Twilight belongs to S. Meyer.

Witfit Word Prompt: Coach

WitFit Dialogue Flex: "Why is this so frustrating?"

Highline

Chapter 14

I woke in the morning to the sound of birds chirping and Edward gently playing with the ends of my hair. He'd given me a quick kiss to the forehead, told me to relax for a while and slipped out to start the stove for breakfast.

I felt like I was still dreaming. The kiss we shared the night before brought things into completely new territory. It was easily the best kiss of my life. My teaching job at Forks High left little time for a social life – I had been stuck in a dry spell of epic proportions. I had done my share of dating while I was in college, but was never wowed by any of the awkward fumbles back in the dorms. Edward had woken up the passionate side of me with that kiss - I couldn't help but wonder what else he was capable of.

I took my time stretching before I got up to get dressed. Muscles I didn't even know I had ached with exertion. The back of my thighs were on fire and my shoulders were so stiff I wasn't sure that I'd be able to carry my pack any further on them. I wasn't about to wimp out, but part of me was relieved that the end of the trip wasn't too far off. There was nothing I craved more than a real bed and a hot shower.

As I dug clean underwear and socks from my bag, my mind started wandering. While I was looking forward to getting back to civilization, I was dreading it at the same time. Once the trip was done, it was over. The goal accomplished. Not only that, but I had no idea where Edward and I would wind up. Rose and Emmett seemed to think that they would just "let things happen", but I wasn't so sure that I could do that. I was always a planner, in control of every aspect of my life. Letting go of the reins – venturing into the unknown in more aspects than one – was a difficult concept to grasp.

I was committed to the outdoors in the Canadian Rockies –and Edward - for three more days. In my head I could hear my dad using one of his favourite sayings – "Let it ride." For the next three days, I would try my best to do just that.

xoxoxoxo

We hiked a solid five kilometres from the Og Lake Campground to Lake Magog. We passed meandering streams, gorgeous meadows and even spotted a herd of deer grazing. Lake Magog was stunning- an untouched mountain oasis with crystal clear water and rocky beaches. Emmett explained to us that a glacier dumps into the lake, giving it the green color and icy cold temperature. Mt Assiniboine stood proudly in the distance, but it felt closer than it had yet.

I was so glad that the sun was shining and that we had a lighter day ahead of us. My boots were still damp from the previous days trek, but my fresh clothes seemed to keep me a little more comfortable.

Emmett and Rose had wandered away to fish and Edward had set off by himself to check on nearby trail conditions at the Mt. Assiniboine Lodge. The lodge was built in 1928 and was used as a rustic, completely off the grid getaway for mountain travellers. It was a mere two kilometers from where we were camping for the night, but couldn't be seen from the lake edge.

I was glad to have some time alone with Jacob. He had been acting different since the day before. While we were all getting tired, he was extra quiet – extra distant. I followed him to the edge of the lake, where he was crouched over studying something in the sand.

"Whatcha looking at?" I asked, peeking over his shoulder.

"These tracks." He said, pulling his camera out of his coat pocket. "I'm pretty sure they're timber wolf."

"Wow. Are they common in this area?"

"Not as common up here. We see them more in the foothills." He still seemed distant, not making eye contact.

"It would be neat to see one." I offered, making an attempt at conversation.

"You wouldn't see just one, Bella." I followed him as he followed the pattern of the tracks. "They travel in packs." His tone was harsh instead of his usual friendly banter.

"My bad." I sighed. I was getting nowhere with him.

"So my boss man has grown on you, eh?" He asked as picked up a handful of pebbles from the edge of the lake and sorted them in his palm.

"You could say that." I replied, hesitantly. I had a feeling his bad mood was about Edward and I.

"Huh." He huffed, tossing a pebble into the turquoise water. He was tense, and I was getting annoyed.

"What's wrong with you?" I finally asked, "You've been acting different ever since you saw him coming out of my tent."

"I don't know. This -" he said, waving his arms in circles in front of him "is just so frustrating!"

"Why is this so frustrating?" I snapped back, mimicking his arm movements. While I was irritated with his attitude, I was glad we were finally getting somewhere. I liked Jacob – I didn't want to end our trip on a sour note.

"Look around! I'm the fifth wheel for some kind of ridiculous mountain romance story."

It all made sense. I thought for a moment how I would feel in his shoes, and knew that it wouldn't be good. "I'm sorry if we've made you uncomfortable." I offered.

"Don't be. I just feel kind of stupid. And more importantly," he paused, tossing a few more pebbles into the lake. "I don't want you to get hurt."

"What do you mean?" I asked.

He threw the rest of his rocks into the water and they landed with a scattered splash. "Edward's a good coach – he's taught me a lot, and I respect him, but he's…I don't know."

"You don't know?" I gaped at him. He couldn't just leave me hanging like that.

"He doesn't have the best track record with women. Do you remember that night at the hot springs? That girl he was with?"

I thought back to that night – where Edward was so distant and cold – and did remember. He had a blonde girl on his shoulders in the pool.

"I think so – the blonde?" I asked.

"Yes. That's Tanya. She used to babysit me, believe it or not." He said with a smirk. "Her dad owns a bunch of hotels in Banff and Jasper."

"And this matters because?" My annoyance was growing again. I had no idea what he was getting at.

"Rumor has it that he's been stringing her along for years – she's been crazy over him for as long as I can remember. She thinks they have something legit, and he just does whatever and whoever he wants."

This was big news. What Jacob was saying was really hitting a nerve. With his story, along with the other group of hikers bringing up Edward's ways in the past, I didn't know what to believe anymore.

"Well, thanks for looking out for me," I said, my voice a little shaky, "but I'm a big girl, Jacob – I know what I'm doing."

Even though I said the words, I wasn't so sure they were true. The kiss I had shared with Edward the night before, the growing intensity between us – I was suddenly questioning all over again if it was just a farce. I wondered if perhaps I was being duped - if "trip flings" were something he was notorious for.

I wanted to give him more credit. I wanted to believe that his gentleness with me was real and that he was misunderstood, but I couldn't do that without clarification. I wasn't about to leave myself exposed for any more possible hurt.

As if the timing had been planned, I could see the bright red of Edward's coat in the distance coming out of the treeline. I got up from my spot beside Jacob, and headed towards Edward without another word.

At that moment, of only one thing I was certain - I needed to talk to Edward alone, and I needed to do it quick.

A/N Thank you so much for reading and reviewing. You guys are great. Big thanks to those who have been rec'ing this little story too – it means a lot! See you again tomorrow night! xoxo