The Only Exception
Chapter 3: Bella's POV
A month later…
"Leah, I literally just can't do this right now," I say in tears to my best friend.
"Bella it's early, you guys are still learning each other. There is gonna be some fucking hiccups," she shakes my shoulders.
"I just feel like I'm intruding on him. And shit's felt off the last week or so. I tried to talk to him about it but he's so nice, so non-confrontational. Like it's always whatever I want and I hate that! I don't want to take away his options or choices. I knew moving in so soon would be bad," I pull myself out of her grip.
"Bella, do you know how many people would kill to have everything their way? You've got something going for you! Look at Jake and I, we fight every day!" she says breathing hard.
"I don't want to fight every day but I want him to stand up to me. I know he has issues with me because I have some with him. And when I tell him what's going on with me he… he just changes. Like fuck. I don't want a puppy. I want him to be whoever he wants to be but he wants to be whoever I want him to be. It pisses me off to no end," I tell her in frustration packing a bag.
"So you're just gonna leave while he's patrolling? That's all kinds of fucked up Bella. At least talk to him before you dip out on him," she sits on the bed.
"I'm obviously gonna talk to him. Even though he didn't come home at all last night or yet today. He's done that twice that week. I know that means he needs space and is just too nice to ask for it. I need space too and I just want to have shit ready for when we finally so I can just leave," I say wiping tears from my face.
"And just where are you gonna go?" Leah asks.
"I can't tell you, I don't want it slip in the pack mind. And I'm hoping no one tries to find me," I look at her pointedly.
"I just feel like this is wrong. Why won't you just come stay with me?" she asks.
"That's too easy, he'd find me and I'd come back. Nothing would change. I need to go away for a while. Find who I am on my own," I decide.
Leah sighs but nods. "What about Charlie?"
"What about him? We haven't talked since I left. He's the Chief of Police. If he wanted to find me, he could have. I know he comes to Jake's to hang out with Billy," I look at her knowing she won't tell me different. When she doesn't I continue. "I would never give him the satisfaction of going back," I say meaning it.
"Okay I'm not gonna try to find out where you're going nor am I going to follow you. But I do want to hear from you often to make sure you're okay," she comes over to hug me.
"Of course girl, only you," I hug her as tight as I can. As I let go there's a knock on the door.
We look at each other questioningly but both walk towards the door. When I open it, there's a pretty tan skinned girl standing there with confusion all over her face. "Hello?" I ask
"Oh, hello, I'm looking for Embry," she says uncertainly.
"Who are you may I ask?" Leah asks semi rude.
"I… uhm… my name is Kelsey. I'm his, well we've been seeing each other," she answers with a soft smile.
"Oh okay! Well, why don't you come on in and wait with us for him!" I say ushering her in before Leah could object.
The girl relaxes while Leah's eyes nearly pop out of her head at me. Follow my lead, I mouth to her. With a single nod from her we walk the girl into Embry's living room. "So how do you guys know Embry?" the girl asks innocently.
"I'm his cousin Leah and this is my best friend Bella," Leah answers.
"Well it's nice to meet you!" she smiles.
"Nice to meet you to. So how did you and Embry meet?" I ask her.
Her whole face lights up and I realize she's in love with the man who is supposed to be mine. "We met about 5 months ago at a store in Port Angeles. He asked for my number, I gave it to him, we went on a few dates and the rest is history. We usually alternate places but for the last month he's only been coming to my house so I thought I'd surprise him and come over here," she explains.
"That's nice. Embry loves surprises! You know what we should do? We should cook him dinner!" Leah suggests.
I try to hide the hurt and confusion on my face nodding with a fake smile. Kelsey agrees and we all head into the kitchen to gather some ingredients. I decide to make him a nice lasagna while Kelsey wants to make him some brownies. Leah volunteers to make a salad. After I fix up the lasagna and set it in the oven I excuse myself to Embry's room. I quickly pack up all of my things, anything that would seem like a female had been in here. I rush into the bathroom and swipe out all of my toiletries. All of this takes a good 5 minutes since I've already started packing. I hear Leah announce she was going to the bathroom. She comes in Embry's room looking extremely pissed off. "He has some explaining to do!" she hisses.
"Fuck it, I knew something was off, something was up. And this is why I don't fucking do this shit. Can you sneak my bags out to the car?" I ask her pleading. She nods and grabs all of my shit moving silently.
I walk back into the kitchen and make small talk with Kelsey to distract her from all that's going on. Leah's taking a bit longer than I expected outside so I end up talking more and more to this girl. I find that in another circumstance I would probably get along with this girl. Well I am getting along with her. She just doesn't know that we're sleeping with the same man. I wonder if she's taught him things that I like. I wonder if she likes things I've taught Embry. I have to shake my head before I work myself up. Neither of us has told the other that we loved them but I thought the feelings were there on both sides. I thought once you imprinted you couldn't see any other bitch. I thought I was it for him but I was wrong. Maybe imprinting isn't what the boys all think it is. Fuck it, I'm not sticking around to find out.
Leah walks in from the back of the house holding her phone to her ear. "Yeah babe, I'll be over in a bit. I'm gonna have some dinner first okay?" she says sounding loving. "Ditto. Bye," she hangs up.
"That was Jake, they are just about done working. He says Embry will be home in just under an hour," she announces.
"Oh good, dinner will be done by then," I say cheerfully.
Leah asks Kelsey questions seemingly interested in getting to know her while I know it's just to gain information. We learn that she is 20, goes to college, has no kids, really close with her family and they adore Embry. She tells us she does in fact love Embry and it hurts. I mean yes I assumed she did but hearing her confirm it, it makes this thing real. Time ticks on and we move into the living falling in a silence. It's not quite comfortable but it's not completely uncomfortable. I just pretend to watch what's on tv, while Leah watches me and Kelsey in genuinely interested in the show. I notice Leah tense up and I know that means Embry is close. Just then the timer goes off so I scurry into the kitchen to pull out dinner.
I hear him come in the front door slowly, cautiously, not knowing what he's walking into. I listen to his footsteps walking towards me but I can't bring myself to turn around and face him. "Bella…I-" he starts.
"Don't. Not now. She's in the living room," I simply say still not turning around.
I hear him retreat and go to her. "Hey baby! How was your day?" Kelsey asks him. Her voice is muffled so I can only assume they're hugging.
"It was long, what are you doing here?" he asks gently.
"I wanted to surprise you! Your cousin and her friend are really nice! They've been very welcoming. Come look what we made you!" she says pulling him into the kitchen.
I finally turn around to look at him and he looks a mix of confused and guilty. Leah is behind them seething but trying to reign it in. "Yeah Em, Bella made lasagna, Kelsey made brownies and I mixed a salad for you," she tells him faking happiness.
"You guys shouldn't have, that was really nice," he says going to grab plates.
I move out of his way and sit at the table. Leah takes the seat next to me. Kelsey walks over to Embry and kisses the center of his back before moving comfortably around the kitchen making plates. I silently watch the way they move around each other and notice while Embry is a little distant because I'm here, he definitely has done this a time or two with her. I can't even put my finger on exactly how I'm feeling right now with all of the emotions flying through my mind. Kelsey brings steaming plates of food to Leah and I telling Embry to give us drinks. I share a look with Leah who looks like she's waiting for me to explode. I pull out my phone and send her a quick text. This is gonna be the way I make my easy escape and he can't chase me because he's gotta be here with her.
I watch her as she reads it and she locks eyes on mine before nodding quickly. Embry and Kelsey join us at the table and we eat with light conversation. Embry keeps looking at me seemingly very confused but trying not to cause problems. I can Leah wants to stir the pot but I'm hoping she doesn't, this poor girl knows nothing about me and Embry. She doesn't need to witness the shit that has to go down.
"Bella, this lasagna is amazing! How'd you learn to cook so well?" Kelsey asks going to get a second plate.
"I taught myself to cook. It's something I enjoy doing," I answer honestly.
"I'm not much of a good cook but I can definitely bake, right Embry? He just loves when I make him special sweets," she comes back kissing his cheek.
I suppress a shudder with a smile as Embry looks at me briefly. His eyes hold apologies but his mouth never whispers one. I stand up and take Leah's plate to the kitchen with mine to start cut brownies. I can feel Embry follow me with his own. "Bella just wait a minute. Would you please let me explain?" Embry whispers.
"Now is really just not a good time. Your little girlfriend is out there and I don't feel like fighting. After I eat this brownie, Leah and I are leaving. Please don't try to come find me," I tell him before walking away. I hand Leah her brownie and sit back down to eat my own as Embry brings brownies out for himself and Kelsey.
"Man I'm stuffed! I'm so glad we did this!" Kelsey says smiling.
"Yeah, it was fun," Leah says unconvincingly. "Well we better go, Embry you got the clean up?" she looks at him hard.
"Yeah, sure no problem. I'll walk you guys out," he answers standing.
"Oh that's not necessary," I say to him.
"Don't be silly, you never know what kinds of creatures could be lurking out there. Let him keep you guys safe. It was nice to meet you both. I hope to see more of you," Kelsey gushes.
"You too," I simply respond moving towards the door.
Once we're outside Leah whisper yells at Embry. "What the fuck Call? That shit is not cool!"
"Leah we can talk about it later. Bella please don't go," he pleads.
"Why would I even want to stay Embry? You've got another bitch on the side. Keep her. I don't share. And don't worry, I've already taken all of my stuff, it's like I was never there. Change the sheets though," I tell him moving to climb into the truck.
Leah walks around to the other side and climbs in as Embry starts towards me. "No Embry, goodbye," I say getting in and closing the door.
He stares sadly at me through the window as I start the truck and put it in reverse. I start driving away and head towards Leah's house. We go back and forth about how I handled the girl and Embry. I argue that I don't have to fight her when he was in the wrong and she literally had no idea. He fucked up, he is to blame, I can't fault her for something that's not her fault. Leah still just can't seem to understand why I'm so calm. And she has a point. I'm not sure either. Probably because I've learned over time to expect the worst. I definitely didn't see this coming but I knew that something was gonna go wrong between Embry and I. I pull up to Leah's and hug her tight. This is the last time I'm gonna see her for a while though I know I'll check in regularly. I don't even know for sure where I am going.
I drive to Port Angeles and find a hotel to stay at for the night. Whipping out my phone I look for cheap apartments and places hiring. As I'm doing this my mom calls me. I've talked to her at least twice a week since leaving Charlie's house. She wasn't happy to hear I left and wanted me to come back to her right then. I didn't want to at the time because I had Embry, now that that's done, I don't see a problem going at least for a visit. She books me a flight for the next day and finds a storage place that lets me pay to leave the truck for two weeks. Tomorrow I'll be on a flight to Florida thousands of miles from all of the bullshit this fucking town has brought into my life and I can't wait for a break from it all.