Ch 16: La La La La Push!

~ Bella's POV~

I had been prepared for many things after I admitted to Edward I had overheard him that day. I though he might deny it. I'd thought he might brush it off with the 'we were kids who said stupid things' attitude. Or worse, maybe have no recollection of having said it at all.

In fact, I thought the best-case scenario was some sort of belated apology and a desire to move on immediately.

But his obvious devastation told me I had thought wrong. And his explanation for his behavior, that had blown my mind.

He had freaking liked me the whole time?!

It didn't matter that this was long ago, it felt so real and new to me now. Though we had only talked about the past, I was starting to wonder if he still liked me.

But even so, our reconnection had me in fear of moving too quickly. I didn't want to lose him again. And if I was being honest, I wasn't sure if I was ready for anything more than the friendship we were moving back into.

There was just so much going on in my life I didn't feel ready to talk about. Things a real girlfriend would confide in her partner about.

Could I tell him about dad?

Was I prepared for that, and Edward's reaction?

The answer was a resounding no.

No matter how much I wanted things with Edward to progress, to call him mine and it be real, I wasn't really ready for it. I recognized that it would never be real if I was holding a big part of myself and my life back from him.

He deserved far more and better than that.

So, I had resolved to continue our friendship and not push myself for anything more. I wasn't sure what to expect from Edward either, how he might interpret our conversation. But he too seemed content to be friends. Well, friends that fucked like rabbits that is.

I couldn't help the grin that came whenever I thought about it. He had yet to show me the ways of butt-play, but I assumed it was only a matter of time. I'd been holding out to tease us both, though truthfully, he never pressured me for it anyways.

Maybe, I thought with an excited thrill, we would do it tonight, after the game.

Everyone was getting psyched up about the big game against LaPush tonight. Our biggest, and yet somehow friendliest rivals.

And I imagined if we won or lost, Edward would appreciate joining a party in the back. Wink-wink.

"What has you grinning?"

I turned to Angela, who was busy curling her hair in the mirror, my smile still in place.

"Oh, just thinking about celebrating after the game."

She didn't miss the meaning in my voice.

Her eyes widened and a smile of her own swept across her face.

We had talked plenty over the past week.

She had updated me on her relationship with Ben; all was going very well now that they had talked.

Apparently, he hadn't been ready for sex and was afraid to do anything that might suggest otherwise to Ange. Which is exactly what I figured. Ange, of course, took it well and promised she wasn't interested in pressuring him. She was very happy to report that they were back to heavy petting with caveat all major clothes stayed on.

I didn't bother mentioning you could still have sex with all your clothes on. I was just glad she was happy again.

In return, I told her about mine and Edward's conversation. She was heartbroken for us both, but also glad we had worked it out. Though it was difficult to convince her we still weren't really dating. She'd had a few words about that, something about us both being 'blithering idiots, blind to what's in front of us', or something like that.

I took her comments for what they were, the words of a loving friend who just wanted me to be happy. She didn't understand my hang-ups, because even though she knew more about my life than anyone else, she still didn't know everything that happened with my dad. How bad his alcoholism had gotten in recent years. And I wasn't ready to explain. To her. And definitely not to Edward.

"So," She elbowed me, getting my attention, "have big plans?" She asked knowingly.

I might have also mentioned I was interested in doing butt-stuff with Edward. Ange had been a mixture of intrigued and horrified at first. Now I think she just thought it was hilarious.

"Maybe." I wiggled a brow at her.

"You're far more adventurous than me."

"So true," I deadpanned, earning myself a disgruntled glare, before we both grinned.

"Okay, fine. Technically you're right." Her eyes rolled as she said it. "You're still gonna go the beach party tonight though right?"

I gave her a look. We were literally getting ready for the game together. As if I would just ditch her right after.

"Duh. Butt sex won't keep me from coming," I winked.

She snorted loudly.

"You're terrible. I was just making sure I still had a ride tonight." She teased.

"Using me for my truck. Can't say I blame you though. He's a beast."

She laughed, but more gently this time.

"You have issues."

She wasn't wrong.

"And yet you're still my friend. Wonder what that says about you?" I inquired with a raised brow. She just shook her head, while somehow managing to curl it at the same time.

"I have terrible taste, what can I say?" She joked giving me another gentle nudge.

It was my turn to snort.

"You almost done? Kick-off is soon ya know." I taunted, while pulling on a freshly coiled strand of her raven hair. She smacked my hand away neatly.

"Some of us want to look nice for our man." Her pointed look towards my wardrobe was noted. I rolled my eyes, but gave my appearance a once over in the mirror.

I wasn't dolled up, but I didn't look bad either. My dark jeans and rich purple sweater were simple, but complimented my figure well. I had forgone any makeup, because, well I just didn't like wearing the stuff. And Edward didn't seem to mind. I had at least taken a few minutes to smooth my normally wild hair into soft waves.

I didn't think I looked half bad. I was pretty sure Ange didn't think so either, she just liked to pick on my lack of fashion.

"Eh, the whole looking good for your man thing seems a little sexist and outdated if you ask me."

To which Ange just laughed.

"Only if you do it because it's expected. I do it because it makes me feel good and I enjoy it." She stuck her tongue out at me.

"Well that's the difference. I don't enjoy it, so I don't do it." I tapped her nose lightly, making her scrunch the feature in response.

"Fine, fine. You actually don't look half bad. I'm kinda surprised you're not wearing flannel for once. Did you miss laundry day or something?"

That made me grin. Most of my wardrobe was some variation of flannel. Most of which I had gotten from the Goodwill.

"Har-dee-har. I do have some clothes that aren't plaid." Though I was very aware the sweater I was wearing was only one of the three non-checkered long-sleeved shirts that I owned.

"Positively shocking!"

I swatted at her again.

"All jokes aside, you do look very nice." She told me sweetly. I returned the smile, glad to have a friend like Ange. "Okay, I am ready now." She said after giving herself a final appraisal.

"Thank goodness. I might be able to get some peanuts before the line gets super long."

She shook her head at me like the basket case I was.

"You are a nut. Come on, lets go before you waste away, my precious legume."

Our combined laughter echoed through the house as we made our way outside.

…

"Oh shit, did you see that pass?! That was insane! That Ephraim kid has one hell of an arm." Erik announced loudly.

I glanced at the scoreboard on the side-line gritting my teeth slightly as I saw we were only behind by a few points.

"You're not supposed to be excited for the other team." I scolded gently, but honestly the new La Push quarterback, Ephraim Black, was pretty frigin awesome.

"I can't help it." Erik said in a half-amazed tone. "I mean we like those guys anyways, but man that kid has talent. We might lose this year."

Which wasn't altogether too concerning, as the La Push Wolves were not actually in our division, so the game was more for fun than for state championships. The games started a long time ago back before a formal team even existed between the two schools. Then as time went on, they kept the match as a form of tradition. It's probably why the rivalry was a friendly one, since it didn't hurt either team's ability to go to state.

"Ugh, I know we won last year, but it just seems a shame to lose when we're seniors." Erik nodded his head in silent agreement.

"You have to admit, this has been a great game though. Even if we lose it's gotta be one of the best we've ever had." Ange commented.

She wasn't wrong.

The teams were usually closely matched in ability which is what made it so much fun to watch. But this time it was so much more intense. Edward had helped lead the team to victory last year, but the new QB for La Push was equally as good. They were constantly battling for points on the field. Matching each other for yards, passes, and touchdowns nearly every play.

Edward had been running so much I was certain he was going to be exhausted when he finally came off the field.

Now the time was running out and we had the ball, but La Push was in the lead. So it was really anyone's game.

We watched in silent fascination as Jasper threw an incredible pass, lining us up right near the end zone.

My stomach was tight, knowing that if they got the touchdown we would win. It was fourth down, three seconds on the clock. As the seconds ticked by, we breathed with the players. Clenching our jaws as their defensive line crashed with our offensive.

And it happened.

Edward Cullen pushed through across the line.

The roaring in the stadium was thunderous with yelling and applause as we officially won the game.

I looked to my friends a grin on my face.

"We did it!" We all screamed in unison. I wondered if winning state would feel this good, yet somehow I doubted it.

"Oh my god! That was so close. Ahhh." Erik yelled jumping up and down with the crowd.

Fans flooded the field to congratulate the team for the win. I watched as our boys cheered dancing around slapping each other on the back. I was so proud I could hardly stand it.

"I'm going to find Ben!" Ange yelled as she ran down the steps excitedly.

"We need to get out there too. Come on Bella. Let's go get your man!" Erik nudged me with a grin.

I tried not to wince as I considered how Edward wasn't mine. And how this victory wasn't one I had a right to feel this proud of.

"Ha. I'm not going out there in this craziness. I'll find him when this mess calms down." I joked, pointing to the mass of people now collected on the field.

"Ugh, you're such a spoil sport. Half the fun is the crowd!" He announced pushing past me to make his way to the field with everyone else.

I watched from the stands as friends embraced friends, families pulled each other into little huddles, and loved ones held each other close. It made me feel both sad happy and undeniably sad.

As the crowd slowly dissipated, I shook off my unhappy thoughts and headed down the steps to the edge of the field. I could actually see Edward now. He was talking with Ephraim and another player whose shirt read ATEARA across the back. He was wearing a big dopey smile on his face that made we want to leap into his arms and kiss him senseless.

Instead I forced myself to walk over with an unhurried pace, keeping a tight hold on my composure.

The closer I got the louder their laughs sounded, and I couldn't keep the grin off my face seeing how happy Edward was.

His eyes darted to the side, making contact with mine and his smile widened. Butterflies ricocheted around my stomach from the look he gave me.

"Hey! Come on over," he called to me, causing the guys to turn.

The friendly 'Hello' I was preparing to speak died on my lips as I recognized one of their faces.

"Bella?" "Jacob?" We called simultaneously.

The joy that lit inside me, bloomed at the unexpected, but wholly welcome happenstance. Before I knew it, he had scooped me up into a great bear hug and was swinging me around.

"I can't believe it!"

"Me either!"

"Look at you!"

The words were exchanged in rapid succession.

"Holy crap! You're so tall." I stepped back and circled around him like mother checking her children before letting them out of the house.

"And you're still tiny!"

I rolled my eyes.

"Still big enough to take you!" I threw a couple of light jabs that landed softly on his now rock-hard abs.

"Careful. You might break your hand doing that." He laughed.

"No shit. Damn, when did you get all muscled up? What happened to the scrawny boy who taught me how to spear fish with a sharp stick?"

"I grew up kid."

"Kid? Ha! I'm older than you." I reminded him.

"But I'm taller, so that basically makes me older." He told me smugly.

"I knew you sucked at math, but here I thought you were at least decent in biology."

He poked me in the side for the comment.

"What the hell are you doing here anyhow? When did you move? And since when do you go by Ephraim?"

He chuckled lightly at the onslaught of my questions.

"Well, I live here now; we moved past summer. I told you I have family here." He reminded me with an affectionate hair ruffle.

I had forgotten that his grandfather lived in these parts, and holy hell, what a surprise.

"And Ephraim is technically my first name, I just preferred Jacob. But I'm named after my grandpa so everyone here always knew me by that name. When we made the move, I figured I'd just go with it."

Well that explained why I had no clue. Part of me couldn't believe I had been hearing his name these past months and never even knew it was him. Not to mention the entire game I just sat through!

"You guys know each other?" A voice asked, bringing our attention back to our audience. The boy who had spoken was the one with ATEARA written on his shirt. He like, Jacob, stood about six feet tall and had dark brown hair. His face was drawn in curious fascination at our exchange. Edward, on the other hand, was curiously devoid of any emotion. I wondered what to make of that.

"Yeah. Me and Dimples here go way back."

I groaned at the old nickname.

"You would bring that up, Slim-Jim." I told him snarkily. To which he let out a hearty laugh.

"Doesn't really apply anymore, Dimples. I'm guessing you can't say the same." He winked. I raised a single brow.

"Wouldn't you like to find out." I sassed, before we both broke out in huge grins once again.

"Y'all used to date or something?" Ateara asked with a soft smile on his face.

"Or something." Jacob winked at me. I just rolled my eyes.

"We went to camp together a while ago." I clarified, watching Edward stiffen a fraction. "I'm Bella by the way."

"Quil, or Ateara." He responded with a smile.

"It's really nice to meet you. So are y'all going to the beach?" There was an undeniable note of hope in my voice. I was just so happy to see Jake again. I wanted to see how he was doing. How his mom was. Life in general.

"Of course. Can't get rid of me that easily." Jake teased. "We do need to meet up with the others though. Gotta get changed first then we'll be out that way."

I nodded my understanding, but before I could say anything, he placed a small kiss on my cheek.

"See you in a bit Bells." Then he and Quil hurried off the field, leaving me alone with Edward.

I turned to him a little uncertain as to what to say.

"Wow, okay, sorry about that." I attempted to apologize thought I wasn't even sure what for. I mean Jake was my past, and Edward and I didn't really have a clear relationship, but still I felt like I owed him an apology.

"What's to be sorry about?" His voice was tight, making my stomach sink. "Anyways, I need to go change myself. I'll see you at the beach later."

He didn't bother giving me a kiss before he walked away.

I stared at his back more than a little dumbfounded, wondering for the millionth time in my life, what did I do wrong?

AN: Ugh.. the feels! How did you feel about Jacob's introduction? And how does Edward feel about this newcomer?

Sorry my peeps for taking so long to update. I have excuses.. lots of them.. It's been a struggle to have time to write, but I am still working on this fic, though updates may take longer than I'd like to get out to you. Hope you are all well! Thanks for all the love!