Read Shattered Heart (The Hart Series) for Free Online Page B

stretch the truth any further about Oliver and I really
don’t want to talk about sex with Arianna. 
    This has gone
too far.
    This
conversation feels like a carnival ride.  Up and down, round and round; one
minute consumed with hatred and spouting off threats, the next relaying words
of hope as if she is Mother Freaking Theresa.  I don’t think my stomach can handle
any more of this ride.  “I really should be getting in.  I don’t want to be
late,” I mutter glumly, avoiding eye contact with her.
    She nods
enthusiastically and opens the door and steps out.  “Oh, and Elyssa…”  She pops
her head back inside.  Turning, I look at her with an indifferent stare.  “I’ll
be watching you.”  I shiver.  Her final words hit me like a ton of bricks and I
grab my chest as she slams my door shut.
    My nerves are
shot as I rest my forehead against the steering wheel.  I can’t seem to win. 
Even when I’m fighting against my own desires, I still end up on the losing
end.  I’m even more absolute in my decision to push Alex away. 
    Note to self: Find a new parking
space. 
    ~~~~~
    “Ely?  Hey, are
you okay?”  Janice’s sweet voice stirs me from my pity party.  Wiping away my
tears, I sit upright and plaster the fakest smile possible as I push away from
my keyboard.
    “Just having a
rough day.  What’s up?”  Rough day is putting it gently.  I’m screwed.  I
realized that the second Arianna left my car, clutching my chest as if I was
having a heart attack. 
    She bites her
cheek as she looks down at her shoes.  “I was going to give you a guilt trip,
but I can see this is probably not a good time.” 
    “Guilt trip
about what?”  I look at her with confusion.
    “I miss my
friend.”  Janice glares in the opposite direction.  “With your lunches occupied
by Oliver and your evenings filled by Arianna, I haven’t seen much of you.” 
Following her eyes, I see a casually dressed Oliver buried deep in his computer
screen, biting the end of his pen.  I smile.
    “I’m sorry,
Janice.  Things have been off lately.”  I’ve been off lately. 
    “I know it
hasn’t been easy since he left, but you need to kick this funk you’ve
been in.”
    “I know, I
know.  I’m trying.”  And, really I am.  Maybe not the way I should be, but hey,
I’m at work, aren’t I.  Give me some credit; at least I’m trying to function. 
But, she’s right.  And I do miss her and her positive nature.  “How about we
have lunch today?”
    The moment the
words escape my lips, Janice beams with excitement.  “Really?” her singsong
voice rises to the highest octave possible.  “I’ve wanted to talk to you about
Kevin and…”  When she starts her happy ramblings, my brain officially checks
out.  I love her, I really do, but I’m broken and can’t bear her sappy words. 
I nod and smile.
    “Hey Ely Bean,
we on for lunch?”  Oliver’s deep voice breaks Janice’s sputter of words as he
leans over my cubicle wall.  We both look at him, Janice scowling while I
smile.  He’s adorable with his light green eyes always showing his playfulness.
It’s hard to imagine the stallion Arianna described.  Not to say that he’s
lacking in that department, but then again, it’s just hearsay.  I think.
    “ We were
just discussing lunch,” Janice chimes in.
    Just as I’m
about to cut the awkward building tension, I feel the hair on the back of my
neck rise.  “Where are we going for lunch?” Autumn pounces.  She’s been lurking
around Oliver enough the past few weeks, but hasn’t so much as peeped her toe
near me.  Can’t say she isn’t smart.  I’ve put off a “don’t talk to me today”
vibe for some time now.  From what Oliver tells me, she’s just as relentless as
he is.  I’m sure he shared this information in an effort to get a rise out of
me; unfortunately for him, my jealous trigger involves Alex.  Not Autumn.   
    Oliver leans
over as he bites his bottom lip; his