Breaking Dawn - Stephenie Meyer [138]
Youll see exactly how I can say that, Edward muttered. I promised him that I would let him explain, but I doubt youll see it much differently than I do. Of course, Im often wrong about your thoughts, arent I? He pursed his lips and eyed me.
Explain what?
Edward shook his head. I promised. Though I dont know if I really owe him anything at all anymore His teeth ground together.
Edward, I dont understand. Frustration and indignation took over my head.
He stroked my cheek and then smiled gently when my face smoothed out in response, desire momentarily overruling annoyance. Its harder than you make it look, I know. I remember.
I dont like feeling confused.
I know. And so lets get you home, so that you can see it all for yourself. His eyes ran over the remains of my dress as he spoke of going home, and he frowned. Hmm. After a half second of thought, he unbuttoned his white shirt and held it out for me to put my arms through.
That bad?
He grinned.
I slipped my arms into his sleeves and then buttoned it swiftly over my ragged bodice. Of course, that left him without a shirt, and it was impossible not to find that distracting.
Ill race you, I said, and then cautioned, no throwing the game this time!
He dropped my hand and grinned. On your mark
Finding my way to my new home was simpler than walking down Charlies street to my old one. Our scent left a clear and easy trail to follow, even running as fast as I could.
Edward had me beat till we hit the river. I took a chance and made my leap early, trying to use my extra strength to win.
Ha! I exulted when I heard my feet touch the grass first.
Listening for his landing, I heard something I did not expect. Something loud and much too close. A thudding heart.
Edward was beside me in the same second, his hands clamped down hard on the tops of my arms.
Dont breathe, he cautioned me urgently.
I tried not to panic as I froze mid-breath. My eyes were the only things that moved, wheeling instinctively to find the source of the sound.
Jacob stood at the line where the forest touched the Cullens lawn, his arms folded across his body, his jaw clenched tight. Invisible in the woods behind him, I heard now two larger hearts, and the faint crush of bracken under huge, pacing paws.
Carefully, Jacob, Edward said. A snarl from the forest echoed the concern in his voice. Maybe this isnt the best way-
You think it would be better to let her near the baby first? Jacob interrupted. Its safer to see how Bella does with me. I heal fast.
This was a test? To see if I could not kill Jacob before I tried to not kill Renesmee? I felt sick in the strangest way-it had nothing to do with my stomach, only my mind. Was this Edwards idea?
I glanced at his face anxiously; Edward seemed to deliberate for a moment, and then his expression twisted from concern into something else. He shrugged, and there was an undercurrent of hostility in his voice when he said, Its your neck, I guess.
The growl from the forest was furious this time; Leah, I had no doubt.
What was with Edward? After all that wed been through, shouldnt he have been able to feel some kindness for my best friend? Id thought-maybe foolishly-that Edward was sort of Jacobs friend now, too. I must have misread them.
But what was Jacob doing? Why would he offer himself as a test to protect Renesmee?
It didnt make any sense to me. Even if our friendship had survived
And as my eyes met Jacobs now, I thought that maybe it had. He still looked like my best friend. But he wasnt the one who had changed. What did I look like to him?
Then he smiled his familiar smile, the smile of a kindred spirit, and I was sure our friendship was intact. It was just like before, when we were hanging out in his homemade garage, just two friends killing time. Easy and normal. Again, I noticed that the strange need Id felt for him