Page 130 of Splintered Hearts

Crunching gravel startles me and I nearly trip over my own feet to reach the window. Peeking out, I try not to move the curtain too much, seeing a car I’ve never seen before in my driveway. It’s a little foggy, but I can see Noah in the passenger seat talking with a man.

No. Not talking.

Laughing.

Head thrown back, full-body laughs. It’s wrong, and I have no right to it, but jealousy fills me. It’s hard to make out much about the guy. I can’t see very well. Leaning over, Noah hugs him before getting out of his car. Walking up the stone-filled driveway his eyes flick up, briefly locking with my own.

Fuck!

I let the curtain go and rush over to my chair, faking nonchalance as if Noah hadn’t just caught me. Grabbing the book in front of me, I hold it up as the front door opens. I hear him come in before he walks past, not sparing me a glance as he goes to his room and closes the door.

Coming out a moment later with clothes in his hand, Noah walks down the hall to the bathroom, and when I hear the door shut, I go to the kitchen, needing something to stop my hands shaking. Grabbing my steeper and tea, I begin to relax a little, letting my body go through the motions. My thoughts are choking me and since I’m out of weed this will have to do.

I definitely don’t listen to the running water, waiting for it to shut off. The pot whistles, scaring the living shit out of me, and I finish by adding honey and some milk. Turning to the table, I realize I still haven’t put a shirt on. That happens a lot now. It startles even me sometimes, seeing myself in a mirror. For the longest time I didn’t want to see them. Not until Noah’s lips landed on every single one. When I look at my scars now I don’t see the accident. Instead, I see Noah—bright green eyes, glassy with so much want, looking at me from under thick black lashes and wearing nothing but a wicked grin.

Fuck! What am I going to do? Noah is . . . he is . . .

Noah had made everything okay. Maybe not okay, but easier. At the very least he made me easier on myself. Noah taught me it was okay to feel things, and the more I feel the less scary it is. It’sokay to feel shit because Noah would always be there with open arms, ready to support me if needed.

Coming into the kitchen wearing black clingy shorts with skeletal hands on his ass cheeks and no shirt, Noah doesn’t say a word. Opening the fridge, he grabs juice.

I sip my tea, trying so hard to ignore the man now leaning against the counter, facing me. I can see his pink toes pointing in my direction. Swallowing, I look up. His black shorts rest low on his slim hips. His “cum gutters,” as Noah jokingly likes to call them, are predominant.

The air is so thick I’m shocked I don’t choke on it. Not moving, Noah just holds his juice, taking sips in between glaring at me. This is killing me. What the hell did I do? It’s driving me crazy. I have to say something. “Fun night?”

Smooth, asshole.

“The best, actually.” The little shit smirks.

“So happy for you.” I glare into my nearly empty mug.

“You sound thrilled.” The venom in his tone takes me aback. Daring a look, our eyes meet, and I can’t for the life of me look away.

Anger slaps me so hard.

Why the fuck did Noah go through all of this? Why did he even sleep with me and make believe shit was more than it was? Why did I fuck him? Is he crazy? Was the last three weeks just nothing to him? Fuck that. The last few months. Did it all mean nothing?

Nearly vibrating with fury, my eyes harden, then they focus on Noah’s neck, the deep bruise there on his skin.

Fuck.

“Nice.” Snorting, I get up, so fucking done with this bullshit. All common sense is lost to me. “It looks like you had a great night. Good for you, Noah.”

“Fuck you.”

Whirling on him, I run my tongue along the inside of mycheek. “Never again, I can fucking promise you that.”

I set my mug on the counter. I need space. I’m ready to scream, cry... fuck, I’m not even sure.

“Don’t you dare make me the asshole here!” Noah stomps after me. “You’re the one being a fucking asshole.”

“I’m the asshole?” My jaw ticks. “I’m not the one who ran out of here a day later to find a new dick to sit on!”

“Are you joking?!”

“Didn’t even wait for the cum to dry, did you—” My mouth snaps shut. That was... I didn’t... That was too much. Shame engulfs me. “Noah, I’m s—”

Tears well in those beautiful eyes, making them look like glass. The tips of his ears brighten. I watch him swallow. I’ve crossed a line, letting anger get the best of me.

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