Tangled Love

CHAPTER 18

My phone rings instantly and I glance down at it for a second or two, unsure of what to do. Without thinking too hard about it, I answer the phone, holding it up to my ear.

"Hello?" I whisper, my voice quiet and hoarse.

"Hey Emily."

I smile, liking how my name sounds coming from him. I'm also surprised at how comfortable I feel talking to him.

"Hi Jake."

"Are you okay?" Jake asks. I notice his voice is deeper than usual with a hint of raspiness.

"Yeah, I'm probably coming down with the flu or something. Have you been sleeping?" I ask him, sounding amused.

"You got me."

I laugh quietly, pulling the duvet up to my chin. My body sinks into the covers and I sigh, shoulders slumping in relief.

"Do you want me to come round and keep you company? I can bring medicine." Jake responds, his voice raspy.

"At half eleven? It's dark outside." I respond, ignoring the flutter in my stomach. I can't believe Jake Melvin just offered to keep me company and bring me medicine.

"I'm a night person," Jake responds back, humour lining his voice.

"Like a vampire?"

"Yeah, I'm pretty good at the whole blood sucking thing as well."

"Gross Jake," I giggle, his voice washing away any feeling of loneliness. Instead a warm sensation grows inside my chest and a smile stretches across my face.

"I thought all girls love vampires?" Jake jokes. I roll my eyes at his stereotypical thought —

"Not this girl. Besides are you trying to make me love you?"

My words are risky, directed to be a joke. Once they leave my lips, I instantly regret them. Jake pauses for a moment on the other end, silence falling between us.

"I don't need to try," he eventually replies and I immediately scoff, the conversation turning light hearted once again.

"You're so big headed. Not every girl wants you Jake."

"That's where you're wrong Muffin. No-one can resist my handsome face and bright bubbly personality." His tone of voice is sarcastic, causing me to giggle once again. ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

"Are we still describing you? Because that sounds nothing like you Jake." I respond.

"Ouch, that hurt Wentworth."

"Do you want me to kiss it better?" I tease, feelings my cheek ache from the grin on my face. Jake chuckles on the other end and I imagine him smirking, a cheeky glint in his eyes.

Gorgeous blue eyes that resemble the ocean.

"I'd love for you to kiss it better." Jake responds without hesitation. I pause, noticing the playfulness right his voice has disappeared. I swallow the lump in my throat nervously, unsure of how to respond.

"I'll hold you to that." I say quietly, a slight shiver running down my spine. Jake pauses on the other line for a brief second —

"Make sure you do Muffin."

We end up chatting on the phone for the next hour, talking about all the silly things in life. The conversation never turns deep but I prefer it that way. One thing I notice is that I couldn't stop smiling and giggling the entire conversation.

After the call, I turn my phone off, putting it underneath my pillow. Jake made me feel better. I don't quite feel like I've just done ten rounds with Mike Tyson and obviously lost.

I close my eyes, drifting off into one of the most peaceful sleeps I've had in a long time. My dreams are focused around the people in my life that make me happy. The people who make me smile and cause a warm feeling to settle inside my stomach from the thought of them.

Dad, Trish, Grandad, Ivory, Jake. . .

Yes, even I'm surprised at the last one.