Page 28 of Prove Me Wrong
Mia rubs at the back of her neck, looking down at her plate of picked-at food. “I’m sure Gran and I could do it together. She adores Jade.”
My heart melts a little at her shy face. “I mean, how could you not adore that face?” I look over my shoulder at Jade, who has mushy carrots and peas stuck to her mouth, chewing her dinner.
Mia snorts a laugh, and I smile at the sound, wanting to hear it a thousand more times. “If they don’t, then they’re lying,” she admits softly.
I nod in agreement and swallow a mouthful of steak.
“How did you get into racing?”
Eyes meeting her round, grey ones, I set down my fork. “I got into it because of my dad.” I feel the heaviness sinking into the air around us as my gaze falls to my half-eaten plate.
“Was he a driver as well?”
“Yeah. He was one of the best.” I try to say the words proudly, but really, talking about my parents hurts me just as much as Em does.
Mia’s silent for a moment as she chews on some rice. She murmurs, “Was?”
My eyelids close quickly, and I clear my throat, knowing this topic was bound to arise at some point. “Dad was injured right after I started racing for a different team. He was ecstatic at first. It’s everything he wanted me to be, just like him, but then he was in a racing accident.” I sigh, pushing away the shadows trying to consume my thoughts. “His car skidded into a barrier too quickly, and now he can’t use either of his legs.” My voice drops with the last words.
Stormy eyes stare into mine, and I feel the weight of her gaze. So many unanswered questions sit in them, stirring like a wild thunderstorm. I wish I could read her thoughts right now, but I also know I’m not ready for them.
Swallowing, I sniff and continue, “Mum looks after him now. They live in Rafters Falls, which is about an hour away from here.”
“Yeah, I know where that is. I’ve been there a few times with Sinnett.”
I swallow the last mouthful of my dinner and lean back in the uncomfortable wooden chair.
Jade is happily playing with her food while wearing half of it on her face, but if she’s quiet, then it’s fine. I’ll let her be amused by her peas and carrots. It’s better than picking them up off the floor.
“How often do your parents come and visit you?”
My eyes snap back to Mia, not entirely hearing her question. “What?”
Mia readjusts in her chair, a frown creasing her forehead. “How often do they come to see you and Jade? I figured it would be a lot since you and your dad have your careers in common. Or did, I suppose,” Mia corrects herself, waving her fork in the air.
The lump in my throat hardens, and I push it down before answering her. “They don’t.” My tone is void of emotion, not letting their opinion get to me again.
I hate what they did, and I don’t think I’ll ever be able to forgive them.
Mia stares from across the table, chewing on her lip. “They don’t visit you?”
I shake my head, the singular word unable to come out of my mouth.
Her face loosens slightly. “Oh. So, you go there? That would make sense with your dad’s injury and all.”
I shake my head again, resting my elbows on the tabletop, and let out a loud exhale. “No. They haven’t seen Jade since she was in the hospital right after being born.” My tone is raw and blunt.
I see the shattering of her heart from where I am sitting in the way her grey-blue irises shimmer with sadness. Mouth ajar, hands stilled, chest barely moving, she pushes out, “I’m so sorry.” I hear every emotion weighing down those words, meaning them.
My mouth twitches, and my chest stings. I lower my gaze from hers. “Yeah. I am, too.”
Her eyes drift over to Jade, who is squealing happily at her food. “They’re missing out on a great granddaughter.” Her voice picks up like she’s trying to cheer me up. It does a little, but I still feel the hollowness in my heart from when they decided to cut me out of their life after Em’s accident.
One corner of my mouth curls upwards, but it’s only brief. “Yeah, I know they are.” Scratching my hair, I look back over to my baby girl, who is licking gravy from her finger. “But Jade seems to be loving having you around.” I desperately want to move the conversation away from my parents.
“It’s only been two days,” Mia counters.
“She didn’t cry much this morning, so you’re already doing way better than Jump Start.” A grin splits across my face.
