Dear Bella,
I want you to do something for me, kiddo.
I want you to hug your dad.
Hug him tight and hold on.
Laugh at his jokes, wake up at the ungodly hour of five o'clock in the morning to get on a boat with him.
You won't get to do it forever.
Let him scold you for sneaking out.
Laugh at his attempt to make you breakfast, then enjoy your hot diner food.
Let him celebrate with you when you get into college.
Chapter 2
The kid blanched at my sudden voice; Edward stood tall and saucer-eyed, halfway in front of him.
The past ten years had certainly been kind to him—the boyish looks he donned in high school hardened; he grew another inch or so. He was beautiful then and is beautiful now, his green eyes the same as they had been when I met him on my first day of school. A shot of pain rippled through me, noting one of the last times I saw them, filled that night with a very different emotion than the shock that filled them now. His thick brows raised to the top of his forehead.
"Maybe we should go?" The younger boy tugged on Edward's arm. "We didn't know this place … was … occupied. Sorry to disturb you, truly, my brother really is an idiot—"
I narrowed my eyes, trying to place the awkwardness as the kid ran a hand through his hair.
"Alec?" I said, my own eyes widening this time. Edward's little brother had grown up. The last time I saw him, he was only seven and following the older Masen around like a lost puppy. I mentally smacked myself for not realizing it earlier. They looked nearly identical, save for his light hair. I blinked rapidly, pushing the image of the other person who looked exactly like them out of my head. I hadn't seen her face in ten years, and here it was, staring back at me.
"Uh." The boy frowned, desperately looking to his brother for an answer, something.
"I see a decade hasn't changed one thing; you're still looking for trouble, Masen," I said, moving to the left to flip the lights on. "I could ask why you're here, but I'm honestly not sure I want to know."
Was I mad? I didn't think I was. Or at least, I didn't have the energy to be mad. I didn't have any reason to be. Edward wasn't the type to break into a house to loot it, to rob the place. I knew exactly what he was after. What he was doing here exactly, at this moment in time, I didn't want to know or be dragged into. I wanted to stick to my word to myself; I was here for the weekend. I was going to be in and out. None of this nonsense.
"I could ask you the same question," he fired back, his brows lowering.
"It's my house," I said softly. "I think that entitles me to be here."
"Holy shit, you're burn-it-down Bella!" Alec gasped, and I could feel the boy's eyes trailing down my face. I stared at the windows, wishing I'd worn a jacket to cover the marred skin on my arm and neck. I turned and met his eyes and something in them shifted; there was a sudden onset of emotion I couldn't gauge.
"Maybe you should go," I said again, crossing my arms. I heard the wailing sirens in the distance. "Shit."
Jacob and that damn alarm.
A quick walk. That's all I wanted to clear my mind. I pressed my hand to my face.
"You called the police?" Alec said, panicking. He looked to his brother, and then to the front door. If they left now, there was a chance.
"Just …" I said, beckoning to the corner of the kitchen, sighing. I looked at Edward, who nodded and grabbed Alec's arm and ushered him out of the way. I brushed my skirt out and adjusted my hair, not that it would do much. They would know who I was without so much as a glance. When they knocked, I knew I didn't have much time before they'd come barreling in. This place was still sacred land to the people of Forks.
"Yes? Can I help you?" I said, ripping open the front door so hard it made the officers jump. Of course, they weren't expecting anyone. They were two officers I didn't recognize, but their looks told me they knew who I was. I adjusted my tone, painting on a kind smile. "Sorry about the alarm. I completely forgot we had it installed. It's been a while since I've been here." Ten years in fact.
"Isabella Swan?" the man asked. His eyes narrowed, and he was hunched over, flashing his light directly into my eyes. I squinted.
"Yes?" I asked, raising my arm to block the blinding light.
"I need to see some ID."
"Sure." I pulled the ID out of my pocket, glad I'd shoved only it and my credit card in prior to the drive over. I handed it over to the man; he grimaced, looking at it.
"Florida, huh. Sunshine state."
"That's right."
"When are you going back?" he asked grimly before he could stop himself. His partner glowered at him. She was a tall female with dark hair and dark skin. He sighed and gave me my ID back. I pocketed it but answered him anyway. "As soon as I can."
"Here for the ceremony?" he asked.
"There's a dedication for my father. Of course, I'll be there."
"Didn't seem to matter to you—" His partner smacked his arm again. I gritted my teeth and kept quiet.
"Sorry about this," she started. "We didn't know there was anyone occupying it. We just get … all kinds of kids trying to …" She trailed off.
"So I hear," I said stiffly. "And I'm not occupying it. I was just out for a walk and wanted to stop by. Friends of mine just put in a new alarm system. Guess I wasn't paying enough attention when he was telling me about how to disarm it." I offer her a tight smile.
She nodded in understanding. "We'll get out of your hair then. If you need anything while you're in town … That's Officer James Newton and I'm Officer Emily Pack." She offered me a card from her front pocket. "I knew your old man when he was on the job, helping us out in Gray's Harbor County. He was good people."
"Stay out of trouble," the male warned. I only stared at him as he and his partner walked back down the creaky steps, and I shut the door behind them.
"No, I didn't call the cops. But apparently, the alarm system does," I said to the hallway, louder to signal that they were gone. "Might want to take note of that next time you break in here."
"So … you're back in town? I didn't know—" Edward said, appearing again and ignoring my comment. He dragged his little brother behind him like a rag doll.
"I wasn't aware I had to sign your ledger every time I crossed city limits," I snapped, pocketing the officer's business card.
"And you're staying here?"
"No. I wasn't lying when I said I was just stopping by. Imagine my surprise when I tried to use the old spare key and it was gone."
"Are you staying … long?"
"I catch you breaking into my father's house, and you're playing a game of twenty questions with me? You're a great cat-burglar." I rolled my eyes. "No. Just the weekend for the ceremony. I've been in … Seattle for work. And I'm selling this place, so I had to come make sure it was still standing."
"We were not burgler-ing," Alec said, raising his hands again. "I just followed him here. I—"
"You're selling this place?" Edward asked at the same time, dismissing his brother. Alec shot him a look. They just got caught breaking into "Burn it down Bella's" house, and his brother was talking to her like she wasn't some hot commodity.
"Better than letting it sit here to rot," I said. "If you're not burglar-ing, what exactly are you doing here?"
"Drugs," Alec said matter-of-factly, nodding his head. "Lots of them. All kinds." This kid would go to the moon and back to protect his brother. He got that quality from the best, and I had to fight back the smile.
I huffed a laugh. "All right."
My phone buzzed in my pocket, and I looked at my watch to see two missed calls from my mother. "I have to go. Edward, I'm not sure what kind of story you're after, but there's nothing here. There hasn't been for … a decade." I stared at him and saw him looking at me, really looking at me, taking me in and accepting that I was indeed not a figment of his imagination. It'd been years since we'd spoken, but I followed his career, just like I knew he followed mine. Social media was good for a few things in this day and age.
"Lock up when you're done. I'll deal with the alarm later. You know where the key goes."
"Wait, Bella," he said. He moved out to touch my arm, but I sidestepped before he could make contact with me.
"I'm sorry about this. Let me buy you breakfast tomorrow. At the diner? I can explain. It's … been a while."
I smiled at him but shook my head. I didn't come back here for this. I shoved down my suddenly jumping heart. "No, thanks."
-TG-
I woke up early, the rare sunlight of Forks, Washington peering in through the motel window. I laid in the bed, not remembering clearly the last time I woke up in Forks. I didn't want to remember it. It was a time in my life I yearned to lock in the deepest part of my head and forget it.
I wanted no part of me remaining here.
Last night, I didn't divulge to my questioning mother where my late night stroll took me when she returned with our food, the cobbler getting cold. We ate over the small table, shoving down sandwiches and memories before I could lay awake and let them haunt me 'til the wee hours of the morning. I agreed to meet Jacob for breakfast at the diner to discuss plans for the house.
I wanted it gone. Being there only solidified the fact.
I dressed quickly into a casual pair of black jeans and simple green tank top, ignoring my mother, who opted to sleep in before our meeting with the mayor this afternoon. I shoved my phone and wallet into a small bag and tossed it over my shoulder before heading out the old, yet familiar pathway to the diner.
It was a few blocks different than the walk to Charlie's house. The streets were familiar, trees lining the sidewalks; sunlight trickled through the evergreens like rain. I walked them endlessly as a teenager. Ten more minutes north and a slight turn is Esme and Carlisle Cullen's house, the kindest couple in Forks. I had no seedling of doubt that a decade hadn't changed that. Two blocks passed is the preferred grocery store of the townsfolk, and another was Newton's Outfitters. The opposite direction, past the hotel, was the high school.
Forks High School.
-TG-
May 2006
I chewed on my lip as I took my seat at the lunch table. I yearned to get back to the computer lab and get back to work. I usually spent my lunch period in the art lab, hiding away from the hustle and bustle of the cafeteria. It wasn't just the approaching end-of-year deadlines that lit the fire under my rear to stay hidden, it was the anxious news I was also sitting on that I kept from my friends. I buried it so deep away from everyone. My parents were proud, happy with my decision; it was a great school for what I wanted, the best in the country really, and the easing of the tension on their shoulders didn't go unnoticed by me when we discussed finances and talks of apartments at dinner with my mother on the phone. Suddenly, with a tuition scholarship, a whole new array of opportunities were available to me—a car, potential off-campus housing; hells Bells, maybe you'd don't even have to work, just keep up those grades. It was the right choice; I knew this. But that didn't stop the bile rising from my throat. And I could only hide out in the computer lab for so long before my friends or boyfriend came and dragged me out to see the rare sunlight of a Forks summer day.
I would tell them soon.
I would have to.
Maybe they wouldn't be so disappointed.
Maybe they'd understand.
"Look who finally decided to join us," Emmett said, shoveling today's special into his mouth. A small pile of thick envelopes were tucked gently under his arm. He reached out to pat me on the shoulder as I rolled my eyes.
"All right, what do we got today?" Jasper Whitlock asked, flashing a pair of curious blue eyes. "Is today the day? Everyone got it?"
We all sat on tenterhooks. These past few weeks were the toughest with finals clawing at our heels and graduation shortly after. I sat on them for a different reason. Maybe someone else would be the force that broke the pact we took freshman year. Maybe someone else wouldn't get in. It wouldn't be me. I could just flank them in their decision.
"Well, Bella, you're the last to go. Sorry, this oaf over here got impatient and started tearing into them in case you didn't show," Rosalie said, smiling apologetically.
"Sorry, I've had a bunch of final stuff to do," I said. "We're supposed to get the final yearbook prints back in a few days and the chess club told me we spelled Desperado wrong, so naturally, I was freaking out. Turns out, there is nobody with that last name; it's a chess move, and that's their idea of a senior prank."
"What?" Jasper asked. "Weirdos."
"Come on, Bella!" Alice said, urging me to open the letter once I pulled it from my bag. I set a few other letters from different colleges on the table as well, going right for the one from University of Washington. I swallowed and ripped it open.
It was out of my hands before I could read past the Dear Miss Swan.
"Ah! Who cares about these?" Emmett said, taking the letter. He wagged a hand at my ignored acceptance letters. "We're all going to Seattle, baby! Babybell just closed the loop. She's UW bound!" He whooped and hollered.
Jasper let out a whistle, thumbing through the other pile of acceptance letters I took out of the folder as I tried to reach for the UW letter from Emmett.
"What's that, three Ivies?" Jasper said, nodding his head in appreciation. Harvard, Columbia, and Brown.
"Four. She got into Yale for Early Admission too back in what, September?" Edward said, smiling proudly, wrapping his arm around my shoulder.
I nodded lightly. My stomach sank even lower into the floor. No way in hell could I even think about touching whatever was on my tray in front of me.
"You're turning all those down to slum it in Seattle with us? You must really love us, Bella. Seriously, with all of us at UW, these are going to be the best four years of our lives!" Emmett exclaimed.
"She's just going for art. Does it really matter where she goes?" Alice asked. My cheeks heated cherry red, from embarrassment or frustration I didn't know. I bit my lip to keep my face straight.
"Alice," Jasper chastised. He loved his sprite of a girlfriend, but there were times when she didn't know how to keep her mouth shut.
"If you were going to be a doctor, does it matter where you go to medical school?" Edward defended. "Of course, it matters. Regardless, Washington's art program is awesome."
I shifted in my seat, changing the subject, and waited for the lunch bell to ring. "So, Rose, did Principal Green say when they're going to announce Valedictorian? I know you're gonna get it."
"Only if you're right there next to me as Salutatorian! We should know by the end of the week." She grinned beside me and flipped her long blonde hair. With each inch of her smile, my heart cracked. I'd break her heart, too.
"We'll see what they have to say about it. Not sure he wants that much chaos up on the stage at the ceremony." I forced a laugh.
Finally, the bell rang, and I shot up quicker than I came. I made a beeline for my next class, not even stopping when I heard Edward calling my name down the hallway.
-TG-
That too was just something I wanted to leave behind.
I kept walking.
-TG-
The Lodge was a mid-sized diner with loud orange, patterned walls and old brown booths lining the windows. Black and white photos and old newspapers dating back decades were plastered on the walls in delicate frames. Fresh desserts were set elegantly in a glass case, inviting customers to indulge. Their famous berry cobbler sat in the center of the counter under a glass dome. The bells dinged as I stepped through the doors into the air conditioning. I instinctively brushed my loose hair over my shoulder, letting it fall over my exposed shoulder and neck, covering my face from the side should there be any curious onlookers. The old woman behind the counter muttered a good morning in my general direction, gesturing with her hand to the "seat yourself" sign that had been gathering cobwebs in the same spot since I moved to Forks in the seventh grade.
I kept my eyes away from a particularly empty corner and opted instead for a booth next to a far window.
Jake wasn't anywhere to be seen.
I twiddled my thumbs, staring at the laminated menu and the empty city streets as I waited.
-TG-
"Thanks for meeting me," Jacob Black said, finally. "It's good to see you, Bells. Really good to see you." He sat down across from me, and I had only just taken in how different he looked since I'd seen him last. He was taller, his hair was shaved on the sides with a small knot of hair that sat on the top of his head.
"You too, Jake. It's been … what? Three years?" I smiled at my old friend. The only person in her mind that kept any part of her tethered to Forks, Washington. We'd been through everything together; grown up together. He was the only one who truly knew what happened… "Rocking the man-bun look now?"
"Yeah, sounds about right. Not as frequent as it was when you lived down in LA."
"Ah yeah. LA was a party, that's for sure."
"That's what happens when you get all famous and shit!"
"All famous and shit," I parroted back to him with sarcasm dripping from my tone. "I wrote one book."
"And it's a best seller. Angela's shop down the street always has copies in stock in her store. And yes, famous and shit. We're just gonna ignore the million Instagram followers, the YouTube following, the photography shoots."
"Something like that." I shifted nervously in my seat, noting the stares of the other customers of the diner. The sneers; the looks of surprise and disgust.
Jake noticed it, too.
"People can't seem to forget here. They need to … move on. You weren't even like … charged or anything. They found … quite literally next to nothing." I shook my head, the painful flashes of that night rushing to the front of my head, and I fought to shove them back. I wasn't ready to face them. The residue on my hands, the burns on my body, the blood, the smoke that filled my throat and lungs until I couldn't breathe any longer. My father's grip on my ankle, twisting it and fracturing it as he got me out the window.
"That's because I didn't do it. You know that," I said.
The questions. So many questions.
"You were seen vandalizing the police station earlier in the day. Vandalism to arson isn't that big of a leap, is it?" They yelled at me. I was barely conscious, couldn't speak because of the rawness of my throat, the smoke inhalation, but they needed answers. Dr. Cullen tried his darndest to keep them at bay, but they were vultures, and I was a fresh, rotting carcass ready for the taking, and my mother was still halfway across the country. I didn't want to see my friends. The only one I spoke to aside from Dr. Cullen was his wife, Esme.
And eventually, the FBI.
They wanted the truth so I gave it to them. It was enough for them, and they left me alone with my thoughts, with my injuries.
It didn't matter to the townsfolk here, though. Once they got a name, a possibility, an association. If the police were vultures, they were the rats, the maggots. God forbid the cost of it all. My side wasn't worth a damn to anyone. It didn't matter what I lost. Sometimes I wonder what he would have thought. What Charlie would have thought of it all.
"I know that. Of course, I know that. I'm just saying … people here need to get a life," he said, sneering at the nearest old lady who simply hmphed into her morning coffee. "It's not everyone. There are some people …"
"I don't really want to talk about it, Jake," I said. "I'm here for the weekend—I want to get in and get out. That's that. They're finally doing something awesome for Charlie. My mother and I have to go to the mayor's office after this. I can get behind that. Otherwise, people can think what they want. Small townsfolk like this, nothing else matters to them. Nothing will ever convince them otherwise. No, the FBI never found anything; they say they didn't do a good enough job. Even if they caught the real person who did it … somehow, I still don't think it would matter. So, I don't care. What I do care about is this stupid house."
"All right, all right. So, the house."
"The house. Firstly, that alarm nearly killed me yesterday. Had to deal with the police being called."
"The police? I told you how to disarm it when you unlock the door. It's not my fault you don't read my texts. I bet that was fun."
"It was tremendously fun. Can't wait to do it again. Got to meet the wonderful Officer Newton and Officer Emily Pack. Said to call them if I need anything."
"Newton?" Jake interrupted. "Any relation to…"
"I don't know but I'm guessing there aren't that many Newton's crawling around this town. He was older…maybe an Uncle? Cousin?" I shrugged. Anyway, I want to get rid of the house as soon as we can. I don't care to who; I don't care what price. I just … want it gone."
"Are you sure?" Jake said, frowning.
"Yes." I was sure of it.
I wanted it gone. Out of my head, out of my life.
"Just even being there last night … even for a minute was …" That house had no place for me. I ignored the thought of Edward and his little brother in the kitchen of the house. "I really don't care what we do with it. Do we know any work that needs done to it that's going to give us any hold ups on the market? Do we need to get any inspectors out here? Do you know any realtors out here? I just want to get this all done while I'm in Seattle. I want it sold before the end of the summer."
"Work wise? I'm not sure. I'll have to check with Embry and Quil. They're the ones who usually keep up with the maintenance on that. I'll check with the inspectors, too. You said you gotta go to the mayor's office today? Maybe check over there for any realtors they have a preference for within the city limits? The chief's house is in a pretty good part of town. That would be the first place I'd look. Maybe they have some plans or ideas for something they'd want to do with it."
I nodded, listening to him as I pulled out my cell phone, jotting down notes as he talked. Suddenly, his own cell rang, and he answered it swiftly with a frown. He was on for only a second before he slapped the old phone shut.
"Work?"
"Unfortunately. Can we turn this into dinner or something later instead? Maybe once you have more of a plan? I get off at five. Seth's over running the shop alone, and I love the kid, but he's got two left arms and can't tighten anything to save his life."
"I know you're not talking about baby Seth Clearwater." I gasped. "Sure. I should probably just get a sandwich to go anyway. We probably should head over there before they get too busy with their ceremony prep anyway."
"That's the one." He got up from the table, and I did the same, stepping into his arms. I fell easily into his warm embrace. "I'll say it again. It's really great to see you, Bella. I mean it about dinner later. No bailing."
"No bailing," I agreed and smiled up at him as he pulled away. The bells at the door chimed, pulling my attention away from my longtime friend to see the familiar pair of green eyes from last night staring back at me. My heart thrummed as Jake released me and backed away. "I'll see you later." He didn't seem to catch the gaze of the latest customer as he strolled past him, perhaps something was heavy on Jake's mind as he walked. His head seemed to be in another place, a happier one, judging by the sharp whistle that escaped off his tongue.
I glared incredulously when I saw Edward approaching the counter, knowing I was about to do the same. The front door bells rang again, but I didn't pay attention to them this time as I waited in line for an older woman at the counter. I could feel him standing behind me, the tension growing around me like a wall of weeds, waiting to crumble. And it would, with one exhale from him. Was he here alone? Did he come after I denied his offer in hopes I might have changed my mind? Was he waiting for someone? Was he with someone? I mentally smacked myself and doused the flames on my thrumming heart because that was none of my goddamned business.
"Holy shit." The wall was broken, but it wasn't Edward who spoke.
"Is that Freddie Krueger? I didn't know I was dreaming." I turned around to glare at two boys from our high school class. Mike Newton and Eric Yorkie. Them, I could handle.
"Last time I checked, we're awake, assholes," I snarked, turning back around. I didn't want to give them any further attention. They were all bark and no bite without their ringleader.
"Just the two of you? Where's your third? Crowley stuck doing Weber's bitch work?" Edward said. "Sucks when you peak in high school and gotta get on your knees for the mayor to pay the bills."
I barely heard Edward's response, my ears were ringing, and I nearly drew blood from biting my lip at the mention of his name.
Crowley.
The other damn reason I didn't come to this town. I thought he would have left, too. He had just as much reason as anyone did.
My stomach cramped; I wanted to vomit.
"Next," the old woman called, ignoring the whole scene.
I swallowed the rising fear and stepped to the counter, ordered a turkey sandwich, a water, and side salad to go, paid, and quickly went to sit at the table Jake and I occupied only moments ago to calm myself. I needed to breathe, count to myself in my head, do anything to relax, to forget I even heard that stupid name. My hands raised to mess with my hair, tugging it painfully. I stared out the window; my eyes got lost in the mossy evergreens digging for the safety I once felt in them. I vanished into the leaves.
-TG-
"You left this on the counter. They called your name. Drinks take no time at all," Edward said, setting my white to-go cup across from me and dropping the white straw paper next to it.
"Oh, sorry. Forgot about that. Uh … thanks," I said, taking the water and punching the straw through the paper. I sipped quickly, quenching the sudden thirst, the rawness of my throat.
"Mind if I sit while you wait?" he asked, already sitting.
"Would you move if I said no since you've already sat down?" I challenged, slowing my sips.
"Probably not."
"Then, by all means," I said. "So, are you stalking me?"
He didn't answer, and after a moment passed, I glanced up at him and saw him staring. The light was better by the window than in the hallways of Charlie's old house; my threading fingers tugging at my hair had shifted it back over my shoulder. There was no hiding it. It wasn't something I was ashamed of—I couldn't be; it was a part of me whether I wanted it to be or not. I took the moment to admire him; he wore a dark orange flannel shirt today that brought out shades of color in his autumn-colored hair. There were flecks of stubble on his chin as if he hadn't shaved in a few days. Pieces of hair fell loosely onto his forehead as it furrowed in concentration.
I know that look on his face—it was the same one everyone gave me when they trailed their eyes down to my face, to my neck, to the top portions of my arm. The skin healed well, the best results we could have hoped for thanks to the treatments and trials in South Florida , but a marred, darker, redder color than the rest of my skin. It didn't bother me anymore—the skin or the looks. The scars today, though, were a beacon for stares as they were fateful reminders of that horrible day. It felt different to have him look at me, to have him see them. I needed to breathe before I found myself staring at Elizabeth Masen instead of at her son.
Quickly, I ripped the lid off my cup and took a long sip of water, catching chunks of ice with my teeth, the bitter cold pulling me out of my reverie and sinking me back into my seat.
"Marks of a leper," I offer, crushing ice and fidgeting with my lid.
"I didn't realize—" he started, tearing his eyes away, catching himself staring.
"Realize what?"
"I knew you …" he said, catching himself staring again before forcefully making himself glance at a vibrant sign in the window across the street. He sighed. "I knew you got hurt in it … but I didn't realize it was that bad. I heard you and your mom went up to Seattle. Uncle Carlisle said they had a decent burn unit. Nobody really saw you …"
I shrugged. "We did. First. Then to Tampa. It was a lot worse then. Fish skin helped."
"Pardon?"
"Fish skin. Tilapia skin."
"I thought you ordered turkey," he said, confused.
"No—yes, I did." I laughed. " but I meant fish skin is what helped … minimize the scarring. I did some medical trials at the University of South Florida for a year. Carlisle is the one who put in a good word for it. Coming back … after Charlie's funeral. It was hard. This is the first time I've been back. Truthfully, aside from a few people on the reservation, I haven't kept in contact with many people here."
"I know that. Kind of understand that. I guess." He said. "I kind of just … spiraled after everything. Went through a real rough patch. Glad I was on the other side of the country for it because if I was that bad around Alec, I'm not sure he'd see me the way he does now."
"The other side of the country? What happened to UW?"
Edward shrugged. "Too close to home. Didn't want to deal. Spent the summer getting stupid down on the rez with Paul and his crew. Emmett and Jasper thought I was crazy. But you were gone and not coming back, my mom was gone, my dad had his hands full with Alec. I wasn't dumb enough of course to apply just to UW despite that being our little rat pack's dream, so end of summer came, and I went to Syracuse. Of course, they weren't happy about it but …" Edward shrugged. "A full circle of dumb decisions and, somehow, I still end up back in Forks, Washington."
"Have you been back here for a while? Last I saw, you were in … Philly?"
"Keeping tabs on me?"
"I do read the news, yes. Hard to ignore when there is a familiar name in the byline. "
"Philly, yeah. I was working for The Inquirer, but I've started just freelancing stories. I've found there's more consistency when you're a free agent. I came back about a year ago. My dad isn't doing the best. My uncle's got him on some kind of routine, but he's not really getting any better. I've been helping at the high school with some of their English classes, communications classes, yearbook club, student newspaper club."
"The good old Green and Gold." I smiled, remembering the student newspaper.
"We're called the Spartan Shield now, and it's my pride and joy, so careful how you slander it around me."
"Slander it? The Green and Gold was my pride and joy when we were in school, if you remember correctly. That and the yearbook were like my children. I swear those were the only reasons I got into Yale."
"So … you did end up at Yale?"
"I did." I nodded.
"I'll pass that on to some of my students. There are some girls who carry your book around like it's the goddamn bible. Your advice? Don't quit Mr. Cullen's club and you'll get into Yale."
I laughed, from the belly, from deep in my chest, for the first time since I set foot in this godforsaken town. "Something like that."
Suddenly, the laughing stopped, and I felt my phone vibrating against my leg. It was so easy to fall into a conversation with him.
"Edward?" I asked.
He smiled and looked at me.
"What were you doing at my father's house last night?"
His face paled, and he released a breath just as the phone vibrated in my pocket again. I reached to pull it out, frowning when I saw Renee's name on the screen.
"Order for Bella?" the older woman called from the counter, setting a steaming paper sack on the counter and slapping a small golden bell. "Turkey BLT with a salad?"
"Edward?" I asked again but his focus shifted to the door where the welcome bells chimed.
"Edward? What's going on, bro?" a familiar voice called. "We still getting a table?"
The phone vibrated again.
"You know what, I'm gonna stick to what I said last night. I don't want to know." But now I did. More than ever. He wasn't just here for the weekend like I was. No, he was here every day. This was his life. How many times had he done this? How many times had he been there?
"Bella, wait—"
"What?" I answered.
The other man's eyes shot up.
"Bella?" Jasper Hale said.
AN: Thanks for all of the reviews on the first chapter! I am so excited to share this story!
Thank you to Sally for beta'ing and to Heather, Mandy, Ausha, and Steph for pre-reading.
Thank you for reading!
Sarah
