Disclaimer: I do not own nor profit from these characters. I just enjoy playing with them.
Rating:PG-13
Everything Goes: Chapter Three:
Bella chewed on her fries while she listen to Embry brag about beating her and Jake both today. Normally Bella was the one who could claim victory but this afternoon her game was off due to the way that Jake kept watching her so intensely. She suspected he had something on his mind. She wasn't sure if she wanted to pry into his thoughts. Apparently those thoughts included her with the way his eyes stayed pretty much on her most of the afternoon.
"You both sucked today." Embry smack Jake's upper arm as he smiled smugly across the table at Bella.
"Thanks Embry." Bella rolled her eyes playfully at him.
Jake was eating his hamburger quietly at the table next to Embry.
"Dude you taking loosing really bad." Embry nudged Jake who just chuckled under his breathe.
Bella licked the salt off of her lips as her eyes locked with his. She smiled gently. He returned her smile. She couldn't shake the sinking feeling that he was going to want to have one of those talks with her. That was one of the incredibly great things about being friends with Jake. He not only listened but he also communicated back. They were both usually so comfortable with one another that Bella never feared embarrassing or offending Jake when she discussed any issues she was dealing with.
"So are we still on for tonight?" Embry ask as he drowned his french fries with ketchup.
Bella glanced curiously between the two men in front of her.
"Sure." Jake replied as he sipped on his water.
"What is tonight?" Bella asked curiously.
"We are going to the Dirty Rooster with Quil and Collin. Apparently there are some hot chicks at this joint. If Quil can score then our boy Jake here is going to have his pick of the crop." Embry bragged proudly about his best friends god given charms that always scored him the best looking girls in his book.
"Wow that sounds like such fun." Bella replied sarcastically. She knew that the guys would no doubt get drunk off of their asses and make fools of themselves. Knowing Jake, Embry and Collin they would definitely pick up a girl before the night was up but poor Quil usually fumbled when he tried his pick up lines.
Quil was a nice guy but he tended to stumble with his pickup lines, especially if the girl was a looker.
"Oh don't be a poor sport Bella. You can come too. Just don't be hating the women who are crawling all over us." Embry winked at Bella.
Bella smiled wickedly at Embry.
"Hater? Honey I can't help it if you aren't man enough to score this." Bella licked her lips as she locked eyes with Embry. She flashed him her most seductive smile. She watched as he wiggled in his seat. Bella let her tongue slowly lick first the top lip and then circular around to the bottom. Grazing her teeth on the corner she shivered pretending to have just experience a small orgasm.
Embry leaned over the table practically drooling. Jake reached over and closed Embry's wide open gaping mouth.
"Dude don't need drool on my food." Jake chuckled.
He knew that Bella loved teasing Embry. Normally he wouldn't care but tonight he was having a hard time dealing with the two of them. His mind was still concerned about Bella's odd behavior toward him. All afternoon he watched her for any sign that might clue him on why she was acting awkward with him. He was still totally clueless. He just knew that he was not wrong about his instincts. There was definitely something going on with her. Anytime he grazed up against her she nearly jump out of her shoes.
When they started to sit at the table she made a point to sit on the opposite side of him. Normally she would request to sit by him. So he knew that something was bothering her and it pertained to him.
"So do you want to go Bella?" Embry offered as he gulped for air.
"Nah. Alice is suppose to come over tonight." Bella wrinkled her nose up at the thought of going to a club with the guys.
"Oh. When did she get back in town?" Jake asked surprised he had not heard about Alice's return from Europe. She had been gone for nearly two months. Alice's parents took her to travel with them. Since Alice wasn't working at the moment she agreed to go. Bella was bummed that she would be without her best friend for such a long time. Jake knew she was also jealous because she longed to travel to faraway places.
"Yesterday apparently. I got a message on my phone right before I went to bed. She felt badly for sleeping all day trying to get rid of her jet lag." Bella explained.
Bella knew out of her two girlfriends that Jake didn't care too much for Alice. He felt that Alice was too pushy and was trying to mold Bella into someone she wasn't. Bella often wondered if the real reason that Jake disliked Alice so much was due to her wealthy status. Jake worked hard every day of his life since he came of age to legally work. Alice was given everything she wanted from the second she was born. Bella hated that Jake saw Alice as a spoiled brat. Bella knew that Alice could be obnoxious but she was also very good to Bella. Alice understood her rules. If Alice wanted to be her friend she could not buy her expensive gifts. Bella set this rule into effect right away once they established their friendship. Alice's old friends expected her to buy them things. Bella would argue with her that real friends did not buy friends. They earned and honored them.
Bella was a good influence on Alice. She even managed to get her to shop when there were sales and as much as Alice hated it she forced her to buy from the clearance section. It was hilarious sometimes. Other times it was downright annoying to Bella that Alice did not seem to understand the concept of money and savings. Bella knew that if Alice didn't find a wealthy husband she would be forced to work for all the pretty things she worshiped.
"Must suck." Jake rolled his eyes disgusted with Alice's carefree lifestyle of the rich and famous.
"Stop it Jake. It was her parents who suggested the trip. They all went as a family. You know her father's health has been a bit shaky since he had that heart surgery." Bella sighed sadly as she recalled how close Alice came to losing her father. Bella didn't want to imagine something that serious happening to Charlie. For one they couldn't afford it and secondly Bella knew it would kill her to see her father in such a weakened stage when he had always been one of the strongest people she had ever known.
Jake gave Bella a guilty look before turning his attention back to his fries.
"So what you and the pixie doing tonight?" Embry ask curiously as he gave Bella a sinister grin.
Bella wondered if it was wise to answer that question truthfully when he looked like he was contemplating a plan in his little head.
"I'm not sure." Bella wasn't entirely lying with that statement she told herself.
"You guys could come." Embry smiled happily rubbing his hands together with a scary grin.
"Why?" Bella ask hesitatingly.
"Yeah why?" Jake frowned at Embry. He could not imagine why Embry would want two of their female friends to join them on a night out where they would be trying to hook up with other females.
"Think about it Jake. If we went with two fine ladies like Bella and Alice and they acted like they were interested in us it would make the other ladies there wonder what it was about us that made these two fine ladies so crazy about us. " Embry's eyes lit up with excitement.
Bella and Jake looked at one another and in union burst out laughing.
"Your weird Embry." Bella cried out as she wrapped her arms around her stomach.
"Seriously dude." Jake shook his head as he leaned back in his seat still laughing.
"Why is that weird?" Embry exclaimed giving them both a frustrated glare.
"Why would we pretend to like you guys? And if these females have even one brain cell in their beautiful little heads they would see right through that scheme." Bella replied trying to stop the laughter as she saw it was causing Embry to get upset with them.
"Are you implying that Jake and us are not worthy enough for women like you and Alice?" Embry challenged.
Bella's laughter died instantly. She stared hard at Embry. Of course she didn't think they were better than Jake and his friends. She would never see herself as superior to anyone. It was just the fact that girls like herself and Alice did not go to clubs to pick up guys for a quick romp in the bed. They were classier than that. Okay most of the time.
"I'm not saying that at all. I would never imply we were better than you guys. Look Embry girls at the clubs you guys usually play in have girls that are looking for the same thing your offering to give them. A quick night of sex. Just fun. Alice and I are the type of girls that look for more than that in a guy. We don't share our bodies so easily with every guy who is easy on the eyes." Bella hoped her explanation made some sense to Embry. He was often thick headed. She also hoped it helped alleviate any thoughts that she saw herself as better than him.
"Oh I see. I guess you think that all the girls at these clubs are sluts. You don't think they want everlasting love like you?" Embry ask with a snide tone.
"I don't know Embry!" Bella answered followed behind a frustrated sigh. Apparently her explanation was either not appreciated or understood.
"Then how you can judge them? I mean have you ever gone to one before Bella?" Embry continued to question her.
"Once or twice." Bella looked at Jake for some support. Jake just looked back at her with a blank face.
"I think you should go tonight and see for yourself that a lot of the women who do come are there for more than sex. Hell, most of them seem to be there just to dance and have a good time. Or are you and Alice too good to hang out with guys like us. You know the types that just want to fuck anything that moves." Embry dared Bella.
"Fine." Bella threw her hands up in defeat giving Jake an angry glare.
"Good. You better call Alice and tell her so she is dressed for a club and not some damn tea party." Embry snorted.
Bella glared harder at Jake who finally manage to crack a smile on his empty face.
"You will pay for this." Bella threatened him as she pick up her purse and stomp away from the table.
"Why did you piss her off? I live with her now. I can't just go home to get away from her when she is riled up like this." Jake reach over slapping Embry in the back of his head.
"Sorry. It just bothered me when she made us sound like we were just rutting pigs that thought with our dicks only." Embry explained.
"We are." Jake laughed.
"Yeah, well some of us would love to find a meaningful relationship with a girl that truly gets us. I don't know about you guys but I'm tired of one night stands. " Embry confided.
"Seriously?" Jake was shocked. He thought Embry was happy as a bachelor. Why was he suddenly wanting to be tied down to a girl? What was going on with his friends? First Bella didn't seem to want to be around him and now Embry was telling him he wanted a girlfriend. What else could go wrong in his life he wondered as he left the diner. Was the world going to end in a few days? Would he suddenly win the lottery? It felt like everything was shifting. Like he was living in a different realm.
The drive back home was very quiet.
When they walked into the apartment Jake remembered he wanted to talk to Bella about her strange behavior.
Bella's phone rang.
"Hey. I'm so glad you called." Bella began to chat as she walked into her room closing the door behind her.
Jake knew it would be at least an hour before she got off the phone with Alice. The conversation would start out about Embry's behavior at the diner and then turn to Alice's trip. Sitting down on the sofa he pick up the remote control flipping through channels until he found something decent to watch. After an hour went by he felt his eyes grow tired. Sitting the remote next to him he decided to take a small nap. Hopefully by the time he woke up Bella would be off the phone so he could talk to her before they all went out tonight.
Bella gave Alice the play by play about her conversation at the diner with Embry. Alice agreed that Embry was up to something. Neither of them would dare to believe that Embry could feel insulted by Bella's view of club life. They also agreed they would go out with them and show the boys that the men that normally went to such clubs were just dogs looking for other dogs in heat.
No one that they knew of had ever found Mr. Right at a club. If they found a Mr. Right it was more like a Mr. Right Now.
Alice had a few new outfits from her trip that she was excited to show off to Bella. She even bought one for Bella. She explained it was perfect for her and since Bella had checked on their pets while they were away it was only fair they purchased her something in exchange. Bella relented knowing they were giving her the gift in an act of gratitude for her act of kindness. She clean out the stupid kitty litter several times and not to mention walking Esme's poodles every day was not an easy task. The three dogs always wanted to go a different route causing the leashes to wrap around her ankles. She fell a few times before she realized that it was easier and safer for her to walk them one at a time.
Alice promised they would talk about her trip later. She had a few errands to run before she got ready and headed to Bella's place. Bella was excited to see her best friend again. She also made a note not to mention the fact that Edward called her today and mentioned hooking up for dinner later this week. She did not want Alice to get any false sense of importance to this meeting.
When she got off the phone she went to the living room to check on Jake. She knew he was upset with her. It was apparent that he agreed with Embry's view of her idea of clubs and girls since he hadn't made one attempt to help her out with the argument.
She found him on the couch fast asleep. She stood there smiling at him. She wondered if he was having the same erotic dream he had early this morning while she laid next to him? Feeling her body starting to tingle and her core slicked with desire she closed her eyes as she remembered the little peeks she got of Jake's bare backside in the bathroom. Feeling guilty she open her eyes staring at his face. He was definitely a handsome guy. He was also rather sweet looking when he slept she noted. Feeling the cool breeze from the ceiling fan she picked up the white and green striped throw blanket and laid it over Jake's sleeping form.
Yawning she walked back to her room laying across her bed she allowed herself to drift off to sleep. She knew tonight would be a long one. Hopefully the outfit Alice got her, would not only be sexy but comfortable.
Jake woke up feeling groggy as he reached out grabbing his cell phone. Sitting up he listened for any kind of sign of Bella but all he heard was the sound of the television. Looking down he noticed the blanket and knew Bella put it over him. He smiled. It was just like Bella to take care of him. At least that side of her hadn't changed.
Walking into the kitchen he poured himself a glass of water from the tap. He still couldn't believe that Bella caved into Embry's challenge. Would she really follow through and go? She knew how crazy Embry and Collin could be when drank. Why was she so determined to prove her point to Embry about women and their motives for going to a club?
He hated when Bella didn't bow down to challenges. There were many times that he had dealt with the consequences when she lost. The woman was stubborn as hell.
Putting the glass in the sink he made his way to her room. Tapping on the door he waited for a response. Nothing. He tapped a bit louder. Still no answer. Jake held his breath as he open the door just enough to peek inside. Bella was laying on her bed all curled up. She was asleep. Jake hated to wake her up but the guys would be over soon and she would need plenty of time to get ready.
Stepping into her room he cautiously walked to her side. Reaching out he patted her back.
"Bella. Bella darling wake up." Jake push a loosed piece of hair away from her face.
She rubbed her eyes as she started the process of waking up.
Sitting on the edge of her bed he sat staring down at her.
"Bella are you awake?" Jake whispered.
"Yeah." Bella nodded trying to open her eyes. She was still tired.
"It's six o'clock. When is Alice due to arrive?" Jake ask.
"Shit! Six thirty." Bella pulled herself up in the bed stretching her arms above her head.
"I guess losing that golf game really kicked our asses." Jake joked.
"I guess so." Bella agreed as she cracked a smile.
"So you and Alice are seriously going to go with us tonight?" Jake ask with a silly grin on his face.
"Yep. She is up for it. I didn't mean to insult you guys earlier but Embry made me feel like I was acting stuck up about going to clubs. I was not about to let him or anyone else think I was snobby." Bella explained as she let out a long yawn.
"I know you're not." Jake shifted so he was sitting next to her leaning his head against her backboard.
"Then why didn't you defend me?" Bella ask with a hurt tone.
"I was miles away thinking of other stuff. When I realized what you guys were fighting about I knew you could hold your own against him." Jake answered followed by a gentle nudge against her shoulder.
Bella laugh softly. She felt better knowing that his silence did not mean he agreed with Embry.
"Oh. So are you going to help me make Embry regret his words tonight?" Bella pleaded.
"Hey it's not fair for you to ask me to choose sides between my two best friends." Jake cluck his tongue as he playfully scolded her.
"True but just keep in mind you live with this best friend." Bella's eyes flashed him an evil look before her lips curled into a friendly smile.
"Speaking of that I'm not sure if my best friend wants me to live with her." Jake shifted the conversation so fast that Bella had no chance to see it coming.
She frowned at him trying to understand why he would feel like that.
"Are you kidding me?" Bella cried out.
"No. Since you got up this morning you are giving me the impression that your not too keen to be around me." Jake decided to be blunt and straightforward with her. Their friendship went way back and he didn't see any reason he should tiptoe around the problem.
"Shut up Jake!" Bella shoved him hard. She could not believe he was telling her this. Of course she was glad to be living with him. She chose him after all.
"I'm serious Bella." Jake's face showed how serious he felt about the subject.
Bella gulped hard. Her awkwardness with these foreign feelings for Jake were coming across to him in a wrong way. The last thing she ever wanted him to think, was that she didn't like him. She never meant for him to feel like that.
She was going to have figure out how to tell him that it was not about him, without him seeing through her lies. What in the world could she say that would make enough sense without exposing her true feelings? Her mind went blank. She couldn't afford to let Jake know just how incredible it felt to wake up in his arms this morning. Not to mention how horny she was for the rest of the day.
"Jake I swear to you that I do not regret for one second us moving in together. Shoot, we have practically been living at each other houses for years. I promise that if I am acting strangely it has nothing to do with you." Bella reached out lifting his hand and slipping her fingers between his large dark fingers. Squeezing her fingers around his, she felt the warmth of his flesh and soon sparks flew between them.
She needed to make him believe that the two of them had not changed. He must believe they were only friends and that she would always be here to support him. She could not do anything to jeopardize their friendship. Plus she was hoping these strange feelings would fade away. You know like some sort of silly school girl crush.
"Are you sure Bells? I mean when I get near you, you practically flinched. " Jake wasn't about to let go of this so easily. He knew what he felt was not exaggerated.
"If I do…it's because…well…I …maybe it's just me acting stupid somehow." Bella laugh weakly as she leaned against his shoulders. She wanted to prove to him that she could be near him without running away like a big baby.
"I get the stupid part but why? Why do you shy away from my touch? I mean hell Bella we have always hugged and held hands and you never showed any signs of fear or disgust before now?"
"I don't fear you and I am definitely not disgusted by you or your hands." Bella's voice rose as she tried to make that point loud and clear.
Turning to face him she cupped his face between her hands as she stared deep into his dark brown eyes. She hated herself. She had to prove to him that his presence near her was not bothering her like he suspected.
"Are you just saying that?" Jake wanted to believe her. He wanted to believe that she was telling him the truth and that whatever was bothering her had nothing to do with him directly.
"Nope." Bella smiled tenderly at him as she closed her eyes and pressed her lips against his.
She trembled inwardly. Jake was totally unaware of how such a normal friendly kiss between two friends was causing her heart to skip an extra beat.
Pulling away slowly from him she continued to smile at him, although her head felt dizzy with desire. She swallowed hard as he continued to look her directly in the eyes as if he was testing her somehow.
His hands circled around her wrists as he pulled them away from his face and held them .
"I believe you." Jake smiled with relief.
"Good cause I need to take a shower and you better hope there is enough hot water for you when I get out." Bella laughed as she jump up and raced to the bathroom.
Jake sat there chuckling at her silliness. He knew that she was still bothered about something that she was not confiding in him about but at least he knew that it was not about him personally.
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