Page 7 of Prove Me Wrong
Grabbing the cardboard box out of my Jeep, I close the door and look over to see the man now watching me. His eyes are a piercing green shade, like shiny ripe apples, and a light dusting of stubble covers his chiselled jaw and sharp cheeks. He’s cut like a Greek god—muscular, tall and fit. I have to force the lump down my throat when Sinnett appears on the stairs of Gran’s house.
“Mia!”
My eyes snap to my brother. Without a word, I approach him, feeling the man’s gaze still on me like a beam of heat. Sinnett peers over at my new neighbour, who smiles a dimpled grin and waves in our direction.
Crap, of course he has dimples…
“You want coffee? Gran says it’s ready,” Sinnett grumbles. Shoulder’s rolling back, his gaze shifts back to mine.
“Yeah.” My voice comes out as a croak, and I clear my throat loudly. As much as I hate it, my new neighbour has somehow made me flustered. I have been so cautious these past few years to never notice guys, but there’s something about him…
Sin’s blue eyes narrow before looking back over to my shirtless neighbour, who is working on his car once more. “Come on, twinkle fingers,” he mutters before strolling back inside with the cardboard box he took from my arms.
Swallowing, I can’t help but glance once more at the little girl playing with her toys. She’s so quiet and beautiful, watching her dad work on his car. She can’t be more than two, with matching dimples in her rosy cheeks and a gap between her front teeth.
My gaze drifts back onto him, and my breath hitches when our eyes meet from across the lawn separating our houses. Heart hammering in my chest, flooding my ears, my fingertips tingle like they’re being electrified as our eyes lock for a few seconds—a beat too long that has my head spinning.
Forcing my eyes away, I swallow, trying to shake the feeling running along my skin as I trail after my brother.
‘You’re too broken, Mia. Nobody will want you,’ repeats in my mind as I slam the front door behind me, shutting downhisvoice clouding my mind.
I’m never going to be good enough for anyone…
Chapter Two
NOAH
“Beer?” Nathan asks, his wavy raven head stuck inside my refrigerator.
Eyes meeting Tatum’s green ones from across my kitchen, she simply smirks and sips on her wine.
“I’m driving tonight, Nate,” I remind him, tone flat.
Nathan slams the fridge door and pops off the lid of his amber glass bottle before ingesting a huge gulp of brew. “You can drink one and drive, Noah. It’s not against the law.” Dark eyes round, trying to seem convincing.
My throat burns at that. Memories try clawing their way back into my mind, but I shake them away. “I’m not drinking if I have Jade in the car with me.”
“Leave him alone, Nathan,” Tatum says from her spot on a stool at my island bench. “Noah is a dad. He has to be responsible.”
Nathan grimaces and downs half his bottle in one go. “At least one of us is responsible,” he murmurs before turning his attention to my daughter sitting in her highchair, mashed potatoes covering her tiny fingers. Smiling, he wriggles his hands as he approaches her. Jade giggles so loudly it makes me chuckle. I just want to catch that sound and keep it forever.
Jade adores my best friends, Tatum and Nathan, even though they are still growing up—Nathan definitely has more maturing to do than Tatum. I know I’m the unofficial father figure of this group, but I am happy with that responsibility. I’ll do all that I can to keep my daughter safe, and my friends as well.
Jade is my everything, and I’m all that she has now.
Nathan tickles her sides as Jade screams with delight. Tatum can’t hide her grin anymore, watching the two of them with amusement. Her strawberry blonde hair falls loosely over one shoulder as she casually leans on the benchtop.
My shoulders sink, remembering why we’re here tonight. Elbowing her in the side, I ask Tatum in a low tone, “Do you really have to leave?”
Tatum’s emerald irises meet mine, and they round a little at my question. Pink lips pursing, she nods slowly, lowering her glass to the bench. “It’s my only option. Believe me, if I didn’t have to go to Sydney, I’d stay right here. I never planned on leaving Barrenridge, and I don’t want to leave you or Jade, but with the clinic closing…”
Swallowing, I sigh and rub at my stubbled jaw. “I know. It’s selfish of me to want you to stay here. You need to follow your dreams, T.”
“My dream isn’t to move to Sydney, Noah.” Her head tilts in my direction, the ghost of a smirk curling on her mouth.
“But it is to work with athletes,” I gently counter.
Chin dipping to lower her gaze, Tatum rakes her fingers through her shiny hair. “It is, which is why I can’t pass up this opportunity.” Her tone softens, like she’s unsure if she’s making the right decision. “I know you like having the help, but I need to do this.”
