Page 69 of Prove Me Wrong
MIA
Jade runs at me, giggling loudly. I try to jump out of the way, but she catches me. Falling to the grass, she laughs delightfully, her hands smothering my hair and face in mud. Gasping from both laughter and shock, she moves back, running to the little mud puddle she discovered and dunking her hands back in.
“No, Jade,” I squeal, but she’s already on her way back over with muddy fingers.
Sitting up, she falls on me, slush dirtying my long band tee that’s a dress on my smaller figure, and the long sleeve it’s sitting over. Muddy handprints are pressed on my thighs, arms and cheeks. Jade keeps coming at me, giggling so loudly.
She jumps off my legs, ready to run away for more when I grab her quickly, lifting her upside down. Jade screams with excitement. Chuckling, I put her back on the ground, her shiny gumboots now caked in muck, as the other mum’s watch me, clearly unimpressed with how much fun Jade and I are having.
Jade prefers playing with mud and sand than on the playground, and I don’t mind getting dirty. If she’s having fun and being safe, then why should I care?
“You two look like you’re having a lot of fun.” A sweet voice sounds behind me.
Turning, there’s a shorter girl with curly dyed blonde hair and large green eyes winged with black liner. In her hands she’s holding a girl wrapped in a jumper and pants, with matching eyes and dark hair. She can’t be more than half a year old, but she’s gorgeous. The woman has a sweet smile, unlike some of the other mum’s glaring my way as their kids entertain themselves. She's kinder and more approachable.
“Yeah, we are. Aren’t we, Jade?” I hold onto her hand tightly as Jade moves behind my muddied leg.
The lady just smiles down at her before raising her chin to me. “I’m Paige Stone, and this is my daughter, Sawyer. It’s lovely to meet you.”
“You, too. I’m Mia Baxter, babysitter of Jade Sterling,” I chime and genuinely mean it. I go to hold out my hand but hesitate and nervously giggle. “Sorry, I don’t want you to get dirty like us.”
She laughs, bouncing her baby on her hip. “That’s fine. I agree with you that kids need to be more outside these days, playing in nature. And ignore those mums over there, they are more judgmental than an attorney.”
“I bet they are. Their stares feel like laser beams on me, trying to burn me,” I mumble. Paige nods quickly in agreement. “Do you want to join Jade and I? Although, we are a bit messy right now.”
“Nothing better than playing with nature. And we would join, but Sawyer is only six months, so we usually play in the sandbox out of the way of the older kids. But the next time I see you out here we’ll come by. Our place is right across the road.”
She points to a quaint little house not too far away—white, decorative and full of plants. It’s beautiful.
“How convenient,” I say with a grin. “I’d be here all the time, then.”
“Do you watch Jade often?”
My head shakes. “Only twice a week, and when her dad is out of town.”
“Ah, yes. Noah Sterling the famous Supercars driver. We catch some of his races when we can, but with this little one, Levi and I have our hands full.”
I frown a little as Jade pats my leg, pulling my attention down to see her arms raised. “Ia up.” Hoisting her to my hip, she smiles and wraps her dirty arms around my neck. I kiss her flushed cheek, not caring that I’m covered in grime and probably have mattered hair now, too.
“Maybe you should come by one day. These two could play together to give you a break?” I offer to Paige as little fingers dig into my neck.
“That would be great! I’ll have to let you know when. I can add your number.”
Pulling out my phone, we exchange numbers before saying goodbye.
Carrying Jade home, her little legs swing around my waist as she mumbles incoherently at things, pointing them out with her stubby fingers. I try telling her everything she’s noticing, from the types of cars passing by, to the orange and brown butterfly that flies past, to the clouds making animal shapes. Jade seems to notice everything, as only a toddler’s adventurous brain would. I find myself giggling over her when she wriggles her way out of my arms to the pavement just to watch a snail moving along the footpath.
Stopping to watch it for a moment, I take her tiny hand in mine and walk her towards Noah’s house, knowing that he should be back home soon.
As soon as we turn the corner, I see Noah’s distinct red ute in the driveway, and my heart picks up instantly. My pulse beating faster andharder, I never thought I would begin to miss having him around, but I have been waiting all day to see him again.
Jade points a grubby finger at his car, realising her dad is home. “Car,” she squeaks out excitedly.
“Your dad’s home. I bet he missed you heaps,” I match her excitement, because honestly, I am not sure I can contain it myself right now. Letting go of my hand, she waddle-runs in her bright pink gumboots towards the house.
Following closely behind her, I help her up the stairs and take off her muddy shoes before opening up the door. “Noah!”
His head pokes out from behind the fridge, a wide grin etched into his stubbled face. He closes it and walks into the hallway, laughing at how dirty we are. Despite our current state, he comes up, cuddling his daughter. Jade giggles and messes up his hair.
