Chapter Seventeen
Edward
I was so close to Bella and I knew the only reason she resisted me was because she felt guilty. She thought she should be loyal to Jasper as if he deserved such feelings. If I were to open her eyes to the real Jasper Hale I knew she would wash her hands of him in seconds, she would be horrified and revolted. It was my ace in the hole but it seemed I had upset her already and I didn't want her to be in that kind of mood when I told her that I was in love with her and was prepared to overlook her relationship with Jasper and take her for my own but at the same time surely she must know she was fighting a losing battle against her emotions. I stretched out my hand to touch hers as it lay in her lap, warm and soft.
"Bella, I'm sorry if I upset you and I really enjoyed tonight, I hope we'll have many many more of them."
Bella
I couldn't believe it, was Edward so deluded he didn't see that I couldn't stand him? I snatched my hand back from the cold feel of his jamming both hands into my pockets and remaining silent. I could feel his eyes on me waiting for a reply which he wasn't going to get. I just wanted this evening to be over, to get out of this car and away from this creep. How I would explain the experience to Jasper I couldn't begin to imagine but I knew this was more than a figment of my imagination, Edward was acting inappropriately towards me and I didn't like it.
When he drove into Forks I wished I could insist he took me home but I couldn't do that, Esme and Carlisle were expecting me back, what would I say to them? No, I would spend the night at the Cullen house and then tomorrow afternoon I would be going home with Charlie after dinner and I promised myself I would never go to their house without Jasper again whether that was difficult or not. As soon as the car stopped I jumped out but again Edward was there at my door, how did he do that? It was dark and he took my arm tightly enough that I couldn't pull free easily,
"We don't want you to fall, how would I explain that to Esme?"
As if hearing her name Esme appeared at the door and I was relieved when Edward finally let go as we went inside the house. She was all smiles and everyone was eager to hear about the concert although Rose gave me a few odd looks when I excused myself saying I was really tired. I guess I didn't sound as excited as I should have after raving about the band for so long but I just couldn't fake it right now.
I hadn't been in bed long when there was a quiet tap on the door and I froze my heart in my mouth, surely Edward wouldn't try pushing his way into my room here at the house? Then I went limp with relief hearing Rose's voice.
"Bella? Are you still awake?"
"Sure, come in."
She entered smiling at me but I could tell she was concerned. Sitting on the edge of the bed she took a deep breath,
"Are you OK? You looked a little upset when you got in. Was the concert a disappointment?"
I shook my head, what could I say? Edward was her family but she knew something wasn't right.
"No, the concert was great, it's just…...Rose, is Edward always so pushy?"
She frowned at the word then grinned,
"Edward is always pushy, sometimes arrogant and often a pain in the ass but you'll get used to him."
I thought about this,
"It's a bit more than that…...he….he told me that I was too good for Jasper."
"Definitely arrogant, he and Jazz aren't that close really, they're too different."
"He hinted that he would be better for me."
This time she laughed out loud,
"Like I said arrogant and pushy, it's just his way. Try to ignore him, I do."
Deciding I wasn't going to get far with her I changed the subject talking about anything and everything until I started to yawn.
"You sleep Bella and I'll warn Edward to mind himself, I don't want you getting the wrong idea about him."
"Don't bother, I don't want to cause trouble, just forget it, Rose, please."
I was shattered but I couldn't sleep, I kept hearing things and imagining it was Edward tiptoeing into my room which was ridiculous. I was therefore relieved when the room became light again and I could get up shower and dress knowing I only had a few more hours in Edward's company. Esme had cooked me breakfast, the others had already eaten so I was alone with her in the kitchen.
"It's so lovely to have you here Bella. I know Jasper was a little worried about you, He seems to think Jacob Black might be hanging around. I think he's being oversensitive but I guess when you are in love you do tend to go a little overboard."
I smiled weakly, Jacob was the least of my problems these days but I didn't say so, just nodded over my plate.
I managed to avoid being alone with Edward that day by attaching myself firmly to Emmett who was only too happy to have someone to play computer games with although Edward did hang around giving his "expert" opinion until Emmett told him to butt out. Charlie arrived with a bouquet of flowers for Esme and a bottle of wine for Carlisle. The others had excused themselves before dinner so it was just the four of us. They never ate or drank when I was around which was a little strange but Carlisle and Esme were wonderful hosts and the meal was excellent, Charlie not only had seconds but Esme wrapped up the leftovers for us to take home.
Leaving the house I heaved a silent sigh of relief but Charlie didn't seem to notice, he was more interested in how good a cook Esme was.
"You think we'll be invited again? You marry Jasper and I'll be one of the family too."
"Dad! Who said anything about a wedding?"
He shrugged, grinning broadly,
"The guy is crazy about you, of course, he'll be popping the question. It's just a matter of when."
Deciding it just wasn't my weekend I stopped trying, I was just happy to be home and in my own room.
Jasper rang that evening and of course wanted to know how my weekend had gone and I basically skirted around the question. I didn't want to get into the topic of Edward while Jasper was so far away.
"I'll be home by Friday and maybe we can spend the weekend together alone somewhere."
"I can't wait. I really miss you, Jasper."
"I miss you too and like I already promised, I won't be leaving again, ever. Take care darlin' and remember I love you."
When he hung up I felt hollow and found my tears welling up, I hated us being apart and I was scared of Edward. I didn't believe he was as innocent as Rose did. There was something nasty in his actions towards me and I was sick of it. I didn't think I would sleep again but I was so shattered that I fell asleep almost immediately.
Something woke me in the early hours, a strange noise in the house. Sitting up I tried to pull my sleep muddled thoughts together. Had I really heard something or was it leftover from my dreams? It was very dark and quiet and I sat listening, after a few minutes I thought I had imagined it or Charlie had gone to the toilet and knocked against something very softly. Then I felt a cold hand across my mouth stopping me from screaming, was this Jasper come back early? Somehow I doubted it and then I heard a soft whisper in my ear,
"Don't be afraid Bella, it's only me. I need to talk to you. I'm going to take my hand away now."