Page 36 of Unspoken Hearts
She’s right, but I also don’t want to let go of the last place that holds our memories.
Chapter ten
Macie
Ican’tsleep.
After spending the afternoon trying to read in the living room, only to be distracted by Aspen who wanted me to play with her outside, I needed the time to myself. As much as I love the little girl, I feel like I haven’t taken a proper breath since I woke up to that frightening sound. If Grayson wasn’t with me, I would have broken down right there in my living room.
I avoid crying in front of people—the thought makes my skin crawl. I refuse to anyone see that weak side of me. My entire life I have been the strong one, figuring everything out, even when I had no idea what I was doing. Axel needed a tough sister, and that’s what I’ve always been. Shedding tears is the opposite, so I reserve my crying for the shower or in my bed.
Nobody needs to see me at my weakest.
Groaning lightly, I roll onto my side, reading the clock on the table. It’s almost midnight. I normally have trouble sleeping from years of watching over Axel, but I’m exhausted tonight. My eyes feel like they’re made of stone, but my mind is irritatingly wide awake.
I push the covers off and am instantly doused in cold air. Pulling on my socks and track pants—since I only sleep with a shirt on—I tiptoe to the bathroom to relieve myself.
Throat dry like sandpaper, I quietly descend the spiral staircase, not wanting to make a sound and wake anyone else up, but I desperately need some water. Halfway down, a warm lamp light catches my eye. I lift my gaze to see Reid’s dark hair slightly teased, and his muscular body fitting out a navy tee.
He must have heard me, or sensed my presence, because Reid turns around on the couch. Pale blue eyes hit mine, framed in black reading glasses. My chest melts a little and my pulse picks up as I stop a few feet away. I don’t think I have seen him with his glasses on since high school, but they look just as good now as they did back then, making my skin rush with heat.
“Sorry, did I wake you?” he asks in a hushed tone, breaking the silence.
Blinking at him, I shake my head, tucking loose strands of hair behind my ears. “I couldn’t sleep, but I need some water. I didn’t hear you down here.”
I feel his eyes on me as I walk into the kitchen, getting myself a glass and one for Reid, before sinking into the couch on the other side of him.
A book in one hand, he glances sideways at me as I gulp down half of my drink. “You don’t need to stay down here.” His tone is thick and smooth like syrup.
My lips part, understanding his underlying words.
He wants to be left alone.
Nodding, I get to my feet, cheeks flushing with warmth. “Oh, right. I’m sorry Ibothered you. I’ll—”
“No.” He reaches out, grasping my arm, grip loose. Tingles shoot along my skin like tiny fireworks, but I try to ignore the sensation. I have felt it so many times when we have accidentally brushed hands or I’ve stumbled into him.
I’ve always wondered if his skin prickles too, or if it’s just me.
“I didn’t mean for you to go.” His throat works, bobbing like an apple. “I just don’t want to make you feel like you need to stay down here if you don’t want to.”
My eyes fall to his fingers wrapped around my leaner arm. They’re rough and calloused, but masculine and warm. “I can stay,” I let out quietly.
His darker features soften, like my words are relieving. His fingers slip from my arm as he sits back down, eyes unmoving from mine. There’s a shimmer in them, one I’ve seen on a few occasions. It almost looks like longing, but I’m not sure that’s right.
“As long as I’m not bothering you,” I add and sink back down a little awkwardly.
His lips quirk at that. He shakes his head slightly, making my stomach flutter. “Never.”
My smile tugs wider as he puts his bookmark between the pages and closes his book.
“You can keep reading.”
Reid sets it on the table, looking at me with a faint grin. “And miss out on talking with you, cowgirl?”
The shimmer becomes a full on twinkle like stars on a cloudless night, and I fear mine might look the same. He has called me cowgirl since he found out about my love for the creature. I think it’s meant to be a tease,but my toes curl every time I hear it, which isn’t often enoughin my opinion.
Running my tongue along my lips, I peer over to see what he’s reading and huff out a laugh. “Of course you’re reading about animal health.”
