Page 12 of Prove Me Wrong
Shaking my head, he moves towards the counter, and I can’t help but glance back over my shoulder at Noah. He’s putting Jade into the backseat of his ute. Shutting the door, green eyes meet mine, framed in golden lashes, matching his hair that shines in the sunlight. My breath catches in my lungs when the corners of his mouth turn up, and Noah slips into the driver’s seat.
I shouldn’t be this intrigued by a man, but there’s something pulling me towards him. I promised myself I'd steer clear of men after Ryan ruined me, and that includes Noah. The thought of being hurt or used again makes my stomach twist and throat burn. Even certain glances from men cause the hairs on my neck to stand upright. How can I consider getting close to someone again?
I force my eyes shut and turn back to Sinnett.
Ryan was right. He shattered me completely, broke me beyond repair, and I don’t think the pieces will ever be put back together properly.
Chapter Four
NOAH
The sound of Jade’s plastic plate hitting the floor makes me groan. Leaning against the bench, my head falls between my shoulders. I take a second to control my breathing. It’s been a rough week, and the absence of Tatum has definitely gotten to me.
I now realise how much I relied on my friend. And with her living in Sydney, the overwhelming feeling of being a single parent is beginning to crush me once again.
The thought of calling Mum for help has crossed my mind, especially last night when Jade wouldn’t get to sleep until well after midnight. I didn’t know who to call for help, and right now, I’m starting to become desperate enough to call my mum. I never thought I would get to this point after they made their feelings very clear. I have ignored them ever since, but I’m exhausted and feel like a terrible parent right now.
Sighing, I look at my baby girl sitting in her highchair, banging on the plastic tray as her breakfast lies splattered on the floorboards. Grunting, I grab the paper towel and begin wiping up the mess. She wriggles in her seat, trying to free herself from its hold.
“Jade, we don’t waste food. Why don’t you want to eat your Weetbix?” My tone sounds as weary as I feel right now. My body aches all over, and I feel a headache coming on, my brain pounding as I wipe the floor clean.
Jade makes an impatient noise as I throw the paper in the bin, but I know she can’t undo the buckle of her chair.
Sighing, I put her plate in the sink and wash up. Jade tries standing, a whimper coming out.
“Hold on, princess. Just one minute.”
I dry the plastic bowl when I hear her sniffing and look over at her wrestling with the buckle holding her in place. Red rimmed eyes look into mine as tears slide down her pink cheeks. “Daddy!” she whines. I put the plate down and grab her from the chair.
“Hey, what’s wrong, baby girl?” I murmur, brows tightening as she clings to my neck tightly.
She’s not normally like this. Sure, she likes to cuddle—who doesn’t—but she hardly ever whines or cries like this. “Are you feeling sick?”
Large glassy eyes blink up at mine and my nerves jump underneath my skin.
Carrying her to the bathroom, I find the thermometer and stick it in her mouth for a minute as Jade silently sobs. Thick tears roll down her flushed cheeks, and I kiss her forehead gently. Her little fingers grip onto my forearms, not letting go of me while I wait to get an accurate reading.
Nerves vibrate through me as I silently pray that she doesn’t have a fever.I don’t want to go back to the hospital already.
Removing it, her temperature is a little high, but nothing to worry about. Frowning, I look into my daughter’s eyes, trying to figure out what’s making her this upset.
Her fingers fist as she tries putting her hand in her mouth again and I grunt. Grabbing the syrup container from the cupboard, I measure out the amount she needs for the pain. “Stupid teeth,” I mutter undermy breath. Washing out the cup, I then wrap Jade up in my arms again. “You’re teething again.”
She curls up on my shoulder, and I wish I could stay with her for the entire day, but they need me at the mechanic's garage. “I have to get you ready for daycare, Jade.” My tone is low as I walk upstairs to her room.
The mere mention of Jump Start makes Jade shake her little head. I know she hates it when I leave her there, but I don’t have a choice. She starts to sob again when I put her down in her cot and grab something to change her into. “Don’t cry, Jade. Please. I’m doing the best that I can.” My voice comes out as a drained beg.
This makes her cry harder, and my heart shatters at the sound. My eyes prick as I think about Em and how much I need her to be here right now. I might not have loved her the way I should have, but she was Jade’s mum, after all. And I need help right now.
Picking Jade up, I pick out a top and shorts to dress her in and wash her face and hands before tying her hair up into buns like how Tatum showed me.
I have to admit that it makes her look even cuter—if it’s even possible.
Placing her back down with her stuffed toys, I quickly change and brush my teeth before grabbing my work bag and her backpack, rushing to the car.
Jade is still sobbing on my neck when I unlock my ute. Juggling her and our things, her drink bottle falls out of the backpack, rolling down the driveway. Grunting, I stalk after it when a familiar brunette jogs over and picks it up for me in an oversized tee that swallows her leaner body and black bike shorts.
I feel the violent thumping in my veins instantly as her grey-blue eyes outlined with long dark lashes find mine. Hair pulled up into a high ponytail with a white bow, pale pink lips part gently. The sharpness ofher chin and cheekbones makes her strikingly beautiful. She can’t be more than a few inches shorter than me, her fingers trembling a little as Mia slowly blinks up at me.
