Part 10
"She left about ten minutes ago. Bella, it was…its so great to be home again."
She sat on a stool outside the gas station, holding the phone to her ear with her shoulder. "I bet. So, the two of you are okay?"
"We didn't really talk about it. Actually, we haven't talked about it—about us. She's not ready too, not yet at least. But Bell, this…she and I…it feels so right," Hamilton answered her. He was still in the same clothes he wore the night before. Sitting on a chair by the window, he smiled as he thought of the night's occurrences. "We spent the night…just being together. Holding her in my arms again—it felt so good. Jake, she's like…home to me."
Bella was jealous. She couldn't help it. It had been a long time since she had felt that way about someone or had someone feel that way about her. Still, she was glad that things were working out for Hamilton and Jake—so far. Then, Hamilton said something that came out of left field.
"Will is in love with Jake."
Her jaw dropped to the floor. "What?" She couldn't believe it. They were best friends, but Will…in love with Jake? How could that be?
"You heard me…Will is in love with Jake."
Bella's head spun. "How…what makes you think that?"
"I just know. In a way, I've always known. The signs have always been there. It just took me awhile to notice them."
Bella was dumbfounded. "Wow. That is…wow. So, what are you going to do about it?"
"Talk to him, of course. I mean, what else is there to do? We're in love with the same woman…not just not any woman…but Jake. The girl that I almost married. The girl that's been Will's best friend for years. Sooner or later, this has all got to end. And when it does, its going to be nothing but love and heartache."
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Jake and Will stood in front of the stairs, in a position that Jake had never imagined they'd ever be in—in a kiss. It was only for a moment and almost as soon as Jake responded to his action, she pulled away.
She was stunned as was Will. He could not believe that what had happened had actually happened. The secret that he fought so hard to keep for nine years was revealed in a matter of seconds. It had passed all too quickly and all Will could remember was the feeling of Jake's lips brushed against his. A feeling that he had waited so long to experience.
"Oh my god…Will…what was that? What's going on here?" Her head was buried in her hands. She couldn't look at him. What was happening? In a moment, everything she'd known to be true changed.
"What's going on here is…I'm in love with you and I have been for a really long time. It's just now, I finally had the courage to do something about it."
It wasn't until Will repeated the words that Jake fully realized what he'd meant. He loved her. Not in a brother-sister or best friends sense, but in a way that is all encompassing, eternal, and unconditional. The way only soul mates do.
Will removed Jake's hands from her face, looking straight into her eyes. "Being your friend was all I ever wanted. To be with you is all I've ever dreamed of. " His words were poetic and beautiful and at this, Jake couldn't help but be touched. "You do something to me. Something that I can't explain. I would do anything if I could make you feel what I feel…even if it was just for a moment. If you could see me the way I see you."
She looked at him—her best friend, the man who had stood beside her when everyone else had walked out, the man who dried her tears, took care of her when she was sick, listened to her even when she had nothing to say. She loved him. She did—just not the way he loved her. The thought of hurting him pained her. There was no other way. She had to tell him—even if it meant losing him.
"Will, I'm so honored that you feel about me the way you do because I know that you wouldn't feel that way about just anyone. The truth is, I don't feel the same way. And I'm sorry. You're my best friend and I love you…just not the way you want me to."
Will was crushed and at hearing this, his heart dropped to the floor, his vision blurred, his breath seemed to escape him. Her words cut through him like a sword to the heart. They were the words that he had dreaded to hear and the ones that he expected to her to say. She didn't love him. She never would.
He turned away from her, tears falling relentlessly. Jake put her hand on his shoulder, but he shrugged it off. Not knowing what else to do, she said, "I'm so sorry Will. I'm so, so sorry."
"Jacqueline, just go. Please," he retorted, stressing the last word. He couldn't take her right now. He couldn't bare it.
She too was covered with tears. She didn't want to leave him, wanting to comfort him some how. Yet, she was the one who had caused his agony. With the knowledge that there was nothing she could do, she complied with his request and headed for the door. She stopped and opened it, but before walking out, offered one last apology. "I'm sorry." With those words, she stepped across the threshold and closed the door behind her.