21
Sleep has danced just out of reach all night, yet now the sun is up it drapes itself around me, trying to drag me under.
My brain is functioning through a fug of exhaustion, but still there's no question in my mind that Edward and I crossed a line yesterday. A solid, without-question line, that I sort of hate myself for disregarding.
I pick the mug of coffee up from the counter and shuffle through to the living room to curl up on the couch. I avoid the bright dart of early morning sunshine that cuts through the room and lights up the swirling dust motes I disturbed as I walked by.
I know the coffee will scald my mouth, but I take a sip anyway, flinching at the pain.
Setting the mug down I reach for my laptop and check Facebook. There's nothing from Edward; he's been silent all night, but the news ticker on the right hand side of the screen announces that Bree Tanner and Charlotte Mellor are now friends.
I narrow my eyes and click on Charlotte's name.
The impact lands heavily in my stomach as I look at the profile pic of her and Em smiling sickeningly at the camera, their arms around one another. And her and Bree are now friends?
"Ugh. Good luck, bitches," I mutter as I click back to my newsfeed. I can't handle going down that road today.
The doorbell rings and I heave myself off the couch.
"Hi, Bella."
Jasper smiles at me as I let him pass. Judging by his cheery demeanour, he had a full night's refreshing sleep.
I hate him.
"Where's Edward?" I ask, realizing he's alone.
"Uh, some issue with Bree." He pulls the face I want to make and I decide to forgive him for the sleep thing. "He said he'll try and make it over a little later."
I do my best to adopt my couldn't give a shit expression.
"Okay. You want a coffee before you start?"
"Sure."
He follows me through to the kitchen and leans back against the counter as I fill a mug with coffee for him.
"What do you think of Bree?" he asks as I hand it to him, catching me completely off guard.
I shake my head and smile a little.
"You really don't want to know," I say. One side of Jasper's mouth pulls up in a smile.
"I guess that answers my question," he says with a gentle laugh.
"I feel for Edward," I find myself admitting to his friend. "She's really got him by the balls as far as Lucy goes."
"Yeah."
We sit peacefully for a minute or so, before he speaks again.
"He's not happy with her, you know. I mean, if someone else came along..." He looks right at me and I wonder if he knows anything. In my sleep-deprived state, the discussion flusters me.
"I'm not sure we should be... I mean, it's not really our place..."
I stand, flinching as the chair scrapes across the floor, and turn my face away from him hastily, before he can see the heat that tints my face. Turning the faucet on, I begin to drop the few pots that sit on the counter, into the sink.
"I'm gonna go and get started upstairs," Jasper says softly, placing his hand on my waist as he reaches around me to place his mug in the water.
"Okay."
He's leaving the room when I shut off the water and call after him. He turns.
"I'm sorry," I say. "Things are... complicated right now. I'm not sure what..." I fail to finish my sentence again.
"I know," he says with a nod and a small smile, then he turns and goes.
~RH~
"Sorry."
"It's fine."
Edward brushes past me, nudging the door behind him.
"Is Jas here?" He looks toward the stairs.
"Yeah, he's been here since nine."
He shakes his head, frustration rolling off him.
"Shit."
"Look, you're doing me a favor, it really doesn't matter."
He looks down and I realize I've grabbed his hand.
"Sorry." It's my turn to apologize as I begin to slide my fingers away. His close around them before I can fully let go.
His perfect face stuns me, as I look up into it. My eyes lock with his, and I briefly wonder if it would be rude to ask Jasper to leave. This thought makes me smile and breaks the spell.
"What?" he asks, his own mouth curling up to mirror mine.
I look down, trying to compose myself.
"Nothing."
I glance back at him and he raises his eyebrows. "I can't tell you," I whisper.
He lets go of my hand and steps closer, leaning down to whisper in my ear.
"Can't or won't?" he asks, the touch of his breath making my skin tingle as he runs his hands up my arms.
"Bella?"
We both jump and look up to find Alice watching us curiously. "I'm sorry, the front door was open a little way."
Edward takes a step back, hanging his head and cursing under his breath.
"I'd better go and see Jasper." He turns and disappears upstairs, while I take a deep breath and prepare to face twenty questions from my friend.
Alice hooks her arm through mine and leads me through to the living room.
"Really, Bella? Are you collecting Cullens now?" she asks as she closes the door behind us.
~RH~