Chapter 61: Chapter 61

/Mike's pov/

Josh stood up and gave a salute to the towards us and said "as soon as I'm able, I'll return home and chat with her".

"Josh, please don't hesitate to contact me if you ever want assistance. " Doesn't matter that it's day or night. In addition, if you need a place to remain for a few days, together with your mother and brother, you are welcome to do so," Jake said emphatically. Jake really meant it; he was a wonderful person who would never allow someone to injure his family or friends, even Josh, who I suppose could be considered part of his extended family.

“Thanks. When he isn't present, I will approach her and speak with her." Josh looked a bit sad and terrified as he nodded his head.

"Give me a call and let me know how things turn out. " As Jake escorted Josh to the front door, he remarked, "I am serious about the place to stay; my mother won't object, and she won't even be home for another two weeks." he then placed his hands over Josh's shoulder. Jake told him that "everything is going to be okay." Josh had the appearance of a misplaced child, and he didn't seem to be prepared for this at all. However, I suppose he'll have to man up soon, just like Jake did when he was younger.

The truth is, I don't believe you should tell Amber anything about this. With everything going on in her life, she doesn't really need anything more to worry about, and I'm not even sure what my mother will think of it all," Josh murmured, frowning.

I gave a wry smile. I think you were onto something with that suggestion. It's possible that if Angel had known any of this, she would have gotten herself into a panic, thinking about Josh and Stanley, and who knows, his mother may not even want to leave him in the first place! When the time comes, we might inform her. My head nodded in agreement as I said, "Yeah, great idea."

"Thank you for your time. " Goodbye, and thanks for stopping by. He left the home with a sorrowful expression on his face.

Jake leaned his forehead against the door as he closed it. With his entire body tense, he snarled, "Mike, you have to tell me one solid reason why I shouldn't walk over there and cut his neck."

As a result, Angel could be lonely if her older brother were not around to protect her," I remarked hastily, knowing well well that Amber would be the only person that might keep him stable and under control. "Because then you'd be in prison, and Angel wouldn't have you at home to protect her," I said.

As Jake turned to face me, he did something I'd never seen him do before: he leaned against the door, his knees drawn up to his chest, and sobbed uncontrollably. When I saw it, I could feel my insides twist. As I was becoming upset again, I had to remind myself of the same reason I couldn't walk over there and cut his throat: I was not allowed to. During Jake's sobs, I sat next to him and wrapped my arm over his shoulder. I don't believe he'd ever been given a proper release before this one.

/Amber's pov/

My relationship with Josh had been quite tense over the previous week. That he was aware of what my father had done to us, or at least of part of it, was something I was certain about. The fact that Jake didn't tell him too much about me was a comfort to me since he understood I wouldn't want other people to know. Josh knew I didn't want to speak about it, and he accepted my decision to remain silent.

At the moment, he seemed to spend more time with Jake and Mike than he did with me and Kate. As soon as I got close to them, they would stop conversing in quiet tones and would walk away. Although I was curious as to whether they were referring to me, I didn't want to find out. That guy was someone I didn't want to speak about again, so if they were content to talk about me and keep me out of it, then that was OK with me as well.

After I got up on Friday morning, Mike was already up and dressed quietly in his pajamas and robe. "Hey, are you taking the walk of shame?" I taunted him, perplexed as to why he was slipping out of my room at all. He never got out of bed before me.

He laughed and climbed back into bed, his t-shirt still on his back. He was tired. I grabbed his belt loops with my index and middle fingers, drawing him closer to me. "The only thing that makes me feel bad is that I have to get out of your bed. " "I would gladly remain in bed with you for the rest of my life, but I have something important to accomplish today, so I must go." When he kissed me tenderly, he caused the same small flutters in my tummy that his kisses always elicited from me.

Is there anything he has to do? What's the deal with that? "What do you have to do, lover boy?" I said, drawing him closer to me and preventing him from getting up from his seat.

He grinned and turned onto his back, drawing me up onto his chest then onto his back. "I couldn't find anything fascinating. "I'm just trying to figure out what I'm going to do for college," he said, his face flushed with embarrassment. Was he telling the truth to me? When I glanced at his face, I saw that his eyes were a bit tight, and he seemed to be feeling uneasy about something.

"Is there anything wrong, Mike?" I inquired, my voice filled with concern. Oh my God, is he seeing someone else or something else entirely?

I looked up at him as he knotted his fingers in my hair. "There's nothing wrong. Don't be concerned about anything with your precious little head. Today is only a meeting with me, and this is the only time that a few scouts could make it," he stated, still appearing uneasy.

I nodded, knowing he had something he was attempting to conceal from me, and that he would ultimately tell me what it was. I had faith in him. I was certain that he would not cheat on me - it had simply been a silly spur-of-the-moment notion on my part. I had a feeling he was in love with me. Then I leaned in and kissed him again, pulling away to bite the inside of his chin; he liked it when I did it. His hands began to tighten around my waist as his breathing became more rapid; I grinned and nibbled the inside of his earlobe.

He moaned under his breath. "Angel, I'm sorry, but I have to go. "Please don't tease me," he pleaded.

I pouted and sat up, wanting to have some fun with him before he went. I grinned into his neck and pouted some more. I let out a big sigh. "All well, well, I suppose I'll simply have to shower by myself now."

He moaned once more. With a grimace, he murmured, "Angel, don't do that to me, it's not fair," he said, referring to the unfairness of the situation.

As I got off of him, I couldn't stop myself from laughing at his lusty face. "Well, enjoy your time with your scouts. "Go wow them with your incredible abilities, lover boy," I ordered, lovingly kissing him on the lips once again.

He stroked my hair behind my ear, which I found amusing. "I'm madly in love with you. "I'll catch up with you after school."

I made a frowning face. He wasn't going to come to school, was he? "Won't you be going to school after that?" I inquired, sad that I wouldn't be able to spend much time with him today.

He let out a sigh and shook his head. "No, I'll see you after," he retorted, kissing me once more as he rose out of bed. "I'll see you after," he said.

“Mike?” I called him just as he was about to go out the door and he answered. He came to a halt and turned to face me, a confused expression on his face. "I love you, and best of luck with the scouts." It's important to remember that they'll be fortunate to have you, rather than the other way around," I remarked honestly. Scouts were lining up to congratulate Mike on his accomplishments; he didn't have to work too hard to win people over; his abilities spoke for themselves. Before walking out the door, he gave me a kind grin and winked at me.

Jake was still in his pajamas when I arrived, despite the fact that it was nearly time to go. I washed and went out to grab some breakfast. "Hey, you'd better hurry up or we'll be late," I reprimanded, a grimace on my face at the prospect of detention in the near future.

He made a shaky motion with his head. "I'm not going to go since I'm not feeling good." Due to Mike's involvement with the scouts, I've requested Casey to transport you," he stated gently.

Jake had a very low incidence of illness. He seemed a bit concerned as I approached him and placed my palm on his forehead. He didn't get a hot flush or anything like that. You don't seem to have a fever. "What's wrong?" I said, my voice filled with worry.

"I'm just feeling unwell, that's all." I'm going to go back to sleep. "Casey will be here in fifteen minutes," he said, getting to his feet and walking down the hallway.

"Do you want me to go out and get you something, Jake?" I inquired.

He made a shaky motion with his head. "Don't worry, Ambs. I'll be fine." "See you later," he entered his room with a wave over his shoulder and then departed.

During the trip to school, Casey was amusing, and I always enjoyed being around him. He never hit on me, which was a relief. Since I'd been with Mike, the guys all appeared to have stopped making disparaging remarks about me in front of them. When we arrived, I immediately recognized Kate, Lucy, and Sean, and I immediately went over to greet them.

"Hey," I said, a smile on my face.

"Hey, Amber. How are you doing?" "Can you tell me where Jake and Mike are?" Sean inquired, casting a glance over his shoulder.

"Mike's meeting with several college scouts," I said with pride. As I turned my nose up at him, I said, "And Jake's ill." Please don't throw up somewhere and leave the mess for me to clean up after him!

“Yeah? Josh is also suffering from a cold. "He contacted me this morning," Kate replied, her face flushed with embarrassment. He had yet to ask her out, despite his assurances that he would do so. I hadn't informed her about what he'd said about her because I figured it would be better if it came from him himself.