Page 35 of Splintered Hearts

Jamie.

Ten

Noah

Right there.

Oh, fuck!

Right fucking there.

Well, good news. Mark and Hunter have made up. The bad news? Well... “Holy fuuck,” Mark cries out, and honestly, I’m a little concerned for my best friend. Mark’s house is way too fucking small to deal with this shit.

Sleeping here with just Mark was fine—it was peaceful and comfortable. One thing about me? I love to be a big spoon and cuddle, and Mark was more than happy to let me.

It was peace and harmony.

“That’s the spot, huh, my filthy little whore.”

“That doesn’t even make sense!” I yell. “Mark is taller!” Jesus, they need to wrap it up. This is the third time tonight their groaning has bled from the walls. I get that they’re making up for lost time, but damn.

I squeeze my pillow around my head. If I press hard enough, maybe I’ll smother myself.

Death would be kind.

Slamming back down on the couch, I keep my pillow around my head. Anything at this point would be better than listening to this shit. Who has this much stamina? What about chafing?

Waiting for sweet, sweet death, I unfortunately don’t fade toblack. The noises stop. I try to get comfortable, but I currently have an embarrassing problem in my briefs. Fucking Mark. Or rather, Hunter fucking Mark.

My dick is broken. “You remember what college was like,” I whisper to the idiot in my boxers. “We do not want to go back there!” Throwing my pillow across the room, I wince as it nearly hits a lamp. I don’t even want to test sleep right now. With my luck, I’d probably dream about them fucking.

Getting up, I make myself an iced coffee.

Yes, it’s nearly midnight, and no, I do not care. Few things in life can instantly fix my mood, but iced coffee is one of them. Maybe I could watch a movie? Mark and Hunter are probably dead to the world now anyway. No wonder Jamie didn’t want Mark around.

Oh, Jamie.

Thinking his name leads me down a path I’ve visited more than once since that party. It’s been nearly a week, and normally, hookups leave my mind the moment they leave my line of sight.

I don’t want to push Mark, or ask Hunter and risk him being angry again. They’re finally getting along again, even with me on their couch.

With every passing night, Jamie’s offer to move in sounds better and better. I’d gotten my phone turned back on days ago, now what I need is his number. While the noises down the hall have stopped, the ones in my head have amplified without the gross distraction.

I know at some point I’ll have to deal with the reality my father has shoved me into. It’s just hard to fully believe this is it.

He disowned me.

It was my greatest fear growing up, when I realized I didn’t like all the pretty girls at school. When Matty Thesan, a quarterback at my private school, kissed me under the bleachers, my entire world lit up.

It also crumbled.

From that day on I knew I’d never fully be who my father wanted me to be. It’s not like he’s ever been loving, but disowning me?

I’m truly dead to him.

I take another sip of my drink. There’s nothing wrong with me, and even though he beat me black and blue I’ll still never believe there is. For the first time ever, I get to be exactly who I am, without any strings or smoke and mirrors.

Hunter’s phone catches my eye as the wheels begin to turn in my brain. I crane my neck toward the hall, listening for any noises but hearing none. They’ve probably passed out in a cum coma.

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