Page 7 of Prove Me Wrong (The Sunburnt Hearts #5)

Chapter Four

NOAH

T he sound of Jade’s plastic plate hitting the floor makes me groan. Leaning against the bench, my head falls between my shoulders. I take a second to control my breathing. It’s been a rough week, and the absence of Tatum has definitely gotten to me.

I now realise how much I relied on my friend. And with her living in Sydney, the overwhelming feeling of being a single parent is beginning to crush me once again.

The thought of calling Mum for help has crossed my mind, especially last night when Jade wouldn’t get to sleep until well after midnight.

I didn’t know who to call for help, and right now, I’m starting to become desperate enough to call my mum.

I never thought I would get to this point after they made their feelings very clear.

I have ignored them ever since, but I’m exhausted and feel like a terrible parent right now.

Sighing, I look at my baby girl sitting in her highchair, banging on the plastic tray as her breakfast lies splattered on the floorboards. Grunting, I grab the paper towel and begin wiping up the mess. She wriggles in her seat, trying to free herself from its hold.

“Jade, we don’t waste food. Why don’t you want to eat your Weetbix?” My tone sounds as weary as I feel right now. My body aches all over, and I feel a headache coming on, my brain pounding as I wipe the floor clean .

Jade makes an impatient noise as I throw the paper in the bin, but I know she can’t undo the buckle of her chair.

Sighing, I put her plate in the sink and wash up. Jade tries standing, a whimper coming out.

“Hold on, princess. Just one minute.”

I dry the plastic bowl when I hear her sniffing and look over at her wrestling with the buckle holding her in place. Red rimmed eyes look into mine as tears slide down her pink cheeks. “Daddy!” she whines. I put the plate down and grab her from the chair.

“Hey, what’s wrong, baby girl?” I murmur, brows tightening as she clings to my neck tightly.

She’s not normally like this. Sure, she likes to cuddle—who doesn’t—but she hardly ever whines or cries like this. “Are you feeling sick?”

Large glassy eyes blink up at mine and my nerves jump underneath my skin.

Carrying her to the bathroom, I find the thermometer and stick it in her mouth for a minute as Jade silently sobs. Thick tears roll down her flushed cheeks, and I kiss her forehead gently. Her little fingers grip onto my forearms, not letting go of me while I wait to get an accurate reading.

Nerves vibrate through me as I silently pray that she doesn’t have a fever. I don’t want to go back to the hospital already .

Removing it, her temperature is a little high, but nothing to worry about. Frowning, I look into my daughter’s eyes, trying to figure out what’s making her this upset.

Her fingers fist as she tries putting her hand in her mouth again and I grunt.

Grabbing the syrup container from the cupboard, I measure out the amount she needs for the pain.

“Stupid teeth,” I mutter under my breath.

Washing out the cup, I then wrap Jade up in my arms again. “You’re teething again.”

She curls up on my shoulder, and I wish I could stay with her for the entire day, but they need me at the mechanic's garage. “I have to get you ready for daycare, Jade.” My tone is low as I walk upstairs to her room.

The mere mention of Jump Start makes Jade shake her little head.

I know she hates it when I leave her there, but I don’t have a choice.

She starts to sob again when I put her down in her cot and grab something to change her into.

“Don’t cry, Jade. Please. I’m doing the best that I can. ” My voice comes out as a drained beg.

This makes her cry harder, and my heart shatters at the sound. My eyes prick as I think about Em and how much I need her to be here right now. I might not have loved her the way I should have, but she was Jade’s mum, after all. And I need help right now.

Picking Jade up, I pick out a top and shorts to dress her in and wash her face and hands before tying her hair up into buns like how Tatum showed me.

I have to admit that it makes her look even cuter—if it’s even possible.

Placing her back down with her stuffed toys, I quickly change and brush my teeth before grabbing my work bag and her backpack, rushing to the car.

Jade is still sobbing on my neck when I unlock my ute.

Juggling her and our things, her drink bottle falls out of the backpack, rolling down the driveway.

Grunting, I stalk after it when a familiar brunette jogs over and picks it up for me in an oversized tee that swallows her leaner body and black bike shorts.

I feel the violent thumping in my veins instantly as her grey-blue eyes outlined with long dark lashes find mine.

Hair pulled up into a high ponytail with a white bow, pale pink lips part gently.

The sharpness of her chin and cheekbones makes her strikingly beautiful.

She can’t be more than a few inches shorter than me, her fingers trembling a little as Mia slowly blinks up at me.

I haven’t spoken to Mia since last weekend in the café with her brother, Sinnett.

I’ve seen glimpses of her coming and going from the house and even caught sight of her through the kitchen window one evening when she was making herself a hot drink before bed.

My eyes lingered on her loose satin pyjamas for longer than I’m proud of, and I definitely felt myself hardening over her.

I haven’t thought about a girl since Em, but for some reason, I can’t seem to get Mia out of my mind.

There’s something about her that draws me in.

I can’t figure out what it is, but I don’t want to ignore the sensation.

Clearing my throat, Mia hands me the plastic drink bottle covered in wild animals and Jade’s name. It was Nathan’s latest Christmas present for Jade.

Studying her silver-blue irises, they are now seared into my memory like a tattoo. I could stare at them all day if she let me. “Thank you,” I murmur, exhaustion coating my words.

Pale lips parting, throat working, I watch Mia step backwards, creating some space between us. Is it because I’m intimidating? Or is she like this with most people? “You’re welcome, Noah,” she utters, biting her bottom lip.

I like hearing my name coming from her mouth.

Swallowing, Mia turns her attention to my upset daughter, who is whimpering on my shoulder.

Tears fall down Jade’s cheeks, dripping onto my tee. “Is she all right?” she questions, tone quiet .

“She’s teething. It’s painful for her. I gave her some medicine that usually helps, but it’s still kicking in,” I explain without taking my eyes off Mia.

Frowning, small lines deepen in her forehead. Mia reaches out and strokes Jade’s hair gently. I remain still, watching her comfort my daughter, heart expanding like a balloon. “You’ll be okay, little lady. It’s just a part of growing up.”

A smile grows on my face when I hear her name for my baby daughter. Jade sucks on her tiny fist before holding out her arms to Mia.

She grins. “Can I hold her for a second?”

I nod, and Mia wraps Jade up tightly in her lean arms. My chest sears with flames like a wildfire, engulfing my heating flesh.

Jade is only this open with Tatum and June, but to see her warming up so quickly with Mia makes my pulse skitter.

There’s a kindness and gentleness to her that I haven’t seen before.

I’m drawn to it.

Taking the moment to open the car door, I place our bags in the back as Mia whispers something into Jade’s ear. I can’t hear it, but her cheeks pinken as my daughter giggles, finding it amusing; although, I highly doubt she understood what Mia said.

“Come on, princess. Time for daycare,” I announce with slumped shoulders, plucking my daughter back into my arms. Fingers brushing Mia’s skin, I fight to keep myself under control as sparks run down my arms.

Jade’s pale lips tremble as I let out a heavy sigh, buckling her into the car seat. Her tiny hands grip onto my shirt, and I run a hand down my face, not wanting to crack in front of Mia. My heart aches right now as exhaustion builds behind my eyes like an immense weight .

“Jade, let go, please. I need to get to work.” My words are soft, my soul cracking as her sobs get louder, droplets of salty water streaming down her flushed face.

I reluctantly pull her hands off and close the door right after I hear her scream, her tiny lungs wracking with pain. It crushes me.

Cloudy eyes watch me closely, and I bite back the stinging moisture brimming my eyelids. I can’t crumble. I have to stay strong for my daughter because I’m all that she has left in this world.

“Noah.” Mia’s voice breaks me out of the drowning feeling, trying to swallow me up again. I glance at her while my daughter screams inside my ute, my world tilting. “Do you want me to take her for the day? I can watch her if you want.”

My saliva is thick and hot like tar, sliding down my throat as I blink at my new neighbour.

I can’t believe she’s offering to help me out .

Every other girl who has offered to watch Jade just wanted to be close to me.

Being a small town, they knew my parents were wealthy and well-known, and I hated that they used my daughter to try to win me over.

But Mia knows about my racing, about the athlete lifestyle, from her brother. Yet, I can tell from the expression in her delicate, dark features that she’s concerned for Jade. She’s hesitant around me, and I don’t know why, but she’s also worried for my daughter, and that makes my heart melt.

Shaking my head, I run my fingers through my slightly sweaty hair, trying to settle my rapid pulse. “Thank you, but it’ll be all right. I have her enrolled in daycare, and I’m sure you have work to do.”

Shiny eyes shutter at my words, plucking at my heart uncomfortably. I feel the air constricting around me like it’s thickening. Crap, maybe I said something wrong. Possibly struck a nerve ?

Mia shakes her head, forcing out a tight smile. “You’re right. I’m sorry for offering.”

She turns away when I walk around the car, but before she can leave, I grab hold of her arm, grip loose.

The feeling of her skin against mine is silky, soft and pleasant.

Fingers tingling, stormy eyes meet mine, and up close I see flecks of silver in her greyish blue irises.

They almost shimmer like metal, so mesmerising. I don’t want to look away.

“Don’t be sorry, Grey,” I murmur. I hear her breath hitch at the base of her throat. “I appreciate the offer more than you think.”

Dropping her arm, Mia glances away before stepping backwards. I don’t miss the ache that wedges itself in my chest.

“I hope your day gets easier, Noah.” Her voice is barely audible before she jogs towards her house and vanishes inside.

Groaning, I rub the back of my neck before getting into my car filled with Jade’s loud crying. Resting my head against the steering wheel, I shut my eyes, and for a moment, allow myself to sink back into the drowning feeling I’ve pushed away for so many months.