CHAMPION

Chapter 22 Tangled Passionate

Erika was a little tired now, but she loved that Jake had enjoyed her little show as a present- however she wasn't done. She was laying in the bed, still in her lingerie, waiting for Jake to come back out of the bathroom.

Erika had been craving the closeness, that intimacy between them, especially after the fights recently, it helped her remember good times between them, and what they meant to each other...

Erika stared at the ceiling, she waited for him, like she always did, figuratively and now physically in that moment, she made it as clear as she could she wanted to sleep with him, she was sure he was coming back for her, but a little part of her wondered if he wouldn't be with her cause of what happened with his old therapist, but they'd gotten past that, after all they'd done in the trip together, after what she'd done for him a few moments ago, she was sure...

*If you think everything's fine, why are you stressing?* Erika questioned herself. Soon a little more light broke through the rooms dark, Jake had opened the bathroom door, coming out in a pair of black and white checkered pajama pants, his phone in one hand, and a blunt in the other, Erika slowly sat up watching him walk in,smoke drafting in from the bathroom, Jake laid his phone down on the small draw next to the bed, he leaned over stumbling forwards slightly, before kissing Erika on the forehead, climbing into bed with her.

"Jake, what are you doing?" Erika asked, the shock and disappointment clear in her voice, looking down at Jake from where she sat up, while he had one hand behind his head, and another holding his blunt, "I'm about to go to bed," Jake told her, his voice a lot more dragged and chill, "I didn't ask what your about to do- I asked what your doing!" Erika said, sharply grabbing the blunt in his lips.

She was unable to hide the frantic look on her face and in her movements, it happened too quickly for her to even stop herself from doing it...All she could think of, was how long he had been clean, how he'd upgraded from cigarettes, how long he'd started doing that and she didn't even know...

The room was deafening silence, they were the only two home still, and for the first time since they'd been back, the weight of being in that cold, big empty house, took its toil, it was uncomfortable, and thick.

"What are you doing?" Jake questioned putting his hand on Erika's wrist, swiftly gripping it, causing Erika to look at him in the face, instead of focusing on the blunt she'd had her hand on.

"I was ju-just," Erika stuttered, feeling Jake yank her hand away from him, she felt like a coward, as her throat seemed to stick together, and she felt the discomfort of anxiety rise in her, "Don't, ever, do that again!" Jake seethe at her, it was easy to just agree and shut up, but Erika hardly did that, especially if it was something serious like this, something that could affect both of them. She was embarrassed even having to find out like that, she felt like they'd gotten closer, but he was doing this, without even telling her...

"Why are you smoking? We need to talk about this" Erika spoke up, "No," Jake said dryly, before puffing smoke up into the air, Erika frowned watching him, where were their sweet moments? The trust and love, why would he hide something like this?

"No, Jake I'm your wife, we need to talk about this," Erika told him her voice getting a little louder, as her mind raced thinking of what other things could be going on with him, after she thought they were finally on the right track... "I said no" Jake responded sternly, glaring at Erika, the room once again got silent for a while, and Jake began to relax, taking another hit, smoke clouding around him.

"Jake! Just talk to me!" Erika tried again, snatching the blunt from him- in an instant she was on her back , Jake over her his hand on her neck. "WHAT DID I JUST TELL YOU!?" Jake shouted, "Ja-" Erika began stuttering, "No! Don't touch me, or my stuff! Got it!?" Jake threatened again as his hold in her neck got a little tighter.

Erika stared up at him, emotions running through her, panic, fear and the overwhelming disbelief, she didn't have the answers to anything going on with Jake, or what was happening with them right then, it got her at once leaving a quivering disgust in her stomach; Their relationship was suddenly just like before, she felt lost and upset, everything had been going so well...

"Got it," Erika whispered back, Jake stated at her for a bit longer before letting go, she couldn't gauge his expression, she gave up for a moment even trying...Either way he got off the bed going back to the bathroom, slamming the door closed behind him, causing a few things to shake in the room, before it fell silent again.

Erika slowly sat back up, her hand drifting to her neck rubbing it as she stared at the bathroom; Should she wait for him and talk when he came out? She was the only one who saw different sides of Jake when no one else did, she knew when he was messed up in the brain, he was wounded somewhere and possibly stuck in his own head right then. But he'd just done something to hurt her, and all she could think of was how much time and energy she'd put in to celebrate Jake, and now he was shutting her out...

Slowly and quietly, Erika got off the bed, she slipped on a pair of black snow pants, a fitting sweater and a jacket, she stared at the bathroom door, her eyes misty with tears, she wanted to talk to him, she wanted to communicate, but she felt too upset to do so right then,

she was overwhelmed and needed a break, *Just to clear my mind* Erika thought, she walked out of their bedroom, shutting it softly.

The rest of the team along with Jake's family were coming back to the cabin, they had gotten a ride back because of Jake taking the limo, they knew Erika had a private gift to give Jake, so they'd stayed out a little longer, enjoying the party without Jake's added pressure, but now they were all eager to get back in to the warmth of the cabin and sleep.

"That was insane," Nick commented , "I've never seen you drunk bro, it's hilarious!" Chance exclaimed laughing, "Forget that- did you see my mom?!" Logan exclaimed making Pam giggle, "Oh, it was a party, I had to have a shot!" Pam told him, "Yeah, or two, three, four..." Greg began counting making Pam roll her eyes hitting at him, just as Kade began opening the door to the cabin , it opened for him revealing Erika.

"Hey Rik, thanks for leaving us!" Kade said sarcastically, Erika tucked her hair behind her ear, smirking a bit as she tried to hide her face a little, "Where are you going?" Nick questioned , "Just for a walk," Erika muttered, "At this time? In this weather?" Pam questioned frowning, "I couldn't sleep, " Erika toyed with the truth, "Is Jake sleeping?" Logan asked making Erika inwardly flinch, "Yeah," Erika lied, before walking past everyone, "I'll be back later!" She called out trying not to be too suspicious, Pam frowned at that , but decided maybe she just really wasn't sleeping well, they all did have some drinks at the party...

Soon everyone was back inside, trying to quickly, but quietly get into bed, while Anthony ended up slipping back out once everyone got involved with other things, it didn't sit right with him seeing Erika going out like that, it didn't make sense...It was her husband's birthday, they just got done sharing a night together alone, and now she was leaving while Jake "slept", it was weird...

Erika was blowing out air, it turning into chilled smoke In the night air, as her eyes threatened to leak tears, she had only wanted to get closer to Jake, close whatever gap was there, enjoy each other's company...They'd been so good with getting over problems, Jake seemed so into her, he wanted her around more then ever, but the there was always some type of blockage.

Erika grunted in frustration as she kicked some snow on her path, sniffling, The place was unfamiliar, they'd only been there a few days, but she didn't care, in her mind she had felt so lost in the situation anyway *So powerless...* Erika thought, it didn't really matter where she was going right then...

Maybe she was thinking too far ahead, maybe she was being selfish not being with Jake on his 21st birthday when he was clearly in a bad place, but she couldn't allow herself to be held down and yelled at like that...Maybe he was already getting high off of whatever he had, and that was the reason he lashed out, maybe it was just Jake's normal behavior, Erika didn't know....

*I should just go back,* Erika debated, biting at her lower lip, hands in her coat pockets..." Erika! Yo Rik, " Erika heard a startling voice call her, she wanted it to be Jake coming to check on her...But it was "Anthony?" Erika said in shock.

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