Three weeks later…
"Great game guys!" I shout over the noise at the team, but I zone in on Jake and he picks me up and twirls me around before putting me down.
"Awesome is what it was!" Tyler shouts from behind as he grabs me from Jake and picks me up in a rib clenching hug.
I stand around chatting to the group for a few more minutes before I try to slink away unnoticed.
"Bella, I thought we'd discussed this," Jake says from behind.
Busted.
"I know, Jake," I whine as I turn to him. "I just don't feel like going out without Edward."
He frowns. "Really? Or is it him not wanting you to go?"
I laugh at his unnecessary concern. "Of course not you big oaf," I say as I walk closer to him. "He keeps telling me to go and enjoy myself."
"Then what's the problem? This was the last game before we head out for the holidays…last campus party. Come one, are you really telling me you don't want to go? You know it's going to be awesome."
I consider his words. He's right. I'm being silly. I've worked really hard this year and I've been through a lot. And Edward trusts me completely, he keeps telling me to go with Jake.
"Okay," I sigh dramatically and he laughs. "But I have to go home to change."
"Me too," he says smiling that big white smile I love, the excitement of the game still evident on his face. "Let me just say goodbye, I'll meet you at the car."
0o0
I'm pulling my shoes on when my phone rings and my insides warm up when I see its Edward.
"I'm in the middle of getting dressed," I answer, sounding playfully annoyed.
"You've decided to go?"
"Yes, Jake got me to sway," I laugh. "Unless…you don't want me to."
I'm met with a snort and a chuckle.
"Of course I want you to go, Bella. This was the final game before the holidays. I remember what it was like. Just…promise me you'll be careful."
"I promise," I say as I hear the concern in his voice. "Besides, you know Jake won't let me out of his sight."
"I know. I guess it's just…I remember going to those campus parties myself and let's just say I witnessed enough crazy shit to know how quick it can get out of hand."
"Okay, I'll stick to Jake. On another note…I can't wait to see you tomorrow. I love being here, but I hate being away from you."
"I know. It's hard for me too. Just knowing I get you for almost two months with your break, that's all I can concentrate on right now."
I hear a muffled voice in the background and frown when I realize it sounds like a woman.
"Where are you?"
"At home. Why?"
"Who's with you?"
"No one."
"Okay…thought I heard someone talking," I answer frowning. I could have sworn…
"Anyway, gotta go. I'm trying to get the Jenkins plan done; he's on my case all the time. Asshole doesn't realize that he's the one holding everything up with all the changes he keeps making."
"Yeah, I heard the shower stop a while ago so Jake will probably be ready to go any minute. He's totally stoked about this win. They played a really good game."
"I'll send him a message to congratulate him. Let me know when you're home safely?"
"Will do. Love you."
"Love you too."
I'm still frowning when I put the phone down. I know Edward would never cheat on me but then why lie about a voice I am certain I heard?
Jake opens my bedroom door and I push it to the back of my mind as he walks in looking hotter than hot in faded blue jeans that look like a second skin on those gorgeous legs of his. His white t-shirt clings to his russet skin in a way that should be illegal.
"Fuck, Jake," I say laughing. "I'm gonna have to fend off girls the whole night with you looking like that."
He gives me that megawatt Jake smile. "Good. That way I know you're sticking close. Bella, what the hell you wearing?"
I look down at my jeans, faded Metallica t-shirt and chucks. "What?" I ask defensively.
"We're going to the last party of the year. You couldn't make any effort?" he asks as he walks to my closet and starts scratching around.
"Why should I? We're all just going to get wasted, what does it matter what I wear? Besides, the chances of someone messing their drink on me or getting caught in vomit splat is almost a given."
He ignores me and keeps rummaging through my closet until he finds something he likes. If I had to tell people that big jock Jake dresses me better than I can dress myself, they'll never believe me.
"Here," he says as he turns and hands me my black Billabong tee dress and Hazil Dr Martens boots. "At least you'll look like a girl instead of a tomboy," he smirks.
"Fuck off," I joke as he leaves the room and I sigh as I change. Maybe he's right. It is the last party after all. I quickly put on some make up and perfume before meeting Jake in the kitchen.
"Seeing as though you have me in this dress and I really don't feel like lugging a bag with me, put this in your pocket," I smile at him as I hand over my lip gloss and a tampon. I'm nowhere near that time of the month but this is payback for making me change and the look of horror on his face is almost too good.
"You're joking," he says as he stares at my hand and then back up to me. "There's no way I'm keeping that."
"Why? It's not like anyone is going to see it? It's either that, or I'm changing again."
He stares at it for another few seconds before grumbling under his breath and grabbing the items and sticking them in his pocket.
"The things I do for you," he mutters as we head out.
"Because you love me."
"Maybe not so much after this."
I laugh as I grab onto his hand, swinging our arms between us. "Liar."
"Yeah, whatever," he says but I see the smile tugging at his lips and I know I'm forgiven.
0o0
The frat house is pumping when we get there, the party already in full swing. Cars are parked down the street and all over the lawn. Jake pulls into the lane next to it and we make our way in.
There are people all over, in the lounge, in the kitchen and out back. We greet familiar faces as we go and Jake grabs us vodka punch before taking my hand and leading me out the back where the team are still hyped up and bragging about the game.
A few hours later I'm glad I decided to come. I've forgotten how awesome these parties were and I'm quite drunk as I dance on the wooden deck out back with Jake standing to the side with Tyler, his eyes flickering over to me now and again to make sure I'm okay.
I'm about to go over to him to take a sip of my drink when hands find purchase on my hips from behind and I turn around only to come face to face with Alistair, one of Jake's team mates that I've successfully steered clear of the entire year, regardless of his advances.
I shove his hands away but stumble slightly because of my inebriated state. "Alistair, give it a rest, will you?" I say irately and turn to leave again but he grabs my arm and spins me around and against him, his arm winding around my waist.
"Come on Bella," he whispers at my ear. "You've been teasing me the whole year. Let's just get to it."
"Alistair, what the hell do you think you're doing?" I hear Jake behind me and I smirk at Alistair's nervousness as he lets me go and takes a step back.
"You okay?" Jake asks as he pulls me closer to him, positioning me between him and Tyler, who also looks pissed as hell.
"Yeah, I'm fine. Just Alistair being his usual dick self," I say as I roll my eyes.
Jake shakes his head as he rubs the back of his neck before glaring over at Alistair again. "I've told you repeatedly to leave her the fuck alone. She's not interested. Go find someone else to irritate," he says dismissively as he starts turning us around to leave.
"Fucking keep her then," Alistair sneers from behind. "Don't want your fucking sloppy seconds anyway."
My blood runs cold at his words. How stupid can you fucking be? I try to grab onto Jake's arm as he turns back but he shrugs me off easily and Tyler grabs me from behind as Jake lays a blow to Alistair's cheek. I flinch at the impact and struggle against Tyler to stop Jake, but he holds me back.
"Jake! Stop it!" I shout and as I look around I'm aware that the crowd is gathering around us to see what happens next.
I'm so sure that Alistair will walk away but he doesn't. He goes for Jake and before I know it they're seriously going at one another. Drunken cheers ring out around us as everyone cheers them on. It doesn't last long though. Alistair gets one lucky shot to Jake's ribs before he's taken down easily. He's on the floor, the front of his shirt in Jake's fist as he looms over him, his white shirt covered in blood from Alistair's nose bleed.
"This has been a long time coming," Jake sneers at him. "The whole year I've been warning you to stay away from her but you don't listen. I've tried to ignore the sexual jokes you make about her in the showers because coach would kick my ass for hurting your pretty little face, but no more. I don't give a fuck if I'm thrown off the team next year. But I'm warning you now for the last time, don't even fucking look at her again. Because if you do, this little ass whipping you just got will seem like a walk in the fucking park."
Jake shoves him down on the ground before he lets go and steps back, the student crowd cheering like crazy at his victory and he has the cocky audacity to flash them his best smile before bowing low in thanks.
Tyler lets me go and I run over to him, my arms looping around his neck as he picks me up off the ground, laughing at my ear.
"Stupid, Jake," I mumble against his neck. "Really stupid. You could have gotten hurt."
He puts me down and looks hurt at my comment. "Him? Hurt me? Really, Bella. Thought you had more faith in me than that."
I laugh as I shove at him and he takes his drink from Tyler. The crowd starts moving around again and the party resumes as if nothing has happened. I've seen many fights here before, but this is the first time Jake was involved.
Tyler pulls me into the kitchen for tequila shots and even though Jake isn't having, he stays close by. Before I know it, I'm really really drunk and giggling my ass off at Tyler's antics as I sit on the kitchen counter.
Jake's phone rings and I see his face light up like a kid on Christmas morning before he signals to me he'll be right back.
"What's up with him?" I ask Tyler as he hands me another tequila.
"He's sober," he answers and we knock them back. "That's what's wrong with him," he sniggers and I join in.
"I have to use the bathroom," I say and hop off the counter, only to lose my tequila reduced balance and Tyler's arms shoot out to catch me before I fall down face first.
"Fuck, Bella," he laughs as he tries to straighten me up while I'm gripping onto his arms for dear life. "I do believe you've had enough to drink."
"I do believe I agree with you," I hear a velvet smooth voice behind me. I whip my head around, which earns me a head spin of note, only to find Edward standing next to Jake who has Leah wrapped up in his arms.
I big ass smile breaks out on my face. "You're here…"
But that's about as far as I get before my stomach revolts violently against the amount of tequila I've drunk…and about as far as I get before said stomach expels said tequila…all over Tyler's football jacket and pristine white shirt.
Well, shit. Hasn't this turned out to be a fun night?
LOL, Bella hangs loose a bit at the last campus party.
We're heading for the finish line…just some loose ends to wrap up.
As always, I'm dying to know your thoughts, so let me have them.
xo