Page 86 of Prove Me Wrong
“Maybe, but he has Jade now, and she matters more to him.” I let out, not liking the way she’s talking about Noah.
Her pink lips purse together, unimpressed with me, but I am not trying to impress her. I want her to realise how good her son is, and the life he’s built here. “Yes, well, I’m glad that my son has finally come to his senses this morning.”
My eyebrows pull together, heartbeat slowing. “What do you mean?”
“I mean that he has finally agreed to our arrangement. He’ll be moving to Rafters Falls with his dad and me, and I will watchherwhile Noah focuses on his racing again. There shouldn’t be anything taking away his attention from his real goal of being a full-time driver. I’m sure you can understand.” Her head tilts to one side.
Tongue running across my chapped lips, I shake my head. “Noah wouldn’t agree to that.” I remember when he spoke of his parents, and the pain and anger written into his features. He would never want to live near them. This is his life, not racing.
She laughs again, making me blanch. “Do you really think he’d stay here for you? Do you actually think you are important to him? That you would be anything significant in his life when all he needed was a babysitter on such short notice?” Blonde brows raise as she gives me a pointed look. “Think about it. He’s a successful driver, and you are justthe girl next door with no job who needs money. You were a quick fix. A temporary solution. And your time has come to an end.”
My chest stings as I realise what she’s saying. That even if Noah does love me, I’ll never be good enough for him. That I am nothing useful. I’m everything Ryan said I would be.
Nobody will want you when I’m finished with you. You’re not anything important.
There’s only one thing I need from you, so shut up and give it to me.
Breath catching in my throat, the tray slips from my hands, coffee spraying all over the ground. Noah's mum winces with displeasure. “Gosh, I don’t even know why he hired you if this is how useless you are. As of today, your services are no longer required,” she seethes before slamming the door in my face.
Pulse racing wildly, lips trembling, hands shaking, I bite back tears, wondering how I have more left in my body as I back away from his house.
Wiping under my eyes, I race over to Gran’s, not knowing how to stop the gaping hole that’s opening up in my chest. Noah wouldn’t do this to me. He wouldn’t open up to me, and then have his mum replace me.Would he?
Did he realise this morning that I'm nothing to him? That I am useless? That I’ll never be enough after I spent half the night pouring my heart out to him?
I crumble against my bed, face digging into my covers as I let out a pent-up scream. Hands fisting in the fabric, I feel like ripping them apart, just like how my heart feels right now. Torn. Ruined. Broken.
Letting the tears out until my throat is dry and my words are hoarse, I open my phone and send Mum a message. I need to start packing mybags before I have to face the man I let into my life only to toss me aside like I am nothing once again.
ME: I’ll be home this afternoon.
MUM: Perfect.
Chapter Thirty-Three
NOAH
As soon as I see Mum’s car in the driveway, I want to throw up, but I don’t. Jade is asleep in the back, resting her eyes after leaving the doctor's office for her eighteen-month visit. I was so proud of her for not crying when she got injections, and when the doctor assessed her. I almost texted Mia to come with us this morning, but after last night, I thought she could use the sleep in.
Pulling up on the road, I get Jade out of her car seat, her head resting on my shoulder as she stirs. My heart rate is already pounding as I lock my car and head towards my house, not wanting to face them.
My eyes glance at June’s house to see Mia’s car still in the driveway. She might still be out for her morning coffee run; I've grown to know her movements too well. But something doesn’t sit right in my stomach.
Shaking my head, I storm up the stairs, seeing the patch of murky water on the porch. I unlock my door to find Mum in the kitchen. She’s rearranging everything in my cupboards. Dad sits in the living room in his wheelchair, eyes focused on the TV. Deep hazel eyes tear off the screen and round when he sees me. There’s a gauntness in his cheeks that wasn’t there the last time I saw him, but it’s evident now, along with his thicker beard and receding hairline.
“Dad.” The word comes out rough and rugged, showing how long it’s been since I’ve spoken it.
“Noah.” His voice is just as gruff as he spins his wheelchair around to face me.
It should hurt me that he doesn’t call me son anymore, but honestly, it doesn’t. It did at first, but now I think he’d hate it if he started again. I haven’t been his son since I ruined his plans.
“What are you two doing here?” I ask through gritted teeth. Jade stays perched on my hip, fingers ticking the nape of my neck as she blinks down at her estranged granddad.
His gaze shifts to Jade, but there’s no smile pulling in his mouth. If anything, it straightens more, showing nothing but disappointment that wrenches my chest. “Your mum wanted to visit since you wouldn’t return her calls. She wanted to make sure that you’re all right.”
“I'm fine.” My tone is harsh, but I really don’t want them here. I like surprises, but this isn’t the kind that makes me smile. “Nice of you to come, then. I’ll help you to the door.”
His icy glare hits me, wrinkles carved around his eyes deepening. The last time I saw him, he didn’t look like this much of a mess—a thick, peppering beard, haunted eyes and lean build. I hate seeing him like this, knowing that the accident wasn’t his fault. But since then, his pressure for me to become a better driver has been immense. He gave up on me not long after I brought Jade home from the hospital, but Mum took longer to quit, not quite getting the hint like Dad. I know it was more Mum pushing me to give Jade up, but Dad went along with it, agreeing that my career in racing was more important. It made me furious.
