Page 69 of Shattered Hearts

“I’m taking them,” I let out, bile biting at the back of my throat as my toes scrunch uncomfortably.

Her lips roll inward, like she doesn’t quite believe me. “Well, you should have some with your dinner just in case. You know how sometimes women can get pregnancy brain.”

I go to tell her that I will eat after a bath, but Sadie comes through the door in her ballet clothes and announces, “I’m home!” She disappears into our bedroom, and I have to admit, I’m a little envious of her right now. She can come and go as she pleases. There’s nobody trying to tell her what to do or what she needs to eat.

Blowing out a breath, I feel my nerves bubbling up inside me like boiling water. Why aren’t they listening to me? “I really want a bath after being in the bakery all day, so I’m going to eat after,” I tell them, a little sterner than I anticipated.

Mum’s eyebrows rise.

Dad stares at me. “But your dinner will be cold by then.”

“I don’t even want it,” I bite back. Dad drops the ladle into the pot.

Tipping my head back, I shake it, needing to be in control once again before I drown in panic. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to snap at you, but this is too much. I don’t want stew because it makes me feel sick, and all I want right now is a bath, because I’m sore and tired and—”

Sadie comes down the hallway wearing my comfy slippers she must have found in my wardrobe. When was she looking in there?

I let out a frustrated sigh. “I need some air.”

“Laynie…”

I brush past Sadie and head for the front door. “I just need a moment, Mum. Please.” I close the door behind me.

Sighing heavily, I now realise I’ve left my coat inside, and it’s freezing out here. Digging out my keys from my pocket, I move to sit in my car when my ringtone blasts through the quiet evening air.

“Hi, G,” I answer glumly.

He must hear the tiredness of my tone, because his own mellows. “Are you okay?”

I sniff, opening Betsie with the key and slam the door shut, nestling into the seat that’s molded itself around my body. “No, I just—I love my parents, you know that, but recently, they’re just so in my face.”

“Too overbearing?” he asks.

I nod, even though he can’t see me.

Grayson exhales gently. “Where are you?”

“Sitting in Betsie. I just had to get out of there before my anxiety took over, and this seems like the best place to hide.” My lips wobble. “All I wanted was a hot bath.”

“Come here then. You can have a bath here.”

I hold in a sob, my eyes glassing over as I peer at the front door again. No doubt they’re discussing my random outburst, but I don’t think I can go back in there right now.

“Okay. But I don’t have any—”

“I’ll get Macie to bring up some things for you to change into. Don’t worry. Just come. I’ll get it ready for you.”

“Thank you, G. I’ll just text Mum that I will be out for a bit so she doesn’t send out a search and rescue party.”

“Good idea. I’ll see you soon.”

Chapter Twenty-Five

Laynie

As soon as I pull onto the property, Grayson appears on the front porch. Shutting off the engine, I get out of the car wearing what I wore to work, a long sleeve top and overalls. Grayson rushes over and throws his coat over my shoulders, gaining a small smile from me. He smells fresh and spicy, like his cologne I’ve grown addicted to.

“Aren’t you going to be cold?” I ask as we walk towards the farmhouse. His hand holds the small of my back, and my skin heats beneath the pressure, blooming through the rest of my body.