Tangled Love
CHAPTER 26

CHAPTER 26

I blink several times, feeling like I'm sensitive to the entire world right now. I let out a low groan, thepounding in my head growing to be ten times worse.

"Is this a hangover?" I mutter rhetorically to myself, clutching the sides of my head. My eyes squint asthey adjust to the brightness. I glance around, realising I'm still at Ivory's house.

"Happy Birthday to me . . ." I sing bluntly, massaging my sore temples. My thoughts turn back to lastnight.The party. Austin and Jake.

Jake.

It's that exactly moment that I realise what I've done. My mouth falls open with shock and snap it shutagain. "No, no way. What have I done?" I murmur, my head falling into my hands. Holy Mother ofJesus.

I told Jake my secret.

I climb out of bed quickly, glancing down at my outfit from last night. It's crumpled up, clinging to mybody unattractively. I pull at the material, grimacing from the way it feels against my skin.

Does Ivory know I spent the night at hers?

Did Jake bail on me last night?

There's a soft knock on the door, snapping me out of my thoughts. I smooth down my clothes, tuggingat my hair self-consciously.

"Come in," I say out loud, clearing my throat. The door opens and Ivory pops her head around. Herauburn hair is pulled back into a messy ponytail, dark bags underneath her eyes.

A sign of a good night.

"Hey Emily," Ivory said softly, entering the room and closing the door behind her. I give her a smallsmile, running a hand through my hair.

"Thanks for letting me crash here." I mumble, staring at the floor instead of making eye contact.

"Don't worry about it." Ivory smiles.

"Good night?" I ask, feeling my muscles relax. Ivory laughed quietly, reaching up to rub her temples.

"Amazing night. I'm paying for it today though, I feel like I've been dragged through a rose bushbackwards." She groaned, taking a seat on the edge of the bed. Her eyes meet with mine, flashingbriefly with sympathy.

"Jake mentioned you needed a place to crash, you're welcome here anytime."

My stomach churns uneasily as I try to figure out whether Ivory knows my secret or not. I try and notthink of Jake telling Ivory every last detail I told him.

"Thank you. I appreciate it," I respond tightly, disappointment washing over me.

"Follow me." Ivory grins, stepping off the bed and heading for the door. I inhale deeply before followingher close behind. The smell of warm pancakes and chocolate wafts through the air and my stomachrumbles loudly.

Huh, I guess it knows what it wants.

Ivory giggles, glancing at me from the side.

I grin back at her sheepishly, biting on my lower lip.

"I guess I'm hungry." I state obviously, causing Ivory to giggle further. We both head down the stairsthat were completely covered with rubbish and empty cups from the night before. Beside from theaftermath of the party lying all over the floor, the house is very beautifully designed.

Ivory pushes back the door of the kitchen and I followed her, glancing at the dining table that's coveredwith half empty alcohol bottles. My stomach churns and I quickly avert my gaze so that I don'tembarrass myself and throw up. I'm so not ready to face alcohol just yet.

My eyes land on Jake who's stood by the cooker, spatula in hand. I raise my eyebrows in surprise andimmediately feel a blush rise to my cheeks from the sight of him. He's flipping pancakes casually —

"Jake?" I frown, feeling confused.

Did he stay the night too?