A/N: Hey guys sorry about the delay on this chapter, between real life and computer problems from hell I wasn't sure this would ever get finished.

As always thanks to everyone who's reading this story and a huge thank you to all of you who have reviewed.

Thanks to my awesome Beta Edwardrocksmysocks for getting this chapter back so quick!

S. Meyer owns Twilight

Chapter 6

Runaway

"Couldn't you have made all these purchases before; like maybe sometime in the past year you've been planning this wedding?" I complained as Rosalie, Alice, and I loaded armfuls of white candles into our shopping carts.

"What, and miss the chance of listening to you whine for hours on end?" Rosalie scoffed with justifiable irritation.

I glared at her and went to find the ridiculously tiny bags that we would stuff with bird killing rice. Bridezilla could care less if any birds exploded because of her nuptials. Apparently bird seed was too ugly to be thrown at her.

As I stomped my way down the aisles of bridal hell I felt a bit guilty about my sullen attitude.

I had made up my mind this morning that I was done pining over someone who could care less if I was alive. This would have been a bit easier to deal with had Edward not decided to spend all morning studying me.

He stared at me all through breakfast with a confused look on his face that made him look as though he was trying to develop his own economic stimulus plan..

I couldn't understand his sudden extreme interest. More than that I didn't know how to explain the look Carlisle was giving him. He looked simultaneously angry and sad.

I wasn't sure what was going on between them.

I gathered up my strength and met Edward's gaze raising a falsely amused eyebrow.

"Problem Edward?" I questioned lightly before taking a bite of my breakfast and pulling the fork from between my lips slowly.

That may have been a childish move but I could care less. It was my turn to act as though he no longer mattered to me.

He mumbled a quick apology and focused on his plate but it wasn't a full minute before he was looking at me again when he thought I wasn't paying attention. It was more than a little unnerving.

At one point after breakfast I ran to the bathroom to make sure I didn't have anything in my teeth. Once I was confident in my smile I devoted the rest of the morning to ignoring him completely.

Now I was stuck sifting through a sea of wedding paraphernalia that caused my bitterness to reach its limit.

I was twenty-six with no considerable prospects and one of my best friends was having the wedding I had always planned on having.

I was never like every other little girl who knows every detail of that special day before puberty but at one point in my relationship with Edward I had entertained the idea that we would get married as soon as I finished grad school.

It would have been in the Cullen's backyard, the same location that Rose had decided to use.

I shook my head and tried to focus on the task at hand.

After several stores and a couple drinks at lunch we decided it was time to head back to the Cullen's.

Alice went to go yell for the guys to come out and help us but Rose and I were already pulling the bags and boxes out of the truck.

"What'd you get me baby?" Emmett hollered as he came out the door.

"All the trimmings for the wedding of your dreams," she grinned.

Emmett's face fell dramatically.

"Did you get me any beef jerky?" He asked hopefully, as he stuck his nose into the bag Rose had thrust into his oversized arms.

I couldn't help but laugh at his pathetic pout. Who would think to buy dried meat when wedding shopping? My chuckles immediately stopped when I watched Rose pull an oversized bag of jerky from her purse. You have got to be kidding me.

Emmett went to carry in his load with a child-like grin stretching across his face.

"How did you know he would ask for that?" I questioned confused.

We had left before Emmett had a chance to make any requests.

"It's the little things that make this work. I know he always wants meat of any kind. He knows if he orders me any food with sour cream on it I'll shank his ass," she said with a shrug.

I simply shook my head and picked up a roll of some fabric that was going to be draped over anything that would stand still and turned to head inside.

I wasn't expecting the comfortable feeling of warm electric currents brushing across my hand.

"I've got it," I mumbled, not looking up to see his eyes.

"It's heavy, let me," he said as he went to pull it from my grasp.

I yanked back harder.

"I said I'm fine," I growled through clenched teeth. I don't know why I was getting so worked up but right now the roll of fabric was extremely important to me. I could feel the rain start to fall but I wasn't wavering in my determination.

"Bella, just let me help you."

I lost control over…everything.

"Let go of the damn fabric Edward! I don't fucking need you!" I yelled before my words had time to run through my mind.

Time stopped.

I looked up avoiding his gaze but saw the look of all my friends who were frozen in different phases of transport.

I dropped my end of the spool and ran into the house barely recognizing the sound of Edward cursing and Rosalie laughing. Not sure what that was about.

My embarrassment fueled my feet and I didn't stop until I reached the guest bedroom.

I was in a bit of shock that I had cursed at Edward like that in front of our friends—not that he didn't deserve it—but I would be lying if I said I hadn't fantasized about ripping into him. I was disappointed in myself though because I had promised that I would show him respect while we were here at his parent's house and I had failed already.

I was mortified, yet there was still a part of me that was angry and made me wanted to go back outside to finish what I started. There was a lot more I could say to him than that I didn't need him.

I had to get out of here before I said something I shouldn't or died of shame. I picked up my phone as I shoved a few outfits into my duffle bag.

"Can you come get me?" I asked before Jake had a chance to say hello.

"On my way," he said before I clicked my phone shut.

I heard a few doors slam in the house while I hurried and threw the rest of my things together. I had no idea what my plan would be but staying in this house for the rest of the evening was not going to be feasible.

Once I had my things in order I marched downstairs. Luckily the living room was empty with the exception of Esme who was frantically polishing an immaculate entertainment center.

"Where is everyone?" I whispered.

I was so glad Esme hadn't been outside to witness my mini tirade.

"Jasper, Emmett, and the girls went to pick up some things for dinner for me and I think Edward went for a ride," she replied never once pausing from her cleaning.

"Okay well can you let Rose know that I'm going out for the evening? I'll be ho- back tomorrow morning," I said as I walked quickly to the door.

"Sure dear. Oh no wait, you need to be here tonight-"

I cut her off before she could finish.

"Esme, I really need to get out of here for a while. I promise I'll be back before breakfast. If you absolutely have to have me stay I will, for you, but I really need to just get away," I pleaded.

She held eye contact for a minute before nodding sadly and I was out the door. I started walking to the end of the driveway for lack of anything better to do. Jacob's tires were screeching to a halt right before I reached the end.

"You want to talk about it?" He asked as he turned his truck around.

"Nope," I responded with a smile.

Jacob had a way of not pushing and I had never been more grateful.

"I've been cleaning out the garage today. I think the old man has been stealing my tools when he comes to visit. I think he tucks them in his chair and rolls back to the rez with a couple hundred bucks in Snap On wrenches every trip," he laughed

And just like that my stress began to dissolve.

It was just starting to get dark when I realized I had left my phone in Jacob's truck. I really didn't care to go and get it. I needed to just be away from all the stress of the wedding and everything else. If there was a major emergency they would find me.

"Do you ever think about moving back home?" Jacob asked.

We had spent the entire evening laughing about old times and random stories but now I felt the mood shift to something different.

"To Forks?" I asked stupidly.

"Yes to Forks. Do you ever just want to get out of Florida and come back to your roots?" He unnecessarily clarified.

"My parents live in Florida now; aren't they my roots?" I asked while twisting a socket around my finger.

"You know what I mean Bella. Are you happy where you are now?" he persisted.

He scooted closer to me on the work bench and I had to fight the urges both to pull away and lean closer.

"I'm not unhappy," I said after a moment's deliberation.

"That's not good enough," he spoke as a judge who just presented a ruling on a simple case.

I felt myself becoming a little defense.

"Says who? Maybe it is good enough. I have my own house. I have a degree and a fairly successful career. Who decides what else I need. Not everyone ends up with two kids and a white picket fence Jacob."

"Bullshit Bella. Yes, you've done well for yourself but I know what you want and what you deserve. Charlie talks to Billy and Billy talks to me. Your dad is worried about you. He says he feels like your putting your life on hold…waiting for something. You deserve more Bells," he said brushing his fingers across my arm. It felt warm.

"Those two need to mind their own business; acting like gossiping old women," I sighed.

"Why don't you consider a change of scenery? There are plenty of nice apartments in California. You could stay with me until you find one of your own. You could be happy Bella."

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. This wasn't the first time Jake had tried to talk me into moving closer to him.

"Jake, I've told you before I can't just pick up and leave. I have a life in Florida. I can't just throw it all away," I argued.

"Throw what away? Your career, you're a writer you can do that anywhere."

"I couldn't impose on you like that. You're a good friend Jacob but I wouldn't want to smother you that way."

Jake got off the bench and knelt in front of me taking both of his hands in mine. My mind screamed at me to run but I couldn't move.

"Bella we could be more than friends. You know how I feel about you. You have to know. I want you. I want us; I always have. Why can't you see that?" He pleaded.

The first thought in my mind was of Edward looking smug telling me he told me so.

"Jake…I…You…I just can't Jake," I mumbled.

"Why?" He demanded a bit harshly.

"Because of him? He had his chance Bella. He didn't want you. He was a fool. I could love you. You're my best friend."

His final sentence ended in a sigh and my heart broke for him, and for me.

"Jake, I love you, but only as a friend. You're a great friend but I just don't feel that way about you. I'm so sorry," I said as my voice cracked.

"You haven't given yourself the chance to feel that way. You're still back there with him. Just be here with me," he begged.

His fingers moved up my arms until his warm hand came to rest on the side of my face.

He moved in closer and my eyelids dropped as my lips parted.

"Don't close your eyes," he whispered inches away from my lips.

"See me, be here with me."

My hands gripped his biceps lightly as I stared at his warm eyes. He moved closer yet and I felt his breath against my cheek. My hands slid up shoulders.

His soft lips touched my cheek. I felt a slight current begin to build inside me. It had been so long since I had felt wanted.

His mouth moved closer to mine as he kissed my cheek again. His lips moved to kiss right beside my mouth and my eyelids closed softly.

The second I shut my eyes I saw a pair of green ones staring back at me.

"Damn it!" I cursed standing up quickly before his lips made contact with my mine.

My sudden jolt caused Jacob to fall flat on his butt. He sat there on the cement rubbing his hands over his face.

"I'm sorry, I just can't," I whispered.

I crouched down next to him and put my hand on his shoulder.

"I know. You can't blame a guy for trying right?" He said with a sad smile.

I gave him the same smile back and we sat in silence on the cold floor. Finally Jacob looked up.

"You still love him," he said as though it was a statement and not a question.

"I can't…" was all I could think to say.

"He wrote me a letter once," he said quietly.

"What…when? Why am I just now hearing about this? What did he say?" I rambled trying to understand why Edward would write to the man he assumed I was having an affair with.

"Calm down, turbo," he said, his smile being close to genuine.

"I got it a couple weeks after he left you. It was short and to the point. He told me to take care of you. He also said he'd kill me if I ever hurt you," he laughed bitterly while I sat in shock.

"Can you believe the nerve of that guy? Telling me not to hurt you after what he did. I couldn't believe it."

"I can," I choked out.

It was completely typical of Edward to act so protective of me when he was the only one with the power to do true and lasting damage to me.

"Hey," he said as he nudged my shoulder.

"Things will get better." He smiled

I scoffed.

"What they can't get much worse could they?" He questioned with a laugh.

"Tell me you didn't just say that." I rolled my eyes.

"Can you take me home?" I asked quietly.

"Sure, sure," he mumbled as he heaved his large frame off the cement.

We rode back in comfortable silence. Things should have been extremely awkward but they weren't. We were still friends despite Jacob's feelings for me and my guilt.

We pulled down the long drive and put the truck in park behind the long line of Cullen cars. I felt oddly at ease being back here even considering my previous outburst.

"You'll find someone one day Jacob who can love you the way you deserved to be loved," I said with conviction hoping it would be true for him.

He didn't respond as he leaned over and pulled me into a hug as the engine kept running.

"Love you, Bells," he said with a smile and a wink.

I couldn't help but laugh.

"Yeah, love you too, jerk."

I climbed out of the vehicle and began to walk toward the door as Jake pulled away. I noticed the garage light was shining brightly through the dark night. I moved closer to inspect the situation.

Edward was bent down by his motorcycle washing the tires with care. He didn't have a shirt on and I stood for too long watching the muscles in his back contract and release as he scrubbed the rims.

I shook my head to rattle out the images that were overtaking all of my senses.

"Aren't you chilly?" I asked looking at his bare back and flimsy basketball shorts he was wearing.

He turned quickly and looked up at me with a small smile.

"My shirt was wet. It's cooler with it on than off," he said before turning back to his task.

"Um, don't you have clothes inside?" I asked.

I was really wondering why he was out here washing his bike so late at night anyway.

He mumbled something about death that I didn't quite catch and placed the cloth he was using in a bucket.

"Want a beer?" He asked standing up and stretching.

God why couldn't he have gotten fat?

"Sure," I said though I didn't know why.

I shouldn't be out here with him like this, at least without trying to apologize or yell at him. This felt too normal, too relaxed.

Edward walked back out of the garage with two opened beers. He handed me mine without a word. Before he turned to walk back to his bike I saw a huge, nasty-looking, bruise on his shin.

"Edward, what happened to your leg?" I asked bending down to examine it closer.

He laughed without humor.

"Yeah, real funny, Swan."

"No really, what happened?" I asked again.

"Well I fell in love with a girl, treated her like shit, and she retaliated by dropping her end of a heavy wooden spool covered in fabric. Shit slammed into my leg and hurt like hell," He said with half a smile.

"I did that?" I questioned with wide eyes.

"Yes ma'am. Although, as far as pain goes I assume we're still not remotely close to even are we?" He said looking almost sad.

"Nope," I said with a grin.

That bruise looked painful but he wasn't getting much sympathy from me.

"I didn't mean to," I said honestly.

It wasn't an apology but it was as much as he was going to receive.

"I know," he replied before going to dry his motorcycle.

"Bella can we talk…" he hedged quietly but his tone was deathly serious.

"Not about that… not now, maybe never, but certainly not now," I said defiantly.

"Bella I just want to explain and apologize-"

"It's three years too late for that Edward. I don't want to deal with this anymore. I just want to get through the rest of this week as peacefully as possible, then we can both go back to our lives," I said with false strength.

I really wanted to ask a million questions and figure out what I had done so wrong that he left. Why wasn't I good enough? Why didn't he love me enough to stay? But those questions would lead to a slippery slope of despair and it wouldn't matter in the end anyway. I was done with him. We were done.

Edward studied my face before speaking.

"Okay, fine." Defeat coated his words and I wondered why I didn't feel victorious.

He finished drying the bike and went to grab another beer. Edward gestured toward the bench that sat near the walkway of the Cullen's house. I reluctantly followed him and sat down a foot away. I sipped casually on my beer waiting for him to speak. Apparently he wasn't going to talk.

"So why didn't you bring your girlfriend out here?" I asked with an innocent smile. He nearly choked on his beer.

"What? What girlfriend?" He asked quickly.

"The one you were talking to when I was at the fitting," I said, losing my enthusiasm.

I really didn't want to discuss his love life, but this seemed like standard polite conversation, plus I enjoyed watching him squirm a little more than I would ever admit.

He laughed a bit now seeming completely at ease, crap.

"Tanya is not my girlfriend. She's my assistant. She's pretty awesome, a little like Rosalie but not quite as evil. I think you two would really get along well," he smiled.

He looked at me and then we both seemed to realize what he had said. We wouldn't get along because I would never meet her. I wasn't a part of his life anymore. We both gazed off in the distance at the dense forest. We sat quietly for a bit before Edward sat up straighter and softly grabbed my wrist. I ignored the feelings that rushed through me at his touch.

"Look Bella, a bear!" Edward laughed while pointing to a tiny set of eyes shining around the edge of the tree line.

"Shut up!" I cried smacking him in the arm.

"I still can't believe you knew Emmett was just trying to scare me but you didn't say anything. You just let me freak out and run inside to watch movies with you," I feigned hurt as I remembered the first barbecue I ever attended with my family at the Cullen's. I was ten and saw a pair of beady eyes glowing in the woods.

"Hey I was young and I had the first girl I had ever had a crush on clinging to my arm asking if I could take her to my room," he laughed.

"Yeah like your mind was that far in the gutter already," I scoffed remembering a very different Edward than what he was trying to describe.

"Okay maybe not like that, but I still remember how proud I felt that you ran to me and not one of the other boys or your parents for protection from the big scary raccoon," he grinned.

I smiled, despite my resentment. We had honestly had a great childhood together.

"It's getting late. We should go inside," I said.

"You go on ahead. I haven't camped in a while and I don't get to see the stars in New York. I think I'll just sleep out here," Edward stammered a bit.

"Don't be ridiculous. It's going to rain eventually and you'll catch your death out here when it gets cold."

Edward raised an eyebrow at me and I shuddered when I realized how much I sounded like my mother in that moment.

"Shut up, you can't stay out here," I said nudging his shoulder with mine before standing up.

"I think I'm more likely to 'catch my death' inside then out here," he said with one harsh laugh.

"What are you talking about Edward?" I sighed. This was getting exhausting.

He didn't answer but tilted his head toward the driveway. It took me a second before I realized what I was looking at.

"When?" I questioned harshly.

"Earlier this evening, Mom said she tried to tell you but you insisted on leaving," Edward said finally standing up.

I resisted the urge to stomp my feet and flail my arms like a child.

"Well you're going in with me," I said leaving no room for discussion. Edward got up and followed me looking truly terrified the entire way.

"Are they both here?" I questioned timidly.

"Not both, all," Edward whispered in a tone matching mine.

"Are you okay?" I asked concerned for what he might have gone through.

"Yeah they don't know I'm back yet. I've been outside all evening," he explained, smiling as we walked to the door.

I gripped the door handle tightly slowly opening it. Hen like cackles flowed loudly through the crack in the door.

"I swear Esme, you can find it online for a hundred bucks and it will change your sex life forever," a familiar voice spoke loudly.

"Oh hell," Edward mumbled as I pushed the door completely open to face this nightmare.

A/N: You know the drill, let me know what you think!