I'm not even gonna bother with my babble! Here's chapter ten! :)

I starred at Edward in silence. I was in disbelief at the utter rudeness in his tone of voice. I don't know why he spoke to me like that. After all, I was here to do him a favor.

"Are you just gonna stand there, or are you gonna tell me what the hell you're doing here Bella?"

I cleared my throat and looked him in the eye. Being rude back was obviously not the way to go this time. I'll try the nice technique instead.

"You left your suit jacket at work." I held his jacket up that was slung over my right arm. He looked down at the jacket and then moved his glare back up to my face.

"I still don't understand why you are here."

"I thought it would be a nice gesture to bring it to you."

"No, not necessarily."

"Well, I just want to do a kind thing. After all, you have done me a few favors. It's the least I can do."

He completely ignored my attempt to see eye to eye with him and continued with his questions.

"How did you find my apartment?"

"I asked Aro for the address so I could drop this off at your place on my way home from work."

"My place was way out of your way home though."

"I didn't know that at the time."

"You shouldn't be here. It's too dangerous in this area."

He was really confusing me at this point. One minute he was being a dick, and the next he is concerned about my safety? Talk about mood swings.

"I was just dropping this off. That's all I was here to do."

"Still, you shouldn't be here. Too many gangs and crimes going around."

I took a step closer to him and he backed up into his apartment a little bit. I stood so my body was barely touching his and tilted my head back some so I could look him directly in the eyes.

"If it is so dangerous here, then why the hell are you here?"

"I can take care of myself."

"And I can't?"

"Apparently not or else you wouldn't have a guy from Phoenix here stalking you! And Jacob wouldn't have to be staying with you 24/7!"

His words stung. I felt tears threatening to spill over my eye lashes. Is that really what he thought of me? Did he think I was some helpless, defenseless, and selfish girl that only cared about her well being?

I swallowed my tears and lifted my chin up. I had learned to be a strong person. Alice had taught me how to deal with cruel and rude people just like her brother. I would not let him win this fight. I was capable of defending myself.

"That's not my fault."

"Excuse me?"

"You heard me Edward. I said it isn't my fault."

"How is it not your fault?"

"I didn't ask James to hit me, did I? I didn't ask him to dig a knife into my flesh, did I? I didn't ask him to try and rape me, did I? I didn't ask him to break into my house, did I? I didn't ask him to hurt me in any of the ways he did! So don't tell me that any of those things were my fault, because they weren't and still aren't my fault Edward Cullen!"

"You didn't ask for any of those things. And I didn't ask you to bring me my damn jacket, did I?"

My jaw dropped at his mocking of me. I stumbled back a step and Edward stepped back into the doorway. A raindrop fell onto my cheek and mixed with my tears streaming down my face.

We stood there starring at each other. Edward's eyes were guarded by anger. I was certain mine held nothing but pain and confusion. I thought I was finally understanding Edward. I finally thought that he might be a good person underneath his tough persona. I thought wrong.

The rain began falling quicker, as did my tears. Both created wet spots on Edward's jacket that was still in my arms. A bolt of lightning struck just beside the metal staircase I was still standing on.

I jumped a little, fearing I would be struck next. By now it was pouring down rain and I was soaked to the bone. My hair clung to my cheeks, as did my work clothes to my body. The sky was decorated with dark clouds and bright bolts of lightning.

It was only when another bolt hit right next to the stairway, that Edward pulled me into his apartment and slammed the door shut.

"You should stay here until it quits storming. I don't want you on those stairs when there's lightning."

Edward awkwardly ran a hand through his hair.

I raised my gaze and took in his apartment. Straight ahead was the dinky living room. There was an old navy blue couch that sat in front of a little TV. Next to the TV was a bookcase. I turned my head to the left and saw his kitchen was had no walls between it and the living room. There was a very old stove and fridge surrounded by a few counter tops. In the middle of the kitchen floor was a tiny table with two chairs. I noticed that the living room had gray carpet and the kitchen had worn wooden floors.

Once I finished examining his small home, I returned my gaze to him. He was standing there with his hands in his pockets and his eyes on the floor.

"Thanks Edward, for letting me wait out the storm here."

"It's no big deal, I guess...Ah.. do you want me to get you something dry to put on?"

"That would be great."

"Follow me."

I did as he said and followed him. We walked through a door that was located between the kitchen and living room. This room appeared to be his incredibly tiny bedroom. A double bed, two night tables, and a closet appeared to be all the room contained. Edward walked to the closet and yanked out a plain white shirt and turned to me.

"This is the best I got that would fit you. I have some shorts, but they would probably be huge on you. Do you want a pair anyway?"

"How long will the shirt be on me?"

"I don't know.. Mid thigh length?"

"That's good enough." I reached out to take the t-shirt from him.

He smirked when he saw that I didn't want to cover up myself with more clothing. I figured if the shorts would continuously fall down, then what was the point in wearing them?

"If you go out of here and take a right the bathroom is the next door down. When you get changed, I can chuck your other stuff in the dryer if ya want."

"Sounds good."

I went out of the room and located the bathroom. It wasn't much, just like the rest of the place. In one corner was the toilet. Next to it was the little shower/tub. Across from the shower was a sink that had a mirror above it. I shut the door and began discarding my wet work clothes.

After I changed, I headed towards the living room and kitchen. Edward was at the kitchen table holding a glass of wine. His eyes darted up and down my body before they grew very large. He must like me in his t-shirt. Oh well, he's seen me in underwear and this is more clothing, so I'm not gonna worry about it.

"Here's this. Where's the dryer?"

"I'll take it."

He stood and took the wet pieces of clothing in my hands. He walked over to what appeared to be a closet. He opened the door to reveal his washer and dryer. Once he had gotten done with that, he walked back to the kitchen and grabbed his wine. I saw that he had removed his tie and undid the top two buttons on his shirt.

"Do you want something to drink Bella?"

"Umm. Sure. What do you have?" I asked, trying to be polite as I was eye balling his glass of wine. I could really use a glass right about now.

He smiled at me and reached into a cupboard. He pulled out another wine glass and filled it up before handing it to me. I smiled at him and took the glass. I took a large sip and sighed. I loved wine, end of the story losers.

"Would you like to sit?"

"It's your place."

"And you're my guest."

He put his arm around my waist and guided me to the couch. I flopped down and giggled. He was suddenly acting like a gentleman and for some reason I was acting like a little girl. Must be this damn alcohol. I wonder how strong this shit is? Maybe he put a drug in it? Nah, he's not beast enough to pull that kind of thing off.

We sat in silence and sipped at our wine. I felt oddly calm and was surprised that the storm wasn't creeping me out as much as they normally do. After quite a long time, Edward spoke.

"I'm sorry I acted so rudely when you got here. I just wasn't expecting anyone, especially not you. And I guess I was embarrassed for you to see that this is where I live. But besides all that, thank you for the thoughtfulness and bringing me my jacket."

"It's not a problem Edward. Can I ask you something though? You don't have to answer it, I'm just curious."

"Ask away."

"Why do you live here? I don't mean this wrong, but you come from such a nice family and I don't know, I guess I pictured you in a lavish home."

"I've lived here for quite some time now."

"How long have you lived here?"

"Well, I am 23 now."

"Correct."

"So, I have lived here.. about seven years."

"Seven years?" My eyes grew wide as I turned and looked at him. He laughed at the look on my face.

"Yes, seven years."

"That means you would have started living here when you were sixteen!"

"I did start living here when I was sixteen."

"Why though? You hadn't even finished high school yet. You had a home with your family!"

I realized as my last sentence came out of my mouth that I might finally find out why Edward didn't exactly get along with his parents. I knew Alice said he would tell me when he was ready, so maybe I wouldn't find out yet.

"You're right, I hadn't finished high school and I did have a home with my family."

"Then why did you come here?"

"How much do you know about me?"

"What?"

"Did you know anything about me when you moved here?"

"I knew that Alice talked about her other older brother. That's about all I knew, until I met you. I thought you must have been older than Emmett."

"Okay, so you didn't know much at all."

"No."

"Alright. Well, I had just turned sixteen and got my Volvo for my birthday present. That's the car that I still have. It was a few months after that when I moved out."

"Why did you move out?"

I was becoming very intrigued and found myself moving closer to him.

"I was at a rebellious stage at that time in my life. I was out partying with friends and getting into trouble. Mom and Dad couldn't keep control of me because I was hardly ever home. If I wasn't at a sports practice, like football or soccer, then I was with friends doing things that I shouldn't have be doing."

"What made you do that stuff?"

"I don't honestly know. I just knew I liked doing it. So that's what I did. Partied, slept around with different girls, got into trouble, and disobeyed my parents. They got so furious. Mom was so disappointed in me because, well I was a mama's boy and I was her "little boy". I let her and dad down. I was tried of them trying to control me then."

"And you thought by moving out, you could gain the freedom you wanted."

"Exactly. One night, I packed up my stuff, took my cell phone, car, and left. I wrote a note and left it on the kitchen counter. I had already got a lease for this apartment here in Seattle. I enrolled in the high school there and basically disconnected myself from my whole family."

"They must have been heartbroken."

"At first they were just mad. They tried to get me to come back, but I wouldn't. I liked being able to stay out and drink with friends as long as I wanted. I liked being able to party all night and not do my homework."

"So, if they paid for your car and phone, why didn't they take them from you?"

"Mom and Dad thought that if they took them away that they would completely lose me. I obviously didn't have much cash as a sixteen year old, so if they took those away, I had no way of getting new ones and contacting them. I didn't call or text them, but occasionally I would shoot Alice or a Emmett a text and they would tell my parents."

"That makes sense with the phone, but why not take the car from you?"

"They wanted me to be able to drive home if I missed home or them. They thought by leaving me the car, it would gave me the option and decision to come back home."

"Wow. Our parents really thought that through. How come you didn't go home then?"

"I knew I had already disappointed them. I felt guilty and I was scared to face my parents. I didn't want to be told I was wrong to do what I did."

"That's sad."

"I know it."

"How long did the rebellious stage last then?"

"Till I graduated high school. Then I knew I had to get on with my life. I started college and part time jobs. I wanted to make it on my own without my mom and dad's help or money. I couldn't keep a job long though because I would get fire for cussing out the customers or I would quit really soon into the job."

"I would say you hadn't quite matured yet then, had you?"

"Ha, definitely not. Once I hit 21 though, I had grown out of the partying and high school immaturity. I still couldn't keep a job for very damn long, but I had matured some."

"This has basically been your first real job then, huh?"

"Yup, and I am making more than what I saved up from part time jobs combined together."

"Aro pays good."

"No kidding."

"Hey Edward?"

"Yeah Bella?"

"Thanks for sharing that with me. It helps me understand why you are the way you are."

"You're welcome. And I'm glad that helped you understand me better."

He looked down at me and smiled.

"I have one more question."

"What is it?"

"Do you miss your family?"

"A lot. You don't have a clue how long it's been since I have seen them all at once."

"I think you should try to patch things up, go see them..apologize to them. You are a grown man now. There's no sense in hiding in your past."

"That's a good idea...Thanks."

"No problem. And besides, the annual Cullen game night is tomorrow at your parents house."

"You know about game night?" He looked shocked. It was strictly a Cullen only event.

"I've only been going to it since I was seventeen and your sister invited me!"

"That damn pixie!"

"Do you want to go?"

"Hell yeah I do! You know how long it's been since I went to a Cullen game night?"

"Seven years?"

"Yeah!"

"Good, then you can go tomorrow."

"Yes, I will."

"Let's make it a surprise. We won't tell anyone in your family. We can go in together and surprise them."

"That's a wonderful idea Bella. Thank you." He whispered into my hair and kissed the top of my head.

"You're welcome Edward."

"This means the world to me. I haven't seen my family in forever. I miss them so much." He sounded choked up and I smiled. I was glad I was helping him with something that meant so much to him.

And I swear, I felt a tear roll down his cheek and into my hair. But I didn't say anything. I knew it was a tear of happiness and that's all that matter to me in that moment.

Did you like it? How did we like getting to learn about Eddie boy? Do we understand him better now? I honestly made up the Cullen game night as I typed it. I had not intention of writing that. But guess what... That means another chapter has to be added to the story! Haha. Thanks for reading! :)