Disclaimer: Stephenie Meyer owns all things Twilight.

This is unbeta'd and not pre-read by anyone. All mistakes are my own.

MA: This story will eventually have explicit and lemony scenes. If boy x boy relations offend you please don't read any further.

I'm a little late posting. I originally said I'd post this Sunday night, but I forgot Sunday was going to be Father's Day. Thanks to those who reviewed and those who added me to their favourites or alerts!

-iwtfy-

from chapter 2:

"Of course you're pretty. You'd have to be blind to think anything else."

She'd unclipped her seatbelt and before I could react she was right in front of me, so close that I could taste the buttered popcorn on her breath and what smelled like strawberry shampoo.

"Then why don't you kiss me?"

-iwtfy-

Shit! I missed the signals! How could this have happened? Now she's waiting for me to kiss her and that isn't about to fucking happen!

In most cases I was extraordinarily aware of a girl's possible interest in me and I had gotten good at predicting when to step back and redirect. My failure to catch it this time could be blamed on a combination of fatigue and the distracting fantasies I'd been having about my boy.

My boy, what a joke! I think I'm losing it. And he's not a boy. He's most definitely all man...

"Edward?"

I'd spaced out and now Bella, who was still way too close, was looking at me with concern.

Shifting closer to the driver's door to create more space between us, I wondered how I could get out of this situation without losing her friendship at the same time. I was usually quick to come up with a loophole or alternative to any awkward position, but this time my brain seemed to be on lockdown.

When I heard what sounded like crying from Bella I looked up to see her head had dipped down causing her hair to block any view of her face. Her shaking shoulders confirmed my worst fears and I was immediately appalled about having hurt her feelings.

Having no idea what kind of apology I could offer, I reached an uncertain hand toward her shoulder. I really did like her, and seeing her this way was distressing. My hand hovered over her because I was suddenly doubtful my touch would help the situation.

"Bella..." What are you going to tell her asshole? It's not like you are about to tell her the truth. "I'm... "

Her head came up and I choked on my words.

What the hell was going on?

Her eyes weren't full of tears. She wasn't crying. I hadn't hurt her.

I guess I should be relieved, but I think I'm mainly confused.

She actually looked, I don't know, animated? When I replayed the whole incident I realized her shoulders might not have been shaking because she was sobbing. No, they were probably shaking because she was laughing so hard.

A loud hiccup erupted from her mouth and she threw her hands across it in embarrassment.

"Oh Edward... hic... I'm sorry... Garrett was right... hic... you were... it was... hic... "

Garrett? Okay hold the fuck on!

She knows. If this had happened a year ago I would have been panicking.

I could see it was going to take awhile for her get control of herself. I turned to face the front windshield and leaned my head back against the headrest. Instead of trying to figure out how I was going to handle it, I decided to close my eyes and rest.

Fuck am I tired.

When she'd gained control of her breathing I opened my eyes and turned toward her with my eyebrow raised in question.

"I'm sorry Edward, it was just... you looked so... really I'm sorry I laughed. Garrett put me up to it. Well, it was partly my idea. I think you're cute, well hot, but that doesn't mean I'm really into you."

"What did Garrett say?"

"I uh, I know you'd never be into me." That didn't answer my question.

"And why would you assume that?"

"Look, Garrett told me a bit of why you don't tell people."

I was going to kill my best friend. Since when did he think it was okay to out me?

I was irritated and I wanted to be sleeping. "How did my sexual preference become a topic for discussion?"

Her face turned pink. "That was my fault entirely. I realized it months ago. It wasn't anything you did, but I'm pretty observant of people. Maybe it comes from being a cop's daughter. I don't know. Anyway, Garrett was annoying me one day in Calculus and so I threw it out there. I asked him if you two had ever dated. He tried to bluster his way past the question, but I could tell I'd hit onto something. Did you guys ever date?"

"No." I was annoyed that Garrett could be so easily manipulated. It hadn't always been that way. He used to be a vault.

"Don't worry, I won't tell anyone... except, I promised to tell Garrett how you reacted." Realizing she was still awfully close she slid back into her seat. "I was afraid there for a second you were going to go through with it – kissing me." She giggled softly at the memory, her face flushing even more. "I'm not sure who would have been more freaked out." She popped open her door to leave, but paused before stepping out. "I still want that job Edward. I'm gonna harass you every time I see you."

I rolled my eyes. Not going to happen. "It's not the right place for you Bella."

She hopped out. "Keep an open mind Edward. I might surprise you."

-iwtfy-

A small pixie of a woman slid into the seat opposite me, blocking my view of him. I nearly growled in frustration as I put my book down.

"Little Cullen, how's it going in Barn 4?"

"Brandon," I nodded in acknowledgement. Alice Brandon was a jockey and it was her second season riding here. We'd become friends when she was a rookie and she'd ridden a lot for my boss. She was only a few years older than me and had a wicked sense of humour.

I tried to see past her, but she'd picked the perfect angle to completely block him from view.

"Her name is Rosalie Hale. She brought four horses up from Jacksonville and is taking the test next week to get licensed. She's got stalls in Barn 11 and Barn 14."

My eyes shot back to hers. Why was she telling me this? What did she know?

"Who? Why are you telling me this?"

"Well baby face, I've seen you studying Jasper like he's your rival in an intense game of poker and you want to call his bluff. Whenever Rosalie prances in and joins him you get all flush and leave. It doesn't take a genius to see that you have a crush on her. You and almost every male at this godforsaken track," Alice snorted. "Why is it guys see a tall woman with blonde hair and blue eyes and they instantly start to drool?"

Alice was petite with dark hair and dark eyes. She was attractive in her own way, but yeah, the blondes really do garner most of the attention.

I shrugged. I did prefer tall, blue-eyed blondes.

Wait! Did she say Jasper? Is that his name? I wanted to say his name out loud and see how it felt to rolling off my tongue. It was relief to finally know who he was.

"Who is Jasper?" Yeah, that felt pretty good. Jasper.

"Oh honey," she sighed. "There is no way you are coming between them. He's like the ultimate embodiment of a sexually charged, ruggedly handsome male. And that accent – wooo!" Alice pretended to fan herself off. "I nearly soaked my panties when he first spoke to me. I tried to turn on the Brandon charm but it was like there was no recognition at all that I was female in any way, shape, or form. And Rosalie will not use male riders; which is good for me, but also means she's closing herself off. I got the distinct impression she trusts no one but Jasper. You're going to have no luck penetrating that relationship."

Now I was dying to hear what kind of accent he had. If only I had some reason for talking with him. "Are they married?" I hadn't looked for a wedding ring. I wasn't sure why it hadn't occurred to me before.

"No. He goes by Jasper Whitlock. They moved here together and he's got himself a groom's license. I heard he might be looking for work. He helps her out, but with four horses between the two of them that doesn't count for much time."

And suddenly I had the perfect reason for talking with him. Jasper. I repeated to myself. I wanted to sit and run his name through my head over and over. I stood up quickly, abandoning what was left of my lunch. My stomach was in flutters and I could feel a nervous energy running through my veins. I had some details to work out before I could approach him.

"See ya later Alice. I think Carlisle will need you tomorrow. Peter has given him the okay to start training Aro again."

As I walked back to my barn in search of my boss I wondered if this was really the best idea.

-iwtfy-

Author's note: Yeah – next chapter the boys will finally get to meet!

If I get enough reviews I might post the next chapter before the weekend.

F.Y.I. This story will always be written in Edward's POV. I might consider Jasper outtakes at a later date.