Chapter 42

“Ouch, what the hell was that for?” He tenses, flexing his shoulder, and I can only guess at the look he’s giving her over my head, especially if the anger radiating from him is anything to go by.

“For being an idiot. You know exactly what!” She looks at him, then down at me with a softening smile and a softening of sympathy.

Oh, God. Jake told his mother about our breakup.

“She’s here, isn’t she? I got her back. I’m not going to be that dumb again, I swear.” He huffs and squeezes me a little tighter. Sylvana scowls at him, then her face drops, and she heaves a sudden sigh, remembering her dilemma.

“This is what the

so much worse

is.” She flaps her hands with a dramatic sigh. “Marissa is here. In the sitting room.” She grimaces, and both Jake and I tense up instantly. My breath catches painfully, but Jake is the first to speak.

“What the hell for?” He sounds angry. No, he sounds pissed as hell. Meanwhile, I feel sick, emotional, and ready