Heartless (Keeping Secrets) Read online

  “Some straight guys don’t care,” Tommy muttered. “You’re pretty, Jason.”

  I grinned. “Aw, Tommy dear, that was sweet.” More seriously I added, “Don’t worry. Seriously, there was never something and there never will be.” He seemed to believe me, and I was happy with that. It seemed like we were in a period of peace between us.

  I ENDED up staying at Kevin’s house that night. Tommy called from his cell and apologized about the bus running late, but it really wasn’t his fault. So I crashed in my makeshift room at Kevin’s and waited for Friday morning. I didn’t sleep well. It was like Christmas morning was supposed to be. There was excitement and nervousness and a plethora of other emotions swirling through me that made sleep next to impossible.

  I was awake before Kevin opened my door. I’d already grabbed a shower and done some light cursory glancing over last night’s calc homework before he stuck his sleep-roughed head into the room.

  “Jesus, dude. You are way too awake,” Kevin grumbled as I called out a happy chirpy greeting. I was buzzed on life. Today could not get over fast enough.

  Tommy met us in the parking lot, and I practically ran over to see him. He wrapped me up in his arms, and I felt like I’d found home all over again. People were actually starting to get used to my very public displays of affection, and Tommy seemed to enjoy it, so it wasn’t a behavior I planned to curb anytime soon. I found myself a lot more mellow lately, a lot more able to take shit people gave me. I was like the Grinch in that one movie at the end, that one that everyone has watched every year since 1964 or whenever.

  “You ready for today?” Tommy asked as he walked me to class. I knew he didn’t mean my pop quiz in calculus.

  “Hell yeah, I’m ready for today,” I said.

  He nodded. “Sweet. Uncle Mark and Charlie have your room all set up. They even bought you a new bed. It was on consignment, but it’s still pretty sweet.” He didn’t realize that that was the equivalent of giving me a freaking ruby-red Lamborghini. No one gave me anything. We kissed and got a few more looks but even that was starting to fade. My life was returning to the way it had been before my rocky relationship had started. Only this time it was better, and I wasn’t alone. The bell rang. I was late to calculus. He pressed a kiss to my lips and took off down the hallway at a clipped pace, trying to avoid the detention that would follow if he didn’t get into class before they finished taking roll. I watched him go before my own teacher started yelling at me to take my seat.

  I turned and hurried into class, unzipping my backpack as I put it down on the cool tile floor.

  “Pop quiz, people,” she announced. Whatever. I had this. I smiled as I got out my calculator. I had a new boyfriend, a new family, and a new life ahead of me. A calculus quiz was nothing to worry about.

  About the Author

  J. ROMAN is a believer in second chances and making things happen. Recently relocated to an ivory tower in the wonderful city of Charlotte, North Carolina, she endeavors to keep everyone on their toes and get into as much trouble as possible. Not a lot has changed since high school, and many of her characters are based in whole or part around the people she grew up with. A firm believer in happily ever after, J. thinks that everyone deserves a happy ending, even if it takes a little more work for some people to get there. She welcomes comments and questions from her readers on her website, http://jromanwrites.blogspot.com.

  Also from HARMONY INK

  Copyright

  Published by

  Harmony Ink Press

  382 NE 191st Street #88329

  Miami, FL 33179-3899, USA

  [email protected]

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  Heartless

  Copyright © 2012 by J. Roman

  Cover Art by Anne Cain [email protected]

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without the written permission of the Publisher, except where permitted by law. To request permission and all other inquiries, contact Harmony Ink Press, 382 NE 191st Street #88329, Miami, FL 33179-3899, USA

  [email protected]

  Printed in the United States of America

  First Edition

  July 2012

  eBook edition available

  eBook ISBN: 978-1-61372-552-8

  Table of Contents

  Title page

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  About the Author

  Also from Harmony Ink

  Copyright