Torn (Torn Heart) Read Free

anything. We don’t have as much in common as I used to believe. Besides wanting to be popular, I guess. But the important things, I don’t know so much about. Does that make me an ass? It’s not that I’m not attentive, but she’s the closed book. She doesn’t share her secrets with me or her deepest fears or her childhood. I finally quit asking about her life, because if she won’t open up to me, fuck her.
    I’m pushed from behind, and almost throw my fists up, bracing for a fight. But then I see Jake cower down, holding his hands up in surrender. “Sorry dude, I thought you saw me coming.”
    I relax and pop the tension from my neck, flexing my fingers. “It’s okay. I’m just tense right now.”
    He follows me. “Where are you going?”
    I reach my car and throw open the door. “Home.” I pull out a cigarette and light it. I let my head fall back against the headrest. “You?” I ask, and then my gaze drops to somewhere across the lot. I watch Skylar walk with Randa, laughing. Their back’s turned to me.
    Jake leans against the open door, peering at me with curious eyes. When he sees what caught my attention, he smirks. “You’re such a lovesick puppy.” I look back at him and feign nonchalance, blowing smoke away from him. But thinking it would be funny to blow it in his face. “Where’s Amber?”
    I toss him a lazy shrug, “Somewhere pouting, I guess. You know, I don’t give into her every fucking whim; she acts like a two year old. She’ll get over it.” I glance back to where Skylar was moments ago but don’t see her anymore. Ignoring the disappointment, I take another drag.
    Nick stalks up behind Jake and they start wrestling. I watch, amused.
    That’s when she appears, watching the guys with a look of disdain. “Seriously, y’all are so immature sometimes.” Nick flips her off, my lip tugs upward a tiny bit. Yeah, they don’t like her. No one but Daniel gets along with her. The rest just tolerate her.
    I look at Ambe r, narrowing my eyes. “Don’t be such a bitch to my friends.” I tell her with the right amount of annoyance.
    She crosses her arms, frowning. “Sorry. Now, can you please come over tonight?”
    My head drops to the steering wheel as I let out a harsh breath. When I lift my head to look at her, I say, “No. I’m not having sex with you tonight. Sorry.” I swear she’s such a nympho, which is usually a good thing for guys, in some cases. But she wants it when she wants it and it has to be her way. Screw what I want. I’m sick of this one-sided shit. It’s getting old and fast.
    She stands with her hands on her hips and a grimace. “My parents are gone for the night. I just wanted us to have some fun.”
    “You always want it your way, Amber. When are you gonna wake the fuck up and know that you’re not the only one with needs? Jesus Christ!”
    Jake stops wrestling with Nick and says, “Yeah and he’s got plans with me tonight.” He throws a wink my way, jokingly.
    Nick wrinkles his nose in distaste . “You’re so gay, Jake.” Then he pretends to throw him down on the ground. They’re throwing curses at each other in macho-guy fashion.
    I shake my head, almost forgetting Amber’s still glaring at me. “Look, I’m going home. Think about what I just said. Maybe I’ll come over tomorrow.” That’s a big maybe, knowing she doesn’t change her ways very easily. I get up to close my door, rolling my windows down. I yell at them, “I’m leaving. Go fight somewhere else, before I run your asses over.” Jake and Nick both move out of the way. I back out of the space and peer at them, “Sorry Jake, we’ll have to take a rain check on our “date”.” I laugh as I leave the parking lot.
    Finally feeling a little better, I crank up the music and cruise on home. Tomorrow’s a new day, it better be a fucking better one too. I smoke another cigarette before I reach the driveway.
    Amber has always been jealous of Sky. In some ways I can see why. First