"So, let me get this straight," Erin leaned her elbows on her knees, sitting on the couch in Jake's living room while he sat in the recliner across from her, "there's a huge army of newly created vampires coming here," Jake nodded, "and they were pretty much created to destroy Bella," again, he nodded, "so the Cullens want the pack to fight alongside them, as a precaution." Jake nodded one last time.
"Yep, that about sums it up." he answered quietly, looking down at the ground.
"And why the hell are you even considering helping?" Erin asked incredulously.
"It would give them the numbers, as well as the element of surprise. The newborns won't be expecting it." Jake answered.
"I'm not asking why they want you to help, Jacob." Erin responded, "I'm asking why the pack decided to help. It's their problem, not yours. Not ours. Why should the pack risk their lives because of a mess the Cullens and Bella caused?"
"Erin-"
"What the hell is your problem?" Erin demanded, standing up and staring down at him, "You said you didn't care about Bella anymore! Why should you care if there's an army after her? She's got her precious leech, a whole family of them! She'll be just fine without you and the pack's help! But of course, everyone always bends to her every will! Poor, weak, precious little Bella always gets whatever she wants," Erin mocked in a higher voice, "including someone else's boyfriend! It's sickening-"
"Enough, Erin!" Jake shouted, standing up and staring down quite a few inches at her. "That's bull crap, and you know it. I don't care about Bella, that's not the reason I'm fighting. There's an entire army of vampires with no control of their thirst coming here as we speak. On the slight chance the Cullens can't handle it, that puts Forks and La Push at risk. Bella can be sucked dry for all I care, but I will not put my reservation, my family, my imprint at risk. That's why I'm fighting." he swallowed and his voice fell to a whisper, "The fact that you doubt that for even a second makes me wonder if you even know me at all."
Erin's whole body went cold, the air leaving her lungs as Jake stared into her eyes. Then, he turned and left the room, going out the backdoor. Erin stood in the living room, staring at the spot he was standing just moments before, her eyes stinging as she realized what she'd done.
"Oh God." she groaned, her hands pressing into her eyes before slowly dragging down her face.
Jake and Erin didn't speak for almost two days, both too proud to be the first to speak. Finally, when Quil made it a point to describe in detail just how bad Jake was, Erin forced her nerves down and made the short walk to Jake's Taj Mahal. She paused outside the door before carefully peaking around the large doorway inside.
Jake was sitting on his old, worn couch, his head in his hands. Erin swallowed, considering knocking or something.
Jake sat there, his whole body cold and numb. He had to be going crazy. Everywhere he went the past day and a half he could've sworn he heard, smelled, or sensed Erin. Even sitting in his garage, her scent wrapped around him, though he was convinced that was her lingering scent from the last few times she'd hung out with him on that very couch. However, that didn't explain why he was so certain he could hear her heartbeat.
Jake's head snapped up and, for once, his senses didn't deceive him. There, peaking around the open door of his garage, was his imprint.
Erin swallowed, shifting her feet nervously when she met Jake's eyes.
"Hi." she finally forced out.
Jake swallowed thickly, his Adam's Apple bobbing. "Hi." he answered.
Erin glanced around, unsure of what to do or say. Taking a deep breath, she finally blurted, "I'm sorry!" her eyes found Jake again. His brows rose a bit in surprise. "I'm so, so sorry, Jake." she continued quietly.
Jake sighed before scooting over a couple spaces on the couch, patting the spot he'd just been sitting in. Erin slowly entered the building, very carefully lowering herself to sit stiffly in the spot he'd indicated. Jake hated how scared and uncomfortable she looked.
"I really am sorry, Jake." she whispered, looking down at her hands where she was picking at her nails atop her knees.
Jake sighed heavily, reaching over and covering her hands with one of his. "Stop apologizing, Erin. I know you're sorry. And I'm sorry-"
"No, don't. You have nothing to apologize for, Jake." she shook her head, looking up at him, her eyes watering, "I was the one who jumped to conclusions and treated you horribly. You reacted like anyone would, better than anyone would. I should have known better than to assume Bella was the reason you want to fight."
"It's not that I want to fight. Paul wants to fight. Leeches are the only thing he can really take his anger out on without having to hold back, so he's looking forward to it. I just want to keep the people I care about safe. That's why I agreed to fight. But still, I am sorry for yelling at you. I probably could've handled it better than I did. It just hurt that, after everything, you still think Bella's my priority." he admitted quietly.
Erin bit her lip, peaking up at him from behind her hair. "I'm sorry. I was an idiot."
Jake groaned, raking his hands through his hair before resting his elbows on his knees, his hands hanging limply. "I forgive you. Now, please just stop apologizing." he begged with a slight laugh, shaking his head. "We both could've handled it better, we're both at fault." he lifted his arm and wrapped it around Erin's shoulders, pulling her into his side. "How about instead of dwelling on this, we learn from it. From now on, we hear each other out, don't jump to conclusions, and try not to yell at each other when we argue. Deal?"
Erin gave him a relieved smile, resting her head on his shoulder. "Deal."