Page 11 of Prove Me Wrong (The Sunburnt Hearts #5)

Chapter Eight

MIA

S tanding in Noah's organised kitchen, the sweet smell of instant coffee and eggs hits my nose. I glance around at the modern stainless-steel appliances and white cabinets. The last time I visited Barrenridge, this house was dilapidated and one bad storm away from falling over. Now, it’s newly renovated.

The scent of fresh paint lingers faintly as I stand on the other side of the stone island bench.

I take in the framed car racing posters hanging on the walls, the few plants colouring the house—I think they're fake—and the recently mowed lawn out the back bathed in morning sunlight.

There are even some chairs outside surrounding a fire pit that looks similar to the one Grandad built in their backyard.

Hovering beside the bench, my anxiety flicks to life once more like a candle being lit. I hardly slept last night because all I could think about was how today would go. If I were competent enough to watch Jade. If Noah would respect my boundaries or try to take advantage of me.

I’m not sure if he looks at me like I am anything. I could just be convenient for him, as his new neighbour, and someone his daughter seems to gravitate towards. A man as attractive and kind as Noah could get anyone, and I doubt he’d want someone as screwed up as I am .

I shouldn’t even be thinking about this. I'm here to work, not think about how handsome my neighbour is. I need to kill these thoughts—smother them deep into the pit of my stomach— because they're toxic and will only bring on more pain that I know I won’t be able to endure.

Cleaning up Jade’s breakfast, I walk around the island to where Jade sits in her highchair, waiting to be picked up. Large green eyes widen, and her tiny hands reach out towards me, wriggling as a deep smile gleans her freckled cheeks.

Sliding my hands under her arms, I pull Jade out of the chair and onto my waist, messy hands smearing my forearm. Jade gives a soft giggle, and I already fear I’ve grown a soft spot for the adorable toddler.

Noah’s gaze blazes the back of me like a laser beam, causing my spine to stiffen. “There are wipes here to clean Jade’s hands, otherwise you’ll dirty up your clothes.” His honeyed voice speaks up from behind.

“Thank you,” I let out softly.

Turning, I catch his apple eyes moving over me, and a blush heats my cheeks.

They sweep over the light grey tee beneath my cut-off denim overalls.

I feel exposed, despite the material hiding half of my thighs.

I never wear clothing that highlights my leaner body and flat chest. I don’t ever want to give a man a reason to look at me, and hiding my figure helps.

Gaze rising, his pupils bore into mine for a long beat before flicking away. My spine tingles with how he’s looking at me. Not like he wants to devour me, or see what’s underneath, but more like he’s impressed with my clothing choice. It makes my insides fizzle like a bath bomb.

Noah goes back drying the plastic plate and adds it to the pile of clean dishes.

Grabbing a wipe from the packet, I clean off Jade’s sticky fingers and mouth before throwing it away. She runs her hands over my neck and hair, lips parted as if she’s entirely captivated by me. Noah’s hand touches my shoulder.

Blanching slightly, I spin to face him. A frown flashes for an instant before it’s replaced with composure. “She already likes you a lot.” His warm tone makes my pulse jolt.

I swallow lightly, looking at Jade's shimmering eyes, and the corners of my mouth lift. They twinkle a little as she glances between Noah and me, like they’re filled with stardust and childlike devotion. “I think we are going to have a lot of fun together.”

“I don’t doubt that. You should see the way she screams when I have to drop her off at Jump Start in the morning. She can’t stand being there, and I can’t tell if it’s from the other kids, the staff, or just the place as a whole.”

My eyebrows pull together as I look back down at his daughter. “Are they not nice there?”

Noah shrugs. “The staff are qualified and gentle with her. I just think Jade doesn’t like being away from me.

” He rubs the back of his neck before looking back into my eyes.

“Not that I really enjoy being away from her, but my workplace is far too toxic and dangerous for her to be hanging around. I don’t think Damon would mind, but there’s no way I’d let her be there.

If she got hurt or anything…” His hand drops, and I stifle a smile, realising how much Noah likes to talk.

It’s either because he’s nervous around me or just trying to fill in the silence.

Part of me hopes it’s the latter. The other part, not so much…

He sighs. “Come on, I’ll show you everything you need to know before I have to leave.”

His eyes linger on mine, and I catch the smallest smirk before Noah moves towards the kitchen cupboards and starts opening them .

Noah starts pointing out where he keeps the items I'll need.

Where Jade's medicine is kept above the fridge, where to find everything I’ll need to clean, and what to feed her for her lunch and snack.

He shows me where to change her, and where to put her dirty clothes in the laundry, which has a pile of clothes on the bench.

I make a mental note to fold it for him.

And finally, what are her favourite toys to play with.

His house is tidier than I imagined for a single dad.

The walls are painted plain white, light timber flooring brightens up the entire place with pale blinds, silver accents and the occasional splash of colour.

Contemporary furniture in monochromatic shades adds to its newly built feel, along with the flat screen TV and small stone fireplace in the living room.

It’s completely different from my gran’s place.

Although her house is outdated and in need of some maintenance, Noah's house is fresher and something straight out of a home renovation magazine.

“This is where Jade plays if you need to leave the room to make her food or something.” Noah points out the smaller enclosed area filled with stuffed toys and drawing things. “It’s so that she can’t escape and cause mischief.” Noah wriggles his fingers on Jade’s side, causing her to giggle.

I smile without realising, and Noah’s eyes watch me before pulling away and clearing his throat. “I’ll show you her bedroom where she’ll nap at one for an hour and no longer, otherwise she’ll turn into a gremlin at night.”

“Better have her fed before midnight, then,” I quip softly.

Noah’s grin reappears over his shoulder that shakes with amusement.

Trailing up the wooden stairs, we pass a closed door which I assume is Noah’s bedroom, before coming to the one painted a pale green shade.

Animal stickers decorate the walls, along with race cars.

I can't help but grin. The small bed with rails has been pushed into a corner, matching the set of drawers and chest overflowing with even more toys.

“Her clothes are kept here for when she needs new ones.” Noah points to the drawers. “Tops, bottoms, jumpers, dresses, then underwear and socks.”

I try to listen, but my eyes are caught on the framed photo of Noah with a blonde-haired girl sitting atop the wooden drawers.

I can’t feel my chest moving as I stare at their wide smiles, happiness ribboning their younger features as they stand together.

Noah’s hand is resting on her round stomach, the girl’s head tilted on his shoulder.

I don’t know why, but my throat constricts a little as I gaze at their expectant faces.

Noah goes quiet. His body stiffens when he realises what’s grabbed my attention. “That’s Jade’s mum, Emerald.” His voice is hoarser than before. I notice the sharpness of his gritted jawline. “I thought to keep it here so that Jade can remember her. Out of respect.”

Looking sideways at him, there’s a darkness coating Noah’s fair features.

It’s one that I’m very familiar with. The shadows that haunt your life from previous memories that you can’t seem to shake off.

The monster that’s trying to steal your light, reminding you that you’re a little broken inside.

Some more than others. I feel it every time I think of Ryan and my time at university.

It’s not something that I can control. And it looks to be something that Noah is silently struggling with as well.

My mouth tightens as I look back to the framed photo. “She’s really beautiful,” I say quietly, ignoring the way my hands are clammy and balled into fists. Noah inhales sharply, rubbing at his stubble. “Yeah, she was.”

My eyes close.

Was .

Dozens of questions flood my mind, wanting to know what happened to her, but from Noah’s response, I can tell he’s just as afraid of sharing his memories as I am.

Biting the inside of my cheek, I tear my eyes off the girl and move to the child-sized racing helmet sitting beside it. Plucking it off the dresser, I hear Noah huff out a gentle laugh. He steps closer to my side. “I got this for Jade at the start of the season last year.”

The helmet is orange, grey and white, and covered in sponsor stickers, his team Reign Racing’s logo, and the number thirty-four. My lips twitch. “You’re number thirty-four?”

“Yeah. When they need me to race, that’s the number I use.”

I look up into his eyes, blushing. “I don’t really know much about Supercars,” I admit.

Noah’s smile broadens as he takes the helmet from my hands. “Really? Not even with your grandad being my biggest fan?” A twinge of sarcasm coats his words.

My insides heat as I gaze up into his blazing irises. “Sports has always been Sinnett’s thing.”

Eyes lingering on me, my fingers tingle when Noah asks, “And what’s your thing, Grey?”

My throat tightens at his name for me. Licking my bottom lip, my cheeks burn as I answer quietly, “Piano.” It feels like I'm admitting a secret no one is supposed to know.