Disclaimer: As always, I own nothing!!

Chapter 7

Jake's POV

I watched Bella turn to walk back to the cooler to grab herself a drink to replace the one she dropped on the ground, a smile playing at the corners of my mouth.

My new goal was to figure out how to get to know Bella Swan a little better.

As I was watching Bella from afar I noticed the low mumble of the conversations around me had completely died down, a slap across the face brought me back to reality.

Fuck. My hand immediately reached up to my cheek which was now stinging from the pain, and I saw the source of the slap.

Vanessa.

I couldn't say anything, I couldn't react. I was frozen, my eyes looking into her angry ones. I should have known she'd know where I was. It couldn't have been that hard to guess, where else would have I gone?

I knew Vanessa had come here to get the last word. She constantly accused me of cheating, which I never had. Bella was only the second girl I had ever made love to.

The next few minutes passed in slow motion as soon as Vanessa ran off, Emily shooting me a scowl before following her. Lean and Seth approached me, looking pretty pissed. Oh here we go.

"Jake, what the fuck?" Leah asked, her hands on her hips and her voice dripping with venom.

I glared at her, do not hit a woman Jake. Do not hit a woman. "What do you mean, what the fuck Leah?" I was seething at this point, "This is my home. Vanessa knows that. She's not unwelcome here, but she should at least keep her distance. What happened between us wasn't just my fault, and I am sick of taking the blame. I never once cheated on her."

Leah rolled her eyes at me, "Ok Jake. Whatever you say." Seth stepped in between us; he knew I was close to snapping. My chest was heaving with ragged breaths. It was all I could do not to scream at Leah. She knew what buttons to push, she always did. It was Leah's thing.

"We are all friends here." Seth always tried to be the negotiator. "What Vanessa is doing is wrong; she is trying to get everyone to pick sides. This is all just bullshit. What happened .. happened. Can't we just get over it?"

Thank you Seth.

Leah didn't have a response to Seth's words, and I knew why. Seth was right, and Leah fucking knew it. She knew that she had no reason to be acting like a bitch.

I looked back at Bella who was standing next to her friend Alice and she had her eyes shut. What she must think of me. I hoped that I didn't hurt her that was never my intention.

If I could just go back to that day on the plane, I would have gotten to know her better before we went our separate ways.

Your paths are crossing again for a reason Jake.

Before I knew it, my feet began walking towards Bella as Seth and Leah took off after Emily and Vanessa.

Bella. Sweet, Bella.

Our eyes met, and I couldn't conceal the hurt and worry I felt. I knew how bad this must have looked to her.

Then just like that Bella turned and ran. She was running away from me, and I had to follow her.

"Bella!" Alice cried out. "What's wrong with her?"

"I'll go. It's dark, you stay here. I'll make sure she's ok." Alice nodded to me and I took off into the forest after Bella, keeping a bit of a distance so she didn't think I was stalking her.

Back to Bella's POV

As I lay in Jake's embrace, a thousand questions about what happened tonight bounced around in my head. I knew this wasn't the time or the place, why ruin such a wonderful moment asking questions about a former fiancée.

"We should probably head back, before they get worried and come looking for us." It was the longest sentence I had mumbled in a while.

Jake's embrace tightened for a few seconds, "Yeah. You are right." His voice low and hushed and it dripped with sadness.

I felt it too, and I hoped that his was for the same reason as mine. Back to reality, a reality where we had to keep acting like nothing had happened.

I could only imagine how everyone would feel about me knowing what happened between Jake and I. They were all so angry with Jake over whatever happened with his ex-fiancée, I'm sure they would think I had something to do with the situation.

I quickly dressed in the dark, Jake shaking the sand out of his t-shirt. Secretly, I wondered how he was going to explain that to everyone.

But really, why should they even care? What was so special about this ex-fiancée of Jake's that everyone wanted to be on her side?

I was determined to find out.

We walked back towards the bon fire site slowly, hand in hand. I had so many things I wanted to say, but they were stuck in my throat. Once we reached the forest's edge Jake stopped.

"Bella." I loved the way my name sounded coming from his lips. He turned to me, placing his hands on my shoulders. "I hate that we have to hide this. Just until things blow over."

I nodded. "Jake, just promise me one thing."

"Anything."

"We need to talk. I need to know exactly what's going on. I'm not going to lie to you, I'm a little concerned on why there seems to be so much hostility because of what happened." I could almost feel the tears welling up in my eyes; I refused to let them fall.

Jake pulled me close and I felt his lips on my neck. "Just a little more time, I promise."

As he pulled back our eyes met, and in the moonlight I saw him for the first time. I mean I really saw him for the first time, and I could feel that familiar stirring in my stomach. Fucking butterflies.

A/N –

Ok, there's a little more information on the ex-finacee. But there is still a lot to learn about what happened. Bella will learn, but she has to learn slowly or she might run away screaming ;)

Sorry it's a bit short, life has been crazy but I really wanted to update!!

Enjoy!! The week of hell is over so hopefully the next update will come faster.