Page 16 of Unspoken Hearts
“You reckon he’ll be nice?” Macie questions, my focus returning to the group.
Holden shakes his head. “Doubt it.”
“You said to apologise, not to be nice.” Grayson adds.
Macie's smile twists as I swallow another wedge.
The booth is silent for a few seconds, and I watch the dimming of Macie’s face. It pains me to see her looking this way, and I just want to take her mind off of everything. I know she’s silently struggling with her brother moving away. She might think she’s hiding it well, but the dullness in her eyes and flatness of her smile is enough to tell me that inside she’s hurting.
Clearing my throat, she blinks up at me, anticipating my words and I ask, “How’s your book coming along?” ignoring my fingers anxiously rubbing together on my lap.
Everyone looks at me for a moment before turning their attention to Macie who stares at me with parted lips. Lips that I have thought about many times.
Her bright eyes twinkle at mine, causing my throat to work. She’s so beautiful, and I wish I could tell her that every day. Pull her close to me and hold her all night, but I know Grayson would hate me for it, so I continue stuffing down the tinging feeling in my extremities.
She told me once that she was bullied in primary school for her copper hair, and I heard the jokes in the hallway between classes. I never once thought her hair was ugly. If anything, it’s one of my favourite parts about her. It's unique and pretty, just like her.
I watch her tongue drag along her bottom lip, making me twitch a little.Does she know how enticing that is?
“Well,” she murmurs, tucking hair behind her ears, almost like she’s nervous, but she shouldn’t be. “It’s coming along. Maybe a third of the way.”
A grin pulls in my mouth as my fingers feel a little fuzzy. “Good.”
She huffs out a small breath. “I’m surprised you remembered, Reid.” and I hear the appreciation in her tone.
I go to answer when Grayson cuts me off, “Of course we remembered.”
My teeth clench at his words, and I look away, feeling the twisting in my stomach. Hand fisting on my thigh, I down the rest of my beer in one smooth mouthful.
Sighing, I notice Macie watching me for a moment, a small pull in her eyebrows when Laynie speaks up.
“You’ll have to read it to us when you’re done.”
Macie just nods. “Sure, if you want.”
“We do.” Grayson adds, and my jaw ticks, eyes dropping to the table again when Cole slides into the booth, looking just as mad as before.
“So?” Laynie drawls as he scuffs up his dark hair. “Did you do it?”
“Yes…” Cole answers, his smirk wiped clean off his face.
I frown at him as Grayson speaks my mind. “You look like she tore into you.”
His mouth rolls as I look up to see Paisley smiling at her friend behind the bar. “You didn’t apologise?”
“Oh, I apologised,” he starts, digging his hands into his eyes and huffing a breath. “She gloated so hard I don’t think my ego will ever be back to normal.”
“Thank goodness.” Holden gruffs out and I snicker lightly. “Your ego is higher than it needs to be.”
“Yeah, she’s bringing it down to a human level.” Grayson adds on with a smile.
Cole glares at him as Grayson winks, downing his drink. “Whatever.”
“I say we should dance.” Macie declares before looking Grayson in the eye, a smile growing in her cheeks. “Care to join me?”
“Absolutely,” and Grayson pushes his way out.
I swallow.Should I ask Macie? Maybe she’ll ask me? Can I even dance? No way, but I’d try just for her.
