Fractured Hearts (Shattered Lives, Book Three) Read Online Free PDF Page B

she was happy, making Gunther smile. “So you will be helpful with gardening then?”
    “Think so.” Thomas shrugged, then grew quiet before he spoke again. “I helped my mom with ours all the time.”
    “Well, that’s perfect then.” Quinn smiled at Thomas, who blushed.
    Cora walked into the cafeteria, Callie in her arms. Kate had a firm grip on Silas’ hand, but he broke free and ran to Gunther. He rose from his seat and knelt, waiting for Silas to wrap his arms around his neck.
    “Mr. Gunther!” he screeched.
    “Hey there, you little cheeky monkey. I’m so happy to see you.” Silas put a big smile on Gunther’s face. “Are you being good for your mum? Listening to her?”
    Standing tall and with a nod of his head, Silas said, “Yes, sir.” His pride in himself was unmistakable.
    Then Gunther’s tone changed to something more serious. “Good. You have to listen to everything she tells you. She knows what’s best for you.”
    “Yes, sir. I promise.”
    Gunther pinched Silas’ nose, causing him to giggle. “All right, buddy. Back to your mum.”
    Standing about ten feet away, Cora was expressionless. Silas turned around and ran back to her. As Gunther stood, he nodded at her, knowing she heard everything he said. Cora looked away without acknowledgment.
    “Come on, guys. Let’s get some food.” She ushered them into the pantry.
    “She’s still upset with me,” Gunther muttered to Quinn as he sat back down, rubbing the cheek Cora had slapped earlier in the day.
    “I don’t know what to do about it,” Quinn said.
    With a worn ball cap pulled down over his eyes, Nick walked into the cafeteria, carrying his guitar. He sat in a chair in the back, far away from everyone.
    “My heart breaks for him.” Gunther nodded. “He’s so distant and spends most of his time locked up in his room.”
    “He really loved her.” Thomas had an air of sadness in his voice. “I liked her. She was nice to me. Someday, I hope to love someone like he did her.”
    Playing the maternal role well, Quinn said, “You will, Thomas. It will be harder to find a date nowadays, but you never know what will happen.” When she winked at him, a shade of red bloomed on Thomas’ cheeks. He shrugged and continued eating.
    A melancholy tune filled the quiet as Nick played his guitar. His voice was impressive, effortlessly pouring misery into every word. When his torturous rein on their ears was released, he hung his head. Emotions were raw and exposed for everyone to see.
    Nick had emptied his soul.
    Because of being so drawn into his song, no one noticed Josie leaning on the doorframe of the cafeteria until she applauded. Nick looked over his shoulder at her.
    “That was amazing,” she murmured, heading toward him.
    Nick smiled, but his eyes didn’t. The stare spoke volumes to her. “It’s the only way I can get it out. It’s easier than talking about it.”
    “I understand.” Josie sat near him.
    Patting the body of the guitar, he explained, “Claire risked her life to get this for me. With Thomas and Sophie, she fought her way back to my craphole bachelor palace and rummaged through my mess until she had it in her hands. She was excited to bring it back to me. I was really pissed at her for risking her life for a guitar, but she knew what it meant. I am so fucking grateful she did. I would be even more lost without it. I feel like it’s a piece of her I can still carry.”
    “She sounds like a wonderful person,” Josie murmured.
    “She was…she was the love of my life.” Nick inhaled long and deep. “She had been Elaina’s best friend for years. For some reason, I never noticed her. I was too busy chasing every other meaningless skirt who crossed my path. Once I realized we were meant to be, I was head-over-heels. I wanted every minute with her to be epic because you never knew what was going to happen.” He shook his head. Once again, he was beating himself up over his short time with Claire.
    “I’m sorry