Take a Breath(28)

“Wow, you sure know how to make a guy weak at the knees.”

I let out a giggle. “Tony you’re incorrigible.”

He smiles showing me that cheeky dimple of his. “Only around you, Ana,” he sighs.

I return the smile, but the goose bumps rise on the back of my neck as I feel a set of eyes boring into the back of me. I lean in a bit closer to Tony and he starts to play with my hair. I know I shouldn’t be encouraging him and I feel rather ashamed for using Tony like this, but I’m so mad at Jake. I take another sip of my wine and I’m feeling a little tipsy now. Tony leans in some more and inhales the scent of my hair.

“Ana, I need to speak with you right now.”

And there it is.

I can’t help but smile. I quickly hide it though, as Tony stiffens beside me. I look up to find Jake’s green eyes blazing.

“Sorry, Tony. I’ll be right back.”

I walk up to Jake and he whispers, “No you fucking won’t,” as I’m dragged towards the kitchen.

“Do I have to go over this with you again, Ana?”

I let out an exasperated sigh. “Over what, Jake? Please explain because I don’t know what the fuck is going on.”

“You watch your fucking language. Shit you drive me crazy.”

He lands a fist on the breakfast island shaking his head in anger.

“Calm down Jake, people will hear you. Why are you acting like this? I don’t understand.”

Frustration is now pouring from his whole body.

“I’m trying so hard, I really am, but I can’t stay away from you and when I see that fucking asshole Tony touch you, I see red and want to knock his teeth out. I’ve never had these feelings before and I don’t know how to deal with them. You can see how this is all wrong can’t you, Ana? You can see just how fucked up this situation is?”

Tears are welling up in my eyes at his confession.

“I don’t know why you keep pushing this away like it’s not happening. We’re not doing anything wrong, Jake, and I can’t understand why you’re treating me as though I’m some sordid little affair you’re trying to sweep under the carpet. Do you know how hard this has been for me? I don’t care about any other man and I’m not interested in Tony. It’s you. It’s always been you, Jake.”

He gazes deep into my eyes and at that moment we are locked in an embrace. His body seems to visibly relax at our stare. My heart suddenly picks up a notch and I forget for a moment where I am—until Mike walks in.

“Oops, sorry to interrupt guys. I just needed another top up.”

Jake quickly snaps out of it and looks at Mike. “That’s ok buddy, help yourself. I need to excuse myself.”

Jake hurries out the door and I go into the fridge and grab a beer for Mike.

“Here you go big fella.” I sit down at the table with my wine and Mike joins me.

“That looked pretty intense, Ana. I hope you don’t mind me saying this and I need to get straight to the point. Jake loves you.”

“Yes, we are a family, been together through thick and thin for nearly a year now,” I laugh.

Mike frowns. “I think you misread what I said. He loves you, Ana. I see the way he looks at you, the way he always looks at you. It’s not hard to see from an observer and I’ve been at this game far too long to not notice when someone’s in love.”

I nearly spit my drink out. “You must be mistaken, Mike. He doesn’t see me that way.”

“You love him?”

“Yes,” I sigh in relief.

Mike’s expression widens in shock.

“Well, that was easier than I thought.”

I felt emotionally drained all of a sudden. “I’m tired of fighting it, Mike. Tired of keeping it hidden; tired of the constant knots in my stomach when I see him knowing that he can’t be mine.”

Mike gently grabs my hand. “Did you know I’ve known that boy for nearly eighteen years now?”

I shook my head. Jake had never mentioned it.

“I was a good friend of his father’s and he was only a teenager when I met him. He was a bit of a rascal and had a very carefree attitude until he met Matthew’s mother and she became pregnant. I put him on the straight and narrow and Mr Sensible was born from that moment on. His life was probably very boring, very simple, until you came into his life.”

I straightened up. “Me? What have I done?”

His smile widened. “My dear, you have brought life back into him. I’ve never seen Jake like this before. I can see it eating away at him, his obvious feelings towards you. It’s fun to watch, but he does need a good kick up the backside.”

I let out a giggle. “So you don’t think it’s all wrong him and me?”