Author Note: Thanks for the awesome response to this story! Most of you are hoping that Angela and Ben are good enough friends to Bella to keep their mouths shut.

I had a question from a Guest about why I chose to make Edward 18 years older than Bella. If you remember my note from Chapter 1, the premise for this fic came from the TV show Rectify on the Sundance channel. That includes Edward's age, years in prison, and the crime that sent him there. I held on to the basic plot bunny idea for over a year, looking for a contest to write for, since it seemed like a one-shot idea to me.

The first contest I came across that seemed feasible was the May to December Romance Contest. Given the contest's prompt (age differences), I gave Bella a more canon age and therefore, an 18-year difference. Had I written it for a different contest, I may have done something different, since the actual plot didn't come to me until a few days before I wrote it out.

Thanks again to moosals and NKubie for pre-reading. Stephenie Meyer owns all characters.

Chapter 10 — The Pizzeria

"What's wrong, Bella?" Edward asks, seeing the panicked look that is undoubtedly on my face.

"Angela," I whisper.

"Who?"

"My best friend is here with her boyfriend."

Edward's eyes widen and I try to slouch down in my seat a bit. It's no use though; the hostess brings them in our direction and I see the surprise on Angela's face when she notices me.

"Hey, Bella," she smiles, walking up to the table. She lets out a small gasp when she also notices Edward sitting across from me… with his hand still in mine. Shit. "Wh-what are you doing here?"

"Getting pizza," I reply nonchalantly, as if that's an everyday occurrence. We are so busted. Meanwhile, Ben is standing behind Angela, his mouth practically gaping.

Our waitress drops off our drinks, then looks at the two standing by the table. "Are you ready to order, or will your friends be joining you?"

I try very hard not to grimace as my heart starts pounding. "Please, join us," I offer reluctantly.

"Sure," Ben says… a little too eagerly. I get up, moving to sit next to Edward, and Ben and Angela slide into the booth across from us. After they've placed their drink orders, Ben grabs menus for the two of them, as they pretend this isn't incredibly awkward.

"Edward, this is my best friend, Angela Weber," I introduce her. "Her father is the reverend at the church in Forks. And this," I point to Ben, "is her longtime boyfriend, Ben Cheney.

"Guys, this is Edward Cullen." I don't introduce him as my boyfriend, only because I really don't want to get into it right now. But I know neither one of them is stupid. I'm going to need to have a chat with them ASAP to make sure they don't squeal.

"Good to meet you," Angela says with a smile. "Welcome home."

"H-hello," Edward replies nervously.

"This is so… your mom is one of my heroes," Ben gushes.

"She is?"

He nods, smiling. "I want to be a lawyer. But I want to be like her, helping those who can't necessarily pay for their own counsel — not some sleazy ambulance chaser."

Edward just smiles in response.

"I wondered why I hadn't seen you much this summer, Bella," Angela says. I hear the accusation in her voice as well as the "you and I are so going to have a chat."

After a bit of debate, Edward and I settle on splitting a deluxe pizza. I don't generally like so many toppings, but I'll do it for him.

"So does Forks seem a lot different to you than when you left?" Ben asks hesitantly, after our waitress has gone to put our orders in.

"The town itself? Not really," he shakes his head. "I don't think Forks ever changes."

"Will you tell us about it?"

"About what?"

"Being in prison."

My eyes widen, wondering if Edward will actually tell him anything.

"Not much to tell," he shrugs. "A lot of sitting around by myself. Shitty food. Uncomfortable cot to sleep on."

"The Governor put a moratorium on capital punishment last year, right?"

I watch Edward as he swallows thickly, nodding. "At least it gave the people from the Innocence Project more time to build their case."

"How many people were put to death while you were there?"

"Ben!" Angela cautions, shaking her head. "Maybe he really doesn't want to think about this?"

"Sorry," Ben apologizes. "I'm just curious; I think the death penalty is barbaric."

Edward takes a long sip of his beer, and I assume he's not going to answer the question. "Three," he finally replies, setting his bottle down on the table.

"Hmm… I don't remember the first two," Ben says. "I guess I was too young. I remember that one in 2010 though, A—"

"No!" Edward yells suddenly.

I immediately turn toward him, and he's deathly pale, looking like he might throw up. "Edward?" I whisper.

I slowly bring my hand in front of his face, hoping to God he can see it, then caress his cheek, trailing my fingers down to his neck. He's breathing a little heavily, but nothing like that day in his room. Gently, I pull him forward by the back of the neck until he leans his forehead on my shoulder, then scratch my fingers through his soft hair.

I chance a peek at Ben and Angela, who are watching us with a mixture of concern and wonder. If they hadn't guessed that we were together before, they know now. I am so going to have to explain this to them, but that isn't at all my concern right now.

"Can you hear me?" I whisper to Edward. In answer, his arms slowly wind their way around my waist. We stay like that for a while, until I feel him starting to calm.

"Here's your pizzas, guys." I look up as our waitress and another server set the two pans down on the table, along with some plates and silverware. "Enjoy!"

"Can you eat?" I whisper and Edward slowly lifts his head, staring into my eyes. "Are you ok?" I caress his cheek gently.

"I'll be ok," he whispers back. He pulls away from me, settling back into the booth, and though I'm skeptical, I grab two plates, then serve our first two slices of pizza.

Ben looks like he wants to say something, but I shake my head. He almost certainly just wants to apologize, but dwelling on what happened is probably not the smartest thing right now.

I'm not 100% sure, but it almost seemed like Edward didn't want to hear Ben say the name of the last man executed in the state of Washington. I have no idea who that is, but if he won't tell me after dinner, I'll just Google it later tonight.

"Are you working tomorrow, Bella?" Angela asks, thankfully ignoring the elephant in the room.

"Yeah, starting at one." Somehow I think I know where she's going with this.

"So you're free for lunch."

I let out a breath. "Yeah, did you want to grab lunch?"

She smiles at me. "Meet you at the diner at 11:30."

I know I'm going to have to confess everything tomorrow, but I debate whether or not to say something before we go our separate ways tonight. To at least acknowledge that they've been let in on something that's a secret, and ask them to keep it quiet. I don't think they'd say anything anyway, but I know they wouldn't if I ask.

I give up without finishing my half of our pizza, but Edward easily finishes it, so he must really be ok. I stare at him as he puts the last bite in his mouth.

"What?" he asks, talking with his mouth full.

I shake my head. "You ate a lot of pizza."

He swallows then gives me a small smile. "I love pizza. I could never eat that much in high school since I had to stay in shape, and then…" He grimaces.

"Let me guess, they don't serve pizza in prison."

"No," he sighs. "They claimed our food was nutritious and appetizing, but…" He picks up his beer — his second — and drains it.

When our waitress drops off our bill, Edward insists on paying for us this time — I guess he got some money from his parents.

"Listen, guys," I begin as the four of us walk outside, "Please don't… say anything about seeing us here."

"Sure," Ben agrees readily.

"As long as nothing comes up to make you miss our lunch date," Angela replies with a grin.

"I'll see you tomorrow, Ang." I roll my eyes at her threat.

Waving, the two of them take off for Ben's car, planning to go see a movie, and I turn to Edward. "So… do you want to go down to the water or something?"

"Sure," he answers quietly. We're not in the best spot to walk there, too far east of the main downtown area, so we get back in the truck and I drive to a parking lot close to the pier.

Edward lights up a cigarette after I've parked and I try to keep my frown in check. It has been quite a while since his last one. We find a bench to sit on, looking out at the water, since it's not yet sunset.

"I was surprised that you actually answered Ben's question about being in prison," I begin. "You won't usually talk about it."

"I'm trying, Bella," he replies. "To be open about what I can."

"So… will you tell me what happened earlier?" I ask quietly. "Did you not want to hear the guy's name?"

He sighs, blowing out a cloud of smoke. I'll assume that his lack of denial is confirmation.

"Did you know the guy?" It could just be upsetting to hear about someone he knew being put to death, or maybe they were even sort of friendly. Or maybe not.

He doesn't answer for a moment, just staring out at the water — if he sees anything at all.

"All death row inmates in Washington are housed in the same prison," he finally replies, which I suppose is his way of saying yes, he knew the man.

"You're not really gonna tell me anything more, are you?"

He tosses his cigarette away, rubbing at his forehead. "I'm sorry, Bella."

"Does your shrink know?" He nods. "Why can you tell him these things but you can't tell me? I'm your girlfriend, we're supposed to share things with each other. What's the difference?"

"Because he's used to dealing with fucked-up people. There's nothing he hasn't heard." He looks at me with an almost pleading look, begging me to understand.

"I'm not going to judge you, Edward," I assure him quietly, placing my hand on his arm.

"That-that's not it… not really. Look, I know you're not stupid; I know you must have… theories. But you're… you're so good, and pure, and… Trust me, there are some things you just really don't want to know."

We gaze into each other's eyes for a long moment, and I have to grudgingly admit that he may be right. If he's been… I can't even think the word, so maybe I don't really want to hear about it.

He turns back toward the water, grasping my hand on my bare thigh. "What are you gonna tell your friend tomorrow?"

"The truth," I shrug. "Angela's not stupid either — she knows we're together. To be honest, I really wanted to tell her last week, when you were shutting me out. I really wanted someone to talk to."

"I'm sorry about that," he whispers, squeezing my hand. "I had to work through it all with Jenks before I could be with you. And I know that's not right, that's not what you deserve."

"Just… please don't do that again. Let me help you. Like you did today," I plead. "Um, I also… I Googled what to do if you have another panic attack."

Edward chuckles. "I guess you can Google everything."

"You pretty much can," I agree.

"So did you learn anything useful?"

"I could've helped you focus and control your breathing a bit more. And I shouldn't have gotten upset, but… I was so scared."

He squeezes my hand again. "I could hear you. Just you being there did help me concentrate on breathing." He turns to me then and asks, "When does your dad get home?"

"Just after midnight. Why?"

"Can we go back to Forks, to your place? Maybe watch a movie?"

"Sounds like a plan."

Back home, Edward stays outside smoking while I decide which of my favorite movies to subject him to. I'm tempted to make him watch Pride & Prejudice with my favorite actor, Colin Firth, but he'll probably hate it.

I finally settle on Mean Girls — he might actually like that one.

I've got the DVD in the player and ready to go when he comes inside. He takes a seat on one end of the couch, kicks his shoes off, then settles against the arm of the couch.

I press PLAY on the remote control, then debate where to sit. The way he's situated, I can't sit beside him, exactly. Does that mean he wants his space?

"Bella," Edward calls, "Come here."

"Where?" I ask nervously.

He holds his hand out, and I take it, letting him pull me down to sit between his legs, my back to his chest. He wraps his arms around me, leaning in to kiss the side of my neck.

"You don't have to treat me like I'm fragile, Bella. I'm fine," he promises. I'm not completely sure I believe him, but I'll try to just act normally.

I love this movie, but I can tell that Edward is a little bit bored with it when he gently moves all of my hair over my left shoulder, giving him free access to the right side of my neck. His lips skim along the sensitive skin, placing soft kisses in random spots.

We're never going to make it through this movie.

Sure enough, by the time Regina is flattened by the school bus, I am flat on my back underneath Edward. As we kiss, I wrap one leg around his waist so that I can feel him right where I want him. My hands are underneath his t-shirt and the way his muscles flex below them makes me want to get him naked — right now.

"Edward," I moan when he turns his attentions to my collarbone.

"What do you want, Bella?" he whispers.

"You… please," I beg shamelessly.

I feel his hand sneak under my skirt, then tug at my panties. He pulls away long enough to remove them, and I lick my lips as I watch him remove his own pants.

Stretching out on top of me, he kisses me again. "Are you ready for me?" he asks, his lips brushing against mine and his cock brushing against where I'm desperate for him.

"So ready," I moan. I never imagined that sex could be like this, that I could be this… this… wanton.

"Bring your legs up," he directs. I start to wrap them around his waist when he pushes my thighs until they're touching my chest, totally opening me up for him.

I feel the head of his cock pressing against me, then he slowly fills me until he can't possibly go any further. "Hang on, baby." He braces his hands on either side of my head, and then…

"Oh God!" And that's the last coherent thing I can think, let alone say, as he thrusts hard and deep, over and over until I'm clenching around him, screaming from the pleasure he's bringing me.

"Oh… fuck!" he finally yells as he comes.

Edward collapses on top of me, his breaths coming in heavy pants — the good kind, this time. When he's able to move, he pulls out and I wince a little, bringing my stiff legs down as he sits up.

"Was that ok?" he asks uncertainly, and I can't control my giggles. He just rocked my world and he asks if it's ok?

When I stop and think for a moment though, I realize he's probably wondering because he was a little more rough than usual, so I rush to reassure him. "More than ok."

After Edward has gone home, I make sure we haven't left any… evidence behind in the living room, then head upstairs to get ready for bed.

As I catch a glimpse of my computer sitting on the desk, I remember that I'd wanted to Google the last man executed in the state, so I boot it up.

I start with Wikipedia, finding a list of everyone who's ever been executed by the state of Washington. The last one on the list was given a lethal injection in September 2010, a man named Aro Markus Caius.

I click on his name to read the short entry on him, my eyes widening with every word I read. If he was guilty of everything he was accused of, he was a bad dude who stabbed and then beheaded his girlfriend and raped her children before stabbing them to death.

There's no way this man was Edward's friend. But given his crimes, he may very well have been the one who stabbed Edward… or worse.

A/N: So Bella has a lunch date with Angela, where she'll have to decide exactly how much she can tell her without breaking Edward's confidence.

And Edward had another, milder, panic attack. Bella thinks it was because of the name and that she's found the man who stabbed him over 15 years ago. What do you think? And what do you think of Edward's reasoning for not telling Bella everything that happened to him in prison?

Moosals laughed at me, but you know all serial killers have three names!

Next update on Friday.

Awesome news yesterday! Grad Night finished #1 in the voting for the Top 10 Completed Fics in April 2015 on TwiFanfictionRecs! Thanks to all of you who voted!