Page 17 of Prove Me Wrong (The Sunburnt Hearts #5)

Chapter Twelve

NOAH

M y mind won’t stop thinking about Mia.

After she left my text on read, I've been wondering what she’s up to and who she is talking to. If she’s sitting at home playing piano or spending some time with June. Maybe she’s in town, still sipping on her coffee, or doing some other hobby I have no idea about.

She seemed happy when I left the iced latte for her this morning, but she never texted me back. I guess my message didn’t need a response, but I could have spent all afternoon talking with her, and honestly, that’s what I wanted. To know more about her.

But something about her silence bothers me.

There’s something darker inside of her that I see when she looks at me.

It makes her hesitant, and I really don’t like that it has this hold on her.

She definitely struggles with anxiety. I’ve seen it when she’s touching her raw elbows.

I want to remind her that she’ll be all right, that it gets better.

That the claws will one day lessen to the point that you can break free from its hold?—

“Sterling.”

I look at Nathan, who is sipping his drink opposite me. A dark brow arches as I clear my throat. “What? ”

He sighs loudly. “Were you even listening to me?”

I shake my head. “No, sorry.”

“It’s fine,” Nathan says before taking another sip. “I was asking you about qualifying today. Did you watch it?”

Nodding, I set my drink down on the table as Jade curls up against my chest like a koala.

Her tiny hands are fisted in my tee as she silently sleeps in my arms. It’s not too late, just after eight, and she’s exhausted since she refused to sleep this afternoon.

Honestly, I don’t know how she’s sleeping now with all the noise and lights on in the pub.

I pull her tighter against me, soaking up her warm cuddles. I will miss her baby hugs when she’s older, knowing that at some point she won’t enjoy them as much as she does right now. I will squeeze in as many as I can while she still looks at me like I’m the best thing in this world.

Because she’s my favourite thing in this world.

Although recently I have been thinking more about Mia when I get the chance. I have never been a person to have my thoughts consumed by a girl, but I can’t seem to get her out of my mind.

The more I talk with her and get to know her, the more I crave to be with her.

Glancing up at my friend, waiting for my answer, I nod slowly. “Yeah, I watched it. It’s great for the team that Rogerson finished fourth, and Daniels in fifth. We are in a good position for tomorrow’s race.”

“Yeah. You just have to watch for Carmichael, Grimaldi and Stevens. Shouldn’t be too hard,” Nathan says with a smirk.

I huff a laugh. “Only the top three drivers. And Carmichael can’t win two championships in a row. Hopefully one of the others can beat him. Preferably Rogerson so that we get decent points.”

“Yeah. I hope Reign can outdo the others. It’s time for you to win again. It’s been what? Two years? ”

Nodding, I subconsciously pull my daughter closer, the heat of her body spreading through mine, reminding me of the last time I won the championship.

It was the last season before Em told me she was pregnant.

“I think you have a shot this year. Both Rogerson and Daniels are great for Reign.”

“I know. They’re some of the best,” I grunt and rub at my stubbled chin. “Are you coming over to watch the race with me tomorrow?”

Nathan shrugs and downs the rest of his drink. “I’ll have to see what I get up to tonight, or who is probably a better term.” He winks at me.

All I can do is shake my head at him, smothering my grin. “What time are Caleb and Jason getting here?”

He shrugs. “They should be here by now. I told them eight.”

“Right. I’ll take Jade home when you three leave for the next pub.”

His eyebrows flick up at me as he slings an arm casually over the top of the booth, showing off his sleeve of tattoos. “Good plan. Shame you can’t come with us, but then again, you have your hands full already with this gorgeous cutie.”

Jade stirs in my arms as if she knows she’s being talked about. She lets out a small noise before wriggling in my grip and blinking her apple eyes open. Digging her face into my chest, I cuddle her closer, my cheek resting on her head as she slowly wakes up.

“Jadey. Wake up,” Nathan murmurs and leans over the table, trying to get closer. His hand strokes her cheek, and Jade looks at him. Wriggling her little fingers, Nathan slips his hands under her arms and lifts her to snuggle on his lap.

Grinning at the two of them, I hear loud voices over my shoulder and turn my head to see Caleb and Jason strolling in, laughing over the music.

We have been friends since high school, but I’d say that I’m closest to Nathan.

After Jade was announced, and I parted ways with my single life, and Nathan started going out with these two instead.

They are rowdy, but also fun and witty, and they know never to hassle me into going out.

I wave a hand to grab their attention as Jade giggles, tearing away my gaze to see Nathan blowing raspberries on her little arm. She cackles, lighting up Nathan's deep eyes as his face scrunches at her cuteness.

“Hey, dudes,” Caleb says before falling into the seat beside me. Dark hair falls down his forehead and ears, and he rakes a hand through the strands before sky blue eyes settle on me. “You let him hold your kid?” A smirk graces his pale lips.

Nathan just scoffs loudly. “Like he’d let you touch her. You’d hold her like a football instead of a baby, scaredy cat .”

Caleb’s eyes tumble as Jason sits beside Nathan, tugging on Jade’s hand. Deep auburn hair trimmed neatly on the sides, Jason smiles so widely, his teeth on show as he competes for Jade’s attention.

“Do you find it amusing seeing people fighting for your daughter’s attention?” Caleb mutters while scratching his square, stubbled jaw.

I sniff out a laugh. “Nah. I understand the hype.” I smile sideways at him.

Caleb grunts before spinning in his seat. “I’m buying. Who wants one?”

The others order and Caleb gets up, leaving Jason and Nathan both poking faces at Jade who is giggling so much she’s going to get the hiccups soon. But baby hiccups are way cuter than adult ones— trust me on that .

“So, I heard about what Ivy did last weekend,” Jason announces.

Nathan's eyes snap to his, flared with shock. “What? How?”

“What happened?” I ask.

“My friend Danny works at the tattoo place she went to,” Jason continues, ignoring my question .

Gaze settling on Nathan, his hands run through his raven hair, tousling it as he groans. “I told her not to do it.”

“Do what?” I ask again, and Nathan looks at me from across the table.

His jaw ticks as he leans over, minding Jade’s head to whisper, “Ivy decided to get her nipple pierced.”

My eyebrows shoot up to my hairline before frowning. “I mean, it could have been something worse,” I offer. “A lot of girls have their nipples pierced. We even dared Tatum to do it, and she did.”

“Dudes have them as well,” Jason adds, like that’ll somehow help the situation.

I have known Nathan for many years, and the two people he’s protective over are Ivy and Jade. With anyone else, he’s not judgmental. He’s carefree and loose. But with those two, he won’t let anyone he doesn’t know near them, and I am very grateful for that. Ivy, not so much…

“She was completely drunk, and the lady didn’t pierce it right, so it bled through her white top.

I had to drive to Rafters Falls at one in the morning to pick her up, and then she vomited in my car.

I made her clean it Sunday morning with her hangover because it was disgusting.

Then she told me on Tuesday that the piercing was infected, so I had to take her to the doctors!

” Nate’s voice rises until it’s almost louder than the music.

Jason puts a hand on Nathan’s shoulder as I sip on my drink.

“She’s getting out of control now,” Nathan mumbles, running a hand down his troubled face before smiling down at Jade’s innocent features. “Unlike you. I might just steal you right from your dad.”

Jade giggles as I roll my shoulders. “Don’t even think about it, Knightly. ”

Caleb places more glasses down between us and flops down beside me. Before I can breathe, he’s downing half of his pint in one go. “What do you think about trying the new club tonight?”

“Why not?” Jason says with a shrug.

“You coming?” Caleb asks, elbowing me, but I know he’s just ribbing.

My tongue runs across my lip. “Nah. Jade will have to go to sleep soon before she gets super cranky.”

“I can’t imagine her cranky,” Jason adds, touching her cheek as Jade starts sucking on her fist. “Oh, believe me, she gets cranky. Don’t you, princess?” I chime, and her apple irises find mine, a smile spreading in her cheeks.

Reaching out her arms, I take her back, secretly craving all the cuddles I can get from my baby girl.

“Not fair,” Nathan groans and folds his arms like a pouting child.

“Get your own,” Caleb offers with a snicker.

Nathan just downs his drink, and I frown again, wondering what has gotten into him lately. He usually comes back with something, but recently, it’s as if he’s realised he wants more.

I pull my phone out of my pocket, hoping that maybe I’ll have a message from Grey, but there are no text notifications. There are some social media ones, and a general one from our team manager, Julian, but nothing that gets me excited.

“Expecting a text?”

I peer up to see Nathan staring at me, a twinkle evident in his gaze and a knowing smirk growing.

Caleb must notice, too, because he’s looking between us curiously. “What’s going on?”

“Nothing,” I mumble and slide my phone back into my pocket .

Nathan huffs out a laugh, seeing right through me. “He’s waiting for his babysitter to text him back.”

My teeth grit as Jason’s jaw slackens, and Caleb slaps my arm. “Babysitter? Tell us more, Sterling.”

“ Ow ,” I emphasise, and Caleb’s eyes roll. “There’s really nothing to tell. Mia is just looking after Jade twice a week when the daycare is shut. That’s all.”

“And she’s his new neighbour,” Nate adds.

Their eyebrows raise, and I shoot Nathan a look to shut up. He doesn’t take the hint.

“He likes her…” my best friend drawls, and I have to resist the urge to hit Nathan right now.

Caleb just chuckles as Jason holds out his hand. “What did you message her?”

“Nothing,” I groan, but he keeps pushing me on it until I give in.

Handing him my phone, they read through our messages before dark eyes stare at me. “You got her coffee order from the barista?” Jason shoots me a twisted smile.

Groaning, my hands slap the wooden table, jaw tightening. “It’s not creepy. I was doing something nice for her.”

They all exchange a look that has me thinking that maybe it was creepy, but I never saw it that way. It’s part of my nature to give people things. I love giving presents, my time, and my energy. There’s nothing wrong with that.

“Maybe she took it the wrong way?” Caleb squeezes out through a chuckle.

“No, she wouldn’t have. And you don’t even know her.” My voice rises with irritation.

Why can’t they understand that it was thoughtful ?

Jason whistles. “Protective much?”

I run a hand down my face, a sense of uneasiness settling into the pit of my stomach before grumbling, “Jade and I are leaving.”

“What, why are you going?” Nate groans.

I stand from the booth, not wanting to listen to any of them.

Sliding Jade’s backpack over my shoulder, I hold my daughter to my chest, looking at the three guys laughing like hyenas. “Because now you have me thinking that I did something completely wrong, which I didn’t . I did something nice. It wasn’t creepy or weird,” I snip back defensively.

My friend’s brows rise so high before Nathan cracks a grin. “Wow, you really do like her, don’t you?”

I grunt, but don’t deny it, as my friends keep poking fun at me. It’s been too long since I have felt anything for a girl, and I will not let my friends get in my head.

Buckling Jade into her car seat, I slide into the driver’s seat and let out a heavy breath. What if I do like Mia? Em isn’t here anymore. I’m allowed to be happy again, and Mia has made me happier in two weeks than I’ve felt in years…