Kissing Cousins

by WilyArmadilla

When Edward and Alice are sent to stay with their cousin Rose, childhood friendships are broken, relationships are tested, and love is both lost and found. When Bella is betrayed by those she most trusted, she turns to Edward - the only person who told her the truth. But what if he isn't the innocent bystander he seems to be?

1. Chapter 1

Mondays. I hate Mondays. Especially when they start with me running smack into the jamb on my bedroom door. Now let me be clear, Bella Swan running into things isn't unusual. I really am that clumsy. But damn that hurt. I pressed the heel of my hand over the bump on my forehead, cursing under my breath as I headed into the bathroom to shower. I had hit the snooze button one too many times and now I had to rush to get ready before my ride arrived to pick me up for school.

I usually ride to school with my best friend Roselie, but she was laying out today so my boyfriend was picking me up instead. And he had a nasty habit of getting places on time instead of the ten or twenty minutes late that was usual for Rose.

I was running the brush through my damp hair and trying to pull on my old Chuck's at the same time when the blaring notes of "Dixie" split the morning quiet. I had to grin. Jasper is such a red-neck. But he's MY red-neck so I chose to find his enthusiasm for the Dukes of Hazzard to be endearing and amusing instead of annoying. I clattered down the stairs, swinging my backpack over one shoulder and dashing into the kitchen to grab a breakfast bar and tell my dad good-bye.

"I'm gonna be late today so I won't be home to make dinner." I said as I stooped to plant a kiss on Charlie's head as I went by. "Rose's cousins are coming in today and we're gonna show 'em around."

Charlie didn't even look up from his paper. "That's fine. I'm on evening shift tonight anyway. Won't be home until late. I left you a cup of coffee on the counter over there." As Chief of Police, Charlie didn't have to work nights, but he believed in leading by example so he took his fair share of late shifts. He never took advantage of the perks of his job, something that my mother found unacceptable. Hence her packing up and running off in the night. But that's okay. We're just fine without her, Charlie and I.

"You're a life-saver!" I exclaimed as I grabbed the steaming mug and took a huge swallow.

"Dixie" sounded again and Charlie huffed a laugh. "Better get goin' kid, or I'll have to cite Jasper with disturbing the peace."

I flashed him a grin and a wave and then I was out the door.