OK so I was a little scared of this chapter. I didn't know how it would turn out. Tell me what you think about it… Does anybody really like Seth?...Or….

oh and side note, does anybody notice their words getting jumbled up/ missing when they copy n paste into the document manager? Or is it just me boing sloppy?

Chapter 11: Anybody Order Chaos?

Me and Seth both stand up to get the door. Seth moves to walk in front of me. I let him know, "You don't have to get up." This is my house, I can handle myself. Seth lets out a huff and sits back down. "Hey you lost your 'door privileges' the moment you used my spare key today. Which I don't even know how you found out about that…-"

"Leah" We both say in unison. That sneaky fox. Who does she think she is. I swear, she won't give up until she walks in on me and Seth in some compromising position.

"Yeah, but I have a feeling I know who's at the door. You probably told Jacob I was going to be here. I know he overheard our phone call. I would feel threatened too, If I knew you were going to be home with some guy." He rests his elbows on the table and places his chin in his hands.

I ignore Seth's snide remark and head to the door. I peered through the peephole, and there he was, Atlas in the rain. Jacob, with wet hair and a worried expression, like he's got the world on his shoulders.

As I yanked the door open, the tension tightened in his shoulders. Our eyes found each other and I froze right there. His aura anchored me in place and pulled me toward him all at once. His shoulder tension relaxed as he took in my appearance. I was still wearing his shirt from this morning.

He gave me a big smile and broke our majestic silence. "Are you going to make me stand out in the rain ?"

I mindlessly step back into the foyer, never breaking eye contact. I can't explain it. I just saw him a few hours ago, but it feels like I haven't seen him in eons. "Hi" is all I could muster up. Way to go goofy.

"Hi" he whispers back taking a close step inside. He's standing so close, I can smell the rain and feel his warmth wash over me. Why are you so...sexy? "I wanted to apologize again about how things went this morning. I got really upset when I heard you on the phone with Seth. I just don't like sharing and it made me think of you, and the hotline..." He clears his throat and diverts his eyes. Am I that shameful, that much of an embarrassment? " And I got upset all over again. I want you to know that I'm seriously interested in you and if you say you and Seth are —"

"Are you going to close the door? You're fucking with the air moisture and temperature. I've got dough proofing in the kitchen." His voice hits me like ice down my back. I whirl around to find Seth standing behind me. My trance with Jacob has been obliterated.

"Why are you still here? I would've thought you'd catch a hint after you saw her in my shirt." Why did he have to bring up the damn shirt. Now I look like some cheap skank. I can see a clear visual of my mother's disapproving face. I've been fucking up all week.

"A shirt, Jacob, really? I could tell by the way she kissed me that you haven't even crossed her mind. As a matter of fact, she hasn't uttered a word about being involved with you since she's been home. Trust me, I'm not worried about a damn shirt." Yeah, right, like I could miss the judgemental side eye Seth just gave me over this damn shirt.

Don't judge me . I don't like being judged. Now I hate this damn shirt. I'm fidgeting in its oversized shoulder width, feeling itchy from the scrutiny.

"You know I could say the same. I'm not really concerned... What did she call you again, right, the friend that always invites himself. If I didn't know you, I'd think you've reached desperation status, lil' Seth." Jacobs sharp tongue made Seth's smirk fall.

Woah, what the hell is going on energy in the room has instantly changed. I step in between the two towering men, helpless. I don't even know what to say.

"Guys don't do this." I place a hand on both of their chests. The space between us is starting to grow smaller and smaller. Before this becomes a hot muscle sex sandwich, I need to put some distance between them. I don't want this to come to blows, especially in my house.

"You think you can 'lil' Seth' me because my mom married your dad? Screw you! You have never been a real brother. You take Paul's side before you even think about watching my back. And now you want to steal Bella. You always want what's beyond your reach." I can feel the adrenaline reaching a new level.

I have never seen Seth like this before. It's like he's possessed by Leah's fire cracker spirit. It must run in the family. Bull-headed and relentless energy radiates off of his chest. He's so upset, he can't even see me.

"She doesn't want you Seth. Why don't you get it? You're already in the friend zone. Who's out of their league? Who's second place? It's never been me." Jakes hands ball up into fists at his side, veins raised in his muscles.

"You know somehow you find a way to ruin everything you touch. I'll be damned, If you think I'm going to let you play with Bella. She's not the type you and Paul are used to dealing with. You can't toy with her and throw her away when you're finished. This isn't a race or some dick measuring contest." Seth comes even closer, ready for the first fist to be thrown.

"Get a life Seth, this is between me and Bella. You're just a little boy. Running up behind a woman like a lost puppy. How long do you think she's going to let you guilt trip her into doing what you want. Step aside and let a real man be with her."

It's on sight war with these two. Everyone's breathing is hard and labored. They're getting so loud, barking at each other. I don't think my ears can take it.

Seth takes things even further. "Oh what happened? You tired of shirking your responsibilities? Everyone knows you're trying to trap Bella into being 'Mommy' to your son. Do you even like her, or were you just waiting for someone to come along and fix your life."

That's it I've had enough of Seth's mouth. Now he's bringing Kenny into this.

"Seth stop it. Please calm down. Go upstairs and cool off for a while. Come on, you and Leah are more alike than you know. Don't do this. Take a breather."I slip into teacher mode and use my authoritative voice to bring things back to a situation I can handle. This is my house, I make the rules. I look into Seth's eyes and give him my best 'time out, you're in trouble face'. He heads upstairs without another word.

I turn back to face Jake, and he's still wound tight. Before I can get a word out, he starts talking at me like he's my father. I mean he makes it look sexy, I wouldn't mind letting him take control, calling him daddy. I bite me lip, getting kind of turned on. Why does my mind always lead to sex, like some idiotic defense mechanism.

"When are you going to realize that he doesn't want to be just friends. He wants more and you keep letting him cross the line. I don't think you even realize how close you guys are. You need to figure out what you want because I'm serious about you. I want to give us a try, and I can't see that happening if you're kissing Seth and then saying you want to get to know me. And if things couldn't get even more confusing, my son is already calling you mommy. All the while Seth is claiming you every chance he gets. I told you Bella, I don't like sharing."

"This is all moving so fast." Lord knows, fast has never led to anything good with me. "I told you, me and Seth are not together. He is always there for me when I need fixing. I can't just cut him out of my life. No, I'm not going to cut him off. He was in my corner, before I met you. I like you and I know things are complicated, for both of us. You have a son and I'm broken. Don't make it sound like I'm stringing you along. We just decided to get to know each other. I mean, how do you know if you really like me yet, the real me. I'm good with kids. I never said I was good with relationships." And there goes the word vomit. I'm good at sex. I'm good at flirting, but I'm also terrified of a real relationship. And after Jake pulled that stunt at the family dinner, I don't even know if his parents will even accept me.

He takes a deep breath, lowering his voice. "Don't make me out to be the bad guy. I'm not telling you to choose me or him, but set some fucking boundaries. I'm not saying you have to make any decisions today, but I can't afford to play games. I want something stable. Just give me a call when you're ready. "

He was out the door before I could even respond. What is going on? Why do I feel like I'm in the twilight zone, like I can't even breathe. I look up at the ceiling, searching for some answers. What do you want from me? Why can't anything in my life be easy?

I slow walk upstairs and prepare myself to face Seth. I know he was listening the whole time. I mean, I would've done the same so I'm not gonna make a big fuss of it.

I find Seth sitting on the bed bench, and I'm immediately torn and exhausted. I groan as I face-plant into my bad, the mattress squeaking under my weight. I have no idea what he's thinking.

"Bella, He's not the only one who can give you a family. Remember that, okay? You deserve the world, never forget that. I'm not just your best friend's little brother." He whispers to me so low I almost couldn't hear him.

"Seth, I'm so confused and exhausted. I don't want to talk about it. I just wanna feel secure and whole again. I don't know what I want out of life anymore. Just give me time to figure things out." Should I take a chance with Jake, or should I give the nice guy a try for once in my life? I don't trust myself.

"Don't stress yourself out. Just take deep breaths and relax. Don't worry about anything." He turns around to face me on the bed, arms wide open and outreached. "I'll be the big spoon?"

I laugh and close my eyes, feeling the bed dip with movement and then there he was, a security blanket. His arms wrap around me and I start to loosen up. I exhale and curve my back into his chest.

"See, this feels better already." He hums into my hair and I feel sleep creep in.

Are we too close? Are we codependents?