Page 61 of Prove Me Wrong
The sight makes my heart full as I block out the sound of Lila’s voice. I don’t know what she’s saying, and honestly, I don’t care. I just let her go on in the background as my eyes lock on my neighbour and his baby daughter.
“Mia!”
Eyes snapping back to my phone, I groan and swipe it up, growling into it, “What?”
“I was saying that I think you should come back. Sydney is your home, and I hate that you’re so far away.”
My mouth twitches sideways as I spin to gaze at Noah again. Back to me, I watch him out on the porch, legs up on the railing, Jade slumped on his chest like she’s passed out cold, and a tattooed arm waving in the air.
Frowning, I peer closer, trying to see who it belongs to when I hear Lila groan and hang up. Tossing my phone aside, I hover in the glass, eyes searching when a guy grunts, inky hair falling down his forehead, a bit longer than Noah’s, a straight nose, fair skin and lips that I think would smile widely. With a cider bottle in his hand, he adjusts himself in his seat, dark eyes sweeping across the backyard, shimmering deep underneath the weak glow of the lights when he gulps down his drink.
Noah takes a sip as well, before peering down at a dribbling, sleeping Jade and smiling. Saying something to his friend, they both get up, taking themselves inside and out of view from my bedroom window. I feel strange watching them, but I’m also just curious who Noah is friends with. They looked like they were in a deep conversation, and my chest flares, wanting to know what they were discussing.
Grabbing my phone, I shoot him a text.
ME: Thank you for today. I loved spending time with you and Jade.
Slipping into my bed, I open my book, preparing to read when my phone dings.
#34: Me too, Grey. Get a good sleep.
The giddiness fizzes inside of me as I stare at his message for longer than I should have.
“Okay,how about we add some blue for the sky?” I ask as Jade swirls the paint brush over the thick paper.
“Ia,” she squeals before dunking the brush in the paint and swiping it around, giggling as it glides across her piece.
Smiling, I kiss her soft curls, loving that she’s enjoying this as much as I am. “It looks gorgeous, little lady. Maybe you’ll be a painter one day.”
“Bue,” Jade squeaks, and I chuckle as she wipes hair off her face, streaking blue and purple paint across her rosy cheek.
“You’re getting it everywhere, Jade,” I say, laughing as her eyes light up, not caring that she’s getting paint all over her clothes, hair and the tablecloth, which I put down in preparation. “I’ll have to clean it before your dad is back from work, but he’s going to love these.”
I keep painting with her, working on my own piece as Jade has fun playing with her fingers and the brushes.
An hour later, the door opens, and Noah comes in. Slipping off his shoes, he dumps his bag on the floor before shuffling into the kitchen to find Jade and I at the table. His troubled face is wiped away when he sees us painting, and a smile replaces his frown that I didn’t miss. “What’s this?”
“Daddy!” Jade holds up her colourful hands and wriggles them out to him. Noah just laughs, coming over to kiss her head before looking at me.
“Sorry for the mess. I haven’t had time to clean yet.”
“Don’t be.” His silky voice brushes over me, settling my nerves instantly. He seems to be having this effect on me more recently. “I don’t mind. As long as she had fun.”
“Pat,” Jade squeals out, and I snort a laugh.
“Little lady, it’s paint,” I enunciate slowly for her to hear the word. Jade just giggles, slapping her hand on my face, paint smearing over my skin. “Oh, you are so cheeky.” I laugh, picking her up and lifting my chin to a grinning Noah. “I’ll bath her while you shower if you want?”
Noah’s throat works, eyes dimming a little, and my eyebrows pull together. “Grey, I need to ask you for another favour. Our team leader called me this afternoon... I need to race in Adelaide this weekend. Would you be all right to look after Jade again until Monday?”
Gaze fixed on his, I nod quickly, knowing that this is what I’m needed for. “Of course I can. We had fun last time. When will you be leaving?”
“Tonight. I have to fly out tomorrow morning from Sydney airport.”
Chewing on my bottom lip, I nod in agreement. “I can do it.”
“Thank you, Grey.” Noah groans, shoulders loosening and hands running down his face. My frown deepens even more. “Is everything all right?”
Nodding, his rough, stained hands come to rest on his hips, top covered in oil marks, chin dipping so that his head hangs a little. “Yeah, I just wasn’t ready for this, I guess.”
