Chapter 16: Confession
E POV
Bella was reluctant to share any more information with me other then what she first said. I didn't want to push her too far so I just told her that if and when she wanted to talk that I would be there for her, as a friend, even though I was beginning to think that was going to be impossible.
We stopped for lunch at Martha's Inn in George, Washington. Bella thought it was clever and I was starving, so we agreed to have lunch there and then have dinner in Spokane. We made a pact, no chain restaurants during the trip. We had to stop at mom and pop or privately owned restaurants and stores only.
As for the scenery, she said it wasn't quite as pretty as Phoenix, but it had its own charm. Then again all of the crop land was tilled up. During growing season was the best time to take this drive because of all the green and brown rolling hills.
By around one in the afternoon we had reached Moses Lake and by three we were seeing signs for the Spokane Airport exit. I-90 then descended into a view of the city that was rather breathtaking. The city was sprawled out in a small valley, the multitude of buildings, all different structurally, glimmered in the sunlight. A mountain stood in the background of the city giving it a majestic look.
"Wow," Bella breathed. "This is so different from Seattle. I mean it's smaller by far, but with the sunlight and all the different buildings, it's so pretty." I smile in response. "So where does your friend live?" She asks.
"On the North side. I have directions. Look for the Division St. exit." I answer.
I-90 went right through downtown Spokane and the exit that we were looking for wasn't very far in. Bella was enamored by all the different architecture. We crossed the Spokane River, which also went right through downtown, and followed Division through most of the expanse of the city.
The piece of the city that could be seen from the freeway wasn't even half of the size that Spokane really was. The directions led us to a part of town that was near a University. The houses around were all large carpenters with semi-circle driveways and parks for lawns.
"Ok," I say. "Look for a large green house that has a red front door."
"There it is," Bella points to a house that has a dense row of trees and bushes in front of it. I pull into the driveway and park.
"Leave the bags for now." I answer her unvoiced question. We walk up the front steps and knock on the door. I hear the running footsteps before the door is opened.
"Edward!" Jeremy yells at me. "Yay! You made it!" He wraps me in a hug. "And this must be Bella." He wiggles his eyebrows at her and then sticks his hand out for a handshake. She softly shakes his hand and smiles.
"Come in!" He invites. "Let me show you around."
The entryway is separated by a small banister and leads into a large living room. The walls are painted a warm gold and orangey color. The furniture is leather and the TV takes up most of one wall. There's a piano against another wall. The living room leads into a dining room with an old Victorian style dining room table. There is a spare room off the dining room and a small hallway leading off it as well. I make out a staircase and another bedroom door.
"This is the main floor." Jeremy presents. "The kitchen is through the door on the right side of the dining room. Bella you will be in this bedroom."
He leads her through the small hallway and into the bedroom next to the stairs. The room is bright and I soon realize it's because it has a connecting room with practically a wall of windows that views the expanse of the backyard. The room is all creams and whites with some golds and blacks thrown in for accents. There is a large bed in the main part of the room and some chairs for sitting in the windowed room.
"Oh goodness," Bella squeaks as she takes in the room. "This is beautiful. It's almost like a hotel." She laughs.
"Why thank you." Jeremy laughs. "Hotel Whitworth at your service. Edward your room is the one off the dining room. It connects to the bathroom that you both will be sharing." I nod.
"Is this all your property?" she asks as she gestures to the large backyard.
There's a large patio with plenty of patio furniture. There's a rope swing and a trampoline in the yard. There's also a large fire pit surrounded by natural looking rocks in the middle of the yard. The yard has a dozen or so trees giving it plenty of shade but also leaving sunny areas.
"Yeah." Jeremy answers. "My dad owns the property all the way back to the fence line. The large outbuilding you see there," He points to what appears to be another house. "That's set up to be a mother-in-law residence but it's being used as a my dad's shop at the moment. Around the corner is another rope swing and a kids' playhouse."
"Wow," Bella gawks. "This is so beautiful."
"Thank you! My dad has done a lot of work." Jeremy boasts. "And sometimes that yard can be a pain in the ass. In the winter and fall especially. All the pine needles and snow. Ugh."
"I think we can go grab our bags Bella. We have some time before the concert though if you want to take a shower or a nap. We can leave at around five, go to dinner and then go to the show. Jeremy do you think you can give us directions to the Knitting Factory, I think it is?"
"Yeah," he nods. "Actually I think it would be easier if I just dropped you off and then picked you up after the show. Parking can get crazy down there during a concert."
"Thanks man!" I pat him on the back.
"No prob." He answers. "Why don't you go grab the bags? Bella and I are gonna have a little girl talk." He winks at me.
Bella looks up at him confused. He grabs her arm and drags her out the door and through the kitchen. Oh Jeremy, what are you up to?
B POV
Edward and I arrived in Spokane around three and I couldn't get over how small the city appeared at first but how big it really was. Then we arrive at this mansion that has its own private park. Edward's friend seemed super nice, but then insisted on having a chat with me.
He pulls me through the kitchen and into the backyard. We take a seat on the back patio and he proceeds to just look at me with this knowing smirk on his face.
"Umm, hi." I break the silence.
"So?" His grin reminds me of the Cheshire cat's. "How did you and Edward meet?" He asks.
"In class." I answer with a squint. "We're partners in biology."
"Oh," Jeremy answers with no emotion in his voice. "What is your impression of him?" He asks.
"He's a nice guy." I admit. What was this Jeremy guy getting at anyway? Was he expecting me to tell him my life story?
"That he is." Jeremy blinks and gives a slow head nod. "He's a great guy. Which is why I get the feeling that you must be a very special girl."
"Why would you think that?" I ask slowly.
"Well," Jeremy starts. "For as long as I've known Edward he's never pursued a relationship with any girl."
"Okaaaaay," I nod. "And you thought he was gay?" I guess.
"Oh heavens no." Jeremy shakes his head. "He oozes straight man. No style whatsoever. Then again I'm no queen and I have style. I guess some of us lady lovers just are gifted with the knowledge of style and some aren't." He shrugs.
"So you're not gay?" I double check.
"Nope. I love the tits." He boldly states. I can't help but burst out in laughter.
"What's so funny?" He looks amused.
"Nothing." I choke through giggles. "It's just I thought that maybe when we arrived that Edward and you had some sort of...past." I explain. "I figured maybe that explained some of his behavior towards me."
"Why because he's a nice guy?" Jeremy asks. "Because he defends you from bitches? Because he looks at you like you matter? There are nice guys who would do that you know. Especially for girls that they like."
"Not with me." I argue.
"Oh please." He wrist snaps. "Just because you've never met one doesn't mean they don't exist. Honestly Bella, are you that insecure?"
"Yes," I respond. "Especially with him."
"Well don't be." He rolls his eyes. "Edward is one of the most genuine guys I've ever known. He had my back when the gay rumors started flying in Forks despite the fact that he might have been thrown under the bus as well. I moved so that he wouldn't get mud slung at him either. Then I got here, figured I'd woo the nicest girl at the school, which worked. And now people may think I'm gay, but I just grab Emery in my arms, lay a big kiss on her and every guy instantly shuts his mouth."
I ponder over that. Jeremy seems to have gone through public humiliation as well, but instead of dragging along his issues with him, he just took matters into his own hands and changed the stigma that originated. He has a point, the only person that can cause you to feel inferior is yourself.
"Hmm," I tilt my head. "So your personal opinion is that I should trust Edward?" I ask.
"With your life." He nods. "He's one in a million."
"Thank you Jeremy." Did I just use Jeremy as a reference, like jobs use references. Only now I'm taking love life references, fabulous.
Edward comes around the side of the house then and we all sit outside in the shade and chat about the drive out and about the concert tonight.
"Why didn't you get tickets Jeremy?" Edward asks.
"Psh," Jeremy glances at him. "Only tickets I'd buy are Justin Beiber. The Beibs is bomb."
"Oh so that's the look you're going for there?" I gesture to his windswept hair, expensive jeans and jacket that's a size too big for him.
"OF COURSE!" He spreads his arms to show off his style.
"Well if you're not going to the concert," Edward starts. "Then would you like to join Bella and I for dinner?"
"Wish i could," he shrugs, "But I told Emery I'd take her to see some Improv group tonight."
"Okay," Edward agrees. "Where do you recommend us going to dinner at then?"
"Hmm," Jeremy rests his chin on his hand. "Well you're going to the Knitting Factory for the concert, so I would say go to dinner at The Old Spaghetti Factory. It's right down the street. I can drop you off there and then show you where to walk from there to the concert."
"That'd be spectacular." I agree. "But we're leaving in an hour so I'm going to go take a shower really fast and change into some new clothes."
"I gotta change clothes too." Edward stands and offers me a hand up.
I take it and go to let my hand drop but he grips it and pulls me towards the back door. I look at him and he just winks at me and gives me the sexy grin again. I peek over at Jeremy who has an eyebrow raised at me as if he's trying to tell me 'told you so'.
I let Edward walk me to my room, where he leaves me to grab my clothes, take a shower and change. I emerge from the room with my tube top, new jeans and sandals on. I knock on the door of the bathroom.
Edward opens the door and freezes. His eyes get bigger as he takes in my new outfit. "Wow," He breathes. "That shirt looks great on you."
"Thanks." I blush as I drop my eyes. I notice he's wearing khaki pants and a nice shirt with a fleece jacket.
"No really Bella." He starts again. "You have beautiful shoulders. And you fill it out nicely in the-" He stops himself before he finishes his sentence.
"You were going to say chest weren't you?" I finish his sentence for him.
"Umm, yeah." His turn to blush. I laugh and shake my head. "It's okay. I know I do. The curse of my grandmother."
"Trust me," He smiles brightly. "It's not a curse." He brushes his chest against mine as he walks out of the door to the bathroom.
I enter and shut the door quietly. I look in the mirror and for the first time in a while I see myself smiling. It's so strange to see my reflection with a look of happiness. It makes me smile even wider. I finally control myself and put on my make-up. Some coral eye shadow, mascara and blush. I have my best lip gloss in my pocket.
"Bella!" Edward calls from the dining room. "You ready?"
"Yeah!" I answer through the door. "Let me grab my jacket."
I grab my lace shoulder cover that matches the lace trim on my shirt and walk out to the dining room.
"Jeremy's already in the car." Edward's gaze traces from my eyes down and then back up. For some reason I don't move to cover myself this time. I just let him look. He offers me his arm and walks me out the front door.
The restaurant we are going to is right downtown. It's so pretty at night. The streets and all the window displays are lit up at night. Jeremy shows us where the concert hall is and the way we take to get from the restaurant to there. He drops us at the front of The Old Spaghetti Factory and takes off to pick up Emery.
"After you." Edward opens the door for me and puts his hand out.
I step through the door and the smell of garlic and cheese and spices fills my nose. The waitress seats us in the giant trolley car that is sitting in the middle of the restaurant serving as a seating area. Edward orders the lasagna and I order the cheese ravioli.
They deliver out drinks, salads and bread when I finally crack the subject I know he's been dying to hear.
"So you asked me a question earlier." I begin once there's a lull in conversation. "At the time I wasn't sure if I should tell you. But Jeremy's advice and a minor epiphany made me realize that I should fill you in."
"Okay." He nods knowing where this is going.
"Remember how I told you about Drake Higgins being the reason I left Phoenix?"
"Yes," he nods again slowly.
"Well," I clear my throat. Here goes nothing. "I left Phoenix because Drake Higgins made my life a living hell at my old high school. He made me feel so low and undeserving that I would rather exile myself to Forks then stay there another day."
"What did he do?" Edward asks as he rests his hand over mine.
I can feel the lump in my throat beginning to form. "He took advantage of my desperation to be loved." My voice cracks on the last word and tears begin to form.
"He made me feel like I was special and unique. He chose me to be his project partner, then made advances on me. I believed him, and I fell for him." A tear escapes down my cheek but my voice doesn't waver anymore. "He would take me out on dates, but never where we would be seen. He would come over to my house at night, but would never approach me in school. He would dismiss me if I came near him in public and talk down to me when I did. He would apologize later and then push me to sleep with him."
Edward's grasp tightens on mine, lending his support and urging me to continue.
"When I stopped saying no, he took advantage of that and when he was done with me, he dumped me." I close my eyes as the pain of that moment washes through me again. "I found out that he not only had used me for a project, but had bet his friend twenty bucks that he could get me to sleep with him. Once he won the bet, he dropped me. When I embarrassed him in front of his friend, he ruined me."
I pause again to catch my breath. "Oh Isabella." Edward pulls my hand up to his lips and lays a kiss on each of my fingers.
"Him and his friends started to oink at me in the hall and pretend to cry. He told all of the girls that I begged him to sleep with me and that he did because he felt pity for me. That I was the worst lay he'd ever had. That was when 'fat slut' started getting written on my locker about once a month. I moved shortly after that because I couldn't stand it anymore." The tears flow down my face in a steady stream. Edward leans over and wipes some of the salty tears off my face.
"How are we doing over here?" The waitress checks on us. I turn my head away so she doesn't see me crying.
"We're fine." Edward says to her. She walks away and I keep my eyes averted.
He turns back to me, my hand still in both of his, he's stroking small circles in the palm.
"Isabella, look at me." He directs me. I slowly peek at him from under my lashes, thank God I wore waterproof mascara. "You are beautiful inside and out. What that dickhead Drake did is inexcusable. If I ever get the chance to kick his ass I would do it in a heartbeat. Nobody should treat anyone like that, especially someone who is as caring, kind, intelligent, fun, gentle and good as you are. I appreciate you being open with me about this, and I understand now why you are as reserved as you are. I still maintain what I said the day of the room makeover. I will continue to be your friend for as long as you want me. However, I also want you to know that if you would let me, I would like to prove to you that not all guys are like that. I want to be with you Isabella. I want to hold your hand in the hallway and kiss you before each class. I want you to wear my letterman's jacket at the school and sit in the girlfriends' section of the stands during games wearing my number. I want you Bella, in any way I can have you, but I want you to want that too."
In that moment I forget about everything but me and him and this confession he has just made to me. Am I ready for this? Can I do this?