A/N: If you review I'll send 'ya a sneak peak of the next chapter. I can't promise anything, but I want to be able to post it later tonight. :)
I shook that thought out of my head almost as soon as it had entered. I couldn't think about my engagement with Jacob right now. I came here with a purpose.
"Elizabeth, could I ask you something?"
"Anything", she said immediately.
"I heard that Edward came to New York. What happened? How come he didn't come and see me?" I asked, speaking too fast, even to keep up with myself. Elizabeth shook her head sadly.
"He won't ever say. He told me that he was going, but refused to talk about it when he came back. You should go over and talk to Carlisle and Esme though; he went over there a lot. He's close to them. If anyone knows anything about that trip, other than Edward of course, it's them."
Carlisle and Esme Cullen were Emmett's parents. I'd always been Edward's best friend, but Emmett was also Edward's "guy" best friend that he could do "guy" stuff with that he couldn't talk about or do with me. I never took it personally. Emmett had always been a great friend to both Edward and I, and he had been the one to take care of Edward after I'd left, or so I heard. I knew Carlisle and Esme, but not well enough that I would feel comfortable pumping them for information about Edward. They might not give me the information anyway, they knew how badly I hurt Edward. If I wanted answers to my questions, I was going to have to ask Edward. We could be adults and have a civil conversation, right?
"Alright Elizabeth, I should get going, it's getting late. Thanks for the talk," I said, standing to hug her. She hugged me tightly back.
"Don't be a stranger now. You make sure you come to say goodbye before you leave this time!" she joked, but I knew there was truth beneath the surface. Emmett's words jumped back into my mind.
Edward wasn't the only one you ran out on.
I decided to find Emmett at the local bar. The only bar in town. I knew it was their big hangout now, my parents always talked about running into Emmett there. Just as I was about to walk in my cell phone rang. I checked the display.
Jake.
I picked it up on the second ring.
"Hello?" I answered.
"Hey baby! How's Washington?! Is everyone impressed that the Isabella James came home for a visit? I hope no one heard from the press…sorry about that baby, I have no idea how they got those pictures…" he said in a hurry.
"Jake, calm down, it's fine. A few friends heard from the press, but luckily my parents did not. They didn't announce it on ESPN. Yet." I laughed. It wouldn't be long.
"Did you give them the book?" he asked.
"Well, I mailed them the manuscript when I found out it was being published." I told him sadly. They'd never mentioned it, I have no idea if they read it or not.
"Don't worry about. I'm halfway through it, it's amazing." He said proudly.
How could I have ever doubted my love for this man? Someone that makes me feel better in an instant, without even saying anything particular.
"How are things going there, though? How'd they take the news?" he asked nervously.
"They're happy Jake, and they can't wait to meet you," I told him.
"Great! Do you want me to visit? I could come this week if you want. Although I should warn you. That damn publicist of yours will not leave me alone. She wants to come with me." He said. It made me sad that Alice and Jake didn't get along well. They were fine when I was there, for my sake, I think, but the second I left the two of them alone they fought like cats and dogs.
"Jake, I don't know if that's smart. I mean, I want you to meet them, but I want to give them a few days with just me. I think they're just a little shocked…" I trailed off, hoping that Jake wouldn't have hurt feelings. I needed to deal with Edward first, and I couldn't have Jake around while I did it.
"No problem, sweetheart. You just tell me when you want me to fly out and I'll make the arrangements. You're doing okay, though with everything? You don't talk much about your childhood and why you came to the city so young. Don't get me wrong, I'm so glad you did, but I'm figure that since you don't ever go back, something must have happened. I just want to make sure you're doing okay. Even if you want me out for support, I'll fly out. I'll hide in a hotel room until you're ready". I nearly cried at his suggestion, he was so sweet.
"Oh Jake, you are the most wonderful fiancé a girl could ask for. I'm really okay, though, for now. But I promise you, the moment I need you, I will make sure you're on the next plane out". I promised.
"Good. Alright, I'll let you get back to whatever you were doing. I love you, Iz. Call me if you need anything, even if you just need to vent. I miss you," he said sadly. I almost broke down and told him to get his butt on an airplane right this minute.
"I miss you, too, Jake. I love you. So, so much. And I can't wait to marry you." I told him sincerely.
After we hung up the phone, I wanted to cry and scream in frustration. Was it possible to love two very different people, with all of your heart? I needed to talk to someone, and I needed someone to know the whole story. I knew just the person. Alice.
Alice was just as kind as Jake had been on the phone. She was taking the red eye out of New York to Seattle. I was planning on picking her up at the airport at 5am. She knew most of the story, but I needed to give her the unplugged story, and I needed her to meet Edward. She'd know how to help me clean up this mess. I knew that this wasn't her job, but Alice was much more than just my publicist. She'd come to be a trusted friend. I knew I had to tell Jake the whole story, and I needed to do it like 6 months ago. But if I know Jake like I think I do, he will be kind and caring about the situation. Not mad and jealous. I hung up the phone with Alice, feeling much better, and walked into the bar. There weren't too many people at the bar, and I didn't know any of them, so I slid into a stool near the end of the bar to wait for Emmett to come in. I ordered a beer and sipped it, glancing around self consciously. A blonde man sat beside me, and I let my hair fall over my shoulder to shield my face. He chuckled loudly.
"You haven't changed a bit, have you, Bella?"
My head snapped up at the sound of my name. The second our eyes met, I know exactly who I was looking at. I jumped off my stool and launched myself into his arms.
"JASPER!" I nearly screamed. He chuckled again and hugged me tightly.
"Bella, it's so great to see you," he told me, speaking into my hair. After a moment, I pulled away.
"It's so great to see you, too, Jazz. You have no idea," I said, brushing my hair from my eyes. Jasper Hale was part of our "crowd" in high school. His sister was Rosalie Hale, the most beautiful girl in the school. She was a little stuck up and vain, but she wasn't ever really mean. Rosalie dated Emmett in high school. I wondered briefly if they were still together. I would have to remember to ask Emmett if they were still together. In high school, we always joked that Jasper had super powers. He was always able to sense people's moods and he was able to calm anyone with just a few words or a hug. He was amazing.
"I heard you got engaged and published a book," he said with a sad smile. No doubt he was thinking about Edward. I nodded to answer his question, glancing at the ring resting on my left hand.
For me, the hardest thing about divorce was the fact that friends felt the need to pick sides. I hadn't heard from any of Edward's and my mutual friends from high school after I left. Not that I had necessarily minded. I had Jake and Alice. They were all I needed. I never would have survived big city life without Jake. The bartender handed Jasper a beer.
"So does Edward know?" he asked, keeping his eyes down.
"No, and I'd really appreciate it if you didn't tell him. I'm not in town long, just long enough to-" he cut me off before I could finish, still staring at his beer.
"Divorce Edward. I got it." He said sadly. He finally looked up to look into my eyes. "Bella, I know it isn't any of my business, but have you actually talked to Edward lately?"
"No, he wouldn't really let me," I admitted.
"That's because you ambushed him at his house," Jasper argued. Before I could even defend myself, he cut me off again, holding up his hand in defense.
"Look Bella, I don't want to fight with you, but please don't be too hard on Edward. You weren't here when…" he trailed off, embarrassed about an obvious slip of the tongue. "I just…there might be more to the story than you know. Please be careful with him". He practically begged. I was so stunned I could only nod.
Five minutes later, I still hadn't recovered. Emmett walked into the bar, and came over to us, putting an arm around both Jasper and I.
"Well well well. Look what we have here. My brother in law and my kind of sister in law". Emmett chuckled. I snapped out of my trance.
Brother in law? Well…that could only mean one thing. Emmett was married. I was so heartbroken in that minute. I didn't know any of my friends anymore. I had never felt so alone in my life. I silently stood, pulled a $20 bill out of my wallet and left it at the bar. I walked out of the bar, got into my car and drove home. I was surprised to see that I was sitting outside my old house. Edward's house.
Before I could lose my nerve, I got out of the car, walked up to the front door and knocked loudly. He came to the door quickly, still dressed and chewing something. When he opened the door, his expression was guarded. I held up my hands.
"I come in peace. I promise".
Next Chapter: Bella and Edward talk.
"Edward, I know people are keeping something about you a secret, and I need you to tell me what it is. I know we aren't together anymore, but that doesn't mean I love you any less".
