Page 18 of Unspoken Hearts
I feel those butterflies once again.
My mind no longer seems to be in complete control, so I gulp down more water, mainly to keep myself from saying something embarrassing as Reid studies me intently.
Breathing out, I hiccup loudly and put the empty glass down, before looking sideways at Reid’s curious face. “I think I should go home.”
Nodding in agreement, Reid looks to Holden, who seems to be having a silent conversation with him. I try figuring out what they’re saying, but come up empty-handed.
Reid grabs his phone off the table and nudges me out of the booth. “Come on, I’ll walk you.” His hand rests on my back, and my skin warms all over, as if a fire burns through the fabric of my dress. I might just spontaneously combust with how hot I am.
Reid gently guides me through the pub before letting go. I instantly feel his detachment, almost groaning in response. He walks through the dancing bodies to tell Grayson of our plans.
Grayson looks at me before nodding and saying something. I can’t make out what it is from here, but a moment later, Reid walks past me to the door. Frowning, I follow behind him.
Reid pushes open the wooden door for me, before I feel his hand on me once more. My heart melts a little like a marshmallow being roasted over an open fire pit.
Cool air hits me, and I immediately feel calmer and more in control as I suck in deeper breaths. Rich indigos and plums colour the sky above, the stars already twinkling. Reid starts moving me again, and I walk beside him. His hands stay in his pockets as we make our way to myhouse. There’s quite a few people out still, chatting and laughing, but the further we walk, the quieter it seems.
Evergreens line the wide, straight road, with shops and houses on either side. They’re all rustic in shape and colours, with steel signs, timber benches on the footpath, metal light poles illuminating the street and cars scattered on either side.
I cross my arms over my stomach, sucking in another breath of dusty, country air. A car rumbles to life nearby, drowning out the music and birds for a moment. That glass of water soaked up some of the alcohol, but my mouth still has a mind of its own, apparently.
“I don’t drink,” I let out, like it’ll somehow make this better.
Heart stuttering, I peer sideways to catch the corner of Reid’s mouth curling. “I know, Mae,” is all he says in his usual husky tone.
We stroll leisurely, our boots clapping against the pavement as the hum of crickets surround us. I push down the lump forming in my throat, wondering if Reid realised how much I was staring at him in the booth. Every time I caught his glances, they made my toes curl.
Does he know that he has this effect on me? More importantly, does he care?
Turning down a quieter street off the main road, my heart is still unsettled. I look to Reid, who is focused ahead. He has been timid since I met him. Occasionally, mainly with his brother’s, he’ll become somewhat boisterous, but for the most part, he remains quiet. Listening rather than speaking.
A lot of people misunderstand him, thinking he’s a really grumpy, standoffish guy. But he’s not. At least not to me.
I’ve even noticed that sometimes he covers his ears with his hands, and when I asked Grayson about it, he vaguely answered that Reid hassensitive hearing. I don’t think it’s the whole answer, but I also don’t want to pry.
Kicking at some loose gravel, I try filling in the silence. “How’s the ranch?”
I don’t really like silence like he does, because that’s when my brain starts going into overdrive. It might be comfortable for him, but it’s making my nerves run wild through my veins like poison.
He lets out a small exhale. “The same as when you were over two weeks ago.”
Wow, he remembers when I last came for dinner?
“Great,” I add, my toes wriggling in my boots again. “I miss the baby cows.” The baby cows are always my favourite to see. They’re so fluffy and a little ditsy.
It’s adorable.
Sky blue eyes move to mine, assessing me. I grin wider. “They’re older now. You’ll have to wait until next spring for the newborns, cowgirl.”
The thud in my chest is overwhelming at his name for me.
“I’m sorry about your brother leaving,” Reid murmurs. His gaze meets mine, I see the kindness in his features that I always witness whenever I catch him glancing my way.
“Yeah, but I’m glad at least one of us got to leave. He deserves to find something better,” I let out softly.
“And he always wanted to be an engineer,” Reid adds, like he’s reminding me of that fact.
I grin. “He did. And I’d rather him follow his passion than be stuck here working in a crummy store or on a—” My eyes widening up atReid’s.
