BPOV

He just got away with fucking murder. I was pissed and ready to knock the shithead in the mouth when he hugged me. No one did that to me because they knew better! Even Charlie wasn't that brave.

Now, I'll admit, once I got over the initial shock of having Edward's arms around me, and I let the anger subside a bit, it was really nice. BUT…he fucking reeked. The moment I hugged him back and inhaled, I literally wanted to vomit. I mean, I knew he was going through withdrawals and shit–I could tell–but for the love of all that's holy, when the hell was the last time he'd actually showered? He smelled of sweat, poor hygiene, and another odor I just couldn't place. Thank God his breath was at least decent.

It sure was unfortunate too, given how insanely good looking he was–and I say that in a completely sisterly manner.

I followed him into his house and was surprised to find it unbelievably beautiful inside. I wasn't exactly sure what I expected to find, but it certainly wasn't this pristinely clean home. That is, until I went into the living room. Beer bottles covered half of his dark and obviously expensive coffee table, along with trash from snacks that had, no doubt, been picked up at a convenient store. If his table was in this condition, I almost hated to think of what state the kitchen was in.

"Sorry, I'll get this picked up real quick. I wasn't exactly expecting company, at least not in the form of a woman," he replied with a grimace as he leaned over, gathering the bottles in his arms and effectively putting one of his pits near my face as I sat on the couch.

"Edward, I mean this with the utmost respect and truly mean no offense, but damn dude, when was the last time you fucking showered? And what do you mean by 'at least not in the form of a woman'? Are you saying if I were a man, it would be perfectly fine? You bat for the other team now, Eddie?"

"You know, calling me Eddie pretty much gives me the right to call you 'Doll', and I'm pretty fucking sure that I might have mentioned something about not making me regret letting you into my house," he answered, narrowing his eyes at me over his shoulder before walking out of the room.

"Speaking of," I shouted with a smile, "your place is really nice!"

"And blatantly kissing my ass won't erase what you just said a moment ago, Doll," he said, appearing in the doorway to the living room with a smirk. "Can I get you a drink? Beer, water, juice?"

"As much as I'd love a beer, I still gotta drive back to Em's. Got any Dr. Pepper or Coke?"

"I've got Coke."

He then disappeared again. I winced, chastising myself for having mentioned Emmett again. I had seen Edward's face fall the moment his name left my lips. Just as I expected, too, Edward didn't seem angry or dangerous as Emmett had described. He, instead, appeared to be hurt and deeply affected by the turmoil, and that had kind of become clear when Edward became bitter outside about the mention of them telling me shit.

Breaking me from my thoughts, Edward's hand stretched out before me, offering up my Coke. I took it and watched as he plopped down into the leather chair off to my diagonal right. It was after he sat down and the light reflected off of his skin, that I began to see the dark, heavy rings beneath his eyes. The unhealthy way his cheeks were sunken in, showing the sickly effect that the drugs had on him. It would only get worse from there too, the longer he continued to take the drugs. Eventually–if it hadn't started already–his teeth would begin to deteriorate, break, and fall out. He would continue to grow slimmer and slimmer and it would just be a matter of time before he had a bad reaction and suffered from a massive heart attack.

I watched from the corner of my eye as Edward glanced down at his wrist watch, his hands fidgeting just as they had outside. After popping my Coke open and taking a quick sip, I lifted my eyes to his. "Edward, go. It's okay. There's no sense in you staying in here, uncomfortable and on edge when you have a fix in the next room."

Edward's eyes widened, but then narrowed…calculating. "How can you talk about that like it's nothing?" he questioned, accusingly. "What's your motive? Did they put you up to this? Send you over here to see just how fucked up I am?"

"Hey, chill the fuck out, Eddie. They didn't put me up to anything. I just got here today, and I don't do anything I don't want to do. And the reason I can talk about it like it's nothing is because, as I told you before, I know the signs. I don't think either of us want to go over our fucked up life stories, so can we just settle on catching up on the not so dramatic shit? Just go do what you need to do because I don't want you to sit here in pain and distracted. It's no fun that way."

"You talk too fucking much," Edward grumbled as he stood and walked away, back into the kitchen again.

Minutes later, he came back, wiping at his nose and smirking as he, once again, took his seat.

"So, since we're going to avoid our fucked up, dramatic shit, what does that leave us to discuss?" he questioned, taking a long pull from his beer.

"Well, you could always answer my questions from earlier?"

"You've had so many…like I said, you talk too much. Mind refreshing my memory?"

"Your b.o. might be a good place to start," I quipped as the corners of his mouth turned up and his eyes narrowed again.

"Right. Just been busy, and the times that I have been home, I've been asleep, something I was thoroughly enjoying before your ass rapped on my damn door."

"Seriously? That's your excuse? You've been busy? You couldn't come up with something better? Like your water heater is out, or you haven't been able to pay your water bill for the month?"

"One, it's really disturbing that you came up with that so fast, and two, I would much prefer my being busy than to not have paid the water bill and have no plumbing."

"But you do bat for the other team?"

"How the fuck do you get that from me talking about plumbing?" He laughed, taking yet another pull from the beer.

"Oh, it has nothing to do with that. I just simply noticed you haven't denied it."

"Believe me, Doll, I don't bat for the other team. I just don't ever have women here, haven't for years. And no, I won't elaborate, so don't ask," he muttered, arching a brow at me. "Enough about me, smart ass. What about you? How's your Dad? Where was it you guys moved to again?"

"Charlie's good. And we moved to a small town in Louisiana. I loved living there, but it just wasn't…home."

"Something happened there that made you come back, didn't it?"

"I thought we were avoiding the heavy shit, Eddie?"

"I was simply stating what I thought, Doll. Didn't mean for you to think you had to explain anything."

I released a heavy sigh. I knew he was genuine in not meaning to make me feel like I should explain, but maybe if I let him in just a little, he would see that I actually cared about getting to know him again. Not basing everything on what I'd heard about him.

"Look, I just got involved in a bunch of shit with the wrong people. I left because it wasn't good for Charlie's reputation as Police Chief if I stayed."

Edward's eyes softened for a brief moment and then dropped to his lap in shame. "If anyone would understand that, it would be me."

I didn't think I'd be overstepping any bounds in asking, but I wanted…no, needed to know why he wasn't there to welcome me back home with his family today. I wanted his side of the story.

"Edward, can I ask you something? You can even tell me to fuck off if you want."

"Depends on what the question is, Bella," he whispered. Don't think I didn't notice how he'd actually referred to me by my name and not 'Doll'.

"Why weren't you there today with everyone else?"

"Now see, if I tell you the truth behind that, it could influence your opinions of me or my family and I don't want to put you in the middle of all of this shit, Bella."

"You won't, okay? Come on, Edward. Tell me, please? It was the one thing that got in the way of this afternoon being perfect, and I really want to know."

His eyes raked over me before darting around the room, finally landing on a random spot of the stone fireplace, off in a corner of the room. A long pause ensued, and the more it stretched on, it became increasingly obvious that Edward was more emotionally shut off than I had originally thought.

"Okay, forget I said anything. I'm sorry. I didn't realize it was such a…"

"Alice didn't want me to taint such a happy occasion, and Emmett believed that I was high as a kite. Mom and Dad had no opinion–that I know of anyway," he answered, his voice nearly inaudible as he raked his hand through his hair.

"What do you mean by taint? Edward, I wanted you there, and she fucking knew that."

"It doesn't matter, Doll. I wanted to help, believe me, but I had no idea until you showed up at my door that it was you they'd helped move in. If I had known beforehand, I would have gone, not giving a shit what they had to say about it."

"Good, because you're coming with me tomorrow. I'll come pick you up."

"What's the point in that? They've already moved you in."

"No, today was actually just a reunion type thing. Emmett cooked out, we unloaded the truck, but nothing is unpacked. That and I still have a shitload of shopping to do. So, tomorrow, I'll come and pick you up and you can help if you want. If they have anything to say about it, then I'll shut them down. It's me that's moving in, and if I want you there, that's my decision. Not theirs."

Edward's eyes widened in surprise, he smiled, and then took another drink. "You might have a bit of trouble convincing Rosalie of that fact."

"I've already laid down the law with her, and we're cool. I don't step on her toes and she won't step on mine."

Edward then laughed. Like a full-bellied laugh and it sounded wonderful. "Are you serious?" he questioned.

I arched a brow and smirked.

"Holy shit, what I would give to have been there to see that. You realize that you're the only one that's ever done that right?"

"Well, that would explain why Emmett seemed shell shocked. I just don't get intimidated easily. But I mean it, Eddie. It won't be right without you there."

"Things aren't like they used to be, Doll. You don't want me there. It'll do nothing but start drama with the family."

"Newsflash, the last time I was here, and as far as I'm concerned, you are family. Like I said, if they have anything to say about it, I'll shut them down. Unless it'll make you uncomfortable. I don't want to make you feel like you have to go. Not if you really don't want to."

"That's not it, I promise. I guess you'll see what I mean tomorrow," he said with a sigh. "So, you're staying with Emmett, and not Alice…how'd that come about?"

"Originally, I was going to stay with Alice, but during the drive up from Louisiana, I'd had about as much of that fucking crack fairy as I could stand, so I decided I needed a night to decompress."

Okay, so it was a little white lie, but I wasn't about to humiliate him with the knowledge that I'd stayed with Emmett to learn about how fucked up Edward's life was.

"And all this shopping you've got to do, I assume Alice will be with you?"

"Her and Esme, though I wouldn't mind if you wanted to come with me a few time, you know?" I offered and couldn't help but laugh as he grimaced.

"I don't do shopping, Doll. Now, if you want someone to go with you for a cup of coffee one morning or a night out drinking, I'm your guy."

"You realize how fucking crazy this is, right?"

"What?"

"The Edward I remember was lanky, geeky, and nothing at all like you are now. To see you like this is just…weird."

"I could say the same for you. You were shy and quiet, and since you've been here, you've been anything but…" he chuckled wryly.

I laughed and playfully kicked my leg out, effectively hitting his shin. "What's with the ink and metal?" I questioned, gesturing toward his tattoo that was peeking from beneath his shirt and the polished steel of his nipple ring.

"The metal is a good example of why it's not smart to mix drugs with alcohol while out with a group of people. And the ink came from the same night."

"Okay, so if you didn't like it, why'd you keep it?"

"Well, once the fucking pain dulled, I thought it was pretty fucking cool. That and women seem to get off on it," he answered with an arrogant smirk, which did not so innocent things to my girly parts.

Dammit, this is EDWARD! Stop thinking like that!

"Yet you haven't had women here for years? How the fuck does that work?"

"I didn't say that I encouraged them. Women get off on it, when I'm out at bars and shit. I told you, I don't fucking bring them here."

"So, is it a common occurrence for you to go to bars, flaunting your nipple ring for all to see? Don't most bars have rules about no shirt, no shoes, no service?"

"Damn, the south fucked you up, didn't they, Doll?"

"I'll have you know that I worked at a bar for years, and I know we aren't the only place that enforces that rules, jackass."

"There's such a thing we have down here called body shots," Edward replied, his voice raspy with the same hint of sarcasm I'd gotten from him all night.

"Ha ha ha. You're so fucking funny. You really are fucking confusing, you know that? Which is it? Are you just a manwhore that has random fucks away from home or what?"

"That's a bit personal, don't you think?" he stated lowly, clearly not playing.

"No, not at all. Given the nature of what we've been talking about and the things you've said, I think I raise a valid question," I answered folding my arms across my chest.

"Fine," he growled, leaning forward in his chair and placing his elbows on his knees. "No, I am not a fucking manwhore. I was just pulling your damn leg. I go to the bars and when it gets hot, I might wear my shirt open like it is now. I have no interest in doing anything with anybody. So can we drop it?"

"No need to get your fucking panties in a bunch. Just asking a question, and obviously, I've overstayed my welcome. I guess I'll uh…talk to you later, Eddie." I started to get up, feeling somewhat guilty for pushing him because I'd willingly admit, I may have gone a bit too far.

"Wait, Bella, look, I told you that you had a big mouth. I just…"

"You like your privacy, I get that, okay? You don't have to explain anything to me," I told him with a reassuring smile as I rose to stand.

"Doesn't mean that I don't feel like an ass. I'm just not used to talking to anybody outside of my connections. If the offer still stands, I really would like to help you move in tomorrow."

"Of course it still stands. I'll come by and pick you up sometime early afternoon. Can you put your number in my phone so I'll have a way to call you and give you a heads up?"

"Early afternoon? You mean that Alice doesn't have you on a schedule that starts at six in the morning?"

"After the shit she pulled this morning and the way I reamed her for it both then, and before I went to Emmett's, I'd be really surprised if she dared to try that shit on me again. I wake up on my own time, and whenever that may be tomorrow, I'll call you, k?"

"It's going to be nice having you around, you know that?" he laughed as he took my phone from my hand.

"Listen, Edward, in all honesty, if I say something that offends you or I push too hard about certain things, just tell me okay? I don't want you to misunderstand me or anything."

"Correct me if I'm wrong, Doll, but you don't strike me as the type that would give a shit about what anyone thinks. Why would what I think matter?"

"Because I think you've been dealt a shitty hand, and having been there before, I don't want to add to it."

With that, he handed my phone back to me. I tucked it back in my pocket and made my way to my truck. Edward stood on his porch as he watched me drive away. The last thing I saw before he faded into nothing behind the trees was him giving a wave in my rearview mirror.

Just as I had suspected, Edward wasn't nearly as bad as Emmett had made him out to be. Of course I wasn't referring to his addiction because there was no doubt that Edward was indeed addicted. And honestly, it had been a bit painful to see him like that, remembering what it felt like needing a fix just to feel even the smallest bit of normalcy. But in regard to him being dangerous, I didn't get that vibe from him at all.

Now that I'd actually seen him, the anxiety had dwindled and I was left reflecting on exactly how I'd acted today with the rest of the family. I couldn't say that I regretted anything I'd said, but I did have an inkling of regret over the way in which I'd gone about saying and doing things. There was no doubt in my mind that they had all suffered, and while I didn't agree with over half of the story Emmett had told me, they were still my family. I just needed to make them understand that I wouldn't cast Edward aside as they had done so blatantly. They were just going to have to make fucking do with the fact that he was going to be around.

It would be entirely up to them whether they wanted to be around me while I hung out with Edward, but I wasn't going to single anybody out just because they didn't get along. I wanted them all with me, so I was going to leave it up to Carlisle, Esme, Alice, Jasper, Rose and Emmett. Edward wouldn't mind being around them. From what I had gathered from the way he'd talked about them, he actually missed them.

I completely sympathized with him on that note too. Had Charlie have turned his back on me, I'm not sure what I would have done, but I know for sure that I never would have gotten clean and my heart would have shattered a little more each day he shunned me. That's part of why I was so adamant on being there for Edward. Was I saying that I would agree with everything he did? No, and that wasn't what all of this shit was about.

This all boiled down to family. Regardless of what fucking goes wrong in someone's life, there should always be someone whose shoulder you could cry on, that would love you unconditionally. Apparently, somewhere along the way, this family had lost sight of that and had put their careers and reputations above the needs of their loved ones.

I would try my fucking hardest to be there for them all and try to understand everyone's feelings, but the moment Alice or Carlisle mentioned their reps being on the line or some bull like that, the shit was going to hit the fucking fan.

So there you have it, I was done–for now–venting my anger. I could only hope that eventually, things would change and they would all come together again.

There was no denying that Edward needed help, but one of the main things the Cullens needed to fucking understand was that until a drug addict was truly ready to change, no amount of rehabilitation would work. They had to want the change for themselves. I'd learned that the hard way. And until Edward reached that point, they needed to accept him the way he was, whether they fucking liked it or not.

Call me a bitch, I really don't care, but that's the way I saw things and there was no one who could tell me any different.

Okay, I know it was a bit shorter, but the next chapter will be much longer, I promise!

This was the most logical place to stop.

I'm still completely stunned by the response I've received so far! So thanks to all that have rec'd it and for all my readers and reviewers! You guys are awesome!

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