Tangled Love
CHAPTER 41

CHAPTER 41

I turn the shower off and pause for a moment, closing my eyes. Lately everything around me has beenmoving at lightning speed so a taking a second or two to collect my thoughts makes me feel better. Istep out of the shower and notice my phone screen flashing with numerous messages. I reach overand pick it up, reading the first message —

Where the hell are you Emily ? Mum

I quickly type out a response, my features scrunched up in frustration at the screen —

I've left home. Im not living with Trevor or you anymore. Bye Mum.

It's nice to regain control of my life after having it spin out of control for so long. I hope Mumunderstands that I'm doing this for myself and my safety. The next message is from an unknownnumber and I pause, a familiar feeling of dread washing over me.

You need a man to love you Emily, not a little boy.

I sigh heavily, feeling the pressure building up inside my head as a headache begins to brew.

Who are you? GO AWAY.

I hesitate before sending the text, uncertain whether I'm making the right decision. Should I completelyignore him or show him that I'm not scared? I send the text and don't expect his response to be almostimmediate but it is.

It is not the right time. I will never go away. . . Not until you're mine.

I shudder at his words that are borderline psychotic stalker behaviour. I turn my phone off and push himto the back of my mind. No way do I need more hassle on top of everything else going on in my life.

I walk back to my room and change into my favourite pyjamas — pink with hearts all over them. OnceI'm dressed I blow dry my hair and secure it into a high ponytail. I step into my fluffy bedtime slippersand head downstairs for a warm glass of milk to end my night.

I take the first sip when I feel warm arms wrap around my waist from behind. I jump a little beforerealising who it is. His scent wraps all around me and the tension in my body completely disappears. Isigh and relax against him, my lips tugging upwards into a smile.

"Hey beautiful," Jake murmurs down my ear. I bite back the smile and turn around, looking up into hisblue eyes.

"I feel like you can't get enough of me lately Melvin." I smile sweetly at him. His eyes flash withamusement before raking down my body and back up again.

"I can't help it when you're covered in bright pink love hearts."

"Shut up, I'm comfortable." I laugh, my cheeks growing warm with embarrassment. He chuckles lightlybefore taking the glass of milk from my hand. I barely have a second to protest as he tilts it upwards,downing the liquid in one.

"Jake!" I whine in protest, shoving him lightly. He gives me an apologetic look, placing the empty glassback down onto the counter.

"Sorry Muffin. These bad boys don't feed themselves you know." He winks, flexing his right arm. Themuscles in his bicep bulge instantly and I arch my brow, impressed. "Wow, that right up."

"It's not the only thing that shoots right up when you're around."

I splutter in shock and my mouth falls open as I stare wide eyed at Jake. He shrugs casually inresponse, his lips twitching upwards into a smirk. I watch him leave, his shoulders and back vibrating

as he chuckles.

"You need Jesus!" I yell after him, reaching for the milk to heat another glassful. His laughter fills the aircausing me to bite back my own smile.

A soft knock on my bedroom door causes me to jump up out of bed, my sleepy state slowlydisappearing. My watch reads midnight and I frown, thinking everyone must be sleeping by now. I pullopen the door and replace Jake leaning against my door frame, fully dressed. He's wearing a plain whiteshirt underneath his black bomber jacket, finished off with black jeans. I can't help but bite down on mylower lip . . . How does he manage to look so good at midnight?

Right now, I resemble a potato. A potato in pyjama's.

"Erm, hi?" I smile, my heart fluttering inside my chest. His blue eyes are sparkling and a small smileplays on his lips. He lifts a finger to his lips, shushing me before entering my room. I take a step backand swallow, watching as he quietly shuts my bedroom door over before spinning around. As he turns,his intoxicating scent hits me and I physically swoon.

"Jake, it's midnight. Are you crazy?" I whisper.

"Not crazy, I want to take you somewhere." Jake replies, leaning back against my door with his handsstuffed inside his pockets. My eyebrows shoot up in surprise and I bite down on my lower lip. "Whereare we going?"

"It's a surprise Muffin, get dressed." Jake instructs me, pushing his hand through the strands of his softdark hair.

"You're taking me somewhere at midnight?" I ask him however I turn and head for my wardrobe,already choosing an outfit.

"Would you like me to leave you to sleep instead?"

I pick out a plain crop top and my grey jogging bottoms along with my converse before turning torespond.

"Not really, I don't get much sleep."

Jake pauses for a moment, studying me silently. "Neither do I," he murmurs softly before clearing histhroat. I walk over with my clothes and hide behind the wardrobe door as I change.

"Turn around," I instruct him firmly.

"You're hidden behind the wardrobe door Emily, I can't see you at all," Jake chuckles. I roll my eyes —

"Just turn around, please?"

I hear him sigh before he shuffles and when I peek around the wardrobe door, he's facing the wall. Ican't help but giggle at the sight of him.

"You look like a toddler who's been put into time out."

"Just hurry up and get dressed Muffin," Jake chuckles. I smile behind the door and quickly change,tossing my pyjamas onto the bed.