Page 141 of Unspoken Hearts
My frown deepens as I stare at Grayson, realising how I’ve hurt him. I’d spent my whole childhood and teenage years protecting him, when I should have spent them teaching him and spending time with him.
Running a hand down my face, I sigh. “I’m sorry. I thought I was helping by staying out of the way and letting you be yourself. I didn’t know you saw this as you needing to compete with me to get my attention.”
He shrugs. “At first, it was.” He pauses, looking between Macie and I. “Then I wanted to be better, to prove that I was just as good, even if I was only eighteen months younger.”
I shake my head. “You never need to, Gray. You were a good kid. I just wish you’d have told me, or—”
“Yeah, well, I wish you’d told me about Macie before I read those messages,” he grumbles.
My chest sinks, knowing that he’s right. I kept that from him and went behind his back for too long. I knew it was wrong, but I also had no idea how he would react. And if he told me he didn’t approve of Macie and me, then I wouldn’t have known what to do. I couldn’t choose between them.
“I’m sorry I didn’t, but I thought you’d hate me for it.”
Grayson rubs at his nose as Macie steadies me. “Well, I did for a few days,” he answers. “I was really mad about what you did.”
“We did it because we didn’t want to hurt you.”
“I know you didn’t, but I couldn’t see that,” he lets out in a raw tone. “But then I saw you last night, and I think it clicked then that I was just in the way. I’ve spent most of my life wanting to be better than you, trying to keep everything to myself, when I was the one stopping you two from…”
“Being together?” Macie offers in a soft tone.
Grayson nods to her. “The times that I found you two together, on the porch or at the pub, I didn’t like it. I know I'd told you that Macie was my friend, but I couldn’t ignore the feeling that something was happening the more you two were acting shifty.” I bite the inside of my cheek. “And then when I saw those messages on Macie’s phone, the first thought I had was how you’d backstabbed me.”
My throat works. “We didn’t want to.”
“I know.” Grayson clamps his eyes shut, hands digging into them. “You were protecting me, again. I know…”
Macie moves closer to my side. Her proximity alone makes my fingers tingle all over like I’ve slept on them, but my eyes are locked onto my brother who looks to be unravelling with awareness.
“I will always protect you, Gray, and our brothers. It’s what I’ve always done, and I’m not going to stop that.” Deep, cobalt irises search mine. I step closer, squeezing his shoulder tightly. “I want you to run the ranch with me. It’s got nothing to do with tradition, it’s because you’re my brother and I wouldn’t want anyone else to help me. It’s not to get you on my good side or anything. I’m telling you because this is what I want, and I know you do, too. You used to tell me as a kid how much youwanted to be like Dad one day. Did you really think I was so selfish I wouldn’t have let you run it with me?”
His tongue runs along his lip as he shakes his head, eyes watering. “I didn’t think you’d remember that.”
The corner of my mouth quirks. “I remember everything.” My gaze slides to meet Macie’s for a brief second. “But if we do this together, then Macie will be staying as well. With me.”
Grayson’s eyes flickering onto Macie. “You really love her?” he asks warily.
I give a nod. Macie’s fingers entwine with mine and it’s enough to send an electrical current up my veins, shocking my already fighting system, but it’s almost a little soothing.
“Yes,” I answer. “I love Macie, and I have since I met her, just like she has. We only kept this from you because we didn’t want to see you…”
“Hurt,” Macie adds quietly.
Grayson blinks at me before pulling Macie into his arms, murmuring something into her ear.
I don’t catch the words, but her wide eyes flicker to mine. A soft grin pulls in her kissable lips, and I feel some of the tension melting away, knowing that now I can finally have her.
Chapter forty-one
Macie
Thenexttwoweeksfly by. The cafe has picked up, although Laynie has been complaining a lot more, which is not like her. I’ve also spent most of my spare time writing in my bedroom or the small office downstairs when Reid isn’t sorting out finances. I’ve found out that with the door closed, it’s quiet enough for me to focus.
Reid and Grayson are on better terms, which is relieving. The two of them have been working on plans for Honey Haven with Austin, and the only time I see them is late at night or during our morning duties.
Sitting in the smaller office one night, my legs tucked up on the leather chair, I type away on one of my final chapters. The end is so close that my fingers are itching to have this completed.
Sucking in a deeper breath, noticing that my laptop battery is flashing, I quickly save my work when someone knocks on the door.
