He huffs loudly on the other end and I smile. “Pretty sure I’d look better in it,” I lie.

“Oh, I have no doubt. While wearing nothing underneath.”

My spatula freezes in my hand. “Oh yeah? And what would you do to me?”

“I’d slide my hands up your thighs and lift you in my arms, carrying your gorgeous ass to bed.” I slide my hand down the front of my sweats and squeeze.

“What happens then?”

“I’d slide it up past your stomach and take your cock in my mouth and⁠—”

“Hey!” I hear someone shout near him. “Oh, shit, sorry man. Didn’t know you were on the phone.”

“Asshole,” Atlas laughs. “Sorry,” he says to me. “We’re getting ready to board.”

“You don’t have to come right over tonight. I’m sure you’ll want to sleep.”

Atlas is quiet for a moment. “I’ll see how I feel. I just can’t wait to see you.”

I take a moment, letting it all settle. I try to fight it, but I already know I’m going to show my hand.

“I can’t wait to see you too.”

“I almost wish you were hooking up with me.”