Page 33 of Unspoken Hearts
“I know it’s irritating, but it wasn’t—Macie isn’t at fault—most of the living room,” Dad tries explaining through Walter’s yells on the other end.
I sniff uneasily, my spine shivering a little. Grayson runs his fingers through his hair, clearly trying to contain himself as well. Macie shouldn’t be blamed for this. She has already struggled enough as it is, and now to add this on her shoulders…
“She can’t stay here—all right. I’ll come back during the week. Bye, Walter,” Dad grumbles, hanging up the phone and grunting in frustration.
Grayson speaks up first. “What did he say?” His tone sounds like there’s a small chance of hope, even though we heard the conversation.
Dad looks at my brother, shaking his head regretfully, and the small sliver of hope dies in my chest.
“I don’t think he’s going to repair it. He said it’s too old and not worth the money, and there’s no insurance to cover it.”
My brother’s mouth falls open, words failing to escape him, so I take over. “Is he at least coming to look at it before he makes the final call?”
Dad rubs at his chin. “Yeah. I’ll meet him here on Tuesday morning to discuss it all.”
“Does Macie not get a say in this?” Grayson bites out, irritation making his shoulders square back.
“She’s the tenant. It’s up to Walter as the owner.”
Grayson curses under his breath, and my tongue swipes at my lip as Dad puts a hand on his shoulder. “I’ll do what I can for her, but it doesn’t sound very promising. You should probably break the news to her when we’re back so that she knows.”
My brother’s jaw ticks as he peers across at Dad’s sympathetic eyes. “Can she at least stay with us until this is all…”
“Of course. I wouldn’t kick her out with nowhere else to go.”
Grayson nods, hands fisting under his arms.
I take one more glance at the house. The bare walls are covered in dirty marks. The ruined flooring and furniture and dirty windows.
Macie deserves better than this place.
“We should probably head back. Cole and Holden will need help with that tree,” Dad lets out after a moment of silence.
Grayson nods glumly, trampling out of the house.
I go to follow after him, when Dad stops me with his hand and mutters in a low voice, “Grab the photo for her.” He walks out, leaving me a little stunned.
Blinking, I walk over, taking the photo off the windowsill and hold it against me as I make my way out of the damaged house.
Chapter nine
Macie
ThespareroomI’vestayed in dozens of times feels different today. Possibly because I have more with me. Maybe because I know I’m not leaving tomorrow morning.
A large queen bed sits in the middle, with side tables painted white to match the bed frame, a set of drawers and a small plant on the windowsill. My one bag of things took me exactly three minutes to unpack and sort, and since then, I’ve been sitting on the bed with my book open, even though I’m not reading it.
My eyes glimpse the words, and I’m turning pages, but nothing is sinking in.
Feet tapping impatiently against the floorboards, I let out a soft groan and toss my book on the wildflower bedspread, digging my hands into my eyes until I see stars. This is not what I want to worry about right now. Axel only just left, and now this happens…
The sound of the front door shutting makes me scamper to my feet.
Coming downstairs, I find Austin, Grayson and Reid removing their boots. Reid glances my way first as I reach the bottom of the steps, swinging around to face the three of them.
The pit in my stomach grows from their lack of smiles as I approach them warily, eyes glued to Reid’s kind ones before flickering away. “What do you think will happen?” My voice is barely a whisper.
Grayson and Reid exchange a quick glance, making the hair on my arms tingle despite the warmer air from the sunlight streaming in through the windows.
