Page 46 of Fractured Hearts

“Gay,” Jasper asks.

“What kind of stupid question is that?” Jasper knows I’m gay. It’s what we bonded over when we first met.

“Just do me a favor and look up demisexual,” he says, and his voice is gentle in a way that makes me agree instead of argue like I usually do.

“Fine, but how does that help me with Jo right now?”

“She’s heartbroken and can’t escape the reminder of why. Of course she’s acting strange.”

“But how do I fix it?” I ask, failing to keep the frustration from my voice even though it’s not Jasper’s fault.

“You can’t fix everything, Ezra.”

“You’re no help, you know that, right?”

“It’ll work itself out or you’ll all kill each other.”

“Great,” I mumble.

“I’m going to catch some more z’s before morning practice. Make sure to watch my game. Tell Mavy I’ll be thinking about him.”

“Mavy? What the fuck?” I practically growl. Jasper just laughs like the little shit he is.

“Love you, Ezzy baby!” Jasper calls before hanging up.

I probably should’ve called Declan because at least he knows Jo. But I don’t think he has his own phone, and I agreed that Kai’s should only be used for an emergency. I don’t think the weird behavior has escalated into emergency territory yet. At least I hope not.

“Hey! Are you ready to spar?” Jo asks, popping her head out the door, that weird smile still stuck to her face.

“Uh, yeah. Let’s go,” I concede, even though I think I should talk to her about this. Except I’m terrible at talking and would probably make it worse by making her cry. Although, the longer I look at that smile, I’m not sure crying would be worse.

forty-four

JO

If I just keep telling myself I’m fine, then I will be. I’ll just will it into existence. Manifestation or whatever. With the wary look Ezra keeps giving me, I don’t think I’m pulling it off. Hopefully, hitting something will help. I just wish the thought of hitting him had the same appeal it used to.

Don’t get me wrong, I love sparring with him. He doesn’t treat me with kid gloves, and he’s a great teacher. I just need to take my frustrations out somewhere, and he didn’t earn that. He doesn’t deserve it. I’m not sure he ever really did.

“Stop.” I frown. Ezra is glaring at me with his hands on his hips instead of wrapping them like he should be.

“Stop what?” Smiling at him while I wrap my own hands.

“That!” he yells, gesturing at my face. “It’s scary.”

“I’m sorry my face scares you?” I watch his shoulders relax when I frown. Have I not been smiling this whole time with him or was the one I’ve been plastering on my face too forced?

“That smile isn’t fooling anyone. I know you’re hurting. Don’t act like everything is fine.”

“Everything is fine. You and Maverick will reconnect, and Patrick will be caught. Then we’ll go our separate ways.” I stayed up most of the night thinking about it. Once this is all over, I’m going to travel for a bit and settle somewhere far from here. From them.

“Look,” Ezra says, sighing. “I don’t know how long we’re going to be stuck here, and I don’t know where Maverick’s head is. He might not want to be with either of us. But we can’t survive out here by hiding our emotions. We’ll take each other out before Patrick gets the chance.”

I flinch, knowing he’s right. “I’m embarrassed,” I admit. “And really worried that I ruined my friendship with Maverick.”

“You didn’t, angel.” I look over Ezra’s shoulder to see a sleepy Maverick. He’s still in his clothes from yesterday, and his hair is sticking up in every direction. I don’t move as he approaches me or when he throws his arms around me. “Never. I swear. You’ll never lose me.”

I sag against him, slowly wrapping my arms around his waist. He smells like sleep and Maverick, but also a little spicy, like Ezra. It’s like a knife to the chest, and I can’t hold back the tears. Maverick must misinterpret them as relief, but I think I just broke a little more.