Dress? Check
Caterer? Check
Colors? Check
Venue? That's still being finalized, but the gist I got from my last phone call with Rosalie was that they had found a small public garden with a wide open availability and were jumping on it immediately.
Jake is finally out of my hair, but he didn't leave without a fight. As I was helping him pack while we split a bottle of wine, I asked him point blank about the Seal Beach incident. I just wanted to know if he had put the idea of deployment in my head on purpose, or if he'd been truly confused.
When he didn't immediately answer me, I knew what was going on. Jake set down his bag and turned to look at me. "I wasn't trying to be malicious. I mean, you two talked it out, and everything's fine, right? Isn't that all that matters?"
"Not really, Jacob. I really thought after everything we'd been through that Edward was being untrustworthy. I can't have someone trying to lay doubt in me about my relationship. Why would you do that?" I remember feeling so hurt and exasperated.
"You two aren't perfect! So, he went to a few therapy sessions and isn't banging anyone else, and suddenly, you two are couple of the year? Get real, Bella. If Edward gets bored and tires of you, he'll drop you like third period French." Jake was so riled up that I couldn't help but feel sorry for him. I was angry for sure, but I knew this all had to be coming from a place of pain.
"I know you got dealt a shitty hand, Jake. I feel for you; I do. But don't project your life on me or my relationship. What Embry did is unforgivable, but that's the difference between him and Edward. Edward didn't do anything that can't be forgiven or forgotten for that matter. If I can move on, why can't you?"
He'd just stood there, staring at me blankly, as if I should know the reason he did anything. "Well, when he dumps your ass, I guess you can come stay with me, and I'll be just as supportive to you as you've been to me." The sneer that crossed his face is what sent me.
"Edward might grow tired of me, that's always a possibility. But he's not going to beat me up or rape me." Jake sucked in a sharp breath, and I couldn't blame him, but the anger I felt toward him in this moment was blinding me to saving his feelings. "I don't blame you for what happened with Embry. What he did was horrendous, but the fact that you still haven't gone to the police to file charges against him is more than telling. This condo is small, Jacob. I heard you talking to him on speaker or FaceTime the other night. Are you serious? After everything he did to you?"
Jacob Black, a man who had once been my best friend, stared back at me in shock.
"Maybe I haven't been the best friend to you, Jacob Black, but I rescued you when you had no one else to turn to. I've been there for you every single time someone got tired of your bullshit. Every time someone couldn't 'deal'" with you. I defended you and stood by you all these years, and for what? For you to wish for the worst for me? Your own parents practically disowned you when you came out, but I was there for you." He looks momentarily shaken. "I'm leaving tonight. I'll be back tomorrow to collect my key and make sure you're gone. I'm done, Jacob. There's no second or third chance this time."
I packed a bag quickly and headed to Edward's where he dried my tears and said nothing when I cursed Jake's name and blamed myself for not seeing what a terrible friend he's been all these years. The only words that escaped Edward's mouth were whispered "I love you"s, and then he encouraged me to get some sleep.
He went and collected my spare key the next day.
It's been so quiet in my home that I sometimes forget Edward kept that key and uses it frequently. But when I hear my front door open today, it's like a shot in the dark.
"Baby! Bella?" He's calling for me, and I roll my eyes as I laugh. As if he doesn't know exactly where I am. I can hear him stumbling around to take his boots off, then trip over them by the front door.
"I'm in the office, Edward." I'm nearly done with work. I'm actually on a conference call, but luckily, there's no video today.
He comes bounding into my office and collapses on the futon behind me, vibrating like a mad man. "Are you almost done?" I glance over my shoulder to find him grinning like a fool.
"Just about. What's going on?" I ask, double checking to make sure I'm on mute.
"I want your undivided attention. I'll go change." He jumps up but stops short. "No, I can wait. Hurry up!"
I cover my laugh by clearing my throat when I'm asked for my two cents. After we wrap up the meeting and I make sure I've disconnected, I turn around to face Edward. He's leaning forward, elbows resting on his knees with a shit-eating grin on his face.
He reaches for me, pulling me onto his lap, and I wrap my arms around his neck.
"I did it. I made Chief."