16

Bella was feeling anxious. She'd tried to call Esme a few times more times between classes, and even sneaking off to the restroom during biology. But each time, she only got her voicemail. And while normally, she wasn't one of those women who thought the worst, given what had happened over the weekend, she couldn't help but imagine the worst of the worst.

Esme laying on the floor of her bedroom after her father had escaped from the local jail and beat her to death for taking Bella away from Jacob Black. Or, her being killed by her father for daring to love her. Or, the worst, was Esme deciding Bella wasn't worth going through all of this and she left. Just up and left her. The thought of not having Esme anymore had her eyes filling with tears and her heart racing. Esme was the love of her life, her only reason for living. As cliché and dramatic as it sounded, she couldn't live without her ever again.

By the time school was over, Bella's head was throbbing and she still had to endure after school practice. The last place she wanted to be was on the field with a bunch of assholes, who had done nothing all day but whisper about her psychotic father. So, she busied herself with side work that kept her away from everyone. Practice had just started and she was sorting through the laundry when the door opened and she looked over to find Jessica standing there. She'd been snickering under her breath all day, smirking and giggling like the immature little bitch she was. It had taken all of Bella's very limited control not to beat the shit out the girl.

"Aren't you supposed filling the water bottles?"

"I am." Jessica let the door close behind her. "I just thought you and I should have a little talk. You know, woman to woman."

"Well, seeing as there is only one woman here, I guess we don't have anything to talk about."

Jessica glared at her. "You're a bitch."

Bella grinned as she folded a towel. "I know."

She walked over and ripped the towel out of Bella's hand and threw it on the floor, causing her to groan.

"I am really not in the mood to kick your ass, Stanley."

"Then, I suggest you listen up, buttercup. Edward is mine. He is mine, Bella, and you and your crazy ass father need to leave him alone."

Bella just stared at her for a moment. "Are you really that delusional, Jess? How many times have you asked him out?"

She fidgeted uncomfortable. "I don't know. Not like I keep track or anything."

"Well, it's a lot. We've all been forced to witness you almost beg that boy to go on a date with you, yet every single time he has told you no. What makes you think he will ever, ever want a little whiny ass bitch like you?"

Jessica frowned. "Well, at least I'm not a tease."

"I'm not either," she said, winking at her. "Trust me, Edward has no complaints with I give him, honey. He loves every bit of it."

Jessica gagged. "He's better than you."

"Maybe," she admitted. "But he's my boyfriend, Jessica. Mine, so get over it."

"We'll just see about that."

Jessica grabbed the laundry basket with the towels she'd just folded and threw it on the floor before she turned and walked out of the room, closing the door with a loud bang. Bella knelt next to the basket, her fists curling into tight balls before she started picking the towels off the floor.

Groaning, Bella knelt on the floor and started gathering the towels when the door opened again. This time. Alice was the one standing there.

"Need some help?"

"Nope."

But Alice didn't leave. She stepped inside the room and let the door close behind her. "I saw Jessica storm out here. She looked . . . oddly proud of herself. Guess she's the one who did that?" she asked, gesturing to the towels on the floor.

"Yep." Bella shook her head. "She informed me that Edward is hers and I should leave her man alone."

"Man, that girl is crazy as shit." Alice walked over and started helping her fold towels. "You dad the one who put those bruises on you?"

Bella shifted her eyes up. "Yes."

"Bella," she whispered.

"I don't really want to talk about it."

"He was really mad when he broke up the party," Alice said, ignoring her. "Like, really mad. I'd never seen Chief Swan that mad. Not even when James and Mike crashed their car into his cruiser freshman year."

Bella nodded.

Alice handed her the last of the towels. "Did he really do that because you're going out with Edward?"

She sighed.

"Sorry. It's none of my business, I guess."

"No, it's not," Bella admitted, shifting so that she was sitting with her knees bent in front of her and leaned against the front of the dryer, feeling the soft vibrations. "Yes, he put his hands on me because I'm dating Edward. He doesn't think he's good enough for me, or whatever."

"He's the quarterback of the football team! And next to you, he's probably the smartest person in school. And, you know, even though I am so in love with Jasper, Edward is seriously hot, Bella."

"He sure is," she said, trying not to gag. It wasn't that she didn't think Edward was cute. He was very good looking, and if she wasn't gay, she'd probably have a massive crush on him. She just didn't look at him like that. He was her friend—her only real friend these days. "My dad . . . I don't know, Alice."

"Yeah." Alice stood up. "I should probably get back to practice, but . . . I know you and I don't really hang out outside of school, Bella, but if you need anything. A place to stay, or anything, I'm here."

"Thank you, Alice, I appreciate it, but I'm staying with a friend."

"Oh, okay. That's good." She turned and walked over to the door, but stopped and looked back at her. "Do you like him, Bella? Edward, I mean. Do you really like him?"

"He's important to me."

Alice smiled. "You're important to him, too. I can tell by the way he looks at you. I've never seen him look at a girl before you."

Bella bit the inside of her lip to keep from stating the obvious. So, instead, she smiled and pretended to blush, to be flattered that Edward Masen was looking at her. The only person she wanted looking at her was Esme.

Alice left, letting the door close behind her. Bella had just put the last towel back inside when her phone vibrated in her back pocket, and relief filled her when she pulled it out and saw Esme's name flashing across the screen. She slammed her finger on the accept option and brought it to her ear.

"Where the hell have you been? I've been scared to death!"

"I was asleep," she said, slowly. "I forgot to charge my phone when I got home this morning and it died. Took a few minutes to get enough charge to call you. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to worry you."

She frowned, hearing the sorrow in her lover's voice. "No, I'm sorry. I thought . . . I don't know what I thought. I just . . . I really needed to hear your voice," Bella whimpered, shifting so that she was leaning against the front of the industrial washing machine.

"Oh, sweetheart, I'm sorry. I was tired, and, well, since I'm off tonight, I figured I should get some sleep before you get home."

"Yeah," she whispered.

"Talk to me, sweetheart. What's going on?"

"I don't know," she said, bending her knees in front of her. "They're staring at us, whispering. Jessica Stanley just told me to stay away from her man."

"That bitch is certifiably crazy. Edward wouldn't want anything to do with that hussy even if he wasn't gay."

Bella laughed. "No shit. It's not just her, it's everyone. Alice Brandon just came in here trying to get information about what happened, acting like she's my best friend or whatever. I mean, every time I tried to get her or Rosalie to hang out outside of school, they were too busy with their boyfriends. I just hate this fucking town, and everyone in it."

"We're not all bad."

"You're the only exception."

"I know it's hard right now, sweetheart, but if you and I are to have a chance — a real chance at a life together, we just have to be strong for little while longer. I mean, you still want forever with me, don't you?"

"Only you," she murmured, but before she could say anything else, the door opened and she saw Sam standing in the doorway. "I'd better go. I'll call you when we're done."

"Yeah, okay. I love you."

"Me too." Bella ended the call and stood up. "What are you doing here, Sam?"

"Coach Cullen told me you were in here." He closed the door behind him. "Are you okay?"

"No." Bella shoved her phone back into her pocket. "Did they release him?"

"No."

"No?"

Sam shook his head. "Judge held him without bail, and has ordered him to go under a psychological evaluation next week."

"So they think there is something wrong with him, too?"

"I don't know, Bella. D.A. pushed for remand, citing his suspension from the force last month and then his attack on Elizabeth Masen as escalating behavior. And he's not wrong. Your father —"

"Don't call him that. He's not my father anymore, Sam."

Frowning, he simply nodded. "Charlie's attorney is the one who pushed for the evaluation to be done."

"Who is his attorney?"

"Young fella from Seattle named Riley Biers. Seems . . . eager. Pretty sure this is his first case, and, well, your . . . Charlie is fighting to clear his name."

"What's he told you?"

"Me? Nothing, but some of the other guys, well, he's been talking a lot to Paul Lahote and Embry Call about some prophecy regarding Quileute Tribal history and how you're supposed to be the salvation of our people? I don't know, Bella, sounds like a lot of bullshit to me."

"Be honest with me, Sam. Do you believe there is something wrong with him?"

"I don't know, Bella. I just . . . The man who mentored me when I joined the force is not the same man who went after Elizabeth Masen Saturday night. And he certainly isn't the man who would put his hands on his daughter, either."

"But he did."

Sam frowned and nodded. "D.A. is going to want to talk to you, Bella. Probably tomorrow afternoon."

"He can't come here, Sam. It's bad enough the way people are staring at me and Edward as it is. I can't have the district attorney coming to school to talk to me."

"Okay, okay, calm down. I'll call him and let him know you'll meet him at his office tomorrow after school. That work?"

Bella nodded.

"I'd better get going. You staying at the house?"

She shook her head. "Staying with a friend."

"Would this friend be a female?"

Bella smiled. "Maybe."

"Does she make you happy?"

"She does. How'd you know that I'm, you know, gay?"

"Oh, please," he scoffed. "Last year, when you and Charlie came to the house for Thanksgiving, I saw the way you checked out Emily's ass, Bella. I don't blame you, either. She has a fantastic ass, but it just confirmed what I had always suspected."

"Does anyone else know?"

"Not that I know of, except Emily. She was flattered, by the way."

Bella laughed. "I couldn't help myself. She's hot."

"Oh, I know." Sam wrapped his fingers around the doorknob. "If you need anything, just call, okay?"

"Thanks."

Sam nodded before he left, and Bella turned her attention back to the laundry and tried to forget that her father had put his hands on her. Tried, but failed to forget.

—S&S—

"You about ready to head out?"

Bella looked over, finding Edward leaning against the side of the field house. "Just gotta finish putting the pads up. Jessica was supposed to, but Mike Newton wanted his dick sucked, so . . ."

Edward dropped his backpack next to the building before hurrying over and picking up two of the six pads leaning against the building.

"You don't have to help. It's my job."

"Bullshit. It was Jessica's job, and she flaked out on you, so just let me help. That way we can get out of here. Peter," he hissed, "is supposed to be at the house soon, so . . ."

The look he gave her had her tensing, so she nodded and together, they managed to get the last six pads placed in the closet. Once she'd locked all the doors, they headed out to the parking lot. Only his car, Carlisle's truck, and Coach Clapp's car were left in the parking lot.

Bella climbed into the passenger seat and waited until Edward was behind the wheel before she said, "So, Sam stopped by."

"I saw. What'd he say?"

"Said the judge refused bail and ordered a psychological evaluation. I have to go speak to the DA tomorrow after school."

Edward inhaled a deep breath. "I'll go with you."

"You have practice."

"I'll skip. It's a bye week, so no game. Carlisle will understand."

"I'm sure he would, but . . ." Bella shifted in her seat so she faced him. "Maybe it would be better if I just left town now."

"You can't just quit school and leave, Swan!"

"Why not? I can get my GED."

"Well, what about Esme?"

"I'll ask her to come with me," she mumbled. "I feel like there are a million eyes on us all the time, Masen. All the time, and I just . . . I want them to stop looking at me."

Edward nodded. "Then let's get married."

"What? You cannot be serious!"

Edward grinned. "Of course I'm not serious. I like you, Swan, but not enough to get hitched. Just wanted to see you smile a little. Look, I know how annoying it is, too. They've been staring and whispering about me, too. And I hate it, I do. But I'm not willing to give him up without a fight."

Bella smiled and rolled her eyes. "I'm not giving her up, either, Masen. I'm not. I'm just . . . I guess I'm just tired."

"Then, let's get you home. To her."

Ten minutes later, Edward parked in the driveway of Carlisle and Esme's house. She hurried inside, finding her lover sitting on the sofa. Hurrying over, she all but fell into her arms and let all the tears she'd been holding back all day finally fall.

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