Page 74 of Shattered Hearts

“Thank you, Laylay.”

Smiling, I squeeze her hand.

The back door opens. Mum walks out, seeing us together and smiles. “I’m glad you had a chat.”

Letting my cousin go, I stand to hug her. “I’m sorry I snapped.”

“You don’t need to apologise. I remember when I was having you. I drove Hazel insane with my hormones.” Her hands cup my face, a splatter of pale green paint above her brow. “Your dad and I should have asked more about what you need. We will from now on.”

“Thank you.”

Dropping her hands, Mum hums before trudging towards the wooden shed in the corner of the yard she transformed into her art studio. Hands in her pockets, she stops to face me, all happiness wiped from her face. “You should also know that Jack Thornton has started talking about you in town.”

I groan lightly, shoulder sinking. Why is the school principal talking about me? “What is he saying?”

Her jaw ticks, and I can tell from the lines around her lips and eyes that she’s not impressed. “That you’re just like your mother.” My mouth parts as she shakes her head. “I don’t care what they think about me, Laynie. I just don’t want them talking about you.”

“But you shouldn’t be brought into this, either,” I point out.

Mum’s tongue swipes her bottom lip as I hear Sadie stand on the porch behind me. “It’s a small town. People will talk about any news. It’s been like this for as long as I can remember.”

“That’s not fair,” I say bitterly.

Approaching me, she cups my cheek, face pinched with compassion and pity. “I know. Just don’t let it get to you. You’re better than them. We all know it.”

Chapter Twenty-Six

Grayson

“Can you pass me the hammer, please?”

Knox hands over the tool as I hold the nail in place against the wooden cladding of the farmhouse.

“This place is coming along nicely, Holden,” Knox says encouragingly, giving the house a quick glance over. There are windows in it now, and the roof tiles have been placed, making it closer to being lived in. A similar style to Reid and Macie’s place, but this one is smaller and a little more country than their modern farmhouse design.

Holden mutters out a small thank you, and Reid and I snicker. He’s never been big on being the centre of attention and it shows.

“And thank you for helping us out,” Reid adds, taking another plank from Holden and moving to nail it to the side of the house. We’re almost done, thankfully, because cladding is one of the most tedious parts of building a house. Weatherboards are definitely the nicest look, but they’re a pain in the ass to construct.

“Yeah,” I add, giving the board a small shake to ensure that it’s secure before flashing Knox a grin. “You’re helping more than Cole.”

Holden snorts, and I know he silently agrees with me.

“Cole is a menace most of the time, but he sometimes comes in handy,” mutters Reid, pulling a nail from his mouth.

Knox laughs, dropping back to the ground, and I follow suit. “Believe me, I’ve heard all about how much of a monster Cole is. It’s all I hear from Paisley’s mouth. Well, that, and the fact that this town drinks more than what’s probably healthy.”

“Oh yeah?” I ask, brow raised.

Reid perks up, wanting to hear more about what’s going on between Knox’s sister and our brother. As do I.

“Yeah. With how much she hates him, I’m surprised they can even be in the same room as each other. She really doesn’t like him.”

My eyes narrow, and Reid questions coyly, “Doesn’t like him? Or maybe hates that she likes him?”

Knox’s brows furrow, and I remember again that this kid is only fifteen. The only things he’s thinking about are dirt bikes, video games, and food. Girls probably aren’t his priority right now.

Smart kid.