Page 146 of Wicked Dreams

“And the last two? With your supposed good family?”

I shrug. “Hanna ate a Snickers, and her throat swelled shut. We spent the night in the ER. And then the next year, our foster mom let us all go out, but she took our candy when we came back. Said she didn’t trust us not to eat it all in one night.”

“I thought you liked her.”

“They were strict. Everyone is strict at first. It’s how they manage expectations. Start with strong ones and ease them over time.”

“But…?”

“The Bryans are different,” I admit.

I hope they keep me.

I almost say it out loud, but wishes and hopes are dangerous. They inflate us, make us buoyant. And in the end, they just make a harder fall.

I know better.

“We can find complementary masks,” he says. “Something fit for a king and queen.”

He can’t be serious.

“We aren’troyalty,” I sputter. “This isn’t?—”

“You know as well as I do that hockey is king. And I’m the fucking king of hockey.”

My face warms. “Arrogant, much?”

He cracks a smile. “I am aware of my value.”

“The school… people really love hockey that much? They’d bend rules for you, or bend over and kiss your ass?”

“We remind the students why we’re the best in the league.” He drums his fingers on the steering wheel. “There’s a good costume shop off of Times Square.”

“What’s the errand you have to run?”

He makes a face. “Just have to sign some papers nearby. Won’t take long.”

“And you decided to take me with you?”

“You haven’t been to the city. Besides, this type of conversation can’t be had with just myself.”

I roll my eyes. “Right.”

He glances over. “You don’t believe me.”

Not really.

“The teachers don’t ever yell at me, give me detention, call me out for being late or skipping.” He puts his hand on my thigh.

Hate to say I like it, but…

“You got suspended. And you can’t play hockey for a while.”

“For fighting Ian, whose dad is a massive dick.” He winks. “I don’t blame the principal for suspending me. Easier to do that than get on Fletcher Senior’s bad side.”

I harrumph.

“You’ll see,” he promises.

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