Page 112 of Splintered Hearts

“Sunset. I’ve always wanted to do it while the sun sets.” While the man I’m with looks at me like I’m the best thing that has ever happened to him. In this scenario, I picture Jamie. Above me. Fucking me slowly. Looking as if I created the universe just for him to live in.

Jamie clears his throat. “It’s my turn to finish, huh?”

“Only if you want to.”

“One second.” Putting the aluminum over the top, he slides one tray into the oven and the other into the fridge. “I’ll text Xavi tomorrow to come get it.” Setting the timer on the oven, he turnsto me. “Fine ass on the counter.” I laugh, looking back. I use my arms to lift myself up onto the counter as Jamie steps between my legs. My arms are like fucking magnets wrapping around his neck.

“When CPS was called they finally took it seriously. If I had known what was coming, honestly... I wish I’d just stayed with her. Meeting Lia was pure luck, but everything before that was hell. Some homes were okay—most were not—and others were pure evil. I know the system is as flawed as the government that runs it, but it’s ironic to me that they’re taking kids out of bad situations only to put them in worse ones.”

“The devil you know.”

“Exactly.”

“What about your father?”

“Some dude my mom met after coming to the States. I don’t even know if he knew she got pregnant. She used to tell me she would have aborted me if she hadn’t found out so late. She was so tiny she didn’t even know she was pregnant until I started moving. She thought she had an ulcer... Nope. Just little old me saying hey, if you could not drink tonight I’d appreciate it.”

“Is she still alive?” I don’t even know whether that’s something he would know.

“No. She died when I was nineteen. A case worker came to our house and told me. I guess she wanted to know whether I wanted her things, but by then I’d been with Lia for three years. I had a family and friends. I had everything.” I don’t miss the emphasis on had, but Jamie’s eyes are glazing a bit.

Instead of saying something, I tug him gently closer to me, kissing his chest. “Thank you for sharing.”

“Food’s almost done.” Jamie helps me down, grabbing a wine glass for me. “Can we finish that book tomorrow?”

“Yes please!” It’s become our thing. We listen to an audio while I update my journal and he draws. It’s quiet and calm, andI fucking love it.

It’s nice, but it isn’t permanent.

The timer dings, startling us both. Jamie gets up, pressing another kiss to my hair before taking out the trays. They smell incredible.

They taste even better.

We make conversation, but I can’t focus on anything other than the things we’ve shared tonight. I’m not sure what it means. All I know is how I feel, and right now, I feel incredible.

Twenty Seven

Noah

Updating my reading journal, I write down all the books I found online today that I want to try. While being home these past two weeks has been great for Jamie’s and my non-relationship, it’s also been amazing for my TBR. I’ve read so much. Earlier today, Jamie had a bad pain episode, and I put his ass on the couch to rest with no room for argument.

While we lay there on the couch watching dramas and listening to an audiobook, I went online and found a ton of new books I want to try, bringing up some titles to Jamie. I never knew how fun it could be to listen to an audiobook with someone. Watching Jamie get frustrated at certain parts was funny. I loved the subtle heat that sprinkled across his nose and flamed his ears when a particular dirty scene played out.

Jamie shifts, brushing my thighs. This couch is big enough for us both, but Jamie is tall. Sitting on the opposite end, surrounded by pillows, he draws, while I sit on the other end and our legs battle for space. I could’ve gotten up and gone to the recliner, but when Jamie had woken up from his nap and came to sit with me, who was I to tell him no? “Are you okay?”

Looking up, he frowns. “Yeah, why?”

“You keep moving.” Looking down, I can see his legs are at a weird angle. “Here.” Moving a bit, I grab his calf, pushing one of his legs between mine, then do the same with my foot, moving it carefully over Jamie’s hip. Fitting comfortably now with ourlegs interlocking, I look up, letting those dark eyes wash over me. “There.” I grab my pen and finish writing down the titles, but feel his eyes on me still. “What?”

I watch him bite the corner of his lip, and he shakes his head with a soft smile. It may just be me, but things seem to have changed. His stern features have been replaced, making him seem younger and lighter. It may just be me, though. “What are you doing?”

“I was looking at books while you slept. Some you’d like too.” Jamie isn’t a fan of the dark romances, he’s more into the cute ones. The warm, fuzzy feeling ones, which I think is fucking adorable.

I also know to be careful with the trigger warnings because abuse of any kind is out of the question, something I unfortunately found out. I’m very careful now, vetting the ones we read together.

“Can I see what you’re writing?” Feeling insecure, I turn the book over to hand it to him. The page I’m currently designing has little doodles, stickers, and washi tape for decoration. “This is really pretty.” Jamie smiles. Light and happy. That’s how he seems lately.

“Are you high?”

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