Tangled Love
CHAPTER 62

CHAPTER 62

I have to prepare myself for that because right now, my emotional state is on the line. How can I tellhim how much I care about him anymore than I already have? I'm not prepared to stand by and allowhim to use me and throw me away once he's done with me. If Tobias' words are true, I need to distancemyself away from Jake and be nothing but friends.

I don't plan on avoiding Jake but somehow I'm aware of every step he takes and the small movementsof his head as he turns to look at me. I can't bring myself to maintain eye contact with him because I'mafraid I'll break down in frustrated tears. Why do boys have to be so damn complicated?

I focus my energy on Ivory because right now, I need a friend.

"I can't wait to go back to college and see Trish. I'm seriously missing her chatting my ear off." I tellIvory, glancing at my watch. There's only two weeks to go before we're back in school and my bestfriend comes home from being on holiday. I feel like I've lost my right arm without Trisha Lockwood inmy life. Ivory nods, agreeing with me.

"Trish definitely needs to throw some fun in our direction. I feel like a slob binge watching Netflix allday." She chuckles, taking a bite from her toast. I giggle with her, lifting my mug and taking a sip of mycoffee. Jake enters the kitchen, his shoulders physically tense and his jaw locked with tension. I avertmy gaze, studying the fascinating checkered print on the dining table inside.

Ivory notices the hostility and awkward tension hang in the air and she raises an eyebrow —

"Trouble in paradise?" She asks us both. Jake turns to glare at her. "Shut up Ivory."

She lets out a low whistle. "What's the deal between you two?" This time, the question is directed atme. I simply shrug my shoulders, a burning sensation rising to my cheeks. Ivory looks up at Jake andwaits for him to respond but he never does. The air grows increasingly thick with tension and I feelmyself beginning to shrink inside my chair. Eventually Jake leaves, slamming the door behind him.

"Tobias is such a jerk." Ivory mumbles, knowing exactly what the issue is between Jake and I. She wasthere to witness him break me down with his words.

"What's his problem?" I blurted out, annoyed at the mention of her brother. Ivory stood up, walking overto the sink before turning round.

"Jake and Tobias have always been really close, like brothers. Two years ago, Tobias did somethingthat hurt Jake. He still hasn't let it go and neither of them have been the same since. All they ever do isfight."

"What did Tobias do?" I ask, intrigued to know. Ivory gives me a small smile before adding —

"Its not my place to say, you should ask Jake. He's a good person Emily, he doesn't trust many people.What Tobias said wasn't true, even I can tell you that."

Ivory smiles at me before reaching for her keys, leaving me alone. I sit in silence for a few moments,inhaling and exhaling deeply.

The kitchen door opened, pulling me away from my distressed thoughts. I looked up to see a womendressed smartly in a deep plum suit that contrasted perfectly against her skin. Her hair fell around hershoulders in soft dark curls and she had strikingly similar features to Jake. I stood up, pulling my PJshirt down, feeling incredibly under-dressed.

She smiled at me warmly, showing off a set of perfectly white teeth. Okay, she is definitely Jake's mum.They both had a gorgeous smile. I held my hand out nervously and she looked at it slightly amusedbefore shaking it.

"It's nice to finally meet you Mrs Melvin," I said politely, pushing down the nerves. She smiled at mebefore walking over to the kettle.

"You don't need to call me Mrs Melvin, that title disappeared a long time ago honey."

Her voice was smooth with a hint of maturity, she oozed sophistication. I nodded at her words beforetaking a seat, placing my hands in my lap. I fiddled with my hands nervously before remembering I hadto thank her.

"Thank you so much for letting me stay here, Miss..."

"Call me Michelle darling, and don't look so worried. I won't bite your head off."

"Right, thank you again Michelle," I said truthfully, feeling at ease from her friendly smile.

"You're a friend of Jake and Ivory's, right? That means you're welcome anytime. We definitely have thespace and the kids seem to love your company."

"You have a lovely home. It's fun living with them both and it's a far better option than my own home."

Michelle gave me a comforting smile. I cleared my throat and stood up, motioning that I was going backupstairs.

"It's nice to meet you." I said and Michelle put down her coffee, turning towards me.

"You too, I'm sure we'll get along fine," she smiled and my heart warmed a little from her words. Shewas so nice and caring and it made me miss my own mother. The mother she was before Trevor camealong.

I shut the kitchen door and headed upstairs to get dressed for the day, going over my first conversationwith Jake's Mum. I

I know I have to talk to Jake at some point for first, I need to fix my appearance.