Page 44 of Unspoken Hearts
He hums, opening his car door and sliding into the plush leather seat. “I am sorry to do this to you, but it’s not worth my time repairing. I do hope you find something else.”
The hope left inside of me flickers out like a dead candle.
He’s not going to help us.
I’ve just lost my aunt’s property.
“But I will cancel your lease early without payment.” He smiles like he’s just saved my life.
My mouth opens to retaliate when his ute revs to life, and he speeds off, leaving me standing out the front of the childhood house I can no longer call my home.
Someone’s hand touches my back, and I know it’s Grayson, looking down at me, but I can’t tear my eyes off the road as he drives away.
“Macie, maybe this is for the best.”
That makes me gaze up at him, squinting a little from the glare of the sun. “How?” I ask genuinely, because all I feel is completely useless.
“You didn’t need this place anymore. Axel is gone, and now—”
“But Lucy—”
“Isn’t here. She’s gone, Macie. You’re the only one here.”
“Exactly!” I shout, feeling the prickling in my eyes once more. I don’t blink them away this time. “I’m the only one left. This is all I had left of my family, and now…”
Grayson’s tongue drags across his lips before I’m in his arms again. I want to break apart, to scream that this isn’t fair, that I didn’t work this hard just to have my home taken away from me, but I know it’s not worth it.
Grayson is right, as much as I don’t want to admit it. Maybe this is for the best, because now I can move on from my aunt and the past that’s done nothing but hurt me.
Maybe it’s time that I say goodbye tothem.
Chapter twelve
Reid
Ipickatthestickeron the cover of my book. I hate when they put them on there, leaving residue. Should be a crime, really.
Teeth clenched tightly, I know I’m not entirely irritated with this one sticker telling me that a major motion film will be coming out next year. I hardly watch movies, so I doubt I'll see it. Besides, they’re never as good as the books.
My leg bounces on one of the chairs out on the back porch. I like being out here, immersed in the sounds and smells of nature. Cotton clouds glide through the rich, vibrant sky, mountains silhouetting and stars appearing like specks of crystals. Rolling green pastures with roaming animals settling in for the night. The slight trickle of water from the creek boarding our property, birds flying into trees and possums coming out to play.
It’s peaceful out here. I’ll never understand how people prefer the chaotic city over something this magnificent. The light summer breeze blowing across my skin and through my hair like waves of silk.
It’s normally calming and soothing.
But right now, nothing seems to settle my stress.
I have barely spoken with Macie all day, and I hate it. I know I’m not naturally a talkative person—everyone I have ever met could tell you that—but I’d talk with her non-stop if I could. She’s the only one I’d want to share everything with, but she’s still hesitant.
Watching her on the couch the other night, guarding herself while being vulnerable with me made my chest tighten. She’s always been closed up, never wanting anyone to worry over her and coming across as this strong girl who has no troubles, when I see through it all.
I always have.
From the first moment I saw her, standing in my living room beside Grayson, I knew. From the overwashed look of her clothes and the hole in her sock. She had this stoic look on her beautiful face, as if giving anyone a reason to think that she’s not tough might kill her. It was both enthralling and courageous. Burnt into my memory forever like a brand.
But right now, I want to talk with the girl I have come to know over the years. The Macie who I catch glancing my way, making my favourite coffee, who has goosebumps when she speaks about her family. That’s the Macie I like. The real one. Not the one she pretends to be so that people will leave her alone.
The book in my hands—a sci-fi novel that Macie won’t think of asboring—I tried reading, but I read the same sentence three times, my mind continuously wandering back to Macie’s eyes, round with rawness as we sat on the couch together in the depth of night.
