Tangled Love

CHAPTER 44

"Good morning," Jake smiles, walking over to me whilst holding a tray one handed. The smell of pancakes floats through the air and my stomach grumbles loudly.

"Morning, what time is it?" I smile back, running a hand through my hair. We didn't get home until late last night, the sun was beginning to rise just as I was drifting off.

"It's two in the afternoon," Jake chuckles, sitting down onto the empty side of my bed.

"Seriously? Wow," I respond, happiness filling my stomach as I think back to last night. The beauty of the night and Jake. I grin at him and sit up, propping myself up on the pillows behind me. A dull pain flares up my side and I close my eyes, breathing through it. I wish it would hurry up and heal.

"Are you still in pain?" Jake asks me, a worried expression plastered across his face. I shake my head, shrugging it off.

"No, don't worry about it." I smile before looking down at the stack of pancakes he'd made. They’re drizzled with syrup and my mouth waters, noticing he's popped a side of Nutella with them too.

"What did I do to deserve this?" I ask him scraping my hair back and securing it with a hair tie.

"I enjoy making pancakes and I kind of want to impress you," Jake responds casually before stabbing the top pancake with his fork and popping the whole thing in his mouth. I raise my brow at him amusingly and watch as he chews through the entire thing.

"Well, I'm impressed." I smile, reaching for my own fork. Jake fist pumps the air in victory, earning a giggle from me.

"Would you like to go back and get the rest of your stuff today?" Jake asks me gently, placing his fork down. I shake my head, disagreeing.

"I'm not going back there Jake," I mumble quietly. I know I'm safe here. Each day it became a little easier for me to relax but I'm nowhere near strong enough to face Mum or Trevor. I look up at Jake, extremely thankful to have someone who cares about me enough to help me.

I climb out of bed and walk up to him, settling myself between his legs. My hands circles around his neck and Jake remains still, watching me intently with a questionable look on his face.

"Thank you, it means so much to me."

"All I did was make you some pancakes and I've ate most of them." Jake chuckles, his fingers drawing circles on my back. I giggle before moving back to look at him.

"No silly. I mean for helping me. . . I had fun last night too." I mumble, fiddling with my hands.

"So basically I'm like your Prince Charming?" Jake smirks, tilting my chin up so I'm looking into his eyes. His lips began twitching and I smack his chest lightly for teasing me.

"Sort of but without the charm," I admit, my own lips twitching into a small smile. Jake's eyes light up and he chuckles quietly, his chest rumbling against mine.

"I'm so full of charm, you just don't want to admit it." All content © N/.ôvel/Dr/ama.Org.

He suddenly takes hold of both of my hands, clutching them tightly as his expression turned serious.

"You don't have to be scared, I'll be with you."

I bit down on my bottom lip, feeling an uneasy feeling settle inside my stomach. I shake my head, finalising my decision.

"I don't need anything, I promise."

Jake sighs, running a hand over his face and up through his hair and I know something else is troubling him.

"What's wrong?"

"The police will get involved if your Mum tells them you've left home. You know that, right?"

I nod slowly, my throat drying up with nerves.

"If I tell the police everything Trevor has done, I'll be allowed to stay here with you. . . I looked it up." I mutter, feeling anxiety build up inside me. I don't want to drag the past up but if it keeps me away from Trevor, I'd do anything.

"Trevor said he'd kill me if I ever told anyone his secret," I whisper, my voice shaking. Jake sighs and pulls me closer to him, his arms wrapping around my top half.

"You've got me now Emily, you don't have to be scared anymore. I won't let anything bad happen to you."

His strong arms tighten around my small frame and it feels like he's protecting me from the danger everywhere I turn. Being inside his arms I feel safe.

"I don't deserve you," I mumble into his shirt. He shakes his head before replying —

"You're right . . . you deserve the world.”