Characters belong to SM. Everything else belongs to me.
CHAPTER 4 – MISTAKES
Alice and I didn't have to wait long before we saw Edward's car speeding up the street. Being his gentlemanly self, he opened the doors for us both and loaded our bags. Tanya was riding shotgun, so Alice and I sat together in back.
"Bella!" The girl was so damn bubbly. It made me hate her even more. "Excited to go to Forks?"
"Not particularly." Alice punched me in the shoulder and shot me a look that said, "Stop being such a baby Bella." I crossed my arms in front of my chest and stared out the window.
"It sounds like Jacob, Paul, Leah, and the rest of the Quileute gang are coming…" While Alice talked animatedly about the party, I closed my eyes and let my mind wander. The whole Edward situation was really starting to bug me. I had two options – I could ignore him and pretend he didn't exist or I could continue to be his friend like nothing ever happened. The first option was virtually impossible given the fact that his sister was my roommate and the only friends I'd made in Seattle all happened to be his family members. I silently kicked myself for not trying to make other acquaintances. But the Cullens were so … nice. I felt at ease around them, comfortable being just plain old Bella.
I was so lost in my thoughts that I didn't realize we'd come to a stop. I looked out my window and felt my jaw drop. The house in front of us was amazing. It was an old farmhouse that had to date back to the 1800s. It was white with ebony colored shutters framing the windows. There was a large porch that wrapped around the entire front of the house and a three-car garage with the cool old-fashioned doors that you have to get out and swing open. It loomed three stories over what looked like a huge back yard. From where we were parked I could see a gazebo and a patio area.
"Are you coming Bella?" I looked up to see Edward holding my door open.
"C'mon Bella! I'll give you the grand tour!" Alice grabbed my hand and dragged me up the front steps.
The inside of the house was twice as decadent as the exterior. The foyer had mahogany colored wood floors that were recently polished. To the right was a sunk-in living room, complete with dark brown leather furniture and a large fireplace. To the left was the kitchen, which had a beautiful ceramic tile floor and country style cabinets. A rack of shiny copper colored pots and pans hung over a large butcher-block counter that could also dub as a table. Alice took me upstairs, showing me her father's office and her mother's painting studio. The kids' bedrooms were all on the top level of the house.
Alice's was the largest, mostly because she had a giant walk-in closet that took up half the room. I would be staying in Alice's room and I could see that there was already a day bed in place, all made up for me.
"Alice! This house is incredible!"
Alice waved my comment off like everyone lived in McMansions. "Nah it's just a house. Let's go see what everyone else is doing!" I followed Alice downstairs where her siblings had all gathered in the kitchen.
"So what's the plan tonight?" Emmett was perched on the counter with Rosalie leaning against him.
"I was thinking maybe a trip out to First Beach?" Edward's eyes darted from Tanya to me and then back to Tanya again. "We haven't been down there in a long time."
"First Beach sounds great!" Rosalie looked over at me. "Are you planning on seeing your father at all this weekend Bella?"
"I'll probably have breakfast with him on Sunday before we go back. I'd feel horrible if I didn't at least say hi while I'm here."
"Bella, you'll probably want to change. It tends to get a bit chilly out by the water like that." I hadn't even seen Jasper come in.
"I'll call Jake. Alice you should help Bella out." Edward was already dialing a number on his cell.
"Because obviously I'm not capable of dressing myself." I rolled my eyes and followed Alice back upstairs, where she began rifling through her closet.
"Alice, honestly, I have a whole suitcase full of things." As usual there was no use in protesting.
"Here Bella, just put this on. It's super cute and climate appropriate." Alice handed me a cream colored v-neck sweater. I slipped it over my head and grabbed my newly purchased denim jacket from my suitcase.
"There, all set! Let's go!" Being at the Cullen house meant I got to ride in the family vehicle of choice –
A black Cadillac Escalade. I felt ridiculous as we headed towards the beach. We were driving down a dark road that wound through the forest for several minutes before the trees broke and the ocean sprawled out in front of us. Edward parked and we all climbed out. Several hundred feet down the beach I could see a fire blazing against the onyx colored sky. Several pairs of silhouettes were huddled together on various logs surrounding the fire. There were three guys sitting down by the water as well.
" Alice!" A tall, thin girl with bronze colored skin and dark eyes ran up to Alice and gave her a hug.
The girl had long, dark hair that hung in a braid down to her waist.
"Bella Swan, I'd like you to meet Leah Clearwater." Leah shook my hand and smiled. I stood awkwardly at the edge of the group while the Cullens said hello to their friends. One of the native boys walked over and stood beside me. He was tall and buff, with short black hair that stuck out in all directions. His eyes were a bright emerald green color and I swear I knew them from somewhere. It took a minute for me to register who he was.
"Jacob?" I couldn't believe it! For as long as I could remember, my father had been involved with the tribe. I'd met Jacob when I was just a kid. He was the only person I ever really got to know in Washington. Spending time with him was pretty much the only highlight of my summer visits.
"Bella! How insane is this?" Jacob threw his arms around me and picked me up in a hug. I squealed with excitement. He set me back down on the ground, grabbing my shoulders to steady me. "I didn't realize you were friends with the Cullens."
"Well, actually, I just met them when I started at UW. Alice and I share a dorm." Jacob's eyes sparkled as I told him about life in L.A., graduation, and moving to Seattle. We hadn't seen each other since we were thirteen, and despite exchanging a few emails, we didn't really maintain contact.
I could feel Edward next to me before he said anything. "Do you two know each other?" Jacob looked at him and nodded.
"Bell and I go way back." He smiled at me and draped his arm around my shoulder. "I knew this girl when she had braces and didn't know what makeup was."
"Sometimes I still question if she knows what makeup is." Alice appeared next to Edward. "You never told us you knew Jacob, Bella. Are you friends with the rest of the tribe too?"
"No, just Jacob. His dad and my dad have known each other since before I was born. I guess I never thought to ask if the Jacob you were referring to was Jacob Black." I glanced at Jacob and smiled.
"C'mon Bella, you can meet some of my friends!" Jacob grabbed my hand and pulled me over to the fire. I took a seat next to him on a large birch log and he draped his arm over my shoulders again.
Within minutes I'd been introduced to everyone in the circle.
"You guys don't even seem like friends Jake. You remind me of a big huge family."
"These guys all feel like family to me, Bella. There's so much history in the tribe, all the generations in our families grew up together, everyone knows everyone so well." Jacob pulled me against him. I leaned my head on his shoulder and sighed. I had no idea how nice spending time with Jacob could be. Out of the corner of my eye I could see Edward staring at us. His arms were crossed over his chest and his face was frozen in a stoic expression. I couldn't help but giggle a bit.
"What's so funny?" Jacob looked at me with an amused expression.
"Long story. I'll tell you when there's not so many people around." Jacob followed my gaze and looked over at Edward. He must have caught on because he leaned down and kissed the top of my head and whispered, "I totally get it" in my ear. Jacob Black wasn't boyfriend material, but it sure as hell felt good to make Edward jealous for a change. I spent the remainder of the night playing it up with Jacob, holding his hand, snuggling up to him, and letting him kiss me on the head and cheek.
When we returned to the Cullen house late that night, Edward stopped me in the foyer.
"You and Jacob certainly seem comfortable together." His normally friendly tone was filled with disdain. I crossed my arms tightly across my chest and squared my shoulders, looking him directly in the eye.
"What does it matter to you?" All the anger I felt towards Tanya – and him - was coming out now.
"Don't I deserve to be happy too? Or is that just reserved for you and your precious girlfriend." I drew out the last word in a snotty, high school bratty girl sort of way.
"Of course you deserve to be happy Bella! I've never wanted anything less for you." His gaze intensified. I had to look away to maintain my composure.
"You're just jealous Cullen. And probably bitter because you know you'll never get a chance with me!" I spun around and stomped up the stairs into Alice's room. I flopped down on her bed and groaned.
How was I ever going to make it through this party tomorrow? Large amounts of alcohol, a small voice in my head told me. I closed my eyes and allowed myself to drift off in to a restless sleep.
I spent the next day helping Alice get ready for the party and enjoying my time with the Cullens.
Edward and Tanya disappeared before I was up, leaving me feeling both relieved and insanely jealous.
I'd contemplated apologizing to Edward for my outburst last night, but changed my mind, telling myself it was good for him to squirm a bit.
"Bella!" Alice belted at me from upstairs. "I have a surprise for you!" I ran up to Alice's bedroom and found her standing in the doorway with a large pink Betsey Johnson bag in her hand.
"Alice, what is this?" I opened the bag and pulled out all the pink tissue. Inside I found a red and brown plaid party dress. It was short, strapless, and cute as hell.
"I know you packed stuff but I couldn't resist! I thought of you right when I saw it."
I hugged Alice and held up the dress. "Thank you. I love it, it's really cute!" I ran in to Alice's bathroom and slipped the dress on. I spun around in front of the mirror, loving what I saw, before skipping back out to her.
"You look amazing! Now let's get ready!" Alice changed in a flash and got to work on my hair and makeup immediately. When she was finished, my hair was blown out in big wavy curls, framing my face and draping down over my chest. My eyes were lined with thick black liner and brushed lightly with metallic brown and gold shadow. I let out a whistle when I looked at myself in the mirror.
"We're some sexy bitches if you ask me." Alice stood next to me, doing a mock red carpet pose. "Now c'mon, we've got a party to attend!" She grabbed my hand and pulled me down the stairs after her.
The first of the guests were already arriving when we entered the kitchen. Edward and Tanya were still nowhere to be found. Alice handed me a vodka cranberry and I gulped half of it down in one sip.
"Easy there Bell. We've got hours left to party." I smiled as I felt Jacob's arm slip around my waist. He leaned down and kissed the top of my head before asking Alice where the keg was.
"You have no idea how happy I am to see you." I gave Jake a small hug. He bent his head down next to mine.
"Where's your favorite Cullen tonight?" he whispered. His warm breath tickled my neck and I felt myself shiver involuntarily.
"No clue. I haven't seen him since last night." I polished off my drink, heading to the table to make another one.
"Did you learn how to drink in Seattle?" Jacob teased. I rolled my eyes and punched his arm playfully.
"Mike Newton taught me how to drink on the beach last summer."
"Who's Mike Newton?"
"Nevermind." I took another gulp of my new drink to avoid making any more ridiculous comments. I didn't feel nervous when I was with Jake, mostly because I had no romantic feelings for him. Sure, he was cute and all, but really it was just nice to have someone pay attention to me. And making Edward jealous isn't such a bad thing either, I thought to myself.
An hour – and three more drinks – later, Edward and Tanya made their fashionably late entrance. Jacob and I were huddled together on the Cullen's loveseat, sharing stories from high school and getting our drink on. Edward nodded at us before allowing Tanya to lead him across the room.
I couldn't help but stare at him. Edward looked good tonight in his form fitting jeans and black sweater. The collar of a white and blue plaid dress shirt stuck crookedly out the top of sweater, drawing my attention to the muscles in his neck and the perfect curvature of his jaw…
"Bella!" Jacob pinched my arm and laughed. "You're going to drool all over your dress and ruin it." I laughed and stood up to get another drink. The alcohol hit me and I teetered a few times before sitting back down.
"Want me to get you another one?" Jacob stood up. I nodded and smiled up at him, batting my eyes for added effect.
"Lush." Jacob shook his head and disappeared in the kitchen for a moment before returning with full drinks for both of us.
"Do you like to dance, Jacob?" I slurred.
"Do I like to dance?" Jacob grabbed my drink and set it on the table next to him. "I am the king of dance, baby." He pulled me off the sofa and twirled me in to the middle of the room. Nobody else was dancing but Jacob and I didn't care. I wrapped my arms around his waist and let him spin me around in circles. After a few minutes I started to feel dizzy, but I was having too much fun to stop.
I looked up at Jacob and smiled. He really was cute. No, make that sexy, especially with his flannel shirt unbuttoned just enough to expose the top of his muscular chest. I ran my finger from his chin to his chest and then burst out laughing. He just shook his head and kissed my bare shoulder.
I glanced over to where Edward and Tanya were sitting. Tanya was on Edward's lap, making out with him like there would be no tomorrow. Her hands were entwined in his hair while his hands were glued to her ass. Two can play this game, asshole. I grabbed Jacob's face with my hands and pulled him towards me. I ran my tongue across his lips before thrusting it in to his mouth and mashing our lips together. He tensed in surprise but immediately melted in to the kiss. His lips were hot and wet against mine and I knew that between the jealousy and the alcohol, I couldn't stop there.
"Let's go to your place?" Jake nodded. He took my hand and led me towards the door, grabbing his coat on the way. I looked over my shoulder in time to see Edward's angry expression. I blew him a kiss before following Jacob out the door and in to the night.
We barely got in the house before our clothes started coming off. I clumsily unfastened Jake's belt, unzipping his pants and pushing both them and his boxers to the floor. Jake unzipped my dress, pulling it over my head and throwing it on the staircase. He picked me up, his lips never leaving mine, and carried me up to his bedroom. I pulled my flimsy black thong off while he shed his shirt. I pushed him down on the bed and straddled him, feeling his hardness burning against my thigh.
Jacob lifted my shirt off and removed my bra effortlessly. His skin felt hot against mine and I couldn't stop kissing him. The alcohol I'd been drinking all night was finally catching up with me. He rolled us over so he was on top and began sprinkling kisses across my breasts and stomach.
"Do you have protection?" Even alcohol didn't take away my common sense. He pulled open the drawer to his nightstand and grabbed a condom. A moment later he kneed my thighs part and positioned himself above me.
"Are we making a mistake Jacob?" I don't know why I was asking. It was clear that neither of us wanted to stop. He cupped my face in his hands and looked in my eyes. He shook his head before kissing me and slowly moving himself inside me.
The sex was great: wild and rough, much like it had been with Mike. Each time I was on the verge of an orgasm, Jacob would switch positions or slow his strokes, leaving me aching for more. The build up was ridiculous, and when we finished, my body buckled against his and a loud moan escaped my lips.
Jake kissed my cheek before flopping back on to the pillow next to me.
"That was amazing." He whispered in to the dark room.
"Mmmhmm." I agreed.
"Bella…" Jake propped himself up on his elbow and faced me. "Can I ask you something that might make me sound like a huge asshole?"
"As long as you don't mind if I think you're a huge asshole after." I teased.
"You're not looking for this to blossom in to a relationship or something like that, are you?" I pretended to be hurt for a moment before bursting out laughing.
"Not at all Jake! Honestly, I didn't even come to the party tonight expecting this." Jacob heaved a huge sigh of relief.
"Thank goodness. I'm pretty sure I'm too much man for you to handle Bell." I smacked his chest playfully and shook my head. He got up and disappeared in the bathroom for several minutes before crawling back in bed. He pulled the covers up over us and slung his arm around my torso.
"Don't tell me you're a cuddler." I groaned. Jacob's body shook with laughter.
"No way! Just trying to get comfortable." I smiled and curled up on my side. I was spent, I was drunk … And no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't stop the image of Edward's face from staring back at me every time I closed my eyes.
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