Can't Stand To See You Cry (Jacob)

Chapter 6

Chapter 6

It was a long ride back to Bella and Edward's cottage. Renesmee hadn't said a word yet. Hell, she wouldn't even look at Jacob. She stared absently out the window and watched the lush forest of Washington state pass her by.

When they were nearly home, she finally spoke.

"You should have told me."

Renesmee's words twisted like a knife deep in his gut. He had no good excuse. Yes, her parents had demanded he keep it a secret until she was older, but he had agreed it was the best thing to do. Maybe it was because he was a coward. As long as she didn't know, maybe he could still have a chance.

But that chance was long gone.

When they arrived at her home, she barely let the Rabbit come to a stop before flinging the door open and hurling herself to the front door. Edward was in Jacob's face before he had fully exited the car. "You told her!?" he demanded. Oh, how Jacob loved the fact that Edward could read minds.

"It was Leah?" Edward gasped, reading Jacob's next thought almost before he could think it. "How could she?"

Jacob shook his head, face tense, body tense, brain fried. "I don't know, man. She was mad. Like furious with Nessie because she was..." Jacob's voice trailed off as he remembered the way she had draped her arm over Seth's shoulder as she talked. And he hated the way they looked together, like they belonged together. Jacob didn't even have time to mourn the relationship he'd never have with her because Edward was back to grilling him for more information.

"Seth? I don't understand. I thought she was with you...at your house," Edward quickly corrected when Jacob made a face.

"It's a long story," Jacob sighed as they both made their way up to the cottage door.

...........

As if this whole conversation couldn't get any more difficult, Jacob entered the house to find Renesmee crying on the couch, flanked by her aunts, Alice and Rosalie. Bella was sitting on the edge of the coffee table in front of Ness. Bella shot Jacob a concerned look when he approached them.

"You should have stopped her, Jake."

Jacob nodded slowly. He didn't need the Cullens to berate him. He felt horrible for the way she found out. She was hurt and he was indirectly responsible. There was nothing anyone could say to him that could make him feel worse than he did right now. Especially when Nessie wouldn't even look at him.

Renesmee finally raised her head to glare at Jacob, who standing behind Bella, arms crossed over his chest. "Jacob should have told me. You're such a coward," she accused. "I'm not a baby anymore! I could have handled the truth!"

Bella quickly interjected, "It wasn't his fault. Your father and I didn't want you to know until we thought you were ready. Obviously we should have had this conversation a while ago," Bella paused and then added, "Jacob would never hurt you on purpose. He's always loved you."

Jacob was touched that Bella would defend him this way and say such nice things about him. But the look on Renesmee's face made it clear that she didn't forgive him and wouldn't be any time soon.

"Oh yeah," Renesmee scoffed as she swiped the stray tears from her face, "Jacob loves me? Because of something that is totally out of his control. And what? I just have to go along with it because I have no choice?"

"You do have a choice," Jacob replied softly. "I wasn't lying before when I said I would be anything you need. If you only want me as a friend, then that's what I will be."

"And what if i don't want you in my life at all?" she asked coldly, standing up to face him.

Bella's eyes got huge as she watched Renesmee stand and cross the room to face Jacob. "Honey," she reasoned. "You don't mean that..."