The Cellar Door: Chapter Two
AN: Again this was pre-read by Dilmn8, as was the rest of the entire story, thanks so much. Also, I think I should mention this entire fic is in Edward's point of view. I never knew something I meant to be about 6K would grow this big. Anyway, here's the next chapter.
Characters belong to SM
EPOV
Between wakefulness and dreaming I found myself watching myself in a dream, floating there. My dream self, the one not watching, was standing there, his back to me. The only reason I knew it was me was the unruly auburn hair, because every single other man in this dream had blond hair. They were all standing behind me in a straight line. I couldn't figure out what the hell this was about. I, both watched, and felt the first blond man step close to my back and kiss the side of my neck. As hard as I tried to turn my head around to see who it was I couldn't. Why couldn't I turn around? Each man behind him did the same thing before stepping out of line. Lips after lips touched my neck and I felt each chest against my back, none felt the same, even in the dream, but they all felt good.
When the next one stopped behind me, my floating self gasped and held its breath waiting. This time the person wrapped their arms around my waist pressing themselves closer than any other had. His lips descended on my neck and kissed me before sucking the skin between his teeth, lightly biting me. I had to turn around, I had to see this one. I had to.
Turning in his arms, I could actually move this time. What I saw made my breath quicken. He had to be the most beautiful man I'd ever seen. He had curly blond hair, just long enough I could get a good hold if I wanted to pull it. His eyes were steel blue and had a light behind them, one that was rarely seen in anyone. His nose wasn't perfect, but it looked perfect on him. The smile he gave was a little crooked, showing straight white teeth and pink-red lips. I tried to pull away from him so my gaze could roam over the rest of him, but he held me tighter, not letting go. When I frowned at that he laughed and whispered, "Soon. You'll see me soon." Then he was gone and I was standing there with no one. My dark green eyes swam with tears, knowing this person wasn't coming back to me.
Pounding on the door woke me completely and I shot out of bed. Wiping my face I realized the tears I had weren't just in the dream, if the wetness on my face was any indication. Why the hell would I be crying? It was just some stupid dream. Shaking my head I had to get rid of those thoughts. I had other things to worry about right now.
"Damn it, Edward, open up the god damn door," James shouted from the other side, making me not want to do any such thing. "Look, I need to change clothes and all my clothes are in there." Hmm... I could remedy that real quick.
Unlocking the door I didn't open it, but sat back down on the bed. James strode in and gave me a once over before saying, "You look a mess." No kidding. "Did you know it's after noon?" he asked me shrugging out of clothes while he grabbed new ones.
"Yeah, so? I hadn't planned on leaving the house again today," I replied.
Giving me an incredulous look James said, "Again? That would mean you left the house once."
"Of course I left the house, I saw Alice today," I argued.
James snorted at me and said, "That was yesterday, this is today, the next day. You slept all night and all morning in here. I slept on the couch." He seemed bitter that I made him sleep on the couch. I, on the other hand, was happy he hadn't slept in my bed and if I had my way he wouldn't sleep on the couch anymore either. At some point between yesterday and today my resolve only grew and solidified to get rid of him and I felt elated about having reached that conclusion.
Changing the subject I asked, "You going somewhere?"
"Yeah, The Cellar Door. I know you don't like that place or I would have invited you," James answered, diverting his eyes. Fucker, see if I care what you are hiding. His absence would give me the perfect opportunity to do what I needed to.
Going along with it, I agreed, "You're right, I don't like that place. Have fun without me."
I swore I heard a muttered, "I'll definitely have more fun without you."
"Babe, why don't you take a shower before you leave and I'll fix us some lunch," I was placating him, just so I could buy some time. He had no reason to doubt my intent, like I did his.
"That sounds wonderful," James replied smiling just a little, and I saw what I'd first seen in him. I almost took everything I thought yesterday back and then nearly kicked myself for being so stupid. This was the last day he'd ever be in my home.
Heading towards the kitchen I made a quick lunch. I was starving after not eating lunch or dinner yesterday, nor breakfast today. Setting the table and making sure I could hear the shower running I went in search of James' keys. He wasn't observant enough to know a key was missing, especially with so many on his key ring. Finding it I removed the house key and added it back to my own set of keys. If anyone else had this key again it would be because I asked them to live here with me, not someone that just took liberties.
By the time James came out I was settled in a chair, happily chewing my food. I felt so much better than yesterday, lighter. Looking at me, James grinned and commented, "You look like you are in a better mood today."
"Yeah, I guess I am," I acknowledged grinning back, he didn't have to know why I was happier. Inside I was dancing as I knew I would finally be free, free to find someone new.
Polishing off our lunches James headed to the door leading into the garage and I followed him. I would have to time this just right. Opening the garage door for him I watched him open the door to his car and get in. James slid in the driver's seat and I leaned in and kissed him hard, watching until his eyes closed. Getting into the kiss he pulled me closer to him as one of my own hands went to his head to keep him there and the other went to the sun visor and pulled the garage door opener off. Sneaking it behind me and in the back of my waistband of my pajama bottoms I backed away from him. "Edward, that was... wow. When did you start kissing like that?" James asked actually curious. Shrugging at him, I didn't know. As far as I knew it wasn't that different from any other kisses, was it? Maybe it was my attitude.
"Have a good time, James. Don't worry about the garage door, I need to take out the trash before tomorrow," I called and waved goodbye, I tried to keep the snicker out of my voice when I used the word trash. James pulled out of my driveway and I hoped it was the last time I'd ever see him.
My eyes wandered inside the garage looking for boxes. I knew I had some in here somewhere. Finding them I took them inside the house and looked around accounting all of James' stuff. Removing the garage door opener I set it on the kitchen counter and turned some music on. I was going to be in a good mood today if it killed me.
Starting with his clothes I made sure every last stitch that belonged to him was packed away, including dirty ones. Anything and everything he brought into this house was going, I wanted no reminder of him, nor did I want anything left for him to come back and get. Things we bought together were going too, I could buy new ones if I thought I really needed it.
Carrying all the boxes out I set them on the driveway, right where James would pull up. If that wasn't a hint I didn't know what would be. Closing the garage door and dusting my hands off I walked back into the house, grabbed a beer and laid on the couch, my couch. Turning on the TV I watched what I wanted to, upside down, with no one telling me why I shouldn't. Living alone was definitely better.
My phone woke me a little while later. Why the hell did I fall asleep, again? Kicking James out must have stressed me out more than I thought. Ignoring my phone I decided I should probably take a shower after moving all that shit out.
The shower made me feel loads better, so I found the nicest clothes I owned and decided I should go out, even if it was a Sunday, and there never was much going on those days. Grabbing my keys and my phone I headed towards my car and looked at the missed calls, voice-mails and ignoring those, read my texts. All of them came from my best friend Seth. At first they started out just wanting to hang out. Later, they were all telling me to call him, it was important. Snorting, I thought that was unlikely. When the phone rang in my hand though I gave him a break and answered, "Hey, Seth, what's up?"
"What's up? What's up? Do you know how long I've been trying to get a hold of you, man?" Seth sounded upset.
"What's wrong with you?" I asked him softly.
"You need to come down here right now," he commanded.
Done with people telling me what to do I barked out a laugh and replied, "Not likely." I didn't even know where here was that he was talking about.
"Edward, don't be an ass. There is something I think you need to see," he pleaded.
"Just what am I supposed to be seeing? Can't you tell me and get it over with?" I huffed.
"No, this is something you need to see for yourself," Seth argued.
"Fine, but where is here?" I asked him, knowing he'd probably hang up without telling me if I didn't ask.
"The Cellar Door," he stated.
Groaning at him, I said, "Do I have to? I hate that place, that's why James went without me."
"That's not the only reason, Edward," Seth answered carefully.
Sighing at him, I told him goodbye and I'd get there in a few minutes. What difference did it make what James did? We weren't together anymore, although technically he didn't know that.
Parking in a rundown parking lot, I got out of my car and hoped no one tried to steal it. The Cellar Door was a seedy gay bar that you wouldn't even know was there if you didn't already know about it. The place was dingy and grungy and filled with older gay men and someone like me normally got eaten alive in a place like that. There was an outdoor courtyard and the drinks were cheaper than any bar in town, even straight ones. Those were the only things going for it, which is why I never wanted to come here.
Walking towards the building it was housed in I took the stairs down and opened the door. Immediately the reek and stench of stale sweat and alcohol assaulted my nose. The first thing my eyes landed on were two men fucking on one of the pool tables while other people watched the show or ignored them. Ignoring them was a much better idea, those weren't the kinds of people I wanted to show up in my fantasies, thank you very much.
Scanning the crowd for Seth, my eyes finally landed on him. He was standing next to his friend, Jacob, and they seemed to be fighting off some unwanted attention. "There you guys are, I thought just the three of us were going home together," I pouted, while glaring down the guy that wouldn't leave them alone. He got the hint and stalked away, looking for new prey.
"Thanks, man," Seth said, relieved. Jacob didn't look all too happy with my presence though, as he wished Seth was his boyfriend. He hated Seth's and I's friendship. Of course, it didn't help that Seth and I used to fool around when we were younger. Whatever, it was Jacob's problem he wouldn't admit to Seth's face that he liked him, but I could see it.
If Seth had been blond with blue eyes there was no way we wouldn't be together now. Although I would have to be Native American to be Seth's type too. Jacob had more of an 'in' if he would take advantage of it.
"Why did you make me come down here, Seth?" I asked him, wishing now that I hadn't dressed this nice. I could feel plenty of eyes ogling me, which was flattering, but I just wanted to get out of this place as soon as possible.
Frowning at me, Seth looked worried before he said, "I'm sorry, but I just thought you needed to see this with your own eyes." Then he hugged me and whispered, "If you ever need anything, anything at all, let me know." Jacob had his arms crossed over his chest, giving me a 'if looks could kill' expression. He must have heard what Seth said and knew what he meant, just like I did. Seth was offering himself if I wanted it, which could only mean one thing. He thought James and I would no longer be together. He wasn't wrong, but he didn't know that.
Picking up my hand Seth led me through the crowd of people and pushed open the door to the courtyard. My breath whooshed out of me in a gasp and I gulped all the air I could before moving forward. I hadn't seen James yet, but what I had seen was a gorgeous blond man standing there with his back to me. Circling around I watched his profile, his mouth hung open in shock and there were tears pooling in his eyes. My own mouth opened and closed several times, that was the same man from my dream. I knew without a doubt that it was. Seeing him in person was a shock. It was one thing to have this person in a dream, but in real life? Someone as beautiful as him wouldn't want someone as scruffy as me.
One tear slowly made its way down the blond man's cheek and I wanted to wipe it away, wipe away all the sadness from his face. Wondering what he was crying about I turned my head and felt rage unlike any other that I had felt before take hold of me. Red invaded my eyesight. Right there before us James and some other guy sat on a bench, their lips locked. Neither of them were wearing a shirt.
The sound of a sob next to me is the only thing that could have made me look away from them. In a shaky voice, the man next to me choked out, I assume to the guy James was kissing, "Why? I love you. Why would you do this to me, Peter?" The man standing next to me looked heartbroken. Not knowing what else to do I made my way closer to the man, wanting to take his pain away, but didn't actually touch him. For all I knew, he'd deck me where I stood.
James and the guy I assumed was Peter pulled apart and looked at us both standing there. James, at least, looked away guiltily, but never said anything, the fucker.
"I did love you, Jasper, for a long time. I just don't anymore," Peter told the beautiful man next to me, before his eyes hardened. Jasper... I wanted to roll that name around on my tongue.
"But with my brother? What the fuck is wrong with you? He only wanted you because I had you. That's his M. O., getting whatever I have, and you fucking know that," Jasper was getting louder now, attracting attention. The tears were gone replaced by anger, but I think my own rage rivaled his.
"James, you what? Why the hell would you do that?" I shouted at James. Well, what do you know I did care. No, I didn't care about myself; but I did seem to care about James' brother, that was a total stranger to me, how odd.
Jasper glanced at me before a small light of recognition entered his eyes, but he didn't say anything. Turning back to Peter, Jasper demanded, "How long has this been going on?" I already knew the answer, a couple of months if James and I's lack of sex was anything to go by.
"A couple of months," Peter told Jasper and then took James' hand, of all things. Red completely clouded my vision before I saw Jasper fly by me and punch Peter's face, effectively breaking his nose.
"Jasper..." James growled at his brother and looked as though he was going to take Jasper down. I couldn't let that happen, I wouldn't let that happen. My decision against physical violence yesterday reneged, my fist shot out and hit James in the mouth, blood rolling down his chin. Let him kiss anyone like that, the bastard. James eyes were wide when he looked at me, before he lunged himself at me. Expecting a blow that never came I could feel arms holding me back as someone dragged me back inside. Thinking it was a bouncer that stopped me, I was surprised to turn around and find Jacob standing there.
"Why did you stop us?" I shot angrily, he only shrugged his shoulders, pissing me off further. Opening my mouth to tell him off I saw Seth come up to Jacob and place his hand on his arm and mouth 'thank you.' Jacob only nodded his head. Slapping both of them, not hard, but getting their attention, I exclaimed, "Jacob, would you man up and tell Seth you like him!" Both of their mouths hung open, but I was in no mood to care and decided I had had enough of people's shit. Leaving them both standing there I walked out the door and back up the stairs.
AN: I'm not sure when I'll get around to review replies this time, since my own birthday is tomorrow and I already have a full weekend planned, but I'll get around to it soon.