Chapter 4

“He’s such an idiot for leaving,” Jake growls.

“What do you mean he went willingly?” my heart’s beating three times as fast as usual.

Watching my face he says, “One of the female vampires came up to him, said he had to go with them. He said he’d rather not. He needs to stay here. Then they started speaking really fast. I didn’t understand most of it, but from the sound of it, he didn’t really want to go. But no one forced him to.”

No one forced him to. But he didn’t want to go. What was so important that he needed to go to the fight?

“He was trying to help Sam. Leah had gotten into some trouble, trying to take two at a time by herself. Edward saw it, and came. Then those other bloodsuckers came,” he continues.

“Sam would have died if Edward hadn’t come,” he admits.

Why did Edward go with them? He wouldn’t if he didn’t want to. He’s as stubborn as I am.

My heart threatens to burst in my chest. Jacob’s here. He’s always here. Edward’s not here. Sometimes he’s here, sometimes he’s not. Jacob, Edward. Edward, Jacob. I love them both. What am I going to do?

“Jake, I’m so confused,” I crash into his shoulder.

He wraps his arms around me, pats my hair.

Whispers, “It’s ok Bella, honey.”

We go sit on the couch together, and fall asleep.

I’m awake. Ugh. I don’t open my eyes. Dreamless sleep is bliss. Nothing to worry about. Now I’m awake, and I have to face my life. I force my eyes to open.

Jake’s snoring next to me. Everybody’s gone. Billy must be in his room sleeping, Sam in Jake’s room. I have to choose. No, I have to see Edward. Why did he do that? Why did he leave me? I get up, walk over to the phone, and call Alice.

“Hey Bella. How are you doing?” her voice answers on the first ring.

“Not so good. Have you heard from Edward?” keeping it casual.

“No, I’m sorry Bella. But I’ve seen him. He’s-he’s with Tanya,” she says.

“You mean he’s with Tanya?”

“Not really. Tanya’s keeping him there, says she needs him there to help them with Victoria. We didn’t get her yesterday. Seems she went near their place.”