Page 3 of Paper Hearts

After two glasses of red wine I swiped from Aunt Leslie, I send a text to Arya and test the waters. What if they tell him about Eddie, or the book? I know Arya won’t, but can I trust his parents? And Myles?

Me: You home?

Arya replies about ten minutes later.

Arya: Girl, come over. I didn’t even know you were here!!

“Come with me,” I tell Harper, setting my wineglass down.

She stares longingly at the glass. “Why?”

“Because. If Ender’s over there, I don’t want to see him alone.”

She rolls her eyes and sits up. Or tries to. It takes a greater effort than she’s used to for sure. “I can’t wait to see how this conversation goes.” She waddles beside me, holding a bowl of grapes, before adding, “I swear to God, if he talks to me, I might punch him. Or choke him with a grape.” She makes a jabbing motion with a grape. “I’ll shove it right down his throat.”

“Don’t put yourself into labor.” I glance at her bowl. “Why did you bring grapes?”

“I’m growing a human.” Her eyes dip to the grapes, and then back to me. “Do you think he’s here?”

“I doubt—” Before I can get the words out, the door opens andhe’sthere, standing before me.

Oh shit.

I gasp at the image of him. Actually, I don’t do anything. I can’t move. I’m frozen. My lips part because I suck in a breath at the same time the door opens.

Holy fuck. It’s really him.

Ender.

Shit. Breathe.

No seriously. You need to breathe.

As all this races through my head, Ender stares at me like I’m a ghost, eyes wide.

“Holy shit,” I gasp, stepping back, unprepared. In that second, I’m met with his face. It’s hard to know how to react, or make my body move. His shocking blue eyes hold me in place like they always do, and I’m left wondering what to do next. My heart beats slowly under the pressure knowing I’m in survival mode. Holding out heavy hope he’ll react.

But he doesn’t.

The expression on his face is pure shock, but then just as quickly, he blinks the look away and moves past me. The screen door slams behind him. His hands move to the back of his baseball hat, adjusting its fit to hide his face. The glimpse of him is quick, so quick I have no time to look at him or remember all the details I crave.

“Hey, Hads!” Myles says, following Ender up the driveway, his wave and smile bright as I remember.

“Pfftt, what about me, kid?” Harper tosses a grape in Myles’s direction before pushing the few strands of thick chocolate locks away from her flushed cheeks.

Myles waves over his shoulder but doesn’t turn back. Instead, he climbs in the truck with Ender, and they take off down the road.

“Maybe he didn’t see you,” I tease, rubbing her belly.

Harper slaps at my hand. “I’m sure that was it. Looks like Ender didn’t see you either.”

“How could he? He probably doesn’t even remember who I am.” Why would he? He left so easily, I bet his memory faded just as quickly.

Harper growls in his direction. “I can’t believe after all this time he hasn’t reached out to you.”

“I haven’t seen him since my high school graduation party.” When he took my virginity and left as his cum slid down my leg. Great guy, huh? He’s a fuckface and I’m still bitter.

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