Page 116 of Splintered Hearts

The entire black shelf is painted to look like a galaxy. Blues and teals, pinks and purples, with a smattering of white stars. “Holy shit.”

“I know you’ve been looking for one. I called down to the thrift store on Monticello and checked. I’ve been slowly painting it for a while now.” I can’t believe this. I want to reach out and touch it, but I’m afraid to ruin it. “I just need to finish the bottom.”

“How did you hurt yourself?”

Jamie rubs the back of his neck. “I had to get it onto the drop cloth. It’s pretty heavy—”

“Jamie!”

“I know! I know, okay. I just wanted to get it done for you and didn’t want you to know.” I can’t believe this. This has to be thenicest thing anyone has ever done for me. “I can’t believe you thought I was messing around with someone.” The hurt in his voice makes me feel like shit.

“I just thought... I mean, you can but—”

“Do you know that until you, I hadn’t slept with anyone in nearly five years? I mean, I tried during that time. Apps and whatever. But I just... it just didn’t happen. It’s been years since I’ve even had the desire to try, and then my body. I just... gave up.”

“I didn’t mean to accuse you. I just thought, maybe—” Jamie laces his fingers around my wrist, spinning me to face him.

“I’m not seeing anyone, nor do I plan to, okay? I mean that.”

“I’m sorry.” I swallow, nodding and taking another look at the shelf. “How much work is left?”

“Not a lot. I’m nearly done. Maybe another week, and Hunter said he’ll bring it down when it’s finished.”

One week. “It’s so beautiful. Thank you so much.” I hug him. Tight. Too tight, with the grunt he let’s out. “Sorry.” Jamie just hugs me back, though—tighter. “This is amazing.” I feel like the floor is going to give way, but Jamie holds me steady as I feel like crumbling. What I need to do is be honest with him, and myself. If Jamie can’t give me something permanent I need to let go.

Even if he doesn’t want me at the end of this.

Twenty Eight

Noah

“Sit.”

Freezing as he steps into the living room, Hunter shakes his head. “No.”

“Don’t be shy, Puck Daddy.” Temptation is going to get his ass, I know it. I’m a fucking delight, and curiosity has always won me more arguments than it’s lost me.

“No.” Well, aren’t we stubborn.

Mark, being the Hunter whisperer, moves a chair out for him knowing he’s going to join us. I’m not totally sure whether Mark wants to do this either, but I need a distraction. My mind has been a mess since last night. “What are we even playing?”

“Strip poker.”

“And I’m out.” Hunter stands as Mark snatches the back of his shorts, yanking him back down and flashing me some ass crack.

“You’re not leaving me alone in this, babe. Just humor him.”

Hunter shakes his head. “This is beyond humoring anyone.”

“It’s a bonding experience.” This isn’t my first strip-poker rodeo and it won’t be my last. I love games, and I love dick, so look at me finding a game to put two and two together. “You remember our old strip-poker nights on campus?” I wink at Mark, who’s looking less and less enthusiastic about playing. “You used to love to play.”

“Yeah, but back then I was trying to fuck the guys we played—” Mark snaps his lips shut. “Sorry.“ Hunter sighs deeply. “MaybeI’ll still get lucky after this game,” Mark jokes, bumping his shoulder.

“Not likely,” Hunter mumbles.

“I just need a distraction, and I also want to see Hunter naked. I figure two birds or whatever.”

Pushing the chips toward them both across the coffee table, I state the rules, as loose as they are, and assign clothing to chips. It isn’t the most accurate and correctly played version but I don’t care. Currently, I’m wearing Jamie’s hoodie that smells like cedar and fucking mint—that asshole always smells so damn good, and I love wearing his clothing. His scent wraps around me like the biggest, warmest hug. It’s delicious.

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