Page 126 of Silent Screams

I shake my head, moreso to myself. “He wants Claire. I know he does.”

“Claire?” he asks, the joint expertly between his fingers. “Nah... Claire’s probably a come-fuck-me-nurse fantasy. Don’t worry about her.”

We’re both quiet, freezing and shivering on this cold winter night. I look up at the stars, and I don’t know why I say it.

“I love Harvey, but . . .”

“There’s someone else,” he finishes for me. “I don’t blame you, Gem. I’m trying to think of a way to save my brother. This will crush him; I know it will. But it’s not your fault. I’m not stupid enough to think he’s beenattentiveto you. I could tell at the party it was probably the first time in a long, long while, if I had to guess.”

I let him finish. I don’t know what more to say.

“If he has a small chance, even one percent, I wanna know. I wanna know, and if I have to knock his teeth out to bring him to his best behavior, I will.”

“You can’t make someone want me. You can’t force him to be happy with me. Neither can I.”

He squeezes my knee. I know it’s his way of agreeing with me.

“He’ll fuckin’ regret this one day. But I think at this point, there’s no need for Claire to be there full time.”

I lean my head on his shoulder, staring up at the sky. I don’t know what it is about the sky that relaxes me, reminds me how small my problems are compared to the massive universe that surrounds me.

“Maybe you’re right. I don’t know anymore.” I haven’t discussed any of this with Harv or Claire yet. She’s still workingwith Harv post-kiss, and I don’t know how to deal with any of this because all I can think about is Damon.

Silence. Nothing but comfortable silence.

I’m glad I followed Henrik. I take a drag and then another after stealing the joint from him.

“Aren’t you wondering why I cheated on Harv before leaving him?”

He laughs. “Who do I look like?” Laughter erupts from him again. “Who leaves their partner before cheating with the side piece of ass? That’s like leaving a job before finding a new one.”

The conviction in his voice tells me he truly believes his words. I can’t wait to see Hen fall head over heels in love. I might have to bring him a joint, too, when it breaks his heart. Because love does that—it hurts.

I would know.

Gia accosts me after Henrik leaves.

“God, you reek of weed! Are youhigh?”

Here goes.

I put my coat and boots away, ignoring her comment, before walking to the guest bedroom. I want to sleep and forget everything that has happened in the last forty-eight hours. Then I think of Damon inside me, and I know that I don’t mean it.

I don’t want to forget him. No matter the bruised pain sheltering my heart.

“Geez, Gem. You think smoking with another man will solve your problems?”

I face the wall as I change into a long shirt. “It’sHenrik.” I turn around and stare at Gia like she’s crazy.

She shrugs in self-defense. “He’ll do anything to get into a woman’s pants.”

“He wouldn’t do that to Harvey.” Hen and I are friends. She knows that. She’s close with him too. He always had an energy that my soul recognized and felt comfortable around.

“Maybe not, butstill. You’re not a kid anymore, Gem.”

This is the last slap of the day; I can’t handleany more. I want to tell her that I’m twenty-four. Figuring my life out is what I should be doing in my twenties.

“Say something,” she pleads, worry marring her features. A cute frown settles between her brows whenever she’s worried. James loves it too; he always kisses her there after they fight.

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