Bella had seemed elated after their trip to the strawberry garden, and had immediately suggested they meet up again the following day. She had even had the brilliant idea that they all go for a motorcycle ride together, and Jacob was relieved he didn't have to come up with another place to bring Edward so soon.
"I know you'll love it!" Bella said elated, "He never lets me drive, but just sitting at the back feels like floating on a cloud, it's such a smooth ride."
Jacob laughed at Bella's enthusiasm, and tried not to show how excited he was himself. Bella had talked about Edward's love of cars, but he didn't know he owned a motorcycle, and a fast one at that.
With every new thing he learnt about Edward, the more perfectly he seemed to fit with Jacob. He didn't care to know anything about Edward before, but the imprint had made him aware and now he craved to know more.
Bella's eyes lit up as the sound of an engine revving could be heard through the trees.
"That is kinda cool," Jacob said, trying to sound nonchalant in front of Bella as Edward pulled up in his ride. It was awesome. Jacob would never be able to afford a bike like that, and he wondered for a second how rich the Cullens actually were.
"You should ride with me," Edward said forcefully after stopping next to Bella.
"Edward," Bella moaned, "I have my own bike now, I won't let you guys hog all the fun!"
Jacob smiled at Bella's newfound love of motorcycles, and he credited himself greatly for that feat.
Edward rolled his eyes slightly, "You're a bad influence," he snapped, but as his eyes met Jacob's his gaze seemed… playful?... before focusing back on Bella.
"There's plenty of room on my bike, you don't have to–"
"Edward," Bella interrupted, shooting Edward a stern look while getting onto her own bike next to Jacob. Then Edward glanced over at Jacob once again, as if to get his assistance, but Jacob felt unsure what to do. In the past he would back Bella up, no question, but now he wanted nothing more than to do what Edward wanted him to. On the other hand Bella would find it strange if Jacob agreed with Edward, and Edward wouldn't like that…
"Fine, do what you want," Edward sighed, "just be careful." Then he was off without another word. Jacob hurriedly got on his own bike and sped after him, laying a few beats behind along with Bella until they reached the tracks. Once the dirty bumps and corners of the tracks laid before them, Edward stopped his bike. "I'll watch from here," he stated casually.
Jacob frowned, "You're not joining us?"
Bella chuckled, "He's scared of his precious bike getting dirty."
He really shouldn't drive that kind of bike on a motocross track, Jacob agreed that would be a bad idea. That bike was made for speed, not obstacles, but even though he fully understood the reasoning it still left him feeling a little sullen that Edward wouldn't be having fun with them. The situation felt eerily similar to the day before, except this time Edward probably wouldn't want to talk to him.
After their short conversation at the strawberry field the day before, Jacob craved to know more about Edward. He wanted to know how he handled the bike, if he'd be any good or if Jacob would have to show him. He wanted to be good at something that Edward wanted to learn…
"I'm not ruining my bike for this," Edward sighed, "but I'll race you on the road afterwards." It was definitely a challenge aimed at Jacob, no way Edward would let Bella reach any kind of racing speed. He loved Bella, but it didn't matter if Jacob got hurt. Edward shot Jacob a dirty look, and his lip twitched as if he was about to say something, but he stopped himself. He didn't say another word as he got off his bike to sit on an empty bench off track.
Jacob hesitated for a second. Edward was acting strangely today. Jacob had expected to be scolded for suggesting the day before that Edward could ever want to kiss him, but Edward seemed surprisingly mellow. And Jacob craved to know the reason. He was about to follow after Edward, when Bella blocked him with her bike.
"Let's go, Jake," she said, "no need to let Edward hinder our fun." Her words were said slightly in gest, but Jacob also heard a tinge of bitterness in her tone. Jacob flinched, maybe they had argued? Could that be why Edward was acting weird too? Did he simply have other things to think about?
Bella hurriedly sped off, and Jacob sent a last glance at Edward before making his way across the first obstacles after her. Was Edward watching? Edward was probably watching Bella, not him. He increased his speed slightly, and made his way past Bella. She wasn't as adept at driving yet, but she was getting there.
Trying to clear his mind he sped up even more. He felt like he was flying. His bike drifted across hills and soared over jumps, landing roughly on the dirt below. It was almost possible to forget about his problems as he focused his mind on every turn, on the torque and the horsepower instead of on his burning desire for a love life and his sickening need for Edward.
He had all but forgot about Bella too when he suddenly heard a loud screech and a thump coming from somewhere far behind him. He abruptly stopped and tossed his bike to the side, running towards where Bella was now lying on the ground. Edward was already there holding her bleeding palm in his hand.
"I knew this was a bad idea," Edward hissed as Jacob approached, but his eyes were fixated on Bella's bloody palm.
"Edward," Bella whined, but he didn't seem to hear her, "Edward!" Nothing.
Jacob could see the shift in Edward. He was no longer Bella's loving boyfriend, but a predator looking at its prey. Jacob winced at the thought of how bad Edward would feel once he regained his senses, and he quickly grabbed Bella and hurried her away from the tracks.
"I'm so sorry, Bells," Jacob started, "I wasn't paying attention to what you were doing, I could have probably–"
"Oh stop it, I'm not even hurt, you're both just overreacting!" Bella rolled her eyes, and Jacob suddenly felt a tinge of anger towards her for not acknowledging how she had made Edward feel. Didn't she see it?
Jacob reached for the first aid kit he always kept in his bag when he went out riding with Bella, and hurriedly sanitized and patched up her wound. It was just a superficial cut, and luckily stopped bleeding without any problem.
"Where did Edward go?" Bella asked, a faint tinge of worry in her voice now, as it should be.
"He's just over at the entrance," Jacob said, smelling the sweet scent of his mate lingering in the air. "I'll go get him." He didn't wait for Bella's response before leaving her sitting there on the bench Edward had occupied earlier.
"I should go," Edward said once Jacob approached him, "It's not safe." The pained expression in Edward's face made Jacob want to embrace him, but he knew that would make everything a thousand times worse. He quickly pushed the thought out of his mind to not disgust Edward.
"Bella's fine, I patched her up," Jacob tried, "you're not gonna hurt her."
"I might be able to control myself, but I can still smell it," Edward said bitterly, "I'll think about it and–" He paused, "I don't want to see Bella in that way."
Jacob sighed. Edward couldn't leave when he was still feeling like that. Jacob would have to cheer him up…
"You can't just leave, you promised to race me, remember?" Jacob smiled gleefully, trying to lighten the mood, but Edward just stared at him. Jacob was unable to read his face, but he didn't seem completely closed off.
Jacob stood up. "Come on then!"
"Come on! We'll get your mind off it!" Jacob smiled cunningly, and reached to grab Edward's arm but he stopped himself.
"You're not chickening out now, are you?"
Edward huffed, halfway mocking and halfway laughing. "You think antagonizing me is going to make me do it?"
Jacob shrugged, "Not really, but I know you want to beat me."
"You're not wrong," Edward said softly, "But Bella stays here."
"Of course, it's way too dangerous for her at that speed," Jacob laughed, "She can be the referee."
"Fine, first to get to the end of Knowl Road wins," Edward had a hint of excitement in his eyes, and Jacob was happy he was getting distracted.