For a brief second, I'm flying.
I feel myself fall into his arms and then he wraps them around me tightly. I look up at his smirking face —
"I knew you'd end up falling for me one day." Jake winks, his words smooth. My mouth fell open slightly and he chuckles, lowering me down to the ground. I turn back to take a look at the house and I shudder with fear. If only people knew what went on inside. . .
Jake takes hold of my hand, fingers wrapping around mine. The further we walk, the hold on my lungs loosened, allowing me to breathe again. After we're safely a few streets away, he stops and turns, his expression serious.
"What happened back there?"
His finger carefully brush over the area that is cut and red raw. I bite my lip and look down at the floor, not wanting to admit that Trevor almost killed me. Just the thought of it churned my stomach. Jake lifts my chin and looks at me softly before taking my hand in his.
"Come on, let's get out of the cold."
His hand feels large and rough compared to my small one. As we walked ahead, his thumb drew circles on the back of my hand causing me to shiver from the feeling.
"Are you cold?" He asks me, turning round. I shake my head, not wanting to admit the real reason I was shivering. I pull him towards Lulu's cafe, knowing we'll be safe inside.
"He won't find us in here," I said, leading Jake through the door and into the warmth. One of his hands is clutched tightly in mine and his other is carrying my bright pink escape bag.
*****
We're sat in my usual spot in the corner, waiting for our order of two hot chocolates. The lady who worked here glanced at Jake's hand before shaking her head disapprovingly. She silently handed me a first aid kit, her eyebrows raised.
"Thank you." Jake said politely.
"Does it hurt?" I ask him as I gently wipe the blood off his hand. He shook his head, clearly unaffected by the stinging it must be causing him.
"Im used to it, I'm a tough cookie."
He puffed his chest out in true gorilla fashion and I laugh as I finish bandaging him up.
"All done!" I smile, sitting back and admiring my work.
"Thanks Muffin," he murmurs, smiling at me. I blushed, looking down to break eye contact with him.
"Where did you learn to bandage like that?" He asks me, impressed as he studies his hand. I gave him a small smile, knowing he'd eventually figure it out. His eyes suddenly turned a shade darker and his lips stretched out into a thin line. "So, what happened back there?" he asked again, changing the subject.
I sighed and took a drink, the warm liquid comforting me before telling him everything that happened. Tears ran down my cheeks as I explained how Trevor held a knife to my throat, almost ending it completely. Jake's jaw clenched and his hands gripped so tightly round his mug, I was sure it would smash under the force.
"I'm going to kill him," Jake hissed, scraping his chair back and standing up. I stood up next to him, my eyes wide with fear.
"Please don't," I begged.
I don't want Trevor and Jake fighting over me, I couldn't think of anything worse. My words did little to stop the enraged look on Jake's features so I try to persuade him further.
"I don't want you anywhere near him, I want to forget about him. If you kill him, you're just as bad as he is." I say quietly. Jake grows silent, his eyes fixed on me. I watch him, waiting for his reaction.
His hand reaches up, touching my cheek with tenderness I've never felt. Despite it feeling good, I flinch slightly due to the the skin still stinging from Trevor's slap. Jake's eyes darken, turning into two angry dark pools. I can see from his tense posture that he's struggling to hold back his frustration. I know he wants to go after Trevor but it won't solve anything, it doesn't take back years of abuse.
Jake reaches for my bag, swinging it over his shoulder. I swallow the lump in my throat, watching as he holds his free hand out towards me.
"You're coming with me."
My hand reaches for his and he holds it tightly, giving it a small squeeze. I nod, knowing this isn't the end to all my problems but it's definitely a start. I need to get away from Trevor . . . forever.
Chapter Fourteen - Meeting Tobias.
I stand in the doorway, glancing around hesitantly. A daunting feeling washes over me as I try to imagine living somewhere else beside from the place I've called home for the past sixteen years. Change.
Change is scary, difficult to adjust to.
The last major change in my life was the death of my father which lead to meeting Trevor. That change ruined my whole life. That change is the cause of my night terrors, my anxiety and my fear of people. I feel my heart rate increase inside my chest as I continue to study the inside of Jake's house.
He doesn't sense my hesitation and walks straight in, placing my bag down before turning towards me. When he notices the expression on my face, he frowns. I decide to try and explain because I know I must look terrified right now.
"I'm not sure this is going to work out. It's too much to ask of you. Look at this place," I murmur, glancing around at the tall ceilings and beautiful decor.
It's all so. . . intimidating.
Jake doesn't respond and takes a step towards me, taking hold of my hand. Warmth instantly heats it up, travelling up my arm.
"You don't need
