Page 68 of Prove Me Wrong
“Hopefully I’ll show you that I can be the best out here today,” Noah adds, winking.
Cheeks flushed with heat, I sink back into the couch cushions, trying to hide my face from Nathan. “You’re still the best to me,” I whisper. Thankfully, Nathan doesn’t hear me over the cheering crowd in the background.
Noah smiles before walking off with his helmet in his hand, and Simone moves to interview another driver.
Nathan’s gaze slides to mine, and I feel my face burning as if it’s on fire. I don’t need to look at him to see that he has a stupid grin splashed across his face.
“Grey?”
My tongue runs across my teeth, my eyes locked on the screen. “Could be anyone.”
“Pfft,” he hisses out, and it makes me look his way. “Please. I have known Noah since I was three. He never gives anyone nicknames, besides Jade.”
“Then why would you assume he’s talking about me?” I ask.
“Your face gives enough away, Mia. I could sell you to the fruit shop as a fresh tomato.” he mumbles out, and my hands rise to cover my cheeks. Nathan laughs at me before slapping his hand down on the couch cushion. “I’m only teasing you. Besides, Noah told me already about your little nickname.”
I roll my eyes, and he chuckles, continuing to play with Jade as the formation lap begins, not noticing my spiralling head. I spot the number thirty-four car in fifth position and watch as Noah drives around the track in line with the other drivers.
As soon as the lights are out and the cars are racing, Nathan and I get more into the race. My fingers grip the side of the cushion, and Nathan shouts at the TV. Jade bounces on his leg before getting bored and moving to the floor to start drawing.
It’s an eventful race, with several crashes and yellow flags. Noah ends up finishing third, and I send him a text as soon as he’s passed the checkered flag.
ME: You should be so proud.
ME: Third is amazing. I don’t know how you do it.
ME: Jade missesyou, too.
Nathan stands before walking Jade into the kitchen for her dinner. After spending hours with him, I’ve come to realise that Nathan isn’t a bad man. Despite being cautious when he first arrived, by the end of the race, we were yelling together and even high-fived when Noah overtook.
“Are you staying for dinner?” I ask as I wander into the kitchen. Jade is sitting in her chair with rounded sleepy eyes. Nathan leans against the bench, typing something on his phone.
“I think I should go. My sister is expecting me to drive her and her friends to Rafters Falls tonight.” He glances up to smile. “But I’m glad we could spend some time together.”
My lips tighten as I cross my arms. “You came over to suss me out, didn’t you?” I ask with a small smirk.
Nathan’s grin widens to show off his white teeth. “Possibly. I had to make sure Noah made the right choice.”
I frown. He pushes off the bench to leave, but I stop him with my hand. “What do you mean by choice?”
Noah’s friend looks down at me with his deep chocolate eyes and inky locks, smiling. “Do you really think you’re still just his babysitter, Mia?”
My throat gulps, mouth twitching nervously to one side, hands starting to sweat. “I?—”
“Let me tell you this. Noah hasn’t spoken about a girl since Jade was born. He had multiple offers for babysitting when he needed someone to look after Jade, but he didn’t think anyone was good enough to look after her.” His head cocks to one side. “But then he chose you over everyone else when Jump Start screwed him over, and I can see why. You’re nice, and you get along well with Jade, and you’re good with Noah. None of the other girls even watch his races. So, yes, I think he chose well when he came to you, and you agreed to help him out.”
Lips rolling, I cross my arms across my stomach as he nears me. I flinch. Nathan hesitates to touch my shoulder. It sends a signal of anxiety through me, but I quickly realise he’s just being gentle with me.
“Noah is a good man, and he only wants the best for Jade, and that seems to be you. He’s not like other men, Mia. He’s patient, kind, and will do anything to make you happy. Just believe me, all right?”
Nodding, I tuck hair behind my ear as Nathan smiles and moves towards the door. “It was good meeting you, Nathan.”
“Likewise,” he adds with a small wink. “I’m sure I’ll be seeing more of you now.”
And I don’t know why, but that makes my nerves jolt.
Chapter Twenty-Five
