Chapter Twenty Five

Bella

Lisa and I headed back to San Antonio mid morning although driving away from her parents and seeing Jasper fade in the distance made me feel really uneasy. He had promised to let me know when he had somewhere to stay but I couldn't help thinking that I might not ever see him again, that he would fade back into just a memory. Lisa distracted me when she asked what was going on between Cade and Andy, they had words after breakfast when Crystal made a rather bitchy comment about our little group. I explained what I'd heard which had her gasping unbelievably.

"She thought you, Cade, and Jasper were a threesome?"

"Yes, and once I told the guys about it they decided to play her along. When Cade heard Crystals' comment to me he told her straight and Andy wasn't happy about that. I hope I haven't upset things in the family."

"Marie, Crystal is an idiot and if Andy is stupid enough to go along with her he deserves all he gets. He should know better anyway the fool! So to change the subject altogether, when are you meeting up with Jasper?"

I looked at her with an innocent expression or at least tried,

"I have no idea what you are talking about Lisa."

"Don't try that with me Marie Swan, I saw the way you two looked at each other, it was almost smouldering. So?"

"I don't know Lisa. He's getting a place in town or at least that's the plan. Once he has somewhere he'll contact me. Who knows, maybe he'll think better of it and leave."

"No way Marie. You'll be seeing him pretty soon, I'd lay money on it."

I hoped she was right but I'd had my share of disappointments and I wasn't going to get my hopes up too high although I had to admit it would be painful if he didn't contact me. I gave him a week, if I hadn't heard anything by then I would stop hoping and just get on with things.

I tried really hard not to think about Jasper that night as I lay awake in bed but it was a hopeless task and in the end I got up and made myself a mug of coffee knowing I wouldn't be sleeping that night and tried to read but my brain had other ideas so in the end I turned the TV on but that didn't help either, all I could do was close my eyes and see him as he walked over to me in the lounge, the way he looked at me in the pool, the feel of his arm around my shoulder at the breakfast table.

Great move Bella you've got yourself involved again. Yet another Cullen to break what's left of your heart. You just never learn do you? You stupid girl!

The tears started to fall and I knew Jasper wouldn't be turning up, I'd just made a fool of myself yet again. I curled up on the sofa and cried myself to sleep, cursing Alice Cullen for getting my hopes up and me for believing her, even against my better judgement.

Jasper

I watched Bella drive away with Cade's sister and knew she didn't believe that she would see me again, or was it that she didn't want to? I felt the pain in my chest and knew that I had to, I had no choice. Alice had been right on my part anyway, she had told me that Bella was my mate and I hadn't believed her, I had tried to outrun the pain, the dragging sensation that wanted to pull me back to the States, back to Bella, but I didn't have the strength to stay away. Even if Cade hadn't found me I would have turned up one day on her doorstep like a stray dog looking for scraps, but would she allow me in or would she slam the door on me? I had told her I would contact her as soon as I had somewhere to stay, well I had somewhere to stay, Cade had given me the keys to his loft that morning after breakfast so why hadn't I told Bella before she left? Why was I still torturing myself by trying to stay away from her? A few hours after she left I said my thanks and goodbyes and Cade drove me into the city.

"There's a small compact in the loft parking space. The keys are in the kitchen drawer, feel free to use it and Jasper, don't make Bella wait too long, you know she's the one and you know she recognises something in you. The longer you make her wait the more painful it will be for both of you and while I don't care about your pain I do care about hers."

I nodded,

"I won't, I just need to get my head round it first."

"Bull shit! You're just scared she'll tell you to go to hell when she finds out you're in love with her."

He was right but I wasn't going to admit that.

I waited until I knew she had gone to work before checking out her apartment, I wasn't keen on the area of town it was in but the building itself was clean and tidy and the security seemed reasonable. Feeling guilty I broke in through the small bathroom window and was immediately surrounded by her scent making my head spin and my chest go tight. The bed didn't look as if it had been slept in but there was a pillow and blanket on the sofa, so she hadn't slept well, was that down to me? Had she spent the night thinking about me as I had spent mine thinking of her? I looked round the living area, she had books but no CDs. I remembered her liking music so why didn't she have any in her apartment? The place was tidy and clean and the kitchen was stocked with various jars of coffee, bread and cereal but not much else, did she eat out? I doubted it, I didn't see her as the kind who would eat alone in a restaurant so did she get take outs? I checked the bin but it was empty so no clue there and I suddenly felt guilty at snooping. I just wanted to know if my presence had made any difference to her before meeting up again but that wasn't a good enough excuse and I left, still unsure how to go about starting a relationship. I spent the day checking out the city. Although I knew Texas, it was my birthplace, I wasn't familiar with San Antonio coming from Houston myself. I marked a few places as interesting, possible outings for Bella and myself, I didn't feel comfortable calling them dates yet, it seemed a little presumptuous. I wondered if she would sense someone had been in her apartment and hoped not, I didn't want her thinking I was stalking her, even if I was in a way. I no longer trusted my own emotions let alone anyone else's!

Bella

When I got home I checked my messages but there was nothing from Jasper just a message from Charlie inviting me home for Christmas as if that was going to happen! There was no way I was going back to Forks especially with Sue there, I was sure she would have invited Jake, Sam, and the rest of the wolves for the festive season and Leah would be in her element if she thought I would be there, an easy target for more spiteful little digs. Sighing I returned my dads call and I was grateful that it was him who answered.

"Bella glad you rang back, I take it you got my message. I'm really sorry honey, I should have checked with Sue first. I just found out we've been invited to the Res for Christmas. I guess you wont come home for that?"

"No dad. Anyway I have plans of my own."

"Oh right, with Lisa?"

"Yeah."

"Did you have a good Thanksgiving?"

"Yeah it was fun. How about you?"

"Jake and the guys came over and we watched some basketball, had a few beers...you know."

"Yeah I know. Look dad I have to go now. I'm just about to get myself some dinner."

"OK take care kiddo, love you."

"Love you to dad. Bye."