Tangled Love

"Let me show you something."

I nod and watch in silence as Tobias walks to the end of my bed. He breathes in deeply as if he's debating whether he's making the right choice or not. I wait patiently, wondering what it is he wants to show me.

He bites the corner of his lip before his fingers find the hem of his shirt. He begins to pull it over his head and I stop him midway, my eyes widening.

"Tobias, what are you doing?"

He carries on, completely ignoring my question. I watch, my eyebrows scrunched up in confusion as he pulls his shirt over his head, the muscles in his stomach flexing. My eyes travelled down to where his jeans hung dangerously low. I avert my eyes, feeling all kinds of wrong.

"Tobias, get dressed." I demand, keeping my eyes away from his body. I hear him sigh and walk towards me, his shoes padding softly on the floor.

"Emily, look at me."

I turn my face towards him, my jaw clenched with frustration. I lose all anger as my eyes meet his, they held such vulnerability in them. A glossy sheen covers his eyes as if he's on the verge of breaking down right here.

"Look," he said firmly, pointing at a section on his body. I inhale deeply before glancing in the direction of his fingers. A sharp gasp escapes my mouth and I finally understand what he wants to show me.

His finger points at his chest, close to where his heart is located. It's hard to see at quick glance but when you look closely, it's clear as day. Underneath a tribal tattoo etched onto his skin is a scar. A circular scar that dipped deep into his skin. It's an ugly white colour, a sign it had been there for years.

"Is that a — "

"A bullet scar."

His jaw completely clenches, his face as icy as stone. My hand shoots up to my mouth as I examine it closely in awe. My other hand reaches towards it but I stop in mid air —

"Can I touch it?" I ask quietly and he simply nods at me, giving me his approval. The second my hand makes contact, I feel him breathe in deeply.

tenses up as I run my fingers gently over

looking up at him. His hair falls over his eyes as he nods, eyes staring straight into

by a few inches."

 scared. He takes my hand in his and places it directly over

so can you. You're strong

feels warm and I swallow the thick lump in my throat as I realise he's been through this. He's been shot and lived

the silence between us. He opens his mouth to respond but instead the sound of the

fixated on the scene in front of him. Tobias immediately let go of my hand and it drops to my side from the sudden release. He takes a step back, holding his hands up in the air. I watch as his eyes widen

what it

turned to see Jake rooted to the spot, fists clenching and unclenching on either side of his body. His eyes had turned completely dark, filled with fire. His face turned towards me as his chest rose heavily up and down

murderous, ready to charge any second. I felt my hands begin to shake as I watched his head slowly turn back towards Tobias, his lips curling up into a

Are.

stopped breathing as every hair stood up on my body. I opened my mouth to speak but no sound came out due

not what it looks like, let him explain" I managed to croak out and Jake's head snapped

looked like, is it? What it looked like was my cousin trying it on with you and you weren't resisting either!" He snapped at me, his voice rising threateningly. I retreated backwards, completely taken aback at his harsh words. His head snapped towards Tobias

wouldn't do this again Tobias! You promised me!" He yells, charging towards him. I immediately run in front of Tobias, ignoring the pain that flares up in my stomach. Everything happens in slow motion as I watch his fist fly out, so much force put into

My eyes shut tightly as his fist comes hurtling towards me and I brace myself for the impact, knowing

pass and nothing happens . .

I'm dead and can't feel

My eyes open slowly as I breathe erratically. Jake stands in front of me, so close that our faces are almost touching. His eyes are wide and his fists are by his sides, shaking uncontrollably. I feel my heart crumble at the pain in his face, his eyes full of

out. He doesn't respond, a glazed over expression on

I take hold of Jake's shaking hands and pull him towards the bed. His face remains emotionless, cold as stone. I have to force him to

almost hit you." He

"But you didn't."

"Why did you stand in