Page 83 of Shattered Hearts

“Good,” I say, trying to match her enthusiasm but it falls flat. “Reid just messaged. They’re almost here.”

“Perfect,” she chimes, clapping her hands. We’ve somehow fit fifty people in here, which was a bit of an effort. Hazel and Austin are with my parents and Paisley’s mum. Aspen is on Delly’s hip, talking her and Sadie’s ears off about ducks, but they seem to be enjoying it. Paisley and Knox stand together in one corner, and in the other are people from high school, like Jaxton Calloway, his older brother Damien, and Bennett Miller.

I’m glad it’s a big turnout.

“All right, everyone, when the door opens and the lights flick on, it’s your cue to jump up and yell surprise,” Macie announces.

I hear someone snort and turn to see Jaxton with his hands in his pockets, thinking he’s the hot shot he really isn’t. Some things never really change, I suppose. “That’s usually how these parties work. Have you ever watched a movie before, Cambell?”

Macie rolls her eyes.

My phone beeps again.

COLE: One minute away.

“Okay. We have one minute until they’re back. Everyone find a place and hide. The lights are going off in thirty seconds,” I announce loudly.

There’s a frantic rush as Macie and I wait for everyone to crouch. Turning off the lights, Macie and I hide beside the door just as we hear the crunch of the gravel driveway. My stomach flutters nervously, anxiety creeping its way up my skin. I swallow, trying to stay silent.

Doors slam and the ute’s lights flash as they approach the porch.

“Where’s Mum and Dad?” I hear Grayson ask. “I thought they were looking after Aspen.”

“They probably took her out for ice cream,” Holden answers.

“I want ice cream,” Cole says, and I roll my eyes.

Someone gives a short laugh, and seconds later, the door swings open and Grayson steps in. Macie jumps up, flicking the light switch. Everyone jumps up and shouts, “Surprise!”

Shock and amusement spread across Grayson’s face. He chuckles with disbelief. “What the heck is this?”

“Surprise!” Macie adds again, stepping closer to hug him.

“You planned all of this for me?”

She nods, turning my way. I feel my cheeks heat. “Me, Laynie, Delly, and Sadie. We organised everything together. Your brothers helped a little too.”

“You guys are the best.” His eyes shimmer with a slight glean as he turns to his brothers and hits them all on the arm. “No wonder you took so long looking at those stupid seed packets.”

Reid shrugs, grinning. “We had to stall somehow while people got here and decorated the place. Do you really think we need three different types of tomatoes?”

Grayson glances around again, taking it all in.

Hazel steps to the front and hugs him, wishing him a happy birthday. “Okay, everyone. Food will be on the table. Enjoy yourselves!”

Someone turns the music back on, and everyone gets to talking amongst themselves. Grayson is swarmed by friends and townspeople, all wishing him a happy day and asking about his work and hobbies.

I duck back into the kitchen behind Hazel. She sighs once she’s out of the throng of people, rubbing her forehead. I frown. “Are you feeling okay?”

She waves a hand to dismiss me. “Oh, yes, I’ll be fine. It’s just another headache.” She looks at the cupboard above the fridge before glancing at me. “Since you’re taller, could you grab me some tablets?”

“Did you want to lie down for a bit?” I ask, doing as she asked and grabbing her medication. “We can handle the party if you need a moment.”

“No. I don’t want to miss this. I’ll be fine with these.” She gives me a small smile that doesn’t diminish the worry settling in my bones.

Lips thinning, I decide it might be best if I bite my tongue on this one. If she says she’s okay, then she must be. Hazel isn’t someone who would lie.

I grab a glass of water for her, then work on filling the paper platters with the desserts Grayson and I baked last night. My stomach clenches as I think about what I said, how I pushed him away. I’m doing the right thing, right? I don’t want him to be a part of this right now then regret it later. Or worse, what if he finds someone else and realises he’s stuck with me and a kid?