A/N: I know this is a little shorter than usual, however I literally wrote this in two hours last night after work right before bed. I hope you like meeting Peter and Charlotte for the first time. I also hope you like some of the back stroy. If you are diggin it, leave a comment please. If you don't like it, leave some constructive critiscim it's how I learn from my mistakes.

Thanks to Lacym3 even if she did send me the wrong file back....lol

Whiskey Kisses 4

~~Jasper's POV~~

I spent the three days after Bella left in a fog. I worked from before the sun came up until after it went down. I planned to keep up this grueling pace until I worked myself into the ground or I forgot about Bella's brown eyes and sweet lips, whichever came first. It was on the fourth day that Peter and Charlotte pulled into my driveway. I was just coming back from the stables to get lunch when I saw his obnoxious red Hummer pulling up the gravel driveway.

Peter had been my best friend practically since birth. Our parents were close and had both been farmers so we grew up helping each other out when it was needed. I considered him family but I was not happy to see him at that moment. Peter had come over on Wednesday and told me flat out that I looked like shit. I couldn't blame him-I felt like shit. It wasn't his fault that seeing him and Char together made me want to kick something. Jealousy was my problem not theirs.

I had been alone so long that I had grown used to my routine. I got up early and did my morning chores. I ate breakfast and did paperwork. I went back out and did my afternoon chores, and came in for dinner. I took a shower and watched a little TV. Go to bed, and repeat the next day. I had never realized how boring it was until I lost Bella's presence in my house. I had realized as soon as I came home from dropping her off that my house felt enormous for just me. My house was for a family. I had never even wanted one until I met Bella.

I walked warily toward the driveway as Charlotte and Peter climbed down and began talking to each other as I approached. I shook my head when I caught snippets of their conversation. It sounded as though Char was giving Peter an earful; I almost felt bad for my best friend. Peter and Charlotte were perfect for each other, but they hadn't always known that. Charlotte had moved to Brownwood during our 7th grade year. Her family had picked our small Texas community as the place they would start over after a woman named Maria had attempted to hurt them. I didn't know any of the details, but from what little I did manage to learn I knew that it had been a bad situation.

Charlotte was kind and sweet but she had a temper, and she didn't take shit from anyone-especially her husband. I laughed when I saw Peter begin kicking rocks. I decided then that I should interrupt and save him from his embarrassment.

"Hi there guys. What are you doing here?" I hollered as I made my way toward them.

"It seems like the only way to get a hold of you the past few days is to come in person." Charlotte gave me a pointed look and I knew that I was in trouble.

"I've been busy the past few days. I had to do some repair on the south fence. I would hate to call and wake you up by the time I get back in." I knew that this wasn't going to fly but hoped she might take pity on me.

"Jasper Whitlock, you better take that bullshit somewhere else, because I ain't buying it one bit. You have been in a funk since Bella left and you have no one else but yourself to blame for that. You made your decision and you better well suck it up and live with it, or get off your ass and do something about it. Do you hear me? You blew off dinner last night and didn't even call to let us know you weren't coming. Your momma is turning in her grave at your bad manners." She gave me a glare that could stop the grim reaper in his tracks. I knew I was busted and worse I knew she was right. Fuck.

"Awww hell. I really did forget last night was Friday. I'm sorry Char. You're right, this is my own damn fault and I've got no one to blame but myself. I don't like it, but I'm not going to chase that girl halfway across Texas. We barely know each other and I'm not going to make a fool of myself over some girl I don't know from Jane. Why don't you come on in, and I'll get us some lemonade." I made my way toward the front porch and paused until I heard them behind me.

I spent the next hour trying to apologize, but Charlotte was having none of it and told me I could make it up to her by doing the cooking next Friday. I think she just wanted some of my momma's apple cobbler. She had been trying to get the recipe for almost a year since I made it for them last summer. I laughed when she asked for what must have been the hundredth time what the secret was.

Peter was unusually quiet, but I assumed that was because of the dressing down his wife had given him in the driveway. It wasn't until they got up to leave that he finally looked me in the eye and said something. "I'm sorry man, I know it sucks but things will work out."

I didn't say that I thought his gut might be wrong this time, but I thought it really hard. I went to the kitchen to rinse out our glasses. I spent the rest of the night thinking. I sent Bella the second text I had sent since she left. She responded that she was about to leave for deep sea fishing. I sighed heavily. She didn't need me, and apparently she had taken our talk to heart. I tried to feel happy for her, but felt sad for myself instead.

~~Bella's POV~~

It seemed that my plan to have fun and enjoy a carefree week of adventure had totally back fired. Every time I did something fun I had the urge to call Jasper and tell him all about it. I wished he could be there to have fun with me. I groaned when he sent me a text message, as if my thoughts had conjured him. I sent a short reply, I couldn't talk to him or I might never stop. I paced my room as I contemplated things.

What if my infatuation with Jasper was only because I had never had a one night stand? Did my mind not understand sex with no strings? Perhaps I just needed to sleep with someone else and I would get over him. The thoughts spurred me on and I had an idea. I changed and went down to the pool to put my plan into action.

I laid by the pool and read while thinking about the best way to accomplish my goal. I had a few drinks and decided to go to the club that night; surely I could find a decent looking guy to have a fling with. With that in mind I walked back to my room with determination. After spending an inordinate amount of time showering, shaving and putting makeup on I sauntered down to the club on the first floor of the hotel.

I had about as much experience as a teenage girl going out for the first time. I had never done the club scene and with that in mind I went to the bar and got a beer. The music was loud and throbbing. I felt it in my ribs more than I heard it, and it was impossible to make out individual sounds or words. No wonder I had never done that before. It was intimidating to say the least and I spent most of the night leaning against the bar sipping my beer slowly.

After an hour I declared the night a failure and went back to my room. I picked up my cell phone and called my best friend in Arizona. I talked to Alice for almost an hour before telling her about Brownwood, Texas and Jasper. She squealed loudly into the phone and I cringed. Alice was boy crazy and had been since high school. She was probably the only reason I had ever even dated, and definitely the only reason I had been brave enough to take this trip in the first place. Alice was actually supposed to be there right now, but a broken leg had ended that before it started. I was usually the clumsy one, but Alice had decided that dancing on a table was good idea and fell, resulting in her current state.

She informed me in quick fashion that it was all well and good, that she wasn't there to interrupt my "groove". I chuckled and quickly chided her, I let her know that Jasper and I had our fun, and now I was enjoying my vacation alone. She was quick to point out that I would be going right back through his town anyways, and why didn't I stop and spend some time there.

"Besides, what better place to put a Spanish degree to use? Why not at least give it a shot? What is waiting for you here in Arizona anyway? Your mom and Phil are on the road half the year, and the only person you hang out with any regularity is me. Why not enjoy being young and without any responsibilities." I laughed as Alice finished her speech.

"Alice, just because I don't have any specific plans in place doesn't mean I should spend god knows how long in Podunk, Texas. I refuse to look like some sort of desperate woman. It would seem desperate, wouldn't it?" I asked helplessly as I thought about seeing Jasper again.

"Doll, would I ever lead you wrong?" Alice asked with feigned innocence.

"You have gotten me in more trouble than I care to remember. What about the time I ended up ground for a month because of that battery stunt you pulled?" I demanded playfully.

"I suppose that's true…Oh well then I say have a fling, try to get him out of your system, and come home and start job hunting like a real adult." She sighed wistfully and I couldn't help but smile at my wonderful friend. Alice was more childlike than adult, but she enjoyed life to the fullest.

We spoke for a few more minutes before hanging up. I lay back against the plush pillows at my back and drifted off to sleep. I dreamt of large open areas and horses. I felt like I was flying and everything seemed perfect.