PINK MIST 2 ½

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER EIGHT

"You know, I didn't want to mention anything... but you scared the crap out of me," Jake murmured as he helped me sit on the couch, before taking off my shoes.

"I can do that myself," I smiled at him as he threw me a dirty look. "come here, stupid!"

AS I pulled him by the arm, while he was still supporting himself on his knee, I made him lose his balance,, forcing him to fall on me. I wrapped my arms around him, squeezing him tight. It was my way of expressing how thankful I was for him, without uttering a word.

"I could have hurt the baby the way I've fallen on you!"

"Jake!" I shouted, making him widen his eyes in surprise.

"What? What's wrong?! Did I?!"

"Oh my God! Please stop overreacting! The baby isn't that fragile, neither am I."

His eyebrows furrowed. I could feel the fire dancing in his eyes as if I had just said the wrong thing. I placed my palms on his shoulders, squeezing gently to reassure him.

"If anything happens to this baby, I'm going to kill you myself. You... you're not taking care of yourself, Valeria."

"What's up with you guys threatening me about a child you have never even seen? It's not even yours to begin with!"

He pulled himself out of my reach, and allowed his weight to drop on the couch. He quickly tussled his hair and took a deep breath before he finally turning his gaze back to me.

"You're right," he sighed, "the baby isn't mine."

"Jake, I... I didn't mean it like that, I'm stupid, I'm sorry," I tried to touch his forearm but he slowly removed it, avoiding me. "Jake..." I murmured.

"Why are you sorry? It's the truth. It's just that-"

He captured his inner cheek between his teeth and shook his head in denial. I frowned, confused.

"It's just what, Jake?"

"Come on, sweetie, don't make me say it. There is nothing you can do about it anyway and I've already admitted how I feel to you."

"If it's important for you, then it's also for me," I insisted.

"I pictured myself with you two," he chuckled awkwardly, "I even caught myself silently thanking Colt, for putting me in this position. A position that I wasn't very fond of in the beginning if I want to be totally honest with you."

I placed one hand on my tummy and the other one on my arm, as I took in Jake's words. His eyes were searching for mine, secretly wishing that I would positively respond to the sweetness of his words.

How could I tell him that we weren't in the same page without hurting him? My heart definitely had a very special spot for Jake in it but... the only person I was able to picture myself with was Nathan. It was always him.

"Your words mean the world to me..." I took a deep, trembling breath, trying to figure out the right way to answer. When I parted my lips to speak again, Jake interrupted me.

"But you're in love with Nathan," he nodded, dropping his head.

"Is it that obvious?" I chuckled, wiping a traitorous tear with the back of my hand.

"Sweetie..." he sighed, placing a hand on my cheek, caressing it with his thumb. "You cry in your sleep, murmuring his name."

I frowned, looking at him in disbelief. Of course I knew I was missing that stupid, gorgeous, fabulous idiot, but... mourning him while I sleep? I had obviously no reason to doubt Jake but I couldn't comprehend the amount of love I have for Nathan.