Heartbreak Boy

Chapter-7: Disguised Intentions

A/N: I'm issuing a mild violence warning for this chapter. Although there aren't any real violence in here; as a reader, I feel like I prefer to be warned beforehand. So approach with caution ... and enjoy!

Oh and this story wouldn't have been possible without my wifey, Shae Maen's support. Love you, babes.

Chapter-7: Disguised Intentions

Edward stops talking to me after that day.

He doesn't come to Rose and Emmett's anniversary dinner.

I hear through the grapevine—that happens to be Alice—that he's broken up with Victoria. I wait for the mandatory phone call from him bemoaning the demise of his relationship, but the call never comes.

Of course time doesn't stand still. Before we know it, Summer rolls into Fall, and the slight chill in the air gives James an excuse to wrap his arms around me whenever we're together. I try to be receptive of his attentions, but in the four months we've been together, we're yet to take our relationship to the next level. It's not like James doesn't seem frustrated when I stop his kisses from getting too intense, but he's a gentleman and never pushes me. And that's why I feel even worse every time I stop us from going there.

But no matter what, I just can't seem to get the look in Edward's eyes the last time I saw him out of my head, and I end up keeping James at arm's length.

"You know you could probably fake it, right?" Alice's question catches me off guard and for a horrifying moment, I fear that I've spoken out loud and she's suggesting I fake having sex with my boyfriend. Thankfully though, she keeps talking without letting me divulge the thoughts running through my mind. "I mean it's nothing major, but it is our engagement party," she hedges. "And you could fake being excited for being chosen as the maid of honor instead of frowning like you're trying not to throw up."

My frown deepens at her mild chastisement before I quickly school my features and offer her an apologetic smile. "I'm sorry, Alice. It's just that it's been three months since ..."

I don't even have to finish my words before she rolls her eyes heavenward. "Of course! It's been three months since you last saw my brother. Are you afraid it'll be awkward?"

Chewing on my lip, I nod. "It's bound to be. Besides, James is here, and you know how he reacted to him that day."

She takes my hand and squeezes it tight. "It'll be alright, Bella," she consoles me. "He won't create a scene ... not with our parents here. Besides, I think he misses you."

I feel my eyebrows pull together at her sudden admission. "Did he tell you that?" I hate the note of hopefulness in my voice.

She pulls a face. "Not in so many words, but when we all had brunch to announce that Jas has popped the question, his eyes kept going to the empty spot right next to me. Like he was looking for you."

"Or he was missing Victoria," I grumble.

"Or he was missing his best friend." The sound of his voice so close to my ear makes me gasp and twirl around to face him. There he stands, with his perpetually air-ruffled hair looking messier than usual and his signature half-grin on his lips, his eyes staring right at me.

"Edward!" The sound of his name falling from my lips come like a hushed prayer of desperation.

He takes a step back so I don't have to crane my neck too far back to look at him. "Hey, Bell."

Before I know what I'm doing, I'm closing the gap between us and wrapping my arms around his neck, pulling him into a fierce hug.

"You ..." I start, but just then my phone starts ringing, and he pulls back from my hug to allow me a chance to check my phone. As I extract the phone from my purse, we both look down at the display that reads James, and immediately, Edward takes a few steps away from me, leaving me feeling cold all of a sudden.