Always with You (WIth You Trilogy) by R. J. Sable

biscuits and I resisted making a blood sugar comment because I didn’t want to get into an argument with him.
    “So, Xander,” Jake began, addressing the big guy whilst he grabbed a handful of Jammy Dodgers. “You worked with Ian?”
    Xander nodded.
    “Doing what?” H e continued.
    I shot him a warning look because he knew Ian wouldn’t want him prying but he was doing so regardless.
    “SAS,” Xander replied in a bored voice.
    “How long ago?”
    “A while,” Xander answered shortly.
    “Jake, cut it out,” I whined. I didn’t need him putting Xander in an even worse mood. I was the one wh o had to put up with him twenty-four seven.
    “Alright,” Jake grinned wickedly , turning his attention to me. “How’s Jason?”
    “He’s good,” I smiled, relieved that he’d changed topic. “He’s kinda overprotective since everything though,” I shrugged awkwardly.
    “Doesn’t he trust your nanny?” Jake grinned wickedly and I found myself smirking despite myself.
    I shrugged. “I think he’s just worried.”
    “Does he, like, have to cook for you and shit too?” Jake continued , going back to poking the bear.
    “Jake,” I warned again with a sigh of exasperation.
    He never did grasp the concept of not provoking somebody who could easily break him in half.
    “What?” He feigned innocence. “If you’re gonna get your own man-maid, I want one too.”
    The two Sams, who’d previously been grinning at Jake’s jokes, stopped smiling as they seemed to sense he’d gone too far. I could see that Xander wasn’t going to let him get away with it anymore and the last thing I needed was the two of them getting in a fight.
    I stood up and grabbed Jake’s arm. “A word,” I said through gritted teeth, dragging him towards the hallway.
    He scowled at me as soon as we left the room and made his way up the stairs, radiating anger with every step. I quickly realised that I might have made a mistake by dragging him out of the room like that. Anxiously, I followed him up to his room, made nervous by the expression of irritation on his face.
    “Jake, I-” I started, unsure how I was going to defuse the situation.
    “Don’t, Jelly,” Jake warned, stalking to his bed and throwing himself down onto it. He held up his hand, signalling me to stay quiet.
    Jake suffered from the same short fuse that beset Karl. I could tell he was struggling with it now and I wasn’t sure why. He usually had no issue venting at me.
    “I didn’t mean to make you mad, Jake,” I apologised quietly, judging it semi-safe to sit next to him on his double bed. “I’m sorry.”
    Jake sighed deeply and pulled his pillow over his face. “I’m not pissed at you, Jelly, I’m just…” He pulled the pillow away and looked over at me. “Never mind.”
    “You can talk to me , you know,” I reassured him, squeezing his hand gently.
    I wanted Jake and I to have a better relationship. I knew everything that had happened had shaken him almost as much as it had me but I wanted it to bring us closer, not push us further apart.
    “You’re so sweet it’s sickening sometimes, you know that?” Jake grinned, throwing the pillow at me.
    “Thanks?” I raised my eyebrow at him and he chuckled.
    “So what’s with Xander?” He asked, obviously unwilling to talk about whatever was really bothering him.
    I shrugged. “He doesn’t talk much unless he’s telling me what to do.”
    “So, it’s like being at home?” Jake grinned.
    “Pretty much,” I admitted with a small sigh. “Except when you guys do it, you’re usually nice about it.”
    He raised his eyebrow like he didn’t really believe me. “So, what? He just follows you around everywhere?”
    “Whilst frowning or smirking,” I admitted.
    “Sounds like fun,” he said sarcastically.
    “Yeah,” I sighed. “But if you could avoid winding him up, that’d be great.”
    “I’ll try, but I can’t promise anything. In case you haven’t noticed, I’m hilarious,” he said