Damaged Hearts - Monica Murphy

  “Don’t worry about it. I wasn’t having much fun. Don’t think you were either.” I start to laugh. “This is way more enjoyable.”

  “I’m glad someone is enjoying it,” she teases.

  “You still feel sick?”

  “No, not really. I actually feel a lot better. Thank God Addie gave me some mouthwash to swish around after she found me. There’s nothing grosser, if you know what I mean,” she explains.

  I make a face. “I hate throwing up.”

  “Yeah. Same.”

  “Why do you think you got so sick?”

  “I don’t know.” She shrugs, the sudsy, soapy water sliding down her back. “I must’ve—ate something that didn’t agree with me.”

  “Diane says you can’t handle your liquor.”

  Jensen turns so she’s facing me, her skin glistening, soapy bubbles clinging to her breasts. She looks straight out of every teen fantasy I’ve ever had. “She thought I was drunk?”

  “She implied it.” I start shedding my clothes, unable to stop myself. Fuck it, I’m joining her. I won’t try anything, but I want to touch her skin. Wash her hair.

  “I had maybe two glasses,” she mumbles, grabbing the bar soap and rubbing it over her body.

  For once in my life, I’m jealous of a bar of soap. “I told her that too. She’s such a bitch sometimes.”

  Jensen doesn’t say a word as I open the shower door and step inside, the warm water hitting my skin and making me close my eyes. I scoot closer to the showerhead and douse myself, reaching out to grab her waist when I sense she’s trying to leave. “Stay,” I tell her.

  “I’m sick.”

  I open my eyes to find her watching me, blatant hunger in her gaze. “Really? You still feel nauseous?”

  She slowly shakes her head as she reaches out and settles her hands on my chest. “I think it was a one-shot thing.”

  “Yeah, it probably was.” I touch her breasts. Thumb her nipples, making them hard.

  “I’m probably fine now.” She’s touching my dick, stroking it, and I bite back a groan at her firm touch.

  “I bet you are,” I practically growl, grabbing her so I can press her back against the shower wall. She goes with me willingly, her long legs wrapping around my waist, the heels of her feet digging into my ass. “Are you okay with this?” I ask her, my gaze meeting hers as I slowly thrust against her.

  The water streams down her face and she bites her lower lip, looking sexy as fuck. “Definitely okay,” she murmurs.

  I kiss her, my tongue seeking and finding hers. She wraps her arms around my neck, her fingers sinking into my hair as I continue to devour her. We haven’t had sex in a shower yet, and I’ve always thought it was overrated.

  But sex with Jensen anywhere is pretty fucking great. Within minutes I’m slipping inside her hot, tight body, closing my eyes against the blissful onslaught of sensation. No woman has ever made me feel the way Jensen does. The sex keeps getting better and better.

  She’s ruining me for any other woman, I swear.

  Once we’re done in the shower, we towel each other off, and I notice how sleepy she looks. We climb into bed wearing nothing at all, the two of us snuggling in close, the lights off and the house quiet since Chad is gone for the holiday weekend.

  It’s barely nine o’clock at night.

  “I could fall asleep just like this,” Jensen says, her voice light, as are her fingers as she quietly strokes my chest. “Who knew having sex after getting sick is such a cure-all?”

  “Sex cures all ailments,” I tell her, stroking her arm. “Just call me Dr. Rhett.”

  “Oh God.” She starts to laugh. “That was super cheesy.”

  “You make me super cheesy.”

  “This is my fault now, hmm?” She socks me lightly in my right pectoral muscle. “Whatever.”

  “Did you have a good time?” I ask a few moments later, once we start to grow quiet. I want to ask her before she falls asleep, before she has too much time and distance to really know how she felt about today.

  “I—did?” She says it like a question.

  “It was pretty bad, huh.”

  “Your dad was nice. So was Addie and Trent.”

  “I think Diane was trying,” I venture.

  Jensen actually snorts. “Please. More like she was trying to make me look like a fool every chance she got.”

  “You really think so?”

  She lifts her head a bit so she can meet my gaze. “Absolutely. She was slinging very subtle insults my way.”

  Damn, how did I miss that? “She sucks.”

  “Yeah, she does.” Jensen strokes my chest, her touch light as a feather, making me shiver. “Your brother is a complete asshole.”

  “Tell me all about it.”

  “No, I’m serious. He was terrible to me. He cornered me when I got out of the bathroom, told me some crazy story about your father sleeping with an old girlfriend of his, and then I made the big mistake of admitting I knew about him and Diane.”

  Oh. Shit. “You told him you knew?”

  “I did mention his affair with Diane.” Jensen makes a face. “He threatened me.”

  “What the actual fuck?” I pull away from her and sit up, running both hands through my damp hair. “He threatened you?”

  She nods, biting her lower lip. “It was my mistake. I should’ve never said that to him.”

  “Doesn’t give him the right to threaten you, Jensen. Jesus.” I glance over at my phone where it sits on my beside table. “I should call him.”

  I’m reaching for my phone when Jensen lunges for me, batting my hand away. “Don’t call him.”

  “Why the hell not?”

  “Just—leave him alone. I’m sure he didn’t mean to threaten me.”

  My ass. “Yeah, right. I’ll text him then.” I grab hold of the phone this time and she yanks it out of my hand, tossing it onto the floor. I glare at her. “Why the hell did you do that? You could’ve broke it.”

  “I didn’t, you’re phone’s fine. Listen.” She grabs my hands, staring into my eyes. “Don’t talk to him about this. It’ll just upset him more. Let’s just—forget it ever happened.”

  The problem is I won’t be able to forget it. And why should I? My brother is acting like a total asshole toward my girlfriend. He deserves to be called out for it. “Why are you letting him off the hook?”

  “I’m not. Not really. I don’t want it to be a bigger problem than it needs to be, you know what I mean?” She smiles, but it doesn’t look real. “It’s okay to let things go sometimes, Rhett. To be the bigger person.”

  “Clearly my brother can’t do that,” I mutter, shaking my head.

  “Is it true what he said? About your dad having sex with his girlfriend?” Jensen asks hesitantly.

  I stare at the wall, thinking, but I come up with nothing. And you’d think I’d remember something like that. It’s pretty major. “Not that I know of.”

  “Could he have made it up?”

  “Possibly. I wouldn’t put it past him.” Before all this blew up, I would’ve never said that about my brother. But now, it’s like I don’t even know him.

  “Has your father…ever cheated on Diane?”

  “Yeah. Quite often, actually. It’s like this known thing with the family that no one ever talks about. But she’ll never leave him. She’ll never even confront him. I don’t think she wants to lose what she’s got, you know?”

  “And what does she have, really? A lot of money, an unfaithful husband, a broken marriage, and the stepson she’s banging on the side?” Jensen sighs heavily. “Sounds like one of my favorite TV shows.”

  I can’t help the laugh that escapes. “Don’t forget, this is my life we’re talking about.”

  “I know.” She pauses. “Mine too.”

  Jensen

  For the first time since I don’t know when, I feel…good. Strong. Confident. Almost carefree. And it’s all because of Rhett. He’s the first person in my life who’s never
given up on me. Having someone there, who stands by my side no matter what, is…amazing.

  It’s the best feeling in the whole world.

  After that semi-disastrous Thanksgiving, Rhett and I talked. A lot. He told me more about the dynamics within his family, and how Park is struggling with their father right now. It made me understand Park’s behavior a little better.

  Kind of. He’s still an ass, though.

  Park hasn’t reached out to either of us since Thanksgiving, and it’s a total relief. We haven’t seen Diane either. Or talked about her. If life could continue this way, I wouldn’t have to worry about a thing.

  Life isn’t that way, though. She will come back up. After all, she’s Rhett’s stepmother. If I continue a relationship with Rhett, this woman will be in my life whether I want her to be or not. It’s something I’m going to have to deal with, and I’ve come to one major conclusion.

  I’ll keep my one last major secret, but that’s only because I don’t know how to tell Rhett the truth. And is it really that important? What his entire family doesn’t know won’t hurt them, right? I won’t reveal my true relationship to Diane to anyone. I’ll keep it all to myself and that way no one has to know.

  Perfect plan, right?

  My biggest fear if I do tell Rhett the truth? His reaction. What if he feels betrayed? Used? What if he hates me? I can’t bear the thought. Deep down inside, I know it’s wrong to keep this from him, but I can’t bear the thought of him not being in my life anymore. I just…

  I can’t do it.

  We had a busy week at school. The semester is winding down, we’re prepping for final projects, plus Rhett has practice and a game, so I don’t see him as much as I would like. But I’ve pretty much moved into his house, much to his roommate Chad’s displeasure. I took away their title of coolest bachelor pad, according to him. Rhett says that title’s bogus.

  It’s Sunday night, and we’ve decided to go to dinner, then to the local bar where we very first met. A few of his friends from the team will be there in celebration of someone’s birthday, and Rhett promised he would stop by. I go along with his plan because I want to be the supportive girlfriend. Plus, there’s something so…exhilarating about walking into a room on Rhett’s arm. It’s like everyone pays attention to us. He has this certain kind of magnetism that draws everyone to him. He’s special.

  Yet he somehow chose me.

  “We won’t stay long,” he tells me as we head toward the bar’s main entrance. “I’ll wish Johnny a happy birthday, we’ll have a drink, and then we’ll take off.”

  “Why don’t you want to stay long?” I squeeze his hand, smiling up at him. He looks extra good tonight in the black sweater and jeans, his dark hair a little longish on top and kind of messy, and there’s a layer of stubble on his cheeks.

  Sexy.

  “Wouldn’t you rather spend the rest of the night in bed?” His wicked grin tells me he’s not talking about sleep, making me laugh.

  “We’ll stay an hour,” I suggest.

  “Thirty minutes,” he counters.

  “Forty-five.”

  He grins. “Deal.” He brings our linked hands to his mouth, kissing my knuckles just before he opens the door with his free hand.

  We enter the crowded bar, Rhett’s friends cheering loudly when they spot us. Making our way over there, we’re immediately enveloped into their group, Rhett and I each handed a beer. I watch as Rhett embraces the birthday boy and chats with him, his focus zeroed in on Johnny and no one else.

  A sigh almost escapes me as I watch them. That’s what’s so great about Rhett. He makes people feel special. When he shines his light on you, you feel like there’s no one else in the world. There’s just you and Rhett.

  At least, that’s how he makes me feel.

  Minutes later he’s back by my side, slipping his arm around my shoulders and tugging me close. I go willingly, resting my hand lightly on his flat stomach, smiling up at him with adoring eyes. I don’t even need a mirror to know that’s how I’m looking at him. I can literally feel the adoration beaming from my eyeballs. I am so gone over this guy, it’s unbelievable. It happened so fast, too.

  What’s even crazier? I viewed him as my enemy for the longest time. Thought he was awful. A snake. A phony. A womanizer. A spoiled rich boy who gets whatever he wants.

  Well. He’s rich. He’s probably a little spoiled, though he’s the first one to admit it. He’s the most genuine, honest person I know. He’s the complete opposite of awful. And he’s all mine.

  “Having fun?” he asks, dipping his head so his mouth is right by my ear.

  I offer a little shrug. “I don’t know anyone.”

  His eyes go wide. “I’m sorry, I didn’t even introduce you to everyone. Hold on.” He raises his hand like he wants their attention and I grab at his arm, pulling it down. “What? You don’t want to meet them?”

  “You don’t need to do that for me.” I’m still not used to drawing attention to ourselves. I’d rather lurk in the shadows. My relationship with Rhett still feels too new, too delicate. Like one wrong word or movement could have the entire thing unraveling in seconds.

  “But I want to.” He taps the tip of my nose with his index finger, his eyes sparkling as they meet mine. “I want to show you off.”

  “Please.” I roll my eyes and laugh, but the sincerity I see in his expression makes me sober up quick. “Why would you want to show me off?”

  Rhett lifts his brows, leaning away from me. “Are you being serious right now?”

  “Um, yes.” I’d rather show him off. He’s the big deal, not me. “I don’t get it.”

  “Hmm, let me see.” He taps his chin, like he’s contemplating something very serious. “First up, you’re sweet. Second, you’re beautiful. Third, you’re smart. Fourth, you’re interesting—”

  “Interesting?” I repeat, interrupting him.

  “Let’s just say life with you is never dull,” he says with a grin.

  I lightly sock him in the chest. “Right back at ya.”

  We drink our beer and talk and flirt. He introduces me to Johnny and eventually the rest of his teammates, and they’re all friendly, a few of them even shooting Rhett appreciative looks, like they’re somehow impressed with me? Just because I have a decent face doesn’t mean I’m a decent catch. I realized that about myself a long time ago.

  Rhett brings out the best in me. He makes me want to be a better person. I want to be good for him, and for myself. I’ve turned into a total and complete sap, but it’s true.

  “Let’s get out of here,” he whispers later, his arm around my waist, his fingers squeezing me. “I want to take you home.”

  A shiver moves through me at the promise in his words. “You’re not drunk, are you?”

  “Hell no. Even if I was, you could drive. You’ve barely touched your beer. Hey, remember that night I let you drive my car?” The private look he shoots me makes everything inside of me grow warm.

  “Yes, I remember.”

  His knowing smile is cute. Cutely sexy. “You said some pretty amazing shit.”

  I laugh, my cheeks hot.

  “You did some pretty amazing shit too.” He pulls me to him, our lower bodies crushed together, and I can feel the effect I’m having on him. “Maybe we should try and reenact that night.”

  “I was sort of pissed at you that night,” I remind him.

  “Yeah, well, I was mad too. But I’m not mad anymore.” He kisses me, right there in the middle of his friend group in the bar, and he takes it deep quick. His friends start yelling, one of them saying, “Get a room!” and I break the kiss, shoving him away from me.

  “How many beers did you have?” I think he’s a little drunk.

  His lopsided smile tells me yep, he’s feeling no pain. “Three? Plus I had one at dinner.”

  I don’t know how he drank three beers in the short amount of time we’ve been here. “I’m definitely driving. Come on, drunk boy.”

  We say our go
odbyes, and then I take his hand and lead him out of the bar and into the cold, dark night. We head for his car, Rhett trying to grab my ass with his free hand and I keep slapping it away. By the time we’re both in his car, we’re breathless. And he’s handsy.

  I let him get handsy with me as we lean across the center console and kiss. He touches me everywhere he can reach, his fingers sure, his breath hot against my neck when he kisses me there. We’re steaming up the car and frustration starts to build.

  “We could be at your house in less than fifteen minutes,” I remind him in between kisses.

  He smiles against my lips. “Then what are we waiting for?”

  “I should ask that question, since you’re the one who can’t seem to stop kissing me.”

  “I don’t hear you protesting.”

  Like he ever would.

  Rhett kisses me again, this one long and tongue-filled. He’s getting worked up, and so am I. I push him away and start the engine, readjusting the seat and the mirrors before I pull out of the bar’s parking lot.

  I drive back to Rhett’s house, both of us quiet, me concentrating on the road, Rhett scrolling on his phone, checking his notifications. My mind drifts, imagining a life like this, with Rhett. The two of us together, living in our own home, Rhett taking care of me. He could go to work doing whatever while I stayed home and took care of the house. Maybe we could travel. Maybe we could move somewhere else, somewhere exotic, and live our own lives with no one around to bother us. Like Diane…

  There’s an unfamiliar car in the driveway and I hit the brakes, making Rhett’s head jerk up. “Who’s car is that?” I ask.

  “I don’t know.” He’s frowning. “That’s a brand-new Porsche.”

  It’s low and black and sleek, and looks very, very expensive. “Chad has a new rich girlfriend he didn’t tell you about?”

  Rhett chuckles. “He freaking wishes.”

  Since that gorgeous Porsche is blocking the garage, I pull the car to the curb in front of the house and shut off the engine. We exit the car, me locking it with the keyless remote, and Rhett takes my hand as he leads me to the front door since the garage is closed and I forgot to open it. The living room light is on—we can see the glow through the front window—so I’m assuming Chad is inside.