Page 91 of Splintered Hearts

Jamie, sans beanie, stands in the living room, his hands stuffed in the pockets of the dark-wash jeans he’s wearing. They mold to his thighs—thighs I want wrapped around my head—and he’s wearing a red T-shirt that’s fitted to his body. Damn, does he look good. Taller. More confident.

While he looks hot, I can’t help but miss the worn sweats, oversized sweaters, and tees. Not that I’m complaining. Jamie looks so fine. “You look—”

Our door opens and Hunter walks in. Then Mark walks in laughing, and it takes me a second to understand why untill I see the man following in after him.

“Hey.” Hunter squeezes Jamie’s arms, giving him a look.

“Damn, look at you.” Letting Mark pull me into a hug, I’m a little confused. “This is Noah,” he says to the man. “I hope it’s okay, I brought a friend from work. This is Josh. He’s helping out with a game we’re working on.”

“Hi.” Josh reaches out his hand. He’s handsome—reddish-brown curls mussed on top of his head, bright blue eyes drinking me in. An easy smile splits his face, the kind that months ago would have made me melt. “I hope it’s okay. Mark mentioned he was going to a game night tonight, and it’s been a while since I’ve been around friends.”

“Oh, well, of course. The more, the merrier.” I shake his hand, and heat prickles the back of my neck.

“Nice to meet you.” His eyes don’t leave mine until they dip down, giving me a not-so-subtle once-over.

“You too.” Pulling my hand back, I try to smile but feel a little overwhelmed.

“This is Brianna, Xavier... and Jamie,” Mark says. His tone’s dismissive, saying Jamie’s name, which pisses me off. I’m so tired of the senseless feud between them.

“What are we playing?” Bri asks.

“What do we want to play?” I’d gotten drinks, and Jamie had made snacks. Pizza will be here in about an hour. I’m ready to have a good time. For the first time, I look behind me, my stomach falling to my feet. Jamie’s cold eyes are on Josh.

“Never have I ever!” Xavier shouts, fist-pumping the air.

“No, come on, that’s so college,” Bri whines.

“Well, I never went to parties. Let me live!” Xavi whines. “Never have I ever.”

“Fine. Brat. I’m mixing drinks, though!” Brianna’s head rests on my shoulder. “Be ready to get as drunk as possible.”

“Here.” After pizza we set up the table, and while the conversation is easy and fun, I can’t stop glancing over at Jamie and the hole he’s trying to glare into Josh’s skull. Now ready to just drink and play, I sit next to Josh and Hunter. This way I can leap across the table to shield Josh in case Jamie jumps across the table to strangle him, like it looks like he wants to do.

Mark lifts the drink to his lips, flinching. “What the fuck is this?”

“Vodka with cranberry juice.” Brianna smiles wide.

“Where’s the cranberry?” Taking a tiny sip to try it, he nearly gags. “No one light up around this. Jesus.”

“Pussies.” Bri takes a shot, rolling her eyes.

“Who’s starting?” Mark asks.

“I think our gorgeous host should start.” Josh winks at me. My traitorous eyes glance quickly at Jamie, and as if sensing me, his eyes lock with mine. Something softens in his face. Giving him a tiny smile, I mouth thank you to him and wish I could tell him how gorgeous he looks tonight. Jamie’s smile widens a touch more and he winks at me. Heat pools in my belly. That wonderfully swoopy feeling sits behind my rib cage.

“I’ll start.” Peeling my eyes from Jamie, I grab my cup,flinching a bit as I taste it.

Okay, this is mostly vodka.

“It’s probably going to be hard finding things you haven’t done.”

My eyes burn into Mark’s. “Never have I ever lied to my partner to get them to date me.”

“Oh, fuck you,” Mark snaps, taking a drink. Hunter shakes his head, not looking amused. Their story is kind of fucked up, and it’s a low blow to bring it up, but I’m not going to let Mark get away with teasing me.

“Okay.” Josh, on my left, thinks. “Never have I ever wished a current partner was an ex.”

Bri and Jamie drink. That’s intriguing. “Details.”

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