Page 101 of Prove Me Wrong
Nathan grunts disapprovingly. “You told her that Jade sneezed?” He looks up, wide-faced.
I bite the inside of my cheek. “Mia always thought they were cute.”
“Still…” He goes back to reading before shutting the device off. Letting out a sigh, he passes it back with a tight smile. “Look, man, I hope she comes back. I really do. But you can’t keep doing this to yourself. You can’t keep messaging her when she’s not responding.”
Shutting my eyes, I know he’s right. I know I should be trying to move on. It was easier with everyone else; I just let them go. It never hurt me to leave them, to see them go. But watching Mia leave felt like someone had cut off my air supply. The pain in her eyes cut me deeply, wrenching my insides and making me feel sick. She was hurt by my mum, and nothing I said could stop her from going.
“I can’t let her go, Nate,” I breathe, my heart feeling weighed down. “I chose to be with her. When Mum was trying to tell me to move, that I could have this big, glorious life with them in Rafter’s Falls, all I could think about was leaving Mia. And I couldn’t. Since she moved here, she’s become a part of my life that I can’t replace. She’s good with Jade. She’s kind and gentle, and—" A gulp stops my words. I shake my head, letting out a hollow laugh. “She watched my races, man.”
“I know,” Nathan murmurs after a moment, placing a hand on my shoulder. “And she was so proud of you.”
My chin drops, shadowing my face as I let out a slow breath. “All I could think when I was away was coming home to them. To Mia and Jade. Knowing that they were here waiting for me kept me going. It wasn’t the racing this time. It helped, because I love it, but I love her more, Nate.” My heart cracks on the words. “I wanted that life with her, and I thought I had it, until I saw my parents and knew something was going on.”
He's quiet for a moment, his hand squeezing my shoulder an indicator that he’s still beside me. Slamming my eyes shut, I let my chest slow, allowing my breathing to settle before looking at his sympathetic expression.
“I can’t just let her go.”
Nodding, Nathan’s hand slips away, silently walking beside me down the street. Throat working, I picture Mia with Jade in the kitchen, laughing together. Of her on my couch, sleeping in my bed, coming home laughing and covered in mud.
My place has never felt more like a home than when Mia was there, and I crave that feeling again. It’s been too quiet, too bare without her presence, and I need it back.
Chapter Thirty-Nine
MIA
Cold wind blows through my deep brown hair as I sit on the sidelines. The stadium is roaring around me, people covered in black, red and white for the Wolves, holding up banners and shouting with every movement. Rain lingers in the air, clouds scattered above threatening to pour down on us, along with the fresh scent of grass, mud and sweat. I see the tension in the players’ faces. Sinnett looks broodier than normal, while his best friend, Khai, keeps an eye on him.
I prefer sitting with the crowd, enjoying the lively atmosphere and viciousness of rugby. It’s certainly taking my mind off Noah. It's been a week since I left Barrenridge, since I saw his pleading face that still ignites guilt deep within me. I miss him more than I thought was humanly possible, wishing he was here right now, beside me instead of the blonde-haired girl dressed in my brother’s jersey, shouting for Sin to look her way.
Tonight’s game is against the Falcons, and the Wolves are winning right now with ten minutes left on the clock. This game is brutal, though. A lot can happen in that time.
I watch my brother in formation, determination pulling in his features. I watch behind the barrier, right behind their benches. Someplayers stretch and jog on the side of the pitch as they wait to go on, and staff occupy seats, waiting for the game to end.
Khai has the ball, passing it down the line until Sinnett goes for the intercept and fumbles. The crowd makes a collective sigh. I frown, watching my brother closely. I’ve seen him play many times over the years, knowing his moves and strengths. That was the sloppiest drop I’ve seen from him since he was playing in U12s.
Resetting, the Falcons now have possession and are making their way back down the field. I watch as Sinnett goes to tackle their player, bringing them down to the ground before pinning them in an awkward position. My face scrunches, imagining how much pain has to be running through that man’s arm when the whistle blows.
Sinnett backs off, and the player jumps up, fisting my brother’s jersey. He shouts something in his face that I can’t make out. Sinnett’s eyes burn as he towers over the player, pushing him off and storming back to his position.
Something is off with him. He’s moody but never this bad. I know something happened between him and Dad, something to do with the team. He told me he’s dealing with it, but to see him playing this way hurts. And although he hasn't mentioned it, I know he's got his own issues he's sorting through that involves Tatum.
“He’s hopeless tonight,” the blonde beside me grumbles. I roll my eyes.
Sinnett looks at me from the side of the pitch, his face solemn. The whistle blows again, and the play continues.
“Did you see that? He looked right at me,” the girl beside me squeals, her hands coming to rest on her larger chest.
I can’t help but scoff in amusement.
Cold brown eyes move to mine. The blonde and her redheaded friend stare me down. “Did you think Sinnett Baxter was staring at you?” she snips.
I keep my gaze locked on the field. The Falcons are gaining a lot of metres, getting closer to the try line. I wonder if they'll?—
A cold liquid splashes over my scalp, seeping into my hair and down the back of my head. Gasping, I jump out of my seat as dark liquid drips from my hair and temples. I glare daggers at the snarky blonde girl. She’s holding the empty plastic cup, her glossy lips pulled into a deep smirk as my hands fist tightly.
“What is wrong with you?” I demand through gritted teeth. She giggles with her friend, holding no remorse for her actions. I feel a hand on my arm. “Mia, come sit on the bench.”
It’s Khai, Sinnett’s friend. He must have just come off the field. Covered in sweat and mud, I let him help me over the barrier dividing the team from the crowd. The two girls gasp and shout at Khai, who ignores them. “You okay?”
