Page 4 of Prove Me Wrong
He can't hurt me now.
Chapter One
MIA
Present
“Turn down the music, twinkle fingers,” my twin brother, Sinnett, grumbles from the Audi beside me. The engine roars, but it's no match for the song blasting from my speakers.
Windows down, enjoying the light autumn breeze flowing past, he pulled up next to my Jeep at the red light to growl at the level of my rock music playing. Meeting his blue-green ones, mine shimmer with amusement as my smirk grows wider in my balmed lips. “Nope.”
“Mia.” I turn and tightly clench the steering wheel, ignoring his rising tone. “You’re going to have an accident with it that loud.”
“Music doesn’t cause accidents, Sin. Only incompetent drivers do,” I retort, not glancing his way again, knowing he’s probably giving me his signature glare right now. I’m used to it.
I feel the irritation pouring off him like steam evaporating from here as the light flicks to green, and I press the pedal to the floor, zooming past him. Smiling, I feel the wind through my dark hair as I follow the road into Barrenridge.
The small town three hours away from Sydney—from home— is going to be my oasis for the foreseeable future. I’ll be able to breathe without Mum's constant scrutiny, reminding me that I failed to follow in her successful footsteps. I never wanted to be like her, and with my traumatic past, I don’t think I'll ever live up to her standards now. I’m hoping my anxiety won’t rule me like the dark monster it’s become in my life.
My past is behind me in the city, and a fresh start waits for me in Barrenridge.
I’ll be able to live freely, something I have been craving for weeks ever since I agreed to move to the small town to live with Gran.
She was diagnosed recently with severe arthritis, making it difficult for her to handle menial tasks around the house. Our grandad passed away two years ago, so she's all alone in the house. Someone needed to be with her, and with Sin tied to his NRL career, and my parents not wanting to step away from their hard-earned jobs, I was the last person of interest left. Luckily, I was itching to leave, and here I was being handed the perfect opportunity to do so.
The only thing keeping me in Sydney was my part-time job at the bookstore, but I didn’t really have friends—apart from my old roommate, Lila. Otherwise, there was nothing else keeping me there.
In fact, I wanted to get out of there the moment I felt threatened by Ryan’s possessiveness and abuse. I should've left three years ago when the cracks in my heart began to show. But it was as if I were tied to the city by an invisible string. No matter how many times I was tormented in my sleep by that night, or the daydreams I would have about seeing the tall buildings of Sydney in my rear-view mirror, I couldn't find the strengthto leave. Until now.
"New Sensation" by INXS plays through the speakers, but my annoying ringtone suddenly cuts it off mid-lyric. I groan at Sin’s name on my screen. Pushing the phone button, I mutter, “What now?”
“I can still hear it from here, twinkle fingers.”
My stormy eyes roll magnificently as I slow down for the speed sign. “You like rock music. How many concerts have we been to over the years together?”
“Too many to count, but I don’t like you listening to it that loudly. You need to concentrate.”
“You sound like Dad,” I murmur.
His frustrated groan comes through the speaker, and I sniff a laugh.
“Shut it.” My lips roll to stop a laugh from coming out of my mouth. “Don’t you dare say that again.”
“Then stop telling me what to do,” I counter. Sin sighs again. “We’re almost there anyway.”
The Barrenridge sign stands beside the road, lined with evergreens shading the single lane leading into the quiet country town. Golden and copper leaves dance along the asphalt, pine cones dot the surface, and the sweet smell of earth, wood and moss is thick in the air, invigorating my nerve endings. I've missed the scent of this place.
As children, we travelled here regularly, and I still get giddy every time I see the timber sign welcoming us. It reminds me of the summers our family used to drive up. Sinnett and I would swim in the river all day and then sit by the fire at night, roasting marshmallows that we would throw at each other for fun until they got stuck in our hair.It was a nightmare to clean out.
Since Sinnett and I graduated from high school, the four of us haven’t driven out together, and the last time I was here was when Grandad died. I’m hoping it doesn’t taint the fond memories I still carry with me about this town.
“I'm just looking out for you, Mia. It’s what I’ve always done and what I’ll always do,” Sinnett mutters through my car speakers.
A smooth lump sits in my throat because I know my brother will do anything to help me. He’s always looked out for me, especially when I needed to escape my abusive ex-boyfriend, who forced himself onto me. He’s tainted the way I see men, unable to trust them. I never want to fall for anyone again. I never want to give my heart to another man because I know it’ll just end with me hurt—emotionally and physically—and I am not prepared to go through all of that again.
The memories ofhimstill make my skin crawl like bugs nipping at my flesh, staining a part of my life I want so badly to forget, but I fear I never will. I’ll always be this damaged girl, ridden with anxiety and too afraid of letting people close to me.
Sinnett was there when I needed him, and he’s still here now.
