BPOV
There is a knock on the front door as I'm in the process of making a pitcher of sweet tea, so I go answer it not expecting to see who I see standing on my front door. Wavy blonde locks dripping wet onto a worn-out leather jacket stands in front of me.
"Jasper?" I question taking in his complete form to see not only is he wet from the sunny storm we are having, which is weird, but he looks pissed which is something I don't think I've seen from him. "Are you okay? Come in and get dried off," I step to the side to allow room for him to step through.
Walking through the kitchen with Jasper hot on my heels, I tell him to stay there, and I'll grab him a towel from the linen closet quickly before walking back to find him in the same spot I left him in. He looks pissed off and sad which is something I am not used to from him- not that we've spent much time together since my birthday incident.
"Jasper," I say softly as I hand him the towel to dry off his hair. "What's the matter? I thought everyone went hunting for the weekend, why aren't you with them?"
He scoffs as he dries off his hair. "Did you know Alice and Edward blamed me for your birthday?"
Instantly I'm angry. How dare they blame him for something so natural, especially since he is an empathic vampire?! Suddenly Jasper is standing impossibly close to me startling me to back up only to notice the counter right behind me. His hand reaches up to my cheek gently stroking it with his thumb that sends a shock through my body.
"I never blamed you," I tell him firmly. "I even told Edward to tell you that."
"I know," he whispers softly, his voice is much more mature than Edwards I take notice now. "Still, they never gave me the chance to apologize to you properly."
Jasper is now backed away from me, pacing across the kitchen muttering under his breath or maybe just in vampire speed. Another thing I notice is that he has an accent, one that isn't as strong as I suspect it once was years ago. Did Alice make him cover it up to fit her perfect life?
"You haven't got anything to apologize for, Jasper. It wasn't your fault- if anything it was Edwards because he's the one who overreacted," I say while I find the other half of my brain to begin finishing up my previous task before going to grab the towel from a paused pacing Jasper.
Walking into the laundry room, I toss the towel into the wash only to turn around to have Jasper blocking the doorway making me gasp in surprise. I realize that he never told me why he came here in the first place. Motioning him to move out of my way which he does so I lead him up to my bedroom.
"Why did you leave the hunting trip?" I ask, grabbing his hand to sit him down on my bed in front of me. I now take notice in his overly worn-out cowboy boots- worse than his leather jacket that is now sitting on his lap.
"I don't think you'll believe me," he says quietly, his eyes pleading with me to understand something unsaid. "I've had some suspicions lately of Alice and Edward…"
Something in my stomach churns as I slowly try to put together what he could mean. I shake my head. "Okay, about what?"
Sighing, Jasper produces his phone from his pocket before flipping it open and shoving it in my hands. It's a picture. I'm glad I didn't eat breakfast or lunch because I feel like I can vomit at the sight. Picture this, Alice completely topless with very little to leave to the imagination below the waist all the while Edward has his face buried in her breasts with his arms wrapped securely around her.
"I've already contacted my lawyer that I use for everything," Jasper breaks me of my stunned silence. "I'm serving her with divorce papers for infidelity and then I will be leaving the family after compiling all the evidence I need to provide."
"Y- you're going to leave?" I ask, suddenly panicked that he'll be leaving me behind.
"Yes, just for a couple of days to set some things up," he explains taking my hand in his own and lifting my head up revealing the tears threatening to shed. "I'll be back in time for your graduation, I promise. I have property in Colorado, a house with everything needed for housing a human, there is just a few things needing updated."
He wants me to go with him. He's not leaving me for good. But… why...? When I try to voice what I am thinking no words come out for some reason.
"I figured your father already expected you do be out of the house on the way to Alaska…" he trails off before picking back up. "Only if you want to of course, I mean I would understand completely if- if you rejected the idea I just thought- "
I cut him off by throwing my arms around Jasper's neck, shoving my body against his in an attempted hug catching the vampire off guard. We begin to fall back against the bed before he stops us from tumbling. His arms wrap securely around my body, returning my hug while shoving his face into the crook of my neck.
"I would love to go with you," I tell him honestly, too comfortable to pull away from the embrace.
"Really? I mean, I was hoping you would, but I wasn't sure if you would."
Pulling away from our embrace I kiss his cheek not really thinking about the action as I move to my previous spot. "I've got money saved up so I can- "
"Save it," he interrupts. "Save your money for things you want and let me worry about everything else." Noticing my displeasure, he quickly adds, "I want you to have fun, think of it as a graduation gift if it makes you feel better."
I frown slightly biting my lip. "I'll think about it."
"Fair enough," he agrees.
"Wait," I shake my head, "how long have you suspected something between them and why?"
"A few months ago they had come back from a hunting trip smelling a bit too much like one another and more…" he unnecessarily clears his throat. "Unkept. Don't get me wrong, hunting can be messy unless you have experience and well, I mean, you know how Alice is…"
"No hair left untouched," I say softly nodding my head. "What did you do?"
"Confronted her of course," he sighs heavily shaking his head, suddenly standing up once more to pace around my bedroom. "She said that I was imagining things that weren't there. Said I was paranoid."
"She manipulated you!" I angrily shout standing up myself. "What kind of person- vampire lies and cheats on their mate? Wait! I thought you and Alice were mates?"
According to what Edward had told me about having a mate, one mate couldn't intentionally hurt their other half. This I would definitely say gets placed into that category.
"We were never mates," Jasper tells me softly. "The both of us knew it, but it hurts, nonetheless. She purposely cheated with Edward and not only did her actions hurt me but you as well."
"Can you purposefully hurt your mate like that, Jasper?" I ask even though I know the answer.
"No, Isabella, you can't."
Graduation is in less than a week with seniors already out of school until we walk across the podium to collect our diploma. That means we have less than a week until Jasper and I have less than a week to gather up our belongings and hit the road. Somehow, I'm not even angry at the loss of my best friend and boyfriend, I'm upset and angry at the lies and deceit they not only put me through, but Jasper as well. It's not fair.
"I don't even have your phone number," I say dumbly.
"That's a simple fix. Give me your cell."
I can hear Charlie pulling into the driveway and come through the front door a few minutes later.
"Bells! I'm home! Whose truck is in the driveway?" he shouts as he walks up the stairs.
"We're in here dad," I say loud enough to let him know I am in my bedroom. The door opens after a knock, and I am met with a confused looking Charlie. Not who he expected of course. "This is Jasper," I say with a small smile.
"Jasper?" He repeats in question. "You're Edwards brother, right?"
Jasper clears his throat standing up and holding out his hand for a shake. "Yes sir, I am. I came home early from college so I could spend some time with the family before Edward and Bella's graduation, but nobody was home, so I stopped by."
Charlie narrows his eyes momentarily before shaking Jasper's hand and nodding in acceptance of his well seemingly rehearsed lie. "Okay, well do you want to stay for dinner? I was going to order in tonight, you like Chinese food?"
To say I was shocked at his instant fondness of Jasper would be less than what I felt when he invited him to stay for dinner; something hadn't ever even done with Edward in all the months we had dated.
Jasper smiles politely. "Uh, sure, if I'm not intruding."
"Not at all," Charlie reassures. "Let Bella know what you like I'll order here shortly."
With that Charlie is closing the door for me to be left alone with Jasper. Not like anything was going to happen between the two of us, but I mean… what?
JPOV
Leaving Bella was one of the hardest things to do even though I have only spent a few hours with the human girl with the exception of the few days in the hotel room running from James. However, I did have to go sort things out at home such as getting some of my most prized possessions and storing them away into a bag to take with me. Making my way back to the Cullen residence, I mentally check off everything I have gotten done so I know what else needs done.
The family will not be back for another couple of days from the hunting trip Alice and Edward insisted that we needed. I guess I just let my gift go when I got comfortable settled with the family all those years ago. How could I have been so blind to what was right in front of me the whole time? At first, I thought I was just overreacting, I wasn't used to this way of life as it was and to come from the upbringing that I had, well I felt I couldn't trust what I was feeling.
Not even realizing that I had made it back to the house, I quickly grab everything I need and leave everything I don't. Gathering up my important documents, logging into all my accounts and such things to make sure everything is changed and secure, I grab my safe to grab out the twenty thousand dollars in cash I have for emergencies. Jenks had my divorce paperwork drawn up and sent over to be signed so I make sure everything is correct, printed out, and signed, along with all the evidence I had gathered which was more than what I had shown Bella. Leaving the folder containing the paperwork and my wedding ring on Alice's desk, I begin loading up my truck, happy that it'll be big enough for a road trip for a human.
I'm not sure what made me invite Bella to come with me to my home in Colorado, it slipped out really, but nevertheless I feel as if she is meant to come with me. This would be the perfect time to show her how much I regret what happened almost a year ago at her birthday.
By the time I make it to Colorado, I have the kitchen appliances ordered and expressed shipped so all I should have to do is make sure the water and electric are in good working order. Pulling up into my driveway, I see my comfortable three-bedroom, two-bathroom, one story house with a wrap around porch surrounded by nothing but open land. I quickly get to work on opening all the windows to air out the stale smell of vacancy. Uncovering the little furniture that I have in the living room; I begin cleaning everything up.
Making my way into the next town over only takes me ten minutes for the thirty-minute human drive, I go to the store to buy anything Bella might need while we occupy the house. Having her come spend the night often, I know what shampoo and conditioner she likes along with body wash and deodorant. I add my own showering products into the cart and anything else she might like. Deciding to get a couple of extra oversized throw blankets and a nice fluffy robe, I make my way over to where the pots and pans are to select a set and anything else she might need for cooking. I get dry stock foods for now, fresh will have to wait until later when the appliances get delivered and she can choose what she wants.
There is a pull in my chest, something I hadn't noticed until I got back to the house to unload the truck full of grocery bags. The need to go back to Forks is strong, but I need to finish up here first in order to have everything ready for the two of us. When the delivery for the kitchen appliances shows up, I allow the men to hook everything up and thanking them with a couple hundred to split between them. My phone buzzes from inside my pocket and pulling it out I see Alice's name flashing across the screen.
"Just sign the papers Mary-Alice and send them back to Jenks," I answer coldly, not even greeting her with a hello. "I'll be back in time for you and Eddie to walk across the stage and after that I'm gone. Don't call me again."
It's possibly a little too harsh, after all we did spend a little over fifty years together, but I don't believe I am wrong. I should feel hurt and angry at Alice. She was meant to be my wife and be by my side, not slipping onto Edwards dick when my back is turned.
You kept me waiting long enough.
I scoff. Yeah, right. Just for her to turn around and stab me in the back and to do it with her supposed best friend's boyfriend no less. Anger begins to build up, so I take deep breaths, letting it clear from my mind momentarily before opting to go out for a quick hunt. Coyote it is for dinner tonight. As I walk back into the house, I test out the shower in my room to make sure all is well. It is, of course. Before long I am lounging in the king sized bed I made with new sheets earlier and looking at my phone.
The thought to text message Bella crosses my mind but I refrain from doing so. I'll be seeing her soon as it is, and then I'll have her all to myself for as long as she'll stay travelling with me. Around midnight my phone buzzes on my stomach, pulling me out of my thoughts.
Goodnight,
B.
I smile, butterflies going haywire in my stomach for an unknown reason.
Sleep well, darlin.
J.
The time comes to make my way back to Forks, the ache in my chest getting stronger the longer I have stayed away. Graduation isn't until three and I will have made it to Seattle by nine in the morning, so I stop by a couple of shops to perhaps look for something special for Bella. Nothing expensive of course, she doesn't like extravagant gifts and allowing me to pay for our road trip made her uneasy as it was. She has a thing for classic literature, yet absolutely loves Patrick Swayze movies so I opt for a new book and a couple of Swayze movies.
I admit that I was trying to kill some time before having to go back to that house and see the two fuck buddies together. Nobody could blame me on that, could they? Before long however, I can't avoid them any longer as now Esme is calling just as I make it to the outskirts of town to the house. The phone cuts off as I pull up the driveway, not bothering to park in my usual spot. They should know I won't be returning.
Esme and Carlisle are the first two out the door looking at me with sad eyes, but I notice they don't feel sorry for me. I can sense everyone is in the house, all seemingly to be doing separate things and paying one another no mind. Closing the truck door, I walk up to the porch where Esme lets out a small whimper before launching at me to wrap her arms around me. As it wasn't something I was expecting, I stumble back a step before catching my balance and hugging back.
"I'm so sorry, Jasper," Esme whispers in my ear. "Do you really need to leave the family though?"
Pulling away from the mother figure of our coven, I nod. "Yes, I do. I don't think it would be good for any of us for me to stay."
"It should be them leaving," Emmett growls lowly from inside angrily.
"Come Jasper, spend some time with the rest of us before it's time to go," Carlisle beckons softly.
As the three of us walk inside the house, I am greeted with an angry looking Emmett while Rosalie sits on the couch beside him looking sour which is really no different than any other day. Edward and Alice stay away. Good.
"For the record," Rosalie pipes up when we sit around the living room, "I already gave them a piece of my mind. Of course, Edward is still getting it," she smirks at me. "Emmett and Carlisle had to pull me off Alice- even she didn't see me coming."
"Thanks, Rose," I say gratefully. "But you really shouldn't ruin your relationship to them for me."
Rosalie shrugs nonchalantly. "I don't just play your twin, Jasper. You're my brother."
I send her my appreciation and love in return. The five of us continue to make small talk before it's time to finally leave for the high school. Anger flares as Edward and Alice come walking down the staircase but I keep my place. I won't be the one to initiate a fight.
"Your paperwork is upstairs in your study," Alice breaks the silence first. "I sent a copy to Jenks already, you can check."
"I will," I say in a hard tone.
Edward wraps his arm around her shoulders, guiding her out of the house all the while hatred and anger hit me like a ton of bricks.
Yeah, I roll my eyes like I made you fuck my wife.
Before Edward can come for me, Emmett has him pinned to the wall growling lowly.
"That's enough, Edward!" Carlisle shouts. "I think you've done enough. Now go so you and Alice can graduate."
Emmett shoves Edward out the door before turning back to smile at me. "Nobody makes my baby sister cry and gets away with it."
I laugh.
BPOV
As Charlie and I pull up in the cruiser the pain in my chest eases which is a relief as it began hurting soon after Jasper had left for his house in Colorado. It hadn't been a good couple of days as I had broken it off with Edward- in the middle of the school parking lot no less when we had to show up for rehearsal, but he just wouldn't let it go. Said it was a mistake and all lies that Jasper had made up. I knew he was lying. He knew that I knew he was lying.
I made sure Charlie knew that Edward wasn't welcome, neither was Alice if either of them came knocking. Although I could tell Charlie felt sorry for me, he was glad I had broken up with Edward. Hell, he asked if Jasper was going to come back over.
"You're going to be okay, kiddo," Charlie breaks me of my thoughts as he parks.
"I know," I tell him confidently. "Just remember, dad, no crying."
He laughs at me. "No promises. Now you should probably get going or you'll be late."
Leaning over the center console, I kiss my father on the cheek- his face flaming up at the affected much like I would respond. "See you after."
Walking across the parking lot I see Carlisle's car along with Emmett's monster of a jeep and to my unexpected happiness, Jasper's truck. Don't get me wrong now, I am hurting over Edward's lies and cheating along with Alice, but for some reason Jasper brings me hope. I hadn't been in contact with any of the other Cullen's since Jasper had informed me of the infidelity so I'm not sure where I stand with any of them. Not having time to dwell on anything further, I walk inside the high school for the very last time.
It's loud. Louder than what would be normal as every senior student is here with their families that consist of two or more. Heading to the indicated classroom, I sign in to gather my graduation gown and cap with the tassel. There are a few questioning glances my way from my classmates after having seen the breakup the other day at rehearsal but, luckily none come snooping.
Everyone is beckoned to line up in order as we had rehearsed, and we are lead out into the gymnasium. The whole ordeal is done within a couple of hours and while I had been worried that I would trip and fall walking across the stage, I could feel a certain someone sending me calm and secure vibes from somewhere I could see. Last minute, while walking off the stage I caught a glimps of blonde curly hair dressed in a button down and dark wash jeans. I send him my thanks.
When all is said and done with everybody's caps thrown around, I find my dad through the crowd who had watery eyes and proud smile. To the left I see Esme and Carlisle walking through the crowd of people walking towards Charlie. I'm stopped by Emmett who lifts me up into one of his bear hugs.
"Congratulations little sis!" He swings me around making me laugh. "You're still my little sister," he murmurs in my ear seriously.
"Thanks, Em," I hug him a little tighter before getting released.
"For the record, Bella," Rosalie says from beside Emmett, "None of us condone what has happened and neither you nor Jasper should be the ones leaving the family."
I give her a small smile but don't have the time to say anything as Jasper comes walking up with a gift bag in hand. I arch an eyebrow. He smiles.
"Nothing expensive," Jasper automatically says when he reaches us.
I hesitantly grab the glittery green bag from Jaspers grasp and peak inside to see he didn't lie. There is a new copy of my very worn and tattered Wuthering Heights and a couple of Patrick Swayze movies making me smile widely.
"Thank you, Jasper," I beam.
Charlie makes his way over with a bouquet of flowers in hand and smiling at me. "Congratulations, Bells," he says thrusting the flowers into my hand before pulling me into a hug.
"Thanks, dad," I return the hug as I see Carlisle and Esme also make their way over.
Esme and Carlisle pull me into a hug and let me know not to worry about Edward and Alice- that no matter what I am still family to them. I kiss their cheeks in thanks just as the devils themselves come walking over hand in hand. Charlie pulls me close as Jasper stands to his full height blocking their path to me. They back off.
"Come on, dad," I say, "we should get to the diner before it gets too busy."
The plan is to go to the diner to have our last dinner together before Jasper and I hit the road. Charlie of course doesn't know what I actually plan on doing, he thinks as soon as this is over, I leave for Alaska in order to have some time to settle and know the area. We eat in silence and when we're done, we go back home so I can collect my belongings.
"You ready?" Jasper asks taking my bags from me.
"Yeah," I say softly. "I think I am."
The first couple of hours are made in silence before we strike up conversation by playing twenty-one questions where we find that we have a lot of things in common. We stop for gas and Jasper insists on making sure I am well fed at a small mom and pop shop with delicious coffee and breakfast. Jasper indulges me by drinking a cup of black coffee, informing me that vampires can indeed ingest human food and drinks as long as it's not all the time.
"Wait, so you guys can get drunk?" I question laughing as we get back onto the road.
"Not completely. We can feel a buzz, but it doesn't affect us like the same way as it does humans," he chuckles. "We can go to a bar if you'd like."
"Uh, Jasper?" I laugh raising an eyebrow. "Not twenty-one remember?"
"Check the glove box." I do as directed pulling out a folder containing a couple of real these look. "I thought ahead for anything possible. You don't even have to use them, I just tried to think of everything you might want to do."
"And going to a bar was one of these things?" I joke as I slide the ID's back into the folder and closing the glove box again.
Eventually I fall asleep against the window, curled up in a ball in the front seat. When I wake up again Jasper isn't in the truck, but I see we are at a truck stop and a couple minutes later the door swings open with Jasper holding a bag.
"Morning sleeping beauty," he smiles. "I got you something to drink and eat but you should probably go have your human moment before we get back on the road. It shouldn't be much longer until we're home."
Home. I feel giddy at the thought. Jasper, feeling my emotions, doesn't let on but I can see the small uplift in the corner of his mouth. Flipping through the stations on the radio, we settle on a country music station which has us both humming along. When we stop for the second time in the day for gas, I step out to stretch my legs groaning when my bones snap and crack from being constricted.
"How much longer until we get to your house?" I ask him as he pumps the gas and I walk to his side.
"About five more hours, if you'd like I can get us a hotel room; I know I could definitely use a shower," he says as if I would be doing him a favor by accepting his offer making me send him a wave of suspicion. "Scouts honor," he crosses his fingers over his un-beating heart with a smile.
"You already have a room booked, don't you?" I accuse as the pump clicks off.
"You caught me. I figured we both could use a good night's rest."
Laughing as I shake my head. "Fine. But I want to see this so-called rest you speak about."
When we pull up to the hotel, we get out to grab the correct baggage to bring in with us before checking in. The clerk behind the desk gives me the creepy vibes as he watches me while Jasper signs a couple of papers. I step closer to Jasper just as I feel his arm wrap around my shoulders securely. Instantly I feel safe, I know with him around nothing and no one will be able to hurt me.
"If you need anything, let me know," the creep says handing over the room keys to Jasper.
Jasper guides me to the elevator of and once safely inside I look up to see a stone cold look over his features. Standing up on my tippy toes, I mean to kiss his cheek, but he has moved to shift so I end up kissing him right on the lips. The both of us are startled as I pull away quickly while I try to ignore the fire that lit deep within. The elevator dings to signal our floor arrival so the two of us walk out without a word and make our way to the room without incident. The room isn't very big, just a king-sized bed with a couch and tv with a microwave and bathroom to the right.
I drop my duffle onto the bed, suddenly aware of how close Jasper is to me when I turn around and see him only inches from me. My heart leaps as my face flushes all the while Jasper has a look on his face that I cannot place. His hand reaches up to tuck a lock of hair behind my ear before pulling me into another kiss. With this kiss however, we both expect it and its like fireworks going off on the Fourth of July. My mouth is pried gently open with his tongue causing an instant moan to slip at the taste of him.
Tangling my hands in his hair, I press myself against him more just before Jasper's arms wrap around my waist to haul me up and my legs instantly wrap around his torso. Something about this feel right, I don't want him to stop. My back is placed against the bed gently as Jasper settles himself between my legs. My heart is hammering away in my chest as heat forms in the pit of my stomach. I grind myself against his very noticeable hardening crotch.
Jasper pulls away panting heavily with his eyes glazed over with want and need. "Can I have you, Isabella?" he asks roughly as he grinds himself against me.
"Yes," I pant needily as I pull him down onto me fully, sliding my hands up his shirt.
Clothes are taken off, kisses are shared, all frantic and full of need until the very last piece of clothing is gone and we are bare for the other. I trail my hands over his shoulders, down his arms then back up.
"I trust you," I whisper.
"It's going to hurt," he tells me.
"I trust you," I repeat.
I barely have time to register his thrust, but he stills to allow me to adjust to his impressive size. "Breathe," he murmurs kissing every part of my skin he can. "Oh, fuck you're so tight, so warm, so good." Letting out a heavy breath I didn't know I was holding, I shift my hips, gasping once more in pain. "Let me make you feel good," his tongue teases my lips, coaxing me to open for him.
"Okay."
Slowly, my pain is ebbed away and is replaced with his own pleasure as he begins to thrust slowly in and out of me. I can't contain the moan that escapes me while my hands get pinned above my head with one of his hands while the other shifts my right leg high above his hip.
"Oh!" I moan, trying to get even more friction. "More," I beg.
The bed rocks, hitting the wall with our movements but that doesn't slow us- him down and he gives me what I want. More. Freeing my hands from his hold, I wrap my arms around Jasper's waist, one of my hands gripping his ass cheek trying to pull him even deeper.
"Fuck baby," he grunts as I feel his hand come between us, massaging just the right spot to throw me over the edge. "That's right, feel what I do to you," he groans as my stomach tightens and a delicious white-hot fire explodes.
I see spots and Jasper growls while burying his face in the crook of my neck, thrusting a couple of more times. We lay there trying to catch our breaths for I don't know how long until Jasper carefully slips off me. I watch as he goes to the bathroom where he comes back with a washcloth, spreading my legs apart, he gently cleans me up.
"I'm never letting you go," Jasper whispers when he pulls me into his arms and covering us up.
I smile. "I don't plan on letting you go either."