Page 10 of Prove Me Wrong
Standing, he walks around the island to pull me into his warm, tattooed arms. Our parents rarely hugged us as children, so we got used to protecting and consoling each other as we grew up. And there’s nothing stronger than the bond between twins, no matter how much Sinnett wants to disagree with me.
“You have to call me every second day so that I know you’re all right,” he mutters into my ear.
I scoff lightly. “You sound like them…”
His arms squeeze tighter, and I huff out a laugh. “Shut it, twinkle fingers.”
He hugs me tight enough to cut off my air flow, and I chuckle. “All right, all right. I’ll call you.” Sinnett pulls away with a wide grin, and I tap his shoulder. “You’re possibly worse than them.”
His eyes roll, but I see the smirk toying in his mouth. “Please, nobody is as insufferable as our parents.” He pours half of his coffee down the sink. “Want to go get a proper one before I leave?” An inky brow arches at me.
“Yeah,” I answer softly. “I need a good iced latte after that session.”
“That bad?” Sinnett frowns in my direction.
My mouth twitches as I roll up the sleeve of my jumper so he can see the raised red skin like constant rashes staining my elbows.
“Mia…” he draws out, and I swallow, guilt seeping into my bones. I know he doesn’t mean it, but I can hear the pain and disappointment in his words, stabbing me uncomfortably.
“I can’t help it, Sin.” My voice sounds as raw as I feel.
“I know…” he breathes out, rubbing at his temple as I pull my sleeve back down to cover up my anxious habit. “Come on. You need something sweet, and the café in town still has your favourite croissants.”
A smile breaks out across my face, causing Sinnett to chuckle while pushing me towards the door. “Let’s go before I have to leave.”
Walking down the creaking hallway, he stifles a yawn. My brows pull together in response. “By the way, where did you disappear to last night?” I ask, slipping on my shoes.
Sinnett’s face remains tight as he peers down at me. “What are you talking about?”
I stand and hold onto the doorknob, not turning it yet. “I heard you come in after one in the morning. You’re not as stealthy as you think,Sin.”
His jaw ticks, and I get the feeling I might have just overstepped with something. But then again, Sin and I don’t keep secrets from each other. It’s part of our twin pact,just like the corks.
“I needed a drink,” he murmurs and pushes my hand off the knob, swinging open the door.
I follow him out with pursed lips. “A drink?” My dark eyebrows arch. “And did it take you all night to drink that one drink?” I question him sassily with a hand on my hip.
Sinnett’s tongue pokes the side of his stubbled cheek before shaking his head. “Trust me, twinkle fingers, you really don’t want to know.”
Eyes narrowing onto his, I cross my arms, and he mimics my behaviour. I groan with frustration and stalk past him. “I’m guessing you weren’t alone then...”
Looking back over my shoulder, I catch his devious smirk and roll my eyes. He’s definitely not a player by any means, but my brother has also never had a serious girlfriend, and I sometimes wonder why that is. He’d rather enjoy a short time of bliss with them, rather than getting into something more serious.
“Knew it,” I mutter under my breath. Sinnett chuckles while unlocking his car.
My shoulders sink slightly as I glance across to inspect my handsome neighbour’s driveway. His red ute is missing, so he must be out already, enjoying his Sunday morning. I notice the smaller things I didn’t have time to see since moving in on Friday. The wooden seat on the porch, little pink gumboots sitting beside the front door, neatly trimmed hedging running alongside his house and the freshly clipped lawn. He certainly keeps his house well-maintained.
Swallowing softly, I bite my bottom lip before pulling open the passenger door of my brother’s car and settling into the plush leather seat.
Sinnett drives us the short distance to the main road. The town has a quaint, country feel to it, with exposed brick buildings, rusted metal signs, beautifully coloured awnings and wooden flower beds lining the footpaths. The air here smells thinner and more earthy. It’s like your senses can truly taste and smell everything. It’s refreshing.
The café on the corner was redeveloped only a few years ago. It still has a rustic feel, but inside it’s open and filled with timber, metal and a multitude of potted plants. Upholstered chairs sit around metal tables, with display cabinets filled with desserts and sandwiches, sunlight bouncingoff the glass front. Abstract art, full of different colours and brushstrokes, fill the cement-coloured walls.
“You go in. I just have to run across the road and get some money out. Order me a long black,”
Sinnett says before dashing across the street to the bank.
My eyes watch him momentarily before I step into the warm café. Instantly swimming in the fresh aroma of espresso, I close the glass door behind me. I feel something grab onto my leg before I can take a step forward.
