Okay guys I'm so so sorry, I know I said I'd post this chapter sooner but my exam results arrived just after I'd posted chapter five so I was kinda celebrating, anyways this one's a little longer than usual seeing as I kept you guys waiting. :]
This chapter is dedicated to Danilo Joao Batista Santos + Kayan Fevzi Huseyin; my own personal Embry + Jacob - I love you two so much!
"Oh my God!" Angela was the first to speak when the squealing subsided.
"What does this mean for you and Jacob?" Emily grinned at me.
"I, well, I've realised that I love Jake, like, I'm in love with Jake" I grinned, it felt good finally admitting those words.
A fresh bout of squealing broke out and I found myself laughing at them.
I should've done this a long time ago, I smiled.
Soon, Emily set us to work. Angela finished packing the cookies Emily had made into a big container, Emily cut up all the different pieces of meat for the barbeque and I stacked our drinks into two huge coolers. The chatter that filled the room was light-hearted and carefree - I stole a few glances at Emily and Angela; they had only known each other for a few months but when you saw them together, they seemed like they'd known each other their whole lives. The wolf girls, I smiled.
The front door swung open as I was trying to push one of the coolers along the floor. Jake and Sam bounded into the living room, stooping under the doorframe. Jeez! I heard Jake chuckle and I looked up, already smiling.
"Hey Bells" he grinned, that 1O,OOO watt smile that I loved.
"Hey Jake" I smiled, Damn.
"Are you boys going to stand there and let Bella do all the work?" Emily scolded playfully, sweeping past us to hug Sam.
"Here, let me get that" Jake grabbed one of the handles and pulled it up like it was an empty box, I gawped in amazement; his strength always seemed to amaze me.
Jake stopped and turned to me on his way out the door; he opened his mouth like he wanted to say something but he just looked at me, I couldn't quite read the expression on his face, and left.
--
"Dude, why'd you leave the cooler all the way over there?" Quil whined, Jake was laughing at him, laying spread-eagle on the sand.
"It's like three feet away from you, get up off your ass and quit complaining" he said.
Quil jumped up and marched off down the beach, mumbling something about being a bossy asshole, I couldn't help but laugh.
"Jakey!" Angela and I immediately spun around to see where that squeak had come from. There was a girl with amazing tan-skin; not quite as dark as Jake though, long black hair tumbling around her shoulders and as little clothing as possible on. Shit, my stomach dropped.
"Cheyenne" he smiled at her. My smile. Then he looked at me, Jake looked at me and I felt my knees jump like they were about to give way. I grabbed hold of Angela's arm, I needed support. Not now Bella, don't make a fool of yourself now, not in front of everyone!
"Bella?" Jake called out to me, I knew he could tell something was wrong.
"I, I'm fine," I practically screamed at him as I spun around and stumbled off towards the blankets spread around the fire-pit. Angela hot on my heels, knowing Ang she would've glared at Jake then come after me. We slumped down beside Leah, who was already on her second beer.
"Oh for Christ sake!" Leah exclaimed, quietly enough so only Angela and I could hear "Could she be any more obvious? Gag me, gag me now!"
I laughed, I couldn't help it. I wasn't usually a mean person but suddenly there's this girl practically slobbering all over my best friend.
Leah handed me a beer, I hesitated. I don't usually drink alcohol; especially beer. I stole a quick glance over the fire at Jake; Cheyenne was drinking a beer, Jake was staring between the beer in Leah's hand and my face. Anything you can do I can do better, I groaned Great, now I'm five years old again!
I grabbed the beer and grinned wickedly at Leah, gulping some down before she could even offer Angela a beer.
--
During some point in the evening, more people had joined out little barbeque-beach party. I vaguely remember someone putting a plate of food down in front of me, I think it was Emily. I barely touched it, I really wasn't in the mood to eat. All I wanted was another beer and Leah was happy to oblige, she gave me a weak smile. She knows how it feels to watch someone you love with someone else.
"You wanna talk about it?" Leah asked, after a long time of staring into the fire in silence; well I was actually glaring at Jake under the pretence of staring into the fire.
"There isn't.. isn't anything to talk about," I hiccupped, I was nursing my fourth beer now "I broke up with Edward because I love Jake and now he's over there with Cheyenne"
Leah looked at me and gave me the most sympathetic look I'd ever seen "He doesn't love her you know, Bella," she took a gulp of beer before continuing "Look, he's gone for a walk, why don't you go talk to him while he's alone?"
I looked at her, then at Jake's retreating back for a few seconds Can I really do this now? I took a huge gulp of beer, spilling some down my front, before I pushed myself up off the sand and started after him.
"You go get your man!" I heard Leah call out, I pumped my fist in the air and stumbled on. Damn, I'm drunk.
Jake was standing in front of the rock cluster furthest from the group. I took a deep breath and opened my mouth to call out for him, he moved before I could speak and I froze. Cheyenne was there too. They were kissing.
Suddenly I was on my knees, dry-heaving into the sand. Embry the first by my side. His massive hands around my shoulders, stopping me from falling flat on my face. I could feel him shaking uncontrollably already.
"JACOB!" he roared and I looked up in time to see him and Cheyenne jump apart. I dropped my head and started retching again.
"Bella! Oh God!" Angela.
"Is she okay?" Paul?
"Should I go get Sam?" Seth.
"I'm okay! I'm fine, don't get Sam, Seth," I mumbled frantically "I'm okay"
"Bella, come here, let me help you up" Leah.
I weakly put my arm around Leah's neck as she snaked her hand around my waist and pulled me up. I looked up, Jake was staring at me; his confusion evident.
"Bella?" he asked, his husky voice was so sweet, so concerned.
"I love you Jake, no, no, I'm in love with you.. but it's too late" I started to sob and Leah pulled me into a hug. I could fell her skin lightly vibrate and I knew that she was angry too.
"What? Bella? Did.. did you.. " Jacob.
"She broke up with Edward!" Leah suddenly yelled at him.
"She broke up with him for you and you're down on the beach getting it on with her?!" Angela said, I could hear the venom in her voice.
Jake was by my side, I felt his arms pulling at me, turning me around. His index finger forcing my chin up, so that I had to look at him.
"Bells, look at me," that husky voice made my insides feel funny "Please?"
I blinked away the last few tears that were making my vision fuzzy and I pushed his arms away from me, my anger at him rushing to the surface.
"I can stand on my own" I mumbled, I felt Leah's arm lightly press against the base of my back. Just in case.
Those gorgeous brown eyes sparkled and I knew he had tears in his eyes.
"Bella, is it true? You really broke up with him.. for me?" his voice was quiet and hopeful.
"Yes" I croaked, my throat sore from the retching, the crying and all that beer.
Suddenly something I never thought I'd see happen, happened. Jacob Black, the human mountain, was on his knees in front of me. His arms snaking their way around my waist, hugging me to him, his forehead resting against my tummy. When he started to shake, I instinctively wrapped my arms around his neck, my hands stroking the soft hair at the back of his neck.
"I love you, Jacob Black," he looked up at me, those big brown eyes made my heart melt "I always have"
Okay, I'm not entirely happy with this chapter - this is like my fifth re-write so I may do another.. Let me know what you guys think, please? :]