Being There
Disclaimer: all characters and copyright belong to Stephanie Meyer.
A/N-thank you for the lovely reviews. I really appreciate it. Nikki :)
Part Forty Two
Kay wobbled in her high heels as she staggered into the Black's garage. Paul was bent over the hood of one of the cars as he was in the midst of changing the oil. "Hey you." She called out.
Paul stood up and glanced behind him, he grimaced when he saw Embry's mom heading his way. He could smell the alcohol reeking off of her. What was she doing here? He cleaned his hands on an oily old rag and waited for her. "What can I do for you, Kay?"
"I'm looking for that Bella chick." She muttered. "My Embry left because of her. He wants me to give her this." She shoved a crumpled envelope into Paul's hands.
"Why would Em leave because of Bella?" Paul asked in confusion. He held the envelope up and saw Bella's name scrawled across it. It was definitely Embry's handwriting.
Kay glared at him and jabbed him in the chest with one of her false nails. "She's a tease that's what she is, getting my Embry all worked up. Now he's gone." Tears began to slide down her face making Paul back away from her.
"Bella and Jake are not in. They are at the maternity unit for Brandon's weekly check up. I'll pass this on, don't worry." Paul said hastily. "I'll see you around, Kay."
Kay Call dug into her handbag and pulled out a small flask, she quickly took a sip and nodded. "You tell that Bella that I will be having words,later."
"Right." Paul shoved the letter into the back pocket of his overalls and watched Kay leave. The woman was crazy, spewing all that rubbish about Embry leaving and it being Bella's fault. He shrugged his shoulders and went back to work.
XXXXXX
About half an hour later Jacob appeared. "Hey, sorry we took so long. Thanks for covering for me." He said to Paul as he pulled his overalls on.
Paul stood up and stretched his aching muscles. "No worries. How is the little man?"
Jacob grinned. "He's put on 2lb's and is doing great."
"Takes after you for his appetite, huh?" Paul began to laugh as if he had told the best joke in the world.
"Right, good one Paul." Jacob rolled his eyes. He turned and opened one of the filing cabinets so he could start going through the invoices. "Why don't you take an early lunch? I can take over now."
"Thanks dude. I have a date." Paul slapped Jacob on the back.
"With who?" Jacob asked, he couldn't keep up with Paul's ladies.
"This one is special man. She is tall, good looking and very feisty if you know what I mean. Just the way I like them." Paul smirked.
"What girl would be insane enough to take you on?" Jacob laughed.
Paul's smirk got wider. "It's Kirsty."
Jacob's eyes widened. "Kirsty Walker? Half the guys on the res have been after her for years and she chose you?" He said incredulously.
Paul rubbed his hands together in anticipation. "She was waiting for the best."
"You're a douche." Jacob smiled. "Have fun."
"Oh I intend to. See you later." Paul began to leave, then he remembered the letter. "Oh, Kay Call brought this for Bella. She was drunk as usual and spewing some crap about Bella making Em leave or something." He chucked the crumpled envelope over to Jacob who caught it easily.
"Thanks." Jacob stared at the envelope. The writing was definitely Embry's He had been worried about his friend, he had been acting oddly lately. He had tried to talk to him but Embry had shut him down. Why would he write to Bells? Jacob shut the filing cabinet and headed back to the house, the letter clutched tightly in his hand.
XXXXXX
Bella was singing a nursery rhyme to Brandon when he entered the house. He watched her for a moment as she cradled their son to her chest and kissed him on the head as she swayed from side to side. He smiled fondly at her. "Hey gorgeous." He greeted her.
"Hey, handsome." She smiled as she walked over with Brandon. "Back already?"
Jacob's face turned serious as he held out Embry's letter. "Kay delivered this today."
"What is it?" Bella took the envelope and stared at her name scrawled across it. "Who is this from?"
"Embry." Jacob watched as Bella's face paled. "Bells, why would he write to you?"
"I...I need to put Brandon down. I'll be back in a minute." Bella quickly left the room, her heart beating madly in her chest, there was no way she could hide this from Jacob now. Why hadn't Leah done as she had promised?
Jacob waited impatiently for Bella to return, all sorts of scenarios were running through his head. He thought that they always told each other everything, she knew how concerned he had been for his friend lately. Eventually she came back into the room. She sat down on one of the chairs and hung her head. "I'm so sorry, Jake." She whispered.
He stared at her as his heart thudded painfully in his chest. "What are you sorry for? You and Embry...I mean please tell me that nothing went on between you." His voice cracked as he spoke.
Bella's head shot up and she glared at him. "I can't believe you even suggested that. How dare you?"
Jacob shrugged. "What am I supposed to think? You're obviously hiding something. You know how worried I've been about Em and now he's sending you letters."
"When I came out of the coma in hospital Embry was sitting by my bed, I heard the tail end of a confession. He thought I was still asleep and was shocked when he found I was awake. He admitted that he had feelings for me, actually from the first time he met me in the garage when we were working on the bikes. He had kept it secret all this time because he knew how much you and I loved each other. He knew he never stood a chance. But lately it has been getting all too much for him and he was thinking of taking off." Bella threw the letter at Jacob. "I haven't opened it."
Jacob caught the letter and put it on the table. He opened up his arms, trying to embrace Bella but she backed away from him. "I'm sorry honey. I just panicked. I..."
"Sorry doesn't cut it, Jake. After all that we've been through you really thought I could have cheated on you, with your best friend of all people." Bella said in disgust. "Read the letter and see what he has to say, maybe you'll have time to stop him leaving."
"No, it's addressed to you." Jacob picked it up and held it out to her.
"I don't want to know. I never asked for this. I have enough to deal with." Bella turned away and began to walk to Brandon's nursery.
"Bells, please I'm sorry." Jacob called out to her.
"I'm too angry right now. We'll talk later." Bella disappeared out of view.
Jacob pulled out a chair and sat down. He couldn't believe he had been such an idiot. He trusted Bella implicitly, so why had he let petty jealousy get in the way of his good sense. He loved her more than life, she was everything to him. How could he blame anyone else for feeling the same? He reached out and picked up Embry's letter and opened it.
"Hey, Bella,
let me say first that I'm so sorry. I didn't mean for you to hear all of that. It was a moment of weakness. I've been holding these feelings inside for so long, they just kinda spilled out. I am going to head off for a while, not permanently, just for a while. I need to get my head together and try to move forward and maybe meet someone new. The problem is you've set the standard pretty high so it may take me a while.
I'm happy that you and Jake have got the family you deserve. I see the love between you both and it gives me hope that maybe someone will look at me the way you look at Jake. Thank you for being so understanding.
I love you, take care,
Embry X"
Jacob put the letter down and put his head in his hands. He had been an idiot. Despite the fact that his best friend was in love with his fiancée he wasn't angry at him. He could see that he had never attempted to make a move on Bella. It would do him good to be away from La Push for a while. He had made it clear he would be back. Embry could take care of himself. No, it was Bells he needed to make amends to, he had hurt her badly showing his mistrust. He sighed, wondering what words to say to get him out of this mess.
XXXXXX
As soon as Leah opened the door Bella began to yell. "Jake knows about Embry. You promised you were going to speak to him."
"Come in." Leah said wryly as Bella barged past her and straight into the living room.
"Why Lee? Why didn't you speak to him?" Bella demanded.
Leah sat down on the small couch and crossed her arms. "I did."
"But he's taken off." Bella said in confusion. "You were meant to stop him."
"I was the one who told him he should go." Leah admitted. "How the hell did Jake find out?"
Bella sighed and sat down in one of the armchairs. "Em wrote me a letter and gave it to Kay. She was drunk off her ass and gave it to Paul, of all people, then he passed it straight to Jake."
"Ouch." Leah winced. "How did he take it?"
"Badly." Bella said bitterly. "Practically accused me of carrying on with Embry behind his back. I am so pissed at him right now I had to get out of the house."
Leah's face darkened. "What an idiot. Want me to have words?"
"I think you've done enough. Why did you tell Embry to leave?" Bella glared at her friend.
"Because he was struggling, Bella. Between his unrequited feelings for you, Kay always acting out and seeing everyone moving forward he felt like his life was stagnating. You know what we're all like we stick together and don't mix much with others. He needs to get out there and meet some other girls. He wasn't going to do that with his ideal woman in his face every day." Leah said bluntly.
Bella blushed. "I am so far off ideal you wouldn't believe." She muttered. She could see sense in Leah's words. Maybe it would be good for Embry to clear his head.
Leah took her hand and squeezed it. "You don't give yourself enough credit, girlfriend. People love you because of your kindness and big heart. Of course you can be an absolute pain in the ass too but well, nobody's perfect."
Bella had to laugh at this statement. "Ditto." She said as she pulled Leah forward and gave her a big hug.
XXXXXX
Jacob was glad when Bella returned from Leah's, he had been so worried whether she was going to be able to forgive him that he hadn't been able to relax. He had spent the time she was away carrying Brandon around the house and practising his speech. It all sounded so lame when he said the words aloud and even Brandon seemed to agree as he began to cry. He fed Brandon his bottle and changed his diaper before putting him in his cradle to sleep. His relief was palpable as he heard the front door open and Bella come into the house.
"Please stay asleep, Brandon. Just until your stupid daddy apologises and grovels to your mommy." He whispered. Leaning down he kissed Brandon's head and left the nursery to confront Bella.
"Hey, Bells." He said as she took off her coat.
"Jacob." She replied formerly. "Where's Brandon?"
"Asleep in his room. I've fed and changed him." Jacob approached her cautiously. "How was your talk with Leah?"
"She said she's gonna be having words." Bella glared at him.
"No more then I deserve." Jacob agreed. "What about you? Are you ready to forgive your jealous ass of a fiancé?"
Bella's expression faltered. Jacob could clearly see the hurt, he felt even more guilty. "How could you think I would cheat?" She cried in despair.
"I didn't, not underneath. I just felt threatened. Stupid I know. I have no excuse Bells other than that I was scared." Jacob admitted. "When it comes to you I don't always act rationally."
"You can say that again." Bella complained. "If you weren't a six foot seven shape shifter I would kick your butt."
Jacob tried not to smile as that image entered his head. He turned around and pointed at his butt. "Feel free."
Bella had to laugh. She allowed him to wrap his arms around her and pull her to his chest. "I really am sorry, honey." He said seriously.
"I know." Bella said softly. "I know."
A/N-thanks for reading!
