Page 57 of Unspoken Hearts
“And miss out on playing rugby? You know I couldn’t have done that,” he chimes with a wide enough grin to show off both his dimples.
Patting his round shoulder, I shake my head softly. "Wouldn't want you to either. You’re one of the best out there.”
“So youdowatch my games?” Dark eyebrows arch slightly.
I shrug nonchalantly. “Of course we do. Aspen even knows some of the rules now. She always points you out on the field from your jersey number”
“My biggest fan,” Sawyer mumbles, pretending to wipe a tear away.
I push him playfully. “But I’m glad you’re back, even if it’s only for the weekend.”
Sawyer winks. “We have the weekend off training. So why not come home and see how Honey Haven is going. It looks the same every time I come back.”
My head tilts a little. “Were you expecting it to be different?”
He shakes his head, chuckling lightly. “Never. I don’t think it’ll ever change as long as you and Dad are here.” He runs his fingers through his hair, looking around at the pastures and weatherboard barn. “Where is my brother?”
“I’m right here,” I grumble. He pokes his tongue out at me like a five year old.
“Mytwin,” he reiterates, eyes rolling.
“Top paddock with the sheep. Aspen is inside with Mum.”
He nods. “I saw her already, but I need to replenish my twin bond.” I eye him as Sawyer laughs harder. “It’s not a thing, I just use it as my excuse to hug Holden.”
I snicker gently. “I think you’re the only one he enjoys hugging.”
“See… twin bond.” He hits my shoulder, glancing at the paddock higher on the ridge. “All right I’ll catch you inside for dinner.”
“You bet, then we are going out.”
His eyebrows pump once. “Pub?”
“Yep.”
“Sweet.” He takes off up the hill, hands back in his pockets.
Smiling, I turn back to the paddock to find Whiskey waiting for me, his head over the side of the fence trying to munch on my hair. I give him a pat. I hear Sawyer shouting at Holden, the two of them meeting at the edge of the pasture, pulling each other into a brotherly embrace.
It does seem different here since Sawyer left. He’s the comedic relief. I miss him breaking the tension, lighting up every room with his personality.
“Here, buddy,” I murmur to my horse, digging my hand in my pocket and pulling out some slices of carrot.
With a winnie, Whiskey starts chewing away as I pat his mane. “Good boy.”
I walk back inside the family house. Mum’s cooking in the kitchen, which is no surprise, while Dad’s sitting with Aspen on the couch readinga picture book together. Grayson and Cole’s loud voices travel down from the alcove.
“Dinner will be ready soon if you want to shower, Reid,” Mum says without looking at me.
I eye off her salad that she’s making, the smell of roast chicken making my stomach gnaw. “Thanks, I won’t be long.”
Wandering up the staircase, I find Cole and Grayson together racing in Cole’s rig system, but I don’t want to bother them. I’m not into gaming, and I just want to shower off the sweat and dust that’s been on me since this morning.
Grabbing some clothes from my bedroom, I reach for the bathroom door, twisting the handle with ease when it swings wide open. I lose my balance, stumbling forward to fall on Macie’s smaller figure. Reaching out, my hand grasps the edge of the bench as the other wraps around Macie’s back, protecting her from hitting the sharp corner. She gives a small squeak of surprise. My forehead falls to rest on the mirror, chin resting beside her temple as we both breath heavily with shock.
My heart is pounding so fast, both from our proximity, and the fact that I was not expecting what just happened. Pulse thundering in my ears, her fresh flowery scent surrounds me, heating my blood as it starts to pool south.
I mentally cursing myself as her fingers dig into my side, bunching the material of my top as our chests heave. It makes it even harder for me to tear my thoughts away from how close she is. At how her face is mere inches away.
