Beta: Maria Vilson

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Chapter 8. Closer

Two days later.

"...yeah, bro, she seems ok. Her leg's a little messed up, she's got it placed in a cast at the moment...no I'm not leaving her like this...because it's my fault she's like this!" A familiar voice whisper yelled in the far corner of Bella's room.

Bella started to wake up, cautiously moving her body around in her bed. That's when she felt a sharp pain in her left leg, and cried out in pain.

"Ahh!"

Jacob spun around, his eyes widening as he witnessed her hunched up in pain. "Bella!" He threw the cell on her desk and sprinted to her side.

"What's wrong? Is it your leg?" He asked quickly, his hands hovering over her body.

Bella hissed, writhing in pain as she tried not to move her leg. She took several deep breaths, trying to will away the throbbing ache. "I'm...okay. I just forgot about the cast..."

Jake sighed in relief. He felt terrible about her current state. If it hadn't have been for him, she'd be walking perfectly fine. His friends had whipped his ass, saying he was a complete pussy for staying around her and keeping an eye on her. He didn't think that; he saw how terrified she was as he tried to free her from the car. Jake remained right by her side throughout her overnight stay in hospital - much to the staff's dismay - but he couldn't and wouldn't leave her.

"Could you...help me sit up?" Bella asked, feeling a little embarrassed about having to ask the man she had admired all her life to help her move in bed.

Jake didn't hesitate, he stood up and carefully moved her into a sitting position. He placed his arm around her waist and under her knees. Bella leaned forward, placing her arm around his neck - being careful not to get too close to his face.

The alluring scent of his aftershave drifted into her nostrils and began to tease her senses. God, he even smelled good!

Jake absentmindedly turned his head towards hers, accidentally grazing his cheek against hers, igniting a foreign feeling within them both. He smiled, bashfully, his eyes too mortified to even look in hers. Jake cleared his throat, awkwardly. "Sorry..."

Bella smiled and shook her head. "It's fine, don't worry about it."

Once she was settled, Jake went back to sitting in the chair by her bed. He placed his elbows on his knees, leaning forward. Bella bit her lip as they consciously gazed at one another. She idly played with her hands as he swayed back and forth.

"How long was I out?" She finally asked, confused that she couldn't remember a lot.

"About twelve hours, but you were highly medicated and in a lot of pain so I'm not surprised you don't remember much."

She bit her lip and nodded.

"So, you've been here with me since?"

Jake chuckled lightly and nodded. "Yeah, I think I'm driving your house mates mad."

Her eyes then snapped to his. "Wait, my house mates know you're here?"

"Yeah, they were here when I brought you home from hospital."

Bella's eyes widened again. "You brought me home?"

"Yup, your dad was going to do it, but I kinda insisted," his eyes slowly met hers. "Is that alright? I mean that I'm here and brought you home?"

She kept his gaze, offering him a warm smile. "Of course it is. Thank you. I just assumed that you had...better things to do with your time."

Jake frowned. Was that really how she saw him? Though, as he thought about it, with everything that had come out about him, he didn't blame her for thinking that of him. Hell, if he were in her position, he'd be the same.

"I know that as of late I've come across as a really shady person, my name has been dragged through the mud and slated. But I'm not that person, Bells. I'm not the heartless asshole the press make me out to be. I love my family and friends and I'd do anything for anyone. I just kinda got thrown into a world where the people I hung out with were completely reckless and careless." He looked to the floor with sad eyes. "I swear to you, Bella. That isn't who I am."

Bella was a little taken aback by the fact he'd called her "Bells". Only her best friends and father called her by that name. But, that didn't stop her from hearing the honesty in his voice. Her heart broke as she saw the genuine look of sadness on his face. Even though they weren't close, Bella hated to see him so torn up. She leaned forward and placed her hand over his, causing him to look up at her.

"I know, Jacob. I've always known that the stuff that came out about you was a load of rubbish. I will admit when I read the tweet, you had me second guessing, but then I thought about the way you've always acted and conducted yourself in the public eye, and undoubtedly in private, and I knew it couldn't have been you."

"But that's just it. It WAS me, I did send that tweet, but I was forced to by a group of so called friends of mine. And it's really shady because I shouldn't have let them control me like that - but I did and now all this has happened. You almost got killed because of me!" Jake exclaimed, throwing his hands in the air to emphasise how he felt.

Bella sat up in bed and used her hands to pry his face towards her. She had no idea where this boldness had come from, but she wasn't prepared to see him beat himself up over something that didn't happen.

"Jake, it WASN'T your fault that I got hurt. It was mine. I shouldn't have messaged you like I did, I should have let it go and allowed you to just move on from it. But in a way I was so angry - and drunk - my hands acted before my mind could register what was happening. But the funny thing was, I didn't think you'd reply." She paused, chuckling lightly. "And then when we raced and I crashed, it was the scariest thing I've ever been through, but you were there. You ran to my side and got me out, then drove me to the hospital yourself. I KNOW that isn't the way of a man who doesn't care about the people around him."

He looked up at her tenderly, gratefully. Everything she had said had warmed his heart. But, did that mean she regretted sending that tweet? Because if so...that meant she regretted their very short but amazing time together. "Do you...regret messaging me?" Jake asked, his voice wracked with nerves.

Bella smiled and shook her head. "No. Not one little bit."

A wave of relief washed over him. He was so glad she didn't regret meeting him, as to be honest, he found himself feeling things a lot stronger than friendship for her.

"So, I believe I have some people to call." Bella chuckled, trying to break the serious tension in the room.

He was confused. Call people?

She laughed at his bewildered expression then added, "The race...that was part of the bet. I you won I'd call around for you and clear your name. If I won I got your car..." she paused, holding out her hand for his cell. "So c'mon, hand over the cell and I'll make the calls."

Jake looked straight in her eyes and shook his head. "No. That won't be necessary."

Bella raised a brow in confusion. "But that was part of the dea-"

"But neither of us won, Bells." He interjected.

They both suddenly fell silent, while gazing into each other's eyes. So what did that mean for them? Was this the last time she would see him? God, she hoped not.

Before Bella could stop herself, the words leaked from her mouth. "So, what does this mean...for us?" She paused, gulping hard. "Will I ever see you again?"

Flashes of hope and opportunities made their way across his eyes as he looked at her. He was so glad he wasn't the only one to feel that way. Jake really wanted to see her again, and not just because of the insane guilt he felt for her current condition; but because he felt a connection to her and he wanted to see where it took him - them.

"Well, I don't plan on leaving your side for a while. 'Sides someone's gotta drive you around, haven't they." He winked, causing her to smile.

Bella then laughed. "I really think you are going to regret saying those words."

"Oh yeah, why's that?" He shot back, as if to challenge her.

"Because tomorrow, I'm supposed to be driving me and two of my girlfriends to Beverly Hills for the week. So, if you are going to be my very own driver for the time being...I guess you've just elected yourself to come with us." She chuckled, winking at him.

He laughed and nodded. "Oh so that's how it's going is it? You're just using me for my insanely good driving skills?" He joked, while relaxing into the chair.

Bella laughed harder. "Dammit, you've found me out. Whatever will I do?" She teased, winking right back at him.

He laughed, happy to hear her sound so happy around him and not pissed. She was probably the only woman in the world who didn't want to shoot him. He then came up with an idea of spending some time with her in Beverly Hills. "Ok, I'll drive you. But under one condition?"

"Name it."

"Once we get there and you've rested...you let me take you out," he paused, swallowing hard. "On a date."

Bella's jaw dropped. Was he serious?!

"Sure, if you think you can handle all this," she laughed while gesturing to her cast. "It might be a little more than you're up to," she continued with a grin.

"Oh, I'd love to handle it..." Jake muttered without thinking. "I mean, I'm sure I'm up to the challenge," he said, blushing as he realized exactly how his reply could be interpreted. This girl sure could get him flustered.

Bella bit her lip, blushing. She had caught on to his little comment and would be lying if she said it didn't spark something within her.

As they both gazed at one another, they knew the week ahead of them was going to be all kinds of fun and excitement. But would it strengthen or weaken their "friendship"?


Please review! Tell me what you'd like to see in Beverly Hills! :)