Page 31 of Splintered Hearts

“One night. That’s all I wanted,” Hunter snaps. “We’re going home.”

“Why?”

“Noah! Now.”

Noah folds his arms. “My boner right now is from Jamie, not because of that growly Daddy tone you’re using with me. I want that stated for the record.”

“Christ.” Hunter presses the heels of his palms into his eyes.

Mark is less than amused. “Come on.”

“I’m sorry.” Noah offers me a small smile, still smudged by the magic he just performed on me.

“Wait.” I reach out, cupping his face and ignoring the irritation from our friends, wiping the smear of gloss on his lips. “There.”

Pink blooms across his face, making his freckles stand out more. “Maybe sometime you can return the favor.”

Nine

Noah

There isn’t a problem iced coffee can’t fix.

I need to buy creamer, though. Mark uses half and half, and Hunter’s a beast, only drinking his black. The man in question went to work an hour ago, barely saying a word to me, and okay, yeah, I feel like shit. I don’t know what to tell him. Have a less delicious best friend?

Mark and Hunter fought when we got home last night. I knew Mark didn’t like Jamie but damn, I don’t get it, or Mark’s warnings. Jamie was... sweet. Well, maybe not sweet... but shy, and kind to me. I don’t get it, and I love Mark more than anything, but I also know his temper. That fucker can hold a grudge.

Coming into the kitchen, Mark scrubs his face, wearing no shirt and gray sweatpants slung low on his narrow hips—a sight no one should be subjected to this early in the morning.

“Do you mind? I’m trying to enjoy my coffee.” Flipping me off, Mark grabs the pot, pouring himself a cup. Another snarky comment dances on my tongue, but I bite it back. Mark’s eyes are red—from lack of sleep or crying, I’m not sure. I have a feeling that if I’d not been sleeping on the couch last night, one of them would have.

“I’m so fucking mad at you.”

“What’s the big deal?” I understand he doesn’t want me to be with Jamie. We hooked up. It’s not like I want to move in andplay happy home.

Jamie’s proposition comes to mind.

Okay... well, maybe that is what I may want to do.

“I know you. That’s the problem. I know you probably want to see him again, and he’ll hurt you. I’m tired of watching asshole after asshole use you.”

“It’s not that—”

“Jaelin? Soccer team. He kept you as a side piece and I warned you about him.”

“Oh come on that’s—”

“Had a girl back home and a fucking baby, Noah. I knew his excuses were weird when he ditched you.”

“But that’s—”

“Lane, that motocross fuck who made you think you two were going to move in together after he graduated. Turned out he was already engaged to some guy back home.”

“He didn’t—”

“Benson. You remember Benson?”

“Come on—”

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