Page 15 of Unspoken Hearts
“I’m not apologising.” Cole grounds out.
Holden just groans into his drink.
“I think you should,” Macie speaks up, taking a potato wedge that’s still steaming. I know she likes them, which is why I always order them. That, and they are the best snack, obviously. “It’s the least you could do for not inviting her to your release night.”
“But shebeat me.” Cole grits out, leaning across the table at her.
Macie’s head tilts a little. “Suck it up. You’re nineteen, not nine.”
I huff a laugh, causing Macie to look my way, a small grin appears in her pinking cheeks when Laynie interrupts us.
“Changing to a better conversation,” and Cole tsks, “did Axel arrive all right?”
Macie nods, breaking our stare to open up her phone. “He messaged me a few hours ago that he’s settled in.”
“Is he staying on campus?” Grayson asks before biting into a honeyed wing.
She shakes her head, shutting off her phone again, but I don’t miss the beat of sadness pulling in her fair features before asking. “An apartmentnearby with two guys from his basketball team. They were looking for a third roommate and Axel offered. It’s cheaper, and he’ll be with his friends.”
I take some wedges as Laynie continues, “We can go visit him soon if you want?” Offering her a small smile. “Also, where will you be staying tonight?”
“My place.” Macie adds, biting into a wedge. Laynie looks at her, but Macie tilts her head and waves her off. “I’ll be fine, L. There’s no need to worry about me.”
“I always worry.” Laynie says under her breath, but I still hear her despite the acoustic music blasting through the speakers.
“You can always stay with us, too.” Grayson offers.
I see the discomfort in her green eyes before she forces out the grin I have seen on here too many times. It never quite reaches her eyes. Almost as if it’s fake…
“Thank you, but I am fine staying at home. I might as well get used to the quietness now with Axel in Sydney.”
My eyebrows pinch a little but I keep my mouth shut.
I don’t like the way she always tries to downplay everything, like the last thing she wants is for people to worry about her. Macie’s the strongest person I know, which is one of my favourite things about her, but she also acts like nothing ever affects her, even though I know that’s a lie.
“All right, but if you need anything—”
“I know.” Macie lets out, unphased. “If I do then I’ll come to you.”
Relief washes over Grayson’s fairer features, and I wonder if he sees the way Macie retreats in herself. She comes across as bold and lively, but I’m beginning to wonder if it’s just a cover up.
Macie returns a grin before staring at Cole on her other side, munching into chicken wings, “You, however, need to apologise to Paisley before we leave tonight.”
He groans, wiping his face with a napkin before countering, “Or I could just leave it since she’s equally as rude to me. She spat in my drink!”
“No, she spat in one of ours, no thanks to you.” Holden scowls.
Cole glares at him before shaking his head. ”I’m not doing it.”
“You’re being such a baby.” Laynie adds, crossing her arms in front of her fuller chest, lips pursing tighter.
“Am not.” Cole snips back, crossing his own in retaliation.
“You’re worse than Aspen.” I mutter, then feel him clipping the back of my head.
I straighten and glare sideways at him until I see his stubbornness break.
Groaning, Cole gets out of the booth and shuffles his way over to where Paisley stands, punching something into the till.
