Chapter 8: Best of Me

I can't believe you got the best of me
I can't believe I trusted every word you said
Stretched myself out way too far
Now I can see you for who you are

I can't believe you got the best of me
I can't believe I trusted every word you said
It's all finally making sense
You took what's left of my innocence, oh no
I can't believe you got the best of me

"Jacob Black, you better have a good reason for just barging in and crashing our date night!" I sounded a lot angrier than I was. I didn't mind him coming over, ever. Just him interrupting at that moment.

"Calm it down, princess." He laughed, pushing his way between Noah and I. "I have something to show your pansy of a boyfriend here who was too scared to come with me and get one of his own."

"No way. It's finished already?!" You could hear the excitement in his voice and I was just left here clueless.

"What is it you finished that you had to show us right away?" I complained.

Jake stood up, removing his jacket and then his shirt. My mouth dropped when I realized his right arm was completely covered in a sleeve tattoo. When the hell did he start that?

"Told you it'd be sick!" Jake held out his arm, admiring the fresh ink that was on his arm. That definitely had to take days to finish. I couldn't make out all of the details at the risk of drooling, but it looked to mostly be dedicated to his heritage.

"I'd get one if my parents wouldn't disown me after. You know they don't think it'll be professional when I start working for my dad after college." Noah pouted. He couldn't hide the jealousy in his tone or his expression if he tried.

I walked into the kitchen while they talked to grab myself a stronger drink. I'm sure no one would notice if I stole some vodka from the freezer to make a screwdriver.

Bad decision making on my part, the drink was half vodka and I had practically chugged most of it so I wouldn't be in the kitchen for long.

When I sat back down on the couch, Jake still hadn't put his shirt back on and they were talking about how many kegs they'd need. Noah seemed to elbow Jake when he saw me return. WTF was I missing?

"You excited for the party Bells?" Jake asked as he turned to look at me.

Noah wasn't looking at me anymore, he had turned his face towards the TV as if he had been interested.

"Um.. what party are you talking about?" I asked.

"Your boyfriends going away party! It's next Friday before he leaves."

I had never had such a strong urge to punch somebody before. It was written all over my face and I could feel myself clench my fists in my lap.

"Wait…" he paused, glaring at Noah. "You didn't tell her?! It's been weeks you fucking pussy." Jake shook his head. "You two should probably talk about this then." He walked into the kitchen as if to give us privacy, shaking his head the whole way.

Noah just sat there with a guilty look on his face, sipping his beer.

"You've known you're leaving in a week for WEEKS and you were waiting until when? Your flight out? Grow some fucking balls." I yelled.

"You don't need to get so upset. I was trying to find the right time and way to tell you. My parents want me to get there before everything starts up so I can get situated. Don't be such a bitch." He said arrogantly.

"You blatantly withheld information from me because you couldn't man up and tell me, but I'm the bitch? Now that's funny." I rolled my eyes. "Tell me, were you planning on breaking up with me or do you have some other excuse in regard to that too?"

He stood up with a smug look on his face I wanted so badly to smack off of him. "I don't need an excuse. I don't do the long-distance thing. We can still fuck when I come home though."

I couldn't help but laugh. I have no idea why. I picked up the beer off the coffee table in front of me and flung the rest of the liquid left at his face. "Fuck off. You're lucky I didn't just throw the bottle at your face instead.. and by the way, your best friend is a better fuck anyway."

I ran up the stairs and into my room, slamming the door behind me.

I lay down on my bed wishing I had taken up something like kickboxing to let out some anger. Instead, I could only hope to fall asleep. I was PISSED. More so at Noah, but how could Jake not tell me all of this?

I begrudgingly still attended prom the next day because at this point I had spent too much time and money on the stupid dance and an appointment for my hair and makeup to be done to bail on the day of. Plus, Noah begged me like a little bitch over text all morning and Ang didn't want to go without me. I was a teenage stereotype, bringing a flask full of whiskey with me in my clutch. It was necessary to get through this dreaded night.

If nursing didn't work out, I could definitely have a career as an actress with the performance I was putting on tonight. I was the happy girlfriend of a soon to be college football player and Jake was my best friend. It's definitely called liquid courage for a reason.

I must've been too good of an actress because at the end of the night, Noah seemed to think I was going to spend the whole night with him. I thanked god Charlie and Elena were home. I quickly exited our limo and bolted into my house.

As soon as I shut the front door, I noticed my dad and Elena cuddled up on the couch. I walked past them and up the stairs, shouting out "goodnight" when I reached the door of my room.

The day of the wedding was finally here. I was so excited for my parents. They deserved to be happy. The topic of them wanting to start their own family didn't escape my thoughts. I struggled to picture myself fitting in the picture with a newborn in the house. I'd be getting ready to go off to college myself in a year anyway.

It was arranged for us to have our hair and makeup done at the house. I was the maid of honor and Billy Black would be Charlies best man. Small and simple. Dad had spent the night before at the Blacks house.

I was ready to go by 3, just waited to put my dress on until the last minute. It was a soft pink sleeveless dress with a sweetheart neckline to be paired with a nude set of wedges. I doubted my ability to walk in any other heels on first beach. They had a beautiful little set up for the few guests to be attending and a bonfire would follow as a reception.

I sat on the edge of the bathtub in the master bathroom, across from where Elena was sitting on her vanity seat while the finishing touches on her hair were being done.

"So, you haven't talked to me in a while about who you're dating or how things are going. Spill." Elena requested.

"Men are dumb. I don't know what to say." I answered.

"DETAILS ISABELLA."

I sat there, thinking of where to start. I filled her in on everything that had happened in the past few weeks, minus the crude details out of embarrassment.

"So, you're just not speaking to either of them now?" she asked.

I shrugged. "I wouldn't say not speaking. But I refused to go to this so called going away party and I kept any texts I sent short and to the point. I didn't even see him before he left. My "boyfriend" kept secrets from me and my "best friend" allowed him to." I scoffed.

"I understand you being pissed and in limbo with Noah, he is supposed to be honest with you, he is your boyfriend and there is a long overdue talk you should've had before he left. However, Jake is also his best friend. How is he supposed to pick and choose what secrets he does or doesn't keep to himself? A good friend is supposed to keep your secrets. Would you want him telling Noah one of yours?" she explained.

I couldn't figure out how to mention we did officially break up without admitting to what was said when it happened. I managed a smile and carefully hugged her. "I forgot how much it helps to talk about these things out loud. Thank you."

"Please promise me you're also taking your birth control like you're supposed to."

"I have no intentions of becoming a teen mom, I promise." I laughed and left her to go get dressed.

The ceremony had been beautiful. We ran a little behind, but the bonfire had been just like I remember, but with a bar and a DJ. It was hard not to look or stare at Jacob in his suit. He was annoyingly beautiful which required me to constantly remind myself how mad I still was at him. I would avoid the confrontation. Isabella Swan, living her life under a banner of avoidance.

I was on my 3rd vodka cranberry after mingling with guests for the first few hours and walked down the beach to find a spot to sit on my own. You could still faintly hear the music, but I was alone with my thoughts and the sound of the ocean. I laid back, leaning on my elbows. I already had a buzz, so I made sure to sip this drink slowly. I didn't need to be sloppy or any more emotional.

A few minutes later I felt him sit down next to me, but I refused to look up. I could hear the argument Elena had made for him in my head earlier, but I didn't know what to say and I didn't know if I could mask my feelings tonight. I was sick of it.

I waited for him to say something. I sipped my drink and watched the ocean.

10 minutes later, still silence.

I finished my drink and sat up, bending my legs up to my chest and rested my hands and head on my knees. I don't know why, but it was like the dam had broken. Tears were falling down my face, but I refused to acknowledge them.

Without a word he moved closer to me, so our sides were touching and placed one of his hands over my own and the other around my back. It was a subtle gesture, but finally the tears stopped. The warmth and feeling of him was so calming. I wiped the tears away and rested my head on his shoulder.

We stayed like that together for another twenty minutes before he kissed my forehead and stood up. I finally looked up at him, hoping he wouldn't leave. Instead, he bowed and held out his hand for me. I hesitated, before grabbing onto his hand. He pulled me up and wrapped my arms around his neck and placed his on my lower back. I rested the side of my face against his chest as we slow danced together to the faint music.

We are surrounded by all of these lies

And people who talk too much

You got the kind of look in your eyes

As if no one knows anything but us

Should this be the last thing I see

I want you to know it's enough for me

'Cause all that you are is all that I'll ever need

I'm so in love
So in love
So in love
So in love

This was one of my favorite songs and I could stay like this all night, and we pretty much did for the rest of it which was just long enough.

Then, I felt panicked. I realized something I hadn't thought about. Where the fuck was I going to sleep? I certainly wasn't going home with the newlyweds. I had planned months ago to just spend the night at Noahs. What an awful idea. I laughed at the thought.

He pulled back slightly, staring at me as if he was confused trying to gauge my thoughts.

I shook my head and laughed again. "I'm sorry, I just realized I have no idea where I'm sleeping tonight." Finally, I had found my voice.

He looked into my eyes with a soft expression. "What do you mean? It's not like you have to ask. You'll just come home with me. We have the room. I'll always take care of you, you know."

I smiled and nodded. "Thank you."

He grabbed me by the hand and led me back towards the bonfire, where it seemed everyone was starting to head out. I said my goodbyes to everyone, including my parents and walked back to Jake's house with him. The walk was silent again, but he never let go of my hand.

I borrowed some old clothes to sleep in and we sat up in his bed watching a movie until we could barely keep our eyes open anymore. I curled up on the bed under the blankets.

"Alright, I'll see you in the morning Bells." He said standing in front of his bedroom door.

I sat up, totally confused. "Where are you going?" I asked.

"I was going to take the couch and let you have my bed."

"Jacob Black, you are not sleeping on the couch. This bed is huge. Get over here." I demanded.

He laughed, climbing into the bed next to me. "Yes princess."

"Goodnight." He whispered, switching off the lights.

He cuddled up behind me with an arm around my waist and we both drifted off into a deep sleep.

The next day, I woke up alone. It was already noon. There was a note for me on the nightstand.

Bells,

I had to be up to train this morning with some of the guys. I should be back around 1pm, in case you actually wake up before then. Billy won't be home either.

Jake

Great. I was alone, like I was going to be for a month when my parents left in a few days. I should be thrilled as a teenager with a big house to herself, but I started to feel kind of freaked out. That's when I got what could be an awesome or completely awful idea.

I took the time before Jake returned to shower and start making some bacon, eggs and toast. By the time I placed the plates down on the table, Jake was walking through the door. He was shirtless in basketball shorts with a sheen of sweat covering his skin. His eyes lit up at the sight of food. "YES. Thank god!" he said excitedly, sitting down across from me.

He practically inhaled his food while I took my time. "Remember to breathe, Jake. Do you even taste your food?" I laughed.

He took his last bite and sat back in his chair. "Of course, I taste my food. It was delicious. Thank you." He stole half a piece of my toast and smiled.

"Hey!" I yelled. "You had your own. How could you possibly eat any more?"

He stood up, put his plate in the sink and leaned against the counter. "Need the fuel to look this good." He smirked, pointing at his abs. "I'm gonna go shower."

I rolled my eyes at his comments, finished my meal and cleaned up the mess I had made. I would think of how to present the idea to Jake while I gathered my things and waited for him to be finished with his shower.

He walked into his bedroom with just a towel hanging low on his waist. Everything I had just planned to say in my head was gone. I could feel my nipples harden against my shirt as I shamelessly gawked at him.

How the hell would my brilliant idea even work?

"See something you like?" his eyes were staring at my chest at he walked towards me.

NO. This can't happen. I needed to snap out of it.

I quickly crossed my arms against my chest when he got too close and averted my gaze from how visibly hard he was under his towel.

He sighed, rolling his eyes. His expression full of anger and disappointment as he turned away and put on some briefs and shorts.

I sat on the side of his bed and got up the nerve to say what I needed to.

"I'm sorry…" I paused. "Jake, can we talk?"

"About what?" He asked indignantly.

"I know I just made this weird, but it wasn't my intention. It wouldn't be right and we're friends, right?"

"The best of friends." He scoffed.

"Can you stop, please? I don't want to fight with you anymore. It's exhausting." I sighed.

With his back turned to me, he put on a t-shirt and took a deep breath. He seemed to be collecting his thoughts before he walked back over towards me. He stood at the edge of the bed and ran his fingers through his hair.

"I'm sorry. Let's just forget about it. What's up?" He had a soft expression on his face and I really wished in that moment I could read his mind.

"So, I have a.. proposition for you. I'm trying to figure out how to word it and I need you to just let me get it out before you make a decision or say anything. Ok?"

He nodded in agreement and I took a deep breath.

"Since you get up early in the morning to train with the guys in Forks and I'm going to have a big empty house for a month, I thought you could stay at the house with me. I don't want to just be alone, it'll freak me out. Ang is gone until August with her family and it's not as if I have a giant group of people to always invite over. You're my best friend and you make me feel safe. I'm sure it would make my parents feel better that I wasn't alone anyway. We could go shopping and make the guest room yours so you wouldn't need to move things back and forth. Please, please think about it." I pleaded.

I watched him think it over in his mind for a minute before he answered. "It would be easier to be closer to the school. I don't need you buying me anything though."

"I know you don't need it, but you'd be the one doing me a favor, so I just wanted do something nice for you."

"I'll talk to Billy and let you know how it goes." He smiled. "Let's go. I'll take you home."

I spent the next few days with Charlie and Elena and helped them finish packing. I hadn't heard from Jake yet, but I didn't want to push it. Until the night before my parents were set to leave, he finally sent me several texts a few minutes apart like he meant to keep me in suspense.

Billy thinks it could be a distraction for me to be living at your house with everything I need to be getting done this summer with school and training. He did plan on having me check on you every day though.

But, I gave him some time to think about it and assured him it was mostly so you weren't alone at night which wouldn't be a distraction at all for me and he finally agreed today.

So, when do you want me to be there?

I went from my stomach being in knots thinking Billy wouldn't allow it to excited and relieved.

How about 8pm for a late dinner tomorrow night?

Perfect. See you then Bells.

The next day I dropped my parents off at the airport early in the morning and headed to the mall. Jacob may not need me to buy him anything, but I had a brand new never used black card in my wallet that Renee decided I needed a few weeks ago. I may have gone overboard. By the time I was ready to head home, my trunk and backseat were filled with bags and boxes.

After numerous trips of bringing my haul into the house, I left what I had bought for myself on the bed in my room and set out to finish the project that was making the guest room Jacobs. It was already 3pm and I had other things to accomplish before he got here.

I finished his room 3 hours later. I stocked the dresser full of the clothes I had bought. They were mainly just gym shorts, t-shirts and other things I had seen him wear almost daily along with a few pairs of jeans. I had also bought him some shoes and socks. I felt like a total stalker since I went through his bedroom the day I came up with this idea to know what size to buy him in every piece of clothing.

I also added a brand new mini-fridge in the walk-in closet and loaded it full of water, Gatorade and beer. The bathroom was stocked with everything he would need. I was being obsessive as a distraction to everything else. Now I'm just hoping he wouldn't get super mad at me.

I was showered and dressed with pizza ordered by 7:30. As long as he was on time, the pizza should get here right after he does.

He walked into the house at 7:50 and I pulled him into a tight hug. "You're the best friend ever for this!" I kissed him on the cheek pulled him by the hand into the living room.

He placed the gym bag he was carrying next to the couch before we sat down.

"So, what are we watching?" I asked him, handing him the remote.

"That's easy, the Mariners are playing."

A few minutes later the pizza arrived. It's a good thing I ordered a medium for me and a large for him. The bottomless pit that was his stomach was able to hold an entire pizza.

We talked for hours while we watched the game. He let me know during the week he stuck to a schedule of training every morning from 7am-1pm. They would start in the gym before taking a break for breakfast, then go through some plays on the field. There weren't nearly enough of them because it wasn't a real team practice, but they still thought it helped. I felt bad I had never previously asked him questions about himself. I felt so self-centered.

I had no idea last season due to his size and weight, he made a transition to take some plays as a defensive end and was just as good as he had been at wide receiver. He thought the versatility of playing both positions looked better to scouts. He would be able to talk more with college coaches after September 1st and was hoping to find the right fit. Normally, players have national signing day in February. Noah had apparently verbally committed by then but didn't sign the official papers until May. More details I was left out of.

He helped me clean up the living room before we went upstairs for me to show him where his room would be. Before we went our separate ways to sleep, I turned around and had another episode of word vomit. He had just been so honest with me, I wanted to ask everything I could in time.

"Hey Jake, what schools are you hoping you'd be a good fit for?" I asked.

He leaned against the frame of his bedroom doorway with his arms crossed and a serious expression on his face. "Um.. probably somewhere like Washington, Michigan or maybe even Minnesota. If I can't stay close to home in Washington, I'd really like to stay up north. I'm not going to limit it too much though. If I ended up anywhere in the south, it would be Clemson." He smiled.

"What about you? What're you thinking? You've never told me what you want to go for."

"Before I knew you know who was going there, I wanted to go to Michigan. But now that I think about it, I'll probably apply to Washington too. I know Elena wants to have a baby and I wouldn't want to be too far away in case they need me. They both have really good nursing programs. We'll see what happens." I smiled and walked back towards my room. "Night, Jake."

I changed out of my clothes and got into bed, turning on my tv for something to fall asleep to. I searched through Netflix before I decided on watching friends.

"Isabella Swan, what the hell did you do?!" even through the walls I could hear Jake yell.

FUCK. I should've mentioned what my distracted brain did today.

I pretended not to hear him and hoped he would just assume I was already sleeping. After several minutes, I figured it worked and finally did fall asleep. I'm sure I would hear about it tomorrow.

I had my alarm set for 9am, I needed to get my own workout in. I went for a run and swam some laps after. At 12 I made over half a dozen sandwiches. I just needed one for myself and left the rest on the counter for Jake. I turned pandora on my Bluetooth speaker and laid down to tan on one of our lounges next to the pool.

I must've fallen asleep and was woken up when I felt water splash my face.

"WHAT THE HELL?" I yelled.

I looked over at Jake who was very amused by what he had done and was laughing at me.

"You deserved that and you know exactly what I'm talking about."

"Ugh. Whatever. Even after I made you lunch?" I pouted.

"Lunch? Where?!" He asked as he climbed out of the pool.

"It's on the counter. There's like 6 sandwiches for you."

He disappeared into the house so quickly, you'd think he hadn't eaten in days.

I climbed into the hot tub, putting my feet up as I leaned back. It was only 72 degrees outside, normal for July in Forks. The jets felt amazing on my sore muscles.

I felt Jake climb in next to me with another splash. I'm not sure if it was on purpose or accidental. "So, this is what you do with your days? Must be nice princess."

"I got a workout in first, just not as.. excessive as yours. This is supposed to be relaxing. Aren't you supposed to be eating?" I glared at him.

"I finished those sandwiches and your leftover pizza already."

"You're freaking ridiculous." I shook my head.

"Says the woman who went on an UNNECESSARY and UNWANTED shopping spree that I told her not to."

"For someone who sounds so unhappy about what I bought, you look perfectly comfortable in your new bathing suit." I sneered.

He rolled his eyes and laughed. "Yea yea.. Why did you buy me so much though? That stuff is expensive."

"Do I need a reason to buy my best friend who is doing me a favor something nice?" I asked.

"Something? That's not just something. That's a whole wardrobe and then some. I can't just take it." He replied contemptuously.

"Can't you just say thank you and we move on? I didn't save the receipts and i'm over this conversation." I stood up and started to climb out when he grabbed my arm. When I looked at him, he had a sad expression in his eyes.

"It just doesn't feel right to have you buying me anything.. but thank you."

I nodded and went to retrieve a towel before I came up with another idea that could also end in disaster.

"Hey, Jake. Do you want to throw a 4th of July party? We could just make a Facebook post for whoever doesn't already have plans. Mainly everyone on the res and whoever you talk to in Forks with the obvious exceptions." I asked.

"So, you're finally in the mood for parties again?.." he shrugged. "Whatever you want princess. Just tell me what you need and I'll make it happen."

Author's Note: Blah, blah.. I don't own Twilight.

I do love those of you who are reading.