Page 55 of Splintered Hearts

“What . . . what is this?”

“Seven hundred dollars. Next two months rent.”

“Wait, you don’t have to—”

“I don’t need your help!”

“That’s not—”

“I need to unpack. Please get out.” Jamie just stands there, and it takes all I have not to give in to the heat behind his eyes. Embarrassment makes my skin itch.

“Noah, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean—”

“It’s fine. Just please. I want to unpack.” Turning away from him, I finally hear him concede, shutting the door softly.

Sinking onto my bed, I take a shaky breath. I’ve tried so hard these last few weeks to forget about what happened. It still hurts, but Jamie pitying me feels even worse. This was supposed to be a fresh start.

Great job.

Fourteen

Noah

I’m a dick.

I don’t know what came over me, but sitting in my room alone for hours has been an easy way for me to get bored. I realize I acted sort of insane. It wasn’t right that Jamie lied, but I may have overreacted a bit. Jamie just wanted to help me and I let embarrassment take over logic.

You are one dramatic asshole.

First I have to pee, and I need a shower, and then I’ll go to Jamie, apologizing on my hands and knees if I have to. Whatever this is with Jamie, it’s something I want to explore, and being a brat is not the way to go about it. Heat blooms in my stomach. There’s just something about him. Something that refuses to let go of me. All he did was try to give me time to pay rent and I overreacted.

Grabbing my clothes, I peek out my door, not seeing Jamie in the living room. After walking into the bathroom, I flick on the light, listening but still not hearing a thing down the hall.

Maybe he’s asleep.

After washing my hands and looking for a towel, I step out of my clothes. I’m about to turn the shower knobs on when I hear a light knock. “Hey. Can we talk when you’re done? I want to talk about earlier.” It’s quiet for a moment before I hear a sigh and soft cursing. “I’ll be in the kitchen, okay?”

Looking down, I decide to have some fun.

Plus, Jamie deserves a treat after I acted like a brat earlier.

Going to the door, I take a deep breath. “You can come in. I’m decent.” Turning the knob, Jamie opens the door, taking a second to comprehend just what he’s seeing before his eyes practically pop out of his head. “Hello, roomy.”

“What the fu—you said you were decent!”

“I am.”

He covers his eyes and I have to laugh.

“You’re naked!”

“So . . . more than decent.”

“I’ll talk to you when you’re done being a jackass.” As he turns to leave I grab him by his sweater, pulling him back and shutting the door. Jamie backs up against it, trying to grab the handle, glaring down at me with his lips pinched.

“Want to help me?”

When I notice his eyes on my body, Jamie looks away. “No. I want to talk to you.”

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