SONG: The Mooney Suzuki - I say I love You

Chapter 32

Three Words

EPOV

Bella's eyes widened.

I stopped moving forward and stared at her a moment, my brow furrowed in confusion. She wasn't even looking at me. Her gaze was fixed over my shoulder, a horrified expression on her face. I turned, still holding her, and looked over my shoulder.

And...Holy Fuck!

I definitely wasn't prepared for who I saw standing in the kitchen doorway, frozen and staring at us with a look of half incredulity and half...rage on his face.

Instinctively, I sprang away from Bella, even moving a few further inches from her. She was unmoving, her face and neck coloured a bright red. Her eyes glanced back and forth from her dad to someone else, someone standing in the hall. From the angle I was standing in after I had moved away from her, I couldn't see who the other person was.

We stood in silence for what seemed like hours, Charlie Swan's furious glare shifting from Bella to me, and back again. I noticed his hand flexing at his waistband occasionally and I gulped, wondering if he had his gun on him.

Maybe he really would shoot a bullet up my ass.

It was just my luck. Because of all the times for me to meet him, of all the times that he could have walked in on us, he had to do it today. Today when we were about to make out in the kitchen. Normally Bella and I would make out on the couch or in her bedroom. This was the first time we were fooling around in the kitchen, and this was the day fate had decided that I would finally meet Charlie Swan as Bella's boyfriend.

We were still struggling to control our breathing, and I could see her subtly trying to adjust her sweatpants. I was aware that my erection was still very much in evidence and was silently praying that my black pants were hiding it, while also going over mathematical equations in my head, trying to get rid of it.

Eventually, the person from the hall cleared their throat and said,

"Charlie, Jake and I will go and wait in the living room."

Wait, did he say Jake?

But before I had a chance to think about it, Charlie spoke; his voice tight and restrained, as he seethed with fury.

"Alright Bill, I'll be there in a minute."

He went over to the kitchen door and slammed it shut, before turning around slowly to face us. I glanced at Bella and she was biting her lip nervously, her face still flushed. I swallowed, bracing myself for whatever Charlie Swan had in mind.

His gaze flickered over to me. He held my eyes for a moment, before turning to Bella.

"Isabella. Marie. Swan. You had better start explaining yourself right now, before I lose my temper." He said; his voice low and menacing and his jaw clenched.

He had already lost his temper a while ago.

I glanced at Bella.

Her mouth opened and closed a few times, as she started to say something and then changed her mind.

Charlie's fist clenched.

"Isabella!" he said in a warning tone.

"Um...what...what do you want me to explain dad?" Bella asked; her voice barely above a whisper.

"I want you to explain who this...boy standing before me is." He gestured over to me wildly. "I want you to explain why there was a boy in my house when I wasn't here. I want you to explain what the hell you were doing when I walked in the front door!" He yelled the last part, slamming his fist down on the counter.

Bella and I flinched.

"Um...well dad...this is...this is Edward, you know, the guy that I borrowed the car from. He just...just came over to pick up his car and –"

Charlie's fist hit the counter again.

"Isabella, do not lie to me!"

"I'm not lying dad!" Bella said, defensively, "Edward came to collect his car; he's only been here for maybe ten minutes."

Charlie looked at her for a moment, a disgusted expression on his face.

"My daughter." He said shaking his head, his nose wrinkled in disgust, "Standing there and lying to my face like I'm a goddamn idiot! If he has just been here a few minutes can you explain why he is only in a t shirt? Can you explain where his shoes are? Can you explain why the hell his hair is damp!"

Oh fuck.

Bella's face flushed, and she looked down at the floor.

"Oh?" Charlie said sarcastically, "Run out of lies have you?"

I could see why Charlie was Chief of Police. He was a good cop.

This might have been the dumbest thing I could have done, but I had to say something. I couldn't let Bella get in trouble when it was basically my fault. I mean, I was the one who fell asleep at her house yesterday. I'm the one who got aroused in the kitchen and then couldn't keep my hands off her, because I was watching her sweet ass in those tight sweatpants.

"Um...Chief Swan?"

His head whipped round to look at me, his face an angry shade of red, his eyebrows furrowed deeply.

"Can I explain?" I asked meekly.

He didn't reply, but kept glaring at me, that same disgusted expression on his face. I took his silence as a yes.

"Err, Chief Swan, I'm Edward Cullen-Masen. I'm the nephew of Carlisle and Esme Cullen. I'm really sorry sir, I mean; I honestly didn't mean to disrespect you at all. Me and Bella have kind of been...dating for a while now..." I cringed inwardly as he glanced at Bella, his eyes widening.

"And I err...took her out to dinner last night." I continued, "And afterwards I...kind of...came inside for a while, you know, just to make sure she got in safe and everything, and I accidently fell asleep on the couch. Bella didn't want me to drive tired so...she left me to sleep."

"You weren't on the couch this morning when I got in from work." Charlie said, his eyes narrowed, but I could see he was calming down slightly.

"He was in the guest room." Bella suddenly cut in. "I'm really sorry for lying to you dad, but I wanted to introduce him to you properly. I didn't want it like this, you know, when you're all mad."

Charlie was silent for a while. He visibly calmed, his fist unclenching and his face returning to its normal shade. I silently breathed a sigh of relief. Then he seemed to remember something, his brow creasing a little in confusion.

"What about Jacob? I thought you were dating him?"

My jaw clenched a little.

Bella grimaced. "Err, no dad, Jake and I...didn't work out. We were just friends."

Charlie looked at me, his eyes locked with mine, and said,

"I like Jake better."

My fists clenched.

"Well Edward," he continued, "I think it's time for you to start going home. I'm sure your aunt and uncle will be wondering where you are."

And with that he opened the kitchen door and walked out.

I heard Bella audibly sigh. I turned to her and she was leaned against the counter, her eyes closed. I moved closer to her, also leaning against the counter. She opened her eyes and looked at me.

"I'm so sorry Edward. My dad tends to overreact a little, especially if it's anything to do with guys."

"Hey, you've got nothing to apologise for, and anyway, at least I've got meeting him out of the way now." I grinned at her, and she smiled back at me. I put my arm around her shoulder and she leaned into me, sighing softly.

"Oh, sorry, I err, didn't realise you were still in here." A gruff voice mumbled.

Bella and I looked up.

It was Jake.

My jaw clenched again automatically as I glared at him, my eyes narrowed.

He went over to the fridge, took out a six pack of beer and was about to walk back out when Bella moved out from under me and stopped him by touching his arm.

A surge of jealousy hit me as I saw her touch his arm. It was ludicrous, I mean, it was only a light touch, and on his arm for crying out loud. But I couldn't help it.

He turned around to face her, his brow furrowed.

"How are you Jake?" Bella asked him softly.

My blood boiled in my veins.

"I'm fine." He said tersely, scowling at the floor.

"That's good." Bella said.

They were both silent a moment. Then he looked at her, his expression softening.

"So...how are you?" he asked her gently.

She smiled at him. "I'm fine Jake."

I gripped the counter I was still leaning against, to stop myself from lunging at that guy and smashing his fucking face in. The way he was looking at her was making me sick.

He glanced up at me, as if sensing my sentiments; his face hardening again as he met my eyes. We glared at each other a moment, not speaking, yet our eyes spoke volumes.

He broke our gaze first and turned back to Bella.

"I'm going back to the living room now, my dad and Charlie are probably wanting their beers." He said.

"It's nice that you came over." Bella said to him.

Why was she encouraging this guy?

"Yeah, I only came coz your dad needed me to help him fix something on his car. I didn't even think you'd be here."

"Oh." She said.

Why the fuck did she sound disappointed?

"Well, I'll err, I'll see you around Bells." He said, and walked out of the kitchen.

Bells?

She came back and stood next to me, sighing again and leaning against me. I stiffened, folding my arms across my chest as I scowled at the space in front of me.

She looked up at me. "What's wrong?" She asked.

What's wrong? After you've just been having a little tender moment with Jakey there right in front of me, you're asking me what's wrong?! My mind screamed.

"Nothing." I muttered, "You heard your dad though, I better start leaving, I wouldn't want to make him mad again."

I walked out of the kitchen and up the stairs to her room. She followed.

I picked up my shirt, hastily put it on and started buttoning it. She watched me silently. I put on my shoes; then went over to her closet to get my jacket.

I heard her sighing from behind me. "God Edward, will you just tell me what's wrong?" She said.

I took my jacket off the hanger and turned to face her.

"What is it with you and that guy?" I asked her.

She looked confused. "What do you mean?"

"I mean, why did you have to say something to him just now? Why couldn't you just let him do whatever he came to do in the kitchen and leave?"

"Not this again, Edward." She groaned. "You know, I really don't get what the hell you're jealous of. It's completely irrational! I haven't spoken to him in like, weeks and you get mad just because I asked him how he was?"

I looked at the floor. It did sound silly when she put it like that.

"Yeah well, I don't like the way he looks at you." I muttered pathetically.

I acted like a total madman whenever it was something to do with her. I had never been jealous of another guy before, yet here I was, getting mad because she touched a guy on the arm. Jazz's words echoed through my mind again, 'You are totally falling for Bella Swan.'

She had fallen asleep before me last night and I had lain awake next to her, gazing at her angelic face and stroking her soft hair and thinking about those words. Thinking that maybe Jazz was right.

Falling for Bella Swan.

Falling in love with Bella Swan.

In love with Bella Swan.

She laughed, and came over to me, putting her arms around my neck and hugging me tightly. My arms encircled her waist and I breathed in her feminine scent. She leaned back and gazed into my eyes after a moment, and as I gazed back I felt a strong urge to say it to her. To say those three little words that held so much meaning. My heart started thudding rapidly in my chest, as if it was in agreement with what I wanted to do. I opened my mouth to say it; then the doubt and fear started creeping in. What if she didn't say it back? What if she didn't love me? What if, despite what she said, she loved that guy? I closed my mouth and leaned forward to kiss her on her lips instead.

The last week at school before Spring Break was a little crazy. This was probably due to the fact that we had a few rare days of sunshine in Forks, plus the fact that people were really looking forward to Spring Break. I wondered why, I mean, what could you possibly do for fun in this town during Spring Break anyway? I was going to stay with my mom for the week. I did want to go, of course, but then the thought of not seeing Bella for a week had almost changed my mind. I had even decided to maybe just stay for three days so I could come back and spend a little time with Bella before we had to go back to school. But then she had gotten the tickets to go and see her mom.

Charlie Swan had started taking earlier shifts. I went to Bella's house on Monday after school and we were both taken aback when he sauntered in – looking almost smug – at around six. I had stayed for about an hour, until the tense atmosphere had gotten too much. Her dad was constantly finding excuses to come into the kitchen where we were sitting, obviously checking up on us. The rest of the week she had come over to our house. She still didn't seem to want to come in my room and on Thursday I decided to ask her why.

"Because..." She frowned and looked down at her lap. "Because every time I look at your bed, I can imagine you and Tanya together, you know...sleeping together.

I grimaced at the thought.

"Well, is there anything that will get that image out of your head? Because c'mon, you'll have to come into my room sometime."

We were on the couch in the living room. I was lying on it and Bella was sitting up, leaning against me.

"Hmm..." She pursed her lips, "I don't know. I'll think of something."

I rolled my eyes and smirked. "And I thought I was the jealous one."

She punched my arm lightly.

She had to leave for Phoenix on Friday evening.

I offered to drive her to the airport, earning a glare from Charlie, but I didn't care. I wasn't going to see her for a week, I at least needed to have the drive to the airport with her. We hugged each other tightly as she was about to board her flight. I watched her walking away, occasionally glancing back at me, as she disappeared into the gate, and this time I didn't fight the urge to say it.

"I love you." I whispered.

But she was already gone.

Author's Note:

Thank you for reading my story and adding it to story alerts and favourites and reviewing!

Savannah-Vee