Title: Friday Nights
Pairing: Edward/Jacob
Rating: M
Warning: Language, mostly. Some sexual content.
Disclaimer: The Characters are not mine. I just like to play with them every once in a while.
Summary: Edward just wanted to be a part of the cool crowd. When star quarterback Jacob needs help, Edward sees his chance. Can money buy popularity or will Edward get something more than he ever bargained for? Slash.
Thank you to JA Mash for making this amazing banner and pre-reading and encouraging me and thanks to my beta readingmama for fixing the mistakes!
1.
Edward wiped a hand across his brow as he pushed the mower into the garage. The last yard before school started was finished and Edward had more than enough money for the Collings guitar he'd been eyeing. All he had to do now was tell Alec to place the order and it would be his.
The summer, like all the summers before, had been sweltering hot and extremely uneventful. Edward had mowed the lawns of nearly everyone in town under a blistering hot sun, dreams of something more were drowned out by the roar of the engine.
"You finally done?"
Edward jumped, startled by the familiar voice. Jasper smirked up at him from his perch on the stool, fingers hard at work restringing his guitar.
Edward flushed, embarrassed by his reaction. It's not like it was unusual for Jasper to be waiting for him in the garage. Best friends since the third grade, the two were nearly inseparable. Jasper spent more time tinkering with his music in Edward's garage than he did anywhere else.
Jasper grabbed a towel from the shelves next to his head and tossed it in Edward's direction. After a minor fumble, Edward used it to wipe the sweat from his face.
"Last yard of the year," he mumbled into the cloth before tossing it aside. He felt disgusting, his clothes sticking to him like a second skin.
"'Bout time, boy." Jasper set his guitar down gently on its stand and stood up, brushing his hands on his jeans. "Now we can focus on the good stuff."
Edward quirked an eyebrow. "Oh yeah, like what?"
Jasper grinned his Cheshire grin. "It's senior year, man! We're gonna be livin' the life. Hell, the fall play this year is gonna be a musical and you know you'll get the lead. You're the only one who can pull it off. And Mr. Banner asked me to help out with the music so it's sure to rock."
Edward just grunted his response. He couldn't get rid of the feeling that he was missing out on something big. A rite of passage just slipping by while he was busy doing other things.
The low rumble of an engine filled the air and Edward glanced over his shoulder at the road just as Emmett's pickup swung into the driveway next door. Edward bit his lip as he watched Jacob hop out of the back, his long legs swinging up and over with ease. Jacob tossed his head back, laughing at something one of the guys said. Edward swallowed, admiring the other boy, jealous of how he was always at ease in his own skin.
"Looks like the jocks are back from cock camp," Jasper grumbled, moving to stand at Edward's shoulder.
Edward shrugged, hoping Jasper didn't notice his fascination with his neighbor and company.
Unfortunately, Jasper never missed a thing. He frowned, eyebrows drawing together. "Please tell me you're not still wishing you were one of those losers."
Edward looked down at the ground, digging the toe of his sneaker into the concrete. "Of course not."
It was obvious Jasper didn't believe him. "Those guys aren't going anywhere in life, you know. You'll be living your dreams and headlining on Broadway and they'll still be here, stuck in this two horse town, pumping your gas when you blow through on your way to bigger and better things."
Edward sighed and resisted the urge to roll his eyes. He and Jasper had the same argument at least once a week. "Don't you feel like we're missing out on something? That there is something better than this?"
Edward swept his arm out, indicating their cluttered surroundings. Sweat ran down the side of his face and dripped onto his neck, causing him to shiver. He grabbed the bottom of his shirt and pulled it up, attempting to wipe his face.
"Damn, Cullen, who knew you were hiding thatunder all those baggy shirts."
Edward flinched as Emmett's voice carried across the yard. He dropped his shirt, feeling his face burn as the other guys whistled and catcalled. Emmett smirked as he backed out of the driveway.
He couldn't leave well enough alone, though, and stopped, hanging his head out the open window. "No wonder your boyfriend never leaves your side."
Edward saw Jasper flip Emmett off, his face showcasing barely contained fury. Emmett just laughed and turned back to Jacob. "Yo, Jacob, see you at practice tomorrow. Game against Madison is Friday so you better be ready!" He put the truck into gear, tires flinging rocks behind him as he took off down the street.
Edward pushed his glassed up the bridge of his nose and spared one last look in Jacob's direction. His face was on fire. Edward didn't know why he let Emmett get to him. He'd been yelling a variation of the same insults at him for years now.
Jacob was watching Edward, an indecipherable look on his face. When he met Edward's eyes, he simply mouthed 'sorry' and turned toward the house.
"They're all just a bunch of assholes," Jasper muttered, startling Edward from his thoughts. "So no, I don't think there's anything better than this for us here."
"Yeah," Edward sighed and flopped down on a lawn chair. His voice sounded empty, hollow, to his own ears. Deep down, he wanted nothing more than to be accepted by the very same guys who made his life a living hell. But Jasper was right. They were all assholes. He heard Jacob's door shut behind him.
Well, maybe not all of them.
Thanks for reading!
-Gemma
