Morning lovies! Here's the next chapter! A special thanks to my lovely beta MC for helping me out so much with this one! She's just plain awesome!
Chapter 3
BPOV
"You think bowling would work?" I whispered to Rose.
We were in her room, but I still worried they might here us. I sat on the floor painting my toe nails, while Rose was flipping through a magazine in her desk chair.
I'd spent a whole day agonizing over everything. I was still at a loss as to what Edward and I could do together… alone.
Bowling sounded like fun… Why not, right?
Rose shook her head. "No, I just don't think that's gonna work like you want it to."
I pulled at my hair, because really I had no real ideas of where to offer to hang out that wouldn't entice Ms. Model to want to go with us. Honestly, I knew I could get him to go to a bar, but I wasn't quite of age yet, so that was out of the question. I so wasn't going to sit there while he got his drink on.
"Mini golf is out too because, even though it will bring him back to our childhood, I don't want to remind him that I'm like nine years younger than him. The less attention I draw to our age difference the better, I think."
Rose nodded, "True, what about going to see the lights in Seattle together?"
It was a great idea, but there was no way he'd stay overnight with me, while Ms. Model was back at the house. Even if that was exactly what I wanted…
By the way, I found out that Siobhan wasn't a model at all. She was actually an investment attorney in New York, but she saved up all of her vacation for a year to come here for the month. Yeah... That also meant, she was not new. Not new at all. Which unfortunately meant, he stayed with her. My heart sunk even deeper as all the sickening realities of the situation hit.
"No way, he'd never spend a night away from her. Either that or I would be stuck as the worst third wheel in the world," I told her scrunching up my face.
"God Bella, what are you going to do?" Rose asked in frustration as she threw the magazine across the room.
She was just as invested in this as I was, and I loved her for it. She was my best friend through and through.
"Fuck if I know, but I can't just sit here and let her come in and wreck everything that I've been secretly pining over for years. Damn, why didn't I have the balls to do something before this?"
She chuckled at that, which I couldn't blame her. I was so pathetic it was laughable.
"What about a movie?" she suggested after a few more minutes.
A movie? Wouldn't that be kind of like a date?
"You don't think that's a little much?" I wondered.
"Not with me tagging along, it isn't. And Siobhan is less likely to want to go if Edward is hanging out with his sistersfor the night, right?"
She made all the sense in the world; just that it wasn't her who had to ask Edward to hang out. It was me, and I was worried he would turn me down.
"Makes sense."
"I know that's why I suggested it. Andworst case scenario, if he does want her to tag along, you don't have to talk to her for an hour and a half and you have me, you know?" she asked, lifting a brow and cocking her head.
I nodded, but looked down at the floor.
Sure, it seemed so simple, just ask him out to a movie, but I didn't want to come off too strong. That was why I was playing nice with Siobhan. Fucking gag…
"It'll be fine B. Don't worry, he loves you and I know he's probably dying to spend some time with you, and with me, his loving sister, for that matter," Rose said with a smirk, rubbing my back.
I smiled at her and hoped like hell she was right. I took a deep breath; I was feeling a bit overwhelmed by all the foreign emotions coursing through my head and heart. It was just a crush, right?
Esme called us down for dinner and I flicked my eyes to Rose, hoping for some mercy. She sighed and scooted up behind me and began fiddling with my hair. She always knew just what to do to make it look good and at the moment I could use any help she would give me.
"You know, it really does look so good down."
I shrugged, I didn't think so. It wasn't sleek and well tamed like Siobhan's, it was frizzy and wavy. There wasn't anything sleek about it.
"Fine, if that's what you think," I whispered.
I trusted Rose explicitly. She was always fashion forward and she did know how to make me look and feel good.
After combing my hair in a certain way, she ran to her closet and dug out a quick outfit for me to change into. It was still just skinny jeans and a low-cut t-shirt, but this time the t-shirt would actually fit me instead of my Washington State tee that I had been sporting all day.
"Mascara, some blush, and a little gloss and you'll look amazing," she told me, and I tried really hard to believe her. I am a strong, confident woman...Yep…definitely trying.
I nodded and went to work. She was fixing herself up too.
"What's your reason?" I wondered with a smirk, like I said, we were best friends and I knewRosalie Rae Cullen did not dress herself up for dinner unless there was a handsome man involved.
"Some of Eddie's friends are coming by after dinner," she said softly, casually.
Really she meant that Edward was taking a big step and introducing Siobhan to his tight knit group. I shook my head and tried to focus on my friend. It was far easier than thinking about that.
"You still crushing on Paul?"
She blushed and nodded. Rose was great, she could get any guy she wanted, but still held out for one in particular. Paul was twenty-seven, tan, beautiful and grew up with Edward. It was no wonder Rose really liked Paul. He was so nice and always showed Rose a good amount of attention, and actually, I had always thought Paul might've had a thing for Rose, but nothing ever really came of it. I was hedging a guess that she was planning on changing that this break. Go Rose!
*C*
"Siobhan, what can I get you to drink?" Esme asked from in the kitchen.
Esme was the sweetest hostess alive. She would let her food go cold just to make sure everyone else was happy.
"Oh, I'll just have a water," she replied, with gleaming white teeth.
I wanted to mock her sobadly… but I resisted.
"So Bella, have you and Siobhan had a chance to get to know each other?" Daddy Cullen asked.
Do not roll eyes! Do not roll eyes... Do not... Oh hell.
I smiled brightly at Carlisle, because let's face it, he was a push over for me and I was definitely one of his favorites.
"No, we haven't had much of a chance, but I'm sure we'll have plenty of time before Rose and I leave again," I told him.
He smiled back at me before dipping his fork into his food. I didn't even bother to glance at Siobhan, who was sitting across the table from me.
"Siobhan, how do like New York?" Daddy Cullen asked.
I left my head hanging low, so she couldn't see the scowl that was on my face.
"Oh it's... busy and chaotic, but coming home at night to Edward makes everything better," she told him, looking over at Edward with lovey-dovey eyes, and then she touched his face and ran her fingers lightly down his arm.
Fucking gag! Were we soon done here? 'Cause I fucking swear, this was my hell on earth!
Sure, I figured they were shacking up together, who wouldn't? I mean just look at her, but I guess hearing it and having it confirmed made it worse than I had expected it would.
"Well that's... nice," Carlisle said, clearly uncomfortable.
I shook my head and frowned, she didn't even realize that she was making everyone at the table uncomfortable with her PDA.
Dinner continued like that – Siobhan swooning over every word Edward said.
It was even funnier when Edward realized that everyone was uncomfortable and he had to start peeling her off of him.
She just couldn't take a goddamn hint.
It was one of the longest assed meals I'd ever had the fucking un-pleasure of partaking in. Now I really needed a drink and I still couldn't have one.
*C*
I was on my way up the stairs when Edward caught me.
He was actually alone for once.
"Hey B, the guys are coming over tonight, you gonna come down and grace us with your phenomenal poker skills?"
Like I could say no?
I smiled and nodded. "I'll be down in a bit."
"You know, you already look good, you don't need to go fuss with yourself."
Did Edward just give me a compliment?
"Um… Okay," I said blushing and hurried up the stairs 'to go fuss with' myself.
I wasn't upstairs long though before Edward was hollering up to me. I had just enough time to change my top. Somehow during dinner I got a few spots of soda on my shirt, so I decided a new one was best. I dug out my fitted black scoop neck top. I loved it, it was super comfortable, hugged my slim waist and, even though I didn't have much to offer in the boobs department, it made it look like I had a little something to offer - you know, more than a handful was a waste anyways… or so I'd been told.
I rushed downstairs just in time to witness him introducing Ms. Model to his friends. Edward didn't do that. Ever. Girls were girls just with him. They didn't invade time with his buddies, especially when he didn't see them much.
I was done stalling; I gulped back the lump in my throat, donned my big-girl panties and walked into the kitchen.
All the guys were there. Paul, Ryan, Emmett, Jackson, and Devin. Yep, I knew them all because when I was growing up around here I probably hung out with them as much as Edward did.
I also scammed them out of unbelievable amounts of money because I was just that amazing at poker, something they seemed to forget when they had few beers in them.
Paul looked the same with his short cropped hair and deep brown eyes. He was still tall as ever, but he was no longer skinny as a rail. I guess since summer he'd hit the gym and found himself some muscles. I never missed the appeal that girls found in him. He was perfect with his bright white teeth and tan skin. He looked like he belonged in board shorts standing next to some hot young thing on the cover of a surfer mag. But he was smart too, which was why Rose had a vested interest in him. And when I looked over at her I could see her tongue wagging at the new improvements he had made. Yep, very nice indeed.
Ryan ran his hands through his dirty blonde hair before he shook hands with Siobhan. His grey eyes locked with hers and I could tell what he was thinking. It was written all over his face. Edward could too because I saw his hand wrap even tighter around her shoulders. Ryan was a bit of a horn dog, but we all still loved him just the same.
Next in the greeting line was Jackson. He was disheveled as always, sparking conversations about whether or not he was actually homeless. He wasn't, by the way, but lots of people always assumed he might be. He just liked to live his life how he felt comfortable. Which was why, at twenty-eight, he was still completely single. Jackson's greasy brown hair might be a turn off, but those crystal blue eyes were enough to make some women look the other way at his hygiene habits.
Then there was Emmett, dark hair and dark eyes just like Paul, but he was a white boy. Emmett was a jokester and we'd played many tricks on one another over the years. Emmett was the classic older brother that I never had. He had a special level of deep caring in him, but he didn't like to explore that a lot, no, he liked to keep it pretty happy and carefree if he could.
Finally there was Devin; he was the most hesitant about Siobhan. It was quite obvious actually, to me at least. Everyone else greeted her like she was a sight for sore eyes, but Devin just kept looking my way when Edward was going through the introduction process. Those light green eyes would flick to me then back to her. I could tell he was really thinking about something and I couldn't wait to get him alone to talk about it. After they split away, I watched as he shook his auburn hair and then focused back on me.
"Bella baby!" Emmett called, but I could see Devin was headed over for the first hug.
I was right.
Devin's strong arms lifted me up in to a nearly Emmett-like crushing hug. "Bella," he breathed into my hair.
"Hey Dev," I sighed quietly, "long time no see, how're you doing?" I asked as I was still being crushed into him.
"I'm good B! Real good," he said smiling as he moved to set me down. "We need to talk later."
I nodded. I knew he had some thoughts on Ms. Model and he wanted to share them with me.
Emmett shoved Devin out of the way to get in for his hug. I loved the guys they always gave me the warmest welcome.
His low whistle, while I stood there under his wandering gaze, made me a bit uncomfortable, but it was just Emmett so I threw on a smile and batted my eyes up at him.
He laughed and wrapped his arms around me and pulled me into a tight hug.
"Hey Em," I said when he finally put me down.
"Hey Lil' B, looking good there girl, how you been?" he asked with a beautiful Emmett smile on his face.
"I'm great, you know," I lied with a smile.
"Make way," Ryan said elbowing both boys out of the way.
He dipped down and kissed me on the cheek. "Oh Bella, it's so good to see you."
"You too Ry," I said back, blushing at the attention. The guys had always been affectionate with me before, but I guess I never really noticed it like I did now.
Even though I was busy getting welcomed in from the guys, I didn't miss Rose's hand signals, she had one arm wrapped around Paul's waist. But, her other one she was using to try to covertly point to Edward. And when I looked at him from Ryan's shoulder, I saw that he was scowling. He must not have liked that the boys were paying me so much attention.
Well too damn bad Mr. Edward Cullen.
Hey, I was twenty dammit and if boys wanted to pay attention to me, they could damn well pay attention to me. Bring it on boys!
After the meet and greets were over I slid past most of the boys and made my way over to Jackson, he was always quiet and laid back.
"Hey Jay, how's life been treating you?" I wondered as he enveloped me in a gentle hug.
I took my time to enjoy it because Jay didn't offer those out to just anyone.
"Pretty good B, you?"
"Eh, you know. I'm looking forward to going back to school actually," I told him quietly.
He laughed and pulled back to look at me, "I never thought I'd hear those words come out of your mouth."
I shrugged, not wanting to give too much away. Jay was pretty perceptive, so I wasn't about to show him my hand.
We pulled apart and I made my way back the center of the kitchen, purposefully ignoring Siobhan. She looked pretty pissed that the boys had all wanted to desperately welcome me home. I had a feeling she wasn't used to sharing the attentions of the men around her.
"Who wants to play cards boys?" I asked. And yes, I meant to say boys 'cause God only knew what I would do if I got stuck with her at my table.
We were three games in and I was raking in the cash. The guys were getting drunk, and I was getting annoyed. My red Solo cup only had water in it and that bitch had plunked her ass down at the table at the start of the new hand.
"What about this hand baby? Do you think it's good enough to finally beat her?" Ms. Model asked Edward. Her fingers trailed over his neck and they made my blood boil.
I shook it off, took a deep breath and continued to play.
An hour or so later, after I had taken the majority of their cash, everyone quit. Paul and Rose were in the living room talking quietly. I could see her smile and hear her laugh softly every once in a while, so I knew things were going good over there.
I yawned and stretched my arms over my head after I finished counting my take. I made three hundred and forty two bucks. Not bad. I stowed it away and began picking up empties, trying to clean up before I slipped upstairs for the night. I didn't need Esme to wake up to mess, even though I knew she'd never say anything.
I dropped the empties on the counter and turned on the water to wash them out.
Ryan and Jackson were outside having a smoke and Edward and Ms. Model were keeping them company. I shook my head when I heard her fake laugh through the closed kitchen door.
"She really gets to you, doesn't she?"
I didn't jump when I heard Dev come up behind me, because this was what we did, somehow whenever we got together, we managed to find a little alone time to catch up and talk. We shared a special friendship that meant a lot to me.
I shrugged noncommittally because I sure as fuck didn't need him to know that I really liked Edward; even after all these years. That would make things super awkward.
"Well, she bothers me," he said softly.
"Really?" I asked turning to face him.
"Yeah, I get a bad vibe from her."
"You know, I thought the only vibe you guys would have gotten from her would be popping in your pants."
His brows pushed together and he sighed, and I turned back to my task.
"Bells, just because she's pretty doesn't mean she holds a candle to some girls."
"Dev, that's a sweet thing to say, but in reality, looks like hers matter to guys."
I finished up and tossed the empties in the recycling bin and turned around. I was surprised to see that he was still standing there, right behind me.
His arms snaked around my waist and he pulled me into him gently.
"You like him still, don't you?" he asked softly.
I knew there was no point in denying it; Dev had known me too long for that shit, so I just nodded into his shoulder, while he rubbed my back.
"I'm sorry B," he whispered softly resting his cheek on the top of my head.
I nodded again, enjoying the feeling of being wrapped in someone's comforting arms.
"Dev!" Edward said loudly and we pulled away from each other. "It's getting late, why don't you hit the road."
Edward had said it more like a command instead of a suggestion, making me want to kick his ass at how rude he was being, but I didn't. Instead, I took advantage of a great situation.
I gave Dev a long, sweet hug goodbye and saw him to the door.
Sure, to Edward what he saw probably looked like we were having an intimate moment, boy would he be shocked if he knew we were just bonding over our mutual dislike for his girlfriend.
I was about to stomp upstairs but then I realized Edward was finally alone, so I figured it was best to ask him about the movie now.
"Hey Edward?"
"Yeah?" he asked sounding frustrated.
I wavered on whether or not I should ask him, but I decided to bite the bullet.
"Do you wanna maybe hit a movie with Rose and me sometime this week?"
I didn't bother to bat my eyelashes at him like Ms. Model had been doing since she had been here.
He seemed a bit startled when I asked him, but he regained his composure quickly.
"A movie?"
"Yeah, you know, to hang out. Spend some time together, just you, me and Rose."
"Sure, sounds good to me."
I couldn't control myself. I leaped into his arms for a hug and he hugged me back without a second thought, that was, until the back door opened.
So who do you think walked through the door? Teaser for the next chapter will be posted on Friday on my group page of FB. See ya then! :)
