Jacob sat up with his legs crossed in front of him. Edward emulated, Jacob's thoughts already organized in his head. Jacob had just opened his mouth to speak when Edward ejaculated "I'm breaking up with Bella.". Jacob's jaw dropped like lead."Really?" confusion and hope misted over his eyes. Edward reached for Jacob's hand and looked him straight in his eyes. A coy smile played on his lips, "I was thinking I'd do it after her birthday, which is in 5 days. Do you think we could hold on for a week?" Jacob just won the world. He was squeezing Edward's hand with all of his being. He tackled him into a passionate embrace. "I-I love you." He whispered, almost inaudibly. Edward smiled, tucking his chin in the nook between Jacob's neck and shoulder, inhaling his heady scent. Jacob's euphoria was disrupted when he remembered Bella. She was still his friend, right? She couldn't be, though, not if he was with Edward. How would she feel when Edward leaves her? What if she came to him? Edward heard these thoughts and soothed his mind. "Don't worry about her, "he murmured, "she'll be fine." The words hung in the air while Edward ravaged Jacob's body with his mouth.
Jacob spent the next few days in an impatient glee. He worked on his car, he helped around the house, but Edward was on his every thought. They met every night, somewhere in the woods. They sent each other small messages during the day. Tomorrow was Bella's birthday and after that he could finally have Edward to himself. He recalled the conversation he had with Sam when he came back home after that magnificent night when Edward had found him. Sam had approached him coolly, collected. Jacob drew in a deep breath. "I'm not coming back." He spoke with his pride preserved. Sam just nodded and turned to leave. "Wait!" Jacob had to say something, "It's not you, or the pack or anything, I just…" He hung his head, trying to summon the right words. Sam looked at him with understanding."Jake, it's okay. I understand and I'll try to find a way to make the guys understand too." Jacob was grateful, Sam was a good leader, diplomatic and fair. Jacob had always admired him. Sam turned to leave "If you ever want to come back, you can. You'll just have to leave Dracula. It's us or him; but if you come back once, you're in forever. You can't be wishy-washy with your pack, Jacob." Jacob nodded and Sam left. When Jaocb had told Edward what had happened, Edward just kissed his forehead and smiled. There was nothing to fear between the two of them.
Edward waited patiently through Bella's birthday, every moment playing the Good Boyfriend. He wasn't heartless, he wanted her to have a good birthday, he posed for her pictures, watched the movie. He felt wrong as he played with her hair or sat near her on the couch. He recited the lines on the play to himself to distract his mind from the burning guilt he felt. He let a few remarks about suicide slide out while Bella was still thinking they were talking about the movie. Every time Bella leaned in to kiss him, his eyes were open, waiting for her to let go. He let her drive her creaky, environmentally unsound vehicle to his house, his impatience to separate from her growing with each, globally warming mile. When they reached their destination, he lead her in the house, her complaining the whole way. We threw her a freaking party, Edward thought, she could at least show a little appreciation. When the tedious night was winding down, a most unexpected accident occurred. Bella cut her finger on the paper. Jasper launched himself at Bella at the scent of her blood. Edward knew Jasper had more self-control than to let instinct control him. He listened for his mind and sure enough, Jasper had really just wanted to kill Bella. Still, Edward couldn't let her die like that, so he fended him off. His family had restrained him while Bella was rolling around on the broken glass. Edward picked her up and carried her off to the kitchen. Carlisle came in shortly and patched her up. Edward was on edge, annoyed by Bella's general behavior on the matter as well as his family's actions. Esme, like a woman out of "Good Housekeeping" had already cleaned up the mess. Edward escorted Bella back out to her car. When they were in, she started talking. Edward gave well placed agreements and nods something she said caught his attention. "Tell me you forgive me" Edward was taken aback. "Forgive you for what?"
She explained that if she had had been more careful, none of this would have happened.
This girl is ridiculous, Edward thought She is needy, she's weak. Edward felt a surge of disgust with her. She had no pride, no common sense. When he looked deeper into Jasper's mind, he knew that Jasper had been planning to kill her all along. He phased in and out of conversation until the reached her house and he concluded to the best of his ability.