Page 106 of Splintered Hearts

“I have to pee.” His face reddens. I get up, holding out an arm. “I can do it!”

“Save the attitude. Your spicy moods don’t work on me.”Scowling, he grabs my arm, struggling to stand. “Need me to hold and aim for you?”

“Fuck off.” I see a tiny smile on his lips.

Waiting outside the bathroom, I remember his mother’s offer.

Two weeks. Sure, I’ll be taking care of Jamie, but it honestly doesn’t seem that bad at all. It seems like a gift in a way. I wanted to spend more time with him and now’s my chance. Jamie needs me, and she’s not wrong, he does listen to me. I can’t see another caregiver having any luck with this stubborn man.

The door opens and Jamie towers over me, a little pale but looking a bit better after some sleep. “Let’s get you fed.”

“What’s wrong?” I blink my attention away from the TV as I eat.

“What?”

“You’re quiet. I’m not used to that,” Jamie says.

“Ha ha, so funny. A regular comedian... Just a long day is all.”

“I’m sorry.”

I sigh.

Jamie stares into his soup, the air tensing around us. “What’s wrong?”

“I have to tell you something.”

“What?”

“Earlier, while you were asleep, your mother asked me something.” I set my noodles down. I hope he doesn’t lose his shit. “She watched the way I pulled your ass into line.” He scowls. “She wanted to know if she could hire me to take care of you while you recovered.”

“No.”

“Jamie—”

“No. No way. That’s... that’s so wrong, that’s... I’m not your responsibility. I’m an adult, I—”

“Can you shut up for five minutes?” He narrows his eyes on me but I ignore him. “I’m going to do it. It’s not that big a deal. She’sgiving me a few weeks’ leave from the library, and my job is safe. It’s no different than what I was doing earlier.

“You are not going to babysit me!”

“You’re correct, because you are going to stop being a self-sabotaging dickhead and take care of yourself. I won’t be here to change your diapers and ensure you eat.”

Jamie’s glower deepens. “Asshole.”

“Well, if you ever want a shot at mine again you’ll listen, like a good boy!” I beam. “I’ll just be here if you need me and to help out. If you really are uncomfortable with it I won’t, but honestly, this is the best you’re going to get. Your mother is going to hire a caretaker if I don’t.” Alarm slashes his features. “Exactly. I already live here. We get along... most of the time. It just makes sense.”

Jamie doesn’t say a word. When he finally finishes his food I stand to clean up our empty containers, then go to Jamie’s room to grab his muscle relaxers, painkillers, his antidepressants—the works.

Then, grabbing a sports drink, I sit on the coffee table right in front of him and take out the pills he needs, watching him shake his head. “I’ll give you a reward for each pill you take.” I smirk.

That seems to intrigue him. Taking the first, he swallows it, not looking away from my eyes. I laugh at his curiosity before leaning in softly and pressing a kiss to his cheek. Pulling back, I hand him another. He swallows it faster, and I lean in, kissing the flower outline on his neck and drinking in his shiver. “Last one.”

He takes it eagerly and I wait for him to swallow. “Good boy,” I whisper, leaning in and giving him a kiss. His tongue begins to prod it’s way into my mouth but I pull back. “Let me help you to the bathroom so we can get ready for bed.”

Jamie nods, letting me help him, and I watch him grip the sink as he brushes his teeth. “That bad?”

“My body is a prison,” he mumbles with toothpaste in his mouth. Spitting it out, he washes his face, whimpering with the movement.

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