Chapter 11: Parting

Disclaimer: S. Meyer owns Twilight.

"I can't give you my keys."

"Afraid I'll wreck your precious Rabbit?" She stretched out her hand again. "Now give me those keys."

"I rode my bike over here. Didn't you hear me thundering up the driveway?"

A loud sigh escaped her lips. "Oh crap, I guess I better put that bike in the back then. That's all I need is for someone to steal it. Can you get my truck keys while I do that?"

"Jeez, Bells, I'm not totally helpless. My other hand works just fine."

I stood in the doorway with her keys in my hand waiting for her to return from the back yard. When she sidled up to me, she had that reeking shirt draped over her arm. She helped me step up into the cab and tossed the shirt onto the seat. I reached over, grabbed the stinkin' thing and hurled it into the bed of the truck—thunk, two points. I figured the fresh air would do it some good—a lot of good, actually. Then, satisfied that the puke inducing stench wouldn't assault my nostrils, I smiled and climbed in the rest of the way.

It seemed weird having Bella drive me home, but even I had to admit there was no way I could've controlled that bike one-handed. I agreed with Bella too, about hoping no one would steal it. Being at the police chief's home, it should've been safe, but you never know.

Bella was awfully quiet, so I had to break the ice. "So, Bells, ya gonna tuck me in bed, when we get to the house? It's kinda hard to pull up the covers when only one arm is working."

She snaked her head sideways, still keeping one eye on the road. "Do you ever stop?"

"Only for red lights," I snickered. Hey, she walked right into that one.

Her hands tightened on the steering wheel, turning her knuckles white "Ugh! Remind me again, why you're my best friend."

"You know you love it," I teased. "Who else could keep you in stitches, the way I do?"

She lowered her voice, so that it sounded pretty grim. "This coming from the boy who nearly needed stitches, this afternoon."

"Hey, almost and nearly don't count. I'll be fine by morning." I raised two fingers in front of my face. "Scout's honor."

Bella parked the truck in my driveway, and turned to me. The sun had sunk below the horizon; an inky blanket was starting to overtake the sky. The glow from the street light glinted off her dark eyes, making them shine like gemstones. She took my left hand in hers, and stroking it softly, murmured, "Please, Jake . . . make me a promise that you won't nearly need stitches in the coming weeks. I can't take it. I was so scared this afternoon, not for myself—but for you. You can't go antagonizing Edward like that. You were lucky that something more serious hadn't happened."

If she only realized . . . this afternoon's fight was just an exhibition match. Anyway, I had him; he was mine. If Bella hadn't been around, and that leech wasn't her ex-leech, I could've easily yanked his bronze head off like a cork from a bottle.

I casually stated, "Phht! I can handle one measly bloodsucker. You don't need to worry about me, honey."

"But I do worry. Don't you understand that? Just promise me, Jake . . . please."

I could sense how freaked out she was over this, so I finally caved. "Okay, I promise. But I'm gonna defend myself if that freakin' bloodsucking tick comes at me unprovoked. He's not about to suck the life outta dis wolf!" And dat's da name of dat tune.

Satisfied that she made her point, Bella released my hand and opened the cab door. She walked around to the other side and helped me down.

It was amazing how unbalanced a person became, when one arm's partner was being held captive by a police chief's belt. It was a good thing that Bella had her feet firmly planted or we would both be lying on the ground with her underneath me. Come to think of it, that wasn't such a bad idea. Too late—my window of opportunity was already shut tight, crap!

We walked into the house, and Billy gave me the once over. He greeted us with, "Get into another fight with Bella, there, Son?" His eyes crinkled with laughter, as he teased us.

I answered, joking, "Actually, I was so irresistible that she couldn't keep her hands off me. I was ruthlessly attacked. It was all I could do to defend myself. The girls got serious moves. She's deadly."

Bella rolled her eyes. "Oh, ha, ha! The truth is, he and Edward had a little run in."

"Don't tell him that. I wanted him to feel sorry for me." I pushed out my bottom lip in a pout.

Billy looked up at us from his chair. He fisted his hands and circled them in the air like a boxer. "Well, I hope you got in a couple of good licks." One of his fists shot out in a mock punch, as he grimaced in fighter fashion.

"I don't know about licks, but I bit a couple of chumks off of him. Didn't swallow though—so gross! Tough, too. Maybe if I had me some meat tenderizer or barbeque sauce . . ."

Looking a shade of green, Bella grumbled, "Can we please change the subject? I still have to go home and finish making Charlie's dinner."

Was she gonna run off already? Damn, I hardly got to be with her today. I think my pout got a whole lot poutier—was that even a word? "Jeez, Bells can't you stay a few minutes? Charlie will understand."

I grabbed her hand and towed her over to the couch. Billy backed out of our way, and started into the kitchen. He looked back over his shoulder. "Behave yourself, Jacob. Don't do anything I wouldn't do."

"That doesn't leave much, Dad."

"Kid's got me pegged," he snickered, as he rolled away.

I turned my attention to the brown eyed angel sitting beside me. "It's not gonna kill you to stay with me a while, is it?"

"No, but . . ."

"No buts about it. I'm mortally wounded here. I could use a little TLC." I tried to sound as pitiful as possible. Anything to get her to stay.

"Oh, yeah? What about 'I'll be fine by morning?"

I swallowed, then said, "I lied. I didn't want to scare you."

It was just a white lie. I was probably healed already, but did she really need to know that? Absolutely, anh, anh . . .

"Oh, Jake," she moaned. "You really are hurt that badly?"

I inched my face nearer to her, my eyes trained on those chocolate stars peering up at me. "I'm feeling a little better. So, do you think you could kinda snuggle up a little closer, and put your arms around me? I need to feel your touch, honey. I'm all in pieces. Make me whole again"

"Jake," she cooed. Then her voice raised a couple of decibels, and those chocolate stars became black holes. "You are sooo full of it. And to think—I almost fell for your little act. You know, I saw that movie the other night too, only the lines were delivered so much more convincingly."

She was onto my game, damn! Okay, change tactics. "Ya got me Bells. Yeah, I'll be fine by morning. But tell me something . . . when did you lose your sense of humor?"

Her face went pale. She was dead serious." The moment you were writhing on the ground, howling in pain, with a bone sticking out of your chest."

That stopped the wagging of my tongue. I couldn't argue with that logic. I kept my big mouth shut for a few minutes.

Bella squirmed next to me. "I'm sorry, Jake. I really do have to go."

"Wait . . . you forgive me for my bad acting though, right? I just wanted you to stay a little longer, that's all. We didn't get to spend too much time together today. Jeez, something inside of me dies every time you leave me. And that's the truth—I didn't borrow that line from any movie either."

I still held her gaze as she lamented, "I know, but I promise I'll come see you tomorrow, okay? Now do you want a goodnight kiss?"

Was she serious? What kind of a stupid question was that? I was crazy in love with her and she knew it! I didn't answer, I just leaned into her, and stroking the side of her face waited for the touch of her lips to sweep over mine. We deepened the kiss, and when it finished, I cupped the back of her head with my good hand. She attempted to draw herself away, but I held on, determined to get one last taste of her before she left.

That night was the pits—and not because of my injuries either. The pain was gone; I felt fit as a fiddle. It was my brain. All these nagging thoughts kept swirling around, taunting me. I tossed and I turned. Then for a change, I turned and I tossed. Neither of which was easy considering my postage-stamp-size of a bed.

Stupid questions kept entering my mind. "Would Bella stick it out with me? Would she continue to love me? What if Edward convinced her that he was sorry for being such a jerk? Would she forgive him, and leave me? Brokenhearted wouldn't even describe the way I would feel. I would lose a part of myself, maybe not all, but only the part that matters the most. I'd be worse than dead; alive, but not really living.

I gave up trying to sleep. What was the use? I ripped the belt off my arm, and went through my dresser. I tied a pair of shorts to my ankle, and gripping the belt in my mouth, sailed out the window. I phased as I hit the ground, and ran toward Forks, and the girl that held my heart in her hands.