A/N:  Sorry I didn't get to post yesterday!  I had a very hectic day!  Anyway...here is the next installment!!  Please let me know what you think in the form of a REVIEW! ;)  Thank you soooo much to the people who have been reviewing!!  I really do appreciate it!! 

Disclaimer:  I am not Stephenie Meyer and I do not own these characters! (Oh the things I would DO if I owned Edward!  YOWZA!)

Chapter 4

I woke the next morning to rumbling thunder and an empty bed. I looked down at my arm and cursed the throbbing dull ache that was spreading from it. It coursed through my body as a reminder of James' tendencies. I was upset with him and angry, but at the same time he was just trying to protect me. He's a very physical person and he thought I was in danger. I could see why he would do what he did. I couldn't hold it against him or act any different towards him. That would just cause him unnecessary embarrassment.

"BELLA?!" Alice squealed while barreling up the stairs. I heard several sets of feet stumbling up the stairs along with groans and mumbling.

I turned over in bed facing my door waiting for Alice to come bounding in. That she did and jumped flying onto the bed grabbing for my arm to inspect the damage. "You can't see anything Alice it's bandaged up."

She glared at me and said "I can't see that, but look at your wrist!" She exclaimed and threw my arm towards my face.

I stared at the perfectly bruised fingers that were on my wrist. That must have come from him dragging me down the stairs. "Oh" I said quietly. Rose, Emmett, Jasper and Edward filed into the room after Alice's revelation.

"Look at her wrist. I swear to God that guy is going down" Alice swore while she paced the room. "If I have to gouge his eyes out with my own two…"

"Don't" I cut Alice off. "He's protective and he's a very physical person. We all know that. He just thought I was in danger."

"You're defending him?" Rosalie asked with a mask of shock and horror falling over her face.

"Rose you know how he is. He's just a physical person. That's all. He's protective of me."

I stared around the room at everyone's faces. Emmett and Jasper were calm and convened, but Edward had a look of disgust and rage in his face. "Now can you all just leave? I am tired and I think I will just stay in bed and relax until I have to go to work tonight."

"You are going in when he's going to be there" Emmett's voice was hard and cutting as his thoughts caught up with him.

"Yes I am going in tonight. It's my job and there will be plenty of people there. He won't do anything. He won't do anything." I chanted and continued "anyway…because I won't be in any danger." I stuttered through my words as even my subconscious was trying to convince me I would be safe with him around.

"We aren't working tonight though" Rose spat through clenched teeth.

"I. WILL. BE. FINE." I raged as I sat up in my bed and glared at each one of them with narrowed eyes.

"Fine" Rose snapped and walked out of the room. "It's your funeral" she said as she stomped down the stairs.

"Bella" Alice said softly.

"No. Alice, I am going in and the topic is closed. I am done talking about this."

"Isabella" Alice said firmly.

I craned my head towards her and stared her down. She nodded once and left the room with Jasper and Emmett following. They all shook their head in anger at me, but I didn't care. I could take care of myself. I flung myself back into the pillows and Edward walked over to my bed.

I turned to face the wall away from his prying eyes and said "thank you for staying last night. I suppose you have some opinion to voice also?"

"No. I think you are an adult and can take care of yourself. Don't think I won't be stopping in tonight though" he said as he got up and moved swiftly from my room.

"Whatever" I whispered as I heard the engine of the Volvo start up quietly. "Stupid, shiny, quiet Volvo" I mumbled before I fell back to sleep.

I squealed around the corner to the bar only to find that stupid shiny Volvo in my parking spot. I pulled in behind Edward's car and got out. Edward moved from the side of the building towards me.

"You're in my fucking parking spot."

"I don't see your name anywhere on the ground."

"It's an unspoken rule. My car draws patrons. More than a shiny Volvo would. We are blue collar town. People want to see American made cars not foreign junk clogging up the parking spots." I spat with venom seeping through my voice.

"Ouch, but seriously is that the best you can do?"

"What are you doing here Edward?"

"I told you I would be stopping by. So here I am and I intend to stay until your shift is over."

"Well you are going to be waiting a while. I am closing tonight."

"More of a reason for me to stay" he said flatly.

"Why are you doing this? You don't even know me. You don't know him."

"Bella I can't just sit around at home and wonder if you are going to end up with a bandage on your other arm. I would be lying if I said I didn't think we had a connection." He said calmly. "I would also be lying if I didn't tell you I sort of have a girlfriend."

"WHAT?!" I stormed. "Why did you fucking kiss me? You fucking player. I knew it! Why do I get myself into these situations?" I hugged my arms around myself as a sickening feeling of nausea came over me. "So where is she? Should I expect her tonight too?" My anger was raging, but I calmed my voice trying to keep an even tone.

"She's not here. She lives in the city. I didn't tell you about her and I did kiss you because we are taking a break. We agreed to see other people."

"So why are you still calling her your girlfriend?"

"Well I've been with her for so long it's hard not to call her my girlfriend."

"Just go home Edward" I said as I started walking towards the entrance. "It's Sunday night you have work tomorrow morning. I don't need your pity and I certainly don't need talk floating to the city and an angry girlfriend coming here to rip me to shreds." I turned my back to him as a tear slipped down my cheek. I don't know why, but he was right we did connect. Those eyes…those eyes…I could feel them penetrate my soul. I could feel the electricity when he touched me and that kiss…oh my God…that kiss. Well it's over now. I thought to myself.

"I'm not going anywhere" his velvet voice whispered into my ear.

"It's your funeral" I mumbled as I walked into the bar. Emmett and Jasper were already seated at the bar. "What is this a fucking intervention or something?"

Emmett laughed a booming laugh and grabbed me around the waist as I tried to walk by. "I like you Bella. You silly little girl" he said while he ruffled my hair. "I'm here for your protection as well as these idiots that insisted they come with me" he whispered into my ear. I did chuckle at that. I think I could get used to his humor. I hoped we could remain friends.

He released his grasp on me and I walked into the back room. Rob was standing in the doorway to the cooler with a list taking inventory.

"Hey what are you doing here? Where is James?" I asked shakily. Keep it together Bella you don't want to ruin this for yourself or James.

"Oh hey Bells" Rob said pulling me into an embrace. "What did you do to your arm? Are you alright?" He asked slightly panicked. He always thought of me like a little sister.

"Oh I'm fine" I smiled my best reassuring smile. "I just burned it. No biggie. You know how clumsy I can be."

Rob smiled and said "well James called in. I guess he's got the flu. So I am here closing with you. Is that alright?"

"Of course" I said slightly relieved. "I am going to go give Seth a break. I am sure he's tired."

"Right on. The DJ should be here in about ten minutes" he said with a smile as he turned back to taking inventory.

I walked back out into the bar and sent Seth on his break. I waited on a couple of customers and walked over to where Edward, Jasper and Emmett were sitting. Emmett flashed a big toothy grin that I couldn't help but return.

"Yeah so James called in tonight. It's just me, Rob and Seth until close. You guys can go. Operation protect Bella is done." I said lightly.

"Right. We aren't going anywhere Bella" Jasper said firmly. Emmett and Edward nodded their heads in agreement.

"Could we get three more beers please" Emmett asked me again grinning.

I got the beers and saw the DJ walk in. I walked over to the booth as he was setting up and asked him to play a couple of songs for me. He obliged and I went back behind the bar and turned the sound down on all the televisions.

"Hey" Edward said glaring at me. "We were watching that."

"Well the DJ is here and is going to start so the televisions go on mute. Sorry about your luck" I shrugged my shoulders and walked to the other end of the bar to serve a couple of guys that had just walked in.

"Could you tell us if there are any good hotels around here?" One of the guy's that walked in asked me. He was tall with a pale complexion, jet black hair and vacant blue eyes.

"Yeah it's about three streets over on Main Street" I said smiling warmly. "I could give you some directions if you want."

"That would be great" he smiled in return.

"What's your name?" The other guy with him asked me. He was tall, but not as tall as the first guy and he had a muddy brown colored hair with hazel eyes.

"Bella" I answered while I scrawled the directions onto a napkin.

"Well I'm Harry and this is Trey" the brown haired guy said as he pointed to the black haired guy.

"Well it's nice to meet you both."

"Can we buy you a shot?" Trey asked.

"I suppose" I said shrugging my shoulders again. "What's your poison?"

"SoCo please" Harry said.

"You got it" I mumbled as I pulled out three shot glasses and poured the SoCo in them. We clinked glasses and I tipped mine back swallowing the fiery liquid in one gulp. "Thanks" I said to them as they handed me their dirty glasses.

"No problem" Trey replied.

"Hey bartender" Emmett called from the opposite end of the bar. I rolled my eyes and excused myself from the newcomers.

"Can I help you Gigantor?" I snapped when I got in front of them.

Emmett roared with laughter and said "like I haven't heard that one before. We need three more beers."

"Don't you guys have work tomorrow? You are going to be hung over and exhausted" I replied as I grabbed the beers from under the counter.

"Don't you worry your pretty little head about us Bella" Emmett said grinning again.

"Is he always this happy?" I asked looking from Edward to Jasper who were both shrugging their shoulders and rolling their eyes. "What? What is it? Do I have something on my face? Oh my God…what is it? Do I have something on my ass? Someone tell me. What the fuck?"

Emmett boomed with laughter again. "No you look fine and you don't have anything on your ass or your chest except Emmett's eyes." Edward said through clenched teeth while shooting a deadly glare at Emmett.

"Oh Jesus. You ass. You want me to call Rose? She's cattier than I am and she will kick your ass Emmett" I sneered while fighting back a giggle. He looked horror struck for a second and then started laughing again. "Keep your eyes to yourself" I said narrowing my eyes at him as I walked down to the other end of the bar. "I mean it Emmett" I yelled as I stopped in front of the newcomers with a giggle.

"How about another shot Bella" Trey asked winking at me.

"Sure" I replied pulling out three more shot glasses and pouring SoCo in them. We tipped them back again as the DJ started the music.

"So are you drinking anything other than SoCo tonight" Harry asked me.

"Well I am a Mich Ultra girl, but I haven't popped one open yet. The night is still early."

"Well get it popping. It's time to drink up" Trey smiled.

"You know…you are right" I said as I grabbed a bottle and twisted the cap off taking a healthy chug before setting it back behind the bar.

"Hey Bella" Seth called from the back room.

"Yeah" I replied from my spot.

"Are we stocked out there?"

"Yep we're good." I replied as he came out from the back room.

"Cool. I'm done with my break." He smiled as he walked down towards Edward and company.

The DJ spun a few tunes and the alcohol flowed freely from my new out of town friends. I laughed as they told me stories about their work. I hardly looked down the bar, but when I did I was always met with those piercing green eyes. He stared at me throughout the night until I felt giddy enough to dance. I saw a few girls on the dance floor when the perfect song came on. Edward watched me saunter out on the dance floor towards the pole as the first cords rang out. I looked back to him and flashed an evil grin as he realized what song was playing. I saw him mouth "fuck" as he watched me walk.

My Girlfriend's a dick magnet My Girlfriend's gotta have it
She's hot, can't stop, up on stage, doing shots, Tip the man he'll
Ring the bell, get her drunk she'll scream like hell.
Dirty girl, gettin' down, dance with guys from outta town.
Grab her ass, actin' tough. Mess with her, she'll fuck you up.
No one really knows if she's drunk or if she's stoned, but she's
Comin' back to my place tonight!

I swung around the pole a few times as Edward, Emmett, Jasper, Harry and Trey made their way to the dance floor. I did a few booty drops in front of Harry and Trey and sauntered my way around the dance floor. There was no way I was going to give a show tonight. Not like the other night. I watched as Edward's eyes grew wider and desire pooled in my panties as his gaze penetrated my resolve.

She likes to shake her ass she grinds it to the beat
She likes to pull my hair when I make her grind her teeth
I like to strip her down she's naughty to the end
You know what she is, no doubt about it
She's a bad, bad girlfriend!

I spun a couple more times around the pole as the other girl's on the dance floor tried to mimic what I was doing. I laughed at their feeble attempts and the fact that every guy in this bar had his eyes on me and no one else. Edward stepped forward and pulled me back to him as we started dancing. A few other guys meandered onto the floor looking for girls to dance with. Edward swayed in perfect timing with me as I dropped to the floor in front of him and turned so I was facing him. I took my time coming back up until I was face to face with him. He had a wicked grin as he spun me again so my back was to his chest.

She's a gold digger now you figure out it's over, pull the trigger.
Futures finished, there it went, savings gone,
The money spent

I look around and all I see is, no good, bad and ugly,
Man she's hot and fixed to be, the future
Ex-Miss Connolly!

He pressed himself into me and I could feel his rock hard erection on my ass. I groaned involuntarily as he pulled my hair back from shoulder and started peppering kisses on my neck and collarbone. I titled my head to allow him better access as I continued my swaying.

"WHAT. THE. FUCK. BELLA." I opened my eyes to stare at James standing there with panic, anger and rage mixing into his face. Like a perfect storm I knew it was coming, but I couldn't stop it. He pulled back and punched Edward right in the nose. "That's payback for last night asshole. Now get your fucking hands off of her."

Edward bounced back immediately with just a trickle of blood running from his nose. "I am only here to protect her from you. I will leave when she tells me to and she hasn't said anything yet. As a matter of fact I think she was quite enjoying that dance so why don't you leave us the fuck alone."

"James…don't. Just…let it go" I stuttered trying desperately to hold back the tears that were brimming in my eyes. Edward still held my waist protectively and I didn't want to move from his grasp, but I was scared that if I didn't James would just get angrier. So I pried his fingers from me and turned to look at his nose. "I'm sorry Edward, but I think you should go."

"That's right fucker. Get your friends and get the hell out of here. Don't bother coming back either. Bella doesn't want you. I am the only piece of ass she will ever need. Lay the fuck off" James spat clenching his fists again.

Edward looked at me and could clearly see the pain written on my face. He must have decided it was better if he went because he left. He left me standing there in the middle of the dance floor with an enraged friend.

"What the hell is going on" Rob said breaking through the crowd onto the dance floor.

"Nothing…just let's go back to work. James go home" I said without even looking at him.

"Bella" he said softly. "I need to talk to…"

"Just go home James" I cut him off repeating my words icily. He turned and left. I made my way to the back of the bar in a stupor. Rob kept asking me over and over again what was wrong and what had been going on, but I said nothing. I just stood behind the bar completely immobilized by the events that had happened in the last 24 hours.

"Bella" Rob said softly. I looked to him with watery eyes. "Why don't you go home sweetie. Seth and I can handle closing up."

I nodded and silently grabbed my purse and left the bar. I took my time going home. I pulled into an empty driveway and made it into the side door before I broke down. I slid down to the floor against the refrigerator on the kitchen floor and let the sobs consume me. James' words kept repeating in my head over and over again. They cut like knives through my self esteem and image. I knew we were fuck buddies and I constantly joked about it, but he really looked at it like that. I thought he at least cared about me in some form, but obviously he didn't care that much. Our friendship ran deep and I've known him for some time. Of course he would be protective of me, but Edward didn't present a threat. I sat and stared at the wall quietly sobbing until the darkness consumed the house. I sunk down lower into the floor and let sleep take me over.

The door opened and I heard footsteps, but I didn't move. I felt strong hands cradle me and carry me upstairs. The mysterious hands laid me on the bed, tucked me in and whispered reassuring words into my ear. Then all at once the presence was gone.

A/N:  So there you go!  UGH!  I know it was kind of a boring chapter, but it's a filler and all stories have them!  There are a couple of ways this story can go right now so I am going to be doing some writing in the next couple of days to see which way I like best!  If you have any suggestions please let me know!  Please do me a solid and REVIEW!  Thank you!!  :)