18+

LXXI

Edward jumps out of the car when I approach it and pulls me into his arms, hugging me tightly.

'Are you okay?'

I don't reply, gently pushing him off me.

'Bella?'

'I'm fine.' I lie, 'just, really tired.'

Edward cups my cheek with his warm hand and smiles at me, 'So…you love me?'

My chest aches as I stare into his green eyes, my vision blurring as tears rush down my cheeks.

'Bella?'

He goes to hug me, but I step back.

Edward frowns, 'Wh…what's wrong? What did he say to you?'

I can't speak, my throat is too closed up.

The car door opens, and Jasper gets out, looking worried. 'Bella?'

A sob comes out of my mouth and Edward reaches for me, but I step back again. 'D-don't.'

He tears at his hair. 'What did I do? Did you not mean it? Do you regret saying it? Fuck!'

'Edward, let me talk to her, just get in the car.' Jasper says softly.

Edward's eyes shine with unshed tears, his face full of anguish, 'I don't fucking understand.'

Jasper steps in front of me and I launch myself into his arms sobbing.

'Okay, shhhh.' He murmurs, 'Edward, just…give me a second with her, don't panic okay? She does love you, I promise.'

'Fuck.' Edward's voice is thick. I hear a car door slam.

'Bella,' Jasper tilts my chin up, searching my eyes, 'what's wrong darlin'?'

'He…he's…he…' I can't even fucking say it.

'Your dad said something?' Jasper guesses, 'about Edward?'

'H-he almost k-killed someone drunk driving. His dad paid people off. It's just like- he's just like-'

'Okay, okay.' Jasper soothes, hugging me tightly, 'Bella, you have to just talk to him about it darlin','

'I k-know.' I sob. 'But I just don't know if I can bear to hear what he has to say about it.'

'You don't want to hurt him, right?' Jasper says softly.

'Of c-course not.'

'Then just tell him what's going on, okay?'

I nod shakily.

'You can both stay with me tonight, parents aren't home anyway and it's not like they'd care.' Jasper says, guiding me to the car, 'you can talk…you need to talk. Do you want to swap with Rose or can you sit with him?'

'I can sit with him.'

I want to sit with him.

I love him, that hasn't changed.

This just hurts more than I thought it would.

When Jasper opens the car door, Alice is rubbing Edward's back and he's got his head in his hands.

He jerks his head up to look at me, his face tear-stained, eyes red from crying. 'Bella…'

I crash into his lap, crying again and he clutches at me. 'I love you.' He rasps into my neck.

'I love you.' I sob.

'God you two are fucked up over each other.' Rose mutters in the front seat.

No one corrects her.