Page 167 of Splintered Hearts

“It’s fine.” At least I got to see him one last time.

“You really care about him, don’t you?” Mark asks, like it’s not an obvious fucking question.

“What the fuck do you think?” I growl.

“Hey!” Hunter snaps. “You’re mad at yourself, not Mark. Don’t talk to him like that. I know you both have issues, however stupid I find them, but you need to find some common fucking ground where I don’t want to kick both your asses. Got it? I’ve had enough! I love both you dipshits. I want you to at least be civil to each other. And I hate to break it to you, Jamie, but if you want Noah back, then you two are going to have to kiss and make up, because while their relationship is fucking weird, those two idiots love each other more than they’ll ever love us. We have to deal with that. So if you want even a shot at getting him back you’re going to have to play nice.”

For Noah, I can do that. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry for being anasshole.”Even though you fucking deserve it most the time.“If we can, I’d like to try and be decent to each other.”

Mark’s quiet for a moment, looking away. “I... can try that.”

Hunter kicks his shoe. “And!”

“And I’m sorry too.”

“So sweet I could fucking cry. Are we ready to go home?” Hunter asks.

Home.

Home, without Noah.

It’s not home anymore. I’ve lived in that house for years and only recently has it felt like home. It houses way too many memories. I can’t look at an inch of that place without something making me think of him. “He’s really gone.”

“His new place isn’t far.”

“He’s not coming back, he—”

“Holy fuck, Jamie! Grow a fucking spine.”

“Mark!” Hunter snaps.

“No. Don’t start with me! Not after all that back there about me always coddling Noah. Do you love him, or not?!” he shouts at me. I glare. “That’s what I thought. Do you want to be with him?”

“Of course I do!”

“Then strap your fucking balls back on and go get him back! This pity shit is so damn old. You want Noah back, fucking fight for him.” This is as close as I’ll ever get to Mark accepting our relationship.

“He’s right. You haven’t lost yet.” Hunter squeezes my bicep.

“I don’t even now how to begin. Saying sorry isn’t enough.”

Noah’s tired of people borrowing pieces of him and never giving any of their own pieces in return. Take, take, take. The wheels turn and a plan forms in my head. A solid plan. Noah needs all of me, or I’m not getting any of him. “I think I do know.”

I tell them my plan and how I’ll prove to Noah I’ve changed. Hunter smiles but Mark still doesn’t look convinced. “We’ll definitely help.”

“Yeah. I guess.” Mark shrugs. “First you need to do one thing for me.”

“What?” Fuck, I’ll do anything at this point if they—

“Get on your hands and knees and beg me.”

“Ex-fucking-cuse me?”

“Babe—”

“Do it. I’ll even help you out with the actual planning.” While this is the last thing I want to do, Mark could give me some insights into Noah I might want. Any help is appreciated. This is way to big to fuck up.

I take a spine-steeling breath, slip onto my knees and bow to him. “Please help me show Noah how much he means to me?”

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