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Chapter thirty-seven

Jessie slowly stands up, keeping his back to the wall. His body language is calm, but his eyes are like a burning fire terrified of being put out.

"You're home early." Jessie utters, not moving from the wall as if hoping he can hide what Lola did. But as I look at him I know he is aware he can't hide it forever. He just needs time.

I hide behind the door frame as Mr Oliver walks into the house and kicks his grubby brown boots off. "Emmie decided it would be funny to embarrass me in front of the whole goddamn restaurant so I told her to find her own way home." His voice is croaky with a small whistle sound at the end of each word as he lets out a chesty cough.

"Did you argue?" Jessie asks, his voice sincere, as if he is genuinely worried.

Mr Oliver just shoots him a glare. "None of your business. I need a drink." He sighs, walking past Jessie and the wall towards the kitchen.

Towards me.

Jessie runs over to him and stands in the doorway. "No, no!" He shouts now realizing the suspicious look on his father's face. "I'll get you a drink, you should go sit down." He pauses, "It's the least I could do."

Surprisingly, his father nods his head and goes to sit in the arm chair by the fireplace. Lola still sulking on the sofa but luckily not mentioning anything about what she had done.

Jessie approaches me and as he walks past he whispers. "We need to get Lola out of here."

"Why?" I ask but he just puts his hand over my mouth.

"Lola, why don't you come and tell me what you want to drink?" Jessie asks. Lola stomps over, her arms crossed and her face an image of anger. It's almost funny. As soon as she walks past me I take her by the arm and Jessie leans down to her face. "Now, you go where Maddie goes and listen to her at all times do you understand?" He whispers but his voice firm. Lola, now looking worried herself holds my arm tight. Jessie gives her a kiss on the cheek before looking up at me. "Just please get her out of here." He adds before leaning in and giving me a hug too.

As he lets go I grab hold of his hand. "Wait. What's going to happen? Will you be okay?" And with that Jessie puts his lips on mine and it's like my whole world has changed. I feel every single emotion whirling around inside of me as he steals my first kiss and by the end of it, I don't want him to go.

My cheeks burn as I turn timider then I've ever been. Jessie lets go of my hand and grabs his father a Gin and Tonic before making his way back into the extremely tense living room.

My gut churns as Jessie sits down on the sofa, acting as if nothing has happened. But I can tell as his eyes continue to flash between his father and the TV that this is now a waiting game. I too wait for everything to kick off as I plan every route out of this house and get my phone ready to call emergency services if things get too bad. Although I feel the need to take care of Lola, his little sister he trusts me to look after with my life, I also feel an overwhelming urge to get Jessie out too.

It isn't for a few minutes that Mr Oliver moves, but when he does...

His eyes connect to the scribbles still present along the freshly painted walls.

He stands as the Gin and Tonic is smashed on the table.

And Jessie too stands up in defence.