would have thought that seeing his resentful； cynical expression would only
make me angrier。 Instead； it
reminded me of the last time I'd seen him； with tears in his eyes。 My fury
weakened； faltered； as I stared
at Jacob。 It had been so long since I'd seen him—I hated that our reunion had
to be like this。
〃Bella；〃 Jacob said as a greeting； nodding once toward me without looking away
from Edward。
〃Why？〃 I whispered； trying to hide the sound of the lump in my throat。 〃How
could you do this to me；
Jacob？〃
The sneer vanished； but his face stayed hard and rigid。 〃It's for the best。〃
〃What is that supposed to mean？ Do you want Charlie to strangle me？ Or did you
want him to have a
heart attack； like Harry？ No matter how mad you are at me； how could you do
this to him？〃
Jacob winced； and his eyebrows pulled together； but he didn't answer。
〃He didn't want to hurt anyone—he just wanted to get you grounded； so that
you wouldn't be allowed to
spend time with me；〃 Edward murmured； explaining the thoughts Jacob wouldn't
say。
Jacob's eyes sparked with hate as he glowered at Edward again。
〃Aw； Jake！〃 I groaned。 〃I'm already grounded！ Why do you think I haven't been
down to La Push to
kick your butt for avoiding my phone calls？〃
Jacob's eyes flashed back to me； confused for the first time。 〃That's why？〃 he
asked； and then locked his
jaw； like he was sorry he'd said anything。
〃He thought I wouldn't let you； not Charlie；〃 Edward explained again。
〃Stop that；〃 Jacob snapped。
Edward didn't answer。
Jacob shuddered once； and then gritted his teeth as hard as his fists。 〃Bella