Page 9 of Splintered Hearts

“It’s fine.” Hunter’s mood says otherwise. The rice cooker pops, so I stand to get us both a bowl. I feel bad for Hunter. He put a lot of thought into moving in with Mark, just for it to end up this way not even twenty-four hours later. “We still on for the party this weekend?”

“Are you still moving out?”

“I’m still moving. This is just a slight bump.”

“A slight bump?”

“A Noah-shaped bump.”

“Is he that bad?” I want to meet the menace. Even more so because I know it’ll piss Mark off.

“Noah isn’t bad, he’s just... a lot. No filter. No boundaries. A lot.”

“He hot?”

“No.” Hunter deadpans, and okay, I was not asking for me—not even a little. It’s been years since I hooked up with anyone, and with the current state of my body, and the problems that come with it ... there’s no way. “Hideous, in fact.” Yeah, I have a feeling that’s a lie.

Whatever, it’s not important. “What do you want to do today?”

“I’ll finish packing while I’m here, maybe load up the car. There’s a Viper’s hockey game on. Can I watch it?”

“Fine.” He can do whatever. I’ll enjoy having him here one last time. I know he and Mark will make up—they always do—then Hunter will move out again and leave me. It shouldn’t be surprising, or hurt as badly as it does.

People always do.

Three

Noah

Who the fuck allowed the sun to have so much audacity?

My eyeballs throb inside my skull. Last night was barely worth the hell I’m in now.

I attempt to open one eye, then snap it closed.

Stupid ball of fire in the sky!

Worse than the pain in my eyes is the lingering scent of my best friend—a hell in itself. I’m not sure what it’s called. Probably one of those manly bro soaps with overly masculine names they sell in the body-wash aisle at the supermarket. Probably something like Kraken asshole or Satan taint.

I’m not sure. What I am sure of is that I’m not at home.

I’m not in my bed with the smell of peach and vanilla and... oh yeah, bonus points, my father tried to kill me because I’m gay.

Fantastic.

I hear the door creak open, and footsteps. Then light assaults my eyes as the heathen I call my best friend bathes the room in harsh sunshine. “Come on!” Groaning into the pillow, I wonder how hard I’d have to press my face against it to smother myself.

“Rise and shine, sweet cheeks.” Mark slaps my ass. “Damn, that’s a firm ass.”

“You should remember. It’s where you spent most of your sophomore year.”

“Ew. Why?”

“You spanked me!” I roll onto my back and splay my armsacross his bed. “Kill me ah—” I wheeze as Mark’s weight lands on top of me. “Get off!” He listens, only to rip the blankets off as I try to wrap them around my head. “I’m going to kill you. Then I’ll console Hunter while he grieves you—don’t worry, it won’t be for long—then I’ll make him mine.”

“Hunter doesn’t find you attractive.”

I snort. “Sure thing, babe. Whatever helps you sleep at night.”

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