A/N Okay there seems to be a little confusion over the last chapter so let's try to clear it up a bit. Emmett is gay. Emmett is also Bella's ex. Bella does not know he is gay...yet. Edward does.

Disclaimer: We do not own Twilight. All publicly recognizable characters are the property of their respective owners. No copyright infringement is intended. (Insert your own witty sarcasm here)

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Chapter 19

Dashboard Denial

BPOV

The last person on earth I need to take crap from is Emmett "I'm a Big Deal" McCarty. Obviously his football career didn't go quite as planned. Not my problem. He doesn't need to be passing judgment on anyone, especially Edward. I'm not exactly sure what he means by him batting for the other team but clearly he hasn't lost his dumb jock, bully persona. Just because Edward is anal retentive does not mean he is gay. Even though things are extremely awkward between us at the moment, I feel oddly protective over him and I'm not just going to sit back and let this shit slide. Besides, I know Edward would never speak out of turn, to a client nonetheless.

I spit the coffee out of my mouth before I have a chance to aim for my target. Luckily, I haven't lost my touch and I get Emmett square on the chest, staining his white Ralph Lauren dress shirt. Ralph Lauren? WTF? Since when do designers make clothes in size gorilla?

"Busy!" Emmett shouts in frustration, assessing the damage of his precious shirt.

"Emmett Dale McCarty! You know nothing about Edward or even me for that matter. Everybody keeps feeding me this bullshit of things changing but I still see the same bully with no manners that thinks he knows what's best for everyone. Why the hell would you even care if I slept with Edward? You didn't care when I slept with Sam so why give a shit now? That's right. I fucked Cullen and it was amazing!"

Emmett actually has the nerve to start chuckling. Who laughs when their ex-girlfriend talks about her sexual conquests, including the ex's best friend...while they were still together? I glare at him, shooting my death daggers that always make him cower.

He slowly approaches me and places his monster hands on either side of my face. He stares and me and I dart my eyes back and forth, searching for answers in his eyes. Please, don't kiss me. Please, don't try and win me back. I don't want to be here. A huge Cheshire cat grin breaks out across his face.

"Well, I'm glad some things don't change. You're still the same Bells I loved back then."

I break free of his death grip and scowl.

"Don't."

"I didn't mean..."

I turn around to see Edward slouching in the corner of the room. I feel horrible for subjecting him to the shit show about to go down. God, he just wants to get his papers signed and move on. Not only am I holding him back, I'm also allowing him to bear complete witness to the trainwreck that is Isabella Marie Sawn. Edward looks up from the floor and for a brief second he catches my eyes. I try to apologize profusely without words but it doesn't seem to be working.

"I'm just gonna go. You two obviously need to work some stuff out. If you could sign those papers and overnight them that would be great. Do you think Miss Stanley could arrange for a rental car?" Edward sounds freaked the fuck out in his anal retentive, I've gotta control everything, manner.

"Ed, my man, you don't have to leave." Emmett makes his way over to Edward who has his hand on the door handle and whispers something into his ear. I watch as Edward's hand falls from the handle and a smirk plays across his lips. He looks at me out of the corner of his eye. I raise my eye brows at him and try to return his sentiment but it just comes across as a botched botox smile.

Emmett walks back to me and places his hands on my shoulders. His body is intimidating and I can't let him get to me. I steel myself in my spot and wait for whatever idiocy will flow from his mouth. How he managed to create his own construction company baffles me. I always thought he was all brawn no brains.

"I've got a clean shirt in my car. Why don't we all go to lunch so we can have a chance to play catch up? My friend does this great spread for lunch on Saturday afternoons."

I start to shake my head profusely. The gang always has lunch on Saturdays. Emily is an amazing cook. We have everything from homemade lasagna...I'm talking like she makes the pasta from scratch...to red velvet cake for dessert. It usually ends with some drunken smack talk and a poker game. I'm not ready for this.

"Em, just sign the papers and we'll go. We can act like I was never here." I beg him with my eyes but when Emmett is determined, he never relents.

"How about this, you both come to Sam's and I'll sign the papers." I look to Edward but he remains silent. Why won't he back me up on this?

"Fine. But if Charlie gets wind of me being back I will climb through your window while you sleep and knife you to death!"

We all walk out to the parking lot and Emmett opens the driver's side door of a tiny, two-seater sports car. I try to hide my smile but envisioning him in this car is insane. He pushes the seat forward and reaches for a tee shirt from the back. He starts to unbutton his shirt. I turn around because that is just creepy. I don't need to be reminded of his humongoid chest. The guy had some insane muscles, and I'm sure he will make some big boobed Barbie type very happy. Maybe he's doing his sexetary. She seems like his type.

As I'm waiting for Emmett to finish his childish display of self-centered body worship, I notice his license plate. Hugabear? Is that some sort of joke? I am finally convinced he will never grow up and it proves my point. People don't change. It's a really nice car but it seems more like something some trendy, fabulous drag queen would drive: loud and showy. The only thing missing is a disco ball hanging from the rear-view mirror. Just as I'm about to turn around and get this show on the road, a glittery, rainbow bumper sticker catches my eye. You've got to be kidding me. I start to laugh. Someone got him good!

"Hey, Em, I think someone put a gay pride sticker on your car." I turn around and am smacked in the face with a vision I never expected to see. Em is in a black, shimmery tee-shirt that is so tight he looks like he painted it on. For the first time I notice that his jeans are so tight they are basically nut-huggers. No straight man in their right mind would ever dress like this.

"What the fuck is going on?" I demand.

"You still remember how to get to Sam's?" he asks with a smirk. My mouth is hanging open and I have no words. Edward walks me towards the passenger seat, opens the door and helps me in. I see him talking to Emmett. Both are laughing and Emmett pats Edward on the back. I don't even bother trying to figure out what they are saying. All of that is behind me in the rear-view mirror as I stare out over the dashboard. The loud swooshing noise in my ears and the heavy beating of my heart is all I can concentrate on.

E/N Poor Bella... What the hell were Emmett and Edward up too? Hope you all have a fantastic day while we leave Bella to put the pieces into place. Talk to us. We love to know what you're crazy minds are up to, too!