Title : Secret love.

Pairing: Embry, Bella, Jake. (No smut)

Rating: T+

Genre: Angst

Word Count: 902

Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

Bella followed Embry as he walked toward a more secluded area of the beach, away from the crowd. She was sick of his taunting and she was going to set things clear.

"What is your problem, Call? I've never done anything to you. Why do you hate me?"

Embry stopped in his tracks and turned back to the girl screaming at him.

"I'm not in the mood, Swan. Go away."

Like always, Embry tried to push her away with a cold response, but she wasn't going back without answers today. She knew what she was about to say could change the course of three lives, but she needed to know.

"You love him."

Everything around them seemed to freeze for a moment. Embry wasn't sure he'd heard it right. "I'm sorry… " There was no way she'd know about it.

"You heard me. You l-love Jake."

Bella watched him intently, noting the play of emotions on his face which confirmed it all.

"Of course I do. Don't you? I mean, who doesn't? You can't help but just love that man." Embry tried to play it off casually.

"Yes. I love him too. But that's not what I mean."

"Bella. I think you should… "

Before he could complete, Bella cut him off mid sentence. "I'm not dumb, Embry. I've seen the way you look at him. I've seen how you care for him, look out for him. You love Jake. And I think that's why you hate me."

Embry suddenly felt weak. He wasn't ready for anyone to know about this, but he knew he couldn't get away with it this time. Yet, he tried to ignore the statement.

"I don't hate you, Bella. I feel, you are using him as a rebound. I always feel you are going to end up hurting him and that's the reason I don't like you."

"I'll never hurt him Embry. I love him."

"Maybe not intentionally, but can you give me your word that if Edward comes back for you someday, you won't go running to him?"

"I… " There was a moment of uncertainty from Bella.

"See? That's what I mean. You are not sure about it. I'm afraid you'll end up hurting Jake. I don't want that for him. Let me tell you this, Bella. That man is like a rare diamond only a few lucky people get to have. If you throw him away, you'll be the most foolish person. Just remember that if you ever have to make a choice."

Not wanting to hear anything else, Embry started walking away from her. But Bella quickly grabbed him, her nails digging into his arms. "You still haven't responded to what I said. You are... in love with Jake."

Bella's features slowly blurred as tears filled his eyes.

"Yes. I am. I have been in love with him for as long as I can remember. He's the one person who's always been there for me. The first time my mom hit me, the first time the other kids tried to tease me about my dad, the first time someone called me a bastard child… every time… Jake stood before me protecting me from all of it. He gave me all the support I needed, gave me a shoulder to cry upon. I never had to ask him for it. He was just there for me. Every single time. And just like that, I fell for him. I have always loved him and I always will, Bella. No matter what happens."

The way Embry said those words, the way he couldn't control his tears… it made Bella's heart clench. His eyes said it all. She could see that Jake meant the world for Embry.

"Why haven't you told him?" Bella couldn't understand why Embry never told anything to Jake.

Wiping the tears away, Embry took a deep breath. He would never tell Jake. That'd would be too much risk.

"Because he loves you, and his happiness means everything to me." Pain marred his features as he continued. "Because once it's told… you can never go back. I don't want to lose him, Bella."

Those were two of the important reasons, but the most important reason was something else.

"And... because... I… I don't have it in me to hear him say no. I will never survive that. "

That was it. Bella pulled him into a hug. She could feel his pain, his struggle. She could feel his love for Jake. She felt bad for him, and deep inside, she felt guilty for it in some way. "I'm so sorry, Embry."

Before Embry could respond, they heard Jake approaching them. "Whoa! Why the heck are you both crying? Is everything alright?"

Bella let go of Embry and turned to Jake with a smile. "Everything's good. We were trying to sort out our fight. We're good now."

Tucking a stray strand of her hair behind her ear, Jake asked Bella."You sure?"

"Yeah. I am. Come on now, lets go back to the party."

With that, Bella tugged him toward the crowd. Embry watched them walk away, and decided to go home. He wanted some time alone, but Jake ran back to Embry and dragged him along to the party.

Embry knew he could never have Jake as a lover, but he wasn't going to give up the best friend position anytime soon. All that mattered was having Jake in his life. He would take whatever Jake had to offer.