Page 13 of Broken Pieces

I blink a few times, trying to get my vision to focus as I struggle to remember who he is.

He’s got a kind face and bright blue eyes that don’t stray from mine.

It takes a long minute to place him, but I eventually remember him from Chloe's boyfriend's car. “Oh! James?” My words are so slurred, I’m surprised he understands me at all. He sits down next to me, his knee touching mine.

“Glad you finally came to one of these by yourself! I can never get a look in with you when your brothers are around.” He runs a hand over his short brown hair as he settles in even closer to me.

“Oh, don’t get me started on them!” I say, rolling my eyes. My blood heats just at the thought of Max and Maddox. I want to go find them and scream at them until they stop ignoring me, but I think I’ve forgotten how to work my legs.

“Yeah, seriously don’t. Not unless you want your buzz ruined for the whole evening,” Chloe’s boyfriend scoffs.

The alcohol’s already made me forget his name.

Actually, it’s made me forget a lot of things tonight.

Where are Max and Maddox?They're always here.

“Don’t be mean.” Chloe swats his chest and he pulls her back down onto his lap making her squeal, then he grabs the back of her head and starts shoving his tongue down her throat.

“Where are they?” James asks, looking around.

“Who?” I ask, confused as I follow his gaze across the crowd of people around us.

“Your brothers.”

“Oh, home. I think. I don’t remember.” I look around like I’ll be able to spot them lurking in the shadows, watching me.

James’ eyes light up and he presses himself a little closer to me.

One of his arms drapes over my shoulders as the other rests on my knee. I try to shift myself forward, but the room spins and I end up sinking back into the soft cushions of the couch.

“I’ve been trying to talk to you for a while now, actually. You know we’re going to the same college?”

“We are?”

He nods eagerly, a bright smile on his face matching the light in his eyes. “Yeah, I thought it would be good to exchange numbers, hang out once we’re there. What classes are you taking?”

Oh, this question I know the answer to. “A lot. Classics and creative writing are the only ones I’m excited for though.” I made sure to pack my schedule as full as possible, partly because I actually enjoy studying and partly so I wouldn't have time to think about the twins.

“No way! I’m doing classics as well, we can partner up.”

My eyes widen as he sayspartner upand he laughs.

He squeezes my knee, as he leans into my ear. “Come on, let’s go somewhere quiet to talk more.”

James takes my hand and I’m pulled from the chair, my feet following him before my mind’s even decided if that’s what I want to do.

Looking back over my shoulder, I try to see if Chloe's paying any attention, but she's still got her face glued to her boyfriend's.

Maybe this is exactly what I need. A random hookup to getthemout of my system.

I stare at James’ shoulders as he moves, imagining what he would look like shirtless, but my mind comes up empty.

His muscles don’t dance like Max’s or Maddox’s. I’m not left with the urge to keep staring or to touch him, like I am with them.

He leads me upstairs, past countless faces I don’t recognise, all lost in their own conversations and drinks.

“Where are we going?” I ask, but it must be too loud for him to hear me because he doesn't say anything.

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