Twelve

Bella felt her cheeks turn bright red as Carlisle looked from Jasper to her, raising an eyebrow. She sucked her lip between her teeth before she mumbled, "You're going to be late."

"Aren't you going to introduce me to your friend?"

"He's not my friend," she said while Jasper stuck his hand out, saying, "I'm Jasper Whitlock, sir."

Carlisle ignored his hand and looked at Bella. "Did you know he was coming over?"

She shook her head.

"Hmm." Carlisle turned to Jasper. "Do you make it a habit of turning up at girls' houses like this, Jasper, was it?"

"Yes, sir. I mean, no, sir." He shifted his eyes past Carlisle to Bella. "I just wanted to say hello to her. That's all."

Her uncle nodded. "Well, you've done that, so . . ."

"Right, okay," Jasper mumbled. He glanced at her before laying the flowers on the porch. "I'll guess I'll see you around, Bella."

"Yeah, sure," she whispered.

Carlisle waited until Jasper was down the steps before closing the door and turning to her. "Something you want to tell me about?"

She shook her head.

"Birdie?"

"I didn't know he was coming over. I swear, I didn't."

"I believe you." Carlisle gripped the back of his neck. "When did you meet him?"

"A few weeks ago. I was . . . I was on the beach, and his dog kind of knocked me down."

He nodded. "You need to stay away from him, Birdie."

"Why?"

Carlisle sighed.

"Why? Do you know him?"

"I've seen him around. He and his friends. See them around the shop, down on the boardwalk, drinking, smoking pot. Heard rumors that they've broken into a couple of places, too."

"Are you serious?"

He nodded. "Not my shop, but a couple of the others."

Bella frowned. "How do you know it was him and his friends?"

"I don't," he admitted. "Just the rumor."

"So . . . so maybe it wasn't him."

"I mean, maybe. Just . . . I should stay."

"No, no, you . . . Go, Carlisle. I'll be fine."

"And you won't leave the house, right?"

Bella nodded. "I promise."

"Okay. If you need me, just call."

"I will."

Bella watched her uncle open the door again. He glanced back at her before he picked up the flowers and left.

—TBHC—

The following day, she was out of bed before Carlisle stirred. She'd heard him arrive back just before midnight. True to her word, Bella did not leave the house. Instead, she stayed in her room, read, listened to music, and texted with Edward. She didn't tell him about Jasper's visit, though. He wouldn't like it.

Since Carlisle was still in bed, Bella started a pot of coffee, and, once it was ready, she poured herself some, then headed to the beach. The air was cool, the waves rolling onto the shore. Keeping her cup close to her chest, she wrapped her other arm around her torso and closed her eyes.

"Hey."

Startled, Bella looked behind her, finding Jasper and Buster. "What are you doing here?"

He shrugged. "Came to see you again."

"Why?"

"Why not?"

"Because . . . I don't know."

Jasper smiled. "He told you not to hang out with me, didn't he? Masen, I mean."

Bella nodded.

"Not surprised," Jasper scoffed.

"He said you're dangerous."

He inhaled a sharp breath. "Again, I'm not surprised."

"Is he right?"

"Not anymore."

"What do you mean?"

Jasper tightened his hold on Buster's leash. "I've made mistakes, Bella. A lot of them."

"Like what?"

"I'm sure Masen already told you."

"Why don't you tell me?"

"I . . ." Jasper shook his head. "I lost someone because . . . the choices I made caused me to become mean and angry."

"You mean Alice?"

"Masen really did tell you everything, didn't he?"

Bella nodded.

"Yes, I mean Alice. She . . ." He shook his head. "Have you met her yet?"

"No."

"She's amazing. Beautiful and smart, loyal to a fault. And I hurt her because I got drunk and high and let my imagination get the best of me."

"He said you cheated on her."

"I did," he admitted.

"Did you love Alice?"

"Yes."

"Do you still love her?"

"Yes."

"Then why were you bringing me flowers last night?"

Jasper smiled. "Felt like the gentlemanly thing to do when calling on a girl."

"Why were you calling on me?"

"Because you seem nice. I mean, you did get Buster to apologize for running you over," he laughed, gesturing to the dog seated next to him.

Bella rolled her eyes. "Least he could do, all things considered."

Jasper snickered.

"My uncle says you and your friends are responsible for several break-ins along the boardwalk."

His eyes widened. "What?"

"Is it true?"

"Of course not!"

"No?"

"My friends and I may be assholes, Bella, but we aren't criminals."

Bella bit the inside of her lip and nodded.

"You don't believe me."

"Don't really know you well enough to think otherwise, do I?"

"Fair enough. You could go out with me today. Get to know the real me."

"I don't think that's a good idea."

"And why not?"

"Because of Edward."

"You're what? His girlfriend?"

"I . . . I just can't," she mumbled.

"Bella," he started, but when she turned and walked away, he said, "I'm not the bad guy!"

But whether Jasper Whitlock was a good guy or not, she wasn't about to go anywhere with him.

Thank you for all the AMAZING reviews! Huge thanks to Sunflower Fran for being an amazing beta!