Chapter 6: Sage Advice
Disclaimer: S. Meyer is the owner of Twilight.
Embry and Quil waited while I washed up and changed my clothes. The twosome and I trotted over to the Clearwaters' residence. I was hopeful that Leah could solve my dilemma. She was a girl, right? She knew something about the mysterious workings of a girl's heart. Would she share her wisdom with me though?
No one answered the door, so we went around to the backyard. Leah was hanging laundry on the line.
Her usual scowl was set in place. "Don't even go there" she snarled. "The damn dryers on the fritz again. What do you three idiots want anyway?"
Leah's eyes narrowed in suspicion. "Wait a minute . . . You go tell Sam, I am not patrolling tonight. Been there, done that—two nights in a row."
"Sam doesn't even know we're here," Embry explained.
"Well, I'm not subbing for any of you, so go find another wolf to slip into your slot."
"That's not it either, Leah. We're here on a mission of mercy." Quil pointed at Jacob. "This poor boy needs your womanly advice—badly. Apparently he didn't find mine very helpful."
"Imagine that," she said in a sarcastic tone. "Girl trouble, huh? Now why would I want to go and help Irresistible, here? Give me one good reason."
"How about a bad reason?" Embry quipped.
Leah put the last clothespin on the shirt she was hanging, and turned to Embry. "Okay, let's have it then."
"How about we won't have to relive his angst fest every time we phase?"
"I'm impressed. That's a bad enough reason. Good job.
"All right—I'm doing this for the benefit of the whole pack. Now you two scram, and leave Jake with me."
"Why in the world would you buy Bella a bathing suit? That was the height of stupidity. Gawd, and here I thought you had already reached that pinnacle years ago. And going to Charlie? What was the matter with you; were you drunk?"
"Lay off, Leah. You know I don't drink."
"Whatever. Well, at least that could've been an excuse. I guess, you're the real thing then—a genuine idiot. You know, you're lucky it was Bella. If it woulda been me—well, let's just say you wouldn't be fathering any children in the future."
"Jeez, thanks for being so sympathetic. Your compassion amazes me."
"Hey, moron, I didn't say I wouldn't help you. I was just stating the obvious. Anyway, I feel for you. I can see that your heart was in the right place, it's your brain that was out in left field.
"Now here's what you're gonna do. You're gonna write her an apology, and send some flowers and a box of chocolates to her house. That should soften her up. And don't be going over there; you don't want to look pathetic, just a little remorseful. Got that? You've gotta let her come to you."
"Great advice, but I don't have a cent in my pocket for flowers or candy. I'm not exactly Shakespeare either." A big sigh escaped. I couldn't help it. "She'll probably laugh; my letter will sound really stupid."
"Damn, what is it with you wolfboys? You're always broke. Okay, I tell you what—I'll lend you fifty bucks. But don't tell anybody. I don't want this act of charity to ruin my reputation as a shrew. It keeps the wolves from my door, although not today, apparently.
"But back to your letter—google lyrics from some love songs, for god's sake! Who said your letter had to be original? Write your feelings down, like you're talking to her. Be honest; let her see into your heart. And if all that doesn't work—switch to plan B—cry, whine and grovel. Women are suckers for tears."
Edward swam to the edge of the pool, and reaching out his arms, beckoned to her. Without thinking, Bella jumped in, and was immediately safe in his embrace
They wiled away the time, playing water games. She clung to Edward's neck while he swam, gliding along lazily for the ride. He would throw her in the air gently again and again, smiling as she splashed back down into the warm water.
Finally, her arms and legs were beginning to get tired, so she floated to the edge of the decking. Alice and Jasper had just arrived; she spotted them as they meandered through the gate. Bella followed the edging around to the ladder and climbed out.
Alice appeared startled. "I don't believe it! You actually bought yourself a piece of clothing. I'm thrilled for you. Does this mean you'll go shopping with me next time?"
A thought suddenly struck her out of the blue and a shadow passed over her face. "By the way, what happened to the bikinis I gave you?"
"Well, the top to the yellow one floated off to sea. The other one—no offence, Alice, but Charlie doesn't want me to wear it. It caused a bit of a problem. But, just so you know, I didn't buy this suit; Jacob bought it for me."
Edward's head jerked up at that revelation.
Tilting her head to one side, she divulged, "So that's why Jacob kept pumping me for your size last week."
His golden eyes flashing with indignation, Edward raced up the ladder and was immediately at Alice's side. "As usual, I'm the last one to know," he growled. "Why didn't you say something about it? I don't like being left in the dark like that, Alice."
Alice shook her head; now she was irritated. Grumbling, she replied, "You know I can't see past those mutts. He could have bought her a house, and I would have missed it."
"Like he could ever afford a house . . ." he muttered derisively. He then turned his attention to Bella. "I'm surprised he could even afford that suit you're wearing."
Bella started toward the chaise, reaching for the towel. Edward was right behind her. "That's hardly fair, Edward. You shouldn't judge people by their ability to buy expensive . . . stuff!"
He grabbed her arm and turned her to face him. "What's not fair is the fact that Jacob Black gets to buy you an intimate piece of clothing, and you balk when I pay for your lunch—a measly couple of bucks!"
"I've already explained that to you. I don't want to be obligated. I have nothing to give to you in return."
"But you do have something to give to that mangy dog, is that it? I can only imagine what he expects in return."
By now, her temper was beginning to surface. "That's not like Jacob at all, and you know it! Furthermore, he would never expect me to repay him with sexual favors."
"Wouldn't he? He's a guy, love—a hormone driven teenager. What else do you think he expects from you? Sometimes you can be so obtuse."
"And sometimes you can be so . . . overbearing." Bella began to put her cover-up over her wet bathing suit.
"Overbearing? If I'm overbearing, it's due to the fact that I don't trust that filthy mutt. He's using your friendship to get what he wants. And you're too naïve to see it. Haven't you figured that out yet? He lusts after you, Bella."
She glared at Edward. "And you don't? Maybe he just doesn't mask it as well as you do. At least, he's honest about it. I know where I stand with Jacob, but I know in my heart that he would never hurt me—not like you did."
"Alice," she yelled, "can you please take me home?"
That hit a nerve, and Edward's face contorted in pain. "I'm sorry . . . Don't leave. I just hate that you go out there and fraternize with him. It drives me crazy with jealousy. I worry that someday he might haul you off and have his way with you."
"Are you afraid that he'll give me what you won't? Or are you more afraid that I might enjoy it?"
"Either . . . I would hope that it would never happen, but if it did, I don't know that I would be able to accept it. I can't abide taking that mutt's leavings. Mark my words, if you're not careful, you'll wind up pregnant. And then you'll come back crawling on your knees, begging me to forgive you."
"I'm sorry you feel that way," she spit out. "I have to admit tho'; you were truthful about it."
Edward was now starting to panic. "Bella—wait—you need to think seriously about your future. Do you honestly believe that Jacob could provide for you? I can give you anything that money can buy. All he can give you is heartache and another child every year. He'll drag you down with him. You'll be stuck in a hovel living paycheck to paycheck. Is that what you want?"
"All I know is that right now, Jacob is part of my life; he always will be. I can't cut him out of it. He means too much to me so take it or leave it."
"Bella . . . love, please. Listen to me. I want what's best for you."
She closed herself off to his pleading. "Alice, are you ready?"
Alice was standing by the gate. She jiggled her head in exasperation at her brother. He sure hammered the final nail in that coffin—way to go Edward. There went her last hope for a new sister-in-law.
Her tinkling voice cut through the embarrassed hush that fell over the revelers. "C'mon Bella. Let's go."
Bella looked back one last time. "Happy birthday, Emmett. Sorry to spoil your party."
"What's she yakking about," he remarked to Rosalie. "That was so totally cool. I like seein' a girl show a little spunk. I can't wait 'til she's changed. Can you just imagine her as a newborn? Hell, it'll be freakin' awesome."
Glancing over his shoulder at the jovial vampire, Edward hissed these three little words, "Shut up, Emmett."
The drive to her home was accompanied by a deafening silence. Bella finally couldn't stand it anymore. She had to know what was going through her friend's mind. She turned to her and blurted, "Say something, Alice."
Sounding resigned, Alice replied, "What's there to say? Edward blew it tonight. I can't see your future anymore. That can only mean one thing—your future no longer includes us. It seems you'll be tangled up with one of those wolves."
One wolf in particular, Bella thought. Looks like I'll be in your arms tonight, Jacob. Although after tearing into him the way she did, would he want her back? It's Jacob—how could she even think that. Of course he would still want her . . . bad behavior and all.
A/N: Next chapter, some clarity.