Thanks to everybody who has reviewed, especially to those of you who have reviewed multiple times.
This story is rated M for lemons and language.
Stephenie Meyers owns all. Including me.
Oh and thanks to AriCullen1134 for inspiring the below chapter title. It seems to fit perfectly.
Chapter 14 – How Bella got her groove back
EPOV
Could Friday have been any more uncomfortable for me? When Tanya approached our table at lunch time, Bella and I had been laughing over some stories of Emmett when he was a child. We had never been so relaxed around each other and I was completely oblivious to anything going on around me, so much so that it startled me a little when Tanya interrupted us. Looking back, I should have just quickly excused myself and locked myself in the bathroom for the rest of the break. Ah, the beauty and the beast that is hindsight.
I didn't run into Bella for the rest of the day. I'm not sure what her reaction was to the things that Tanya was insinuating, I was trying to figure out the effect that her words had, but apart from looking a little green and stating that she didn't care what I did, that was it. She did seem a little upset and left quickly after that, and the more I thought about it, the more I came to the conclusion that Bella was jealous. It seemed the only apparent reason for the change in her behaviour.
This news actually brought a smile to my face. Now that Bella and I were on speaking terms, I had to admit, even if only to myself, that she was a pretty cool chick. Even admitting it to myself was kind of strange for me and I was becoming increasingly happy that she was jealous of Tanya. I couldn't wait for tomorrow night, to see her out of school and explore this new found feeling that I was experiencing.
I like Bella. I like Bella Swan.
Huh. That was quite easy.
I fucking like Bella, the raging bitch, ice queen, pretty fucking hot Swan.
Well, fuck me. And she would, I would make sure of that.
BPOV
Saturday arrived and I was woken up by Rose and Alice who once again could not just let me have the pleasure of a sleep in. I honestly needed to lay down some ground rules for my own sanity.
"So I know that it is no use arguing with you both about leaving me in peace for another couple of hours, I am just going to jump in the shower so that I am half awake for whatever torture you guys have planned for me."
"Yay, that's the spirit birthday girl," Alice yelled as she ran up to me and planted a kiss on my cheek.
Rose was right behind her, not bothering to wait until Alice was done with me and wrapped us both up in a huge hug while singing Happy Birthday. Unfortunately no one had the nerve to tell Rose that she was totally tone deaf and so she sang at the top of her lungs while the both of us just cringed and prayed for it to end soon.
Feeling pretty loved and happier than I thought I would be, I let the shower wake me up completely, dressed quickly and headed out into the lounge where the girls had made me pancakes and waffles for breakfast. They really were wonderful friends, and for the millionth time I thanked the heavens for them being in my life.
The girls were having mercy on me today, and told me that they thought it would be nice to stay in, watch videos and generally just chill out before we headed out tonight. They will never know how thankful I was that I didn't have to spend the day shopping and preening.
After we had finished watching the first movie which was my favourite 'Dirty Dancing', we decided that because it was after midday, it was quite acceptable to start with the margaritas. And because we couldn't stop with just one, the rest of the afternoon was spent drinking more margaritas, practicing our dirty dancing moves and perfecting the line, 'nobody puts baby in a corner'. Best. Birthday. Ever.
Now that I had quite a few drinks under my belt, I decided to fess up to the girls and tell them that I had called Jacob and that he was joining us for drinks tonight.
As we were doing our make up, I casually commented, "Hey guys, guess who I happened to speak to yesterday and invited out for drinks with us tonight?"
Both stopped what they were doing to look at me, curiosity in their expressions. Rose just shrugged, and Alice said, "As long as you don't say 'ten hands Tyler' then I think we're all good, Bel." We all laughed at that one.
"Um, no, Jacob actually." Silence.
I rushed on, "I have been feeling really bad lately about how things ended with us, and how I completely ignored him. I just had the urge to call him and apologise for being so withdrawn, you know how close we were before everything happened, and I truly miss his friendship. Anyway, he said that he would love to come tonight so, I guess that is where we are at."
Phew, finally off my chest.
Rose started first, like I knew she would. "So what Bel, he's back in your life, just like that. Is he your boyfriend again?"
"No Rose, he's not. He is barely my friend at the moment and we didn't have that long a talk on the phone, so even I am not sure where this is heading."
"Bella, do you remember how you felt all those times when he was pressuring you to sleep with him? How much you doubted yourself and how bad you felt? And most importantly, both of your reactions when you finally did have sex? You admitted that you didn't really want him and he called you every name under the sun and left you by yourself at the hotel, upset and confused. " Alice was quite upset by the end of her tirade.
"Guys, I know that you are just trying to look out for me and I love you for it, but I am a big girl now and I can make my own decisions. Right or wrong. Things happened between Jake and I that I truly regret and I am sure he does as well. You're forgetting how great a friend he was to me for so many years, that when he started to try and take our relationship to the next level, I encouraged it. You both know how hard he tried to work things out with me afterwards, and I never gave him the time of day. If anything, I am the lucky one here, that he will even speak to me after the way I treated him.
"But Be – " Rose started before I held up my hand to cut her off.
"All I am asking for is that you give Jake a chance, that you will not interfere while we get to know each other again. Christ, I don't even know if he has a girlfriend or what he wants from me, so let's just all calm down and see how things play out tonight. Please?" I was pretty much begging them by this stage.
Alice smiled at me and came over to give me a hug. "If that is what you really want, then we are behind you 110%. Now let's go make you a knockout, poor Jacob won't know what hit him."
"At least he is better than fuckward. I think. Bella I am having serious doubts about your taste in men," Rose stated raising her eyebrows at me.
"I can assure you Rose, that there is, and never will be anything between Edward and I. Oh, I guess I should also mention that he will be coming tonight as well, with Emmett. No comments please." There is no way I wanted to open that can of worms right now.
I caught Rose and Alice give each other a knowing look when they thought I wasn't watching them. Why do I have to keep explaining to them about my relationship, or lack of, with Edward?
Once I had the stamp of approval from my girls, we quickly got our things together and called a cab to take us to Dooleys. I felt a little self conscious in my skinny jeans and dark blue corset style top, but both Alice and Rose assured me that I looked smokin', and god knows they are better with fashion then I am so I trusted them.
We arrived at the bar about fifteen minutes later and once inside found a booth that would fit all of us. There were going to be nine of us, maybe ten if Jacob decided to bring someone along so I wanted to make sure that there was going to be enough room for us all. I really didn't want Edward to have an excuse to have both Kate and Tanya sit on his lap the whole night. That shit was just nasty.
Rose came back from the bar with a tray full of enough drinks for about twenty people. I looked at her uncertainly, wondering why she had so many drinks on the tray.
Grinning at me, she explained, "We've still got about half an hour before the boys and the skank sisters arrive and I couldn't decide what to drink so I got us a little of everything to tide us over until they all arrived. I have a feeling we are going to need it tonight and if you expect me to be civil to Edward, I am going to need a little liquid encouragement." With that, she picked up a shot of Tequila and downed it like a pro.
Alice was bouncing up and down on her seat. "My turn, my turn," she practically sang as she picked up her shot and drank it slowly, choking when she got to the end.
"Alice you always choke on it because you sip it so slowly." Rose snickered.
"Rose, not all of us can swallow in such large quantities, just ask Emmett." Alice stuck her tongue out while I burst into laughter.
"You know it bitch," she replied with a smirk.
I love my girls, and there is nothing better than going out together and letting go. Maybe this was going to be a great night and birthday after all.
Four drinks down, and starting on our fifth each, Rose started to madly wave to someone by the door. I couldn't see who it was but I figured it was Emmett by the goofy grin plastered on her face. All of a sudden, my stomach was churning and my palms were sweaty. Deep breaths.
"My Emmy is here. Come here monkey man," Rose grabbed Emmett by his collar and planted a wet one on his lips.
"Ladies I see you have already started without us," Jasper commented, going to sit next to Al and giving her a tender kiss. I couldn't decide which couple was worse. The ones who were all over each other in public and kept no secrets from anyone, or the couple who gazed adoringly at each other 24/7 like lovesick teenagers. Both left me feeling empty inside.
"Good evening Ladies," that velvety voice that I can recognize entirely too well.
"Hi," another intelligent response from me. Way to go.
"Hi Emmett. Edward," Alice said not even glancing in his direction.
"How's it going, Jazz?" Rose asked Jasper, not even pretending to include Edward in any conversation.
"Can't complain Rosalie. Would anyone like another drink from the bar, I'm going to get myself a beer." Jasper stood up to go and get a round for everyone.
"I'll come with you," Edward said, already heading towards the bar.
Emmett looked over to me once the guys were out of earshot. Standing up and heading in my direction, he asked if I was going to hit him if he gave me a hug.
Stunned, I replied, "What the hell are you talking about Em, why would you think that?"
"Bells, I have felt so terrible about the whole blind date thing with Edward. I know that I should have let you know more about him, but I really expected him to get his shit together. Seriously I could kill him for pulling that crap with you. You're like a sister to me and I hate the fact that I put you through this."
I grabbed Em's hand, he was pulling so hard on his hair that I was surprised he wasn't holding fistfuls of it in his hands.
"Em, thanks for the apology but it wasn't your fault. You did not make Edward act that way, that is entirely on him. You can't be held responsible, after all, you can't choose your family!" I tried to lighten the moment.
"Thanks for thinking of me though, you really are like a big brother to me." I gave him a big squeeze.
Just then the boys came back with drinks, and Edward asked "is there something that you both need to tell us?" He was pointing between Em and I and the hug that we were still sharing.
"Not at all bro, just wishing little Bella here a happy birthday."
"That's right, happy birthday Bella," and before I could object Edward leaned in to give me a hug. Holy goosebumps. Closing my eyes, I allowed myself to revel in the feeling for a minute and pretend it was anyone other than Edward that was hugging me. It was a freakishly good hug. Pulling back, I smiled tightly and thanked him, before sitting down as far away as I could from him.
He smiled his panty dropping smile at me and said, "Anytime."
Ok. Who the hell was this and what the fuck had he done with the real Edward Cullen?
Everything was going swimmingly when I heard a chorus of "Happy Birthday Bella". Kill me now, I was really hoping that Tanya and Kate would manage to keep themselves away this evening, but I should have known better I guess.
"Great, you both made it." I don't think I could have sounded any less enthusiastic about it if I tried.
"We wouldn't miss your big night for the world," Tanya gushed as she was looking directly at Edward. Slut, why don't you just rip your clothes off right here, right now and jump his bones like you know you want to. She was so fucking obvious.
"That's right Bel, we wouldn't want to be anywhere else than here to celebrate with you," added Kate as she was sliding in to sit next to Edward. Fuck off, you stupid cow. Since when have you ever called me Bel or paid any attention to me at all.
Woah, angry much Bella. Calm the fuck down, you know what those two are like, don't let it bother you so much.
The only consolation was that Edward was looking uncomfortable as all fuck. Serves him right. Tanya and Kate mustn't know about each other's exploit with the boy wonder.
While I was stewing in my own anger, I heard someone calling my name.
"Bells, there you are." Jacob. Looking just as gorgeous, if not more so than the last time I saw him. And he was alone. Why did that make me happy?
"Jacob," I cried out, rushing into his arms as he spun me around and around. I was so overwhelmed to see him, my head was spinning from the alcohol and all of the emotions going through my head. It was just so good to see him again, and he looked happy to see me as well.
"You look amazing, Bells. Happy Birthday sweetheart." He leant down to give me a kiss on the cheek and a long and lingering hug. Goosebumps again. I think.
Feeling slightly embarrassed by the public display of affection, I pulled out of Jake's arms and looked around the table to find all eyes, bar Rosalie's, on Jake and me. Tanya and Kate were looking at Jacob with interest. Hell no. Alice, Jasper and Emmett were looking back and forth between the two of us and each other. And Edward. Edward was looking, no glaring at Jacob like he was public enemy number 1. What the hell was that all about.
Looking at Rosalie, I noticed she was the only one not staring at us for some reason, but she was looking directly at Edward with a huge smile on her face. I had no idea what that was about, and I wasn't sure if I even wanted to know.
RPOV
Priceless. The look on Edward's face was priceless. It looks like I may have just found Edward's weak spot. And that weak spot was the last thing I thought it would be. Bella.
This night was just getting off to a great start and I had a feeling that it was only going to get better and better. It was time to start fucking with little Ed's head.
I noticed him getting out of his seat between the desperados and going to stand next to Emmett, so I casually walked over and put my arms around Em's waist.
"Don't they look great together?" I said to Em, loud enough for Edward to hear, but not loud enough for anyone else. I noticed him clench his jaw, but he didn't say a word.
"I thought that Bel hadn't spoken to Jake for years." Emmett asked me.
"Sometimes fate just brings you together at the strangest times, you know." I smiled at Em. "Just look at how happy she is to be around him again."
"Who is that?" I knew Edward couldn't resist.
"Not that it is any of your business, but that is Jacob. He and Bella were the best of friends for most of their lives and they dated for over 2 years." Make of that what you will, Eddie.
Emmett was looking at me like he knew exactly what I was up to so I nudged him and glared at him to stop him from saying anything. Lucky, for him, he kept his trap shut.
"Why is he here tonight, if they haven't seen each other for a while." He was trying very hard to keep the anger out of his voice, but I could see right through him.
"Just getting reacquainted it looks like. Jacob never stopped loving Bella and never gave up. Must be true love, he would move mountains for that girl, and she looks like she may have finally realized that." Ha. Take that.
"And Edward, why the fuck do you even care? You weren't interested so it is no longer any of your goddamn business." I was about to kick his ass to kingdom come.
"I don't Rose. I fucking don't care," and with that he stormed off toward the bar.
"Don't think I don't know what you are doing Rosie, and all I've got to say is well fucking played. Now let's hope like fuck it works." Emmett high fived me, grabbed my hand and placed it on the bulge in the front of his pants. "You're so hot when you're being a bitch babe." Damn straight.
Emmett was happy thinking that I was trying to get Edward to admit his feeling for Bella and maybe pushing them together. Fuck that. I don't want him any where near my girl, I just want to piss him off, but of course I couldn't tell that to Em.
I smiled up at him, gave a little squeeze and looked in the direction of the bar where Edward was taking shots and many of them.
Yes, this night was only getting better.
A/N: That Rose wants revenge. Do you think she has it yet?
Please review and let me know what you think.