A F T E R D A R K | PAUL LAHOTE - 1

28

I opened the door, "Bye Paul."

I shut the door but before he drove away he called me back through the open windows, "I love you."

I forced a smile, "I love you."

He spun the truck around in the parking lot before pulling out and turning back on to the street. I watched him leave until a hand landed on my shoulder and I jumped in shock. Immediately the hand was lifted and I turned to see Charlie stood with his hands in surrender, "Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you."

I exhaled deeply and closed my eyes, feeling the beat of my heart echo behind my ear, "It's fine. I've been a bit jumpy lately."

Out of the corner of my eye I could see Bella glancing wearily at me. This whole Victoria situation was really getting to me, even the smallest of movements freaked me out.

Charlie sighed, "C'mon, I don't know about you girls but I'm starving."

I cracked a smile as he walked towards his car and Bella fell in line with me, "Are you sure you're okay?"

I shrugged my shoulders. I was scared but that's being going on for three months now, "I'll be fine." I said as we followed my dad to the car.

* * *

Waiting for our food to arrive wasn't as awkward as it once was when we first moved back to Forks over a year ago. Bella and Charlie had a good relationship now, they had things to talk about instead of sitting in silence.

That being said when Charlie cleared his throat I looked over at him, "Did you know Dr. and Mrs. Cullen got Bella an airline ticket for her birthday?"

I furrowed my brows and looked to my sister shocked, "They did?"

"Yeah." She said bashfully, "A trip to see mom in Florida."

"Wow." I mumbled under my breath, "I'm not jealous at all."

Charlie nodded, "There's another ticket, Edwards going with her."

I pursed my lips and nodded and out the corner of my eye I saw Bella sink into her chair, cringing. I reached out and pulled my Pepsi towards me, pushing the ice about with the straw, "Of course he is."

"I didn't think you'd want to come." Bella tried to reason, "With the flight and your back but Edward really would prefer you to go over him."

"How nice of him." I grumbled sarcastically.

"It's not like that." Bella said and I rolled my eyes.

"Yeah, of course it isn't."

Next to me Charlie sighed and dropped his head into his hands.

"Soph, he told me if you wanted to go you could, he really isn't bothered."

"Oh no, god forbid I ruin your plans to go away with Edward." I told her leaning forwards, "The two of you go and have a lovely time."

Bella rolled her eyes and sat back in her seat, staring out of the window next to us with her arms crossed.

That's how it had been for a while and when we argued it was mainly over her and Edward. I had grown to ignore the two of them and keep my thoughts to myself — except the rare occasion Edward could read my mind — but it was times like these were I got really pissed off.

"Y'know, I was hoping we could get through at least one dinner without the two of you arguing." Charlie sighed.

I pressed my lips into a thin line, "I'm sorry." Apologising was like a second nature to me now, especially to Charlie. He was trying to be the peacekeeper but I think he'd had enough now. I exhaled heavily while dropping my head into my hands as our food was brought out.