Heat

Chapter 19: Heat

Jake woke up with Ashley in his arms. His heart softened at the sight of Ashley in his arms, it felt

almost natural as if she belonged in his arms. But then his face dropped as she snuggled into his chest.

This is what he didn't want, for her to get too comfortable with him. He'd be damned if he hurt Ashley

and although he wasn't good for her, he still found himself allowing her in.

Ashley shifted herself out of Jake's arms as he slowly sat up. He ran his hands down his face before

carefully lifting himself off the bed. As he was about to leave, something on Ashley's nightstand catch

his attention. It was a picture frame of her and her father when she younger than now. She looked

really happy in the photo and that brought a smile to Jake's face. He examined the photo not knowing

that Ashley was wide awake, following his every move.

"That was taken on my birthday," Ashley said startling Jake, who quickly turned around, "I'm sorry, it

just caught my eyes," he said placing down the frame as Ashley sat up, "It's okay to be curious, Jake,"

she said in a soft tone while staring into Jake's eyes as he unknowingly bit his bottom lip, "You seemed

really happy in that picture," he said taking a seat in front of her, "Yeah, that was the best day of my

life," she said staring out in space as she thinks back on that day.

"That day, my dad got a promotion on at his job and he wanted to celebrate, so he took my mom and

me to the river and we had a huge picnic with all our favorite foods," she said smiling at the memory

that was still fresh in her head, "All we did on that day was eat and play in the water and after that my

dad and I spent time tossing pebbles across the water, watching them bounce until my mom took that

picture," she said as Jake tuck a strand of hair behind her ears as she looks up into his eyes.

"I wanna take you somewhere," he said as Ashley raised her eyebrows, "Where?" She asked as Jake

grinned before standing up, "That's for me to know and for you to find out, come on, get dressed," he

said walking towards the door as Ashley got up from her bed, "But, Jake, I'm hungry," she whined as

Jake rolled his eyes, "Fine, we'll get something to eat first then I'll take you to the place," he said as she

smiled before skipping to her bathroom leaving Jake with a smile on his face before he left.

After waiting for Ashley for almost eternity, Jake finally left the house with Ashley close behind. Ashley's

mother was really happy that they were getting along and she hopes that he would give her a chance

to care for him and one day he would accept her.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Anna was currently at Aunty Jackie's place. After she left Ashley's house, she came here alone. Anna

was always a stressed eater, so that's what she was doing at Aunty Jackie's, eating her pain away.

"Is this seat taken?" Someone suddenly asked as Anna looked up to lock eyes with Jay, "Yes, this seat

is taken," she quickly said as Jay chuckled, "You're right this seat is taken by me," she said before Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

sitting down as Anna rolled her eyes, "What do you want Jay?" She asked as Jay shrugged his

shoulders, "I just want to talk," he said, "Yeah, well I don't want to talk to you," she said as Jay

furrowed, "What's your problem, it wasn't like I ruined that little friendship of yours," he said as Anna

narrowed her eyes at him, "No, but you were playing my best friend," she said as Jay groaned, "I

wasn't playing, I actually like Ashley, but that Asshole wanted to take her away from me," he said as

Anna furrowed, "What are you talking about?" She asked, "Hey, stepbrother," he replied.

"Jake?" She asked as he scoffed, "Yeah, that asshole, every time I tried to take her out on a date, he

kept pulling up telling me to stay away from her," he said as Anna looked down disappointed, "Well, he

knew what he was doing because you still hurt her," she said as Jay started to get irritated, "Because of

Tatiana, it's all her fault," she said as Anna laughed bitterly, "Please, Jay, everyone knew you were

going to sleep with some chick, so don't go blaming your problems on other people," she said getting

up from her seat before leaving.

On her way out, she unexpectedly bumped into Jake with Ashley behind him. Anna tried avoiding eye

contact which led her to glance at their hands that were tightly interlocked with each other. Anna felt her

heart shattered but she knew that it wasn't all about her so she gave Ashley a weak smile before

walking past them.

Ashley and Jake both looked at each other before Jake shrugged. They both entered Aunty Jackie's

diner to meet Jay sitting at one of the tables. Ashley sighed, "When will the drama end," she mumbled

as Jake gently squeeze her hand. Jake held Ashley close to him as they passed Jay's table, who

immediately locked eyes with Ashley.

Ashley quickly looked away until she felt someone grabbed her wrist. "Ash, can we talk?" Jay asked

while having a firm grip on her wrist, "Let go of me, Jay and only my friends called me Ash," she said in

a cold tone, while Jake behind her tried to calm himself down, "Ashley, please, I didn't mean to hurt

you, it was Tatiana's felt, I-

"Ok, let me stop you there, don't go blaming your faults on other people because the last time I

remembered you lied to me about being busy that night and went to Tatiana's party and she didn't

make you kiss Anna, you did that on your own and even if it wasn't Anna, you would've been kissing

another girl, so don't approach me with that bullshit," she said trying to pull her wrist from his hold that

only tightened.

"Jay, let go of me, you're hurting me," she said trying to take back her hand, "Please, Ashley, I didn't

mean it, give me another chance," he said as Jake explode.

"JAKE! STOP IT!"

TO BE CONTINUED...