S Meyer owns Twilight. I own two bottles of Christmas Plum from our local winery. Well, one of those bottles might be almost empty. Just sayin.

My sister is the best chick I know. She made this much prettier for you guys.

Chapter 11

Don't ask me

What you know is true

Don't have to tell you

I love your precious heart

I, I was standing

You were there

Two worlds collided

And they could never tear us apart

(Never Tear Us Apart- INXS)

"Jesus," Alice says, clutching a pillow in her lap. "Was there a full moon on New Year's Eve? I mean, it's like my plane left Jackson and landed in the Twilight Zone." She pauses and rubs her forehead. "So, Mike and Jessica broke up?"

Carmen nods somberly. "It was awful. We were all up at the cliffs, laughing and drinking and smoking. He asked her to go for a walk. We assumed he wanted to get some nookie out in the woods. Instead, she came out screaming and crying and he just kept saying, 'I'm sorry' over and over. None of us knew what to do. We just sat there watching, like the world was ending."

I can imagine. There is a huge knot in my stomach, and I didn't even witness it. Mike and Jess are that couple. The couple that dates throughout high school, goes to prom together to be crowned as royalty, graduates, gets married, has 2.5 kids, and share a headstone.

Only…I guess they're not.

"And somehow in the midst of this drama, you got your first boyfriend," Alice leads.

Carmen huffs. "Garrett asked me right before it all went down. I was so shocked I answered 'yes' without even thinking."

"It really does seem like the Twilight Zone," Leah laughs. "Carmen has a boyfriend, and Bella is having sex."

I chuck the TV remote at her.

"Time to talk, Bella. We want the details and 'it was wonderful' is not an acceptable response," Alice demands.

I sigh. "I told you it was wonderful because it was wonderful." It was the most beautiful night of my life, and I don't want to share it with anyone but Edward.

"Bella, come on. You've got this dreamy look all over your face just thinking about it," Leah says. "It must have been good."

"No," I tell them. "It was better than good. It was amazing."

"Did you at least get off?" Carmen asks.

"Yes! Are you happy?" I ask them. "He made sure I did before we even started."

"Dammit," she says, smiling and shaking her head. "I knew I should have made a move at the show."

"Carmen, you have your own boyfriend now and just a few weeks ago you thought Edward was a sex mutant," I remind her.

"I was just kidding. Sort of. Is he?"

"Carmen, he is not a mutant. His dick is perfect. Next topic."

"Come on, B," Leah begs.

They have no regard for privacy. I may as well stop stalling because they are not going to back down.

Alice sighs when I tell them about the mixed tape and the dancing. "That is so sweet," she coos.

I share the basics, keeping his sweet words and whispered promises to myself. The memory of falling asleep naked and wrapped around each other flits through my mind a hundred times a day.

Any concerns I had about morning after awkwardness were dispelled the moment I woke to his kisses and felt him slip inside me. He held me so close and wrapped his arms beneath my shoulders, cradling my head in his hands. It was slower than the first time, and he kissed me as he filled me, over and over again.

It was just perfect.

We made breakfast together in his mom's kitchen and for one moment, one crazy moment, I let myself imagine the two of us cooking together in our own place some day. It was a silly thing to do, and it scared the hell out of me. But it happened.

I don't say one word about it to the girls.

Spending the last Saturday night of winter break in Forks is a tradition. One I wasn't willing to break. So, I told Edward to make plans with the guys for tonight. Now, they're out having fun doing whatever it is guys do, and I'm stuck here with three nosy harpies.

The ringing doorbell provides me with an opportunity to escape. I snatch a twenty from my purse before unlocking and opening the door.

A blast of cold air assaults me, and I cross my arms over my chest. Edward's Pink Floyd tee and my flannel pajama pants are no match for the freezing temperature.

"Holy shit! Bella?"

Wow.

The years have been good to Tyler Crowley. He is taller than Emmett and bulkier than Jake with brown eyes that match the color of his dread locks.

Wow.

Tyler Crowley has dread locks. He was wearing Ralph Lauren from head to toe when I saw him last. Almost three years ago.

"Hey, Tyler." There. I said it. Dare completed. Check.

"You grew up," he says, smiling as he lowers a pizza bag from his shoulder.

I extend one arm to hand him the money. "Um…thanks?"

We swap cash for pizza, and I'm thankful for the warmth radiating from the boxes.

"Are you here in Forks much?" he asks as he rubs the back of his neck.

No way. I can see where this is going.

"Not much. My boyfriend and I stay busy in PA most of the time. I pop in to check on the old man every now and then." I back into the house slowly. "It was good to see you, Tyler."

"You too, Bella," he smiles, before walking to the minivan idling in the driveway.

I close the door with a swift kick before making my way into the kitchen. Leah and Carmen are already seated at the table. Alice is gathering Styrofoam plates and cans of Sprite.

"My boyfriend and I stay busy in PA most of the time," Carmen repeats in a high-pitched voice.

They all laugh.

"Fuck off," I mutter, placing the boxes side by side on the counter.

Alice holds out a plate, and I place one slice each of pepperoni and mushroom on it. She hands it to Leah. I make Carmen a "mushroom only" plate before getting pepperoni for myself.

"None of us have ever seen Tyler get shot down before," Alice explains. "We got a little excited and then BAM! You ruined the fun. You could have at least let him ask."

"So you guys could get your kicks by rejecting hot boys vicariously through me?"

"Exactly," Leah confirms.

"God, those dreads are so fucking hot," Carmen moans.

Every one of us nods, chewing quietly. To deny it would be a lie.

After dinner, we slip into sweatshirts and coats. If we sit on the porch, we'll freeze our asses off. Leah suggests a quick trip to the video store. I have a nice fat one rolled and ready to go.

The new releases are all checked out. We wander the aisles, stoned and giggling, and only half searching for a movie. We end up renting Blue Velvet. Again. Carmen springs for microwavable popcorn in the checkout line.

As much as I hate to admit it, this little break from Edward is just what I need. Everything is so intense with him, so real. It is easy to block out the rest of the world and forget that I had a life before him.

My New Year's resolution is to make it to Forks on my scheduled weekends. I've missed one and shortened a few since Edward and I started dating. Charlie must be sick of me showing up for dinner on Friday night, and then disappearing to Alice's house, only to cut out early on Saturday so I can get back to Edward. It isn't fair to my dad. So, I am determined to find some type of balance between my responsibilities and relationships in Forks and this overwhelming need to be with my boyfriend every second of every day.

I can talk tough and make plans, but when we get back to my house, I let the girls go up without me. I call him from the downstairs phone so I can hear his voice before bed.

The phone rings and rings. I glance at the clock before ending the call. It's only 10:30. On a Saturday night. And he's with Emmett.

They're probably sitting around baked, playing some lame-ass video game in Emmett's basement. I could call Em, but fuck would it make me look pathetic. I heat the popcorn, melt butter in a pan, and try not to stew over what the guys might be up to.

I hold the phone receiver in my lap through the entire movie, glancing down at it every now and then, expecting him to call.

We're all passed out cold when he does. At 1:30. In the morning.

"Hello?" I whisper shout, trying not to wake the girls and trying to wake up myself.

"Hey, baby," Edwards says brightly.

I stumble over Leah's boots, nearly falling on my face, before finally reaching the door. "Hang on," I whisper. I tiptoe down the stairs to peek out the front blinds. Charlie is still not home.

I curl up on the couch, huddling under a thick fleece blanket. "How was your night?" I ask.

He laughs. "It's good. Really good. We went to Aaron's house and did whiskey shots with a bunch of the juniors."

Oh.

The sound of retching in the background distracts him. "Damn, dude, that's fucked up. Are you okay?" I hear him say.

"Shit. Em just passed out in my bathtub," Edward laughs.

"How is it Em passed out, and you're still standing?" I ask him.

"I told him, Bella. I said 'Beer before liquor, never been sicker' and he didn't listen. And now? Now who is sicker? Cause I'm not sick, baby."

"You're not really coherent either."

He laughs. "I love you," he tells me. "You're so smart and pretty. I love your brain. And your nipples."

I giggle hysterically. Edward is a rambler when he's drunk. It's adorable.

"Thanks," I say. "You have nice nipples too."

"Bella," he whines. "Come over. My bed smells like you, and I miss you. Wanna play with your nipples." He yawns.

"You can play with them tomorrow, drunkard. Go to bed. Make sure Emmett is propped up."

"Can't even take a cold shower or jack off," Edward mutters. "Are you sure you can't come over?" he begs. "I haven't seen you naked in a really long time."

"Liar," I goad. "You saw me naked Friday morning."

"Bella." His voice is serious. "Forty eight hours is a really long time."

My laughter is interrupted as Charlie comes through the front door. He lifts his eyebrows, but keeps walking until I hear him clomping up the stairs.

"Charlie just got home. There is no way he is going to let me drive to PA in the middle of the night."

"He would understand, Bella. He is a man, and your mom was hot. Is hot. Or I'm sure he thought she was hot. You KNOW what I mean."

Poor bastard. He needs to take some aspirin and go to bed.

"I know what you mean. You should get some rest so we can hang out tomorrow," I tell him gently.

"Bella, can we be naked when we hang out tomorrow?"

"Yes."

He tells me he loves me three more times. He calls me pretty and smart again. And he tells me my hair is his favorite thing in the world. He says he wants to sleep with his face in it every night. Then he passes out, and I hang up when he starts snoring.

-o-o-o-o-o-

I tease him mercilessly when he comes to pick me up at Renee's house on Sunday. He blushes and hushes me by pulling me into his lap and kissing me. His hand creeps under my shirt, and then he's proclaiming his love for my tits with his fingers.

"We should get drunk together," I tell him, shifting and pressing down against the bulge in his pants. "I want to hear more about how awesome my nipples are. Only, in person this time."

He groans. "I didn't mean to say that to you."

"But you don't deny you think they're awesome."

"Every part of your body is awesome."

The way he peels my clothes off slowly, licking his lips and letting his eyes sweep over my skin, almost convinces me it is. I still feel a little awkward in the light of day. Like every part of me, inside and out, is on display. I remind myself over and over that this is Edward. My Edward.

I try not to stare as he stands to undress, but he's mine, and I can't help it.

"And, yes," he says, settling on top of me. "I am particularly fond of these." He brushes his lips across my chest.

"Yeah?" I gasp. "They like you, too."

He laughs and instead of feeling stupid, I feel happy. Lucky to have such a great best friend and boyfriend all wrapped up in the same package.

"I love it when you smile," he says, trailing his fingers down my cheek. "You're the prettiest girl I've ever seen."

"Stop it," I glance down at his shoulder.

"Bella," he cups my chin gently, lifting my face. "I mean it. It was the first thought in my head when I saw your picture." He smiles ruefully. "I got this weird ache in my chest. I really didn't understand it at the time."

"So you liked me the entire time?"

"Like is a little weak for what I was feeling, Bella," he says, shifting his hips against mine.

I'm trying to concentrate on his words, but the feel of him against me in my bed, and the confession that he may have loved me all along, has made me impatient.

I lower my hand between us, rubbing my thumb on the underside of his dick, stopping midway and wrapping my fingers around it. I squeeze on the down stroke before bringing my hand up slowly. I pull gently, guiding him.

I smile at the tender way he moves. So slowly. So carefully. Watching my face for any signs of discomfort. Only this time, there isn't any.

He looks at me and grins, and I think my heart might explode.

Our kisses are sweet, growing into a slow-burning frenzy, much like his body against mine. I don't make it, but I don't fake it either.

After, I push his hand away gently, choosing instead to cuddle against him. Orange light is bleeding through the sheer, red curtains, and his hair is a myriad of color. Bronze. Brown. Gold.

I scratch my nails lightly, back and forth across the light smattering of hair on his chest.

"So, I noticed flyers for baseball tryouts in the halls the last week before break," I tell him.

"I saw them."

"You are going to try out, right?" I work hard to make my voice sound encouraging instead of frightened.

"I don't know yet."

"Edward," I begin, placing my chin on the back of my hand so I can look him in the eye. "You either want to play, or you don't."

"It's a little more complicated than that, Bella."

"You can tell me, you know." My voice is quiet, and I am trying to convince him with my eyes to finally just talk to me about this.

"I've heard Coach Banks is an asshole. Ben told us last night that Banks announced he is retiring this year. He wants to go out with a championship. He told last year's players to be prepared to work their asses off."

"And?" I'm not following.

"And, I don't know if I want to commit to something that will be so time-consuming."

"You've never had a problem before."

"I never had a girlfriend before either," he says, finally looking at me.

"I'm not going anywhere." I kiss his chest before laying my cheek on it. "We'll be fine."

"You're really okay with me playing?"

The doubt-filled hopefulness in his voice is killing me, so I swallow down my own insecurities. "I want you to be happy," I say.

It's the only way to answer without lying.

We're dressed and lounging on the couch when Renee comes home from the gym. He blushes and stutters a bit when she asks if he enjoyed his winter break. If she had any doubts about what went down New Year's Eve, she doesn't anymore. She gives me a quick I-hope-you-know-what-you're-doing look, before smiling and excusing herself for a shower.

We decide to leave and do some shopping before we go back to his house. Both of us received gift certificates for Christmas, so we hit the music store first. I let him wander the CDs, and we both make a few selections. Before leaving, I drag him to the back of the store. To the records.

I know it isn't going to be here, but I check every time I come in. Sometimes, people sell or trade old records for a store credit. I flip through the jazz selections, looking for the one little piece of my past I can't get back.

I've looked everywhere for the Louis Armstrong record my parents had when I was younger. Renee claims she left it at Charlie's. Charlie says he hasn't seen it in years. And I can't even buy a copy.

"No luck?" Edward asks, stepping up behind me and wrapping his arms around me.

"Nope," I sigh.

"We'll keep looking," he assures me.

The checkout lines are long. It seems everyone is doing after Christmas shopping this week. The sun is setting when we finally make it back to Edward's house.

His parents are unusually quiet during dinner. Afterwards, when Edward and I are ready to escape to his room, his father touches his arm and says, "Your mother would like a family meeting."

I turn to go up the stairs. My eyes close at the sound of Carlisle's voice. "You too, Bella."

I freeze. They know.

Edward's guilty eyes meet my own for a brief second as he wraps his arm around me. We walk into the den, side by side, and sit on the couch across from Esme. He grips my hand, resting our knotted fists on his knee.

Carlisle follows with two glasses of wine in hand. He gives one to Esme before taking a seat in the recliner. This silence is unbearable. This is going to make Charlie's weather talk look like a walk in park. I'm already so embarrassed I can't even speak.

"Bella?" Esme says. From her tone, I know she wants me to look at her instead of my knees. So, I drag my eyes up to meet hers. She is smiling, and it eases some of my worry.

"I want to thank you," she continues.

Really? Did she just thank me for stealing her son's virginity?

I have no idea what to say. Edward looks as puzzled as I feel.

"I've decided not to look for a job."

What the fuck is she talking about? Are we in trouble, or not?

"Mom." Edward has found his voice. "What does that have to do with me or Bella?"

We both relax, exhaling in relief.

"I am starting my own business, Edward. A catering business. Bella planted the seed in my head during our cooking lessons." She smiles at me. "You kept joking about me opening a restaurant." She shakes her head. "I think catering would be much more enjoyable for me. It's more…personal," she finishes.

"That's great," I tell her. "It would be perfect for you." I think of Halloween, and then I imagine it on a much grander, fancier scale.

"Well, I wanted to offer you both the chance to earn money. I will be spending two weeks in Seattle next month taking a cake decorating course. I can do that on the side for birthday parties and such. When I come back, I want to get things started. I will need help for events. Staff."

"I'd love to help, but I don't think I could take your money," I tell her.

"Nonsense," she clips. "It won't be easy work, Bella. Labor costs will be factored into estimates when I bid for jobs."

"That's really great news, Mom," Edward says, squeezing my hand a little. "But I am going to hopefully be really busy this spring."

The most beautiful smile lights her face as she leans forward. "Have you decided to play?"

"I have," he says.

Carlisle nods. "That's good news."

"He has to try out first," I say. I regret it immediately as three pairs of eyes glance at me in shock.

Carlisle laughs a little. "Yes, well, I don't think tryouts will be a problem."

Edward must be a good ball player. I wish I understood all those stats he was rattling off to Charlie the night they met. There are only two possible outcomes. In one, he tries out and doesn't make the team. I can only imagine how much it would upset him. And his parents. In the other, he plays baseball for PA High. With assholes like Royce King.

Edward and Carlisle discuss the date and times for tryouts. Carlisle wants to be there, if he can. Esme asks me to help her with dessert.

She takes several small plates from the cabinet before slicing a cheesecake.

"You never said if you want the job," she says sweetly. "I understand if you don't. The hours would be sporadic and mostly on the weekends. If you need a more stable source of income, I understand."

"Honestly, I haven't thought about getting a job. I didn't want to get one here, only to quit it when I go home to Forks for the summer." There is an unusual pang of disappointment when I think of being so far away. Normally, I count down the days until school gets out knowing I have Forks and my friends to go home to.

"I can be flexible with your schedule when you need to be in Forks. I don't expect you to work every single event with me. I'm hoping to find a few high school students who want a job that doesn't require them to work four or five days a week. I don't want to pressure you."

"It sounds great," I tell her.

Leah got a job working as a library page in Forks. She works three hours a day, four days a week. The idea of working a few hours, every now and then, sounds much better. I can quit babysitting. Not that I do it much anymore, but kids suck, and not doing it at all would be awesome.

Edward and I stay downstairs with them for a while. I have to leave the room when Unsolved Mysteries comes on the TV. I won't sleep for a week if I watch that show. He smiles as he follows me from the room.

"Shut up," I mumble.

He laughs. "I didn't say anything," he says innocently.

"You were making fun of me in your head," I tell him seriously.

"Baby," he says, tackling me to the bed. "I do lots of things to you in my head. Heckling is not one of them." He sits up. "You on the other hand…" His brow creases as he looks down at me. "Are you honestly expecting me not to make the team?"

Shit. Shit. Shit.

I hurt his feelings. "I don't know anything about baseball, Edward. Most of the time, I read a book while Charlie watches the games. Your stats?" I pause, catching his eye. "I don't know what any of that stuff means. I'm sorry."

He shakes his head, laughing. "I don't get it. You get straight A's without cracking a book, yet you can't understand baseball."

"I have some kind of mental barrier when it comes to sports."

"Does that mean you won't come to my games?" All traces of laughter are gone. I hate the way he says it like he really thinks I won't.

"I'll be there for every single home game," I assure him. "I'll have to get permission for the away games. Maybe Charlie can catch a few with me."

He leans back against a stack of pillows, and I lean against him. He runs his fingers through my hair over and over as we talk about nothing and everything. He listens as I catch him up on the news from Forks. Retelling Mike and Jessica's story makes me feel awful all over again. So, I change the subject quickly and tell him about Carmen and Garrett.

"He's a backup pitcher for Forks," Edward says. "Did you know that?"

"No," I tell him. "How could you possibly know it?"

"He mentioned it the night of your birthday party."

God it seems like so long ago. So much has changed since that night. Especially with us.

"I thought we were busted," I tell him, remembering the panic I felt when Carlisle drafted me into attending the family meeting.

"I told them the truth when they asked me if you spent the night on New Year's, Bella," he says quietly.

"Oh my God," I whisper. "Does your mom think I am a ho?" I don't want Esme to think badly of me, but being angry isn't fair. I told Renee.

"No, of course not," he says irritably. "She thinks we're young, maybe too young to be fucking, but she knows we love each other. She has no idea about Jake or your past. Even if she did, she wouldn't think any less of you for it." He sighs. "My mom is not perfect, Bella. Trust me."

"Was your dad mad?"

"No, but I had to sit through another long talk about responsibility."

"Sorry."

"Don't be." He clears his throat. "So, uh, are we going to tell Charlie?"

"Hell no," I answer loudly. "Have you lost your mind?"

"Thank Christ," he mutters.

We make a pact to check our libidos at the Forks city limit. Charlie really likes Edward, and neither of us wants to jeopardize that.

He waits until the last possible minute to take me home. It sucks every time we have to part, but tonight seems worse. The last couple of weeks have been so great. I don't want him to leave. It is almost eleven on a school night, and I wish more than anything he could come in and sleep with me. Bury his face in my hair. Tuck me against him with his hand on my hip.

Instead, I say goodbye and tell him I love him.

-o-o-o-o-o-

The parking lot at PA High is crowded on Monday morning. Even Emmett lingers, not wanting to give up one precious moment of freedom.

Edward and I stay in the Volvo, hanging on to our quickly evaporating bubble of solitude. He kisses the Chapstick right off of me, making me hate my no-fucking-in-a-car rule. When the lot empties, we reluctantly join the multitude in the noisy halls of PAH.

We've walked hand in hand down these halls so many times, but this morning feels different. Call me paranoid, but it feels like dozen of eyes are sizing us up. Maybe the PDA at Emmett's house was too much. We stop by Coach Banks' office so Edward can add his name to the tryout list and pick up the necessary medical forms.

The morning is a blur. Mid-term exams are next week, so most of the teachers are reviewing and passing out study guides.

As I'm leaving American History, Ben Cheney tugs on my backpack to keep me in the classroom.

"Hey, Bella," he says cheerily.

This is new.

"Hey."

"I was wondering-" He looks around, making sure the classroom is empty, and briefly checking the hall. "I missed three days after Thanksgiving break, and I am missing notes. You are probably the smartest person in this class, and I was hoping I could maybe borrow yours?"

He looks embarrassed. Maybe his inner jock doesn't like asking a GIRL for help.

"Sure," I tell him as I dig through my backpack.

"Thanks. You are a lifesaver." He smiles as I hand him the blue spiral notebook. "I'll give it back to you tomorrow."

I give him a wave and haul ass to Spanish. The last thing I need is a detention for being tardy. Edward isn't waiting outside the Spanish classroom when I arrive, and I hate that I missed him.

Charlotte won't make eye contact with me as she apologizes for getting so fucked up on New Year's. Like I'm one to talk. I lost my virginity in a junkyard while I was three sheets to the wind. Liquor makes me lose my head, which is why I stick with weed.

I give her the obligatory, all-inclusive Emmett warning. The same one I gave Carmen. "Just don't fall for him. He's a playah." Em's words, not mine. She laughs, but her eyes are sad. Sometimes, I want to punch Emmett in the nuts.

He is missing from our table when Edward and I arrive in the cafeteria.

"Why didn't you tell me Ben talked you in history?" Angela asks the moment I sit down.

"Jesus, Ang. He borrowed my notes. There was no real conversation." Her obsession is going to land her a one-way ticket on the crazy train if she doesn't back down a little.

Emmett walks in with ten minutes to spare, slapping a stack of papers onto the table. "No way I'm gonna let your scrawny ass punk me out like that." The twinkle in his eye is unmistakable as he addresses Edward.

I crane my neck and huff when I recognize medical forms identical to the ones tucked away inside Edward's backpack.

Great.

"The fuck, dude? Seriously?" Alec says, shaking his head as he flips through the forms.

"Shut up, fucknut," Emmett tells him. "Think of all the pussy this will reel in."

He glances at me, narrowing his eyes for a fraction of a second. Pussy is the last thing he needs more of. He could care less about attracting girls; they flock to him. This is something else. Something I can't quite put my finger on.

The warning bell rings before I can figure it out.

Banner is absent, but the bastard left study packets for us to complete. I want to blow it off until Edward makes a valid point. Less homework means more naked time. So, we split the questions, and we have it finished by the end of class.

Ms. White takes fifteen minutes to go over what we can expect on what will be our final exam in Health class. Then, she leaves. Big surprise.

Most of the time everyone remains seated in case she comes back. Not today. The moment the door closes, Rosalie is on her feet.

She stands in the aisle between my desk and Angela's. I turn in my desk purposely so my legs force her to inch back. Casually crossing my ankles, I smile widely.

"Hi, Rosalie." Kill her with kindness.

"Cut the crap, Isabella." Her eyes light up when I grimace at the sound of my full name. I immediately want to punch her for letting her get the best of me. "Is Emmett really trying out for the baseball team?"

Fuck you, Rosalie.

"Why don't you ask Royce? He probably knows."

Seriously, bitch. You HAVE a man.

She backs off. Message delivered. Mumbling something about Tanya wanting to know, she gives me a lasting final glare before stomping back to her desk and ignoring me for the rest of the period.

Edward is waiting at my locker after the final bell. He straightens, smiling as I approach. I let my head fall against his chest as he wraps me in a tight hug.

"I hate this school," I mutter.

"You say the same thing every day." I can hear the smile in his voice. I do say the same thing every day.

"Well, today I mean it." But I'm already laughing, because he has already made me feel better.

We grab our stuff as quickly as possible. Renee won't be home for two hours. I have plans to cash in on his earlier guarantee of naked time.

I falter a moment on the front steps. Royce fucking King is standing next to the Volvo talking to Ben and Emmett like he belongs there. Not cool.

Edward squeezes my hand, pulling me forward.

"I think it's great," Royce says to Emmett as we approach. He gives me a long, calculating look before turning to Edward and introducing himself. Perfect manners. Perfect smile. "I think you two will be a real asset to the team." He spares another quick glance in my direction. Perfect snake in the grass.

They chat for a few minutes about Banks, his retirement, and the team. I lose interest quickly, so I pull the Volvo keys from Edward's hand in an effort to escape the boy talk. As I open the passenger door, Ben calls out, "Thanks again for the notes, Bella. I'll get them back to you tomorrow."

The smallest smile ghosts across Royce's face as they all turn to look at me.

"No problem." I throw my stuff in the back as I duck into my seat.

Sex Pistols blare from the speakers when I turn the key in the ignition. I crack the window a little, hoping the noise will encourage the end of their conversation. No such luck. Fifteen minutes pass and when I finally get sick of waiting, I exit the car and catch Edward's eye, tapping my watch discreetly. He winks and nods.

"I need to take Bella home," he tells them.

"It's cool, man," Royce says. "See you around. Good luck."

Edward leaves the volume up during the drive to Emmett's house. As soon as we're alone, he turns the stereo off.

"It isn't too late," he says, eyes on the road. "I can throw those forms in the trash and take my name off the list."

"Don't," I tell him, snaking my hand over his on the gear shift. "We'll be fine."

I'll make sure of it.

-o-

A/N-Almost all of the chicks I hung out with in high school had one of those omg-his-momma-is-gonna-think-I'm-a-ho moments. I have a 3 page note from my bff that was written the day after her guy's mom busted them. It might be the funniest thing I have ever read.

Sorry this one took so long to get out. My kids were out of school for the entire week of Thanksgiving. Wtf, right? Back when I was in school, we were only off Thursday through Sunday. Anyway, I spent the entire week trying to prevent them from killing each other. It was time consuming.

Thanks for reading.

MSC