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Chapter 10: What a difference a day makes.
Jasper's pov
It was two days after the invitation had arrived and I'd had my little freak out that I actually plucked up the courage to get my dad's number and call him.
It rang for quite a while and I was just hoping he wasn't actually going to answer when he did.
"Hello?"
The sound of his voice made me want to slam the phone down again.
"Hello?" he asked again.
"Dad?" I chocked out feeling like a moron.
The was a slight pause.
"Jasper, is that you?" he asked slowly.
"Yeah."
Wow this was awkward.
He chuckled "You took your time calling."
Was he serious?
I could feel the anger building again.
"Well I've had a lot on." I said coldly "You know, new town, new school. Starting over!"
"I suppose." he sounded uninterested "It's been a bit mad around here too, what with trying to get the wedding sorted."
"Yeah, that's why I called." I cut him off "I got the invite."
"Oh right." for the first time he sounded concerned.
"Look dad…."
He didn't let me finish.
"Actually, there was something I've been wanting to ask you." he butted in "You're my son Jasper and I was sort of hoping you'd consider being my best man."
My mouth dropped open in shock.
Was he having a fucking laugh?!
Here I was trying to tell him I wasn't sure if I could go to the wedding because I was still having trouble accepting the whole situation and he was asking me to be his fucking best man!
"What?" I stammered.
"Well I know this hasn't been easy on you and I was thinking it might be a nice way to make you feel involved."
My brain flounder trying to understand what was going on.
He's trying to be nice.
Alice's voice spoke up in my head.
"Can I think about it?" I asked.
"Sure you can son." he sounded relieved.
An awkward silence fell.
"So, I'll call you to let you know."
"Ok, bye Jasper."
I hung up breathing heavily.
Well that hadn't been quite as productive as I'd hoped.
I immediately dialled Alice's number.
"Hey can I come over?" I asked before she even got a chance to say anything.
"Sure Jazz."
It was a credit to her that she didn't push for more details on the phone, considering my voice was an octave higher than normal.
She had the door open as I pulled onto the drive.
"What's wrong?" she asked "Jazz what's happened?" the worry in her voice increased as I simply walked towards her and took her in my arms.
Burying my head in her neck I breathed deeply letting her presence calm me.
"Jazz?" she tried to pull back but I locked my arms tightly keeping her pinned to me.
"Please talk to me." she begged.
I turned my head slightly, kissing along her neck.
"I need you." I murmured in her ear before trailing my lips across her cheek and down to capture her lips.
She let me kiss her for a while before finally getting me to release her.
"Jasper please tell me what's happened." she begged leading me to the kitchen.
I sat opposite her at the breakfast bar and sighed heavily. "I called my dad."
She waited quietly while I tried to organise my jumbled thoughts.
"I wanted to tell him I couldn't go to the wedding, that it was just too much for me to deal with but before I got the chance he asked me to be his best man." my voice was devoid of all emotion, I still had no idea how to feel about it all.
"What are you going to do?" she asked me softly after a few seconds ticked by.
I shrugged, I had no idea.
She moved around to wrap her arms around my neck and I pulled her up onto my lap which didn't work too well with me sitting on a bar stool.
In the end I sat her on the breakfast bar in front of me, her hands rested on my shoulders my arms wrapped around her waist.
"What do you think?" I asked her.
She sighed softly "I don't know Jasper. I've never met your father so I can't really say either way. But maybe he really is trying to involve you, make you realise that even though he has this new life, he still wants you to be part of it."
I looked up at her "You think I should do it?"
She shrugged "I can't tell you what to do. If it makes any difference I noticed that invite had a plus one, so if you wanted some moral support…" she trailed off looking away from me.
My hands slid to her hips.
"You'd come with me?"
She shrugged again "If you wanted to go, and if you wanted me to then yeah. But like I said it's your choice, I just thought I'd offer."
I thought long and hard about it.
Dad was never good at the emotional shit, maybe Alice was right, maybe this was his way of trying to make amends, let me know he still wanted me in his life.
Mum had said she no longer had the energy to be mad at him and I knew neither did I. I still wasn't sure where I stood on the forgiving him part but I couldn't be mad anymore, not after what I'd nearly done to Alice.
If this really was his olive branch I had to take it, to try and forge some form of relationship with him, I owed myself that much.
And Alice said she'd come with me, which was good because I knew I could handle it if she was beside me.
I smiled up at her to find her eyes closed and her breathing heavy.
I realised at some point I'd started running my hands up and down her thighs, I couldn't stop the smirk that spread across my face at the reaction I'd got from her.
"Alice." I called.
Her eyes fluttered open, bright green with lust.
I shifted forward and she seemed to know what I wanted as her hands fisted in my hair and her lips crushed mine hungrily.
I pulled back feeling drunk from the intensity of her kiss, I wanted to keep going but knew this wasn't the right time.
"Promise you'll come with me." it wasn't a question more of a demand.
She nodded "If you want me to then I'll be there." she promised brushing my hair back from my face.
I still wasn't sure about the best man thing, and seeing as how Alice was refusing to give me her opinion, not that I could blame her after how I had reacted before, I decided to tell my mum.
Unfortunately when I got home Doctor Cullen happened to be there and this wasn't the sort of thing to be discussed in front of him.
He ended up staying for dinner which meant it was late when I finally got to talk to her.
"You were quiet tonight." she observed as I washed the dishes.
"I had stuff on my mind and I didn't really want to bring it up with Doctor Cullen being here." I told her honestly.
"What's on your mind?" she asked coming to start wiping the dishes I'd washed.
"I spoke to dad earlier." I began hesitantly "And he asked me to be best man at the wedding."
I kept my eyes on the water before me.
"Oh I see." she said softly.
"I don't know what to do." I admitted.
"Jasper." she said making me look at her "I wont think less of you if you agree to do it. He's your father and he wants to include you in something that's important to him. So don't say no for my benefit ok."
I nodded slowly amazed at my mum's strength.
The next day after school I went round to Alice's house. I hadn't made my decision yet but I wanted her there for moral support when I called my dad. I needed to have a frank and honest conversation with him and I needed Alice to help me through it.
She sat curled up on the sofa as I paced, I was too wound up to sit down.
"You just need to explain that he hurt you as well." she said softly "He needs to know he has some making up to do."
She made it sound so easy!
"He didn't give me a chance to speak last time." I muttered.
"So don't give him a chance to distract you this time. Jasper" she stood up and moved in front of me placing her hands palm down on my chest to stop me pacing "If you want to repair the relationship with your father you need to be honest with him, keeping it all bottled up inside wont help. Just tell him how you feel. Get mad, yell at him if you want to. You have to get this off your chest."
My arms snaked around her waist and I grinned at her cheekily "How's about a quick kiss for courage?"
She giggled and playfully swatted my chest "I should have known this was a clever ploy to seduce me."
I leant down running my lips along her neck making her shiver.
"Trust me darlin'" I drawled "You'd know if I was tryin' to seduce you!"
Her fingers tensed gripping the front of my shirt, looking down into her eyes I smirked before placing a kiss to her eager lips.
I let myself focus on Alice for a while, the rest of the world fading to black as I kissed her.
"Thanks Mini." I murmured as I pulled back.
She staggered to the sofa looking a little dazed and I smirked again, I loved the effect I could have on her.
Pulling out my phone I dialled my dad's number.
As it rang I began pacing again.
"Hello?"
I took a deep breath "Hey dad, it's me again."
"Jasper, twice in as many days to what do I owe this pleasure?"
At least he sounded pleased to hear from me.
"Yeah." I mumbled "Well I've been thinking over what you asked me yesterday and I've got some stuff I need to say, I meant to tell you but you kind of put me off with your request so I called again."
Was that even a sentence?
"Right." he sounded a little apprehensive.
"Look dad I need you to understand it wasn't just mum you hurt when you did what you did, and I'm still having trouble getting my head around it. I mean she's what three years older than me, it's weird and on top of all that I end up all the way across the country and it took you four fucking weeks to try and find out how I was doing."
"I thought you'd want time to settle down." he spoke up quickly "You got a new phone, I didn't know the number."
"Yeah but would it have killed you to try, you obviously knew the address, I got the damn wedding invite. Something stupid even, just a note saying good luck on my first day of school, or you could have made sure I had your number before we left."
I could feel the anger, hurt and betrayal rising up inside me.
"I can't deal with everything that's happened as it is, and then you go and ask me to be your fucking best man like nothings wrong, and Seattle! Why the fuck are you getting married in Seattle?" I practically screamed down the phone at him all composure gone.
He sighed heavily.
"I'm sorry son, I know I haven't been a perfect father."
No fucking shit Sherlock!
"Cindy liked the look of the hotel and I thought you were more likely to come if it was closer to you, I mean your still at school this way you only have to miss one day."
My eyes found Alice as he spoke trying to calm myself down.
She wasn't looking at me, her eyes were on a large portrait of her mum and dad that hung in the room, it had been taken on their wedding day.
I could see the sadness and weight of their loss crush her and it felt like someone had punched me in the chest.
Everything she'd said came back to me, about how maybe asking me to be best man was his way of including me. Him saying that about wanting to make sure I could make it made me realise Alice had a point.
He was trying to make an effort, wasn't it only fair I did the same?
"If I agree to be best man, does the invite still include a plus one?" I asked slowly.
Alice's eyes snapped onto mine.
If this was his olive branch I'd take it, but I still needed her to be there I couldn't face it alone.
"Yes Jasper, you're more than welcome to bring a guest." his voice sounded hopeful.
I nodded slowly my eyes still locked on Alice.
"Ok. I'll do it."
A soft smile graced her lips and I suddenly didn't care what my dad was saying, I wanted this phone call to end.
"I'll call you later when I know what time I can come up and stuff." I said desperate to be off the phone and spend some time with Alice.
"Sure Jasper, that's fine. Talk to you later."
"Bye dad." I hung up quickly and moved forward as though hypnotised.
Sinking to my knees on the floor next to Alice she scooted forward on the sofa so I could rest my head on her lap. Her fingers lightly ran through my hair.
"You'll still come with me?" my tone was almost begging.
"Of course Jazz." she promised her voice soft and I felt her lips press to my head.
My eyes closed in contentment as her fingers continued to comb my hair.
I really did not know how I had survived without this girl in my life and I prayed to god I never had to try again.
I looked up into her eyes and she smiled at me.
"I'm proud of you." she whispered leaning down to rest her forehead on mine.
I frowned "Why?"
She giggled and kissed me "For doing this, for giving your dad a second chance. For proving you are the better man."
I shook my head "Mini that's all down to you, I'd still be stewing in anger if it wasn't for you." that was true, I owed Alice so much.
In that moment I wanted to do something for her, to let her know how much I appreciated her, how much she meant to me.
Without really thinking I scooped her up in my arms and headed for the stairs.
Alice's name was painted on one of the doors so I deduced that was her bedroom.
"Jazz." she stammered nervously as I lay her down on the double bed.
Crawling on beside her I wrapped my arms around her waist and held her tightly, showering her face with kisses. Slowly she relaxed as my fingers danced over her back.
"Trust me Alice." I whispered as I rolled her onto her back and slowly moved down her body.
My fingers ran down her sides and along the waist of her jeans, I popped the button open.
She trembled a little but didn't stop me as I slowly pulled her jeans down her legs settling myself between them I ran my hands back up the inside of her thighs making her moan softly.
"Trust me." I whispered again reaching for her panties.
Alice's pov
Last night was truly indescribable.
To be honest I had been terrified when Jasper took me up to bed, but it hadn't been anything like I'd expected.
When I'd been felt up before it had been harsh and demanding, Jasper had been gentle and patient. He hadn't pushed me, he'd given me time to say no, but I hadn't wanted to. When Jasper touched me, held me, I felt safe, cared for, I trusted him and I am so glad I had!
The guy was incredible, he'd brought me to orgasm on his tongue!
I know my experience is limited but I'm assuming that's a skill.
Afterwards he had simply held me in his arms. Not pushing for more, not expecting me to return the favour, nothing.
It had made me love him that much more and I'd had to bite my lip hard to stop confessing that to him.
I didn't want to ruin things, he had enough to deal with at the moment. If he could be patient with me I could be patient with him.
I expected things between us to change some after what had happened.
I mean we had become intimate didn't that mean something?
The next day at school he was waiting for me as usual on the car park and greeted me with a kiss.
"I've missed you." he mumbled making me smile.
"Jazz, you saw me less than twelve hours ago." I pointed out.
He grinned down at me cheekily "I still missed you."
As we wandered to class I kept getting really self conscious as though everyone in the school somehow knew what we had done last night and it really freaked me out.
"Can I come round tonight?" Jasper asked as we unpacked our things at the beginning of Biology.
I bit my lip for once unsure.
"Alice what's wrong?" he asked softly.
"Nothing." I lied pathetically opening my text book I pretended to be enthralled with cellular mitosis.
Jasper sighed heavily as he sat down.
"If you don't want me to come over just say, I'll understand if you want some time alone."
I looked up into his blue eyes, thankfully Mr. Banner began the lesson allowing me the chance to take the cowards way out.
When the bell rang for lunch I dived out of the classroom and headed to the one place he couldn't follow me, the girls toilets.
I locked myself in one of the cubicles taking time to think because at the moment I was seriously freaking out.
It's not that I didn't want to see Jasper tonight I just didn't want him to think it would be a repeat performance of last night.
Don't get me wrong I had enjoyed it immensely and I had no regrets, I just wasn't the type of girl who could deal with expectations.
Well then you need to talk to him.
I knew that but what if he got mad again that I was being so controlling and finally had enough of me?
That was my main fear. What if he thought that just because I let him do that last night I was suddenly ready to go all the way and got pissed that I wasn't?
Was I giving him mixed signals?
Would he be wanting something in return?
Was I just freaking out for no reason?
I needed to explain this to Jasper to talk to him, and I realised I couldn't do that locked in the toilet.
Taking a deep breath I let myself out the cubicle and headed to the sinks.
I was just washing my hands when the door suddenly burst open and Bella rushed in tears streaming down her face. She took one look at my shocked expression, her eyes widened and she quickly locked herself in a cubicle quiet sobs reached my ears.
I was frozen staring after her, indecision keeping me rooted to the spot.
I needed to go talk to Jasper. I owed Bella nothing she'd turned her back on me when I'd needed her.
My hand was on the door handle when a particularly loud sob broke out of her.
Groaning at my own sense of loyalty I flicked the lock so no one else could get in.
"Bella?" I asked softly.
She sniffled quietly trying to control her sobs.
"B, please open the door."
"Go away Alice, I don't want to talk to you. We're not even friends." she spat.
The barb rolled off me, I was far too used to it for it to hurt.
"I'm not leaving until I know you're alright." I stated stubbornly folding my arms.
She laughed bitterly "Why do you even care?"
I bit my lip, that was an excellent question.
"Because we were friends for ten years, and even though you've got new friends now it doesn't mean I wont be there for you if you need me." I shrugged.
Silence greeted me and I was just about ready to give up when I heard the lock slide back and Bella stood there her eyes bloodshot, her face red and puffy, tears still streaming down her face.
"I've really fucked up Alice. I don't know what to do." she sobbed.
Stepping forward I wrapped her in my arms whispering soothing words as I let her cry, much the same way Jasper had done for me.
I didn't push her to tell me what was wrong I just let her cry herself out.
The bell rang for the end of lunch and I silently cursed. I hadn't realised we'd been here that long.
I still hadn't spoken to Jasper, god only knows what he was thinking.
Bella moved out of my embrace trying to pull herself together.
"Thanks." she mumbled heading to the sink to splash cold water on her face and refused to meet my eyes.
I shrugged "Anytime." I headed for the door and paused "You ever want to talk you know where to find me." I said my back to her before unlocking the door and heading for my next lesson.
I couldn't concentrate in my last two classes, I was worrying about Bella and I was worrying about Jasper and I really couldn't care about trigonometry.
Finally the bell rang for end of day and I dashed out to the car park, relieved to find Jasper's Volvo still there. I went to wait next to it.
He scowled at me when he saw me.
"Hey." he said moodily barely acknowledging me as he unlocked his car and flung his bag inside.
"Jazz." I sighed "I'm sorry about earlier, I just needed some time to think."
"About what? Asking if I can come round seems like a perfectly reasonable request, one I've made hundreds of times before and you haven't freaked out on me."
"I know that, but things are different."
He cut me off before I could say more.
"How Alice?!" he hissed "What changed?"
"You're being an ass!" I declared angrily.
"Oh, I'm sorry how am I meant to react when my girlfriend runs away from me and then hides somewhere all fucking lunch hour?!"
"I wasn't hiding." I hissed trying so hard not to yell at him whilst we were in public "I told you I needed time to think and then I ran into Bella and she was upset and I couldn't just leave her."
"Why not huh?" he glared at me "Let me get this straight, you act all weird and freak out then disappear leaving me thinking I've done something wrong so you can comfort a girl who's made your life miserable for the past three years."
"Why are you so pissed off at me?" I asked "I'm here aren't I, I'm trying to explain myself. I know I freaked out earlier but I've fucking apologised for that."
Shaking my head I sighed "I needed time to think because I'm not sure what you expect coming over after what happened last night." I admitted holding my hand up to stop him saying anything "I don't regret it Jazz and I never will, but I want our relationship to be about more than sex." I looked him straight in the eye "I would have explained all that to you at lunch but Bella was really upset and I couldn't just leave her. I'm sorry but that's who I am."
He sighed and pulled me into a hug "You're right I was being an ass. I just got pissed because you weren't talking to me. Sometimes I get you Mini and other times, like now, I need you to tell me how you feel because I have no idea and I always end up messing up." he took a breath "I can promise you I don't have any expectations ok, just because you let me eat you out last night I'm not going to expect to do that all the time."
My cheeks burned causing him to chuckle.
"You're not embarrassed are you." he teased.
I shook my head, but I wasn't very convincing considering my face still resembled a tomato. He laughed harder.
"You don't have to be so casual about it." I mumbled.
He kissed the side of my head "Ok, I'm sorry. So now we both know where we stand, can I come round tonight?"
I bit my lip "Erm, do you mind if you don't." I muttered.
He sighed "If that's what you want."
"It's not you." I assured quickly "It's just I offered Bella the chance to talk, I mean she probably wont take it but I want to be free just in case."
Jasper sighed again and looked down at me "You're too good sometimes you know."
I shrugged "I can't hold a grudge, besides I'd hate myself forever if I left her to suffer alone. I made the offer it's her choice now."
"Ok, I'll call you later." he pressed a kiss to my forehead and I smiled.
"Yeah that's fine, thanks Jazz." I hugged him tightly for a second before heading over to my car.
When I arrived home I sent him a soppy text thanking him for understanding and signing it with far too many kisses.
I did my homework and put some laundry through my mind wandering to Bella.
I really hoped she'd take my offer I've never seen her that upset and I didn't have all that much faith in Lauren and Jessica being particularly good listeners.
Trying to take my mind off things I decided to cook up some comfort food, southern fried chicken, my all time favourite always guaranteed to make me feel better.
I was just about to call Jasper before settling myself down in front of the TV when the doorbell rang.
My heart jumped a little. If it was Bella, and in all honesty who else was it gonna be? What the hell did I say to her?
She was right, we weren't really friends anymore. The last time we'd spoken she'd called me a pathetic looser and then laughed when Jess tripped me in gym.
But I couldn't just turn my back on her, we had been close once.
Opening the door I found Bella standing there, she wasn't crying now but she looked so lost.
"Hi." she mumbled looking at the floor.
"Hey come in." I stood back.
She hesitated for a second before stepping inside.
I directed her to the lounge and headed to the kitchen to grab two sodas and the bowl of chicken, if anyone was in need of comfort food it was Bella.
She was sat on the sofa playing with the sleeve of her sweater. I sat down next to her placing everything on the coffee table in front of us.
"I don't know why I'm here." she mumbled almost to herself "I'm such an idiot Alice." her eyes were down.
"Why?" I asked softly when she didn't say anymore.
"Because of everything, I've ruined my life!" she burst out "God, I so wanted to be popular, to be invited to the cool parties, to be protected within that group and it just fucked everything up."
I had no idea what she was talking about so I stayed quiet as she let it all out.
"It was Edward really, I wanted him to notice me. I wanted him to want me." she scoffed "And look where that's got me."
"Edward loves you." I said softly, it was pretty obvious.
She shook her head "He wont now." tears started falling down her cheeks again.
Scooting over I wrapped her in my arms letting her cry against me again.
"Bella what's happened?" I asked worry washing over me.
"I'm pregnant." she sobbed out.
I felt my eyes widen in shock, had not seen that coming.
"Are you sure?" I asked feeling her nod against me.
"I did the test yesterday. I was trying to tell him at lunch but he was more interested in something Mike was saying. That's how I ended up crying in the toilets."
"And why do you think Edward wont still love you?" I asked, hating myself for wondering if it wasn't his.
She pulled back "Are you kidding me? He's not going to want a baby Alice, he has plans for a future."
She grabbed her soda from the table and took a few swigs.
"Have you thought about what you're going to do?" I asked carefully.
Bella tried to glare at me but there was no real venom in it and all too soon her shoulders slumped.
"I don't know." she sobbed "I don't know what to do."
I chewed my lip knowing I was going to regret this "If you want I'll come to the clinic with you, find out what your options are."
I couldn't help it, she needed someone.
She looked up at me her eyes wary "Why are you doing this?" she asked.
I shrugged grabbing some chicken to occupy my hands.
"I don't blame you for taking the easy way out B." I said slowly "I don't hate you for not wanting to deal with their bullying, I understand." I thought for a moment "The ten years we were friends, the birthday parties, the sleepovers, the time we tried to go camping in the forest and ended up back at your house because we got spooked by that owl. That all still means something to me." I shrugged unsure how else to explain it. "I can't just turn my back on you B, not when you need me the most."
"But I did." she said softly "I didn't just turn my back on you Alice, I fucking stabbed you in the back. I gave them ammunition to use against you, I sat back and watched for three years while they broke you down. I fucking joined in! why don't you hate me?"
I shrugged again my eyes flickering to a picture of my parents.
"Life's too short to hold a grudge Bella."
She shook her head looking at me in wonder "You are an extraordinary person Alice." she whispered "I'm sorry." her voice broke again "Alice I'm so sorry."
"It's ok." I murmured hugging her again.
"No it's not." she sobbed "I've been such a bitch to you, I don't deserve for you to be my friend, but right now I really need you to be because I don't know what to do.""
She collapsed into me sobbing and I held her tight, maybe I was being a pushover forgiving her so easily but I couldn't just let her deal with this alone.
Once she'd calmed down she headed to the bathroom to clean up a little and I took the time to call Jasper.
"Hey, you ok?" he asked.
I smiled at the sound of his voice "Yeah I'm fine, just thought I'd call you while I had the chance."
"Bella took your offer then." he had a weird tone to his voice.
"Yeah." I answered wondering what was wrong with him "Is that a problem?"
He sighed heavily sending static down the line.
"No." he chuckled "You're a pretty remarkable person you know."
I giggled "B said that too. I just don't have the ability to hold a grudge. It's not necessarily a good thing."
"It's better than holding onto your anger like I nearly did." he sounded sad and I wanted to be with him.
"Yeah but you did let it go." I pointed out.
"Yeah." he sighed again "Sorry, I just miss you, I'm thinking too much. You go enjoy your girl time. I'll see you tomorrow."
"Yeah you will." I smiled "And just so you know I miss you too."
Jasper chuckled down the phone "Bye Mini."
"Bye Jazz." I hung up.
"You really like him huh?"
I jumped a little at the sound of Bella's voice behind me.
My cheeks heated up as I nodded, I loved him. Of course I wasn't going to admit that to Bella.
I hadn't been lying I really didn't hold a grudge about her turning her back on me and I would stand by her if she needed me. But I wasn't stupid, I wasn't about to blurt all my deep dark secrets out to her.
I had no guarantee that come tomorrow everything wouldn't be back to normal and the fact I was in love with him wasn't something I wanted Jasper to find out from Mike Newton.
"Lauren's so jealous he chose you not her." Bella said sitting down next to me.
I shrugged "I have no idea why he did." I mumbled.
Bella chuckled "I do." she said quietly, squeezing my hand.
We spent the rest of the night reminiscing, which made Bella apologise a few more times.
By the time she had to head home it was almost like the past three years hadn't happened, I had my best friend back.
Ok so a lot happened in that chapter, maybe I should have spilt it into two. Well too late now.
So obviously things have now progressed for Alice and Jasper and I would like your input on whether, in the future you want some nice lemony action or if you believe less is more and to just leave it to your own imaginations.
You have the power, so let me know what you think. xx