Twilight belongs to Stephenie Meyer. Bright Fire © Crash Hale 2010.

Warning, rated M for language, violence, and sexual references.

Edited by obsessedmom.

Pretend

Rosalie Hale
~ • ~

"You're seriously not coming to my game tonight?" Emmett asked again as he drove me home from the grocery store I worked at. It was my night off but I needed to pick up food for dinner. Emmett offered to drive and come with me after school.

"You're not mad, are you? I don't really get football anyway and I'm not friends with all the people who go. . . And, it is my dad's birthday. I want to do something nice for him." Yes, he wasn't the best father since Mom left. But I was thankful he didn't leave too. Maybe he just needed some attention.

"No, I'm not mad," he sighed, placing his hand on my knee and squeezing gently. "He doesn't deserve you though."

I smiled and looked at him while he drove. It didn't take long to get me home.

"Good luck tonight," I told him, not knowing what else to say about his game.

"It's gonna be an easy win." He reached over, running his thumb over my chin. "I'm heading there right now. I'll call you when I'm done, and if you're up for it maybe we can hang out a bit."

I nodded, "That sounds nice. I could give you a massage."

He grinned. "That's why you're the best ever."

I shrugged, "You only say that because you want some," I tried hiding my smile.

He laughed, "Oh, I see. My babe wants some sugar, huh? Don't you worry, I'm always up for it," he winked.

I laughed, blushing, "Okay, you're going to be late and I need to go inside so I can start this."

"Mmm, okay," he agreed, leaning in for a kiss.

It was soft and sweet and made me feel like everything would be okay - even though I knew it wouldn't.

I grabbed the few grocery bags and got out of the car, bidding him goodbye and watching for a second as he drove away.

I headed inside then to prepare the food, placing the cupcakes in the fridge. Dad used to always get me cupcakes when I was a kid so I though it'd be nice.

I took my time, slowly preparing the chicken, gravy, potatoes and vegetables. Simple and something I knew he liked.

I set the small table when everything was ready and smiled when I heard Dad's truck pulling in. Perfect timing, I thought.

I opened the door to greet him before he came inside. "Happy birthday! What are you, twenty-five this year?" I smiled.

He frowned at me and I stepped out of the way so he could enter. "Thanks," he muttered.

"So I made dinner and cupcakes are in the fridge." I told him happily. "Table's all set, so why don't you wash your hands while I make us up some plates?" I felt badly since Emmett and I began dating.

Emmett and I spent lots of time together, nights even, and Dad didn't say anything about it. He didn't yell or hit me, answering any and all questions as simply as possible. I really wasn't sure which was worse. At least I didn't feel invisible when he was yelling.

"I'm going out, Rose."

"Well, I made enough if you want to invite a lady friend over." I smiled, hopeful that he didn't actually mean he wasn't staying for his birthday dinner.

He turned to the kitchen where the food sat, and to the table, "Sorry," he simply said, going into the bathroom.

I frowned and looked around, my eyes setting on the switched off television until he came back out of the bathroom.

"Dad, I worked really hard on this. At least eat before you go."

Instead of going into his bedroom like he'd begun to, he turned back to the living area and stood before me, looking at the food once more.

"You worked really hard on chicken and potatoes? Give me a break."

"Are you incapable of being nice to me?" I blurted out, my eyes going wide. I never questioned him.

He just stared at me.

"I'm sorry. I just wanted to do something nice for you."

"Well then be a nice girl and stay home tonight. You're spending way too many nights with that boyfriend of yours. It gives off anything but a nice vibe. Really, what do you think you're doing with him?"

"I. . ." I didn't know.

"You realize we're completely opposite to them? You think you're going to stay together while he goes to college and you stay here? You think you're going to live with him in a fancy big home? You think his parents would allow him to take it to that point? He's going to throw you away when he's done with you. And you'll always be nothing, just like your old man."

My eyes water and I fought for the tears not to fall. "You're not nothing," I stated as strongly as I could. "I'm not." Maybe I was. Sometimes I felt like it.

He sighed and backed away, "I'm going to change then I'm going out for the night. I'll see you tomorrow. Should be back by midday."

I turned away and stepped into the kitchen. Without a second thought I wrapped up all the food and crammed it into the fridge.

Dad was gone by the time I was sitting on the couch with Emmett's laptop.

It sat open and blank in my lap as I wasn't really sure what I was doing. I pushed it aside and covered my face with my hands as a sob escaped.

I didn't want to feel like nothing. More importantly, even if I was nothing, I didn't want my father to ever say it. Parents were the only people you were able to count on. That's the way it should be. Like it was with Emmett's parents. I hadn't noticed Emmett, Jasper, Edward, or anyone else for that matter, have the same problem as me.

At some point I had curled up on the couch and drifted off, awakening to a knocking on the screen door.

I groaned because my head felt like it had been run over by a truck and my body ached from the uncomfortable position I'd been in.

"Hey, babe, you alone? I tried calling," Emmett asked.

"I really thought you would have gone to the party," I yawned, moving aside as a sign that I was alone.

"Did we not talk about back rubs?" He smiled, stepping in finally. "Parties are for getting drunk and getting pussy. I got vodka in the car. . . and. . ." he tilted his head towards me. "I don't need parties."

I smiled and sat back down.

He plopped down next to me. "So, how was dinner? Lucky fucker got a meal and I didn't."

"Actually, it's yours if you want it. He couldn't stay." I stood so I could go heat it up. Opening the fridge, I looked to him, questioning if he wanted it.

"Yeah, of course I want it. I'm starving," he quickly said. "But what happened with your dad? You had a whole thing planned."

"He didn't wanna stay. He had plans."

"I'm sorry, babe." He stood and wrapped his arms around me from behind.

I took a deep breath to keep the tears from my eyes. "No big deal, you're here for it now. You're a better date then my dad anyway." I tried sounding positive.

"Yeah, but I know you were really excited about it."

I shrugged and pulled away from his hold to get the food heated. He took the hint and sat down again.

"You guys win?"

"You know it," he smiled, watching me.

I finished without another word said and placed every thing on the table.

~ • ~

We sat outside on my usual chair as we ate a couple of cupcakes. I laid my head against his shoulder, sitting side ways across his lap. I was trying to enjoy the time with him and the nice weather outside, but it wasn't really working.

"You wanna talk about it, babe?"

"Nah."

"Come on. . . Might help." I felt him kiss the top of my head and seriously felt like crying my eyes out.

Swallowing the lump in my throat, I didn't dare say anything. After awhile of silence I pulled my head away from his shoulder and smiled at him when he cupped my face.

"You're the most beautiful person I've ever know, you know that?"

I tilted my head and smiled a little wider. I was grateful for the compliment. We both leaned in then for a soft kiss and as we pulled away he sighed, "You mean a lot to me. You can always count on me. I just want you to know."

How could I really believe all that? I wanted to, and I believed he meant it. . . now.

"Em. . . What happens when you go college and. . . I just. . ." I knew that as much as I wanted to go away, community college was my path.

"Babe, it's all going to be okay. I won't be far. . . It'll work out for us."

I nodded, not at all convinced. We were quiet again for awhile, the sounds of my nearby neighbors filling our silence until he spoke again.

"Please hear me out, okay?" This was the most serious I'd ever seen him and it kind of scared me because it felt like it was coming out of nowhere, in a way. "I don't want my asshole brother to say something and hurt your feelings without you knowing the truth."

"What are you talking about?"

"I made a bet, before I knew how I felt about you, before I knew you."

"What?" I whispered.

"Edward and I. . . It was fucking stupid."

"To sleep with me?" I asked lowly.

He nodded, "Alice tell you?"

I shook my head, "No. It's Edward, I just. . . first thing that came to mind."

"Please don't break up with me? I'm a fucking idiot and it wasn't ever about that for me. I always thought you were. . . so beautiful. . . Just. . . I want to say I'm sorry I did that. I regret it so much and I'm such an asshole. Please forgive me?"

It wasn't surprising and I knew he meant what he was saying. I simply nodded. For now I wanted to pretend at least we were okay.

"Will you stay with me tonight? I don't want to sleep alone?" I wanted him close, while he could be.

"Of course," he nodded, pulling me down to kiss him again.

~ • ~

We lay in the dark, him spooning me from behind on my pullout. I loved him for staying. It was definitely different than his bed. It was easier to pretend in his bed.

He gently kissed my shoulder, "One day, babe, it's gonna be you and me like this every night. I promise."

I closed my eyes tightly not to cry. It hurt knowing he used me for a bet, but I couldn't act like I was angry and didn't have feelings for him. I did. I loved him, I knew that, and being without him at this point, would only hurt more.

I never expected everything to be perfect, because life has never been and never will be. Not mine anyway.