YOU

Chapter 5 (act 2- Hayley)

It was easy to convince Manila to let me go to Jake. He had managed to arrest Leah's stepfather. I knew that it was going to be hard to hold back those memories of Leah that had been burned into Jake's mind. He saw me as a chance to redeem himself. I saw him as a man who I loved. He was being tortured by his own self. He had managed to keep himself on track even when there were a million curveballs thrown at him. I finally reached the pier. It was eleven in the night. Jake hadn't gone home. I was behind him now. He was near the edge of the pier. His jeans had a few particles of sand on it. His black, short sleeved t shirt was covered by a plate carrier. 'Jake ?' I said slowly. 'What are you doing here Hayley ?' He said. His eyes had filled up with tears, but hadn't exited yet. He looked weak. 'Are you okay ?' I asked. He let out a sarcastic laugh. 'No. I'm not okay. I've kept it together for Leah and you. I... I'm falling for you Hayley.' He said. He was now on the floor of the pier. Sitting in the cold wind. He still refused to let it out. I sat besides him. 'I'm here now. You're safe with me.' I said. I could feel his final wall starting to crack. 'I have to be strong. I have to.' He said. 'I love you too Jake. It's the reason why I kissed you.' I said. A few tears escaped my eyes. A few fell out of his. He broke down. He buried his face in his hands. Tears streamed down his wrist. I embraced him. 'You're okay.' I said. He embraced me as much as he could. 'I really do love you Hayley.' He said. 'You're the one person I can't hide my emotions from. I've fallen for you.' He said. His hand was now on my neck. I decided to seal the gap between us. His lips softly brushed against mine. Our eyes were closed. The night seemed to just feel a bit better. I noticed that he felt weak. He'd not eaten anything. 'Have you eaten ?' I asked. 'No.' 'Water ?' 'No.' He replied. 'I'm driving. Tell me the location.' 'One California Plaza.' He replied. 

** Some time later **

The clock was at ten minutes past twelve. I got a pack of sour candy from the vending machine along with two canned ginger ales. Jake was in his office. He was deep in a file to find the person who had placed that note on my door. I entered the office. 'I can't get you out of my mind.' He said. 'Let me in Jake.' I replied. I bit my lower lip. He got up. I was against a wall in a few seconds. He held my arms above my head and pinned me against the wall with another hand. His breath was warm compared to the air conditioned room. His other hand moved to my bare waist. I was in a crop top and jeans. The crop top kept the entirety of my right shoulder exposed. His lips brushed against mine. Every wall we had made in our hearts had just come crashing down. A few seconds later, he pulled away. We both were breathless. That's when I remembered Cassie's words. Jake had only kissed once before tonight. That kiss was me in the hotel. He stopped. 'I feel kinda weak.' He said. He opened the pack of sour candies and ate one before opening the cans of ginger ale. He sank into the chair. He was confused and stuck. He loved me, but he was a cop and I was a person who he was supposed to be protecting. I could see it in his eyes. He knew that we were more than just friends. We were people who had feelings for each other. 

*** A few hours later ***

It was sunny. I rubbed my eyes to wake up in the silent environment. All to be heard was chirping and a few sounds of breathing. I looked besides me to see Jake sleeping. I was on the couch besides him. I wanted to check the time on my phone. It was six thirteen AM. He woke up. 'Morning.' I said to him. 'Hey.' He replied. 'I think it's time I got a change of clothes.' He said. He got up and grabbed the keys to his car that were on the coffee table. I followed him. We took the elevator down and got into his car. We drove a few minutes and then we were in the parking of his place. We took another elevator up. He opened the door and went to his bedroom. I sat in the living room. It was quiet. There was only the humming of the refrigerator. A few minutes later, Jake came down in a grey T shirt and Jeans. His gun belt and badge was visible. 'He grabbed a bottle and poured us some juice. 'I'll wake Leah up. Drink up.' He said. He went upstairs. I took a sip of the juice. OJ was always my favorite. But only surpassed by wine. A few seconds later, I saw Jake coming down. 'Leah, I have something to tell you.' He said. 'What is it ?' She asked with fear. 'We got him.' Jake said. Leah hugged him. Tears fell out of Leah's eyes. She hugged Jake. Her back faced me. She was wearing a tank top. I noticed the amount of scars on her hands. There were some visible on her neck as well. 'Another thing.' He said. He whispered something in Leah's ear. 'Go get her detective.' Leah said. She then smiled at me. My cheeks took the shade of a tomato.