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."

part." Ivory whispers on my other

whispering." Jake says, narrowing

own plate. I sit there patiently until everyone plates up their own foods before adding some

all you're having?" Jake asks me, eyebrows raised at my plate. I nod —

not that hungry."

need to eat more than that. Remember what the doctor

like three times," I responded, taking a sip of my wine. I immediately scrunch my face up at the disgusting taste of vinegar in my mouth. It hits me straight away and I swallow it quickly, choking a little from

drinking wine honey?" She asks and I nods, pushing the

"I think I'll stick to water."

takes my glass,

hanging in mid air. Tobias mutters a greeting to his mum before sitting opposite me. I feel Jake physically still beside me and I place my hand on his knee, giving him a reassuring squeeze.

the tension at the table. The conversation has been light and friendly until now and I didn't want that to change. Tobias completely ignores me and grabs a plate,

glare. All she got in return was a grunt before he turns and walks back out of the kitchen with his plate in his hands. I shuffle

down, surprising us all. She pinches

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

It's him, he's an asshole!" Jake hisses, slamming his cup down onto the table. I feel Ivory stiffen beside

the

try to get along, for my sake?" Myra asks

is the one thing I can't