Page 9 of Prove Me Wrong
“Sydney is far away!”
My head tilts as I wash my hands in the kitchen sink. “She’ll still be our friend, and we’ll be hers. Tatum won’t forget about us,especially you.”
Nathan freezes for a moment before grabbing Tatum's phone, where she left it on the island next to her handbag. I frown as I watch him unlock her phone, press the camera button, and swing around to face it at us.
“Smile,” he chimes.
I do, and Nathan takes a selfie of us before changing the wallpaper of Tatum’s phone to our faces. I chuckle as he closes it and sets it back down. “See, now she won’t forget about us.”
My head shakes as I let out, “Nathan, I think you need a girlfriend.”
He scoffs lightly, but as I ready myself for the usual clap back about how great single life is, I’m surprised when Nathan puts his bottle in the bin and silently grabs our things. He’s always had a bachelor's life, never wanting to settle down, but something in hisexpression makes me wonder if he's changing his mind. If he’s now considering settling down to not be as scary as he thinks.
Frowning in his direction, I open my mouth to say something when Tatum and Jade come back down the stairs, smelling as fresh as a daisy. I grab Jade’s bag off the bench, filled with the usual toddler necessities, before leading Nathan to the front door.
“I’ll meet you two there. You're all right to drive, T?”
“Sure.” Tatum nods and fiddles with her keys before opening my front door.
Jade’s arms reach towards me, and I scoop her up and carry her out of the house, locking up behind me. Unlocking my beloved ute, I clip Jade into the backseat as Nathan and Tatum drive off together in her Jeep.
Walking around to the driver’s seat, I slip inside and rest my hands on the steering wheel, my gaze flicking onto June’s house.
My mind won’t stop thinking about the dark-haired girl who arrived yesterday afternoon. June told me about her granddaughter moving in this weekend, but I never imagined her being so pretty—grey-blue eyes, long brunette hair and lightly freckled skin.
I know a lot of athletes like to use their fame to sleep around and flaunt themselves, but I am quite the opposite. I have barely looked at anyone since the incident, and I much prefer to slip out of the spotlight, especially since I have Jade to consider now.
But my heart did beat a little louder when I noticed her grinning at Jade from across the lawn.
The way her cloudy eyes lit up made me smile. It’s been a long time since someone has made me grin like that, and I enjoyed the fuzzy feeling I got in the pit of my stomach, wanting to feel it again.
My gut tightens as I give my head a small shake and start the ute. It’s been almost two years since that night, and yet I can’t shake the feelingthat I’m doing something wrong. Em’s not here anymore, so why do I feel guilty for thinking about another girl?
Blowing out a steady breath, I look over my shoulder at Jade happily playing in her car seat, hands touching her socks like how toddlers can, since they’re so flexible. All I need is Jade in my life.
She’s all that will ever matter to me.
Chapter Three
MIA
Closing my laptop screen, I place it on my desk before slipping on my socks and heading out into the hallway. Morning sunlight streams in through the sheer curtains, brightening the outdated kitchen. The scent of biscuits linger in the air, along with stale coffee. The ancient wooden floors creak as I make my way into the room.
Sinnett sits at the stained bench with a coffee in one hand and a peeled banana in the other. His blue eyes track me as I pick up a pear from the fruit bowl and bite into it. Sweetness fills my mouth instantly, settling my growling stomach, sounding like there’s a monster trapped inside.
“How was therapy?” my brother grunts out. He always tries sounding gruff and unbothered, but I know Sin worries about me more than our own parents. They certainly worry, but never about the right things. It’s always about being the best and following in their footsteps, even though that’s the last thing I want to do.
I shrug and stand opposite him, bending to rest my elbows on the benchtop. Brown hair falls down my shoulders, eyes dropping to the bitten fruit in my grip. “Charlotte just asked about the move, how I’m feeling about being in Barrenridge and starting a new chapter in my life.”
“How are you feeling about being here?” he asks before polishing off the rest of his banana.
Sniffing, I straighten my posture. “It feels better than Sydney ever did. I know it’s only been two days, but I already feel safer here than in the city. Probably because I know he’s not here.” My voice is soft as I try keeping my nerves at bay.
Sinnett’s head tilts to one side, and I look away, not wanting to see the pity spreading across his light-coloured irises. “Ryan can’t find you. I made sure of it, Mia.”
My teeth clench at his name, along with my fists at my sides as I shut my eyes tightly. “I had to get away from there, Sin.”
“I know.” He exhales, drawing my attention back to him.
