3 eclipse月食-第42部分

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“Hey；　kids；”　he　said；　sitting　forward。　“Nice　to　see　you　here；　Jake。”　
“Hey；　Charlie；”　Jacob　answered　casually；　pausing。　I　stalked　on　to　the　kitchen。　
“What’s　wrong　with　her？”　Charlie　wondered。　
“She　thinks　she　broke　her　hand；”　I　heard　Jacob　tell　him。　I　went　to　the　freezer　and　pulled　out　a　tray　of　ice　
cubes。　
“How　did　she　do　that？”　As　my　father；　I　thought　Charlie　ought　to　sound　a　bit　less　amused　and　a　bit　more　
concerned。　
Jacob　laughed。　“She　hit　me。”　
Charlie　laughed；　too；　and　I　scowled　while　I　beat　the　tray　against　the　edge　of　the　sink。　The　ice　scattered　
inside　the　basin；　and　I　grabbed　a　handful　with　my　good　hand　and　wrapped　the　cubes　in　the　dishcloth　on　the　
counter。　
“Why　did　she　hit　you？”　
“Because　I　kissed　her；”　Jacob　said；　unashamed。　
“Good　for　you；　kid；”　Charlie　congratulated　him。　
I　ground　my　teeth　and　went　for　the　phone。　I　dialed　Edward’s　cell。　
“Bella？”　he　answered　on　the　first　ring。　He　sounded　more　than　relieved　—　he　was　delighted。　I　could　hear　
the　Volvo’s　engine　in　the　background；　he　was　already　in　the　car　—　that　was　good。　“You　left　the　phone　。　。　。　
I’m　sorry；　did　Jacob　drive　you　home？”　
“Yes；”　I　grumbled。　“Will　you　e　and　get　me；　please？”　
“I’m　on　my　way；”　he　said　at　once。　“What’s　wrong？”　
“I　want　Carlisle　to　look　at　my　hand。　I　think　it’s　broken。”　
It　had　gone　quiet　in　the　front　room；　and　I　wondered　when　Jacob　would　bolt。　I　smiled　a　grim　smile；　
imagining　his　disfort。　
“What　happened？”　Edward　demanded；　his　voice　going　flat。　
“I　punched　Jacob；”　I　admitted。　
“Good；”　Edward　said　bleakly。　“Though　I’m　sorry　you’re　hurt。”　
I　laughed　once；　because　he　sounded　as　pleased　as　Charlie　had。　
“I　wish　I’d　hurt　him。”　I　sighed　in　frustration。　“I　didn’t　do　any　damage　at　all。”　
“I　can　fix　that；”　he　offered。　
“I　was　hoping　you　would　say　that。”　
There　was　a　slight　pause。　“That　doesn’t　sound　like　you；”　he　said；　wary　now。　“What　did　he　do？”　
“He　kissed　me；”　I　growled。　
All　I　heard　on　the　other　end　of　the　line　was　the　sound　of　an　engine　accelerating。　
In　the　other　room；　Charlie　spoke　again。　“Maybe　you　ought　to　take　off；　Jake；”　he　suggested。　
“I　think　I’ll　hang　out　here；　if　you　don’t　mind。”　
“Your　funeral；”　Charlie　muttered。　
“Is　the　dog　still　there？”　Edward　finally　spoke　again。　
“Yes。”　
“I’m　around　the　corner；”　he　said　darkly；　and　the　line　disconnected。　
As　I　hung　up　the　phone；　smiling；　I　heard　the　sound　of　his　car　racing　down　the　street。　The　brakes　protested　
loudly　as　he　slammed　to　a　stop　out　front。　I　went　to　get　the　door。　
“How’s　your　hand？”　Charlie　asked　as　I　walked　by。　Charlie　looked　unfortable。　Jacob　lolled　next　to　
him　on　the　sofa；　perfectly　at　ease。　
I　lifted　the　ice　pack　to　show　it　off。　“It’s　swelling。”　
“Maybe　you　should　pick　on　people　your　own　size；”　Charlie　suggested。　
“Maybe；”　I　agreed。　I　walked　on　to　open　the　door。　Edward　was　waiting。　
“Let　me　see；”　he　murmured。　

He　examined　my　hand　gently；　so　carefully　that　it　caused　me　no　pain　at　all。　His　hands　were　almost　as　cold　
as　the　ice；　and　they　felt　good　against　my　skin。　
“I　think　you’re　right　about　the　break；”　he　said。　“I’m　proud　of　you。　You　must　have　put　some　force　behind　
this。”　
“As　much　as　I　have。”　I　sighed。　“Not　enough；　apparently。”　
He　kissed　my　hand　softly。　“I’ll　take　care　of　it；”　he　promised。　And　then　he　called；　“Jacob；”　his　voice　still　
quiet　and　even。　
“Now；　now；”　Charlie　cautioned。　
I　heard　Charlie　heave　himself　off　of　the　sofa。　Jacob　got　to　the　hall　first；　and　much　more　quietly；　but　Charlie　
was　not　far　behind　him。　Jacob’s　expression　was　alert　and　eager。　
“I　don’t　want　any　fighting；　do　you　understand？”　Charlie　looked　only　at　Edward　when　he　spoke。　“I　can　go　
put　my　badge　on　if　that　makes　my　request　more　official。”　
“That　won’t　be　necessary；”　Edward　said　in　a　restrained　tone。　
“Why　don’t　you　arrest　me；　Dad？”　I　suggested。　“I’m　the　one　throwing　punches。”　
Charlie　raised　an　eyebrow。　“Do　you　want　to　press　charges；　Jake？”　
“No。”　Jacob　grinned；　incorrigible。　“I’ll　take　the　trade　any　day。”　
Edward　grimaced。　
“Dad；　don’t　you　have　a　baseball　bat　somewhere　in　your　room？　I　want　to　borrow　it　for　a　minute。”　
Charlie　looked　at　me　evenly。　“Enough；　Bella。”　
“Let’s　go　have　Carlisle　look　at　your　hand　before　you　wind　up　in　a　jail　cell；”　Edward　said。　He　put　his　arm　
around　me　and　pulled　me　toward　the　door。　
“Fine；”　I　said；　leaning　against　him。　I　wasn’t　so　angry　anymore；　now　that　Edward　was　with　me。　I　felt　
forted；　and　my　hand　didn’t　bother　me　as　much。　
We　were　walking　down　the　sidewalk　when　I　heard　Charlie　whispering　anxiously　behind　me。　
“What　are　you　doing？　Are　you　crazy？”　
“Give　me　a　minute；　Charlie；”　Jacob　answered。　“Don’t　worry；　I’ll　be　right　back。”　
I　looked　back　and　Jacob　was　following　us；　stopping　to　close　the　door　in　Charlie’s　surprised　and　uneasy　
face。　
Edward　ignored　him　at　first；　leading　me　to　the　car。　He　helped　me　inside；　shut　the　door；　and　then　turned　to　
face　Jacob　on　the　sidewalk。　
I　leaned　anxiously　through　the　open　window。　Charlie　was　visible　in　the　house；　peeking　through　the　drapes　
in　the　front　room。　
Jacob’s　stance　was　casual；　his　arms　folded　across　his　chest；　but　the　muscles　in　his　jaw　were　tight。　
Edward　spoke　in　a　voice　so　peaceful　and　gentle　that　it　made　the　words　strangely　more　threatening。　“I’m　
not　going　to　kill　you　now；　because　it　would　upset　Bella。”　
“Hmph；”　I　grumbled。　
Edward　turned　slightly　to　throw　me　a　quick　smile。　His　face　was　still　calm。　“It　would　bother　you　in　the　
morning；”　he　said；　brushing　his　fingers　across　my　cheek。　
Then　he　turned　back　to　Jacob。　“But　if　you　ever　bring　her　back　damaged　again　—　and　I　don’t　care　whose　
fault　it　is；　I　don’t　care　if　she　merely　trips；　or　if　a　meteor　falls　out　of　the　sky　and　hits　her　in　the　head　—　if　you　
return　her　to　me　in　less　than　the　perfect　condition　that　I　left　her　in；　you　will　be　running　with　three　legs。　Do　you　
understand　that；　mongrel？”　
Jacob　rolled　his　eyes。　
“Who’s　going　back？”　I　muttered。　
Edward　continued　as　if　he　hadn’t　heard　me。　“And　if　you　ever　kiss　her　again；　I　will　break　your　jaw　for　
her；”　he　promised；　his　voice　still　gentle　and　velvet　and　deadly。　
“What　if　she　wants　me　to？”　Jacob　drawled；　arrogant。　
“Hah！”　I　snorted。　
“If　that’s　what　she　wants；　then　I　won’t　object。”　Edward　shrugged；　untroubled。　“You　might　want　to　wait　for　
her　to　say　it；　rather　than　trust　your　interpretation　of　body　language　—　but　it’s　your　face。”　
Jacob　grinned。　
“You　wish；”　I　grumbled。　

“Yes；　he　does；”　Edward　murmured。　
“Well；　if　you’re　done　rummaging　through　my　head；”　Jacob　said　with　a　thick　edge　of　annoyance；　“why　
don’t　you　go　take　care　of　her　hand？”　
“One　more　thing；”　Edward　said　slowly。　“I’ll　be　fighting　for　her；　too。　You　should　know　that。　I’m　not　taking　
anything　for　granted；　and　I’ll　be　fighting　twice　as　hard　as　you　will。”　
“Good；”　Jacob　growled。　“It’s　no　fun　beating　someone　who　forfeits。”　
“She　is　mine。”　Edward’s　low　voice　was　suddenly　dark；　not　as　posed　as　before。　“I　didn’t　say　I　would　
fightfair。”　
“Neither　did　I。”　
“Best　of　luck。”　
Jacob　nodded。　“Yes；　may　the　best　man　win。”　
“That　sounds　about　right　。　。　。　pup。”　
Jacob　grimaced　briefly；　then　he　posed　his　face　and　leaned　around　Edward　to　smile　at　me。　I　glowered　
back。　
“I　hope　your　hand　feels　better　soon。　I’m　really　sorry　you’re　hurt。”　
Childishly；　I　turned　my　face　away　from　him。　
I　didn’t　look　up　again　as　Edward　walked　around　the　car　and　climbed　into　the　driver’s　side；　so　I　didn’t　
know　if　Jacob　went　back　into　the　house　or　continued　to　stand　there；　watching　me。　
“How　do　you　feel？”　Edward　asked　as　we　drove　away。　
“Irritated。”　
He　chuckled。　“I　meant　your　hand。”　
I　shrugged。　“I’ve　had　worse。”　
“True；”　he　agreed；　and　frowned。　
Edward　drove　around　the　house　to　the　garage。　Emmett　and　Rosalie　were　there；　Rosalie’s　perfect　legs；　
recognizable　even　sheathed　in　jeans；　were　sticking　out　from　under　the　bottom　of　Emmett’s　huge　Jeep。　Emmett　
was　sitting　beside　her；　one　hand　reached　under　the　Jeep　toward　her。　It　took　me　a　moment　to　realize　that　he　
was　acting　as　the　jack。　
Emmett　watched　curiously　as　Edward　helped　me　carefully　out　of　the　car。　His　eyes　zeroed　in　on　the　hand　I　
cradled　against　my　chest。　
Emmett　grinned。　“Fall　down　again；　Bella？”　
I　glared　at　him　fiercely。　“No；　Emmett。　I　punched　a　werewolf　in　the　face。”　
Emmett　blinked；　and　then　burst　into　a　roar　of　laughter。　
As　Edward　led　me　past　them；　Rosalie　spoke　from　under　the　car。　
“Jasper’s　going　to　win　the　bet；”　she　said　smugly。　
Emmett’s　laughter　stopped　at　once；　and　he　studied　me　with　appraising　eyes。　
“What　bet？”　I　demanded；　pausing。　
“Let’s　get　you　to　Carlisle；”　Edward　urged。　He　was　staring　at　Emmett。　His　head　shook　infinitesimally。　
“What　bet？”　I　insisted　as　I　turned　on　him。　
“Thanks；　Rosalie；”　he　muttered　as　he　tightened　his　arm　around　my　waist　and　pulled　me　toward　the　house。　
“Edward　。　。　。　；”　I　grumbled。　
“It’s　infantile；”　he　shrugged。　“Emmett　and　Jasper　like　to　gamble。”　
“Emmett　will　tell　me。”　I　tried　to　turn；　but　his　arm　was　like　iron　around　me。　
He　sighed。　“They’re　betting　on　how　many　times　you　。　。　。　slip　up　in　the　first　year。”　
“Oh。”　I　grimaced；　trying　to　hide　my　sudden　horror　as　I　realized　what　he　meant。　“They　have　a　bet　about　
how　many　people　I’ll　kill？”　
“Yes；”　he　admitted　unwillingly。　“Rosalie　thinks　your　temper　will　turn　the　odds　in　Jasper’s　favor。”　
I　felt　a　little　high。　“Jasper’s　betting　high。”　
“It　will　make　him　feel　better　if　you　have　a　hard　time　adjusting。　He’s　tired　of　being　the　weakest　link。”　
“Sure。　Of　course　it　will。　I　guess　I　could　throw　in　a　few　extra　homicides；　if　it　makes　Jasper　happy。　Why　
not？”　I　was　babbling；　my　voice　a　blank　monotone。　In　my　head；　I　was　seeing　newspaper　headlines；　lists　of　
names。　。　。　。　
He　squeezed　me。　“You　don’t　need　to　worry　about　it　now。　In　fact；　you　don’t　have　to　worry　about　it　ever；　if　

you　don’t　want　to。”　
I　groaned；　and　Edward；　thinking　it　was　the　pain　in　my　hand　that　bothered　me；　pulled　me　faster　toward　the　
house。　
My　hand　was　broken；　but　there　wasn’t　any　serious　damage；　just　a　tiny　fissure　in　one　knuckle。　I　didn’t　
want　a　cast；　and　Carlisle　said　I’d　be　fine　in　a　brace　if　I　promised　to　keep　it　on。　I　promised。　
Edward　could　tell　I　was　out　of　it　as　Carlisle　worked　to　fit　a　brace　carefully　to　my　hand。　He　worried　aloud　
a　few　times　that　I　was　in　pain；　but　I　assured　him　that　that　wasn’t　it。　
As　if　I　needed　—　or　even　had　room　for　—　one　more　thing　to　worry　about。　
All　of　Jasper’s　stories　about　newly　created　vampires　had　been　percolating　in　my　head　since　he’d　explained　
his　past。　Now　those　stories　jumped　into　sharp　focus　with　the　news　of　his　and　Emmett’s　wager。　I　wondered　
randomly　what　they　were　betting。　What　was　a　motivating　prize　when　you　had　everything？　
I’d　always　known　that　I　would　be　different。　I　hoped　that　I　would　be　as　strong　as　Edward　said　I　would　be。　
Strong　and　fast　and；　most　of　all；　beautiful。　Someone　who　could　stand　next　to　Edward　and　feel　like　she　
belonged　there。　
I’d　been　trying　not　to　think　too　much　about　the　other　things　that　I　would　be。　Wild。　Bloodthirsty。　Maybe　I　
would　not　be　able　to　stop　myself　from