Disclaimer: I own nothing; Stephanie Meyer owns it all.
"You can't be serious." I said sternly as he pulled up to the valet out front. This place was crazy busy for a Tuesday night. He just chuckled shaking his head.
"Welcome to Seattle on spring break love." I huffed as he slid out before I could reprimand his comment. My door was being pulled open as a man in a red vest reached a hand out to me to help me out of the car. I sighed and grabbed his hand wishing I'd gone home instead. Edward was standing by my side the next second and tossing the keys to the red vested man subtly slipping him a 50. I rolled my eyes, I know he wasn't trying to be obvious, but did he need to flaunt his richness? Edward grabbed my hand as we walked past the felt rope keeping the line of beautiful people in order waiting to get into the night club. I shook my head.
"I'm tell you Edward, I'm neither going to pass off as 21 nor be good looking enough to get into a place like this. I don't know what it was you were exactly thinking." He just sighed and pulled me faster behind him almost causing me to trip. He shot me an apologetic look but it was soon replaced with his amused smile. We walked up to the bouncer at the front of the gate and he looked like a mean man, I did not want to get arrested tonight. I could feel the butterflies flit in anxiety, I did not need this. Edward pulled me up under his arm and swung his hand dangerously close to my chest, not okay. As I was about to pull away and start the long walk home the bouncer turned to face us standing at the front of the now angry line.
"Edward, my man. It's been a while since you've poked your head in here." My mouth fell open as Edward nodded gasping his hand tightly giving a masculine nod. No way.
"I know Jim, been busy." He winked and instantly Jim looked over to me smiling widely. I just groaned and shook my head. This was not okay. Edward hugged me in a little tighter effectively stopping my discouragement.
"Prettiest of them all." Jim said softly causing me to turn hot. He looked back to Edward lifting the latched rope letting us slide past into the dark hallway lit with red neon lights. The crowd behind us was protesting but a quick threat of kicking everyone out of line stopped them quickly. Edward didn't say anything as we slid past into the building walking down the hot hallway the scent of stale alcohol and sweet concoctions perforating my nose. The thought of drinking was not what I wanted tonight, but something told me I was not going home sober, damn him.
"I have school tomorrow," I said annoyed and Edward laughed pushing me up against a wall suddenly catching me off guard. His light and enthusiastic form stared straight into my soul as I tried to regain my mind.
"I don't." He said cheekily before leaning back into the dark hallway causing me to lose sight of him only hearing his running footsteps moving down the hallway. I stood shocked against the wall trying to think of what just happened. Did he really just leave me? I huffed annoyed and turned towards the exit. This was a bad idea. I took one step and instantly an image of Sarah and Jacob making out popped into my head. I grunted and stopped turning back towards the loud room on the opposite side of the hallway. I took a deep breath and turned walking towards the music and flashing lights. Fuck it, I was going to have fun, school or no. I just needed to remember to call a taxi home.
I walked into the large room and was momentarily stunned from what I was seeing; I thought things like this only existed in movies. There were metal walkways wrapped around the building up towards the ceiling. The dark room was only cut through with the flashing and blinding bright lights showing the sweating and dancing crowd on the floor and scaling the walls. Some women danced in cages with lights shining up from the floor. There was a large wrap around bar around the building with dozens of bartenders serving to people who looked younger than me, guess money didn't have an age. There was a DJ standing atop a large DJ booth at the front of the room where the majority of the room had congregated. There were people of all kinds here; some dressed as animals, some with body paint on, some with neon clothing which contrasted with the black lights. Off to the right and left sat the VIP areas were the women were sitting with a man doing God knows what. I took a few steps into the room and the smell reminded me of Edward's frat party, stale beer and sweet liquor. A man stumbled before me and smiled at me looking me up and down. I rolled my eyes as another man came out from the crowd punching him in the face causing them to both start brawling on the ground. I stared at the pair in shock shaking my head. It was a Tuesday for God's sake.
I stepped around the two as a security guard came running up from the hallway to pull the two troublemakers outside. As I walked further into the mass of people my desire to get a beer intensified. It was hot and I was thirsty. I pushed and shoved my way through sneering at those who stared a few seconds too long and elbowing those who tried to rub up against me. I finally made it across the never ending room and slammed my hands down onto the counter squeezing into the first spot I could find. I glanced around the room in a sad attempt to find Edward but gave up quickly when finding him was going to be impossible. Honestly I was beginning to think this was just some sick prank. That boy had my head spinning in so many directions I didn't know what was happening to me anymore. I was just along for the ride now, and there was no emergency stop.
The bartender came walking up to me pausing momentarily before looking at me with a greasy smile. I rolled my eyes as the man leaned forward towards me causing me to lean back. I did not need it from the bartender too.
"What can I get you sweetheart?" I chuckled softly and hummed softly biting my lower lip looking at the assortment of alcohol before me. I felt like a bad girl right now. I felt like the cops should've been busting through the doors right now and dragging me home to my disappointed parents.
"I'll have a Guinness." His eyes opened up a little wider at my choice.
"Dark ale, for a beautiful woman. Good choice." I sighed as he turned grabbing a glass and placing it up under the spout. The beer flowed slowly into the glass causing a nice foamy head on top. I could already feel my thirst being quenched. He walked over to me slowly and slid the glass across the bar leaning in with it.
"Say beautiful. What's your name?" I hummed softly picking up the beer and taking a slow drink clearly causing him discomfort which I got some sick satisfaction from. I felt like Edward.
"Bella," I said simply. He grinned widely as he leaned back nodding. He wasn't a bad looking guy, nothing on Edward but not bad looking. He was less muscular but toned. A man I would've generally thought to be gorgeous had I never met Edward.
"Bella. Well that's a pretty name Bella. And what would a guy like me have to do in order to get a number from a pretty girl like you?" I chuckled softly and shook my head taking another drink as the man waited patiently for me to answer him. I'd never been put into a situation like this; I suppose clothes really did make the girl. But I wasn't so blinded by my newfound power to hand my number out to random men, I was still Bella, who had a boyfriend against some of my better judgments.
"I'm sorry. I'm here with someone." He lifted an eyebrow hearing the deception in my voice. It wasn't a complete lie, I admit I didn't know where he was at and he technically wasn't really with me but it was going to have to do for now. He shook his head slowly stepping forward toward me again the bar our only separation. I took a deep breath and hard swallow.
"Bella, a pretty girl such as yourself doesn't simply get left alone in a place like this. You were looking for someone and you found someone as equally interested." If I didn't know any better I would think the bartender was wasted, and perhaps he was, but my shock was a bit much for my mind to comprehend right now. He just called me out and I think he just called me a whore. I'm not sure. But he said it so nicely. I chuckled hard once and shook my head leaning towards him smugly.
"Trust me honey, the man I'm with overshadows you." He oohed leaning back tilting his head off to the side nodding slowly.
"Okay, so where is this mystery man then pretty Bella." There I was lost. I took a drink nonchalantly and tried to think of a quick response as I drank.
"Here, Kyle. Problem?" I clenched my jaw setting my beer back on the counter shaking my head the hairs on my body standing on end with his voice, that voice, my voice. Edward pressed up against my back grabbing my beer taking a heavy drink as this Kyle guy began to back down with his tail between his legs quickly. I rolled my eyes.
"No I'm not." I said plainly. Kyle looked between us slowly and confused.
"You're not?" He asked slowly. Edward sighed pulling me into his side tightly allowing no room between us. I kept myself from looking up at him because I knew I would be momentarily stunned and unable to fight him.
"Yes you are." He said again. I could feel the lump in my throat begin to form without even looking at him. Edward's hand grasped tightly onto my hand pulling me back from the bar slowly. Kyle frowned looking at me longingly. I shrugged my shoulders with a light giggle allowing Edward to pull me backwards; towards the loud music. The alcohol was making my stomach feel warm. I held the beer tightly in my hand and followed behind Edward, not like I had much of a choice.
We walked out onto the middle of the floor and Edward didn't hesitate to start dancing around me. I shook my head continuing to nurse my drink. Edward grabbed a drink off the tray of a walking by waiter and handed one shot to me as he smirked. I shook my head looking at the two different drinks in each of my hands. I finished off my beer and held the shot up high as Edward did the same looking deep into my eyes, I could feel my resolve breaking.
"What the hell?" I said simply as he tipped his head back taking his shot in one gulp. I followed suit and finished mine off next taking in a deep breath trying to sooth my burning throat. Edward chuckled heartily pulling me still into the middle of the crowd. As he swayed to the music the liquor morphed into a warm blanket making my body hotter especially in the middle of this pit of people. Edward grabbed my hand pulling me flush against his chest swaying back and forth. I rolled my eyes keeping from looking up at him and his dazzling eyes. Jacob, you had Jacob. Yea and Jacob was with Sarah. And instantly I was okay with this. The booze gave me all the justification I needed. I spun around pressing my back up against Edward who didn't hesitate to place his hands on my hips keeping me tightly against him as well as rubbing his not so innocent self against my butt. It took everything in me not to completely break down. Angela's nagging voice was ever clear in the back of my mind, "give him a chance." Edward grabbed another shot handing one to me, downing it without a second thought; this one sliding down much easier. The alcohol coursed all the way through my fingertips. Edward rested his head on my shoulder placing his cool lips on my ear sending shivers up my spine.
"Now this is more like it." I laughed a hard once and shook my head feeling my feistiness come over. He should've let me stay in my limbo state. I pulled away and he just groaned painfully as I turned giving a wicked stare.
"I'm prepared for your worst Edward. I've been there. Now you get to deal with me at my worst." I winked again pushing my way through the crowd swiftly people easily letting me slide through the group. Edward tried to keep up but being taller wasn't helping him. I slid back up to the bar and Kyle immediately recognized me leaning across the bar sensually.
"Where's your friend?" He asked amused. I rolled my eyes leaning in slowly trying to mimic what Edward had done to me so many times before. His eyes blurred out of focus momentarily as he lost focus, or maybe that was just my eyes losing focus.
"He's someone not important to me. Can I have a blowjob please?" He opened his eyes in amusement shaking his head slowly.
"Sure, where and when?" I faked a shocked gasp laying on my stupid girl act real thick.
"Now Kyle that's not very professional. I meant the shot." He laughed and nodded pouring and mixing behind me. I could see Edward out over the crowd trying to spot me in the sea of people, a sea which was getting larger as the night carried on. Kyle cleared his throat gaining my attention once again. I turned back around seeing the appetizing shot before me. I went to reach out and grab it but he pulled his hand back quickly.
"You know the rules, hand behind the back." I giggled softly. That was amusing. He placed the shot glass down on the counter allowing me to take it at my will. I leaned down with just my mouth pulling the glass into my lips tilting my head back in one swift movement downing the shot. Kyle bit his lip looking down at me seductively. I just laughed. I was much too drunk to fall for the romantic crap and clearly he could tell; but that didn't seem to sway his intentions.
The music shifted and a new kind of dancing stripper music came on over the stereos. Women were popping up onto the bar top left and right, thankfully only the mildly attractive ones. They all began to grind up against one another and dance in ways I never thought I'd see in person, at least not until I was old enough to legally go into a strip club.
"Why aren't you up there darling?" An unfamiliar voice said from behind me. I turned my head to look back but before I could I was being grabbed from around the waist and pushed up onto the bar along with all the other women. I clenched my jaw angrily ready to fly at the man who shoved me up here; but everyone was smiling at me in a greasy way.
"Dance girl and I'll give you another shot, on the house." Kyle shouted from behind me. I rolled my eyes trying to figure out the most nonchalant way out of this mess, I hated to say it but I think I was going to need Edward. I shook my hip in the most natural way possible and no one was looking at me funny so I just assumed I was dancing decently enough.
"Take something off." I glared in the direction the voice came from.
"Shove it." I shouted back, everyone laughed amused. Kyle made good on his word handing me another shot, via his mouth. I didn't complain too much. I took it and sighed loosening up as I danced a little more freely down the bar. As I looked over the crowd it became apparent how many people were actually watching now. I know that I wasn't the only one up here, but a lot of the eyes were faced in my direction. Edward had finally caught on and pure desire burned deep within his eyes as he stared at me from the back of the crowd. I just winked and smiled as I continued to dance joining the other girls in their grinding party, normally I would never have done this but I wasn't exactly normal Bella right now.
As my head swam with the booze and everything around me became hyper sensitive I knew I hit my optimal drunk point. But that meant I became less aware of where Edward had gone off to. Before I knew what was happening I thought I was falling to the ground and only a quick squeak escaped my lips before the warmth of hands were felt on my waist. People in the crowd voiced their clear dissatisfaction with my kidnapper's interference of their show. I whipped my head around and a mischievous grin spread across my face as Edward's smoldering eyes burned into mine.
"What's wrong Edward?" I asked softly quirking an eyebrow. He pulled me behind him towards the exit causing flames to erupt in my stomach. This was going in a dangerous direction. I may have been a flirt but I wasn't a cheat; no matter how drunk or how much I was pissed off at Jacob right now. I needed proof and a break up before this was going to happen. I looked around me quickly in a blurry mess and grabbed onto the first set of hands I could find. When I caught the eyes of the person I latched onto I was less than satisfied at my pick, a woman. A hot woman, but still. She looked back at me confused then looking to Edward pulling me quickly in the opposite direction. It was like some unwritten code was read and she held tightly onto my hand tugging me back with a force I never through could come from this little blonde headed girl. My hand slipped easily from Edward's unsuspecting one as she pulled me easily through the crowd quickly losing Edward behind us. I smiled a big drunken smile as we reached the middle of the dance floor. She shifted easily dancing like one of the girls on the bar but instead on me, and honestly I normally would've felt awkward but I was very social right now. I continued to discreetly scan the crowds of people trying to find my pair of green eyes never really being able to spot him.
"Thank you, I'm Bella." I said sweetly as she just laughed a high tinkling voice. She nodded grabbing my hands swinging us around people around watching in disgusting interest.
"I'm Sophia. And tell me why darlin' that a woman like you left a piece of man like that?" Her thick Texan accent drawled on. I just shook my head with an amused grin on my face.
"I have a boyfriend." She nodded slowly as she swirled around turning her back to mine dancing much like Edward and I had before. It was her clear lack of interest which kept me from running. People around us were enjoying the view.
"So," She said simply tuning her head with a wink. I just laughed and nodded.
"Understandable. I'm new to town with a boyfriend back in Florida waiting for me, I think." I added softly which didn't go unnoticed by her.
"Think?" She asked whipping her hair around placing her arms on my shoulders swaying back and forth. I don't think I was dancing to nearly the extent that she was but it made me look better. She was a complete stranger but I was ready to tell her all my problems, maybe she could give me insight that I couldn't see.
"That guy has been keeping tabs on me since I've arrived into town knowing that I have a boyfriend. My boyfriend called me tonight and I heard one of my best girlfriends laughing in the background. Now I'm just confused." Sophia laughed shaking her head.
"No darlin' you're drunk. But I understand. Do you trust him?" I furrowed my eyebrows.
"Which one?" I asked. She laughed again kissing my cheek which tensed me up for a moment. She rolled her eyes as if pushing aside my concerns. She was just being nice, I owed her and I wasn't getting a lesbian vibe from her. At lease she was hot.
"Both. Trust your boyfriend enough not to cheat and trust hottie enough to keep you safe?" I hummed softly and now took my turn dancing with my back to her. She dropped her arms fully over my shoulder dancing with her back up to mine, her hands clasped in front of her. I nodded.
"I did trust my boyfriend; I honestly thought he was the one. After tonight though," She hummed.
"A seed of distrust has been planted. And hottie?" I smirked.
"As much as a pain in the ass he is, he would never hurt me. Tease and taunt and flirt definitely." I shivered thinking about his hands on me and his lips so close to mine and how it flamed my body. She sighed.
"You're not worried what he'll do; you're worried about what you'll do." I swallowed hard and nodded slowly. She sighed hugging my back in such a way it was like I'd known her for years. "Honey, take it from a stranger. I've done this, been there and you're far prettier than me with a much hotter man in pursuit. But the look in his eyes the moment I pulled you away made it very clear he loves you. And any man willing to risk losing you with another woman is a fool in my mind. If it's morality, I commend you. Break up. But don't lose that." She said simply pointing before us causing me to look forward. Edward's bright green eyes were wide and fixed on me the same desire clear and bright. I took a deep breath trying to still my heart. She spun me around allowing me to regain my head everything moving slower than my body. She leaned in and stunned me when her lips kissed mine for a short second. She grinned and winked. "Have fun. Maybe I'll see you around darlin'." I nodded slowly still shocked as she turned leaving her scent still strong on my clothes and body. I chuckled softly shaking my head. Sophia you are a godsend.
"You should listen to her you know." Edward's soothing voice filled my head as he wrapped his arms around my waist swinging back and forth.
"Of course you would think I should." I tried to push away to get some space so that I could think again but Edward wasn't having any of that.
"Stop running away from me. I can't take any more running." I stopped instantly hearing the pain in his voice. He sighed relieved spinning me around looking down into my eyes deeply trying to convey his feelings through his eyes alone. I just shuddered slightly with intensity of his stare. He continued to tighten his grip on me as he sway back and forth. I could feel my resolve break down as he rested his forehead against mine. "Please just stop running. I'll stop pushing if that's what you want, just don't push me away anymore. I can't stand it." He begged. And for the time this was a side of Edward I'd never seen before. I knew he was human but this just proved it, and effectively pulled my heart towards him. I nodded slowly.
"No." Was all I managed to say. Edward pulled his head away shocked. I rolled my eyes annoyed. "I mean, no don't stop. I'll stop running." I said resolved. It was time I started listening to those around me. I wasn't going to jump into bed with Edward but I was going to at least try to be he friend. His heart breaking smile spread across his face looking straight at me. I could feel my legs melting beneath me as he leaned in swiftly causing me to panic momentarily before the desire took over on how much I wanted this. I needed to know if what this was is real or not. I closed my eyes feeling his breath hover over my lips as he neared me, my anxiety raising.
"Nobody move." My eyes flashed open hearing the loud megaphone cut through the loud crowd and the music. Edward's face just as confused inches from mine. Sobriety kicked back in and I pulled back revolted from what I was about to do. Edward just smirked and nodded happily knowing he was getting to me. I slit my eyes scanning the room seeing the people all standing still trying to pinpoint the place the voice came from. The music cut off and then the room was being filled with cops. And then everyone scattered. Edward grabbed onto my hand tightly and began pulling my stiffened body. What was I going to do? I was too young and drunk. He huffed pulling again trying to break me from my stance in the middle of the floor.
"Bella love, we need to go." I glared at him shaking my head following after him.
"I'm not your love." I snapped my drunken side resurfacing burying my romantic emotional side. He just threw his head back laughing happily as he weaved through the people keeping a steady hand on mine. Everyone was trying to scramble to break free from the cops. Others didn't care because they knew they weren't going to get in trouble. We ran to the far end of the building and Edward slipped us behind a curtain revealing a backdoor. I beamed happily kissing his cheek. He hummed in satisfaction causing me to roll my eyes. Stubborn ass. I pushed past out the door and into the back alleyway. We ran down the street laughing loudly as we could hear the sirens become quieter and quieter. Edward hailed down the first taxi we could find and we both slipped into the warm cab. I rested my head against the cool window trying to cool down my hot head, as Edward gave the taxi driver flawless directions.
As the cab began to move along my heart slowed and eased feeling the drowsiness fall over me. Edward slipped back into his seat and continued to stare at me out of the corner of his eyes the entire ride. He was "accidentally" slipping his hand onto mine pulling it away slowly knowing full well what he was doing to my resolve. We sat in silence Edward slowly shifting towards me when we hit a bump in the road or when we took a turn. By the time we entered back into Forks his arm was placed rubbing up against me. I glanced down at phone and sighed. Well Edward was going to be getting me home at 5 minutes to 12. It's like he planned this happening. The taxi driver weaved unsure through the dark streets and eventually came to a slow halt up to my house. I sighed still feeling the booze warming my body and the tingling where Edward's arm rested against mine.
"Keep the cab running. I'm going to walk the lady to her house." The driver shrugged his shoulders uncaring knowing he was going to make a killing off of this ride. Mental note, when sober pay Edward back. I slipped out of the car instantly missing his warmth beside me. He slid out behind me hovering his hand beside my lower back ushering me towards the house. We walked up to the door. I glanced down at my watch with 2 minutes till 11:55. I shook my head smiling looking up at him slowly still not trusting my judgment. Edward grabbed my face between his strong hands and just continued to stare down at me in silence. I sighed feeling my resolve ravel away like it had on the dance floor. This felt good, but even more it felt right. Edward leaned in slowly and his forehead first touched mine as he continued to stare into my eyes. I just waited. I said I wouldn't run anymore and I meant it. I was scared shitless in what this meant and what it made me, but I needed to know, I needed some kind of direction in what I was doing. But was it worth hurting Jacob for my own happiness? Would I even be happy? There was only one way I was going to find out without having regret later in life.
I reached up placing my hands on either side of Edward's face sure in my actions, I may be drunk but I was conscious. Edward began to descend his head down, the skin of his lips skimming mine. The porch light flicked on and the door opened revealing my mother. "Bella is that," She drifted off and Edward's face twisted up in an amusing and pained way as he dropped his head down to my shoulder. I just grinned looking up at the ceiling. It was a sign; this was not meant to happen, at least not yet. Twice in one night. My mother gasped and covered her mouth muttering a quick apology as she shut the door the lights quickly shutting off next. Edward just lolled his head back and forth on my shoulder sadly. I giggled softly.
"Goodnight Edward. I had fun. I don't hate you quite as much anymore. I'm still drunk now so I have a soft spot for you but I can't promise the same for my sober self. I owe you for the cab ride too." He just moaned a soft and low no as he picked his head up from my shoulder. I sighed grabbing his hand kissing the top softly. He continued to moan softly as he watched me intently. I sent him a flirty wink before opening the door and sliding inside before he could make another move. Mom and dad stood in the living room entryway looking at me patiently and almost hopefully, even dad. I just rolled my eyes feeling a spark of anger in the hope for me leaving Jacob, but Sarah's giggling quickly squashed it. I just sighed and stumbled my way across the house slowly giving a simple hand wave. Mom grunted.
"I told you I shouldn't have gone out there yet. So close Charlie, so close." He just laughed. I shook my head feeling the pounding set in already with all the tension I'd dealt with today.
"I'm not going to school tomorrow." I said definitively. Neither my mother nor father spoke against me knowing I wasn't feeling my best now and I certainly wasn't going to be tomorrow morning either. I stumbled my way up the stairs and stumbled into my bed shutting the blinds before falling onto my bed shedding my clothing while lying down. I flopped over and tried to push the thoughts of Edward out of my head as I closed my eyes. What was happening to me?