A/N: You all took the break up so well! Proud of you!

Chapter Fourteen

I got Charlie to pick me up in the end. Alice left me alone on the steps after a while. I was happy. I wanted to be alone.

I sit at my desk flicking through emails. There's one from Mom asking about what's happening. I reply, telling here I'll be in Phoenix within the week. There's no point to staying in Forks.

I haven't heard from any of the Cullens in two days. I don't mind. I've done months without them.

Charlie keeps asking me what happened, but I won't tell him. I think he's getting angry at my secrecy.

There is a knock at the door. I flick off the computer screen and head downstairs. Charlie is at work, so I'm home alone.

"Jacob."

Relief washes over me as I open the door. I was scared it would be Alice or Esme. Or worse- Edward.

"Bella!" He pulls me against him. I shrug him off and walk off into the house. I hear the door shut behind me. I enter the kitchen and get two glasses from the cupboard.

"I'm noticing a lack of vampire stench," Jacob says behind me.

"Yup."

I fill both glasses with water. I turn to see Jacob sitting at the table.

"It's true then?"

I drop my shoulders and sigh.

"Charlie told you."

Jacob shrugs.

"Sorry, Bella. He's worried. Did Cullen hurt you?" he asks, getting angry.

"No." I put a glass of water in front of him and take a seat. "Of course he didn't."

"Then what happened?"

I take a deep breath and stare at my glass of water. I don't want to talk about it, especially not with Jacob.

"I broke up with him."

Jacob's mouth falls open with a small plop. There is a moment's stunned silence.

"Why?" he demands.

"Because I'm better off without him," I reply. "You always said as much."

"But he was your reason to stay!"

"You're getting angry at me because I dumped the guy you despise?"

"I thought you were in love with him."

I get up to lean against the counter.

"Yeah, people change."

Jacob leaves his seat and comes over to me. He runs both his hands along to tops of my arms and searches my eyes.

"You didn't change," he tells me.

"Edward did," I reply. He looks at me a moment longer. "I can't tell you before you ask. I owe the Cullens that much."

"I understand," he murmurs as he hugs me. He's warm, and soft, and safe just as he's always been. He hasn't changed, he isn't different, he's just Jacob. My Jacob.

A/N: Don't worry! This isn't about to become a Jacob love-fest. Before you all ask ;)