Secrets of Us A Forbidden Love Romance (Alina)

Chapter 166

I Knew This Was Going to Happen

I wake up to darkness. My head pounds and I frown, groaning as I look down at my clothes.

I'm uncomfortable, sweating and I don't even know what time it is. These types of naps are the worst. I sit up, dropping my head into my hands. It feels heavy, and it pulses painfully.

And just like that, all the memories of earlier today come rushing in. I breathe out and hold in my cry, I will not cry. Not today, not right now.

I push the blankets off and stand up slowly, rubbing my face.

It's night. The house is too quiet. I grab my phone, seeing the missed calls from Nikki, and then my eyes widen at the time. Spm.

Shit.

I pull on an oversized hoodie from the floor and make my way downstairs. My socked feet barely make a sound against the hardwood, but the second I step into the living room, three heads snap up.

They're sitting there like they've been waiting hours, and maybe they have been. Jake's already getting up, his eyes scanning me like he's trying to make sure I'm still in one piece. Aiden moves to the edge of the couch, his jaw tight, but his hand opens like he's ready to catch me if I fall.

Zaid's sitting back, but his knee bounces and his hands flex on his thighs. He's the first to stand, steps quick and desperate. "Love."

I stay where I am, not approaching them.

"How are you feeling?" Zaid whispers.

"We checked on you. You were sleeping every time. We didn't wanna wake you," Aiden adds, also standing.

Jake stands, reaching for me.

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I Knew This Was Going to Happen

I press my lips together, and for a second, I try to hold it in. I try to stay standing. But the second Jake reaches for my hand, I crack. My throat tightens, and before I know it, I'm

falling.

Onto the couch, into their arms.

hard. My breath shudders out of me, and they all shift in, surrounding me without hesitation. I don't know whose

the

and warmth of them

I knew this was gonna happen," I choke out, burying my face

his

us. But I didn't want to be the middle of everything. I didn't want everyone looking at me like, like

tenses beneath me and Zaid cusses

at them, my chest heaving. "In Florida,

the girl with three boyfriends. People are gonna stare. They're

whispers, his arms

normal. It's not. But I just

looks like he's swallowing

hand in both of his, holding

need from us? Do you want

breathe, but it's all tight, like I'm wearing a corset I can't unlace. "No! Never. But I

hesitate. "Okay. I'll talk to the school. We'll get you

exhale, shaky, but it feels like I can breathe

my voice so

2/4

Was

Jake says, giving my hand a squeeze. "You don't

want to."

presses his forehead to mine. "We got

he's struggling to keep up in the

to scrunch my nose. "Not really. I just... I think

like he

slowly, my limbs heavy but a little less weighed down than before. I

and grab a bag of chips out of

one stops me. No one

close my door softly behind me, sink onto my bed, and turn on some random

eat two chips. Maybe three. Then I

Sleep finds me sometime after midnight.

sleep some more. It's late afternoon when I finally drag myself out

bed