Page 50 of Prove Me Wrong (The Sunburnt Hearts #5)

Chapter Thirty-Nine

MIA

C old wind blows through my deep brown hair as I sit on the sidelines.

The stadium is roaring around me, people covered in black, red and white for the Wolves, holding up banners and shouting with every movement.

Rain lingers in the air, clouds scattered above threatening to pour down on us, along with the fresh scent of grass, mud and sweat.

I see the tension in the players’ faces.

Sinnett looks broodier than normal, while his best friend, Khai, keeps an eye on him.

I prefer sitting with the crowd, enjoying the lively atmosphere and viciousness of rugby.

It’s certainly taking my mind off Noah. It's been a week since I left Barrenridge, since I saw his pleading face that still ignites guilt deep within me. I miss him more than I thought was humanly possible, wishing he was here right now, beside me instead of the blonde-haired girl dressed in my brother’s jersey, shouting for Sin to look her way.

Tonight’s game is against the Falcons, and the Wolves are winning right now with ten minutes left on the clock. This game is brutal, though. A lot can happen in that time.

I watch my brother in formation, determination pulling in his features. I watch behind the barrier, right behind their benches. Some players stretch and jog on the side of the pitch as they wait to go on, and staff occupy seats, waiting for the game to end.

Khai has the ball, passing it down the line until Sinnett goes for the intercept and fumbles.

The crowd makes a collective sigh. I frown, watching my brother closely.

I’ve seen him play many times over the years, knowing his moves and strengths.

That was the sloppiest drop I’ve seen from him since he was playing in U12s.

Resetting, the Falcons now have possession and are making their way back down the field.

I watch as Sinnett goes to tackle their player, bringing them down to the ground before pinning them in an awkward position.

My face scrunches, imagining how much pain has to be running through that man’s arm when the whistle blows.

Sinnett backs off, and the player jumps up, fisting my brother’s jersey. He shouts something in his face that I can’t make out. Sinnett’s eyes burn as he towers over the player, pushing him off and storming back to his position.

Something is off with him. He’s moody but never this bad.

I know something happened between him and Dad, something to do with the team.

He told me he’s dealing with it, but to see him playing this way hurts.

And although he hasn't mentioned it, I know he's got his own issues he's sorting through that involves Tatum.

“He’s hopeless tonight,” the blonde beside me grumbles. I roll my eyes.

Sinnett looks at me from the side of the pitch, his face solemn. The whistle blows again, and the play continues.

“Did you see that? He looked right at me,” the girl beside me squeals, her hands coming to rest on her larger chest.

I can’t help but scoff in amusement .

Cold brown eyes move to mine. The blonde and her redheaded friend stare me down. “Did you think Sinnett Baxter was staring at you?” she snips.

I keep my gaze locked on the field. The Falcons are gaining a lot of metres, getting closer to the try line. I wonder if they'll?—

A cold liquid splashes over my scalp, seeping into my hair and down the back of my head.

Gasping, I jump out of my seat as dark liquid drips from my hair and temples.

I glare daggers at the snarky blonde girl.

She’s holding the empty plastic cup, her glossy lips pulled into a deep smirk as my hands fist tightly.

“What is wrong with you?” I demand through gritted teeth. She giggles with her friend, holding no remorse for her actions. I feel a hand on my arm. “Mia, come sit on the bench.”

It’s Khai, Sinnett’s friend. He must have just come off the field. Covered in sweat and mud, I let him help me over the barrier dividing the team from the crowd. The two girls gasp and shout at Khai, who ignores them. “You okay?”

I groan, wiping something alcoholic from my face and the excess on my jeans. “I better not have ants crawling on me now.”

He laughs before one of the assistant coaches tells him to keep moving. “Here. Sit down so they don’t bother you again.”

“Thanks,” I murmur and sit on the cold seat as Khai walks off.

I feel their glares on me like laser beams, so I turn and give them a bittersweet smile.

“To answer you, yes, he was looking at me. He is my brother.” I whip back around, ignoring their comments as I watch the Wolves score their way to victory.

“Hey, Mia.”

“Mia’s here.”

“Long time no see, Baxter twin.”

I receive a chorus of hellos as I wait outside of the locker room after the game. Luckily, I got to go straight into the tunnel, avoiding those crazy girls, and make my way right into the Wolves’ space.

Looking up, I respond to each of Sinnett’s teammates, knowing most of them well from the years he’s been playing for the team. I don’t come to every game, but I try for a couple a season to support my brother, and I love the sport. Must be in our blood or something.

Khai walks out next. “Hey, younger Baxter,” he teases. I roll my eyes. “How’s the hair?”

Moments later, my brother, who is still wearing a broody expression, steps into the hallway.

“What?” Sinnett frowns before moving to my side. “Why is your hair all sticky?”

I sniff a laugh. “A girl poured her drink on me, then Khai let me sit on the team bench to avoid them.”

The three of us walk to the exit. Most of the players have left now, leaving only a few stragglers in the stadium.

“What? Why would they do that?”

“She thought I was going to steal your attention away from her.”

My eyes find his. They wrinkle as my brother huffs in amusement. “The fans can be wild sometimes. ”

“More than wild. Who pours their drink on people’s heads?”

“Girls who want to get laid,” Khai chimes.

I nod in agreement, but Sinnett stays quiet. We make it to their cars on the side of the car park.

“I’ll drop Mia at home.”

“I’ll see you at home then,” Khai says before unlocking his car. “Catch you later, younger Baxter.” He winks.

I give him a small wave before moving towards Sinnett's Audi. “You played like a distracted monkey tonight?” I say once Khai has sped off.

Sinnett opens the back door and drops his gym bag on the seat. We climb into the car, doors closing softly behind us. “I’m not a monkey,” he groans, pressing the heels of his hands into his eyes.

When he drops his hands, ocean eyes find mine. I lift a brow.

He sighs heavily. “Just someone I thought I was close with seems to have turned her back on me.”

My eyes narrow. “A girl?”

His jaw ticks as he turns on the sleek car and pulls out of the car park. “Yes.”

“Not the girl with the short brown hair I remember you mentioning once or twice.”

Sinnett doesn't talk about the women he dates, but somehow, I managed to squeeze it out of him. He mentioned he was seeing a girl with short brown hair a few months ago, but that was it.

His mouth quirks. “Not her, no.”

My eyes sparkle with mirth. “It's Tatum, isn't it?”

“Shut it,” he murmurs.

“Interesting.”

“How so? ”

I tilt my head back on the headrest, my heart beating slowly but powerfully through my veins as I answer, “You like her.”

His face tightens, hands gripping the wheel. My brother doesn’t deny anything.

I gasp and slap him on the leg, earning me another glare. “I knew it.”

He scratches his jaw. “Mia…”

Even in the dim lighting of the car, the light blush staining his cheeks can't be hidden. I laugh because I've never seen my brother this flustered over a girl before. Ever. Sinnett digs his fingers through his hair, avoiding my stare. “Wow. You do love her.”

He just grunts in response.

A small smile forms on my lips as I touch his arm. “I’m sure it’ll work out, Sin.”

“Oh yeah? And how is it between you and Noah?”

My face falters as I pull my hand away, turning my attention back to the road ahead. “I haven’t spoken with him yet.”

“What are you waiting for, Mia?”

I sigh loudly, my pulse picking up again when I tell him the truth. “Tomorrow I’m telling Mum everything. About Ryan, my therapy, my job with Noah. Everything.”

“Okay,” he breathes out, not entirely sure what I’m getting at. “I want to know Mum’s opinion before?—”

“No, Mia.”

My eyes snap to his dull ones. “What?”

“Stop waiting for their approval. I hate to break it to you, but Mum and Dad won’t ever be entirely happy with what you decide.

It’s how they are. Look at me. I’m the star halfback at the Wolves, a top NRL team, and Dad is still pushing me.

I made it, and he’s still breathing down my neck over every little thing.

Don’t wait for them to tell you they’re satisfied, because they won’t be, not truly anyway. ”

His words sink into the pit of my stomach, burning like acid. He’s right. I don’t think they’ll ever be completely happy with either of us. Maybe we are both failures?

“I’m proud of you, Sin.”

His face flicks to mine, a brief smile covering it, but it doesn’t reach his eyes. “I know, and I’ll be proud of whatever you decide is best for you , not anyone else.”

I blow out another breath, resting my head against the window.

I know I'm just buying time before I try contacting Noah again for the truth, knowing that he is either waiting for me or has moved on.

The thought of him waiting makes the guilt burn my insides again, but I push it aside.

I have to get through my talk with Mum, and then I can focus on if I'm ready to put my heart on the line again, knowing that it might be destroyed.

But it could also be made whole again after years of feeling broken.