Page 104 of Unspoken Hearts
“Great timing,” I mutter, placing the last one in and shutting the boot.
My phone stops and I open it to see an unknown number. It calls again.
Hesitating for a moment, I answer warily, my stomach clenching. “Hi, this is Macie.”
An older woman’s voice comes through, a little stern and monotonous as if she does this way too often and is tired of her work. “Hi, Miss Cambell, I am calling from the University of Sydney about your brother, Axel.”
My throat swallows, suddenly feeling dryer as I slide into the driver's seat and away from the noisy road. “Ah, sure. What is this about?”
My heart rate picks up as the woman dives right in. “Axel is missing part of his fees for this semester. It seems that not all of it has been paid,and as you are still his main point of payments, I will need to ask if you are able to pay for the remainder, otherwise Axel won’t be able to complete all of his course units.”
My lungs tighten at the strain in her tone. She doesn’t sound the least bit concerned about Axel failing his units, but then again, she probably makes these calls all the time.
“Okay, I can. How much will it be?”
“I will send you an email with the payment options, but you are looking at another twenty-five hundred dollars.”
My mouth drops open as I stare into the street beyond. Pulse skittering, I almost choke on a breath.
Twenty-five hundred dollars?
“Hello?” she repeats impatiently, and I realise that I've been silent for a long minute.
“Umm, yes. I will pay for it now. Thank you—”
The call ends, and I stare at my phone screen, jaw ticking.Rude.My fingers tremble slightly as I flick to my emails, finding the payment options. Opening up my banking app, I inhale sharply.
Account balance:$2,503
My breath catches in my throat at the small number, but I have to do this for Axel. I told him that I would always take care of him, and I stand by that. He’s worked too hard for this for me to ruin everything by not paying.
Transferring the money, I reply to the email quickly to tell them that it’s been paid for, before tossing my phone on the passenger seat. Face dropping into my hands, I groan loudly, the familiar pressure pushing on my shoulders once again. All I can hear is the drumming of hot blood rushing in my ears because now I’m down to three dollarsin my account.
Turning on the car, I pull out of the parking spot and start on my way home, chewing nervously on my bottom lip as I try fighting off the nerves vibrating through me. I don’t like living life on the edge, but I feel like this is how I have been living since I was a kid. Like every step I take, I’m knocked backwards again, never moving forward, always staying still.
Passing the stores, I press down on the accelerator, and feel the car lurch forward, spluttering loudly.
No, no, no, no. Not now, Betsie!
My gaze drops to the petrol gauge to see it sitting below empty.Seriously? Can I just catch a break for once?
Sighing, I somehow make it to the petrol station on the edge of the main road and stop at the pump. I get out, ready to fill it when I feel the blood draining from my face.
I only have three dollars.
Grunting angrily, I reach into the passenger side and grab my phone. Tapping on Laynie’s name, I try calling her but it goes to her voicemail. She’s obviously busy with the cafe and not looking at her phone.
My fingers tingle as I look through the list of names. I know I would rather ask Reid for help, but I click on Grayson’s name instead, hoping that maybe he’s not working right now.
“Pick up. Pick up,” I mutter under my breath until it too goes to voicemail. “Crap.”
Staring at my phone, my heart flutters a little when I see Reid’s number staring back at me. Without a second thought, I click on it, praying that he answers me.
Ringing a few times, my heart drops to my stomach when his smooth, honeyed tone comes through thespeaker. “Hi, cowgirl.”
I sigh loudly with relief, a sob almost escaping me. “I’m sorry to call you. I hope you’re not busy.”
“I just picked up something for the house.” He pauses. “What’s wrong, Mae?”
