Chapter 8- Painful Pact
Bella was still sleeping soundly when Charlie left for his fishing trip the next morning. After he had gone, I went outside and did a brief sweep of the woods. There was nothing to be found, and for the thousandth time I wondered where the intruder was and if he planned on coming back. I consoled myself with the knowledge that if he did return his days were numbered. Unless he showed up with a horde of others we would destroy him with ease. I would actually prefer to have the pleasure of killing him myself for trespassing in Bella's room once I had tortured him into telling me why he'd done it.
I eased myself back into Bella's bed as soon as I'd completed my search and I watched her sleep until the light of the overcast morning peering feebly through her sheer curtains caused her to stir.
"Hi," Bella said in a hoarse whisper as she looked up at me through sleepy brown eyes.
"Hello," I smiled. "How is my girl this morning?"
"Hungry," she said as she stretched and yawned.
The edges of her little blue pajama top inched up as she raised her arms, revealing a patch of creamy skin near her belly button. I averted my eyes and suppressed the wild desire to kiss the exposed flesh.
"Breakfast time for the human," I laughed shakily. "Why don't you get dressed and I'll go downstairs and find something for you to eat." I needed to get away from the sight of her in those silky pajamas before I did something reckless.
Thankfully, Bella changed into something much less revealing while I made her a bowl of oatmeal. I had never tried my hand at preparing it, (I'd only cooked for her twice) and I followed the package directions carefully. However, when the stuff was finished it bore such a strong resemblance to lumpy glue that I considered throwing it in the garbage.
"What did you make me, Emeril?" Bella teased as she walked over to the stove and wrapped her arms around my waist.
"I think it's supposed to be oatmeal," I said, turning my head to kiss her cheek. I really needed to learn to cook. Perhaps I should start watching those TV chefs on the Food Network. She peered over my shoulder at the concoction and nodded.
"Thanks," Bella replied as she walked over to the kitchen cabinet to retrieve a bowl.
"Did I make it correctly?" I asked her doubtfully as she ladled the mess into a bowl and poured sugar on top.
Bella frowned slightly at me as she diced a banana and stirred it into the bowl. She sat down at the table and took a bite.
"It's good," she assured me appreciatively after she'd swallowed a spoonful.
I glanced down at the contents of her bowl and grimaced while I watched her eat. Her face was thoughtful as she finished her breakfast, and I had a shrewd suspicion that she was steeling herself to tell me something unpleasant.
I waited rather impatiently, dreading what I was sure she was going to say.
She was going to forgive Jacob Black for his unforgiveable words, and I knew what her pardon meant. My insides twisted torturously as I finally accepted that her feelings for Jacob Black went beyond the bonds of friendship. Mentally, I had acknowledged this fact shortly after I'd returned to Forks, but my heart had only just fully accepted it and I was in agony.
But, I had made a promise to myself while I watched her sleeping last night that I was going to let her explore her feelings for Jacob Black if that was what she needed, no matter how much it hurt me. I braced myself.
"I'm going to let Jacob off the hook," she said finally as she scraped the remnants of the cooling oatmeal into the trash. She sat the bowl in the sink and stared at me intently, her eyes shining with a hint of apprehension.
"I knew you'd forgive him," I said honestly, forcing my facial muscles to twist into a convincing smile. She didn't seem to notice the intense effort it took for me to do so. "Holding grudges is not one of your many talents."
Bella rolled her eyes at me, but I could see that she was satisfied with my answer. She picked up the phone at once and began dialing a number she obviously knew by heart. I heard a click on the other end of the line almost immediately.
"Hello," I heard a husky male voice say through the receiver. The tone of it was miserable, but familiar. I felt my insides twist as I remembered the last time I'd heard that voice on a phone. I'd been thousands of miles away then, but the sound of it in my mind was just as clear as it was now.
'He's a the funeral'…
"Jacob?" Bella asked as though she was unsure. Did he sound that different to her in his apparent state of emotional distress?
"Bella!" I heard him cry on the other end of the line.
"Oh, Bella, I'm so sorry!" he stammered apologetically. The sincerity in his voice made me feel better and worse all at the same time.
"I swear I didn't mean it," Jacob continued, his voice thick with remorse. "I was just being stupid. I was angry—but that's no excuse. It was the stupidest thing I've ever said in my life and I'm sorry. Don't be mad at me, please? Please. Lifetime of servitude up for grabs—all you have to do is forgive me."
Lifetime of servitude? I repeated mentally. What in the hell did that mean? Was it some sort of intimate joke between the two of them?
Suddenly, I was really worried about the time they'd spent together in my absence. When I returned, I'd asked her if she'd moved on, and she'd immediately forgiven me for my stupidity. It had never occurred to me before that they might have been well on their way to becoming more than friends before I came home. I immediately pushed these thoughts to the back of my mind. The idea was more than I could stand.
"I'm not mad. You're forgiven." Bella said simply. She didn't mention whether or not she was going to take him up on his offer of servitude.
"Thank you," he breathed fervently. "I can't believe I was such a jerk."
I could.
"Don't worry about that—I'm used to it." Bella joked as she turned to look out the window. I could hear Jacob laugh through the receiver in response.
The laughter made my insides burn as I was unable to see the humor in their reconciliation. I cringed for a moment behind her back before forcing myself to make my expression neutral again.
"Come down to see me," Jacob said in an imploring voice. "I want to make it up to you."
"How?" Bella said doubtfully.
"Anything you want. Cliff diving," Jacob replied, half teasing, half desperate.
I suppressed a growl as Alice's memory of Bella's disastrous stunt flashed in my mind. I wanted to jump through the phone and strangle him.
"Oh, there's a brilliant idea," Bella said sarcastically.
"I'll keep you safe," he assured her. "No matter what you want to do."
I was sure that the dog's definition of safe and mine were not the same. And as I thought of the mysterious vampire who had been in her room, I was sure that I couldn't possibly stand the idea of her being out of my sight today. My family and I might be bound by a treaty, but Bella's visitor was not, and I would have no way of knowing if he showed up on the reservation.
Bella's eyes met mine and I knew she was searching my face for an answer. My face was smooth and indifferent, but Bella knew me well enough to see the worry behind my nonchalant expression.
"Not right now," Bella replied carefully. I wondered if the reluctance in her voice was merely due to her desire to appease me or if part of it had to do with a longing to visit her friend.
"He's not thrilled with me, is he?" Jacob said, and I was surprised to hear the degree of shame in his tone. Did my opinion suddenly matter to him because of what I meant to Bella? The idea gave me a strange sliver of comfort; was he willing to forgo the idea of pursuing a romantic relationship with her in favor of rekindling their friendship?
Of course not; I was being delusional if I thought he would give up that easily.
"That's not the problem. There's...well, there's this other problem that's slightly more worrisome than a bratty teenage werewolf...." Bella replied, trying unsuccessfully to sound untroubled.
"What's wrong?" Jacob said in a severe voice. He clearly recognized the undercurrent of anxiety in her tone.
"Um," Bella stammered hesitantly, and I knew she was trying to find a way to downplay the situation.
Abruptly, I decided that the wolves needed to be aware that there was another hostile vampire in the area. Perhaps they would succeed in catching him. Without a word to Bella, I held out my hand for the phone, hoping to sidetrack her before she provided Jacob with any sort of explanation.
Bella scowled at me with mistrust, and ignored my silent request.
"Bella?" Jacob prodded, the tension in his voice more pronounced as he waited for her to elaborate. I extended my hand further and sighed impatiently. Did she really think that I was incapable of having a civil phone conversation with him?
"Do you mind speaking to Edward?" Bella asked nervously after a long pause. Her forehead was creased with worry. "He wants to talk to you."
There was a very pronounced silence on the other end of the line. I couldn't even hear Jacob breathing.
"Okay," Jacob said finally. "This should be interesting."
My inability to read minds at this distance reminded me of why I hated phone conversations. Bella gave me a cautionary look as she handed the receiver to me.
"Hello, Jacob," I said cordially. It was difficult for me to keep my voice even as I thought about how much I hated him, but I owed it to Bella to be polite. This was important to her, and it might even prove to be important to her safety.
"What's going on, bloodsucker?" Jacob asked condescendingly. I started to explain the reason for my desire to speak with him but he didn't pause long enough for me to do so. "I know you probably wanna chew me out for being a jackass, but…"
"Someone was here—not a scent I know," I interjected coolly. If I allowed him to launch into some sort of half garbled apologetic rant I would lose my temper and I had other matters to discuss with him.
"A strange bloodsucker has been in Forks and he came to Bella's while she was at your house," Jacob said succinctly, his feeble attempt at an apology apparently forgotten. It wasn't a question.
"Has your pack come across anything new?" I asked, knowing that he would take my lack of a direct answer as confirmation.
"Nothing," Jacob replied. "Not even any sign of the red head."
I nodded. I'd come to the conclusion that Bella's intruder had come here for the sole purpose of checking on her. We had no reason to think that he was hunting in the area, so I hadn't expected anything else. I didn't think that anyone was in danger from this uninvited guest but Bella. That much was easy to conclude, but the whys were much more confusing.
"Here's the crux, Jacob," I said rigidly. "I won't be letting Bella out of my sight till I get this taken care of. It's nothing personal—"
"Of course it's not," Jacob said skeptically. I gritted my teeth but I didn't answer.
"Look, bloodsucker," Jacob continued in what he clearly intended to be a persuasive voice. "You know just as well as I do that we took care of Bella here on the reservation in the past."
I could tell that he was carefully avoiding any direct mention of my stupid choice to leave last fall in an effort to keep our conversation civil.
"She'd be safe here. There are…plenty of us to watch out for her while you look for this other parasite. That way, you and your uh…family can use all your resources to search and you wouldn't have to worry about her." Jacob finished finally.
I was silent for a moment, temporarily surprised by his logic.
"You might be right—," I mused, thinking of how much ground the seven of us could cover if Bella was with the pack and out of Forks. The smell alone might keep the stranger away from La Push…
"And I could talk to Sam about coverage between the territories if it'll help. Maybe we could work out something for you all to cover the area near the water. We wouldn't want to lose this guy like we did the red head." Jacob went on sincerely.
"That's an interesting suggestion," I replied, impressed against my will with his desire to compromise. "We're quite willing to renegotiate if Sam is amenable." I knew Carlisle would be more than accommodating if it meant we might have a better chance of catching Bella's intruder or Victoria.
I glanced over at Bella and saw that she was eyeing me warily while she chewed at her fingernails. I hated it when she did that, but it was an obvious sign that she was very nervous about me talking to her friend.
"What are your plans for tracking this other parasite?" "You're going back out to check for more clues, right? If you can give us some idea about where the scent trail is, we could do some surveillance."
I paused for a moment as I considered his offer. I hated the idea of asking the wolves for any kind of assistance. Since this stranger hadn't done any hunting in the area, I didn't feel the issue was any of their business. Plus, I wanted to kill Bella's unwelcome guest myself.
"Look, I really am sorry about what I said to her," Jacob continued when I didn't respond to him right away. "It was stupid and I didn't mean it. You have every right to be pissed at me for it, but Bella's safety is all that matters right now, and I can help."
I didn't have the advantage of my talent to assist me at the moment, but I believed that his statements were genuine and I appreciated them.
"Thank you," I replied simply, feeling a bit less hostile toward him for his willingness to look after Bella.
"So, is the coven going out to search the woods on a regular schedule or something? What are you gonna do with Bella while you're out?" Jacob asked.
"I'd planned to go alone, actually," I replied in a falsely calm voice.
"And leave her with the others." I wondered what the dog was getting at. Surely he wasn't questioning my regard for her safety!
"Look, I know you don't want Bella on our lands," Jacob said, speaking more insistently than before. "But if you think about it, Bella would be safer in La Push than she is in Forks right now, especially when you leave to umm…eat. Just think about it; we could protect her."
I had no intention of leaving Bella to hunt again, but now was not the time to get into the particulars of my eating habits with a werewolf.
"I'll try to consider it objectively," I replied honestly, trying to quash every instinct inside me that was screaming in protest at the very thought of letting her out of my sight. "As objectively as I'm capable of." I added.
"That's cool," Jacob said, and I could tell he was surprised at my passive response. "Listen, if we're gonna try to catch this other bloodsucker, it would really help if we had the scent. I was thinking I should come to Forks and check things out."
"That's not a half-bad idea," I said, surprised again at the dog's resourcefulness.
"Yeah, well, I don't have as many college degrees as a 100 year old walking corpse, but I get decent ideas from time to time, bloodsucker." Jacob retorted. He'd clearly been insulted by my incredulous tone.
"When?" I asked. I was growing tired of his insults, but I ignored the jibe.
"I could be there on my own in ten minutes, but if you want me to round up a couple of the others…" Jacob began.
I cut him off at once. Too many wolves would mean a much greater potential for trouble, and as much as I hated to admit it, I didn't want to be outnumbered.
"No, that's fine," I interjected before he could start howling at his friends.
"Okay, I'll come alone and we'll take turns scouting around," Jacob agreed. "I'll stay with Bella while you look and then I'll go check it out when you get back."
"I'd like a chance to follow the trail personally, anyway," I agreed.
I really didn't care for the idea of allowing Jacob Black to look after Bella, but I didn't have many options. If I called on the others to come and stay with her, Jacob would feel threatened it might undermine our fragile plans.
"See ya in a few, then. Let me talk to Bells for a minute before you hang up."
Bells I sneered mentally, hating the way he used the nickname. Bells and Jake. Ugh. I shook my head infinitesimally and held out the phone.
"Bella?" I said as I reached the phone to her. She took it warily, searching my face for some sign of irritation.
"What was that all about?" Bella asked him impatiently. She hated not knowing what we'd been discussing.
"A truce, I think," Jacob replied blandly.
Truce was an apt, but overly optimistic word, in my opinion. Apology or not, I could never wave a white flag of surrender at the man who'd wished death for the woman I loved.
"Hey, do me a favor," Jacob added. "Try to convince your bloodsucker that the safest place for you to be—especially when he leaves—is on the reservation. We're well able to handle anything."
"Is that what you were trying to sell him?" Bella asked as her eyebrows rose in surprise. She glanced at me, looking for my reaction to Jacob's suggestion.
"Yes. It makes sense," Jacob replied. "Charlie's probably better off here, too, as much as possible."
"Get Billy on it," Bella concurred with a nod. I could see the worry in her face as she thought about her father's safety being at risk.
"What else?" She prodded. I sighed inaudibly. Why couldn't she just ask me for the details? I would've answered her.
"Just rearranging some boundaries, so we can catch anyone who gets too near Forks," Jacob replied nonchalantly. I could almost envision him shrugging his shoulders as he spoke. "I'm not sure if Sam will go for it, but until he comes around, I'll keep an eye on things."
"What do you mean by 'keep an eye on things?" Bella asked, her eyes narrowing.
"I mean that if you see a wolf running around your house, don't shoot at it." He answered sarcastically.
"Of course not," Bella replied. "You really shouldn't do anything... risky, though." She added worriedly. I clenched my fists as I thought of her fretting over him.
"Don't be stupid. I can take care of myself," Jacob laughed. Bella sighed in exasperation, but said nothing. Their conversation was really getting to me.
"I also tried to convince him to let you visit," Jacob went on. "He's prejudiced, so don't let him give you any crap about safety. He knows as well as I do that you'd be safe here."
"I'll keep that in mind." Bella agreed. I winced behind her back and fought the desire to hang up the phone for her.
"See you in a few," Jacob said. Thank heaven their little chat was over.
"You're coming up?" Bella asked in surprise. I could detect a hint of pleasure in her voice at the thought, and I clenched my fists automatically.
"Yeah. I'm going to get the scent of your visitor so we can track him if he comes back." He answered.
"Jake, I really don't like the idea of you tracking—"Bella began. Her concern for his safety was grating on my nerves.
"Oh please, Bella," he interrupted with a laugh. He was still snickering when he hung up.
"Well, that was interesting," Bella said, her brows creasing thoughtfully as she put the phone down. "Jake's going to help you look for my vampire burglar."
"Yes, it's interesting," I said dully as I stared out the window.
I was bracing myself to walk away from her while her life was in danger. I would be leaving her with the only real rival I'd ever had for her affections and entrusting him with her safety. I wanted to scream, and not for the first time, I had a mad desire to just pick her up and take her to some deserted island so that I would never have to be separated from her again.
"I should go in a moment," I said as I heard Jacob's faint footsteps coming through the trees behind the house. He was about four miles away now.
"Why?" Bella asked, her frown deepening as she joined me beside the window. I felt the wonderful warmth of her fingers as she rested her hand on my shoulder.
"Jacob will be here in a few minutes," I answered still gazing out of the smeared glass. "Its best if I go before he arrives."
"Ugh," Bella grumbled, tightening her hold on me. "I don't want you to leave, Edward. Surely the two of you can be civil for a few minutes."
I smiled halfheartedly at her for a moment. Her wish for me to stay eased some of the pain in my chest. I moved away from her reluctantly; I could hear the rustle of pine needles beneath Jacob's fast approaching feet.
"It's not that I feel any personal antagonism toward him, Bella, it's just easier for both of us," I said as I walked toward the front door. I smiled a little as she followed me automatically.
Part of my statement was a lie. I felt a great deal of personal antagonism toward Jacob Black. Therefore, being in close proximity to him constituted a risk to Bella's safety. My anger and jealousy were still too raw, too close to the surface for me to have absolute control of my temper.
Plus, I didn't think that I could stand the sight or the smell of him for any extended period of time. And I needed to see how she interacted with him when I wasn't there.
Bella's fingers brushed across my arm and she bit her lip anxiously. She seemed almost as apprehensive about my departure as I was.
"I won't be far away. You'll be safe," I reassured her as I opened the front door.
"I'm not worried about that." Bella replied with a slight crease between her eyebrows as she leaned against the doorframe.
Of course she wasn't worried; she felt safe with Jacob Black. He had protected her, saved her physically and emotionally during my absence. I could hear Jacob Black's footsteps much more plainly now, and his thoughts were clear.
Eww! I can smell Eau Du Leech all the way out here. Gross. I really don't want to be within 50 feet of that. It reeks. Jacob thought.
Hmm, he didn't want to be within 50 feet of our scent, and I didn't want him within 50 feet of Bella; this gave me an idea…
I smiled broadly and I knew Bella could see the mischief in my eyes. I took her hand and pulled her into my arms, wrapping myself as tightly around her as it was safe to do. I rubbed my hands up and down her back as I blew on her hair. She shivered deliciously and I almost felt guilty for teasing her. But the increasing revulsion in Jacob's thoughts over the lingering vampire smell was just too funny for me to care.
So disgusting…don't know how Bella stands it…makes me want to gag. He thought.
"I'll be right back," I said to Bella. I pressed my lips together for a half second to try to contain my laughter, but it didn't work.
"What's so funny?" Bella asked.
I didn't answer her as I took off running toward the woods.
I know you're out there bloodsucker, Jacob said mentally. Are you in my head again?
"Yes, Jacob," I replied quietly, knowing that he would hear me.
I smell some other bloodsuckers besides you, including your midget sister. You didn't call any of them to come and help you did you? You said you'd be alone. He said wordlessly.
"I am alone," I assured him. "However, should I need any assistance it would be quite easy for me to summon my family." I added, hoping that he would pick up on the undercurrent of a threat in my voice.
Yeah, well my pack is on standby too just in case. He replied.
"I would expect no less," I answered impassively. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a job to do. Or have you forgotten the reason you're here?"
My memory is just fine, thanks. But before I go leech hunting, I'm going to see Bella and make sure she's okay. Don't hurry back. He thought.
I suppressed a growl. It took every ounce of restraint I had to keep from turning around and going straight back to Charlie's. Jacob was trying to get the better of me and I could allow him to see how jealous I really was. It would only serve to boost his already over inflated ego.
I had barely traveled through two miles of thick forest when I felt my cell phone vibrating in my pocket. I glanced at the number, though I already knew who it was.
"Where are you and why can't I see you?" Alice demanded as soon as I answered.
I am in the woods near Charlie's following the scent trail of Bella's visitor to see if I can find anything Emmett and Jasper might have missed," I replied. "And Bella is at Charlie's with Jacob."
"What!!" Alice shrieked through the phone. "You left her alone with that mutt? Who are you and what have you done with Edward Cullen?"
"I told Jacob about Bella's visitor and he offered to come and take a look around. He thinks it will be beneficial for the pack to have the intruder's scent." I explained.
"Should you really be there alone with him around?" Alice asked apprehensively. "I could send Jasper…"
"That won't be necessary," I assured her as I continued to scour the forest. "In fact, I think it might be counterproductive. If there was more than one of us in the vicinity it would make him nervous. The dog knows I won't kill him for Bella's sake."
"Well, call if you need us," Alice answered, and I could hear the worry and irritation in her melodic voice. "I'll be looking to see when he leaves and if he's there for more than an hour you'd better check in."
"I think I can handle one solitary teenage werewolf on my own," I said, miffed.
"I'm not worried about you," Alice said, and I could picture her rolling her eyes at me. "I don't like the idea of Bella being with him."
"Neither do I, for that matter, but he offered to help, and he's her…friend," I nearly choked on the last word.
"Just call me back later, okay?" Alice said. "Oh, and by the way, Bella's Dartmouth acceptance will be in the mail today." she added before she hung up the phone.
I ran through the woods until I reached the edge of the highway, where the scent trail ended. Along the way, I'd checked for hair, clothing fibers, footprints, and anything else he might have left behind, but there was nothing.
The only new information I was able to ascertain was the make and model of the car, and it was an unremarkable, common sedan. Well, the only useful thing I learned anyway. I didn't count the fact that I found out the lady who lived four houses down from Charlie was having an affair with one of her co-workers at the Thriftway. Ah, the joys of being a mind reader.
I stopped in front of Charlie's house to get the mail along the way, and sure enough, Bella's acceptance letter to Dartmouth was waiting in the box. I smiled to myself as I tucked the envelope into my jacket pocket.
"Do you have obsessive compulsive disorder?" I heard Jacob asking Bella when I was within earshot of the house. I get a cut and she's bleaching the whole damn kitchen. Wish bleach was enough to get rid of the reeking leech smell. Ugh and it's all over her room. I could smell him in her sheets. He thought bitterly.
I smiled smugly at the jealousy I heard in his head. I'd love to be able to tell him how amazing it was to hold her every night while she slept, but I was afraid he'd find some way to tip Charlie off about the time I spent in her room.
Through his mind, I saw Bella shrug noncommittally at his question about her mental state.
"We're a bit sensitive to blood around here. I'm sure you can understand that." She answered as she walked over to the kitchen sink to clean up.
"Oh." Jacob replied. Right; we wouldn't want Count Suckula to smell me and get too hungry.
Perhaps I should tell him I'd rather eat dead Norwegian rats infested with the black plague. Rats were disgusting, and diseases made animals taste much worse.
"Why not make it as easy as possible for him? What he's doing is hard enough." Bella continued reasonably.
I felt a powerful surge of love course through me at her words. She talked about my self restraint as though I were doing something far more admirable than I was. As if just not killing people could be considered a virtue somehow. She was too kind and accepting for me to deserve her.
"Sure, sure. Why not?" Jacob answered sardonically. Because the bloodsucker is so wonderful and considerate…how sweet. I can't believe she told me she kisses him. I'll have nightmares tonight from that one. Why did I even ask? Well, maybe I should ask her about what she thinks about me the same way I did the kissing…
Had he really asked her for some intimate details about the physical nature of our relationship? The idea disturbed me, and yet I was even more concerned about the fact that she'd obviously felt comfortable enough with him to acknowledge his question.
"Can I ask you something, Bella?"
I waited with bated breath for him to continue, unable to move any closer to the house. If he knew I was listening he might not say anything…
Bella sighed.
"What's it like—having a werewolf for a best friend?" The question seemed to surprise her and she laughed out loud.
"Does it creep you out?" Jacob continued without acknowledging her outburst. His thoughts were amused, though. At least she thinks I'm funny, even if she does love that nasty parasite.
"No. When the werewolf is being nice," Bella teased, "it's the best."
She loves me too but she doesn't know it. I'd give anything if she'd figure it out. I've missed her so much. Jacob thought sadly
The tenderness in his mind made my insides twist. As much as I hated Jacob, I felt a stab of pity for him. He truly did love her in his own way, and I couldn't fault him for that. No one understood better than I how easy it was to love her.
"Thanks, Bella," he said softly, and in one fluid movement, he pulled her close. I could feel my body tauten with anger, but a half second later I was choking back a laugh.
God she stinks! Jacob thought emphatically as he pulled away from Bella almost immediately.
"Ugh," he said, his nose wrinkling. "Your hair stinks worse than your room."
"Sorry," Bella mumbled, and I knew she understood the reason for my little display of affection before I'd left earlier.
"One of the many hazards of socializing with vampires," Jacob said, shrugging. "It makes you smell bad. A minor hazard, comparatively." I don't understand how she can make out with someone who wants to eat her, and not in a good way. Speaking of the devil, we're not alone anymore.
I cringed at the implied vulgarity in his mind. Thank heaven he was censoring his thoughts now that he knew I'd returned. If he'd been thinking graphic impure things about Bella and I'd heard him...I suppressed a growl.
"I only smell bad to you, Jake." Bella said irritably.
"See you around, Bells." Back so soon, bloodsucker? I told you not to hurry.
"Are you leaving?" Bella asked. Her voice was full of disappointment and it made my chest hurt.
"He's waiting for me to go. I can hear him outside".
"Oh." Bella replied in response to Jacob's revelation. Her tone was passive, and I searched her face for some sign that she had missed me but didn't find any. I grimaced.
Looks like she wants me to stay; I could always stick around and keep her company for awhile if you want to go drain a moose or something. I'm sure I could talk her into taking a shower to wash the leech stink out of her hair...Jacob thought deliberately.
I growled loud enough for him to hear me in response to his taunting thoughts. I clenched my teeth together and reminded myself again that he was here to help me and attacking him wouldn't be a good idea.
"I'll go out the back," he said. To my satisfaction, a slightly worried look flashed across his face too briefly for Bella to see. But a moment later his swagger returned and he paused to ask Bella a question on his way out. I took a deep breath.
"Hold up a sec—hey, do you think you can come to La Push tonight? We're having a bonfire party. Emily will be there, and you could meet Kim...And I know Quill wants to see you, too. He's pretty peeved that you found out before he did." Quill really wants the chance to tease her about that, and Emily's missed her a lot. Surely she'll say yes since everyone's gonna be there...He thought.
Bella smiled for a moment, but then her expression shifted and she sighed.
"Yeah, Jake, I don't know about that. See, it's a little tense right now...." She replied doubtfully. I knew she was thinking of me. She didn't want to increase my anxiety by going to La Push where Alice couldn't see her. But I could hear the longing in her voice. She wanted to see her friends.
"C'mon, you think somebody's going to get past all…all six of us?" There was an odd pause as he stuttered over the end of his question. I couldn't see what had caused the hesitation in his mind. How strange...
I'll ask," I heard her reply apprehensively. Jacob growled in response.
Again, she was under the impression that she needed to ask for my approval before making plans with her friends. I felt dreadful about how horribly I'd behaved over the last few weeks.
"Is he your warden, now, too?" Jacob replied incredulously. Bella's never let anyone tell her what to do! Maybe if I push her hard enough she'll stand up to that stupid bloodsucker.
"You know, I saw this story on the news last week about controlling, abusive teenage relationships and—"
"Okay!" Bella interrupted him angrily. I could see through his eyes the irritated expression on her face as she tried pointlessly to push his massive form out the door. "Time for the werewolf to get out!"
"Bye, Bells. Be sure you ask permission." He goaded her as he sauntered out of the room. See you later, leech. One of these days she's gonna get tired of you acting like a controlling jackass, and I'll be waiting...
Jacob closed the door behind him with a soft click before he took off running through the pines. I knew he was right, and I had already come to the same conclusion without his input; I was going to have to let Bella go or I would lose her.
I could hear her grumbling to herself in a very Charlie-ish fashion when I walked inside a second later. Had his comments struck a chord with her? I glanced at her nervously, trying to gage how upset she was with Jacob, and me, if she'd taken what he'd said seriously.
"Did you two get into a fight?" I asked her apprehensively.
"Edward!" Bella cried eagerly as flew at me. My heart swelled at her enthusiasm. Apparently his taunting hadn't upset her too badly, and she'd missed me.
"Hi, there," I said in response, laughing as I scooped her up into my arms. The feel of her against my chest was so warm and natural, as though she were meant for only me. "Are you trying to distract me? It's working."
"No, I didn't fight with Jacob… much. Why?" She asked me curiously.
"I was just wondering why you stabbed him. Not that I object." I joked as I nodded my head in the direction of the knife lying on the counter. I was indeed curious about how he'd cut himself, but the idea of Bella doing something violent to him was laughable…appealing, but laughable.
"Dang! I thought I got everything." She let go of me and quickly put the knife in the sink, pouring bleach over it in the process. "I didn't stab him, he forgot he had a knife in his hand," she explained as though she'd taken me seriously.
I would have to be starving past endurance to ever even consider touching Jacob Black.
"That's not nearly as fun as the way I imagined it," I teased, laughing lightly.
"Be nice," Bella said halfheartedly as she finished drying the sanitized knife and placed it in the drawer. I didn't want to discuss my manners toward her friend, so I changed the subject.
"I got your mail," I said as I pulled the Dartmouth envelope from my jacket pocket.
"Anything good?" She asked absently as she reached into the kitchen cabinet and pulled out a glass.
"I think so," I replied, knowing that she wasn't going to be particularly pleased.
She turned around to study my face and I knew that my words caught her attention. She set aside the still empty glass and took the creased envelope from my hands. I saw the curious expression on her face shift to incredulity as she read the return address.
"Dartmouth? Is this a joke?" She gasped as she stared up at me with unadulterated shock.
It wasn't a joke of course, but I couldn't help but smile in amusement at the look on her face. Bella didn't like the idea of my wealth affording her more opportunities than she might have had otherwise. However, I really hoped the lure of going to an Ivy League school would be enough to get her to postpone her plans to change.
"I'm sure it's an acceptance. It looks exactly like mine." I said briskly, gesturing toward the envelope to indicate that she should open it.
"Good grief, Edward—what did you do?" She replied angrily, tossing the unopened envelope aside. She was so obstinate!
"I sent in your application, that's all." I assured her.
This was true, unless you counted the 'additional application processing fees' I'd paid to have her application considered so late in the year. I'd had to do the same thing for myself. Six months ago I'd been in Colorado chasing Victoria, and going to college again had been the last thing on my mind. I shuddered internally as I pushed away all thoughts of the traumatic separation I'd subjected both of us to.
"I may not be Dartmouth material, but I'm not stupid enough to believe that." Bella retorted, glaring at me.
Did she really believe that money alone could buy her acceptance into a school like Dartmouth? Her test scores were excellent; she hadn't needed much help.
"Dartmouth seems to think that you're Dartmouth material,"
I countered reasonably. Her face was slowly flushing with anger, and I waited for the argument to commence.
She was quiet for several moments, and I knew she was trying to get a handle on her anger. Bella hated losing her temper with me.
"That's very generous of them," she said, her voice controlled and cool. "However, accepted or not, there is still the minor matter of tuition. I can't afford it, and I'm not letting you throw away enough money to buy yourself another sports car just so that I can pretend to go to Dartmouth next year."
I raised my eyebrows in surprise for a fleeting half second that passed too quickly for Bella to notice. I was shocked to realize that she was completely missing the point and thought I was setting this up as some sort of costly ruse for her transformation.
"I don't need another sports car, and you don't have to pretend anything," I whispered fiercely as I thought of all the things she had yet to see and experience in this world as a mortal.
I wished that I could make her understand just how much I wanted to give her. Plus, I was still holding out hope that Alice was right and we'd be married soon. If she were my wife, my money would be hers.
"One year of college wouldn't kill you. Maybe you'd even like it. Just think about it, Bella. Imagine how excited Charlie and Renée would be...." I continued persuasively. Bella loved her parents, and making them happy was very important to her. If she wouldn't do it for herself, perhaps she would think about it for them.
For an all too brief moment, she had a faraway look in her eyes, and I knew she was considering my argument.
"Edward. I'm worried about living through graduation, let alone this summer or next fall." Bella said anxiously as she shook her head.
My silent heart ached at her words. Of course she was still frightened of the Volturi, especially after what had happened yesterday. I felt like such a fool for being so inconsiderate. I needed to reassure her that no one would ever touch her as long as one member of the Cullen family existed.
I pulled her into my arms at once and held her close, desperate for her to feel the resolve in every particle of my body.
"No one is going to hurt you. You have all the time in the world."
I vowed, staring deeply into her worried brown eyes.
Bella sighed, and I could tell that she didn't want to discuss her visitor at the moment.
"I'm mailing the contents of my bank account to Alaska tomorrow. It's all the alibi I need," she said determinedly. "It's far enough away that Charlie won't expect a visit until Christmas at the earliest. And I'm sure I'll think of some excuse by then."
I gritted my teeth in irritation at her unwavering determination to stick to her plans. She could see that it was my turn to try to control my temper.
You know," Bella said in a half joking voice to try to diffuse the tension, "this whole secrecy and deception thing is kind of a pain."
Anger surged through me at her words. If she thought keeping secrets was an inconvenience now, how would she feel when she had to live out her endless existence in the shadows? How could she tolerate never establishing roots or ties to any place, watching as the world changed around you while you remained unyielding stone, like the graves of the mortal people you could not get close to…
"It gets easier," I said coldly, furious at her cavalier attitude toward the people she would be leaving behind if she chose this life. "After a few decades, everyone you know is dead. Problem solved."
Bella cringed and averted her eyes from my face. I instantly regretted my rash words.
"Sorry, that was harsh." I said sadly.
Bella continued to stare unseeingly over my shoulder. Her face was impassive but I knew she was upset.
"But still true," she added a moment later, completing my sentence.
"If I get this resolved, whatever it is we're dealing with, will you please consider waiting?" I asked desperately, knowing the answer before the words had even left my mouth.
"Nope," she replied simply, meeting my gaze again. The familiar determination blazed in her chocolate eyes and I sighed.
"Always so stubborn," I grumbled as I held her closer.
"Yep," she said, agreeing with me for the first time during the course of this horrid conversation.
The sound of Charlie's decrepit washing machine groaning and clanging distracted Bella.
"Stupid piece of junk, she grumbled irritably as she extricated herself from my arms. I followed her to the laundry closet and watched as she adjusted the solitary item inside. It was the ratty dish towel Jacob Black had bled on. I could still smell the remnants of his scent in spite of the bleach.
"This reminds me," Bella said as she closed the lid of the washer with a metallic thud. "Could you ask Alice what she did with my stuff when she cleaned my room? I can't find it anywhere."
I frowned at her, thoroughly confused.
"Alice cleaned your room?" I repeated in surprise. Alice didn't really care for mundane household chores and only performed them when it was absolutely necessary.
"Yeah, I guess that's what she was doing," Bella answered with a shrug.
When she came to get my pajamas and pillow and stuff to hold me hostage… (she glowered at me briefly at the mention of my ill-fated endeavor to keep her away from Jacob Black)…she picked up everything that was lying around, my shirts, my socks, and I don't know where she put them."
Why on earth would Alice have taken Bella's clothes? To wash them? If so, they weren't at the house; I would have noticed the scent…
The scent!
I froze where I stood as horror washed over me like ice water.
"When did you notice your things were missing?" I asked her, trying to keep the terror out of my voice.
"When I got back from the fake slumber party," Bella replied, her brow furrowed in confusion. "Why?"
"I don't think Alice took anything. Not your clothes, or your pillow," I replied thickly. My throat was constricted and I found it difficult to swallow the venom in my mouth.
"The things that were taken, these were things you'd worn...and touched...and slept on?" I continued, though I was sure I already knew the answer.
"Yes," Bella replied, the crease between her eyebrows deepening. I could see anxiety flicker briefly in her eyes. "What is it, Edward?"
"Things with your scent," I croaked.
"Oh!" she gasped, understanding at once. Her already pale face drained of color as she gazed intently at me, her eyes burning with fear and intensity. "My visitor," she breathed.
"He was gathering traces...evidence," I said flatly, trying in vain to understand the motivation behind his actions. What good would her things be to the Volturi?
To prove that he'd found you?" I asked myself aloud.
"Why?" Bella murmured, echoing my thoughts.
"I don't know," I said truthfully. The fear in her face intensified.
"But Bella, I swear I will find out," I promised her fiercely. "I will."
"I know you will," she answered as he rested her head on my chest. And I knew with everything inside me she trusted me completely. I could not fail her. In so doing, I would fail myself. I would die.
An instant later, I felt my phone vibrate in the pocket of my shirt. I pulled it out and saw Carlisle's name flashing on the face of it.
"Just the person I need to talk to," I thought aloud as I answered.
"Carlisle, I—" I began, eager to tell him about this latest piece of information on Bella's intruder.
"Have you seen the news today?" Carlisle interrupted urgently. I started to tell him no, but he continued speaking before I could reply. "The local affiliate is reporting that there have been ten more deaths in Seattle in the last week. It was also in the paper this morning."
"I'll check it out," I replied, finding it difficult to be completely engrossed in the goings on in Seattle.
"Listen," I urged. "Bella's just told me that a number of personal items were missing from her room when she returned home on Saturday. She thought maybe Alice had taken them, but I know she didn't."
"And you believe that whoever broke into her room stole them," Carlisle concluded.
"What other explanation is there?" I asked rhetorically.
"I'm sure you're right, but I can't think of any reason why they would need to steal her things. It's very strange." Carlisle replied. "What did he take?"
"Several articles of clothing she'd worn, and her pillow," I answered.
"It doesn't make any sense, but I'll think about it and see what I can come up with," He said thoughtfully. "Perhaps he was a scout of some sort for Caius."
A prickle of fear swept through me at the thought of Caius sending someone to Bella's house to check on her.
"If the Volturi are involved with Bella's visitor in some way, they probably sent him here to check out Seattle as well. If so, it's just a matter of time before they come to clean up whatever's going on there. I'm sure there are several newborns in the city; there have been too many messy deaths for this to be the work of one. If this continues, Aro will definitely send a contingent from the guard to the area."
My fear intensified at the thought of a large number of fighters from Italy being so close to us. It would make perfect sense for them to pay us a visit if they were already concerned about a potential turf war here.
"Emmett thinks we should try to intercede before that can happen," Carlisle continued.
I agreed completely. I turned my back on Bella for a moment and spoke too softly for her to hear.
"I'd rather deal with newborns than the guard," I whispered quickly.
"I understand that Edward, but…" Carlisle began, but I was hardly paying any attention to him.
"Maybe I'll go...," I mused aloud.
I glanced over at Bella, sure she had heard me that time. Her face was even paler than before and I knew she was concerned about the idea of me being away from her. There was no way I could bear to leave her under any circumstances. "Maybe not," I finished.
"I don't think it's our place to get involved and I told Emmett I'd rather move on than risk our family in a conflict and Jasper agrees." Carlisle said vehemently.
"Don't let Emmett go alone, you know how he gets," I answered worriedly. My big brother was strong and intelligent, but he was also impulsive and reckless. I couldn't stand the thought of him getting hurt trying to deal with a bunch of brutish newborns on his own.
"I won't," Carlisle assured me quickly. "I don't think there's anything we can do right now but watch and wait."
I sighed heavily. I didn't like the idea standing idly by and waiting for things to get bad enough for the Volturi to arrive. It was too risky for Bella.
"At least ask Alice keep an eye on things," I replied.
"She's doing her best, but you and I both know she's been having some difficulties with her talents lately," he reminded me. I could tell that his words were a warning for me not to put pressure on Alice.
"We still have some time, but I want you to read the paper and tell me what you think."
I could feel the anger and frustration building inside me and I knew I needed to end the conversation before I said something rude to Carlisle.
"We'll figure this out later," I conceded curtly as I closed my phone with a loud snap.
"Where's the paper?" I asked Bella as soon as I hung up.
"Um, I'm not sure," She frowned. "Why?"
"I need to see something," I answered her vaguely. She had enough to worry about at the moment. "Did Charlie already throw it out?"
"Maybe...." Bella replied thoughtfully. She began to glance around the kitchen, but I was too impatient to search for it. Instead I ran quickly and discreetly through the rain to a nearby convenience store and grabbed a paper from the machine sitting out front.
I was back in three fourths of a second. As soon as I'd closed the back door with a soft snap I tossed the sodden paper on the kitchen table, opened it up and began to read.
"Murder Epidemic Continues—Police Have No New Leads."
Police in Seattle continue to be baffled by a string of violent murders that have left the city in a state of panic. Ten victims have been found in various parts of the city in as many days, leading citizens to wonder if anywhere is safe…
I scanned through the pages and several glaring facts were evident. Burned and broken bodies with severe physical damage in random locations…
"Carlisle's right...yes...very sloppy," I murmured to myself as I continued to read. "Young and crazed? Or a death wish?"
I could feel Bella's eyes on me and I knew she was confused. She came up behind me and started reading over my shoulder.
"It's getting worse," Bella whispered thickly from behind me. I glanced over my shoulder at her and frowned.
"Altogether out of control," I agreed. "This can't be the work of just one newborn vampire. What's going on?" I continued, still talking mostly to myself.
"It's as if they've never heard of the Volturi. Which is possible, I guess. No one has explained the rules to them... so who is creating them, then?"
I thought about everything that Jasper had ever told me about the newborn wars in the south. The creators always wanted to avoid any interference from Italy, so they always taught their charges to fear the Volturi.
"The Volturi?" Bella echoed with a shiver. Her voice was higher than usual out of fear.
I nodded.
"This is exactly the kind of thing they routinely wipe out—immortals who threaten to expose us," I explained. "They just cleaned up a mess like this a few years ago in Atlanta, and it hadn't gotten nearly this bad."
I stared at her intently, wondering how much detail I should go into. I reminded myself again of how strong she was and decided to continue.
"They will intervene soon, very soon, unless we can find some way to calm the situation. I'd really rather they didn't come to Seattle just now. As long as they're this close...they might decide to check on you."
Bella bit her lip unconsciously out of nervous habit and shivered again. "What can we do?" She asked desperately.
"We need to know more before we can decide that," I replied calmly, thinking of Carlisle. "Perhaps if we can talk to these young ones, explain the rules, it can be resolved peacefully." I scowled doubtfully as I thought about the merits of Emmett's suggestion and Carlisle's position. I knew that no one would dispute what he decided.
"We'll wait until Alice has an idea of what's going on," I told Bella, hoping that the idea of Alice watching the situation would comfort her. She looked a little less anxious, so perhaps it did help.
"We don't want to step in until it's absolutely necessary," I continued honestly. "After all, it's not our responsibility."
Bella nodded in understanding as I thought about the fact that Jasper agreed with Carlisle. It made me feel a little better about waiting to act.
"But it's good we have Jasper," I said, talking to myself again. "If we are dealing with newborns, he'll be helpful."
"Jasper," Bella repeated in surprise, her eyebrows raised. "Why?"
I thought about all the things that Jasper had seen and done during the course of his immortal life and shuddered. Bella didn't need to hear that story. I smiled down at her.
"Jasper is sort of an expert on young vampires." I replied vaguely.
"What do you mean, an expert?" She asked. I should have known she would want to know more.
"You'll have to ask him—the story is involved," I answered, not wanting to discuss it further now, especially not without talking to Jasper first.
"What a mess," Bella said quietly, shaking her head.
"It does feel that way, doesn't it?" I replied with a sad sigh. "Like it's coming at us from all sides these days." It was my fault that she was carrying so many burdens. If I had never entered her life, she wouldn't be facing all this danger and distress.
"Do you ever think that your life might be easier if you weren't in love with me?" I blurted abruptly. It was really a rhetorical question because I knew that it would be, but I wondered if any of her doubts about becoming my wife were related to all these complications.
"Maybe," she allowed. "It wouldn't be much of a life, though."
Did she really think living in fear for her life was preferable to the safe, mundane existence she could have had without me? I thought of words I'd heard in Jacob Black's thoughts during several of our encounters.
Is he afraid she'll finally see how bad he is for her and ditch him? He'd thought the day he came to the school to talk about the border dispute.
She loves me too but she doesn't know it. I'd give anything if she'd figure it out. I'd heard him think today.
"For me," I answered in a sad whisper. If Jacob and Charlie were right about her feelings, and she did realize she was in love with him, would it be enough for her to forego being a vampire and choose a mortal life? Could Jacob Black make her happy? Could I let her go?
One of these days she's gonna get tired of you acting like a controlling jackass, and I'll be waiting... He'd said wordlessly to me as he was leaving the house. He'd asked Bella to come to La Push and I didn't want her to go.
But she needed to go, and I had to let her.
"And now," I continued, trying to quash the fear and jealousy that radiated through my chest. "I suppose you have something you want to ask me?"
"I do?" She asked, thoroughly nonplussed.
"Or maybe not," I said with a smile as I fleetingly hoped that Jacob's invitation wasn't really that important to her.
"I was rather under the impression that you'd promised to ask my permission to go to some kind of werewolf soirée tonight." I continued, trying to make light of a situation that made me feel like a human who was trying to swallow broken glass.
"Eavesdropping again?" she asked. She tried to sound stern, but the corners of her mouth curved into a slight smile and ruined the affect.
With a great effort, I smiled back. "Just a bit, at the very end," I replied.
"Well, I wasn't going to ask you anyway. I figured you had enough to stress about." She said, turning away from me for a moment.
I knew she was feeling guilty for even considering it. Once again, she was trying to put my needs before her own, not realizing that the only thing I really needed was her happiness. I cupped her face in my hands and stared intently into her eyes.
"Would you like to go?" I asked her. I already knew the answer but I wanted her to tell me the truth. I hated the idea of her hiding her feelings from me in an effort to spare mine.
"It's no big thing. Don't worry about it." She replied unconvincingly, biting her lip again.
"You don't have to ask my permission, Bella," I assured her as I thought remorsefully about the reasons she felt she had to.
"I'm not your father—thank heaven for that. Perhaps you should ask Charlie, though." I knew that Charlie would be thrilled to allow Bella to spend the evening with Jacob, especially since I wouldn't be around.
"But you know Charlie will say yes." She countered.
"I do have a bit more insight into his probable answer than most people would, it's true," I agreed in a falsely bright voice as I remembered Charlie's thoughts from the night before.
He made her happy and she loves him whether she knows it or not…
Charlie wanted what was best for his daughter, and contrary to what he might think of me, so did I.
Bella stared into my face intently, and I knew she was searching for signs of insincerity or worry in my eyes. I hid my pain and anxiety with a tremendous effort. She deserved an evening out with her friends; an escape from all the trouble that hung over our heads like a thundercloud.
Most of all, she deserved a chance to know her own heart and mind.
"Bella," I said after several moments of silence. "I told you that I was going to be reasonable and trust your judgment. I meant that."
I didn't always trust her judgment when it came to determining what was dangerous, but I trusted Carlisle's. He believed that Bella would be safe on the reservation, and given the present circumstances, she might be safer there than she was in Forks.
"If you trust the werewolves, then I'm not going to worry about them," I finished. This could technically be construed as the truth. I wasn't really worried about all of the wolves. I was only concerned about one.
"Wow," Bella replied, looking at me with a mixture of gratitude and awe.
"And Jacob's right—about one thing, anyway—a pack of werewolves ought to be enough to protect even you for one evening." I said half jokingly.
"Are you sure?" Bella asked again doubtfully, still searching my face for signs of uncertainty or distress.
"Of course," I replied calmly, ignoring the obstinate voice inside my head that was screaming at me to beg her to stay. How was I going stand letting her go? An idea occurred to me then, but would she agree to it?
"Only..." I began, wondering if I should dare ask. Would she think that I was attaching strings to my acceptance of her plans?
Bella tensed at once, and I could tell she was worried about what I was going to suggest. I almost changed my mind, but then I thought about the alternative and I continued.
"I hope you won't mind taking a few precautions?" I asked her uncertainly. Her face relaxed a little, and I felt better about the odds of getting her to agree.
"Allowing me to drive you to the boundary line, for one," I continued hopefully, "and then taking a cell phone, so that I'll know when to pick you up?"
"That sounds...very reasonable." Bella conceded, looking relieved.
"Excellent," I answered with a smile. We would just be a phone call away from each other. At least that was something.
Charlie arrived home later that afternoon with a cooler full of fish in tow. He was in an excellent mood, whistling contentedly as he walked through the back door.
"Hey Bella," he called as he walked into the living room. "I..." he faltered as soon as he saw me sitting beside Bella on the couch.
Great. This is why I hate surprises; the ones I get are never the good kind, He thought irritably.
"Hello Edward," Charlie said sourly as Bella turned down the volume on the TV. "I didn't see your car outside."
"Alice dropped me off," I lied smoothly.
"Oh," He replied lamely. Well at least it's Sunday and I can kick him out early if she's got school work to finish.
"Did you get all your homework done, Bells?" Charlie asked pointedly. The sound of the nickname reminded me forcefully of Jacob Black again and I gritted my teeth a little.
"Yeah," Bella replied as she tore her attention away from the rather dull romantic comedy we were watching. "Listen, I know I've got school tomorrow, but do you mind if I go to La Push to see Jake later? They're having a bonfire party and he wants me to stop by."
Charlie's expression changed from irritated to elated so quickly that it was almost comical.
Almost.
"Sure thing Bells," He beamed. Finally! I'm so glad my little talk worked and they made up. Maybe if they have some time alone she and Jake will sort everything out.
"Great," Bella smiled.
"When are you leaving?" he asked jovially.
"Umm, I need to call Jake and tell him I'm coming," she answered as she got up to grab the phone.
"What about you, Edward?" Charlie asked, his voice dripping with false innocence. "Are you looking forward to the bonfire?"
"I have plans with Jasper," I said with a smile. Bella's plans were eating away at me, but I refused to give Charlie the satisfaction of seeing my suffering. "Bella's going to take me home on the way, I think."
"Well, enjoy your evening," He replied, smiling like the Cheshire cat as headed up the stairs for a shower. I nodded politely as I listened to Bella and Jacob's conversation in the kitchen.
Jacob was elated that Bella was coming, and he eagerly agreed to allow me to drop her off between the borders at nightfall.
"Jake said he'd see us at 6," Bella said as she rejoined me on the sofa.
"Sounds good," I said, ignoring the thick feeling in my throat that made me feel like I was trying to swallow broken glass.
"Thank you, Edward," Bella said sincerely as she wrapped her arms around me and kissed my cheek.
"Anything for you, love," I replied as I looked into her happy face.
I pulled her closer and tried not to think about the fact that I was about to drive her to a date with another man.
Anything for her.