Chapter 42: Chapter 42

Forty Two - Don’t mention it.

"What have you got there?" I ask Jake, inspecting his bags as he walks through the door. He exhales deeply and drops the bags onto the bed, a smile spreading across his face. I watch as he dramatically wiped an invisible line of sweat off his forehead before giving me a kiss on the cheek.

"I'll show you in a minute. Are you okay?" He asks noticing my worried expression. He takes a seat next to me, his smile fading away.

"The police just left," I mumble, fiddling with my hands. Jake sits up straighter at my words and his eyebrows shoot up —

"They did? Did you - "

I nod, cutting him off.

"Yes I told them exactly what you said and I left out the part about you and the other two bringing guns with you." I swallow the lump in my throat as I vision the way Jake aimed his gun straight at Jones. He looked so at ease holding the gun as if he'd done it many times before and it just reminded me of how little I know about his gang.

"Thank you," he replies quietly, sensing my unease with the conversation. He stands up quickly and grabs one of the bags on the bed, pulling it closer to him. I know instantly this is his way of changing the topic so we won't have to discuss it.

"I . . . picked you up a few things." Jake smiles, pulling out a bottle of shampoo and conditioner. He drops them onto the bed before pulling out pyjamas and fluffy socks.

"I know how much you love your pyjamas."

I smile, realising he'd brought me everything I need to make my stay more comfortable.

"Last but not least . . . " Jake says slowly, dropping a massive jar of Nutella in my lap. I squeal in delight and throw myself at Jake, my smile wider than ever.

"Thank you! You thought of everything." I say gratefully, wrapping my arms around his neck. He pulls me in closer, arms enveloping me into a massive bear hug.

"Anything to make you feel better." He murmurs down my ear before pulling back. I smile at him, searching his ocean blue eyes and wondering how I ever got so lucky.

"You're so sweet, completely opposite to the moody Jake I first laid eyes on." I tell him. Jake rolls his eyes at me playfully —

"I'm not moody and don't call me sweet."

"You're sweet," I repeat, pecking his lips. He huffs and crosses his arms childishly before lunging for me. I squeal and backed away, falling onto my back. He's on-top of me in seconds, his hands holding my wrists loosely over my head.

"Say that again. . . I dare you." he whispers loudly, his eyes trained straight onto mine. I bite back a smile, butterflies fluttering away inside my stomach.

"You, Jake Melvin, are sweet."

Before he has a chance to reply, the door opens and the doctor walks in once again interrupting us. Jake and I both freeze, realising how the position we're in looks from the outside. I close my eyes and let out a low groan —

"It's not how it looks Dr Green."

He sighs heavily, shaking his head disapprovingly.

"Get off her please Mr Melvin." His voice is stern and demanding. Jake rolls his eyes but does as he says and I immediately miss his warmth.

"Emily's health be a joke to you but she really must rest."

A switch flips inside Jake's mind and he tenses, his shoulders squared defensively. He turns to look at the doctor, blue eyes narrowed like thin slits of

steel.

"You think this is a joke to me? That my girlfriend got shot? I've been here with her every single day, this is no joke." He says bluntly, his words icy and cold. I lean forward and reach for his hand, knowing the doctor had tread on a sensitive subject.

The doctor appears taken aback at Jake's words and instantly looks apologetic —

"That's not what I meant Mr Melvin, I just — "

Jake cut him off, shaking his head.

"I don't care what you meant, you still said it. Emily means the world to me so don't you dare accuse me of taking this as a joke. We were just having fun. . . You should try it sometime."

With that, he turns and leaves the room, slamming the door as he goes. I squeeze my eyes shut in frustration, knowing he's hurt by the doctors words. How much has all this effect him? I'd never even stopped to ask. I shake my head at my own stupidity and turn towards the doctor —

"When can I go home?" I ask him and the doctor shuffles uncomfortably from the drama that had unravelled.

"That's what I came to tell you Emily. With some rest, you can go home in a few days. We can prescribe you pain relief if you need it."

I nod my head, grateful to finally see an end to my stay in hospital. I give the doctor a small smile —"Thank you Doctor Green, for everything."

*****

I glance at my phone, still no reply from Jake. Sighing I continue brushing through my wet hair, ready to let it air dry. It's amazing what a hot shower and new pyjamas can do to you. I feel like a clean newborn baby, reborn again.

I've just settled into bed, tucking the sheets on either side of me with a magazine and a hot chocolate when the door opens. I froze immediately and stare straight into his eyes.

Dark brown eyes.

Tobias' eyes.

"Tobias, hey." I say softly, placing the magazine back down. His eyes scan the room and his shoulders visibly relax as he takes a step inside and closes the door.

"Hey, how are you feeling?" He says quietly, his words spoken in a low tone. Instantly memories begin flooding back to me, words I'm sure came from Tobias' mouth. I frown deeply, reaching up to rub at my temples.

No . . . Surely I'm wrong, confused even.

Maybe it wasn't Tobias but Jake speaking to me?

Confessing his feelings.

If I accuse Tobias of doing something he didn't do, I know Jake would never forgive him. It would completely ruin the relationship between them

both, maybe forever. I quickly decide to break the silence between us, the best thing to do is to not mention it at all. I have to make myself believe it wasn't real. It can't be, Tobias doesn't even like me.

"Feeling better," I breathe out quietly. He shoves his hands into the front pocket of his jeans and give me a small smile.

"You're finally awake." He responds, dark brown eyes lingering on me for a while. It's almost as if he's trying to figure something out . . . The action has me

confused even further but I try and not let it display across my features. He stands there awkwardly, eyes dropping to the floor.

"What are you doing here Tobias? You hate me."

He appears taken aback by my sudden outburst and he walks towards me, taking a seat in Jake's chair.

"You think I hate you? You're so wrong Emily." He says sadly, shaking his head. The uneasy feeling sinks back into my stomach as the words once again run through my head.

You're all I can think about. . .

I shut my eyes, battling with myself whether I should ask him if it's true or not. I'm so certain it was Tobias speaking to me that night.

"I don't hate you. I was worried when I heard what happened, I'm just really glad you're okay." He adds quietly. I smiled at him gratefully, it feels nice having people genuinely care for my wellbeing.

"Thank you," I respond, taking a sip from my hot chocolate. The liquid warms me up instantly and I sigh, falling flat against my pillows.

"You look great considering you were shot." Tobias adds and I chuckle at his words —

"You should have seen me two days ago. I haven't showered in four weeks, it wasn't pretty. I feel sorry for the poor nurse who had to help me, she must be scarred for life." I joke and Tobias chuckles, his chest vibrating as he laughs. He lowers himself down onto the chair.

"You should laugh more often, you don't come across as scary that way." I smile at him. He mocks hurt and holds his hand to his heart —

"Are you saying I look miserable most of the time?"

I nod my head immediately laughing at his reaction.

"Yes, that's exactly what I'm saying."

"You're not the first person to tell me that ironically."

Tobias' gaze land on my arms and I follow them to see what caught his attention . . .

My scars from the rope.

"I can't believe he would do something like that." Tobias mumbled quietly, his eyes frozen in place on the red lines etched into my skin.

"Well believe it because he did."

I quietly study my wrists, grimacing at the sight of them. I don't want to look at them anymore. I turn them away from me, acting like the scars don't exist.

Tobias' hand shoots out immediately and he holds mine, gently turning it back over. I freeze in place, not knowing how to react to the sudden contact.

"You don't have to hide them Emily."

I watch as his fingers trace over the scars and I breathe in sharply, feeling a rush of emotions. I feel the tears well up in my eyes as all the memories come flooding back. It's so hard not to think about Jones and what he did.

"He chained me up, like an animal." I whisper. Saying it out loud finally made me realise how messed up the situation was. I release out a small sob, wrapping my arms around my body protectively. I feel Tobias stand up beside me and pull me to him, letting me nestle against his chest.

"He's gone now." Tobias murmurs as I allow the tears to fall silently. His hand strokes the top of my arm as he attempts to comfort me. I gratefully accept, needing a friend right now. The last thing I want is to to be alone in a dark hospital room with images of Jones filling my thoughts.

"Thanks Tobias," I sniffle, wiping my eyes. His arms wrap around me tighter before he responds, his words softly spoken —

"Don't mention it."