AN: I honestly adore each and every one of my readers! You guys are amazing, and send me amazing reviews! I apologize for the last chapter being underlined. I'm admittedly computer illiterate! It seems whenever I italicize something it underlines the whole chapter. Anyone know how to fix that? I hope I replied to all your reviews, I certainly tried! The chapter is also on time for once- can you believe it?
"Well, that was unexpected," Bella said with a soft laugh. Everyone glanced around the table uncomfortably, "Really guys, it's fine. No worries."
Alice and Rose exchanged a look before grabbing Bella and heading to the bathroom.
"Are you okay babe? You don't have to pretend with us. That was all kinds of fucked up!" Rose exclaimed while placing a hand on Bella's shoulder.
Bella looked around the bathroom and noticed they were alone before finally lowering herself to the fainting sofa that was placed against the wall, "It was rather unexpected…" She trailed off and let a single tear escape.
"I'm gonna kill that mother fucker!" Rosalie exclaimed before lowering herself beside Bella.
Alice crouched in front of Bella and placed her hands on Bella's knees to steady herself, "You'll stay with me and Jazz. You never have to see him again if you don't want to. I promise, this will all be fine." Alice began rubbing soothing circles on Bella's thighs.
Bella took a deep breath and only allowed herself one more tear before raising her eyes to Alice and Rosalie, "It's time to put my big girl pants on girls. Never seeing him again would let him off the hook. And you can bet for goddamned sure I'm getting some fucking answers."
Rosalie squeezed her tight, "There's my girl, I hope you string the fucker up by his balls. If you want I'll have Em hold his ass down while you beat the living hell out of him!"
Bella began to giggle, and Alice soon followed after a valiant attempt to remain serious. The girls enjoyed their giggle fit for a few more minutes before Alice spruced Bella up. She took a deep breath, squeezed each of her girls hands, and exited the bathroom with a smile and her head held high.
Upon returning to the table, Bella noticed that the only ones left were Emmett and Jasper, the other clearly making a hasty get away to avoid the awkwardness.
"Well, nothing screams 'I need a shot' more than a secret wife coming out of the woodwork," Emmett claimed in his booming voice before waving a waitress over. Alice's jaw dropped at his audacity, and Rosalie slapped him in the back of the head. Jasper's eyes immediately shot to Bella, who was shocked into silence before she broke into hysterical laughter. She reached over and high-fived Emmett, while Alice sputtered in disapproval.
After taking a shot of tequila everyone decided to settle up and head out. Bella agreed to stay with Alice and Jasper for the night, as she really wasn't ready for the 'heart to heart from hell'.
Once in the parking lot her eyes were immediately drawn to where Edward had parked his car. It was still there, but he was nowhere to be found. Bella's throat constricted with concealed emotion when she realized he had more than likely left with his wife. Even in her head the word wife was enough to make her stomach turn. She was making a valiant effort to remain publicly unaffected, but really, how much more could she take?
Alice noticed that Bella had stopped suddenly and reached back and laced her fingers through Bella's, gently tugging her along with a sympathetic smile. Jasper had hailed a cab and was holding the door open for her and Alice. Bella slid in first, letting Alice sit in the middle. Once they were settled, Alice pulled Bella's head to her shoulder and began running her fingers through her hair.
Bella looked down and saw that Alice's other hand was linked with Jazz's and tears sprung to her eyes. She swallowed down the hurt and averted her eyes. Jazz quickly paid the driver over Bella's protests and escorted the girls inside the apartment with a hand on each of their backs.
Once inside Alice ushered Bella to the bathroom, where she began drawing a bath with all sorts of girlie bubbles and bath salts, "This always makes me feel better," was Alice's explanation. She left Bella to get undressed, and returned moments later after Bella had sunk into the bubbles.
Alice hopped up onto the vanity counter and began swinging her legs. After a few minutes of silence Alice shifted uncomfortably, "so um, I'm not sure if I'm allowed to ask this, but, what are you going to do?"
Bella's breath hitched and she hugged her arms around her knees and turned her head towards Alice, "I don't know Ali," her voice quavered slightly, "I mean, what can I do? We don't even know if it's true."
Alice bit her lip and looked down before glancing back up, "Look B, I don't want to be a bitch, but if it wasn't true, I don't think he would've followed her out without at least denying it first…" Alice trailed off guiltily.
Bella nodded against her raised knees, "I know Ali, and I know I look like an idiot," Alice tried to cut her off but Bella continued, "no, it's okay, I do. Who doesn't know that their live-in boyfriend is married?"
Alice hopped off the counter and sank to the floor next to the tub, "this isn't your fault B. Don't make this your fault. That prick should have had the decency to tell you. And then he just fucking left with her! I could kill his ass."
Bella bit her lip and felt the tears she had been holding off start to course down her cheeks. "Shit, shit, shit, I'm sorry B! I shouldn't have said that. I'm sorry honey," Alice reached over and wiped the tears from Bella's face.
Bella bit her lip and hardened herself to the pain once more, "No Ali, this is good. This is what I need. If I don't get mad, I'll never get over this. I'm not going to let him hurt me like this, not after all the shit he's already put me through."
Alice gave her knee a reassuring squeeze and rose to hand Bella a towel, "just come in my and Jazz's room when you're ready, I'll have some clothes for you."
A few minutes later Bella entered the room and saw that Alice had laid out one of Jazz's over sized shirts and a pair of shorts. Bella giggled and changed into them. After she changed she took a deep breath and went into the living room.
Alice and Jasper both looked up and giggled when the saw Bella in Jazz's 'Everything's bigger in Texas' t-shirt. Bella was swimming in the shirt and it really was quite comical.
Bella played with the hem of the shirt before looking up, "if you just give me a pillow and blanket, I'll let you guys get some sleep," she said quietly while gesturing to the couch.
Alice clapped her hands excitedly, "No way B! We're having a slumber party in my room! No boys allowed!" She said while playfully glaring at Jasper.
Jasper shook his head with a laugh before looking at Bella, "trust me sweetheart, after tonight, I want no where near that bedroom! You girls go ahead, and let the man-hating commence."
Bella bit her lip before bounding over to Jasper and giving him a tight hug, "thanks J, you really are the best." Jasper's cheeks flushed comically and Alice and Bella headed to the room with giggles.
The girls spent the next hour giggling about old times and braiding each other's hair. Finally Alice fell into a deep sleep and Bella spent the rest of the night tossing and turning.
The next morning Alice and Jasper dropped Bella off at her and Edward's apartment with the promise that they would wait while she grabbed some clothes.
With a deep sigh Bella prepared to unlock the door before realizing it was already unlocked. With a frown she slowly pushed the door open and peeked inside. Her eyes were immediately drawn to Edward, who was sitting on the couch in the same clothes he was wearing the night before. Bella entered fully and lightly closed the door behind her.
"Where were you?" Edward asked in a gravely voice, not even looking at her.
Bella snorted, "Where's your wife?"
That caught Edward's attention and he swung his deep green eyes her way. His gaze was heated and Bella dropped her eyes to the floor and began wringing her hands.
"I don't know where the fuck Katie is, and I honestly don't give a damn."
"But she is your wife…" Bella trailed off, still not able to look at Edward.
He made a frustrated sound before rising to pace while tugging at his hair in frustration, "Ugh I should have fucking known this shit would haunt me."
Bella scoffed incredulously, "you're kidding right? You're fucking married, Edward!"
Edward advanced on her rapidly, "it's not, shit, it isn't what you're thinking. Just, Christ, just fucking hear me out before you get a bitchy attitude."
Bella glared at him heatedly and pushed him away from her, "No. You don't get to talk to me like that anymore. Fuck you Edward." She stormed to the bedroom where she began throwing clothes on the bed.
Edward stormed after her and began trying to stuff her clothes back in the drawers, "Just fucking stop Bella. Just listen to me. Please."
The 'please' got her and she dropped her hands, which were clutching a handful of shirts and under garments. She nodded almost imperceptibly and dropped the clothes to the bed.
Edward sat on top of her pile of clothes and ran his hands through his hair frustrated, "I was seventeen. I was a stupid fucking kid who just wanted to get his dick wet and I knocked Kate up, and like a fucking moron, I married her."
Bella's heart dropped, "you have a kid?" It was then that the tears finally began to fall. She turned to flee the room, but was stopped when Edward grabbed her around the waist, "no, you don't get to leave until this is finished. Just sit the fuck down and hear me out."
AN: *ducks and covers* Holy cliff hanger! Do you hate me? Please send reviews lovelies! Love you all dearly! Xoxo- Jenna
