Page 155 of Splintered Hearts

“What?”

“The tattoo.”

“No.”

“Yes. Show me. I’m not leaving until you show me, and we both know your ass won’t drive.”

“You’re a brat!” Whatever. I lift my shirt. Xavi’s eyes go to my scars first—it’s the first time he’s seen them—then they land on the tattoo.

“Holy. Shit.”

“Yeah . . .”

“Wow.” Shaking his head, he turns on the ignition. “Not even going to ask how that came about. You do love him. Jesus. Madd would be so pissed.”

“Ian did it.” I fix my shirt. “Told me you got some ink too you fucking punk. Why didn’t you tell me?”

It’s quiet for a moment. “I didn’t want you to be mad.”

Why am I such a dick? “I wouldn’t have been upset.”

“I don’t know if you’re aware, but you haven’t exactly been the voice of reason these last few years.” My heart breaks a little more. I’m done. I have to get better, if not for me then for the people I love around me. Holding on to all this anger is only hurting the people I love most.

“I want to see it. Or them? How many do you have?”

“I have three.” Xavi smiles.

“Let me see.” I turn to face him. Xavi grabs the back of his shirt, peeling it off. He twists in his seat I so I can see his back. It has his birth mother’s name, Lia’s, and Luci’s in a heart. On his chest is a snarling wolf, and I can truly see in this one just how far Ian has come as an artist. The black and white tattoo looks insanely lifelike. Finally, my eyes land on the tattoo on his ribs and I look at him, deadpan. “Really?”

“What! Charizard is awesome!” I can’t believe the Pokémon tattoo flying over the length of his ribs. “Hurt like a bitch. So worth it.” It does look sick, all done in color with fire breathing out of it’s snout.

“Insane.”

“You have a rainbow cock on your chest. Don’t you dare judge me!” Xavi puts his shirt back on. “Imagine how the tattoo would have looked if Maddox had done it. He’d definitely have tried to butch it up a bit. Maybe give the little penis biceps and a katana.” I wouldn’t have let him, though, because it’s perfect as it is.

The golden cartoon penis with a rainbow head is perfect.

Rainbow-glitter cock.

I can’t stop laughing and neither can he.

“Yep. You have gone manic. How am I going to tell Mom I broke you?” Putting the car in drive, he slowly steers us out of the cemetery. “Take you home?”

A thought comes to mind, and words tumble out of my mouth before I can think twice. “Take me to Mark’s.”

“What?”

“I need to talk to Noah.” I have to tell him. He might hate me, that’s fine. I need to tell him, though. I can’t go another minute with him believing he means nothing to me. I need to make this right. As right as I can anyway.

I need my little fox to come home.

Thirty Nine

Jamie

“Oh, he’s going to punch you.”

I glare at my brother, but shit, he may be right. “I’m hoping that’s not the case.” Knocking on Mark’s door, I brace myself. I have no idea what’s on the other side of this door but both Hunter’s jeep and Noah’s car are here.

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