Authors Note; Happy Halloween! Here is a new chapter, hope you enjoy!
All mistakes are my own, and a big thank you to my Beta for sticking by me! SunflowerFran, thank you so much!
Remember chapter 11
Bella's POV
"I'm not going to break, Edward. If you need to go off for few hours, then go ahead." I tell him.
"Are you sure? Alice will be here the second she knows I'm gone."
I groan, Alice has been trying to get me alone for well over a week now, but Edward wouldn't have it. "Can we just keep the doors locked?"
He smiles up at me. He's sitting on a bench in his bedroom closet, lacing up a pair of boots. I'm standing across from him. "Alice is a ninja, you know that."
"Take me with you," I whine jokingly, well sort of.
I get that crooked smile again. "Soon. I want to make sure you're safe before heading out again."
I sigh, I feel like I'm under house arrest.
"Aye. Where is everyone?" I hear Jake call out from the other room.
"Over here," I say as Edward stands to finish getting ready. He has a gun sitting on a shelf, and I already know he'll be looking for it next.
I grab it and run my fingers across the chrome surface that leads down the barrel. It really is a beautiful piece.
"Beautiful," I say really to myself when I hear Jacob say. "Yeah, you are."
Heat rushes to my face. Jacob has been this way since the shootout at the Cullen home. He said he wanted me to know his feelings toward me, and if I ever felt the same, he'd be there waiting, no matter how long. In some ways, it makes me nervous. Jacob is seriously hot, but I feel like he would have never given me the time of day if it weren't for everything that's happened. Sometimes, I think that about Edward too, but I shake that thought frequently.
I look up at Edward, who is watching me. He steps forward and slowly reaches for his gun. His large hand wraps easily over mine. We don't say anything as he takes it from me and yet I feel as if I've said too much. My blush deepens and then Jake is clearing his throat.
"Let's go make a pizza," I tell Jake, stepping out of this bubble I didn't even know was around us.
He gives me his boyish smile, "You know, we could just save ourselves some time and order one."
"What fun is that?" I ask as I walk past him, knowing he'll follow.
...
"Bella, can I talk to you a moment?" Edward asks.
"Yeah, sure. Don't you dare put that nasty stuff on my side." I tell Jake after answering Edward.
I walk with Edward to the front door. "I'll be back late, so don't wait up." He says, "Don't hesitate to call me."
"Yeah, Okay," I tell him.
"Be safe." He says. A strong urge to hug him washes over me, but I restrain myself.
I give a small smile. "You too."
"I'll come home as soon as I can." He says, I reach over and open the door for him.
"Don't worry so much, Jake is here and look, here comes Emmett," I tell him as he and Garrett appear in the driveway.
He smirks, "I'm really worried now, maybe I shouldn't go."
"Come on," I laugh, "Emmett won't let anything bad happen to me."
"Damn right, I won't," Emmett says, having overheard.
Garrett pats Edward on the back. "Come on, the sooner we get started the sooner you'll be back to your girl."
Ugh, this blushing needs to stop. "Yeah, get out of here already," Emmett says nudging him along.
We don't say anything as we watch them walk down the walkway, but before Edward gets in the car, he turns around and looks back at me. He doesn't crack a crooked smile, but the look he gives sends butterflies to my tummy and then he's dipping into the car and disappearing down the drive.
"Come on, Bells, I smell food," Emmett says getting my attention.
I gasp, "Jacob, ahh, my pizza!" I say before turning and rushing back inside.
~oOo~
"No, we watched your movies, now it's my turn," I tell Em and Jake.
Emmett groans, "Why? You'll just put on some chick flic that Jake and I won't like. It's not fair, it's two against one."
"Oh shut up, stop crying and deal," I tell him, and he whines again.
Jake bursts into loud laughter that makes me grin.
I sit back in between the two guys and wait for Emmett's reaction.
"I can deal with chick flics for the right girl and Bells is definitely the right girl." Jacob bumps my shoulder. I can feel the heat rush up my chest and into my face, oh God.
Emmett laughs loudly, "Bro, look how red she turned!" Jake just smiles and then the play menu pops up. "Fuck yeah, never mind, you can pick'em."
"Fast and the Furious, you know he's going to be dragging us to race wars now, right?" Jake asks, we both look at a grinning Emmett.
"I've never been, I'm down," I say, honestly.
"I'm totally holding you to that!" Emmett says before putting his full attention on the movie.
...
"You don't have to help. I can wash up in here." I tell Jake.
"I don't mind," He says, helping load the dishwasher.
"Where is Emmett?"
"Upstairs, still watching those Fast and Furious movies."
"Ops, I had no idea he has such an obsession with them."
"Oh yeah, Emmett did race wars for years after watching the first one awhile back. He can actually do pretty well, made a lot of money and won himself two pink slips."
"No kidding?"
He shakes his head, "He was really good."
"Why do I feel like something happened?"
"Because something did happen. He got into partying and doing pills. He had an overdose during a race and flipped his car six times. They found him in an alleyway nearly dead. Someone decided they couldn't be bothered with taking him to a hospital and that an alley would be best. Fuckers." Jake explains, "He's better now, he just smokes pot and drinks on occasion."
"That's good," I say putting the last dish in Jake's hand.
"Yeah, do you smoke?"
"I have a few times with my old friends."
"Ah, were you a bad girl, doing things the Chief would frown upon?" He teases.
I roll my eyes, freaking blushing again. "Definitely. I'm not some innocent little girl, Jake. I have lived my life somewhat."
He gives me a big grin, "I bet the Chief doesn't know."
"Of course not. That would be horrible if my father knew."
"That bad, eh?"
I shrug, "Definitely not good things a girl would want her cop father knowing."
"That's great," He laughs, "Bella, the bad girl."
"Please, it's not that big of a deal."
"I guess not. Edward though, he always treats you as if you're pure and have never done anything bad."
"He doesn't."
"Kind of, maybe. He should see you for the wild young thing you could be."
"I don't know what you're talking about." I lean back against the counter top.
He steps forward until he's right in front of me. "I could never sleep in your bed without wanting you, without touching you or kissing you." He explains.
"I-I still don't..."
He cuts me off, "Bella, I know that he's been sleeping in your bed with you. Alice, she thinks it's great and talks non-stop about it." He brushes my hair back behind my ear. "I just don't get how he can be so close without making a move."
"Maybe he's not as forward as you? Maybe he doesn't see me as you think he should, and he's just being kind."
"Or maybe you're both blind?"
"Maybe."
"Tell me no, Bella, and I'll stop." He's leaning towards me, and I can feel every inch of him against me. When did that happen?
"I don't know?" I admit. He's confusing me. I like Jake, I really do. He's hot, funny and very much into me and I know this because he's very open about it. But my earlier questions pop into my head; would he have given me the time of day if the situation was different?
"That's not a no." He says before brushing his lips against mine. He does this a few times, back and forth as if testing the waters.
"It's not a yes either, Jake," I say against his lips.
He pauses, and I feel his lips press against mine just a tad more before he pulls back. "I'm a patient man; I can wait for your answer if you need time, Bella."
"I still don't know what to say."
"Then I'll wait till you do. I will wait as long as you need me too." He says, leaning back against the other counter across from me.
...
I toss and turn, I kick the blankets off, and I pull them back on only to repeat it over again. I cannot believe this, it's not like hehas been sleeping in my bed that long. Two weeks, it isn't that long, right?
Then there's what Jake said, playing over and over in my mind, feeling his lips against mine even if he didn't actually kiss me. Should I have let him? I don't know, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't curious what it would feel like to kiss him. What would it be like to maybe even date him?
Ugh, really, what is wrong with me? I'm here to help solve a murder, to help get revenge. Would it have been better just going to the police? I'd rather be a prisoner here, comfortably making friends. Emmett, Jasper, Alice, Jake and even Edward, they're all my friends now. Would I keep in contact when I go home after all this, I hope so.
Then I remember Alice saying, "Good, you're keeping them, even after you leave here...If you want to after this."
Maybe Alice already knew I'd get along with everyone so well I couldn't stay away? I've been lucky to have avoided her for so long. I know she'll want to talk about Edward and maybe I'll even bring up the whole Jake thing, get some insight on that.
What time is it? I lean over to look at the clock, 2:01 a.m. Ugh, seriously? Why can't I just go to sleep already! I sit up and straighten out my shirt that has wrapped around me and is showing off half my stomach and then stand. I don't think my brain fully knew what I was doing, but my legs sure did.
I leave my room and go down the hall, down another and straight into Edward's room. I've never slept in or even touched Edward's bed before, sure, I've been in here, but that's it. Hesitantly, I crawl into his bed; how is it that this one is even more comfortable than mine?
Snuggling down I'm enveloped in Edward's scent, and instantly I relax. Soon I find myself drifting off to sleep.
...
It feels like no time has passed when I feel the bed dip down beside me. I gasp, "Edward?"
"Shh, yeah, it's me." He says, lying next to me. I can see he's already in his pajama pants and he looks exhausted.
"What time is it?"
"Just after four in the morning." He sounds almost annoyed.
"I'm sorry; I can go back to my own bed."
"If you want, okay, we can go." He says, surprising me.
"I...I meant if you don't want me here. I thought maybe you were annoyed with me being in your bed?" I explain myself.
I feel Edward's laughter though the rumble in his chest as he scoots closer to me. "I'm not annoyed with you, Bella. I'm annoyed that it took so long for me to come back."
"Oh." Surprised again.
"I talked to Emmett. He said Alice didn't show up, probably thanks to Jasper and that you guys hung out till about 1:30. Something also about going to race wars with you?"
I laugh, "Yeah, I made the mistake of putting on the Fast and the Furious movies. Jake told me what was up, though, we don't have to go."
Edward tenses a bit but relaxes. "Emmett has his shit together now; if you want to go I'm fine with that."
"Oh, okay, I just don't want to make things harder for anyone."
He laughs again, "Sure. Are you ready to go back to sleep or are you awake now?"
I smile, "It might take me a few to get back to sleep."
"Okay, do you want to talk about anything?" He asks.
"Like what?"
"Emmett says...He said he thought he saw you and Jake, um, kissing?"
I hate Emmett.
"If you're into him now..."
"I'm not, or well, I'm not sure. We didn't kiss, but he wanted to. I'm not sure what I want, to be honest." I tell him truthfully.
"Well, when you figure it all out, let me know. I'll start sleeping on the couch again or Jake could..."
I nod, "Okay, but I don't think I could sleep without you."
He gives me a crooked grin, "I think Jake wouldn't like me sleeping with his girl. I know I wouldn't like it."
"I know, but he might have to deal with it for a while, I can't sleep when you're not home, that's why I'm in here," I tell him, letting him take my hand and play with my fingers.
"I figured. I was scared when I opened your door you weren't there. I told Emmett, and he woke Jake. They looked around while I sort of freaked, and then it hit me, I rushed to my room hoping to find you, and there you were, snuggled with the pillow that I sleep on. Jake wasn't happy, Emmett explained why he stormed off. I shrugged, told Em goodnight and locked the door."
"Ops, I guess I should have left you a note or something. Sorry." I tell him.
He gives me a tired crooked grin, "I'm glad you're still here and in my bed."
"Yeah?" I ask, twisting my fingers with his.
"Yeah," he says, I yawn. "Good night, Bella."
"Good night, Edward," I tell him before my eyes slip shut.
~oOo~
"No, go away!" I pull the blankets up over me.
"Not a chance," Alice says, plopping down next to me. "We have some catching up to do."
"Where's Edward?"
"He has an early meeting with my dad; he'll be back in a few hours. So, speaking of, what is going on with you and my cousin?"
"Nothing, why?" Like I don't know.
"Seriously, don't play dumb, you're in his bed aren't you?"
"Yeah, and?"
"Bella, really, what's going on?" She asks, getting annoyed.
I laugh at her. "Nothing's going on, I get nightmares about everything, he's there to make them stop."
"So, you're not together?" I swear she nearly pouts.
I shake my head, "Nope, he's just here to do a job and protect me. There's nothing more. Honestly, I'm surprised I'm still here. It's been five weeks and I'm not any closer to remembering anything."
Alice glares at me. "Why is it a surprise? Even if you never remember what happened, Bella, someone will be there making sure you're safe. You're my friend; you're practically part of the family."
"Thanks." I smile at her.
"What I don't get is why Edward hasn't taken you out yet."
"What's not to get, he wants to make sure it's safe before I leave the house."
"Then he could at least cook for you!"
"What?" Now I'm really confused.
Alice giggles, "You know, a date?"
"Alice!" I smack her arm. "Edward doesn't feel that way."
"You say that, but only because you've known him for a month. I've known him my whole life, and we're very close. Edward and Emmett are practically my brothers, so I know when they're really into a girl or just trying to get in their pants. He feels something for you, Isabella Swan. He may not even know it yet, but I've never seen him so protective over someone. One day, you'll both realize you're into each other, and then we'll be family."
"Whoa, Alice, jumping a bit far ahead, aren't we?" I laugh at her. "Um, so I don't know about this whole Edward thing but Jake, he almost kissed me last night."
"No freaking way! Get with my cousin, stay away from the douche. I ship Edward and Bella, not Jake and Bella. Jacob is a nice guy, he's chill and what not, but I just feel it, you belong with Edward." She sighs. "Yeah."
"You're nuts, Alice."
"That's beside the point. I'm going to tell Jake to fuck off, claim you for Edward even if he doesn't know he wants you yet."
"Don't you dare, I don't know what I want," I tell her.
"You want my cousin, just admit it."
"Whatever, I'm going to shower now, go make me breakfast, I'm hungry."
"Chocolate chip pancakes?" She asks, surprising me.
"Really?" I pause.
She smiles, "Yeah."
"Okay."
"Okay, hurry up before Emmett comes home and eats them all. They're his favorite." She says pushing me out of Edward's room.
Excellent, chocolate chip pancakes!
With a smile, I head over to my room to take a quick shower.
Emmett had better not touch my food!
AN: So this chapter is a bit slower when it comes to the crime stuff but I'd still love to hear what you thought. Already working on the next chapter!