Page 59 of Splintered Hearts

They’re getting ready to finish summer activities, and I’ve been tasked with helping the youth director as well as at the desk, and although the hours are limited for now, I really don’t care. A job is a job, and this is a job at the library—I’m surrounded by books.

A win is a win.

What’s not great is that Jamie hasn’t talked to me since he ran out of the shower. It’s been nearly five days, and I’m just itching to get out of here and see him. I made up my mind this morning, when Jamie left the kitchen as I entered, that I’m going to talk to him after work. I’m going to be home the next two days, and I can’t take this silence anymore.

I need to apologize.

During the week, I gave him space. In the shower, I’d thought we were playing around, but I pushed his boundaries and that was terrible. I feel like shit. More than anything, I want to know what’s going on with him. Why was he wearing that shirt in the shower? What are those marks on his body? Why did he look not just heartbroken but ashamed?

I’ve given him space but I don’t want to keep feeling like he’s walking on eggshells around me. It’s in my nature to push, butthere are boundaries, and it takes me longer than most to figure them out.

Fuck, I really did it this time.

“Excuse me.” Looking up from my book, I see blue eyes smiling back at me.Fantastic. This man’s been in every day since I started, checking out DVDs.

Alright, I need to get my head together.

“Can I help you?”

Elbows on the counter, he leans forward, hitting me with a white smile. “Could you help me find a horror book?”

“What kind of horror?”

“What do you recommend?”

Leaning in, his eyes light up but I’m not in the mood. I have the feeling DVDs aren’t the only reason he’s been in constantly. “Well...”

“Ben.”

“Well, Ben...” Pure interest brightens his blue eyes. Flirting and teasing are my specialty, but I’m cautious. “Personally, I don’t read horror.”

“Whatdoyou like to read?” Looking at the little name tag on my baby-blue sweater, he smiles. “Noah.” He rolls my name over his tongue and something flutters in my belly. “Cute name.”

“Thanks.” My face heats as I try to focus on the catalog and not on the handsome man clearly giving it his best. Trying to think of things Mark likes to read, I come up blank. Horror just isn’t for me, and since Mark’s still mad at me I don’t feel like phoning a friend. “I like romance books.”

“What are you reading right now?” Leaning over, he peeks at my book. A little pushy, but maybe I’m just on edge with everything that’s happened lately. This guy’s trying to be nice and I just don’t have the spoons for it.

“I uh—” Ben bites his bottom lip, and his eyes go to it. “It’s a hockey romance between two teammates.”

“Can I see?”

Whatever. What’s the harm? I hand him my book, with the ripped model dressed in nothing but a helmet and hockey sticks, and Ben’s grin grows. “Looks hot.”

“It is.”

“They have these here?”

“It’s my copy.” It’s the last one in a series I absolutely love. Living with my dad I couldn’t have physical copies of these books. I kept them in my e-reader. When I got this job I decided to treat myself and buy all five books to keep on my shelf. I wish there were spicier books here, though.

Maybe I’ll have to recommend some.

“That’s a shame. This looks good.” Well, I’m not lending my book out. That’s a strict rule. No one borrows my books, not even Mark.

Especially Mark.

That monster dog-ears pages.

“I can help you find something else?”

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