The Twilight Twenty-Five
thetwilight25[dot]com
Prompt: Seattle
Pen Name: Mcgt
Pairing/Main Character(s): Bella/Edward
Rating: M
This will be a multi-chaptered story.
Photo prompts can be viewed here: thetwilight25[dot]com/round-six/prompts
A/N
Thanks to LittleRedScientist for helping beta this for me and Jenequilter for her prereader skills.
Chapter 19 – Seattle – Not Meant to Be
I glanced over at the profile of Edward and sighed again knowing he had better things to do with his day off than drive out to Seattle to help me find a car.
"Stop." He glanced in my direction for only a moment before returning his attention back to the winding road we were on.
"What?" I asked innocently.
Rolling his eyes dramatically at me he replied, "You know what Bella. If I didn't want to drive you to Seattle I wouldn't have offered. Now quit it with the passive aggressive sighs or I'm going to subject you to listening to my transcription notes the entire ride. Now quit it."
I groaned slamming my head against the headrest and thought back to my failed attempt at getting Jake to help me buy a car. Well not Jake so much as his friend Paul who'd owned the used car dealership Jake had sent me to. Unfortunately his friend wasn't much of a friend since he flat out refused to give me a better deal on the small Toyota he had on his lot. Saying if Jake wanted me to have the car so badly, he could come up with the extra amount towards the sticker price.
Yeah, douche of the year. It probably didn't help that I was female and went on my own. He tried everything in his power to sell me more than I could afford and then tell me I didn't understand the true worth of a car because I was a "crazy white chick who wouldn't know her ass from a carburetor."
When I returned to Jake's place explaining to him about the horrible treatment his 'friend' had given me I'd never seen him so enraged. Jake was normally a pretty peaceful, laidback sort of guy, but by the time I finished telling him everything Paul had said his temper exploded to such a tipping point he actually excused himself to go calm down.
After a few minutes he'd returned but he never stopped apologizing for Paul's abhorrent behavior, explaining to me that he'd forgotten Paul's dislike for people not a part of the Quileute tribe.
"I shouldn't have sent you there. I haven't spoken to him in some time but he's really the only car dealer on the reservation. I'm really sorry Bells," he said begging for my forgiveness.
I gave him a hug because he looked like he needed it more than I did. "Promise me you won't go take a bat to his car or something, will you? He's just a pathetic excuse for a man who must not have gotten hugged enough as a child or something, okay?" I teased, trying to lighten the tense mood lingering in the space.
Jake suddenly changed gears when he asked, "You're doing alright? You know, with your head and all? Sorry I haven't been around much but I had to make up some time at the shop." He shrugged trying to look casual but I could tell from the worried look in his eyes he was more concerned than he was letting on.
"Yeah, you know me." I laughed, "Can't keep me down for long."
"You really scared us Bells. I… I- I don't know what I would have done if I'd lost you. What your parents would have done. I, just… I love you Bella."
I examined his expression and the look in his eyes and searched them for the truth in his statement. He didn't back down, repeating it again. "I love you. And not the platonic love Bells. The kind that makes me wish you'd give me a chance and go out on a date with me. That kind of love."
I stumbled back to put some space between us. Even though I'd heard him say this in my dreams I never expected him to say it out loud like he'd just done. My mind reeled and I didn't have any reply that ultimately wouldn't end up hurting him, so I tried my best.
"Jake, I…I-I love you too but not that way. I'm sorry. I really wish I did because, trust me, you're such an amazing man. I wish I did…" I said, letting my voice trail off when I saw his eyes fill with tears mimicking my own now trailing down my cheeks.
He turned away but spoke, "I know. What would a simple mechanic from down at the Rez be able to give you, right? I'm just a simple guy with simple dreams."
His words were tearing me apart. That wasn't my reason and I needed him to know that. Grabbing his shoulder I spun him around, grasping his face in my hands to get him to look into my eyes. "That's not it at all Jake and you of all people should know that's not how I am. But we've been friends forever and I just can't switch that off. Please don't make me give you up. I don't have nearly enough friends as it is and to lose you would tear me apart."
We sat together tearfully remembering the good times we'd spent together over our many years of friendship. Jake said he'd need some time but he'd eventually be okay. I felt horrible breaking his heart, but I didn't love him that way and he deserved the truth so that maybe someday he could find the perfect person for him.
The truth will set you free, right?
"You okay? You're awfully quiet." Edward commented, squeezing my hand and telling me we were almost there.
"Yep. Just thinking about my disastrous attempt at getting a car last week."
"Let's think positive. Seth's told me he has a couple pretty good cars he'd be willing to deal on. Okay?"
Sure enough, about two hours and four test drives later I was following behind Edward in my new-to-me Subaru Forester. I'd spent all of my two thousand dollars and still had a little bit of a monthly payment but it was a really great deal.
It was just getting dark when we pulled into my apartment's driveway when my stomach rumbled in hunger.
Edward and I had been casually dating for the last two weeks, taking things slow and getting to know one another. I knew this was his last day off for another week or so and was debating about taking our relationship to the next level tonight.
I got out of my car and was surprised Edward was still sitting in his. I walked up and knocked on his window but he held up his finger, telling me to give him one minute to finish up the phone call he was on.
Gesturing towards my door, I walked inside thinking about fancy undies and getting Edward naked. The prospect unnerved me a bit but I missed sex. No, not just sex but being with a person you trusted and wanted in every single way.
Searching through my cupboards to see what I could whip up for dinner I heard Edward walk in looking miserable.
"What?" I asked, rushing over to where he stood against the wall, his head resting back against it.
"That was my parents. I have some paperwork I need to complete before my birthday next month."
Cocking my head I asked, "What kind of papers? They haven't spoken to you in almost four years. What do they need with you now?"
Looking down, he kissed me softly and mumbled, "It seems I have another trust fund coming due on my thirtieth birthday I didn't know about. I have to go back to New York to sort it out."
A/N
Thanks to everyone for reading. Next chapter will be posted on tomorrow.