Chapter 15

~What's Going On?~

I stand by the living room window and watch Jimmy's tail lights disappear up the driveway. My stomach churns as a feeling of disquiet settles over me.

"You look scared, Edward."

I whip around at the sound of Bella's voice. She's sitting on the couch, feet tucked beneath her, twirling a lock of hair around her finger. Her gaze is direct, almost teasing.

"Not scared—confused and concerned."

"Just do what Jimmy says, and everything will be fine."

I leave my post at the window, and sit on the edge of the wingback chair, facing Bella. "Is that what you do to make everything fine? Whatever Jimmy says?"

She scoffs and rolls her eyes. "Do you think I need 'saving' by the tattooed bad boy? Is that it?"

I sit back in the chair, stunned almost as if she slapped me. "What?"

Bella's lips curl into a mocking smile. "Are you really surprised? People hang on your every word. The women around you lean your way like flowers seeking sun. It's actually kind of sickening."

I stare at her, open-mouthed, with no clue how to respond. She looks back at me, a challenge in the arch of her brow and disdain in her eyes. Was I mistaken all those times I caught her looking my way? Were Jasper's instincts about Bella off-base? Rather than jealousy or interest, was she instead looking on with distaste?

When I don't speak, she continues on. "Rose is hot for you—or she was until she took up with Emmett. Leah is a simpering fangirl just dying to bone you in the hope of riding along on your massive coattails. And that bartender, the blond with the huge rack—you better watch out for her. I know her type, and she'll happily fuck you over any way she can if you reject her."

Indignation flares inside me. "Wow, you really have a low opinion of me, don't you?"

"Don't misquote me." Bella snaps her words, nostrils flared and eyes narrowed. "I simply stated facts about the willing harem that follows you around. Maybe you're complicit, or maybe you're clueless. I just want to make it clear that I don't need saving. Jimmy already took care of that."

I've had enough of this conversation. I slap both hands against my thighs and stand. "Well, I'll tell you what, Sybil—Jimmy tasked me with looking out for you."

"Sybil?" She barks a laugh.

I'm surprised she seems to understand my reference to the book Sybil from the 1970s, which chronicles the journey of a woman with multiple personalities.

"Better get used to me being around until he tells me otherwise. Clear?"

Bella gazes up at me with amusement, eyebrows lifted, and salutes me. "Yes, sir. Maybe I misjudged you a little."

Now it's my turn to scoff. "A little? Sweetheart, you don't even know me. You don't know what I'm about."

"If you're looking for boot licking, you came to the wrong house in the middle of nowhere." She rises, the top of her head a good two inches below my shoulder, and glares up at me fiercely. "I'm tired. If you're done spewing righteous indignation, let's go over the list Jim left."

She strides away without looking back. I follow her to the kitchen counter, which has color-coded pill bottles and a list of instructions in clear page protectors. I skim over the first one, which lists information on her daily medications. The other pages reference what to do in certain circumstances, such as seizures, episodes, or injuries.

"Is it okay if I snap pictures of these?" I ask, holding up the pages. "I'd like to be able to reference them as needed."

"Yes, of course." There's an implied "duh" in her tone.

I'm not sure what I've done to cause Bella to dislike me so much. In front of Jimmy, she's always been so gracious and kind. I pull my phone from my pocket and take pictures of each page, making a folder labeled JG—for Jimmy's Girl.

"Have you taken your evening meds already?" I ask politely.

She looks as if she's about to make a snarky remark but simply says, "Yes."

"Great. If there's nothing else, I'm going to go."

"Back to Denali's?"

"Does it matter?"

Bella lifts one shoulder. "Not really."

"Okay, then. Shall I pick you up in the morning, or would you prefer to come to the shop another day?"

"It's a ride to come all the way out here again. Why don't you bring me with you now?"

I nearly choke. "Um . . . what?"

"I can stay at your place. I'll pack a bag." Bella walks off and climbs the stairs. I hear creaking overhead as she walks around gathering her things.

Panic floods my veins. Bella wants to come to my place—my one bedroom, open floor plan apartment, which has little privacy.

Bella returns with a duffel slung over her shoulder. She tosses her meds and the sheet protectors into a shopping bag. "Okay, let's go."

"Let me carry those for you." I take the bags from her and bring them to the car while she locks up the house.

The ride back is awkward. I don't know what to say, and I'm still angry and weirded out about the way she's been acting since Jimmy left. My concern is unnecessary because Bella leans back in the seat and yawns, then turns her head away. I don't know if she's just pretending to sleep, but I'm thankful I don't have to worry about making conversation.

During the drive, I come to a decision. I don't feel comfortable having Bella stay at my place, so I drive to Inkspiration. "We're here," I say softly.

Bella stretches and looks around, a little pucker forming between her brows. "What are we doing here?"

"I have rooms above the shop. There's a bed, sitting area, and bathroom. You'll be more comfortable."

We go upstairs, and I show her around. Bella nods her approval. "This is great. Thank you."

The about-face in Bella's demeanor takes me by surprise yet again. Maybe she's beginning to realize she has to rely on me until Jimmy returns. I'd like to think she is coming to the conclusion that she misjudged me. Either way, I'm glad.

"You're welcome. Hey, I'm only a few blocks away. You can call any time. Let me give you my number."

"Jim gave it to me. Thanks."

Bella settles in and lays out her pills and instructions on top of the dresser. She seems pensive, but I'm not about to enter the minefield of her moods so I simply say goodnight.

It's with great relief that I go back to my place and fall into bed. This has been a fucked-up night.

oOo

In the morning, I'm feeling stressed and unrested. I haven't heard from Jimmy. Last night, he wouldn't offer any details about his trip. Jimmy is always composed and in control so when he isn't, it concerns me.

I pull on a T-shirt and sweats and go for a run. Usually, I would end up at the shop to grab a quick shower and change, but since Bella is staying there, I make a loop through Toga Park and head back to my apartment. I'm annoyed that Jimmy pushed this responsibility on me. Based on last night, I'm pretty sure Bella is going to be a handful.

After a quick shower, I get dressed and decide to head over to the shop so I have time to prepare for the busy day ahead. I enter through the back door and hear muffled voices above me.

I climb the stairs and peer down the hall. The door to the apartment is open, and Bella stands just inside with her back to me. She's wrapped in a towel, and her long hair tumbles down her back in thick, wet strands.

I call out to her. "Bella? Is everything okay?"

She looks over her shoulder. "Oh good! Maybe you can deal with this." Bella flounces into the bathroom and slams the door, leaving me a perfect view of the bed.

Leah is under the covers, sheet pulled up to her chin, face flushed. A pile of clothes is discarded on the floor.

"Leah? What the hell is going on?"

~oOo~

Did you do anything fun for New Years? We went to a retro arcade and then back to a friend's house to celebrate.

So Bella is all over the place, keeping Edward on his toes. Tell me your thoughts and theories. I love reading them! See you next week!

I post teasers and links to updates on my blog and on Facebook in the No Rules Twilight Fan Fiction and It All Started With Twilight groups.

Thanks and gratefulness as always to my awesome betas, SassySue (chayasara) and Wendy wmr1601. These ladies make my stuff much more presentable!

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