Page 105 of Unspoken Hearts
I let out a small sound, pressing my eyes shut because I hate doing this. I never want to be a bother, or ask for anything, but I need him right now. “Reid, I need help.”
“Where are you?” His voice hardens as I peer up at the blue and red sign.
“Hollow Grove fuel station,” I answer quietly.
I hear him on the other end, his car rumbling in the background. “I’m close by. I’ll only be a few minutes, okay. Just stay there.”
“Thank you,” I whisper and end the call before my stubborn nature takes over and I tell him to leave it. I hate that I developed my parent’s obstinacy. It’s a part of me I wish I didn’t have, but unfortunately, it’s one of their genes I inherited.
With a pounding chest, I pop open the petrol flap and slowly start filling up the tank. I fill it halfway, because that’s more than enough to get back, and not so much that Reid will be annoyed with the amount.
Closing the flap, I lean against my car, tears prickling my eyes as I silently wait for him. The heat makes beads of sweat form on my upper lip and forehead, and I wipe them away when I hear his ute pulling up.
He comes to a stop behind Laynie’s car and gets out immediately. Gaze focused on me, I feel my shoulders loosen, like I might just let go of all my emotions on the spot.
“What happened?” he asks, looking between me and Laynie’s little car, trying to figure out what’s happened.
“Umm,” I let out nervously. My body vibrates as I peer up into his worried gaze.Thisfeels weak, and I never want to feel weak, but it’s Reid. He’ll understand, right?Swallowing the last of my hesitancy, I squeeze out, “I ran out of petrol, and I can’t pay for it.” My voice is so small, and I feel the tears welling in the brim of my lashes as I look down at the pump. Feeling defeated, my lips tremble.
“I’ve got it, don’t worry. I’ll be back in a minute.” Reid jogs inside the station.
Warm tears fall down my flushed cheeks, and I hastily wipe them away, my face heating with embarrassment. I want to hide, like I used to when I needed help and my parents ignored me. They never had time for me, and it showed in the way I taught myself everything when I was old enough.
Reid returns, his hand coming to rest on my shoulder, but I can’t bring myself to look at him. “It’s okay, Mae. Don’t worry about it.”
I shake my head, the pressure behind my eyes becoming so overwhelming when Reid’s arms surround me. I melt against him, my cheek pressed against his chest. I let myself cry, feeling weaker than I have felt in a long time. Standing in the middle of the petrol station, Reid just holds me. The quiet man who knows that words don’t mean much to me, but actions do.
Tears drip steadily down my face as I breathe in his masculine scent, the swirling thoughts of my childhood dissipating slowly when I feel him kiss my hair.
“I’m so sorry,” I squeeze out, because to me this feels like a burden. Like I’m the burden in people’s lives. To my parents I was, and even my aunt. But I’m praying that I’m not to Reid, because that would completely shatter me if he saw me that way.
“You don’t have to be sorry, Mae,” he murmurs against my temple before pulling away.
I look down, cleaning my face again, because I don’t want him seeing my weakness. “Thank you for helping me,” I almost choke out.
“I’ll always help you.”
That makes me smile. Coughing out a sob, I wipe my face dry once more. “I didn’t make you come out of your way, did I?”
His hands rest on the side of my neck, and I finally look up into his crystal eyes. He shakes his head. “You’re never too far out of my way, cowgirl.”
I blink at his question before nodding. “I got things for Laynie.”
“Will they spoil if you take half an hour longer?”
I eye him suspiciously before nodding my head. “I need to get them back to the cafe. Why?”
“Because I wanted to cheer you up,” he murmurs. I feel the butterflies in my stomach. “Can I pick you up later and take you somewhere?”
I nod against his hands. He kisses me softly, and I wish I didn’t have to hide this anymore. I wish I could scream to everyone that I love this man, but there’s one person holding my heart back.
Chapter twenty-nine
Reid
IchucklewhenIseeMacie’s gemstone eyes light up when we stop out the front of the ice cream store. I remembered our little deal, and I also looked it up last week to see if she was right.
Turns out she is.
