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 just

eyes.

of us pile into Jake's car, and I let myself get caught up in

of pasta sauce to get, Aiden throwing random snacks into the cart, Jake scolding him like

far from me.

to grab something from the shelves. Every time I look at him, his gaze is already on me, and when I catch it, he

push. Doesn't ask. Just reminds me

know how to

and for a little while,

little while.

I almost forget.

He grabs my hand, spinning me around in the kitchen, making me laugh as he moves dramatically to

his hips against mine, and

sits at the table, watching with an amused

quiet. His expression unreadable, his focus

me.

I feel Zaid's gaze on me. He hasn't pushed, hasn't brought up our conversation from earlier, but

it doesn't. It makes

me

2/4

Breathe

down the countertop, Jake

my waist. "You know we have

I chuckle. "Clean?"

nods against my

shrug. "I don't mind. It

from my hand and tosses it

face him. "I can help you clear your

mouth as he holds

his shoulder where Zaid and Aiden are walking

smile softly, placing my hands on Jake's shoulders. "I think I'll sleep

room

tonight."

since I was with him last night, it doesn't bother him much. "Fine.

too late," Jake says. He lets

takes me back in his arms. He tucks my hair behind my ears

peck and then