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14. Break My Fall

"Where did you go last night?" Rose asks as we put new sheets on the bed.

"Back to the motel," I reply, even though it's only halfway true. But Edward taking me to the hot spring seems like a secret, one I don't care to share with anyone, least of all Rose.

"With Edward," she says, because it isn't a question.

I nod, struggling with the fitted sheet I'm trying to wriggle onto the mattress.

"Bella, you seem like an all right girl—maybe a little weird, but all right nonetheless." Rose blows out a breath. Her wispy blonde bangs flutter up briefly before settling back into her eyes, catching in mascara-caked lashes. "So you should stay away from Edward."

My voice is as neutral as my face. "I'm not close to him, Rose. He just gave me a ride home."

"Look, Edward's a nice guy for the most part, I'll admit it. I mean, he sleeps around, but lots of guys do and at least Edward treats the girls decent enough. I've never even heard him raise his voice. I'm just saying that he's involved in some shady shit." Then Rose exhales and squints at the window. "Emmett, too, apparently."

"Every person I've ever known has been involved in shady dealings," I say softly. "I know how to keep out of it."

"You're not even gonna ask what it is?" Rose demands.

I finally get the sheet wrestled onto the mattress, and give her a small smile. "I told you, I know how to keep out of it. Asking about details is a mistake."

And for maybe the first time since I've known her, Rose cracks a small smile back at me—a genuine one.

Rose and I are walking along the second level of the motel when Edward and Emmett appear on the ground level.

"Hey, girls," Emmett hollers up. He's sweaty but grinning from ear to ear, as always.

"Hey," Rose and I reply.

I look down at Edward as we walk. He's looking up at me already, and when our eyes meet, he drops a wink. He's car-mechanic dirty and sweaty, but he's just as at ease as Emmett.

"We got paid," Emmett cries victoriously. "You girls wanna do something tonight?"

I look to Rose for an answer.

But she's grimacing as she pulls the cleaning cart to a stop. She peers down over the railing at her boyfriend. Anger and bitterness age her, and it's almost impossible to think she's nineteen.

"You just got paid and you wanna go blow it?" she asks. Her voice is surprisingly subdued.

Emmett looks like a kicked puppy.

"I just thought we could do something fun," he murmurs. It's the first time I've heard him sound uncertain.

"That's funny. That's exactly what you said before this happened." Rose points to her stomach and then starts pushing the cleaning cart again, completely dismissing him.

Edward covers his mouth to hide a grin, but he isn't sly enough.

Emmett catches him and flips him off before running after Rose. "Wait up!" he hollers.

But I stay behind.

So does Edward.

He looks up at me, squinting against the sun. His hair is heat-curled and his cheeks are work-flushed. He's working-class normal, but he's model pretty.

He smiles.

I think of what Rose said fifteen minutes ago.

But I still smile back a little.

"Edward!"

We both glance towards the sharp cry, and I see Alice running up in platforms and a skirt as short as one of my mama's. Her long, silky black hair flies out behind her, and her mascara is running again, but I don't see tears, just big, world-weary eyes filled with panic.

"What's wrong?" Edward asks immediately.

She runs straight into his arms, and I watch as he hugs her tightly, without hesitation, without thought. It's all instinct.

I feel a stab of jealousy even though I know it's not nice.

I want easy, obvious hugs. I want carefree touches and calming affections. I want it so bad. But you can't get love if you don't give it. And I don't think I've ever loved anyone. Not like I should.

Something's wrong with me. I've always known it, and I've never questioned it. It just is, the same way my hair is curly and my eyes are brown.

"What's wrong?" he repeats gently, murmuring his question into the crown of her hair. Even with her platforms, he can easily rest his chin on the top of her head.

"I have nowhere else to go," she sobs. She's getting snot and mascara on his white T-shirt, but he doesn't seem to mind. "I have no one else to go to."

"What happened, sweetheart?" he asks softly, slowly, with such care.

"God, how did my life turn out this way?" Alice cries so violently, with such clarity that I feel my chest squeeze and my eyes burn. "How did everything turn out so shitty, Edward? I have nothing. Nothing."

"Alice," Edward sighs. I see the muscles in his arms start to strain as he holds most of her weight, trying to keep her on her feet. "You have to tell me what's wrong or I can't help you."

"I don't have anywhere to live! Felix kicked me out. I don't know what to do." Alice hiccups into Edward's chest and then pulls away enough to look up at him. Her fists clench at the soft material of his T-shirt, and her tear-filled eyes plead so pitifully. "Can I stay with you? Just for a few days? Until I get my own place?"

I see the conflict in Edward's gaze.

I wait curiously for his answer.

I think of what Rose told me about him, about his phobia of having people in his room.

But he reaches out, swipes tears away from Alice's cheeks, and nods. "Of course. Of course you can."

She smiles weakly before throwing herself back into his hold.

"Bella! What the hell? We have two more rooms to clean!" Rose calls from the other end of the motel. I see Emmett walking away dejectedly, his head hanging and his hands limp by his sides.

"Coming," I say softly, but not before glancing down at Edward again.

He's looking up now, his arms cradling Alice to him gently.

I smile at him, because he's doing the right thing, and then I walk away to help Rose finish up.

What do y'all think about that? Questions, comments, or concerns are welcome! (: oxoxox Have a great week, everyone!