Page 8 of Prove Me Wrong
Stuffing my hands in the pockets of my pants, I exhale grimly, my heart dropping slightly. I know I’ll miss having Tatum around. I could rely on her if I needed someone to watch Jade, especially when I’m out oftown for a race. Admittedly, I’m not quite sure what I’ll do now with her leaving. Nathan is good with Jade, and so is June next door, so I’ll probably need to juggle her between the two of them. “I wouldn’t want you to decline the offer. You deserve this opportunity, T.”
“Would it help if I tie her down?” Nathan questions without looking away from a babbling Jade, who is smearing potato all over her mouth.
Tatum chokes on her drink. “No! That sounds disgusting, Nate.”
Nathan scoffs and glares at her over his shoulder. “I didn’t mean it inthatway. I just don’t want you to go. You’re breaking up the group here. We’ve been inseparable since preschool.” His tone shifts into something whiny.
Her eyebrows arch, and I roll my eyes. “She won’t forget about us, Nate.”
“But she will be three hours away!” he groans, but smiles when Jade pokes his cheek with her grubby finger. “How will I update you about the girls I meet?”
“Ever heard of a phone?” I grumble, folding my arms across my chest.
Tatum snickers. “Or just don’t sleep around anymore.”
Nathan glares at her, and I can’t help but chuckle. “Like that’ll happen. Be serious, Tate.”
She runs her tongue across her lips before adding, “I’ll answer all your calls, Nate. And I’ll be back to visit soon enough. It’ll be like I was never gone.”
“I knew you’d miss me.” He winks his dark lashes at Tatum.
Tatum shakes her head and walks over to them, making faces at Jade. “I’ll miss you the most, gorgeous girl.”
“Hey!” Nathan snaps.
Tatum grunts before muttering, “And you, Nate.”
Nathan grins at me as Tatum slides Jade out of the chair and into her arms. Jade giggles as mashed potatoes smear on Tate’s neck. I grab some paper towel to wipe it off.
“Thanks,” she mumbles before kissing Jade’s pink cheek. “I am going to miss you, sweetie. I hope you’ll remember how close we were before I left town.”
Her sentiment stabs at my chest, and I have to turn away before either of them catches my eyes prickling with tears. It pains me that one of my best friends is leaving, and Jade has grown so attached to Tatum since she was born. I don’t know how she’s going to deal with Tatum leaving.
I don’t even know how I’ll deal. Or Nathan.
“Noah?”
I look back at glassy green eyes and inhale deeply, knowing I need to stay strong for Tatum right now. But if she breaks, then I’m going to break apart with her. Call me empathetic, but I hate seeing others hurt or upset, especially when they’re close to me.
“We should go soon before the pub gets too rowdy,” Nathan reminds us, placing his empty beer bottle on the bench and swiping his wallet and phone from beside it.
Nodding, I grab some wipes and clean Jade’s hands and face before kissing her forehead. “Ready to go out, princess?”
Jade’s shimmering green eyes look up into mine, and I smile widely. I will never tire of looking at my baby girl. She reminds me so much of Emerald that it hurts. Down to her smile, freckles and fairer skin, I see her mum in her, reminding me of that wretched night. But I still have Jade, and I am forever grateful for that.One is better than none.
“Do you want me to change her quickly while you clean up?” Tatum offers as I throw the wipe away and go to clean up Jade’s chair.
“Would you mind?” I ask without looking at my friend.
“We’ll be back down in a few.”
Tatum’s footsteps sound down the hallway and up the staircase before Nathan looks at me. I know exactly what he’s about to suggest. “Do you think we can convince her to stay here?”
Regretfully, I shake my head, shoulders dropping once more. Tatum is going tomorrow, so we have tonight to spend together. “I don’t think so, Nate. She needs to do this. Physiotherapy work is scarce around here, and if she has the chance to work for a sports team, then we can’t hold her back in this little town.”
Nathan’s tongue pokes the inside of his cheek before letting out a loud groan. “This sucks. I’ve known you both since I was three. I don’t know my life without Tate being here. We need her.”
“She’s only going to Sydney, Nate. Not overseas.”
