Page 5 of Splintered Hearts

“No, it’s fine. Stay as long as you need.” Mark reaches out a hand. “Let me cuddle that ass like we did in college.” He wiggles his blond brows and I gag.

“I will sleep in the yard.” Mark giggles, knowing I won’t do any such thing. “Don’t bring up our dark past.” Back in college we were strictly fuck buddies, then after a misunderstanding, briefly enemies. Then I forced him to be my best friend.

An unconventional start to our friendship for sure.

Hunter comes back into the living room with a bag, wearing an ice-blue hoodie I’m positive belongs to Mark. “Xavi is going to help me move tomorrow, that still okay?”

“Of course.” Mark pouts, tugging Hunter’s hoodie strings for a kiss as he passes.

I feel like shit. “I don’t mind sleeping on the couch, really.”

“Get some sleep. You need it.”

“You can sleep with us. I can sleep between—oh! A Mark-Noah-Hunter sandwich sounds like fun. I promise I only get hard when I’m nervous.”

“I would rather burn my pubes off.”

“Vivid. Thank you.”

Hunter gives me a sleepy smile, patting me on the head before looking at Mark. “I love you.” Giving his shoulder a soft squeeze, he walks out the door without sparing Mark another glance.

“You need a shower before you get into my bed.”

“I don’t smell.”

“You smell like sweat, shame, and blood. You need a shower. My bed is my temple.”

“You eat chips in bed.” But Mark’s icy stare doesn’t waver. “Fine!”

Exhaustion smacks me.

“Fuck that man.” He grabs me in a hug and I sink into the comfort.

“Hunter is a little hairy for my taste, but if you’re okay with it,” I whisper.

I lose Mark’s arms lightning fast. “Even when you’re in pain you’re still an asshole. I meant your father, but I know you know that.” Mark glares. “Hunter’s not that hairy.”

“He is, but it’s hot. It’s giving lumberjack daddy vibes and I’m into it.”

“I don’t know whether that’s a compliment or not.”

“I don’t want you guys to stop whatever you’re doing because of me. I’ll figure myself out, I just need a night to process.” Mark and Hunter are starting the next phase of their lives. I won’t get in the middle of it.

“Just worry about you. We’ll figure everything else out in the morning.”

The shower feels good.

Mark’s arms feel better.

And as I lie in them, I pray for sleep to find me before the tears do.

Two

Jamie

My security system beeps, but I’d be more concerned by it at this hour if I hadn’t seen the lights of Hunter’s jeep shine down my driveway.

One day. Damn. I’d given it at least a week.

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