Page 31 of Unspoken Hearts
Turning my back to her, I grab two more mugs, making mine and Grayson’s coffees.
“Maybe this is a blessing in disguise.”
That makes me shift to glance back at her. Mum leans over the bench, staring out the wide window at the dishevelled property.
“How?”
“I have never liked her being in that house. And when Lucy left, I asked Macie to come live here with us. I’d have made room for her andAxel, but she insisted that she had to stay there. That it was still Lucy’s house, and she didn’t know if she was going to return.”
My heart beats like it’s pushing through sludge, thudding heavily against my neck. I believe that. Mum and Dad would have tried getting her here, and Macie would have rejected them, wanting to leave everything in her own hands as always...
A hand runs down my face as I grunt, “She’s here now at least.”
“I know,” Mum adds before resuming cooking. “Hopefully we can get all of this sorted, but I do hope that she realises that living here will be better for her. That house isn’t safe.”
My mouth opens to agree when I hear footsteps on the stairs. Turning back, Macie appears with Grayson behind her. He sinks down onto a stool as Macie hovers beside the island.
I slide the steaming ceramic mug across the bench towards Macie, our eyes locking. Her fingers brush against mine, and warmth tickles my skin in an invigorating way. My breath hitches for a second.
Grayson breaks the connection with his annoying voice.
“Aww, thanks big brother. You didn’t have to make me one.” He takes one of the other mugs.
My eyes slide to his, narrowing a fraction. “Just being nice.”
I then nudge Macie with my elbow. Eyes meeting mine, my toes curl a little as I murmur, “Try it.”
Without hesitation, Macie takes a sip, her eyes rounding as her grin deepens, showing off her laugh lines. “You added honey.” Her tone vibrates with happiness.
“Of course,” I murmur, biting down a smile. “It’s your favourite.”
Dazzling gaze stare up into mine. I can’t bring myself to look away, not wanting the connection to end. Throat working, the corners of her mouth curl before blinking, breaking our stare to take another sip.
My pulse swells like a steady, rhythmic drum beat beneath my skin.
Grayson shuffles in his seat. “Who cares. It’s only honey. You have some weird obsession with it, M.”
My teeth bite the inside of my cheek.
Macie lets out a small thank you and moves to Mum’s side, taking her coffee with her to help with cooking.
Grayson peers up at me before nodding to the back door. I know exactly what he’s silently asking. Following him out into the crisp air, he sits down on the weathered couch. I lean against a timber post, feeling the fresh, dewy air running through my hair.
“How bad was it really?” I ask, keeping my voice low in case Macie somehow has superhuman hearing and can hear our conversation from inside.
My younger brother sniffs, resting his elbows on his knees, looking slightly bothered. Dad comes out the back door.
Eyeing the two of us for a second, he catches on quickly. “I think we’ll need to go see how bad it is, and if it’s worth repairing. I’ve known Walter for many years, and that man won’t spend a cent unless he needs to.”
Grayson exhales, his head tilting a little. “Explains why it was so run down, then.”
Dad’s mouth ticks as he stands beside me in a plaid shirt and dirty jeans. “Before I call Walter, we’ll need to see. If it’s not that bad, we could do the repairs ourselves.”
Grayson shakes his head, and my spine straightens.
“I don’t think we should assume the worst until we’ve seen it,” I suggest, looking between them.
Dad nods.
