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Chapter Thirty-Four

We drove in silence.

Edward focused intently on the dark road ahead of us, never once mentioning where we were heading.

As he pulled into the complex, I partially relaxed when I realized he wasn't taking me home. Edward wanted me to stay, his words from the night before lingered in my ear, in my mind.

He parked, pulled the keys out of the ignition and hesitated before exiting the car to open the passenger side door. Edward was all manners and hesitant smiles and hope. But he was holding back; I could tell.

We were both holding back.

As we walked into his pitch black apartment, I quietly shut the door and the abrupt sound of keys hitting a nearby table caused me to jump.

"Sorry," he mumbled as he brushed my arm.

I still had yet to utter a word.

Edward's figure disappeared and I squinted my eyes as I struggled to focus. He walked over to the couch, elbows to knees, and dropped his head. "Tell me what I'm supposed to do."

I flipped on the nearest switch and he sighed heavily.

I stayed standing by the door, focusing on a loose thread disobeying the hem of my dress.

I did not focus on the stinging in my eyes.

I did not focus on Edward's words.

I did nothing.

Edward looked up and said in a low voice, "Come with me." He stood from the couch and grabbed my hand, pulling me into the bedroom.

The lights stayed off, the room being lit by the night sky and the orange glow of the parking lot. He allowed me to pull my sandals off before nudging me towards the bed.

He crawled to the middle of mattress and watched as I hesitantly followed his move.

"I didn't want to do this..." he whispered and I found it hard to look away. "I didn't want to pry, but you've given me no choice."

"Edward."

"No. Bella. I want to know you and you're making it so very hard."

"Well-"

"Are you going to make me ask, or are you going to tell me why your license has your city listed as Austin?" Both of his hands grabbed hold of my face. "What are you scared of?"

"Nothing," I mumbled.

"Don't answer me if you're going to lie." I waited as my fingers twitched. "Fine. Does this have to do with your mother?"

His thumb lightly grazed my cheek.

My voice faltered. "You're making this hard."

"What? I'm making it hard for you to let me in?" Edward pulled back. "I don't think you're being fair to me, Bella."

"No, you're...being too understanding."

"You won't tell me anything. What is there to understand?" he asked calmly, never once raising his voice. "Bella."

"What?"

"What are you-?"

Interruption came in the form of his ringing phone.

"Should you get that?" I asked, thankful for the interruption.

"No. It's probably Emmett wanting me to bring him food," Edward explained once the phone stopped ringing.

"Oh."

"Tell me what you're running from..." he pried slowly, sweetly, moving his face closer to mine.

The phone began ringing again, causing Edward to curse, leave the bed and stalk into the living room.

Five seconds after his stern 'hello?', I realized he was back and standing in the doorway.

"It's your mother."

A/N: Sorry for the semi-cliffhanger. She's just calling because she wants food. Thanks for reading!