Page 30 of Prove Me Wrong (The Sunburnt Hearts #5)

Chapter Twenty-Two

NOAH

“ G lad you could make it,” Julian greets me as soon as I get out of the hire car the team ordered for me at the airport.

Huffing out a hollow breath, I sling my bag over my shoulder, staring across at my team manager. “I’m just happy I got more warning this time. If you’d have called me this morning, I probably would have ignored you.” I flick him a quick smile. “So, what’s the plan?”

Julian’s mouth ticks before diving into the schedule.

“Practice is from one onwards today, and you’ll be out of here by five.

I’ll take your bag if you want to get changed while we go over the car, make sure it's all fine. Tomorrow, practice is at ten, and qualifying is at one, then the race on Sunday is at two-thirty. But Adelaide is tough, so we are going to have to fight for a podium.”

“Nothing I can’t handle.” Shrugging a shoulder, I follow Julian into the pits that smell of fumes and burnt coffee. Daniels is already standing in his gear, arms crossed as he watches the mechanics prep his car. I sidle him and pat his back. “Good seeing you again.”

He smiles and hugs me back. Daniels was my teammate when I was here full-time.

He’s three years older, more mature and knowledgeable when it comes to driving.

He took me under his wing when I started, and we drive well together out on the track, unlike some other teammates that can’t stand each other.

Taller than me, his tawny hair falls into his amber eyes, burly arms uncross as he grins widely through his short beard. “Hey, man. How was the flight over?”

I give a small shrug. “Fine. Nothing special.”

“And how’s Jade? Better than last week?”

“Yeah.” My arms fold over my chest. “She’s doing well for eighteen months. Running, talking, eating, being cheeky.”

Daniels puts a hand over his heart. “That’s a good age. I remember when my ones were that small. They’re menaces, but the best kind, and know how to keep you on your toes.”

“They’re definitely naughty at times, but you’ll still die for them.”

“In a heartbeat,” Daniels chimes. “Are you feeling good for this weekend? Rogerson’s mother- in-law passed, so Julian called you in. His family had to fly back to New Zealand. I think they might be there for a few weeks.”

I rub at my stubbled jaw. “Means I’ll be driving in Newcastle as well?”

“And possibly Melbourne, too. Depends on when they return.”

Blowing out a long breath, I nod, raking my fingers through my hair. “That’s fine.”

His eyes crease a little, and then he asks something nobody has in a while. “How’s everything with your dad?”

I run my tongue over my lip before giving a short response, because I don’t want to speak about them, not after the text I received. I haven’t called Mum yet, but I can’t keep dodging her calls. It doesn’t feel right. “Yeah, he’s managing. He still has Mum to look after him. ”

“Yeah, man, he’s lucky to have his wife. And I’m sure they love spending time with Jade. That girl is a delight. I show Brianna every time you post her on your socials.”

I swallow as my mouth pulls to one side. “Yeah. She is a delight.”

After catching up with Daniels, I make my way into the trailer to dump my stuff and change into my orange, white and black race suit for practice.

It’s cooler down here than at home this late into the year, but in my suit and helmet, I can already feel myself sweating. Jumping in the car, I tack the small polaroid I have of Jade into the dashboard like I always do whenever I’m racing.

I still remember how scared I was the first time I drove after Jade was born.

My anxiety was so high then, that I called my therapist three times while I was preparing, and she had me work on my breathing for almost half an hour.

Sweat caked my forehead and pits because all I could think about was the call I received that night.

The accident that changed my life, and I was terrified of Jade losing me as well.

Digging the heels of my hands into my eyes, I shake my head, clearing away the memory that stained my mind for months after Em was gone.

Clipping my belt in, I grip the steering wheel before shifting gears and pulling out onto the smooth track.

GREY: Fifth is amazing.

GREY: Jade and I were watching, of course.

GREY: And we will tomorrow, too.

GREY: *JadeandMia.jpg*

Smiling down at her messages, and the photo of Jade on her lap wearing her tiny helmet, I miss being next to them.

Over the last two weeks, Mia and I have grown so close that I’m beginning to realise how much I love having her around, and she’s so good with Jade.

I wasn’t looking for anyone before I met her—because of Jade and my hesitation to get close to another girl—but seeing her with Mia makes my heart burst.

ME: Thanks, Grey.

ME: Can’t wait to shower.

ME: And Jade looks very cute like that. I miss her so much.

Stepping into the shower of my hotel room, I scrub my body clean, dry off, and slip on a hoodie and trackpants before settling down in bed. I’m wrecked and aching, and just want to sleep, but that text is still tugging on my mind.

Flicking through my contacts, I click her name and pull my phone to my ear. Listening to the call sound, I’m silently praying that they’re too busy to answer. But when she does, the bitter air gets caught in my throat.

“Noah? You called me back.” Mum’s hoarse voice comes through .

Pulse jolting, I swallow down a lump, closing my eyes firmly. “Hi, Mum.”

She gives a small sigh of relief, but it does nothing to calm down my racing chest. “How are you doing?”

I sniff. “Jade and I are good.”

She’s quiet for a long moment, and it does nothing to push away the uneasiness settling into my gut. “We watched your practice. And the race in Canberra last weekend. You?—”

“Mum, why did you want me to call you?” I interject, not really wanting to waste time with pointless words.

Breathing out heavily, my body stiffens, sensing that something isn’t right. Is something wrong with Dad? Is he back in hospital, or getting worse with his condition?

My questions are quickly answered when Mum’s voice rises, sounding less shocked and more upbeat.

“Your dad and I have been talking, and we thought that this argument between us is just silly. We really shouldn’t be upset with you.

So, we want you to come live with us in Rafters Falls so that you can focus on your racing. ”

Blinking slowly, my jaw ticks at how nonchalant she’s sounding despite the uncomfortable fire simmering in my chest. “Mum, it was never a silly argument. How could you blow it off as something like that?”

She sighs, as if I am inconveniencing her by not agreeing with her ridiculous suggestion. “Noah, I knew what I was talking about?—”

“You told me to give up my own daughter. In the hospital. Right after she was born! How can you call that a silly argument?” My tone rises with frustration, the simmering igniting fully into flames.

“Because it ruined your career,” she seethes, making my toes scrunch and stomach twist. “She messed everything up, can’t you see that? ”

Forcing my eyes closed, my finger and thumb pinch the bridge of my nose, teeth clamped so tightly that pain shoots down my jaw and neck. “I can’t believe you just said that.” I murmur out under my breath, the words like ice.

“We just want the best?—”

“No, you don’t!” I snap, jumping to my feet, hand fisted at my side.

“You want me to be what Dad was before his accident. But I hate to break it to you, that’s not me anymore.

You’re my mum, and you told me to give up my own daughter.

I told you not to talk with me again, told you to forget my number, to leave me alone.

And now out of the blue, you message me asking me to call you to tell me again that I made a mistake?

Jade wasn’t a mistake!” My voice rises, but I couldn't care less if someone overhears me.

Mum exhales loudly, trying to prove her point that she’s upset with my arguing, but it makes my blood boil even more.

“Look, we have discussed this, and we think it would be better for you to live closer to us. That way we can watch her when you race, and you can go back to being a full- time driver. You’ll get better deals, sponsors, and?—”

“Mum, stop!” I shout into the phone. Tugging on my hair, I sit on the edge of the bed, head hanging between my shoulders.

“I don’t want that. I want to be with Jade as much as I can, and I like my life in Barrenridge.

Do you not understand that I’m not that person anymore?

I’m her dad. Her only parent. Jade needs me, but I don’t need you or Dad anymore.

And you can’t make decisions without me and expect me to be fine with it.

That’s not how it works. I don’t want to be a primary driver.

I want to be Jade’s dad, bringing her up myself, and working at the mechanics like I have been for eighteen months. That’s what I want!”

“But you could be such a famous driver if you let us help you out. It’ll help your finances, and you’ll be more well-known.”

“Says who?” I clap back at her in a murderous tone.

“This is my life, Mum. I get to set the rules here, not you. You haven’t even seen your granddaughter since that night.

You refused to hold her in the hospital.

You didn’t even visit me when I needed you the most. I was so lost and exhausted, and you left me to be a dad on my own.

What makes you think I want you looking after Jade now?

I have someone doing that for me already, and she’s a lot nicer than you’ve ever been. ”

Her tone sharpens like the edge of a knife, stabbing me repeatedly in the back and leaving gaping wounds.

“Because I am her grandmother, and I should get to know her. And you’ll need the help when you go back to primary driver like you were meant to be when we signed your first contract.

Your dad and I are willing to look after her so that you don’t need to.

I really don’t see what the issue is here, Noah. ”

My jaw slackens as my entire body flames with rage.

“You don’t see the issue? What, are you really that dense, Mum?

You have refused to see her for over a year, and now you’re just willing to help me out?

Were the last eighteen months of Jade’s life pointless?

You told me to get rid of her. You told me to let her go after I had just lost someone significant in my life.

I was all Jade had, and you wanted her gone because my career is the only thing that’s important to you.

You haven’t been there for me at all, so I’m not letting you take her now! ”

She’s silent for a moment, and I think that maybe she’s finally seen the light. That she knows she’s gone too far. That I don’t want this. But then her words make me want to hit something with my fist.

“Noah, I think you’re being very unreasonable…”

“No, I’m not!” My veins are so heated that I’m starting to see red.

I’m one step away from punching the wall, my anger close to being fully unleashed, ready to destroy everything surrounding me.

My breathing techniques won’t save me at this point, only hitting things will.

I haven’t been this furious since Jade was born, and that’s when I lost all my control.

“Don’t call me again. I don’t want you seeing Jade, and I don’t want to see you or Dad.

Not after what you said to me, and you won’t even apologise for it! ”

“Noah—”

I smash the end button and throw my phone on the bed. Teeth gritted, eyes shut, chest fuming, I dig my hands through my damp hair repeatedly, trying to control my rage that’s threatening to bubble out of me. I’ve held myself together for this long, now is not the time to fall apart.

Tears brim my eyes, glazing them in wetness. I grunt and punch the bed covers a few times to release my pent-up anger. I can’t believe how insensitive my parents are. So apathetic and unapologetic. It drives me insane.

Breathing heavily, I do the one thing that I know will calm me down. I call Grey.