CHAMPION

Chapter 30 Your Changing (Me)

Jake, Erika, Logan and the rest of Team 10 soon landed back in LA, the sun was warmer, faces were more familiar, and life- just like that, was back hectic again...

Jake didn't miss a beat, back in his daily vlogs, the hype was back through the roof, and he was behind everyone making sure they did their work, the only difference Erika could notice, was that he seemed more like himself instead of so standoffish, he seemed to finally be somewhat coping in his "normal" way; screaming till it all went his way.

Although Jake seemed fine, for him, Erika couldn't help but feel guilty when she was with him- she was intertwined with Jake, they had been through so much together, but she had also been hurt by him, and so she in turn, feeling out of power with her own life, she took a little bit back when she kissed Tony that day, Jake didn't know and Anthony seemed to be avoiding talking about it, but she couldn't stop it from keeping her up on certain nights...

"Goodnight," Jake's lower voice said, as he slid back into bed, Erika was in JP lingerie, while Jake had on boxers. Jake shut off his light before turning his head away from Erika, closing his eyes trying to fall asleep, he was tired from vlogging and going to meetings all day and the comfort of his expensive mattress wrapped in silk sheets, felt amazing on his skin.

Erika stiffened when Jake laid next to her, she ran her nails along the sheets with nervousness, she wanted to go to sleep, be back in the hustle and bustle of the day so she could forget about her mistake, but she just couldn't get there that night, she wanted to talk to someone just to stop over thinking everything, but there wasn't anyone she could spill too...

*Nicks right, I did alienate my friends...* Erika thought sadly, looking around the big, intimidating darkness of the room, she looked to Jake laying beside her, they were close, but not exactly touching, she couldn't tell if Jake was asleep yet, but knew he honestly did need it...

*I wish we could just, talk it all out...* Erika thought, her gaze was glued to Jake's face, his chest softly rising and falling, her life was fun with the rush of social media and being with someone like Jake, but then there were moments like this, moments that felt so scary, so mixed up, she just wanted to walk away for a while, and look at the situations without being in them...

*Take away the pressure...* Erika thought, besides the internal problems, Jerika was a social media couple and a brand, even if they were upset or fighting with each other, they would be happy on camera and in public, Jake's image meant everything to him, and after Erika has lost her previous big opportunity, she had been hustling to keep her own career going, getting her advice from Jake thanks to his knowledge in the world of business.

"What?" Jake mumbled, "Are you awake?" Erika whispered, her nervous scratching stopping abruptly, "You're staring at me again," Jake said frowning, his eyes still shut tightly, he finally turned his head towards Erika, who looked up at him, nursing her bottom lip between her teeth.

"What?" Jake asked again, Jake was getting irritated he didn't like repeating himself, but he was also tired, and after all ,he was talking to Erika...

Erika told herself to just ask Jake to talk, but she feared they'd get into an argument, and what would she even say if Jake was reasonable and talked, does she just say she kissed another man on his birthday night? How do you say that to your husband?

Jake cursed sitting up a little, "Erika, it's 12am, why are you staring- why are you up this late?" Jake asked frowning, she couldn't tell if Jake was concerned or just mad at this point, he worked hard all day and was bone tired. "I can't sleep," Erika whispered , "Is that my problem?" Jake asked chuckling lowly, Erika looked away, feeling a bit hurt, she climbed out of bed, deciding she would just walk around alone till she got tired...

Erika put on her slippers and began walking towards the bedroom door, only to hear Jake following her, "Jake?" Erika squeaked in surprise, looking up at Jake as he put her robe around her, "Its my problem too," Jake told her, his voice wasn't soft or sweet, but even with the sleepy and serious tone, he sounded sincere.

"You don't have to Jake," Erika told him, "Shh, let's get a drink," Jake whispered lazily putting his arm around her as they trucked downstairs in the dark mansion, only dim moonlight coming through the glass windows. Erika smiled snuggling into Jake, he was insane, he had issues, but he seemed to really care about her, he was doing things he would have never done before- *And I'm ruining that,* Erika thought bitterly.

Jake had Erika sit down on the couch while he poured them both a chill glass of water, sitting down next to her giving her a cup, replacing his arm around her making her snuggle back in, taking in his warmth and scent, it was so eerie and wholesome at the same time.

"Do you want to watch tv?" Jake asked fiddling with the remote, "Sure- Jake you really don't have to be down here," Erika urged noticing how tired he looked, Jake leaned her in closer kissing her forehead before turning the t.v. On. Erika felt herself blush as she just allowed herself to be held; Moments like these were so romantic, and so worth everything else they went through, they weren't filming, no one else was bothering them, here they were cuddled together watching cruddy television at now 1 in the morning just cause she couldn't sleep...

Jake tried to blot out everything telling him he was being "soft", he knew what it felt like to not have Erika with him, and he knew he hated the feeling; He wasn't able to articulate everything he wanted to say, but somehow Erika understood everything. Erika had noticed he was having a hard time grieving, she put herself in harm's way, out on a limb to help him, she took him on a whole trip for his birthday, she hadn't really left his side since he was plagued with so many issues.

And even when he didn't say it, Jake knew he loved Erika, because she taught him what love meant.

Jake looked down at Erika hugged up next to him, softly giggling at a dumb commercial that came on, he lifted her chin up surprising her a bit, before he placed a passionate slow kiss to her lips, Erika kissed back hugging him tighter, they slowly pulled apart, Jake staring a her for a while, before turning his head back to the tv, "I love you too Jake," Erika whispered, grabbing the hand Jake wasn't using to hold her, keeping her gaze back at the t.v. As well.

A/N: LIKE AND COMMENT YOUR THOUGHTS! ILYYYY