Tangled Love

"This looks amazing." I breathe out, taking a seat next to Ivory at the table. Myra beams at me.

"Thanks honey, it's nothing really." She waves off her effort and I glance at the table, my mouth watering at the feast in front of us. There are two different types of grilled meat, noodles and rice, battered prawns, pastry parcels and a rainbow salad laid out in front of us. Ivory grabs a plate, putting one down in front of me.

"Mum is like the most amazing cook, she'll fatten you up in no time." Ivory giggles and I grin back at her. I'm so glad to finally be reunited with Ivory, she's like a sister to me. She cried when I got back from the hospital and filled me in on all the gossip going on in college. I've planned to see Trish tomorrow but I'm yet to see Tobias. Apparently he'd gone AWOL ever since he knew I'd be back today.

Jake waltz in, running a hand through his damp hair. I can tell he'd just showered and my eyes roam over his appearance, a small smile on my lips. He subtly raises an eyebrow at me, smirking before turning towards Myra.

"Food smells amazing Aunty M, thank you."

He kisses her cheek before taking a seat next to me. My heart warms at his sweet relationship with his family . . . something I wouldn't have expected from him at all.

"So honey, how are you feeling? We've all been so worried." Aunty Myra says, pouring me a glass of red wine. I motion for her to stop as the glass was starting to become way too full. I'm a lightweight and a sip of wine would probably have me crawling on the floors. . .

"I feel so much better now I'm here, a little pain but the doctor gave me painkillers. Plus Jake has been taking care of me very well." I tell her, taking Jake's hand in mine. I give his hand a little squeeze before turning back towards Myra. She was smiling warmly in Jake's direction and I could tell how much love she has for him.

"He is a very loving boy," Myra replies and Jake cleared his throat beside me —

"I am sat right here and don't call me loving, it's embarrassing." He grimaces, shoving a prawn whole into his mouth.

"Jake, please don't eat like an animal," she replies, shaking her head at Jake's caveman habits. He shrugs, grabbing another prawn —

a man, sue me."

man part." Ivory whispers on my other side sniggering and I bite back a laugh.

whispering." Jake says, narrowing his eyes at Ivory.

at the table please." Myra says, loading food onto her own plate. I sit there patiently until everyone plates up their own foods before adding some chicken

eyebrows raised

not that hungry."

you need to eat more than that. Remember what the doctor said?"

sip of my wine. I immediately scrunch my face up at the disgusting taste of

She asks and I nods, pushing the wine

I'll stick to

takes my glass, pouring the wine

for me!" She says cheerfully and I chuckle at her alcoholic ways. The kitchen door opens and I pause, fork hanging in mid air. Tobias mutters a greeting to his mum before sitting opposite me. I feel Jake physically still beside me

and friendly until now and I didn't want that to change.

he turns and walks back out of the kitchen with his plate in his hands. I shuffle uncomfortably in my chair and fiddle with my fork and knife, scraping it against the

slams her fork and knife down, surprising us all. She pinches the

Jake! This has been going on for years, I cannot have you

"Aunty Myra, I haven't done anything! It's him, he's an asshole!" Jake hisses, slamming his cup down onto the table. I feel Ivory stiffen beside me, clearly uncomfortable from

isn't the only one.

least try to get along, for my sake?" Myra asks desperately, taking a large drink of

him is the one thing I can't do. Every time