Page 8 of Unspoken Hearts
“What did you do?” Grayson asks, already finishing off his slice and reaching for another.
Laynie shrugs. “The usual girl things. Shopping. Food. Movies.”
“It sounds great,” I chime, biting into the salty goodness. A cool wind blows through, and the tiny hairs on my arms rise as I hold them closer to my body.
Grayson devours his slice before going to his car and returning with a hoodie for me. Sliding it on, my shivers lessening as I nibble away, my heart tugging on the fact that my parents and aunt aren’t here to witness Axel leaving for university.
He’s all I have left of my family, and he’s leaving me for something better. I don’t want to hold him back. He deserves this as much as anyone else, but now there’s an even larger hole gaping in my chest that I’m starting to think might never be filled.
Blinking up at Grayson, I’m glad to have him in my life, as well as Laynie, but there’s someone else who makes my heart sear that I think will never see me as someone other than his brother’s best friend.
And somehow, right now, that makes my heart hurt just as bad.
Chapter three
Macie
Don’tcry.Don’tcry.Don’t cry.
I stand on the footpath, twisting the bow of my top lip as Axel loads up our car. He grabs the last bag from the ground, places it on top of the others in the back, before slamming the top shut.
Dull hazel eyes find mine as Axel strolls towards me. His curly chestnut locks are frazzled and messy. Fiddling with the car keys, his gaze drops to our shoes.
Is he excited? Nervous? Feeling guilty?
The last thought makes my shoulders drop, and an aching feeling spreads through my chest.
“You’re going,” I mumble, stating the obvious, but I don’t really know what else to say right now. With the amount of people who have walked out on us, I’ve never had the chance to say goodbye to them.
Nodding, Axel chin lifts, downturned eyes settling on mine. There’s a gentleness in his features that I’m hoping won’t disappear. I’d hate for him to change. The idea makes my insides twist.
What if he realises that he’s better off without me?
“You okay?” His russet brows rise on his fair face.
I nod quickly, ignoring the sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach. Instead, I plaster on the big smile I use when I want to cover up my nerves. “Of course. I’ll just miss you, that’s all.”
His grin widens, soothing me a fraction. “You can call me whenever you need me.”
I wave a hand effortlessly, trying to come across as unbothered when I’m anything but. “I wouldn’t want to cramp your style.”
Axel snorts a sharp laugh. “Why start now? You’ve been cramping it my whole life.”
I lightly push his shoulder before pulling him into a familiar embrace. I’ve been so scared of this moment for the past few years, but now it’s actually here.
Strong arms encircle me, and Axel rests his cheek against his shoulder. My eyes flutter closed. I don’t know life without my brother, and with him away in the city, I know it’s going to be hard to get used to.
The quietness will be so foreign.
“Macie, I’m not going that far,” he reassures me, chin resting against my temple. I squeeze my arms tighter around him. I can’t bring myself to let go.
“I know. But you won’t be just down the hall anymore. Just please promise you’ll text me. Or call me. Preferably daily.”
He scoffs against my ear. “Has anyone ever told you you’re needy?” He lets go to see my shaking head. My eyes prickle with moisture.
“You’d be the first,” I admit, because for anyone else I wouldn’t be this uptight. “Only because I worry about you.”
“You don’t need to worry anymore, Mace. I’ll only be in the city.”
