Tangled Love

CHAPTER 10

Once I'm satisfied we aren't going to be seen, I spin around, forgetting that I was badly beaten this morning.

My hand immediately presses against my stomach in an attempt to decrease the pain. Jake's eyes darken and he takes a step forward towards me. His hand reaches out, landing on my waist where he holds me cautiously.

"What's wrong?" He questions, his voice a low rumble. I grit my teeth, blinking back tears. Even through the pain, my body flares up in heat from his touch. I silently curse myself for reacting to his simple action. I look up at him, masking over the pain in my eyes.

"Girl stuff," I shrug off, leaning against the wall casually. I bite the inside of my cheek to stop myself from crying out in pain. Jake searches my face silently and I know

instantly he doesn't believe me. He shakes his head, dark hair falling over into his eyes. I focus on the wall behind him so that I wouldn't stare.

"What do you want to talk to me about?" I ask him, a blush creeping up my cheeks. I can feel butterflies fluttering in my stomach with nerves. Is this when Jake confronts me over yesterday?

"I want to apologise."

My head snaps back so I'm looking directly at him, at his eyes. I swear, my mouth actually drops open in shock a little.

"You want to apologise to me?" I ask, the shock evident in my voice. He doesn't reply but instead nods at me.

"Since when does Big Bad Jake apologise?"

Jake chuckles quietly, the corner of his lips twitching up. Huh, he's cute when he smiles. Property belongs to Nôvel(D)r/ama.Org.

"Big Bad Jake? Please tell me that's not what people call me. That would seriously ruin my street cred."

"Not people, just me." I smile, fiddling with my hands. Jake glances at me from under his thick dark lashes, blue eyes searching mine. I feel my stomach somersault, my heart beginning to pick up pace. I drop my gaze to the floor and clear my throat, angry at myself for reacting to him the way I do. I can't help it, the boy is beautiful despite being annoying as hell.

"I want to apologise for yesterday. I wasn't watching where I was going."

I blink in surprise, glancing up at him. He sighs in defeat before continuing —

"And I'm sorry for blowing smoke in your face, that was rude."

A small smile stretches across my lips and I'm grateful. My hand is permanently clutching my stomach where the pain is throbbing.

I need to sit down, soon.

"Don't worry about it," I reply quietly, remembering how Jake noticed the fear in my eyes yesterday. Why is he acting so apologetic?

Since when does Jake care about what other people think of him?

"Jake, seriously. It's cool," I repeat, giving him another smile. If we don't end the conversation soon, I'm scared I'll end up passing out from the pain.

"Well not the smoke thing because that's simply disgusting. Do you know second hand smoke is just as dangerous as smoking? It's very bad for. . . "

I drift off as I notice him watching me, an amused expression across his face. Humour flashes through his eyes and he smirks, his eyes dropping to the floor. I look at the floor sheepishly but realise I've made a bad move.

Dizziness immediately hit me, my legs buckling underneath my weight. If I don't sit down soon, I will definitely pass out. Jake takes a step forward, his scent invading me completely. I'm pressed as far up into the wall as I can go, using it to support my weight.

"Are you sure you're okay?"

His face is beginning to blur through my vision, his voice becoming a short buzzing sound. I nod my head weakly, scared that if I open my mouth to reply, I'll cry instead.

Black spots appear in front of me and I feel

myself stumble on my feet unsteadily, my body screaming out in agony. His hands are immediately around me, holding me up whilst I recover from my state of darkness. I whimper

quietly, shaking my head so that he'd leave me alone, I barely know him. His head dips low until his lips met my ears.

"I think you're forgetting who I am," he murmurs down my ear, his hands holding my body firmly in place.

"You can't lie to me Emily, I'm surrounded in a world of pain. Don't think I'm not able to sense it when it's all I feel around you."

I don't reply and focus on clearing my vision instead.