Let Love Lie
Chapter 3 – Alice
EPOV
I want nothing more than to hang out with Bella again. Not because I have a crush on her. I don't. I am not interested in dating again. Not yet. Tanya practically ripped my heart out and stomped on it when we broke up. I just think Bella's interesting. And I want to protect her.
It's been three days since we had breakfast. I've texted her a few times to see if she wanted to hang out but she has apparently been busy doing housework and correcting students' homework. Or maybe she's avoiding you because you just randomly appeared in her life.
I shook that thought away and hopped on my bike and headed to Alice's house.
Alice and I have always been close. It was hard on both of us when I decided to follow Tanya to Alaska. And it hurt her when I called her after the breakup. It wasn't my best moment.
I parked in Alice's driveway before walking up to her porch. I knocked and walked in.
"Ali?" I called.
"In here!" she called back. I walked into the kitchen where Alice and my three year old nephew, Riley were.
"Hey, Punk," I grinned as I ruffled his dark brown hair. He grinned up at me, his clear blue eyes shining and wide.
Alice is a single mother. She was engaged to a guy named Demetri, but he bailed last minute leaving Alice broken and five months pregnant at the age of twenty. I never liked Demetri, and I'm pretty sure the way he felt was mutual. But we put our feelings aside and tolerated each other for Alice's sake. I'm glad she's no longer with him, but I hate his guts for leaving her to care for this child alone.
Alice has full custody of Riley. Not that Demetri wanted custody anyway. He still pays child support; he just isn't a part of Riley's life.
"Hi Uncle Eddie," Riley giggled. I normally don't let anyone call my Eddie, but I have a soft spot for Riley. I went over and kissed Alice's cheek.
"Hey, what are my two favorite people up to?" I asked.
"Just making Rie some lunch. What brings you here?"
"I'm not doing much with work so I figured I'd stop by."
"Riley, honey, can you go clean up your toys in the living room while Mommy makes your lunch?" she asked. Riley nodded his head and pushed his chair away from the table. He got off his booster seat and went to pick up the toys.
"How are things at work?" she asked as she cut up an apple and put in on a paper plate.
"Good, I have a new project."
"Oh?" she inquired.
"Yeah," I shrugged.
"Well, go on," she insisted.
"I am playing bodyguard slash babysitter." She quirked an eyebrow.
"Chief's daughter went through some sort of abusive relationship and now I'm sort of protecting her without her knowing."
"What do you mean by that?" She looked up at me from making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.
"I'm being her friend. I'm kind of doing an undercover thing."
"I want to meet her," she said as she cut the crust off of the bread. She stuffed a piece of crust into her mouth before setting the plate on the table.
"Al, I don't know if that's such a good idea. I mean, she's nervous as he-," I started before I saw Riley come in. "She's really nervous around me," I caught myself before saying hell. No cussing around the youngster is tolerated in Alice's house.
"But you're a guy. You said she was in an abusive relationship, no?"
"Yeah, but…"
"But nothing," she cut me off. "I'm not going to expose you, or hurt her. Just bring her over. Or I'll come over when she's hanging out with you."
"Al," I sighed.
"Please, Edward," she pleaded.
"When I get to know her better, okay? I don't want to just drop a bomb on her. I want her to get to know me first."
"Thanks," she smiled. My cell phone went off in my pocket. I looked at the caller I.D. and back at Alice.
"Speak of the devil," I winked before picking up the phone.
BPOV
I have literally spent the past three days thinking nonstop about Edward. Not just Edward himself. No, that's much too simple. I've been thinking about all of the questions I had after breakfast. Why I trust him and want to tell him everything.
Edward has asked to hang out a few times since then but I've been busy with correcting papers and catching up on cleaning. Finally, I have nothing to do. I walk around the house and try to find something that can occupy my time but there is nothing.
I sat on the couch and tried to think of what to do. Emmett is working. Rose is probably getting ready for Thanksgiving dinner, seeing as it's her turn to host it. Mom and Dad are both working. I wonder if Edward is working.
I pull my cell phone out and call him.
"Hello?" he answered.
"Hey, it's Bella," I said, sounding more confident than last time.
"Hey, what's up?"
"Absolutely nothing. I was thinking, if you're not busy, I'd like to take you up on the offer of hanging out."
"No I'm not busy, just visiting my sister and nephew."
"Oh! I'll let you go then. We can hang out another time," I said feeling disappointed and embarrassed.
"No, it's fine. I want to hang out. In fact, would you like to hang out with my sister and her son?"
"Uhm, I, uh, would I be intruding?"
"Don't be silly. She's been dying to meet someone new."
"Sure," I shrugged. "What's her address?"
"I'll come pick you up," he said. "And if it makes you feel more comfortable, I can bring her car."
"No, the R1 is fine."
"You know what kind of bike it is?" he asked bewildered. I heard, who I'm assuming to be his sister, snort in the background.
"Yeah, my sister-in-law knows a lot about cars and bikes, so I know a bit." Even though Rose isn't technically my sister-in-law yet, I refer to her as it. It's easier than saying my unofficially adopted sister. Seeing as she and Emmett are now engaged, I think it fits to call her that.
"Sweet," he said with a smile clear in his voice. "I'll be at yours in about ten minutes."
"Sounds good." We hung up and I changed into some jeans and a deep blue sweater.
A knock on my door came about fifteen minutes later. I walked over and answered it.
"Hey, sorry I'm late. My nephew made it hard to leave."
"No, its fine," I smiled. "Are you sure this is okay?"
"Yeah, she really wants to meet you," he smiled. He handed me the helmet from a few nights ago and we went over to the bike. I wrapped my arms around his stomach a little less hesitantly this time.
We drove off until we were on the other side of town. He stopped at a small house and killed the bike. I got off hesitantly. Edward sensed my hesitation and came over to me. He grabbed my hand and I stiffened a little.
"Hey, relax," he smiled. "My sister is shorter than you and is the sweetest person I know. She's harmless. Well, I wouldn't say that. She's very persuasive when it comes to fashion but she couldn't hurt a fly. You'll love her." I nodded. He rubbed the back of my hand with his thumb before leading me to her house.
"Al, I'm back," he called. Alice came into the small walkway and smiled. Edward was right; she was shorter than me. Only by an inch or two though.
"You must be Bella," she practically sang. "I'm Alice." She stuck her hand out for me to shake and I took it without hesitation.
"Hi," I smiled. A small boy peaked from around the corner.
"And this is my son, Riley," she smiled as she motioned for him to come out. "Rie, honey, this is Bella, Uncle Eddie's friend." Uncle Eddie? I remember Edward telling me he hated the name Eddie.
Riley came fully around the corner and behind Alice's leg.
"Honey, I know you're not this shy. Go say hello," she sweetly encouraged. The small boy looked up at me with he bright blue eyes. I crouched down to the floor.
"Hi Riley, I'm Bella," I smiled and held my hand out to him. He looked up at Edward and giggled. I looked up at him and he held his hands up. Riley came over to me and hugged me suddenly. My eyes widened in surprise before I hugged him back.
"Hi Bella," he said, but it sounded more like "Hi Bewwa". He let go of me and went over to Edward. He raised his hands in the air to signal he wanted to be picked up.
"Alright, Punk," he chuckled. He lifted Riley up into one arm. "Come on in, Bella. Make yourself at home," Edward gestured. "Did you finish your lunch?" he asked Riley as he and Alice walked into the kitchen. I followed them like the lost puppy I felt like. Edward set Riley down in a booster seat and sat across from him. I shyly sat in a seat next to him.
"So, Bella," Alice smiled warmly as she sat down. I looked up at her. "How long have you and my brother been friends?"
"Uh, not long. Not long at all," I said as I looked at him.
"Five days," he chuckled.
"Well, we met five days ago." Riley chomped on an apple slice before offering one to Edward.
"That's yours, Punk," he smiled. Riley waved it at Edward.
"Yours," he grinned a dimpled smile, reminding me of Emmett's. Edward took it from Riley and took a bite.
"Thanks," he smiled.
"How old is he?" I asked Alice.
"Show Bella how old you are, Riley," Alice encouraged. Riley looked at me with a small smile and held up three fingers.
"How old you?" he asked in return.
"Riley," Alice started to scold him.
"No, no, it's fine," I giggled and blushed. "I'm twenty-five," I smiled at Riley.
"How many?" he asked as he motioned to his fingers.
"That's all of your fingers and toes, then five of Uncle Eddie's fingers." I looked at Edward and he smiled a sarcastic smirk at my encouragement of his name. I giggled as Riley tried processing his newly learned information.
"Mommy, can I go outside?" Riley asked.
"One more apple slice and a bite of your sandwich." Riley took a bite of his sandwich.
"What do you do for a living, Bella?" Alice asked.
"I'm an eleventh grade English teacher. And you?"
"I'm a fashion designer. Well, that's what I like to tell everyone. I work at a clothing store right now, but I design clothes and I just have to get someone to take interest in them." I nodded.
"Don't you find that a little hard to do in Forks?" I asked.
"It's fairly difficult, but when I need to, I commute to Seattle."
"Outside now?" Riley pleaded.
"Let me clean up first, okay?"
"No, now," he pouted.
"I'll take him outside. You two can just meet me out there," Edward offered. Riley grinned and clapped his hands.
"You're spoiling him," Alice scolded him.
"Awe, come on, Ali," he chuckled. "The kid wants to go outside."
"Fine," she huffed.
"Come on, Punk," he chuckled and lifted Riley out of his seat. He set Riley down and they went out through a sliding door in the living room.
"Why does Edward call him Punk?"
"When Riley was born Edward stayed with me in the hospital. He was holding Riley and put his finger in Riley's palm. Riley only wrapped his middle and finger, along with his thumb. So he hand his pointer finger and pinky sticking up," she explained as she showed me on her own hand. "Edward joked and said Riley would be a punk rocker. So the name Punk kind of stuck," she shrugged.
"And Uncle Eddie?" I giggled.
"He hates that so much, but he won't let Riley see," she laughed. "Riley can't say Edward. It sounds like Ederd. So he says Eddie. It's easier for him." I nodded.
"Edward seems to be wrapped around Riley's finger," I noted.
"That's an understatement," Alice laughed as she bagged up the extra apple slices. "Edward gives Riley everything he wants. I think it's because Riley's father isn't in the picture."
"Would you mind me asking what happened?" I asked shyly.
"Oh, no not at all. Riley's father, Demetri, bailed about six months before our wedding."
"I'm so sorry," I sympathized.
"It's no big deal, really. The guy knocked me up then proposed. I should have known it wouldn't last. The guy was a jerk, really. Edward never liked him. I didn't understand why until after we broke up. So, Demetri isn't a part of Riley's life. He only sends child support." I pursed my lips and shook my head.
"I don't understand how a guy can do that," I muttered.
"Yeah, well, we're better off without him," she said cheerfully. "Ready to go outside?"
"Yeah," I smiled. We walked outside and saw Edward and Riley playing on a wooden play structure.
"I swear Edward likes that thing more than Riley," Alice giggled. Edward was sitting with his back facing the opening to a slide. It looked like Riley was trying to push him out. Edward scooted further closer to the slide and Riley finally managed to push him out. Edward grabbed Riley and the both came down the slide, Riley's laughter loud.
Riley climbed out of Edward's arms and ran over to us. Edward followed behind with a large grin on his face.
"Hey, Punk, come here," Edward said as he crouched down. Edward whispered something in Riley's ear.
"Hey, mommy," Riley said.
"Yeah, honey?"
"Mom?"
"Yes?" Alice asked again.
"Mom," Riley said a third time, his smile growing.
"What Riley?" Alice asked getting impatient. She looked over at Edward.
"Alright, come here again, Punk," Edward said. He whispered something in Riley's ear again.
"You have a minute to get rid of the word," Riley giggled in his young voice.
"What?" Alice questioned.
"Yeah, that one," Edward chuckled.
"Stop teaching my son your childish games, Edward," she sighed and swatted Edward's head. Edward laughed and high fived Riley.
"Did you show Uncle Eddie your new sand toys?" Alice asked. Riley's face lit up and he tugged on Edward's hand. Edward smiled and let Riley lead him to a plastic turtle shaped sandbox.
"My brother is such a child," she shook her head with a smile. We sat down on the grass.
"I've never seen him like this," I said.
"He does seem to be very cautious around you," she noted. "I don't know why though."
"He knows I'm not good with men," I said softly. Alice turned to me with a concerned look on her face.
"Who's hurt you, Bella?" she asked curiously, concern thick in her voice.
"Just some guy," I shrugged. "It-it's nothing." I tightened my jaw and looked at the grass I was nervously pulling at as blush crept on my cheeks. It's nothing. The big lie that's taken over my life since that first time James' hand came in contact with my cheek. Every time he would grab me too hard, hit me, shove me. It was all nothing.
My phone buzzed in my pocket and I pulled it out. Rose
"Could you excuse me for a moment?" I asked.
"Sure, go ahead," Alice encouraged. I pressed the green phone icon on the screen.
"Hello?" I answered.
"Hey, Bells, where are you?"
"I'm at a friend's house."
"Edward's?"
"No, his sister Alice's."
"You're just getting to know his whole family, huh?"
"Funny," I snorted softly.
"I was just wondering if you wanted to come over later for a girl's night."
"Will Emmett be there?" I smiled.
"No," she laughed. "He's going to be in Seattle for the night. He has a conference in the morning."
"Yeah, sure, that would be great."
"Alright, is seven okay? Send Alice and Edward my hellos."
"Okay, will do. Bye."
"Bye, Hon," she said before hanging up.
"Sorry, my sister-in-law," I said as I motioned to my phone. I slid it back in my pocket.
"No, that's fine. Is Emmett her husband?"
"Yeah, my oldest brother," I nodded.
"How many brothers do you have?"
"I have two. Both older. I'm the youngest. Emmett is the oldest. And Jasper is the middle child."
"What do they do?"
"Emmett is a physical therapist for children. Jasper is currently deployed in Afghanistan."
"Wow," Alice said in awe. I nodded with a smile.
"Is it hard for you? Him being over there?"
"Yeah, it's really hard," I nodded. "He's pretty much my best friend." Alice nodded.
"Your family sounds nice," she smiled.
"I couldn't ask for a better family," I shrugged.
"I know what you mean," she smiled. "My family is so supportive of me." I nodded in understanding. Alice and I aren't that different. We've both been hurt in our lives. Sure, we were hurt in different ways, but either way we still have scars. Both of us bear the scars that men carved into our lives.
"Hey, Al, it looks like it's going to rain. I'm going to take Bella home before that happens," Edward said as he came over to us with Riley close behind.
"Okay," she nodded. Edward offered a hand to each of us to get up. I looked up at him and noticed he was just looking at me. I took his hand and he helped me up. He helped Alice up too.
"Come on, Honey, let's go change your clothes. You're covered in sand," Alice said as motioned to Riley. "It was so nice to meet you, Bella. I can see us becoming great friends," she smiled and hugged me. I hugged her back without a second thought. We exchanged numbers before Edward and I left.
"Thank you for bringing me here," I smiled as we walked to his bike.
"Thanks for coming," he smiled back. He handed me the helmet and I got on with little hesitation this time.
It's scary how comfortable I am becoming with him. It feels like I've known him for so long, but I don't know him. Well, I barely know him.
"Ready?" he called over the roar of the engine.
"Yeah," I called back. I tightened my grip on him and we sped off.
It started raining about a minute before we got back to my house.
"Pull your bike under the tree," I called. He did as I said and killed the engine. "Would you like to come inside and wait out the rain?" I asked after I removed the helmet.
"Sure," he smiled. We ran up to the porch and I unlocked the door before we walked in to be greeted by Rufus.
"Hey, Rufus!" Edward smiled as he pet Rufus.
"Would you like anything to drink?" I asked.
"No thank you," he smiled.
"Grand tour?" I giggled.
"I would like that," he smiled. I showed him around the house and stopped at my room.
"This is my room," I shrugged. "It's not much."
"This is a nice house," Edward smiled as we made our way to the living room.
"It is," I smiled proudly. "I'm so thankful Jasper's letting me stay here."
"Jasper's the one in Afghanistan, correct?"
"Yes, and Emmett's the one you met a few days ago."
"He doesn't seem to like me much," Edward noted and rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. We sat down on the couch. I pulled my legs up and rested my side against the back cushions. Edward mimicked my position, but just bent one leg under the other instead of bringing both up.
"He's just protective of me. Ever since," I started but stopped.
"You don't have to tell me if you don't want to," he assured me.
"I feel like I owe you some explanation though. As to why I had no problem hugging your sister who I knew for only a few hours but I have such a hard time being close to you." I looked into his eyes and saw the same concerned look I had seen in Alice's earlier.
"My last relationship ended with me in a hospital," I said slowly, judging his reaction. I saw his jaw tense a little but nothing else gave away a reaction. "I had been dating him for about a year and a half. I," I started but stopped. I smiled humorlessly before going on. "I know it was my fault. I always got him so mad," I shook my head.
"What are you saying?" he asked when I didn't continue.
"My ex-boyfriend beat me throughout most of our relationship." I looked at Edward but he was looking at my coffee table, not me. "But, as I said, it was my fault." His head snapped up and he looked me in the eye. Anger was clear in them.
"Your fault? How the fu…," he started but stopped himself. He drew in a deep breath before starting to talk in a calmer voice. "How was it your fault?"
"I would get him mad. I would screw up and get him mad."
"Really," he said almost sarcastically. "What did you do to screw up?"
"The first time, God I remember it so clearly although I would give anything to just forget it. I was making his favorite meal – mushroom lasagna. I left it in the oven too long and it burned. He came home expecting his favorite meal and I had sandwiches ready." I touched my cheek, remembering the sting from his forceful slap.
"Burning dinner, Bella, is no excuse for a man to hit a woman. There is no excuse for that," Edward said softly. I looked at him as a tear escaped from my eye. He gently reached up and wiped it away with his thumb before realizing what he did. He snatched his hand away. "Sorry," he muttered.
"It's fine," I smiled softly.
"When did he start?" Edward asked and looked up at me from under his eyelashes.
"About five months into our relationship."
"You let him do this to you for over a year?" he asked, sounding like he had to control his voice.
"He always told me he'd stop."
"And your parents knew about this?" he asked, sounding hurt.
"Not until the end. Not until I woke up in a hospital room and had to tell them."
"How much do they know?"
"Barely anything. You know more than anyone."
Talking about this brought down the gates I carefully put up in my mind. Memories of James beating me and shoving me washed through my mind. The familiar numb feeling was flooding my senses. I didn't realize tears were falling down my cheeks until Edward's hand came in contact with my skin. I didn't flinch away. I didn't move an inch.
"Bella, you're scaring me," he said in a pleading voice. "Say something, please." Both of his hands were on my face, but it wasn't what I was used to. It wasn't a slap, or a punch. I felt no pain from his hands. All I felt was comfort and the same electric current I feel whenever I'm around him, yet intensified. He was wiping away my tears with his thumbs.
Rufus was whining at my feet and nuzzling my leg with his nose.
"I-I can't talk about this anymore," I shook my head, my voice barely a whisper.
"We don't have to. We can talk about whatever you want to. Just please, don't cry." My tears were letting up a little but they were still falling from my eyes. "God, I don't know what to do right now, Bells," he said in a desperate voice. After a few hesitant movements, his arms were around me and he pulled me to him. Rufus growled at him. "I'm not going to hurt her," he said softly. I tensed a little at his touch before relaxing into his chest. I rested my head on his shoulder. He rubbed my arm soothingly as my tears slowed more. Rufus was still whining softly and trying to get my attention.
"I'm sorry," I sniffled as I straightened up. "You shouldn't have had to see me like that." I put my hand down for Rufus and he licked it and nuzzled his head into it.
"You shouldn't have to be like that," he countered.
"But I am, and I can't change it as much as I want to," he said and sighed. "I'm sorry for putting my arms around you. I just didn't know what else to do," he shrugged.
"No, I needed that. Thanks," I smiled softly. "I'm getting more comfortable around you."
"I'm glad," he smiled. I looked at the clock and it was half passed six.
"Shit," I sighed.
"What's wrong?" he asked.
"I have to be at my sister-in-law's in a half hour."
"Oh, then I'll go."
"Thank you, Edward. For everything." He smiled. I walked him to the door. The rain had stopped by now, his bike was only slightly wet. "Hang on," I said. I went into the kitchen and got some paper towel. "Here, to wipe your bike off."
"Thanks," he smiled as he took the paper towel. "Is it okay if I hug you?" he smiled. I opened my arms and he wrapped his arms around my torso in a hug. The electric current became stronger as I wrapped my arms around his neck.
'Thank you for telling me what you did. I hope it helped for you to talk about it," he said as he let me go.
"I feel like a little weight is off my shoulders, but not much."
"If you ever need to talk to someone, I'm here. But you should probably talk to your family about this too." I nodded. "Bye, Bella," he smiled before walking away.
"Bye," I said softly. I closed the door and went up to my room. I packed a bag with Rufus not leaving my side the whole time.
"So what did you do at Edward's sister's house?" Rose asked when we got settled into her living room.
"Just hung out. Edward played with his nephew while Alice and I talked," I shrugged. She gave me a look telling me she knew I was leaving something out. "I told Edward."
"What? How much?"
"Not much. But more than anyone else, including you, knows," I said in a soft voice. "A-and I started crying and feeling numb and it scared the shit out of me, Rose. Knowing that this guy, who, mind you, I met five days ago, knows more than my family. It scares me that I'm comfortable enough to tell him!" I cried in a frantic voice.
"Bell, calm down, okay?" she asked as she rubbed my arm. Somehow, it didn't feel as comforting as when Edward did it.
"He held me while I cried," I whispered.
"What?" Rose asked, bewildered.
"He held me, and rubbed my arm. A-and I let him. I even put my head on his shoulder," I said, staring off, remembering what happened nearly an hour before. "And before he left I hugged him."
"Bell, this is progress," she smiled.
"I-I know, but I feel so guilty. I told him more than I told you, Rose. I think I need to tell you at least some of the details."
"Okay," she nodded. She grabbed my hand as I told her everything I told Edward. Tears streaked my cheeks again.
"What about that night? When Emmett found you? That last night," she whispered.
"I told you guys everything I remember from that night while we were in the hospital. I don't remember anything else." She nodded.
"Now what?" Rose asked.
"Now, we eat ice cream and watch romantic comedies," I giggled, my mood lifting slightly.
"Deal," she smiled.
EPOV
Seeing Bella cry broke my heart. I felt so helpless. I didn't know what to do or how to make her better. I did the only thing I could think of. I held her. She tensed up like I expected but I still kept my arms around her. It surprised me when she rested her head on my shoulder.
This strange electric buzz runs through my body whenever she's close. And when I touch her it intensifies. I can tell she feels it too. I don't know what it means, or why it happens, it just does.
"Chief," I said as I walked into the station.
"Cullen, what's up?" he asked.
"I was hanging out with Bella today and," I started but he cut me off.
"Good work, Cullen," he said happily. "What did you two do?"
"I took her to meet my sister and nephew, but that's besides the point. You need to talk to her about what happened between her and her ex-boyfriend."
"We've tried, she won't open up."
"She sure as hell opened up to me," I widened my arms.
"What did she say?" he asked as his eyes widened a little.
"You have to talk to her about this."
"Cullen, tell me what she said, that's a direct order," he demanded.
"And I'm telling you it's not my place to tell you. You want Bella to trust me? Then you don't want me to tell you what she told me. She trusted me with that information." Chief looked pissed but didn't push it. "And don't make it obvious I told you. I'm a pediatrician for all she knows."
I hate lying to Bella. I wish I could be honest with her. I feel terrible lying to her. I talk about having her trust when I can't be completely honest with her for the sake of my job.
The next day I went to Alice's because I was babysitting Riley while Alice went shopping for his birthday.
"Alright, Punk, what are we going to do?"
"Edward, his bedtime is eight," Alice said pointedly.
"Al, it's going to take you four hours to shop for groceries?" I asked. That was Alice's excuse for leaving.
"It very well may take four hours," she said.
"Okay," I held up my hands.
"Bye baby," Alice said and kissed the top of Riley's head. She kissed my cheek before walking out.
"Uncle Eddie," Riley said as he pulled on my pant leg.
"Yeah?" I asked as I crouched down to his level.
"Where's Bella?"
"She's home, dude. Probably getting ready for Thanksgiving with her family."
"Is she going to be my aunt?"
"Whoa there, Punk, she's my friend. Can't I just have a friend?"
"But she's a girl."
"Yes, and didn't anyone ever tell you that girls have cooties?" I asked as I picked him up. I took him into the living room and gently tossed him on the couch. His laughter made me smile.
For being three years old, Riley is really smart. He's aware of everything and listens to everything people say. His mind is literally like a sponge, he has awesome memory.
"What do you want to do?"
"Color," he smiled.
"Alright, let's color then," I shrugged. We went and got Riley's coloring books and crayons and sat at the kitchen table.
Riley colored in Scooby Doo while I colored Lightning McQueen. Yeah, I know the car's name. I can name every car off that movie, Riley's made me watch it so much. Damn, I'm pathetic.
My phone vibrated in my pocket. I pulled it out and saw it was Bella.
"Wanna talk to Bella?" I offered the phone to Riley.
"Yeah!" he said excitedly. I pressed the answer icon and held to phone up to Riley's ear. "Hi Bella," he smiled.
"Tell her who you are," I chuckled.
"It's Riley." He paused and listened to her before looking at me. "Yes…We're coloring…Scooby…Uncle Eddie said you have cooties."
"Alright, Punk, let me talk to her," I chuckled. I pulled the phone from his ear and put it to my own. "Hello?"
"Cooties?" she laughed.
"Hey, I told him girls have cooties, not you in particular."
"I bet Alice is going to love that one," she laughed.
"Hey, Punk, no telling Mom girls have cooties. Capisce?"
"Capisce," he smiled, but it sounded like "copies".
"So, you're coloring?" she giggled.
"What my nephew wants, my nephew gets," I laughed. Riley started coloring again and I watched him as I talked to Bella.
"Sounds like it. No more playing on the slide?"
"Miss Swan, are you suggesting we play out in the rain and get our clothes all muddy, only to come back into the house and get the house muddy? Are you trying to give my sister a heart attack?" I asked sarcastically.
"Funny, Cullen," she laughed. Cullen. I hated how much that made me realize Chief was her father. "Well, seeing as you're busy, I'll let you go," she sighed.
"No, no, we're just coloring. Is there something you need?"
"Why is it that every time I call you, you think I need something?" she giggled.
"I don't know," I shrugged, even though she couldn't see it.
"Can I talk to her again, please?" Riley pleaded.
"Riley wants to talk to you again."
"Okay," she said with a smile in her voice. I put the phone up to Riley's ear again.
"Bella?" he asked. "Can you come over?"
"Riley," I scolded in a whisper. He just grinned at me.
"Okay," he smiled. He pushed the phone from his ear and to me.
"Hello?"
"I told him I'd talk to you about it."
"I'm fine with you coming over if you want to."
"Okay."
"Do you remember how to get here?"
"Yeah, I do. Are you sure it's okay I come?"
"We'd love to have you over."
"Okay," she said. "I'll see you in a few minutes."
"See you then." I hung up the phone and looked at Riley.
"You trying to play matchmaker?" I accused jokingly.
"Cooties," he smiled.
Hey everyone!
Thanks for reading! I hope you liked this chapter! I am on a roll writing this so I think I may write another chapter before returning to Just Friends.
Reviewers get teasers!
Lots of love,
Nikki