you know, i asked on twitter if it was time for another chapter, and one person responded. so the rest of you aren't allowed to read this.
The big guy – Jake, I guess – spins his whole body around, blocking my view of Bella. His glare is murderous, and I know I deserve it.
"Bella?" I ask nervously. Will she have anything to say? Will she listen? Will she tell him to let me live?
He takes a step forward, fists clenched, and I hold my breath. This isn't looking good for me. Decision apparently made, he stalks over to me, moving so quickly I'm afraid he'll mow me over, and suddenly he's towering over me, the rage coming off in waves as I close my eyes and wait for impact. But there's only the sound of his breathing.
I cautiously open my eyes and see nothing but his chest. I have to take a step back just to look him in the eye.
"Fix this," he seethes. "And if you hurt her, I'll fucking kill you."
I know. If there's anything I'm sure of, it's that he'll make good on his word.
He steps around me, slamming into my shoulder in the process, and I stumble backward, shuffling awkwardly as I try to regain my footing. Bella's watching me, her face void of expression - not even curiosity - and I have no idea where to start.
"It's not true," I say, stepping toward her.
She looks right past me, and I glance over my shoulder to find that Jake hasn't left. He's just standing back in the shadows and watching.
"It's not," I repeat, my voice more sure this time.
She just looks down at the ground and shrugs.
The silence that follows hurts. I can hear bugs playing suicide games around the street lamps, cars ambling down the highway, and possibly Jake's breathing. I really just want to hear her.
"You cheated on me," she says softly.
But I didn't want to hear that. I take a few more steps forward, looking back to make sure her bodyguard isn't advancing on me. He's definitely watching, probably listening, but he's still as a stone.
"You left me for someone else," she says, finally looking up, looking me in the eye.
"Can we maybe go somewhere and talk?" I ask, uncomfortable airing it all in front of the shadow lurker.
"We are somewhere," she says, her chin jutting out defiantly.
Fuck. This isn't how this is supposed to happen. We're supposed to be somewhere alone, somewhere without mosquitos and strange men waiting for me to say the wrong thing. I sigh and run my hand through my hair. What the hell. It's about time I told the truth.