Page 58 of These Wicked Hearts

“If there was ever a time to use it . . .” I look back at Andre. “I will, just not yet.”

“You’re not still in⁠—”

My eyes flash at my friend. “Stop.” I swallow. “Okay, please. Just stop. I need time.” At first it was to get space, but now I just feel embarrassed. Ashamed. Grey must hate me. I’d hate me. “How is he?” Happy as hell like he fucking deserves.

“He’s doing great,” Oli says softly. “Loves his new job. He’s different, but in like the best way possible. You need to talk to him, okay. He misses you.”

I swallow hard, shaking my head. “I’m not feeling well⁠—”

“Not this time, jackass,” Oli says. “Another thing about him,” he says to Gage. “He’s a runner.”

“I’m also a drinker, and that seems like a real good idea right now.”

“Actually,” Gage says, looking at me. “I’m sorry to be like this, but I’m not feeling great either. I think the arena was just too loud. My head hurts. I’m going to head back. If you want to ride with me and save the fare, you can. I mean, unless you want them to bring you all the way back to the apartment building?”

I look at my friends, and while I miss them, I need some space now.

The thing about Oli is, he doesn’t know when to let up. I don’t want to talk about Grey or my mistakes, I just wanted to have drinks with my friends. Not a fucking dissection on every decision I’ve made until this point. And I get it, he just wants his two best friends to talk again, but he doesn’t understand that it’s not that simple.

“I’ll go with you,” I say and ignore the look on my friend’s face. “I missed the hell out of you guys. I’m just really tired. I can’t wait to beat your ass next time.” I smile, but Oli looks like he wants to argue.

Andre squeezes his bicep. “I’m tired too. We have a lot to do tomorrow before we leave.”

Oli’s hard blue eyes needle through me, but I take a tiny breath when he nods and looks at Andre with a soft smile. “Yeah, okay. I’ll close out the tab. Andre’s treat.”

“Hey!” Andre slaps his arm.

“Sorry, who signed a ninety-two-million-dollar contract this year? You’re my sugar daddy now.” He winks, planting a quick kiss on his lips before he gets out of the booth and we stand. Without warning he pulls me in for a tight hug. “I mean it, Atlas. If you need anything, call me.” He squeezes my shoulder. “And talk to Grey soon. He misses the hell out of you.”

THIRTEEN

Gage

Atlas has been quiet since we walked into my apartment. It’s nice.

Although now it’s starting to creep me out. He’s never been so . . . silent. I could see he was getting upset with his friends, so why they couldn’t see it or stop fucking needling him I don’t know.

If there’s one thing I’m good at, it’s smoothly exiting when I don’t want to be a part of something.

I let Atlas in and I don’t know . . . we seem to have carried some awkwardness with us from the bar.

I can’t believe it. Hockey.

Not a huge sports fan, but watching Atlas on the ice tonight was impressive, I’ll admit. He was brutal, but so agile and quick. Even knowing next to nothing about the sport, I know he’s talented.

Atlas walks behind me like he’s not fully here with me now. His shoulders are tight, his gaze a bit unfocused and heavy. Maybe part of him is still back at the bar with them. I don’t know anything about them, but I didn’t like the way the blond one kept pushing him.

“Are you hungry?”

Atlas lifts his head with a soft smile. “Always.”

I walk to my kitchen and I hear the scrape of a chair as he sits himself at the island.

“You alright?”

He looks up then nods.

“Listen, it’s not that I don’t appreciate it, but the silent thing’s a bit unnerving, I won’t lie.”