Tangled Love

I turn the shower off and pause for a moment, closing my eyes. Lately everything around me has been moving at lightning speed so a taking a second or two to collect my thoughts makes me feel better. I step out of the shower and notice my phone screen flashing with numerous messages. I reach over and 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 Mum understands that I'm doing this for myself and my safety. The next message is from an unknown number 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 completely ignore him or show him that I'm not scared? I send the text and don't expect his response to be almost immediate but it is.

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

off and push him to the back of my mind.

— pink with hearts all over them. Once I'm dressed I blow dry my hair and secure it into a high ponytail. I

waist from behind. I jump a little before realising who it is. His scent wraps all around

the smile

at him.

covered

growing warm with embarrassment. He chuckles lightly before taking the glass of milk from my hand. I barely have a second to protest as he tilts it upwards, downing the

me an apologetic look, placing the empty glass back down onto the counter.

right arm. The muscles in his bicep

not the only thing that shoots right

Jake. He shrugs casually in response, his lips

after him, reaching for the milk to heat another glassful. His laughter fills the air causing

soft knock on my bedroom door causes me to jump up out of bed, my sleepy state slowly disappearing. My watch reads midnight and I frown, thinking everyone must be sleeping by now. I pull open the door and find Jake leaning against my door frame, fully dressed. He's

resemble a potato. A potato

shushing me before entering my room. I take a step back and 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.

midnight. Are you

leaning back against my door with his hands stuffed inside his

a surprise Muffin, get dressed." Jake instructs me, pushing his hand through the strands of his soft