Page 4 of Splintered Hearts

“What’s going on?” I hear behind him. Flicking the lights on, Mark rubs sleep out of his blue eyes before they widen. “Holy fuck, Noah, what happened?” A witty comment dances on my tongue but I sag instead. I’m finally safe, and I tumble face first into that safety. Mark grabs me in his arms as a sob chokes out of me. “Who the fuck hurt you? I’ll kill them.”

I wish it were as simple as a date gone wrong. “Gonna be hard, seeing as he runs the largest security firm on the East Coast.”

“Your father did this?” Mark pulls back, inspecting me. “What happened?”

“Apparently, catching his son sucking a cock is just one of his triggers. Funny, right?”

“Holy shit, Noah.” He squeezes the life out of me but I don’t have the energy to tell him it hurts. Everything fucking hurts. Hunter must see it on my face, though, and he touches Mark’s elbow, loosening his grip.

“Come in.”

Mark handing me an iced coffee nearly makes me cry all overagain—he knows me better than anyone on earth. Hunter comes back into the living room wearing a T-shirt and sweats, looking absolutely tickled pink about being awake at this hour. “I’m really sorry.”

Hunter’s jaw ticks. “It’s okay.”

It doesn’t feel okay, but I did wake the man up. Mark sits, running a hand through his shaggy blond hair. It’s a wasted effort, as the chin-length strands fall forward. I know he probably wants to beat the shit out of my dad right now. Tension vibrates from him, and Hunter slides a palm onto his thigh, squeezing it.

Fuck, they’re cute.

Opposites in every damn way, both inside and out. Hunter is shorter, but he has a lifter’s build and works out religiously—the leftover effects of being an athlete all through high school and college until an injury sidelined him. Mark is almost six feet tall and wiry, with ice-blond hair and baby-blue eyes that he got from his Swedish mother.

Their personalities clash as much as their appearances. Mark’s a hothead, quick to anger and overreact, while Hunter is calm and never lets too much bother him.

And shit, did I try to bother him.

“What happened? Tell me everything.”

So I do, start to finish. From the guy I took home, to my father finding me sucking his dick, to getting the shit kicked out of me, to running away. “I’m so fucking dumb.”

“Yes, but not because you’re gay.” The growl in his tone almost makes me smile. “You hate working for him. You should have come to stay with me after you graduated and said,fuck him. That’s what makes you dumb.”

“Babe—” Hunter squeezes his thigh and I’m thankful. I know Mark means well but his style of support is a little abrupt and to the point right now. I don’t need a lecture. I need a friend.

“Can I stay here tonight? Just for the night.”

“Stay as long as you need—” Mark looks at Hunter. “I’m sorry. I keep forgetting, it’s not just me now. Do you mind?”

Hunter’s quiet for a moment before a smile slowly appears. I see it for the forced thing it is. “That’s fine.” He gets up. “I’m going to stay at the other house, just for tonight, so Noah can sleep in our bed.”

“You don’t have to do that,” I protest.

“You’re going to be in a lot of pain tomorrow. You need to sleep in a real bed. You look like shit.”

“Thanks, Puck Daddy.”

“Puck—” Hunter’s eyes close before he shakes his head, leaning down to kiss Mark on the forehead. “Be here for your friend.” Hunter disappears down the hall.

“Do you need a hospital?”

I don’t think so. The pain’s bad, but most of it feels surface level. Maybe a broken rib or two, but there wouldn’t be much they could do for that and I can breathe easier now. Part of me is afraid my father will find me if I check in to one. “Where is Hunter going?”

“To his old roommate.” I don’t miss the bitter tone.

“Jealous?”

“No. I just can’t stand him. Not really in a position to argue with him about it now, though, am I?”

“I’m sorry. I know you shouldn’t have to deal with this right now.”

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