Page 90 of Splintered Hearts

“I’ll leave you both to it.” Hearing the door close again, I wait amoment before I ask what I want to.

“Almost done.”

“Can I ask a question?”

She sighs. “Is it the question I know you’re going to ask?”

“Maybe . . .”

She takes a breath. “Yes, I know he’s in love with me. No, I am not in love with him. Yes, he knows that. No, I won’t settle. Yes, I love him more than anything, it’s just not—”

“Romantic.”

“No, it’s not. He knows it too. I’m not stringing him along, don’t you worry.”

“I know you wouldn’t.” There are people you meet who you can just feel are good down to their bones. Bri is one of them.

“I just prefer women. I’m not saying it could never happen with a guy, but most likely not. Unless Levi Ackerman stops battling Titans to woo me. Hand to God, I’d never look at a pair of titties again.”

“So, women it is then?”

She laughs. “Yes. Most likely. It’s been hard, though.”

“Since . . . their sister?”

I feel the sigh she lets out. “I miss her so much.” Brianna lifts her finger, blending something along my temple. I won’t question her. “She was—” She laughs. “A pain right in my ass.” It’s quiet for a moment, and I let her have a second. “Sometimes, I wonder if this is it. I wonder if I’ve already found my person and no one else can compare. I’m happier being alone than being with anyone who isn’t her.” Reaching out slowly, I find the side of her leg, rubbing her soothingly.

“I’m sorry. I can’t even imagine.”

She grabs my hand, giving it a good squeeze. “I don’t mind talking about her but...” She’s quiet for a moment. “Don’t bring her up to Jamie.”

“I won’t.” It seems like they all avoid talking about her infront of him. Why? I understand grief works in many forms, but Jamie seems to get angry when anyone just mentions her. What happened?

“He likes you,” she says.

“No, he doesn’t.”

Bri sits in my lap, finishing up the other side of my face. “Jamie’s a prickly bastard,” she says. “But he’s a soft little dough boy underneath it. Growing up, he was never shown real love. I think that’s why he struggles with Lia.”

“What do you mean?”

“I think, in his head, he doesn’t believe we all love him as much as we do. It’s why he acts so distant sometimes. I don’t like pushing his boundaries, but... when I see it’s that mental block in his mind and not what he wants, I tend to push his buttons.”

I do that too. I know sometimes Jamie just doesn’t like to ask for help or comfort. I’d give him both willingly. “I don’t know what we’re doing.” Jamie doesn’t want anything with me, though. I know that. Time and time again, he’s said he isn’t interested in that.

“Nobody cares more for the people around him than Jamie does. It’s just his execution that needs work.” Bri smiles, looking over her work. “Done!” She loops her arms around my neck, hugging me as we look in the mirror.

“Holy shit, you’re so talented.” My eyes practically pop against the smoky-brown eye shadow. A soft blush spreads up my cheeks and temple with a tiny bit on my nose.

My phone buzzes. Grabbing it, I see Mark’s text.

Mark: Pulling in.

“We better go. Thank you!”

Stepping out into the living room, I hear voices. Jamie is talking to Xavier, and when he turns to face me as I walk into the room,my heart catches in my throat.

Holy hot damn!

---