A/N: PT 2. Of the Beach party. Another chapter will be posted soon after this one. I recommend reading them together!
~But without the dark, we'd never see the stars~
Tonight is going way better than I expected. I hope it stays that way.
About an hour after we arrived, Jake showed up with his new girl. He was busy mingling, making his way through the crowd, showing off the pretty little thing on his arm. She was cute and petite with long, natural red, straight hair.
He didn't come over to me, which was odd but also a bit of a relief. I was worried about his confrontation with Edward. Even though they both agreed to be cool towards each other, it just seemed awkward. Plus, I wasn't used to things being so calm. It felt off.
Everything is going better than I expected—no drama. I introduced Edwards to my group of friends, he nodded his head to greet them and didn't say much, but he was polite. He was less tense than when we first arrived. After a few drinks, he loosened up. He began chatting with Paul and Jared, smoked a joint with them, and seemed to get along. It took a weight off my chest to see him smiling with other people for once.
Shortly after, Leah came back and dragged me off, making it seem like she needed my help with something urgent. At first, I was nervous leaving Edward alone, but he seemed like he was relaxed and had a good time with Paul and Jared. I needed to give him the benefit of the doubt.
When Leah and I were a bit further down the beach, I turned back and saw Jake approach Edward. They moved off to a more secluded area for more privacy. My heart was in my throat. I couldn't keep my eyes off of them and watched them like a ticking time bomb. I was so tempted to run over there to make sure Jake didn't say anything stupid. I know he said he wouldn't, but you never know with Jake. He doesn't have bad intentions, but sometimes he doesn't have a filter—more like all the time.
Leah calmed me down and wouldn't let me go. I'm sure Jake and her set this up.
I was fuming and defensive. "Leah! What the hell? Was this planned? Why would you steal me away so Jake could get Edward alone?" I accused.
Leah rolled her eyes and sighed. "Stop jumping to conclusions. I had to take you away because I knew you would panic and make it worse. They need to talk alone and fix things themselves. They're practically grown men. Have more faith in Jake and your friends, Bells. We're on your side, not against you. Jake cares about you and is not gonna say anything stupid to fuck this up for you. We know how much you love Edward." Her tone was bitter, laced with hurt.
Well, that made me feel like an asshole. After all these years, I still struggle to trust them. Not everyone has bad intentions and is against you.
I relaxed, my pulse slowing down when I glanced back at Edward. He looked calm and didn't seem threatened. Jake had his usual, bright smile on his face, and they did that manly handshake thing.
Oh, thank god. I breathed out a sigh of relief. I wonder what Jake had said, but it must've been positive for Edward to keep his cool. I seriously don't give Jake enough credit.
"You're right. I'm sorry," I apologized.
Leah just smiled at me in response and grabbed my hand as we headed back to everyone else.
Jake and Edward don't talk much for the rest of the night. They weren't friends all of a sudden, but I didn't expect that. There's no tension or jealousy between them, and that's all I wanted.
Later on in the night, we're sitting around the campfire, drinking, smoking, being stupid and laughing—just having a good time. Edward's staring at me, and we're lost in our own little bubble. I've never seen him so carefree and content around other people. I knew he would like them, feel accepted, and not feel judged or threatened—his wall crumbling piece by piece.
This is our happy place. Our safe bubble for all the lost, reckless souls to come together, bond, and feel alive—no guilt of who we are. Now Edward finally has it as well; hopefully, he doesn't feel as alone or as much of an outcast as before.
I'm snuggled into his side, his leather-clad arm around my shoulders. My nose brushes against the stubble on his jawline, loving the rough texture against my smooth skin. He still has that possessive demeanor to him, but it's not violent or aggressive. He knows I'm his, and he is mine, but he's confident about it and secure—no jealousy.
I stare up and watch Edward. He is so distracting and hauntingly beautiful. It's so easy to lose myself around him. Everyone around me blurs, the chatter and voices blending into white noise. Everything around me was disoriented—except for him. He was clear as day.
The blaze from the fire ignited a glow in Edward's eyes. Luring me in like the devil he is, tempting me, warning me as if I'm going to get burned. Between the heat from the flames and the warmth from his body; the sexy, spicy, musky smell of him combined with the smell from the bonfire gave me a high like never before. I was addicted.
He has a cigarette propped between his lips, pulling it away to inhale with the hand that's around my shoulder. In his other hand, he's holding a beer, the neck of the bottle swinging back and forth between his fingers.
Edward is the hottest guy here. Even though no one would even think of approaching him, knowing he's mine; I'm not oblivious to the looks and whispers between the girls that are here with dates.
Edward's fucking hot as hell, and the dangerous, rebellious, bad-boy energy that exudes off of him is even more appealing.