Page 6 of Prove Me Wrong (The Sunburnt Hearts #5)

Chapter Three

MIA

C losing my laptop screen, I place it on my desk before slipping on my socks and heading out into the hallway.

Morning sunlight streams in through the sheer curtains, brightening the outdated kitchen.

The scent of biscuits linger in the air, along with stale coffee.

The ancient wooden floors creak as I make my way into the room.

Sinnett sits at the stained bench with a coffee in one hand and a peeled banana in the other. His blue eyes track me as I pick up a pear from the fruit bowl and bite into it. Sweetness fills my mouth instantly, settling my growling stomach, sounding like there’s a monster trapped inside.

“How was therapy?” my brother grunts out.

He always tries sounding gruff and unbothered, but I know Sin worries about me more than our own parents.

They certainly worry, but never about the right things.

It’s always about being the best and following in their footsteps, even though that’s the last thing I want to do.

I shrug and stand opposite him, bending to rest my elbows on the benchtop. Brown hair falls down my shoulders, eyes dropping to the bitten fruit in my grip. “Charlotte just asked about the move, how I’m feeling about being in Barrenridge and starting a new chapter in my life.”

“How are you feeling about being here?” he asks before polishing off the rest of his banana .

Sniffing, I straighten my posture. “It feels better than Sydney ever did. I know it’s only been two days, but I already feel safer here than in the city. Probably because I know he’s not here.” My voice is soft as I try keeping my nerves at bay.

Sinnett’s head tilts to one side, and I look away, not wanting to see the pity spreading across his light-coloured irises. “Ryan can’t find you. I made sure of it, Mia.”

My teeth clench at his name, along with my fists at my sides as I shut my eyes tightly. “I had to get away from there, Sin.”

“I know.” He exhales, drawing my attention back to him.

Standing, he walks around the island to pull me into his warm, tattooed arms. Our parents rarely hugged us as children, so we got used to protecting and consoling each other as we grew up.

And there’s nothing stronger than the bond between twins, no matter how much Sinnett wants to disagree with me.

“You have to call me every second day so that I know you’re all right,” he mutters into my ear.

I scoff lightly. “You sound like them…”

His arms squeeze tighter, and I huff out a laugh. “Shut it, twinkle fingers.”

He hugs me tight enough to cut off my air flow, and I chuckle. “All right, all right. I’ll call you.” Sinnett pulls away with a wide grin, and I tap his shoulder. “You’re possibly worse than them.”

His eyes roll, but I see the smirk toying in his mouth. “Please, nobody is as insufferable as our parents.” He pours half of his coffee down the sink. “Want to go get a proper one before I leave?” An inky brow arches at me.

“Yeah,” I answer softly. “I need a good iced latte after that session.”

“That bad?” Sinnett frowns in my direction .

My mouth twitches as I roll up the sleeve of my jumper so he can see the raised red skin like constant rashes staining my elbows.

“Mia…” he draws out, and I swallow, guilt seeping into my bones. I know he doesn’t mean it, but I can hear the pain and disappointment in his words, stabbing me uncomfortably.

“I can’t help it, Sin.” My voice sounds as raw as I feel.

“I know…” he breathes out, rubbing at his temple as I pull my sleeve back down to cover up my anxious habit. “Come on. You need something sweet, and the café in town still has your favourite croissants.”

A smile breaks out across my face, causing Sinnett to chuckle while pushing me towards the door. “Let’s go before I have to leave.”

Walking down the creaking hallway, he stifles a yawn. My brows pull together in response. “By the way, where did you disappear to last night?” I ask, slipping on my shoes.

Sinnett’s face remains tight as he peers down at me. “What are you talking about?”

I stand and hold onto the doorknob, not turning it yet. “I heard you come in after one in the morning. You’re not as stealthy as you think, Sin.”

His jaw ticks, and I get the feeling I might have just overstepped with something. But then again, Sin and I don’t keep secrets from each other. It’s part of our twin pact, just like the corks .

“I needed a drink,” he murmurs and pushes my hand off the knob, swinging open the door.

I follow him out with pursed lips. “A drink?” My dark eyebrows arch. “And did it take you all night to drink that one drink?” I question him sassily with a hand on my hip.

Sinnett’s tongue pokes the side of his stubbled cheek before shaking his head. “Trust me, twinkle fingers, you really don’t want to know.”

Eyes narrowing onto his, I cross my arms, and he mimics my behaviour. I groan with frustration and stalk past him. “I’m guessing you weren’t alone then...”

Looking back over my shoulder, I catch his devious smirk and roll my eyes.

He’s definitely not a player by any means, but my brother has also never had a serious girlfriend, and I sometimes wonder why that is.

He’d rather enjoy a short time of bliss with them, rather than getting into something more serious.

“Knew it,” I mutter under my breath. Sinnett chuckles while unlocking his car.

My shoulders sink slightly as I glance across to inspect my handsome neighbour’s driveway.

His red ute is missing, so he must be out already, enjoying his Sunday morning.

I notice the smaller things I didn’t have time to see since moving in on Friday.

The wooden seat on the porch, little pink gumboots sitting beside the front door, neatly trimmed hedging running alongside his house and the freshly clipped lawn.

He certainly keeps his house well-maintained.

Swallowing softly, I bite my bottom lip before pulling open the passenger door of my brother’s car and settling into the plush leather seat.

Sinnett drives us the short distance to the main road.

The town has a quaint, country feel to it, with exposed brick buildings, rusted metal signs, beautifully coloured awnings and wooden flower beds lining the footpaths.

The air here smells thinner and more earthy.

It’s like your senses can truly taste and smell everything. It’s refreshing.

The café on the corner was redeveloped only a few years ago.

It still has a rustic feel, but inside it’s open and filled with timber, metal and a multitude of potted plants.

Upholstered chairs sit around metal tables, with display cabinets filled with desserts and sandwiches, sunlight bouncing off the glass front.

Abstract art, full of different colours and brushstrokes, fill the cement-coloured walls.

“You go in. I just have to run across the road and get some money out. Order me a long black,”

Sinnett says before dashing across the street to the bank.

My eyes watch him momentarily before I step into the warm café. Instantly swimming in the fresh aroma of espresso, I close the glass door behind me. I feel something grab onto my leg before I can take a step forward.

Flinching, my gaze snaps down to the little girl holding on to me, but her attention is taken by something else. Her tiny hands are fisted in the loose material of my linen pants, blonde curls pulled up into space buns. She giggles loudly.

Eyes lifting, they meet striking green ones as my new neighbour walks over with a tray of four coffees in his hand.

“I’m so sorry.” His husky voice is deep and smooth, sending a shiver down each of my vertebrae like a whisper of wind.

Gooseflesh covers my skin as I control my thrumming heart, knowing that him nearing me is heightening my anxiety.

I take in his light grey tee that shows off very defined muscles beneath, dark chino shorts, white runners and golden hair looking slightly tousled

My eyes momentarily flicker to his left hand, taking note of the absence of a wedding band before lifting back to him, offering a small, shaky smile.

“I don’t mind.” My voice is soft as I glance back down at the young blonde toddler attached to my leg like a koala. “She’s gorgeous.”

He places the paper cups down on an empty table before crouching. Reaching out, my leg shivers as he picks up the little girl who tries putting her hand in her mouth. He bats it away. Gaze meeting mine once more, I feel the stutter in my thick pulse, jolting me slightly. “I’m Noah. Noah Sterling.”

Holding out a large, calloused hand, I hesitate to shake it, and the pinch in his forehead proves that he noticed my reluctance.

“Mia Baxter,” I return almost inaudibly. My nerves shoot through me like tiny fireworks whooshing around my veins.

The side of his mouth quirks, flashing me a dimple. Noah pulls back his hand and looks to the little girl on his hip. “This is Jade, my daughter.”

Jade’s bright green eyes meet mine and she puts her hand in her mouth again.

Letting out a soft giggle, I grin widely, wanting to record the sound and listen to it on repeat.

She is adorable, with round eyes like coins, framed in tiny golden lashes and brows.

There’s a small splash of freckles dotting her silky skin, and a blush spreads across her flat cheeks.

Out of the corner of my eye, I notice Noah watching me. Anxiety creeps up my throat like hot bile stinging its way up. I haven’t been this close to a man in a long time, and I can’t tell if I’m anxious because I don’t know him, or if I’m nervous because a part of me wants to know more about him.

“How old is she?” I ask before glancing back at him. “Sixteen months.”

Jade pulls away and wraps her arms around Noah’s neck. The door to the café chimes. I glance over my shoulder, watching Sinnett walk in with a clenched jaw. Inky hair falls into his intense eyes; I feel his iciness from here.

Stopping at my side, Noah’s gaze sweeps over my brother.

Sinnett is an inch or two taller than Noah, and I don’t doubt it inflates Sin’s already overstated ego.

Noah just smiles, eyes shuttering vaguely before a crease deepens on his forehead.

“Wait, I know you. You’re Sinnett Baxter, halfback for the North Sydney Wolves. ”

Sinnett’s body tenses beside me, like it usually does when people recognise him in public, before his shoulders slacken and he huffs out a laugh. “And you’re Noah Sterling.”

My eyes simply blink at Sinnett as he reaches out, shaking Noah’s hand firmly with a wide grin. “I’m surprised you recognised me. Most people don’t, and I count it as a blessing,” Noah muses. Sinnett snickers, and I look between the two of them, confused about what is going on.

How does Sinnett know who Noah is?

“You should. You don’t know how frustrating it is to have people chasing you down everywhere you go for a photo,” Sinnett adds, running a hand through his dark strands. “You get used to it after a while, though.”

Noah laughs as my lips part. “I’m sorry, but how do you two know each other?” I ask, and they both look at me. Noah’s expression is kind, whereas Sinnett’s sharp face looks very unimpressed.

“Noah is a Supercars driver,” Sinnett offers, and my mouth closes tightly. “Used to watch the races with Grandad when we visited.”

“Yeah, your grandad was one of my biggest fans,” Noah supplies with a dimpled grin. “He never missed a race of mine, always telling me that I was one of the greatest.”

“You did win the championship two years ago,” Sinnett muses.

Noah’s features drop a little, and I notice the darkness deepening his brilliant apple irises—a similar storm that haunts my anxious face, too.

There must be something there that he’s holding onto.

“I did, but now I only fill in when the team needs me as their secondary driver. I cut down when I had this little one.” Noah grins and kisses Jade on the forehead.

My heart warms a little at his gentleness with his daughter, and I have to smother the feeling like dousing myself with ice-cold water. I don’t know Noah, and I can’t afford to get close to anyone. I don’t want to get hurt again.

I won’t get hurt again .

“Well, it was great to meet you both,” Noah says before retrieving the tray of coffee from the table. “My friend is leaving town today and she wants to see everyone before she goes, so I'd better take them their morning caffeine.”

“We shouldn’t hold you up,” Sinnett offers, and Noah flicks me a quick smile.

“It was nice meeting you.” Noah’s eyes bore into mine for a few seconds, and my hands tingle with nerves. “I’ll see you around, Mia.”

“You, too,” I whisper.

Noah leaves with Jade on his hip.

When he's out of range, I feel as though I can breathe easier, as if the air has thinned out and dropped a few degrees. Sin’s hand touches my shoulder. “Did you order for us?” he asks, hand dropping to his side.

Shaking my head, he moves towards the counter, and I can’t help but glance back over my shoulder at Noah.

He’s putting Jade into the backseat of his ute.

Shutting the door, green eyes meet mine, framed in golden lashes, matching his hair that shines in the sunlight.

My breath catches in my lungs when the corners of his mouth turn up, and Noah slips into the driver’s seat.

I shouldn’t be this intrigued by a man, but there’s something pulling me towards him.

I promised myself I'd steer clear of men after Ryan ruined me, and that includes Noah.

The thought of being hurt or used again makes my stomach twist and throat burn.

Even certain glances from men cause the hairs on my neck to stand upright.

How can I consider getting close to someone again?

I force my eyes shut and turn back to Sinnett .

Ryan was right. He shattered me completely, broke me beyond repair, and I don’t think the pieces will ever be put back together properly.