As promised! Thanks everyone for your reviews (especially those who just joined the story and reviewed every chap - thanks :):)) - I love your ideas and hearing how you all hate James and Laurent :). Big thanks to my awesome beta Angelnlove52 and VampPixyJAK who I also adopted to help with this chapter. And a shout out to TwilightCullenLvr9 cos your awesome too haha! Check out their stories, Stand Still, When Yesterday Hurts, The Cullens are at it Again and Penthouse in Paradise. They are all awesome!

11. Promised to the devil

....

BPOV

I finally managed to pull my hand free of James's once we were outside the Hale's house. He turned to look at me with a furious glower. I glared at him before storming over to my truck. Stuff him, I thought harshly. I can't believe the shit he just put me through. James tried to follow me to my truck but I hopped in quickly, slamming and locking the door.

"Come on Bella, don't be a spoil sport. Let me drive you home," he sighed, talking to me like I was an being childish. Laurent was watching us as he leaned on James's car, his expression amused.

"I'm not getting in a car with him," I hissed through the closed window. "Besides I can drive myself home."

"Open the door Bella," he growled pulling at the handle. I sighed and worried for the safety of my truck door, I leaned over to open the cab, giving in. I wanted to leave the Hale's as soon as possible to save myself further embarrassment, so I didn't put up a fight as he hopped in.

"Meet you at Bella's," James called to Laurent chucking him the keys. Laurent shook his head slightly as he caught them and chuckled.

"She sure is fiery today Jimmy," still shaking his head he jumped in the car and gunned the engine. Pissed off at both him and James, I started my car quickly and slammed it into first, lurching forward and cutting Laurent off, almost hitting James' pride and joy in the process. I felt a smile grow on my face as I took in the terrified expression on Laurent's face.

"Watch it," James cried nervously, clutching at the arm rest. Ignoring him, I revved the engine again before taking off down the drive, flicking up stones and dust as I went.

The journey back to my house was a quiet one, James turned on the radio, but I snapped it off quickly, not in the mood for the chirpy song that blasted through the speakers. We didn't speak the entire journey until we reached Charlie's house, where I pulled over and silently motioned to him to get out.

"Look Bella I'm sorry," he grovelled, not making a move at all to get out of the truck.

"I've been hearing that a lot lately, don't you think?" I asked rhetorically, still not making eye contact.

"I am though," he whispered as he reached over, I flinched as his hand almost touched my face; I leaned away from him. He retracted his hand quickly and looked at me in shock.

"You're scared of me?" he asked horrified.

"Shouldn't I be?" I tried to muster some confidence but as I spoke my voice cracked; I was on the verge of tears. Stupid angry tears, I thought.

"No, of course not Bells. I told you it would never happen again. I promised, didn't I?" he answered still trying to look me in the eye. I kept my eyes on my hands in my lap and played with the key ring Renee had given me for my birthday. It was a letter B encrusted with different coloured gemstones, it sparkled in the light. I flipped it over and pretended to study it carefully before I found the courage to speak again.

"I want to believe you James. But what happened just now with Edward, in front of everyone. What was that all about?" I questioned, looking up to meet his eyes. His mouth formed a tight line and he immediately averted his gaze and started to pick at the arm rest -it annoyed me, everyone thought that because my truck was old and rusty and probably a little past its use by, that they didn't have to respect it; I loved my truck.

"I don't know," he mumbled rubbing the back of his neck with his free hand. "I have no idea what came over me."

"Bullshit," I called him out; anger giving me courage. "You did the same yesterday."

He shrugged, dragging his hand through his blond spiky hair before he answered, "Just jealous, I suppose."

"Of what?" I screamed at him, "Because I was talking to some guy, because he grabbed me when I fell?" – Because he causes my heart to race at his touch? I quickly shook my head to dispel the thought and reverted back to glaring at James, waiting for his answer.

"Well?" I pushed. He shrugged again, frustrating me further.

"Forget it," I mumbled hopping out of the truck, I slammed the door and headed for the house without a backward glance, fiddling with the keys in my hand before I found the right one for the front door.

I didn't even hear James approach from behind, so when he grabbed my wrist I dropped my keys in shock. I watched in dismay as they key ring Renee had got me shattered on the concrete path. I bent quickly to pick up the pieces dragging James down with me.

"Shit Bella, I'm so sorry," he moaned letting go of my wrist, helping me to collect the pieces. "I'll buy you a new one." I shook my head not answering him, he couldn't replace it, it was from Renee, and it was special.

"I can try fixing it," he suggested reaching over to lift my chin with his forefinger. When our eyes met he cocked his head to the side; his piercing blue eyes conveying his apology, he seemed genuinely sincere.

"It's ok, it was an accident," I whispered as I stood. James followed my lead standing as I did, his eyes continued to search my face for something.

"Bella, I'm sorry," he mumbled again looking at the broken pieces in his hand.

"I know, it's ok, it was an accident," I reassured him.

"No...I mean I'm sorry for everything. Not just this," he motioned to the broken key ring. "But for before with Cullen and... for yesterday." He looked up at me and reached over touching my face lightly in the spot where he had hit me, remorse filled his face. I dropped my gaze to my feet, and he dropped his hand looking back down at the broken key ring pieces again.

"I'm going to lose you, aren't I?" he whispered. I didn't know what to say to that, I hadn't thought about it that much, I had already decided to give him another chance yesterday, but now I didn't know what to do. I couldn't keep putting up with his mood swings, I couldn't handle him embarrassing me or flipping out in front of everyone and I didn't want to be scared of the one person I was meant to feel safe with.

When I didn't answer straight away he looked at me panicked. "Bella?" he questioned apprehensively putting his hands on my shoulders shaking me slightly, trying to force an answer from me. I shook my head.

"I don't know James," I sighed truthfully. "Things aren't the same anymore." That was an understatement; things were totally out of whack, upside down, crazy. I was losing control of everything and I had no idea how to fix any of it.

James let go of my shoulders and grabbed my hands; his expression wild. "Please don't do this," he begged. "I can fix it, I can make it better. We can go back to how things were."

Could we? I wasn't even sure if I could remember how things used to be with anything. Could I get the old happy Jess back? What about Jake?

"We were happy, Bella. We had lots of fun," he reminded me. I nodded in agreement things had been good. I had been happy, Jake, Mike and Jess had been happy too. Everything had changed though, ever since Laurent moved in with James – I thought acidly.

"I miss it," I admitted instead of sharing my thoughts. He smiled in return and brought me into a tight hug.

"I'll fix it," he promised in my ear, his voice filled with hope. He gave me a quick kiss on the forehead and then pulled back to evaluate my expression. "If you want me to," he hedged taking in my hesitant expression. These were the moments I missed, being in his warm embrace, him promising me the world and anything else I wanted.

Without thinking I leaned back into him, taking in more of his warmth – immediately I was reminded of a similar embrace and even though I felt immediately guilty, I found myself comparing this moment with the one I had shared earlier with Edward. With Edward things were new, he was someone new and I tried to tell myself that that was why my heart raced and my face warmed when I was with him. But it wasn't just that. Yesterday when he comforted me I felt safe and at ease, like the world's problems had just disappeared. With James it didn't feel the same, I didn't feel as safe or protected and my problems were still there, wedged between our bodies, pushing us apart.

But it would be too easy to give up and it would be cowardly to do so. Just because we had hit a rough patch didn't mean I should just throw it all away, just as I didn't want to give up on my friendship with Jake, or Jess's happiness. I knew if we just tried we could all get back there. We just had to try. Don't we?

"I love you," he whispered in my ear, nuzzling against my neck.

"I love you too," I whispered back, closing my eyes. I was so tired all the time, the drama was exhausting, all I wanted to do was sleep, forget about everything, but even my dreams didn't allow me to; I shuddered at the reminder of last night. I leaned into James more and relaxed a little. What I said wasn't a lie; despite everything I did still love him, but for some reason being in James's embrace made me feel guilty, like I often felt when I thought about Edward.

"Can I come in?" he asked, stroking my back with his hand. I shook my head, Charlie's cruiser was in the drive- it probably wasn't a wise idea. Charlie was still a little bit funny about me dating, he knew about James but he didn't really like it, the only boy he happily allowed me to be around was Jake.

"Maybe another time," I offered. James's panicked expression returned before he covered it with a smile and continued to trace patterns on my back.

"OK," he conceded. "Maybe you could come around later tonight?" he renegotiated.

"Will Laurent be there?" I raised an eyebrow. I did not want to be in the same room as him – actually I didn't even want to be in the same state as him – no screw that, not even the same planet! As if my thoughts summoned him a horn sounded. I looked over James' shoulder and noticed Laurent sitting in James' black mustang, looking agitated. I wonder how long he's been sitting there.

"Probably," James admitted answering my question, glaring at Laurent.

"You should probably go," I gestured towards Laurent who was looking more impatient by the second as he pulled faces at us from the driver's seat.

"Yea, I guess," he squeezed my hands, searching my face with doubt. "I love you," he said again, but with force as if he was trying to convince me of it. He started to leave but then stopped; it looked like he was thinking something over. He turned back to face me and closed the short distance that separated us quickly. He hesitated for only a second before he leaned in and kissed me. I returned the gesture but with less enthusiasm than he required. He pressed his lips harder against mine, crushing them with his, he reached around me to place his hand on the small of my back and pulled my body tightly against his. I didn't fight the kiss but I didn't reciprocate either.

"I know," I mumbled as his lips left mine for air. He smiled and leaned in for another kiss when Laurent wolf whistled. He sighed and turned to glare in Laurent's direction again. "You better go," I said again.

"Kay, but don't forget what I said," he warned, leaning in to kiss my cheek, placing the broken pieces of my key ring in my hands. He looked apologetically again at them and then hurried over to his car. I watched him shove Laurent as he hopped in and then wave as they took off at speed, the tires squealing as they left.

Great Charlie will love that, sarcasm laced my thoughts.

I knew I had let James's off lightly, there was no excuse for his behaviour but I felt that Laurent was really to blame and that's why I found it easy to forgive him. It also didn't help that I did feel some connection to Edward that he obviously picked up on; I was partly to blame too.

I didn't like watching his tortured expression as he tried to convey how sorry he felt, but I couldn't help feeling that maybe the emotion was a little bit forced. That he didn't really feel as sorry as he sounded, why else would he continue to act the way he did? Hopefully I scared him enough with the thought of losing me that he will get his act together. It wasn't just a scare tactic though; I will leave him if he doesn't, I promised myself. But for now I had allowed him the opportunity to fix it.

....

I don't know how long I stood in the drive staring at the road contemplating my actions and the fate of everyone I knew. But I was suddenly aware that I wasn't alone.

"Hey," a deep husky and familiar voice called. Jake was leaning against a tree wearing only a tight white singlet and grease covered denim cut off shorts, even though he had to be freezing. I often wondered if he wore the clothes to be a show-off. He did have a nice physique; tanned, toned and muscular, I often caught girls staring. In Jess's own words Jake 'is a total babe.'

Jake always argued that he dressed the way he did because he didn't really feel the cold and it was convenient, plus the Black family wasn't very wealthy so they didn't have a variety of clothing. It didn't really matter to me; he was Jake all the same.

I was suddenly overwhelmed with emotion as I saw Jake standing there his arms folded across his broad chest. I couldn't stop myself as I rushed over to him and threw my arms around his neck.

"Oh Jake I missed you so much," I cried into his shoulder. I felt his body tense under my own as he caught the brunt of my weight as I ran into him. But he didn't return the hug; I leaned back confused at his reaction. "You didn't come here to see me did you?" I accused all the while searching his blank expression, hoping to find something that hinted otherwise.

"I came to pick up Billy actually," he didn't look at me directly as he spoke, rather he looked through me. He put his hands on my arms and gently removed the grip I had on him. I felt my chest tighten at his rejection – why was he being so cold?

"Jake?"

"Look Bella, I can't do this right now," he spoke harshly, cutting me with his words.

"Then why did you even bother to speak in the first place? You should have stayed hidden in the trees!" I shouted angrily, tears filling my eyes with every word. Why do I have to cry every time I get mad!

He shrugged, frustrating me. – Why do guys do that, it's their answer to everything!

"What was James so upset about?" he asked, his face growing curious.

"How long have you been there?" How much did he catch? He shrugged again at my question and I felt my frustration grow.

"Awhile...you didn't answer my question." He shook his head.

"Maybe because it's none of your business," I spat at him, he winced and then his expression softened.

"You used to tell me everything," he whispered reaching my gaze.

"Its' a little hard to tell you things when you aren't willing to listen Jacob, you don't even answer my calls," I accused. He remained silent, my point proven, it was his fault and he knew it.

He straightened his stance and dropped his gaze, looking through me again instead of at me.

"I better see if Billy is ready to go," he headed towards the house. I realised his car wasn't even in the drive.

"Where's your car?"

"Round back," he answered not bothering to turn around.

"Why?" I questioned, it made no sense, Billy was in a wheelchair getting him around to the back of the house would be almost impossible.

"I thought I better drop off your bike since you don't come down to ride it anymore. It will get out of tune." His words shocked me, brought back my bike? Why would he do that, neither Charlie nor Jake's dad knew we had those bikes. They would absolutely kill us if they did.

"Are you crazy?" The question wasn't rhetorical I actually believed that maybe he was, why else would he risk being grounded for all eternity. And then it dawned on me, "you're doing this on purpose? You want me to get in trouble?"

He shrugged, "Maybe." Verbally slapping me in the face, he turned around to face me his mouth turned up in smirk.

"What the hell, Jake?" I screamed - What the fuck is his problem? I ran at him and shoved him with all the force I could muster, but he didn't move an inch, instead he kept smirking at me. I didn't even recognise the expression he wore; he wasn't the Jake I remembered at all. "You are a complete cunt!" I swore at him, tears streaming down my face as I pushed passed him and through the front door. I was about to run to my room but stopped at the stairs and turned to face him as he stood in the door.

"I can't believe I actually spend my nights worrying about you, wanting to fix things. God I can't believe I've shed tears over you!" I screamed, I turned quickly grabbing a hold of the banister and pulled myself quickly up the stairs, but not before I caught his expression – he looked hurt. Good he deserved to be hurt. It was about time I got through to him.

I slammed my door and threw myself onto the bed smothering my face with my pillow, letting the sobs rake my body as the pillow silenced me. I knew that I wasn't this upset because of the stupid boy downstairs; these tears flowed because of everything. I was so overwhelmed and overtired. What I really needed was a good night's sleep and one day without drama. But I couldn't even have that, today being the proof of that.

I heard a light tap on my bedroom door – leave me alone, I thought harshly. When I didn't answer I heard heavy footsteps descend the stairs. In my pocket I felt my phone vibrate, it was a message from Jake.

Bella, I'm sorry, I don't know what I was thinking. I put your bike back in the boot, Charlie won't know. I'm so sorry, but right now I don't think we can be friends. Sorry - Jake.

What the hell kind of message was that? Why couldn't we be friends? I quickly replied – Why?

Because you chose James, he replied.

The words hurt and anger lashed at my insides. I didn't choose anyone, I told Jake that I was going to continue dating James and that we could still be exactly how we used to be, but he wouldn't have any of it. He made the choice not me. It was him who chose not to talk to me - not to answer my calls. And he just made the decision not to be my friend anymore, not that he had been much of one lately anyway.

I flooded Jake with text messages on those exact thoughts but he didn't reply. I tried to call him but he didn't answer, it was hopeless. I threw my phone on the floor and it bounced under my bed – good, I thought, now I don't have to look at it anymore. I buried my face in my sheets and cried. Being afraid of tears, Charlie didn't come up to check on me for which I was truly grateful. I didn't want him to ask me what had happened and I didn't need his input or advice. I just wanted to be alone, to wallow in my own self pity.

....

I napped fitfully not truly getting any sleep, my brain just wouldn't stop, wouldn't give me a moments rest. I awoke later that night to Charlie banging on my bedroom door, so much for being left alone, I thought. He opened the door slightly and I sat up in bed hoping that I didn't look the way I felt – like a mess. In his hand he held the house phone. Charlie looked disapprovingly at it as he handed it to me.

"Not too late," he grumbled as he headed back to his room and to bed. I heard him mumble to himself about it being late and that teenagers were ridiculous.

Jake, I thought hopefully, but when I checked the caller ID I felt immediately disappointed and then resultantly guilty, it was James.

"Hey," I croaked - ahh sleep voice.

"Hey are you alright," James asked sounding worried.

"Mmm hmm, just tired that's all," I moaned.

"Oh, okay, it just sounded like you have been crying."

"Nope just napping," I lied. I wasn't about to share with James my problems with Jake, especially since they seemed to stem from me being in a relationship with him. He probably wouldn't like that – actually he would probably make a big deal out of it and make things worse.

James remained silent on the other line for what seemed like an eternity, I almost fell asleep while I waited for him to explain why he rang.

"It's rather late James," I hinted, yawning in the process as if to prove the point.

"Oh," he replied. I groaned internally and sat up to look at my alarm clock. 11:45 – no wonder Charlie looked pissed. I rolled over onto my side and shifted the phone to my other ear.

"Did you have something you wanted to share?" I asked a tad annoyed. – Why didn't he just call me on my cell?

"Can you promise me something," he said in a rush, his breathing hitched as he spoke. He sounded needy.

"What?" I sighed exasperated. I looked down at myself lying fully dressed on the bed; I unbuttoned my pants and began to shimmy out of them, kicking them off when they reached my ankles.

"Promise you won't leave me," he whined.

I jolted upright; he rang me to make sure I wouldn't dump him? Did he truly think I was going to leave him for Edward? I felt horribly guilty - maybe James had been right to react how he did – obviously if he was feeling this insecure. It could also be because he hit you, I reminded myself; easing my guilt. I put the phone down quickly and pulled off my shirt and jumped under the covers, I contemplated not picking up the phone again and just going back to sleep. I sighed, that won't solve anything; I berated myself.

"James..." I began, shaking my head slightly, not sure what to say.

"Just promise," he pleaded, interrupting me. How can I promise such a thing, it's stupid. It's late and I want to go to bed and I want to sleep, I don't want to have to deal with this, I groaned internally.

"Bella?" James begged, panic evident as he spoke.

"Kay," I answered, giving in.

"Thanks," I could hear the smile in his voice. "Now get some sleep, I love you."

"Love you too," I mumbled. "Night"

"Night."

I hung up the phone dropping it on the floor and rolled over to face the wall, sighing deeply.

Why do I feel like I've done something wrong, like I just promised my soul to the devil? A shiver ran down my spine at the thought. Because maybe I just did.

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