Page 62 of Splintered Hearts

“Can we just talk about—”

“Not right now.”

“Listen to me.” Pinching my lips shut, I don’t give in, and Jamie’s jaw ticks as he puts his sketchbook down, swiveling in his chair to face me. “You’ve been avoiding me. I know I fucked up and I’m so sorry. I want to know why you’re still not talking to me.”

“Noah, just—”

“No, I won’t be sorry about checking on you. You don’t look good.” What am I saying? My mind’s a mess. “I’m sorry about what I did. It’s just, your stomach—”

“Stop it.” The shower, the way I touched them... Something happened, and I want to know what.

“If it’s scars, why would you think I’d care?”

Jamie stands abruptly. “I don’t give a fuck how you feel.”

Stepping closer, I’m not about to let this man try and intimidate me. “That’s a lie. You and I both know it. I hate that you feel like you should be embarrassed. I don’t care that you—”

“Not everything is about you. This has nothing to do with you!”

“Yes it does, or you wouldn’t be ignoring me.”

“Maybe I just don’t like you.” Swallowing hard, I feel real tears prick my eyes. Jamie sees it too, and he wavers, showing his comment for the lie that it was. It seems he uses being nasty as a defense. Well, I’m not going to be bullied into turning away.

“Then why did you come into the shower with a shirt and boxers on if you don’t care?” He clenches his jaw so tight I’m surprised his teeth don’t crack. “I’ve already seen your dick! It’s not exactly like we were going for modesty.”

Check. Mate.

Ignoring the ice wall building between us, I set my hockey book down on his nightstand and hand over the markers. Jamie glares before his gaze flicks to them. “What’s this?”

“A peace offering, but I can see you need space. I just want to tell you I’m sorry if I pushed your boundaries earlier this week. I thought we were playing around and I’m sorry. I just want you to know that you should never feel embarrassed. Whether or not you care how I feel about it, just know there’s nothing wrong with you or your stupid gorgeous body. I’ll leave you be, okay? Goodnight!”

Jamie catches my wrist as I go to leave, and I turn around to face him as his face softens and his jaw unclenches. “I’m sorry. I’m just really tired. I haven’t been sleeping but that’s not your fault. And I’m sorry for ignoring you, that was—” Jamie’s eyes close and he scrubs his hands over his face. “I’m sorry.”

“I shouldn’t have pushed. But if I made you uncomfortable earlier this week I didn’t mean to. I thought we were playing around.”

Jamie runs his tongue along his cheek. “I have to get used to this. I’m sorry. Hunter, he pretty much—”

“Let you have your way?”

Jamie’s lip twitches. “Yeah, you could say that.” A genuine smile spreads on his lips. It’s small but it’s there. A tiny victory. “It’s your home also. Just please, if I need space, give me space.”

“I’ll respect that.” Jamie cocks a brow. “I’ll try my best.” I salute him and Jamie laughs. “Scouts honor.”

“What are these?” He gestures to the markers in my hand.

“I don’t want to bother you. I’m just glad we’re okay. Weareokay, right?”

“We’re okay, Noah.” Jamie’s large hand squeezes my shoulder before sliding down to squeeze my bicep gently. The warm touch makes my skin heat. “I want to see it. I do.”

“I can show you in the morning. It’s late. You should probably sleep.”

“No.” He closes his eyes, and I watch him in real time gather some patience, or courage. “I can’t sleep and I’m in a lot of pain.That’s why I was outside smoking. It’s fine. I want to see.”

“Your back? Hunter said you have some health things—”

“Yes. My back.”

Jamie’s eyes plead with me not to pry further. “We got these in at the library. They needed special markers, and they accidentally got these. Your mom thought you’d like them.”

---