Secrets of Us A Forbidden Love Romance (Alina)

Chapter 136

Breathe

It takes me a good hour to calm down, to stop the sobbing and to dry my face.

There's no hiding the fact that I was crying, though, and the fact that I'll have to explain that to Jake and Aiden makes my stomach turn.

We head back downstairs, Zaid's hand in mine and my coffee in his other hand.

Jake does a double take from where he's making breakfast, his eyes turning angry. "What'd

he do?"

Zaid shakes his head with a scoff.

I make my way to Jake and plant a kiss on his cheek. "Nothing, I promise."

He looks unsure and when I turn to meet Aiden's eyes as he chops fruit; I find him frowning between Zaid and I.

He doesn't ask me anything, so the four of us make breakfast together silently. Zaid

makes new coffee and serves me a fresh, warm mug.

Over breakfast, Jake's sharp gaze lingers on me longer than usual, and Aiden nudges my

shoulder as we wash the dishes together.

"What's up with you?" Aiden asks, his voice light. "You've been quiet. You were crying."

I force a small smile. "I'm fine. I'm just tired."

He nods, but there's a hesitancy to whether he believes me or not.

Jake leans against the counter, arms crossed, eyes scanning me like he's trying to figure out what I'm not saying. "Maybe you need a break from us. You've been spending the night, with one of us every night."

"Yeah, for like two weeks," Aiden adds.

I hum in agreement. It's because they keep the thoughts away, the nightmares and the tears away.

"You're probably exhausted," Jake whispers, running his hand down my arm.

1/4

Breathe

he doesn't say anything. He just watches me with

eyes.

pile into Jake's car, and I let myself get caught up in the normalcy

the cart, Jake scolding

far from me.

something from the

push. Doesn't ask. Just

know how to thank

and for a little while, everything feels normal again. The tension

little while.

I almost forget.

cookies, and Aiden turns on the music while we wait for them to bake. He grabs my hand, spinning me around in the kitchen, making me laugh as he moves dramatically to

and I'm

table,

however, remains quiet. His expression unreadable, his

me.

gaze on me. He hasn't pushed, hasn't brought up our conversation from earlier, but he hasn't let me out of his sight either. It

it

makes me feel

2/4

Breathe

I'm wiping down the countertop, Jake steps behind me,

"You know we have

I chuckle. "Clean?"

against my

"I don't mind. It helps me clear

grabs the rag from my hand and tosses it in the sink. He spins me in

can help you clear your

kisses me deeply. His tongue explores my mouth

My eyes drift over his

placing my hands on Jake's shoulders.

room

tonight."

it doesn't bother him much. "Fine.

says. He

back in his arms. He tucks my hair behind my ears and

him a peck and then