AN: Thank you to Anony for reviewing. Here's the newest instalment!
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Chapter Fifty Eight: Movie Night with Bella.
"Did you see the blood spurt out of that guy? It was like a fountain!" Jake chortled, throwing his empty cup in the trash, "That movie was so bad!"
"You know how to pick them, Jake." I teased back, waving my hand in a vague gesture. He caught it and swung our hands between us. It was a habit he had picked up recently and one I was not completely opposed to. His hand felt so warm around my thin, cold fingers that I found I did not mind this display of affection.
"You're telling me that other movie would have been better?" He flicked the promotion poster for the romantic comedy in passing, "I would not waste a perfectly good afternoon on hearts and flowers."
"But we wasted it on that movie." Stating the obvious, I stared down at our joined hands, feeling his warmth soaking into me. The familiar, comforting sensation thawing out my frazzled nerves from this morning.
"Yeah, but-true." He conceded easily, "Maybe you should make it up to me by buying dinner?"
"Make it up to you? When was this my i-"
"Bella? Bella! Hey!" A familiar voice called, causing me to turn automatically towards it.
"Mike?" I frowned in confusion, as if my mind couldn't quite comprehend a work colleague being anywhere but work.
"Yeah, hey." His hand rested on my bicep in an overcompensated familiar gesture, "How's it going? Are you on a date?" The accusation in his voice was obviously founded in unnecessary jealousy and my stomach swam a little uneasily at the connotations of that.
At work, Newton's Olympic Outfitters, Mike was often overly friendly and prone to little touches and remarks that veered on flirtatious. He was harmless though. He was like a retriever puppy; happy to gain your attention and eager to be with you simply doing things to please you, but easily distracted when another person becomes involved. While I'd deduced he had taken a liking for me, considering I could see the purple shoes of his companion, I could conclude my disinclination towards his interest in me wasn't getting in the way his life.
I felt Jake's hand squeeze mine and Mike's hand fell from my arm as I shifted slightly towards Jacob.
"No." I shook my head, "I told you, I don't date...not anymore." I breathed the last part, knowing both male parties knew about my previous relationship but hoping neither brought it up now that my romantic habits were being questioned.
"We just went to see the slasher movie." Jake jumped in, "You should take your date...if you have the stomach for it." His remark had a slightly snide edge, so unlike Jake's usually pleasant disposition, that it took me back a moment, but Mike replied in just the same manner.
"I'm pretty sure I could handle it." Mike retorted stiffly, "We haven't decided which movie yet though. Right, Jess?"
"I thought we were going seeing 'Love Spelled Backwards Is Love'." His companion corrected him cheerfully, leaning into Mike, "You did say I could choose the movie this time."
"Right." Mike muttered, his bravado blown.
"Come on, we don't want to miss the beginning of the movie." Jess chirped, "Nice to meet you both."
"See you later, Bella." Was Mike's closing line as Jess pulled him away to the concessions stand. Jacob's hold on my hand slackened slightly and I realised how tightly he had been holding me in Mike's presence. Casually pulling my hand out of his, I stretched my fingers.
"It's good to see Jess' persistence has finally paid off." I said when Jake didn't say anything further or indicate he was ready to move, "She has been coming by the shop for weeks to see Mike."
"What a marshmallow." Jake muttered to himself, turning to watch Mike and Jess presumably. From the direction he was facing, I knew Jess had successfully convinced Mike to go in the romantic comedy over facing the ridiculously bad slasher horror.
"You okay, Jake?" Watching his hand flexing absently by his hip, I grew concerned.
"Tell me something, Bella?" He suddenly faced me again and I could feel his gaze concentrate on my downturned face, "You like me, right?"
"You know I do." I could feel my stomach cramping with unease.
Jacob was preparing to broach a subject I didn't think my heart could take and he wasn't doing it like my Jacob. He was being too abrupt; like if he didn't start this conversation now, then he would never have the courage again. I almost hoped he went for the second option. I couldn't do this, not now, now with Jake. He was my best friend, my harbour in the storm, and my sunshine breaking through the dark night of my life, and I couldn't risk him ruining our friendship. The thought made me want to wretch.
"Better than the guy back there?" He continued, oblivious to my inner turmoil.
"Yes." I sighed, resigned. Slumping onto the bench in the cinema's lobby, I hung my head, as he sat beside me and took my hand again.
"Better than any of the other guys you know?"
"Better than all of the girls too." I shrugged, trying to divert the conversation.
"But that's all." He said it not as a question, but a statement.
"Yes." Nodding, I bite my lip nervously, "I'm not going to change, Jake."
"As long as you like me the best." Jake perked up a little, sounding more himself again, "I'm prepared to be annoyingly persistent. Just don't get mad at me hanging around, okay? Because I'm not giving up. I've got loads of time."
"You shouldn't waste it on me." I warned him as he pulled us both up to standing again. I was damaged goods, Jacob deserved far better than what I would ever be able to offer, if I was ever able to give even a tiny part of my hollow heart to someone else again. But the thought was almost unbearable now.
"It's what I want to do. So long as you still like to be with me."
"I can't imagine how I could not like being with you." I told him honestly, "Just don't expect more, please."
"I can live with that." He squeezed my hand and I wasn't sure who he was reassuring, but it felt warm and secure, "This doesn't really bother you, does it?"
"No." Surprisingly, a soft blush heated my cheeks and I ducked my head. Jake ignored my ill timed reaction and we walked back to the car, hand in hand, as if it was the most natural thing in the world.