Disclaimer: Twilight? Not mine. Dirty thoughts about Robert Pattinson? Copyright. All mine.

SHOUT OUTS—Jess: ILY. DarlingSaila: yet again, you survived my monster of a chapter and gave sage advice along the way. Much love, BB.

To see Royce's home, check out my TSB tumblr. Link in profile, scroll all the way down. Don't forget to look at the awesome blinkie RoseArcadia made me if you haven't drooled over it already!

Everyone: Thank you to everyone who tweets this fic, rec's this fic, reviews this fic, and lurks this fic. I truly appreciate it and you. :)

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

-x-

The Slowest Burn

That awkward moment when… there are too many awkward moments.

Ch. 21: Keep Quiet: The Party – Pt 2

Two things come to mind as I fight to keep my boyfriend from attacking Jasper: Where the hell is Royce, and why the hell did Alice invite my ex-boyfriend?

"You have a lot of fucking nerve showing your face here!" Edward rips his mask from his face and shouts as he points a dangerous and accusing finger over my shoulder.

"Edward, stop!" I slam my hands against his shoulders.

His murderous gaze darts to my face and I gasp and stumble backward a few steps in surprise. My heart starts thundering in my chest as recognition takes over me—I know that look. Those black, vacant eyes. That taut, set jaw. It instantly frightens me to see it on his face after weeks of thinking he was… cured?

The memory of him beating Mike a couple months ago plays before my eyes and I start to tremble. It's the only thing about Edward that terrifies me to the point of wanting to turn around and run. My feelings for him scare me, but his anger… it's a hard limit.

The farther I back away, the clearer his eyes become. It's a relief, and at the same time, it's almost even more frightening. Why am I the only one able to pull him out of his rage?

"Come here." He reaches a hand out. "Bella, please come here." He stares back at me, anxiously swallowing. "Bella…"

His eyes clench closed as he takes deep breathes that he blows out of his mouth. I know he's counting. I know he's trying to remember whatever technique he's been recommended to do when he gets to this point in his anger. He really is trying.

But I still hesitate. I need to be cautious. He's not the same Edward when we're not in his apartment, it's like he's a completely different person. But those eyes, those pleading green irises, and that open palm… I take deep and calming breath of my own and lift my foot to walk toward him when, suddenly, a hand clamps down onto my shoulder.

"What the fuck is wrong with you?" Emmett's boisterous voice lacks his usual happiness when he addresses Edward. "Can't you see that you're scaring her?"

Slowly, I pull the costume mask from my face and I clench my eyes shut. Emmett, though his intentions are good, has just made things ten times worse. I twist around with wide eyes and shake my head slowly. He blinks down at me in anger and confusion.

"Don't you fucking touch her!" Edward roars and yanks me away from Emmett and into his own arms. "Get the fuck out!" He points to the door. "You are not welcome here!"

Emmett's eyes blaze with a fire I've never seen in him before. "I'll leave when I know Bella's safe." He shoots his gaze to me. "Are you okay?"

"She's fucking fine. Get. Out." A deep growl comes from out of Edward.

I struggle to release myself from Edward's painful grip. "Let go of me," I whisper to him. "You're hurting me."

"You're hurting her, Cullen," Jasper pipes in suddenly. " And I was invited, and I brought my friend with me."

"I don't care who was invited. Both of you have ten seconds to get the fuck out of here before I remove you myself," Edward warns them. "And Bella is none of your concern, so back the fuck off."

I finally yank my arm away from him. "Stop it! We talked about this, you dick!"I smack my hand against his shoulder.

His eyes bore into mine intensely. "Get them out of here, Bella," he demands of me and then looks up at Emmett. "You," he sneers. "I never want to see your face in La Push again. 'Cause if I do? You won't ever play football again, got it?"

I gasp and look to Emmett, who clenches his fists at his sides. "You mind telling me what the hell your problem is with me?"

I close my eyes as it hits me. This isn't about him being angry that my ex showed up. It's because Emmett did. Emmett told everyone that he's the father of Rosalie's baby. Edward must have somehow found out about this… but why hasn't he approached me about it?

Edward takes one hostile step closer to Emmett. "I just don't fucking like you." He looks at Jasper. "Or you. I will say this one last time: Get. Out."

"Edward, knock it off!" Alice steps up and places a hand on his chest. "They're my guests and they can be here if they want!"

"I can't believe you let him into this place when you knew Royce was going to be here," he hisses at Alice, and I only hear it because I'm right there next to them. He means Emmett.

"How did you…" I look up at Edward astonished.

His head turns to glare at me. "I know everything. Think about that the next time you try to hide something from me."

I gasp and my heart stops dead. I was right. He knew. This whole time, he knew.

"Why didn't you say anything?" I ask incredulously.

If possible, his eyes look right through me. "I was hoping you would tell me yourself."

I have to look away or I'm going to hit him in the face.

"Hey." Jake comes up from behind Edward. "What's going on?" He looks at everyone's faces.

Alice crosses her arms with a huff. "Edward is making a big deal because I invited Jasper, who brought Emmett. Which is completely fine," she enunciates as she scowls at Edward.

"It's okay," Emmett starts, "we're just gonna head out. Bella," he looks to me, "can I talk to you for a minute?"

Edward's hand shoots out to grab my wrist. "She's not going anywhere with you."

I jerk out of his grasp. "She can make her own decisions."

"All right, all right! Everyone just needs to calm down." Jake starts to push everyone out the door. "Edward, cool it, everyone is staring," he scolds him silently.

We shuffle outside the door and both Emmet and Jasper head all the way down the stairs with me following close behind.

"Em, wait!" I shout and ignore the loud footsteps behind me. I already know it's Edward, and I'm so pissed off that I whirl around. "Leave me the fuck alone, Ed—" I pause. "What are you doing here?" I snap at Alice.

Her eyes roll dramatically. "I came to talk to Jasper, so get out of my way."

She moves to brush past me and my hand darts out to stop her. "No, I don't think so," I say angrily with my fingers wrapped around her skinny arm. "I have had it up to here with you!" I shout in her face.

"Alice!" Edward calls to her from upstairs.

I watch carefully as she stares up at Edward with a gleam in her eyes. It sets me right off. With my hand still keeping her beside me, I step closer and lean in to whisper into her ear. "Don't want what you can't have, sweetheart."

She spins around. "Fuck. You."

"No thanks, Edward already did." My smirk is catty.

Alice narrows her long lashed eyes at me furiously. "I hope you know that you're only temporary."

"I'm warning you." I step in so that our noses nearly touch, my hand still locked around her forearm. "Keep your hands off of my boyfriend or else. Oh, and using Jasper to make him jealous is low. You had a lot of nerve accusing me about using two great guys as a doormat when you're pulling their strings as if they were your puppets. I won't let you do it anymore, not with Jasper, and especially not with Edward." My forewarning is lethal. "I am not fucking around with you anymore, Alice. I know how you feel about Edward, but it's too late. You had your chance and you didn't take it. He's mine now."

She yanks away from me. "We'll see about that."

I shove her with my hands so that she stumbles back in shock. "You do not want to take me on, bitch." I shake my head. "I can be a completely different person when I feel threatened," I caution her to back down.

Her chest heaves angrily. "And you have no idea who you are fucking with. I have been his best friend for years. I know him. Me! Not you. All you ever do is make him upset! You constantly pick fights with him and push all of his buttons knowing full well what the outcome will be!"

"I do not," I lie through my teeth. "And that is none of your business anyway!"

She continues as if I haven't spoken, "I know what his favorite book is, his favorite song, his favorite fucking cereal!" Her fingers pop out one by one as she counts on her hands how many things she knows. "I know what makes him tick, what makes him laugh, what makes him sad or scared, and why he doesn't let just anyone into his apartment. I know these things. Do you? Who the hell are you?"

Her confessions hit directly below the belt, right where it hurts—or perhaps my chest. Because that's the part that feels the most pain. She's right about knowing him more than I do. It only serves to anger me further, giving her what she wants: A fight.

"Who am I?" I laugh back at her. "I'm the one telling you where the line is and warning you not to cross it." My finger pokes her in the chest. "He doesn't see you in that way. You're his best friend, that's it. I get that, but do you?" I tilt my head at her. "He's happy with me. Don't you even care?"

"I only care about what's good for him, and it's not you!" she screams. "You ruined everything! I was so close! So fucking close, and then here comes your skanky ass to give it up and—"

"Call me a skank one more time. Do it!" I yell into her face.

"Sk—"

I'm seriously starting to wonder if there is some sort of 'anger curse' in La Push, because no one seems to visit this town without having some sort of bitch fit before leaving. It's like, Hi! Welcome to La Push. Please step foot on our soil and throw the biggest tantrum imaginable!

Well, when in Rome…

My hand connects with her face before she can finish her insult.

Her eyes are wide with disbelief, but she gets over it quickly, and that's when I'm quickly lifted up into the air and out of her reach. I can hear her struggling and trying to break free from whomever has her, just as I am with whomever has me. I look over my shoulder to see Emmett and kick my feet for him to let go. A quick look shows me that Jasper has Alice and Edward is flying down the stairs. Jake reaches out to stop him and the two of them immediately start to argue. Which means my window of opportunity is limited.

"Put me down," I huff at Emmett in annoyance.

The moment my feet touch the ground, I'm off and running at Alice. I have this inexpressible urge to rip her eyes out. But Emmett isn't Forks High's best running back for no reason and I'm quickly caught and swung in the opposite direction than where I want to be.

"What the hell has gotten into everyone?" He rushes out quickly and drops me. "How did I have no idea you were in this deep with these people? Does Rosie know about this? Tell me, Bella, I swear I won't get mad, but… is this why you broke up with Jasper?" His brow is pulled tight as he anticipates my answer.

I'm astonished that he would have the guts to ask me something like this. I have no idea how to take it, to be quite honest. "I can't believe you just asked me that," I whisper, wounded, and my eyes start to sting a bit.

His face falls. "I don't mean it like that, Bella. You know I don't," he steps forward, "it's just…"

"Of course Rose knows, Emmett," I wipe my nose, "she's my best friend. I'm really sorry about what happened with Jasper, but I can't help the way I feel."

"Bella…" He tries to reach out for me. "Please don't be upset. I didn't mean it to hurt you, okay? I just needed to know… I thought you hated him?"

I back away. "I did." I have to look away so that he doesn't see my watery eyes. "I mean, I thought I did..."

"Belly boo…" He frowns down at me and places a tender hand onto my shoulder. "Please don't be sad. I couldn't live with myself if I thought I'd hurt your feelings. It was a stupid thing to ask. I just… it's just, I thought you and Jasper were so into each other, and then all of a sudden…" he pauses and clears his throat. "But if being with Cullen makes you happy, then… then that's all that matters." His hand squeezes my shoulder.

I nod my head and wipe under my eyes so that my makeup doesn't run. "Thanks, Em."

"Come here," he teases and pulls me to his chest. "And if you ever need someone to kick some ass for you…"

I snicker and push him away from me playfully. "What are you guys even doing here? Rose told me that you and Jasper were going to have a scary movie night with her. It's the only reason I'm here right now, because she promised me that she wouldn't be alone."

"I know, I know! But Jasper said he needed to swing by and show his face because Alice begged him to come. We were going to Rose's right after," he explains to me. "I swear it."

"Yeah, okay, I believe you." I start to pace back and forth. Now onto the next item on my stress list. "Edward knows," I say out loud to myself, "and if he knows, then that means Royce knows…"

"Excuse me?" Emmett stops my gait. "Who knows what, and why does it matter?"

Boys can be so dense sometimes—most times. "Edward knows that you told everyone you're the father of Rose's baby."

"So?" He shrugs carelessly.

"So?" I laugh at his cluelessness. "So you just recently claimed the spawn of his best friend, and then had the nerve to show up on his turf. Do you have a death wish? Do you realize how close you came to running into Royce King? Think about it, Emmett. You're completely outnumbered. What were you thinking? What if I hadn't been here to stop Edward?"

Emmett stands paralyzed. If I didn't know already that Rose told him about Royce, I'd worry that I just spilled the beans. Which means that he had not been thinking at all when he agreed to accompany Jasper to Alice's party. Classic Emmett, always stuck on the positive side of the wall. Finally—and with good timing—Jasper comes up to us cautiously. I see that Alice has gone back upstairs and that Edward and Jacob stand a few feet away from us still arguing.

"I think we should go," Jasper's drawl is tired, "we promised we'd meet up with Rose anyway."

I nod my head. "I'm…" I cringe. I'm sure he doesn't want to hear me say that I'm sorry right now.

"Yeah," he scratches behind his ear, "I didn't think you'd… I mean, I knew there was a chance…"

I feel guilty that he's apologizing for running into me. It makes me want to comfort him. He really is a sweet guy—too sweet sometimes—which is sad because he's easily manipulated. I know this is going to piss Edward off, but…

I push forward and hug Jasper. "Please be careful," I whisper to him, "Alice isn't who you think she is." When I pull away he gives me an odd look. I look at Emmett and sigh. "Be good to my girl for me?"

"You know it." Emmett holds a fist up for me to bump.

"And bring her vanilla bean ice cream with a bag of candy corn. She'll tear that shit up. Oh, and if you know what's good for you, do not talk during the movie. She'll cut your balls off." I start to push both boys toward Jasper's truck.

Emmet squeaks in fright and Jasper looks back to see if I'm joking. I'm not. With a wink, I send them on their way, but not before Jasper turns back around to jog up to me really quickly.

"Look, Bella," his twang stretches out the vowels, "what you said about Alice…"

I press my hand to his chest. "I really mean it. I'm not acting jealous, and I'm not trying to ruin anything if you two have something going—"

"We don't." His eyes lock with mine intensely. "I told you she was just a friend, and nothing's changed. So if you wanna warn me about Alice, then I feel it's only fair that I warn you about Cullen."

"Jasper, don't… please." My gaze drops to our feet.

"Yes, Bella. You need to hear it." He grabs onto my shoulders so that I look up at him. "I'm not being the jealous ex-boyfriend, okay? I mean, yeah, I still care about you, but I'm not mopin' about over you either. We're friends, right? Friends look out for each other."

I nod and bite my lip to keep it from trembling. My God, it hurts to hear him say these things to me. I don't know how I feel about that, because it's obvious to me that Jasper might still have feelings for me that transcend friendship. Also, I'm terrified because his hands are still on my shoulders. I know Edward isn't too far away, and I know he's putting up a fight with Jake to get over here. So, gently, I remove Jasper's hands and take one small step away from him.

"I really think you should go. I don't like that Rose is alone right now." I gulp and stare at the street light over his right shoulder.

"Be careful, Bella. Just… if you ever need my help, just ask. I don't care what time it is, or what day it is, or if I'm in the middle of a football game. If you need me, I'm there. All right?" His gaze is over my shoulder and I know he's looking at Edward.

I'm too nervous to turn around.

"See ya later, Bella." He gives a half smile and jogs back to his truck where Emmett waits for him.

-x-

The tension between Edward and me is palpable. We stand on opposite sides of the party, but we continuously stare at one another. There are no stolen glances, no blushing cheeks with fast darting eyes when our stares cross. There's him on one side of the room with his 'boys,' and there is me putting on the show of my life with Makenna's 'girls.'

Speaking of, I must say that I have never felt so awkward around a group of girls in my entire life. I would rather stand with ten Jessicas and Laurens and Jennifers than I would with these La Push girls. They are bold, ruthless, and conniving. It's no wonder Alice is the way she is, look at her friends. It's a wonder Makenna still swims unbitten by these sharks.

They also openly dislike me. It's like the Housewives of New Jersey, I swear. Everyone is kiss-kiss one minute and then threatening to kill them the next. So far, I have not received any death threats, but the night is still young. If it weren't for Makenna acting as my buffer, I would probably have been jumped by now. Then again, I'm pretty sure Edward scares the shit out of them as well, because they drool over him when he's not looking, but quickly look away when he turns in their direction.

We're all spread out around the living room sofas, Makenna and I occupy the loveseat, and Emily is seated on the armrest beside me. Alice and Leah stand with Edward's group in the kitchen—figures. I don't hide my sneers in Edward's direction and he doesn't hide his looks of sheer disapproval in mine. He has a lot of damn nerve being upset with me when it's Alice who is the troublemaker.

"Bella?" Makenna nudges me out of my daze.

I blink a few times to regain my focus. "Uh, what? Huh?"

Emily snickers and points at my lap. "Your phone has been lighting up for about five minutes now. Someone's trying to get ahold of you, chica."

I frown at my phone when the number popping up is not familiar. I usually don't answer calls from numbers I don't know, but any excuse to get away from these girls is one I am going to take. I excuse myself from the group—with only Makenna and Emily acknowledging me as a living being—and make my way out the front door with my phone at my ear after hitting redial.

It rings and rings until finally, "Why do you have a phone if you never answer it?" a gruff voice snaps.

I blink in confusion. "Royce?" I jeer in disbelief.

He coughs hoarsely a few times before he answers me. "Hey, doll" he tries to laugh, but it turns into a groan. "So, listen," he strains, "I need a favor."

"Are you okay?" I ask, worried.

"Not important," he sighs and I hear the flick of a lighter before a small inhale. "I need you to do something for me, but you can't tell anybody about it."

I clench my hands into fists. "You have a lot of ner—"

"You owe me," he barks out.

My mouth drops open. "How the hell do you figure that?"

He chuckles, but I can tell it's not a pleasant sound. "Who do you think got your boy to come around, sweetheart? If it weren't for me, Peter Pan over there would still be listening to Tinker Bell."

"I don't believe you." I set my lips into a thin line.

"Please don't make me pull my wild card, Bella. Just be a good girl and help me out, huh?" He's as close to begging as I've ever heard.

"Why didn't you call Edward or Jake?" I ask curiously.

He hesitates by pulling from his smoke some more before finally answering, "They can't know you're coming for me. Tell them you had to pick up Rose or some shit like that. I don't care what lies you have to spin, I just need someone to give me a ride home."

I can't believe this jerk. "You want me to lie to Edward?" I shriek in disbelief. "Fuck you, Royce. I don't even like you!"

"Goddamn it, Bella! I need a fucking ride, and if I ask Edward or Jake, they'll do something stupid and get us all killed!" he yells into the phone.

That gets my attention.

"What's going on? Where are you? Why would Edward and Jake do something stupid? What did you do, Royce? I can't believe you sometimes! He worries so much about you, all the time!" I scold him like a disobedient child. "What trouble have you gotten yourself into now, huh? Say something!"

He sighs. "Are you coming or not?"

"Text me the damn address," I hiss before I hang up.

Hands slink around my waist and I know it's Edward's arms that wrap around me tightly. "I'm sorry," he whispers into my ear. "I don't want to be mad at each other anymore." His lips ghost over the side of my face.

"I don't either," I answer back softly.

He kisses the corner of my eye. "You were crying earlier. Was that because of me?"

I shake my head slightly. "It's nothing."

Edward spins me around so he can stare into my eyes. "You're lying to me."

I gasp with wide eyes. "W-what?"

"Tell me what he said to you earlier." His jaw tightens. "Jasper. Tell me what he said before I jump into my car and chase him all the way back to Forks."

I shake my head again. I can't bring myself to tell him the word no out loud. It only serves to anger him further, but I will never admit to him what Jasper said because a small part of me is comforted to know that I have Emmett and Jasper if I ever need them. Because being with Edward is wonderful, but sometimes, I just don't know. He doesn't deal with drugs as much as he used to, but that's only when I'm not there.

"Bella…" His hands move to cup my face. "What did he fucking say?"

My breaths turn shallow—quick and slight. I lick my lips and swallow the saliva that's pooled inside my mouth. He's pissed and it's turning me on. What the hell is wrong with me?

"He said I needed to be careful." That's all he's going to get from me. It's not a lie; it's the truth. It's just not all of it. "I told him to mind his own business."

His eyes glimmer under the shine of the moon through the trees beside us. I watch him as he watches me, and my fingers curl in the lapels of his suit. HIs head dips and pauses so that his lips hover just over mine, as if to ask for permission. I lift my chin higher to meet him and our lips touch. Soft kisses turn to passionate ones and I know I have to stop before it gets carried away, but I can't. I miss him. I can't believe I fucking miss him after one stupid fight!

"I'll talk to Alice," he says as he presses kisses down the side of my neck. "I'll do whatever you want me to do. Just, fuck, just don't be mad at me anymore. I can't stand the thought of not being able to touch you and kiss you when I want." His hands roam and his mouth is everywhere, his scent, his taste, his existence…

It's like I'm becoming obsessed with him.

My phone beeps to alert me of a text message. It's then that I remember I'm supposed to pick up Royce. Reluctantly, I pull away from Edward.

"I have to go." I wipe my thumb over his lips to smudge away my lip gloss. "Jasper and Emmett flaked out on Rose and I don't want her to be alone."

His arms stiffen around me and his jaw tightens as he grinds his teeth—his signature 'I'm angry and I'm trying to wheel it in' face. I press a small kiss at the tip of his nose to try to smooth things over. It doesn't work, but his eyes finally meet mine again.

"I'll go with you." He says it and we both know it's not true.

He can't go; Rose would never allow him into her house. I feel horrible. I'm lying to him. This is the first step toward the fall of our relationship. If we were doomed from the start, then this is the night where I start the ball rolling.

"I'll only be a few hours. I'll be back to tuck you in," I tease.

His chuckle is a hum against my chest that makes me tingle pleasantly. He asks for one more kiss to tide him over. Then he asks for one more, and one more, and… I don't know how long it is before I'm finally able to pull myself away and get into my car.

I miss him already.

-x-

Are you lost? –RK

No! –B

Then what is taking you so long? –RK

I'm taking my sweet-ass time. –B

Perfect. And when I die of hypothermia we know who to blame. –RK

Yeah. YOU! It's not my fault you're a fuck up. –B

You know… its moments like these when I say to myself: Wow, Cullen is a lucky guy. His gf is so sweet and kind and nonjudgmental…—RK

You're getting on my Merced!—B

The fuck?—RK

Stupid autocorrect! I meant Merced! –B

Damn it! N E R V E S! –B

You shouldn't text and drive. If you crash, Cullen will kick my ass. –RK

You're lost. Aren't you? –RK

Shut. Up! –B

Where are you, Bella? You should be here by now. –RK

I'm lost. –B

Fuck. –RK

Where are you now? –RK

I said I'm LOST. How the hell should I know where I am? –B

Chill. Don't bust a capillary. Do you see any street signs? –RK

Hallows Blvd. –B

You just HAD to get lost in the worst area possible, didn't you? –RK

F-You! Get me out of here! –B

Call me. –RK

NOW. –RK

-x-

"The GPS on my phone said to make a left!" I scream for the fifth time in a row. It's like he's not even listening to me.

Royce groans—again. "And I told you to take a right!"

"Well, that doesn't matter now, does it?"I have to bite my tongue to keep from snapping out unnecessary insults. My eyes dart to the left to watch two guys in puff jackets skirt by while at the same time eyeing my car. "Royce, get me out of here…" I sing under my breath nervously.

"Go back the way you came until you're back at Summit Street. Then make a right," he utters sarcastically, "and go all the way down until you see Mark's Liquor."

"Then what?" I ask taking the route he just described.

His breathing is frayed. "Then drive up a block or two and I'll be right here."

"Why do you sound like that?" I'm starting to grow worried based on the fading volume of his voice after each spoken sentence.

He hocks up what sounds like phlegm and then spits it out. I nearly gag in my seat. "Just please hurry up, Bella. I really need to get home."

My foot hits the accelerator harder to make it past a yellow light. I stay on the phone with him, even though no one is talking. He doesn't hang up, so I assume he's fine with it. I make the right when I finally make my way back to Summit Street, then I'm looking for the liquor store. I see it after a few minutes, but this can't be it. It's closed—abandoned.

"Uhh…" I hesitate.

"I see you," he pipes up after a long silence. "Keep going straight. You see me?"

My eyes squint at a waving hand. "Yeah," I tell him, "I see you."

But I didn't really see him until he hobbled over to the passenger side of my car and opened the door.

"Oh my God!" I cry out in utter horror. My hand reaches to open my door so that I can help him inside when he quickly tells me not to.

"Don't get out!" his command is razor sharp and makes my blood run cold.

I gulp with my hand over the lock button and nod my head. His clothes are rumbled, stretched, and ripped. It's his face that makes my stomach tighten up the most. A deep maroon circles his left eye and dried blood coats the rest of that side of his face. He seems to be having a hell of a time trying to get into my car.

His face is pinched, eyes puffy and barely open, with a busted lip, and cuts and bruises covering every visible surface of his skin. Something is wrong with his right side, I can tell by the way he constantly cringes and grabs at his side when he moves a certain way. His ribs, something is wrong with his ribs. I have a mental picture of curled fists pounding into his flesh and black boots reared to strike an open target at his chest.

I sit frozen as I watch him struggle to bend down into the passenger seat. I want desperately to help him. It's a reflex—sue me. But I don't move, I can't. When he's finally inside, I let out a long held breath of air. My hands clench over the strap of the seatbelt across my chest. He looks like he's been hit by a bus. Just looking at him makes me feel as if I've been hurt as well.

"Go," he utters breathlessly and reclines the seat while he clutches at his side.

I blink at him as if he's crazy. Go? That's it? Go?

"Drive, Bella! For God's sake, let's get the hell out of here." He barks out a stern order that breaks me out of my spell.

I drive following the main road all the way until I'm back on the highway en route for La Push. It's only then that I start to settle down. I hadn't even realized how bunched my muscles had been until I feel them loosen up.

"Nice dress." His comment is meant to lighten the mood, but it fails.

"Which way to the hospital?" My question goes unanswered, and only when I ask it again does he respond.

"I'm not going to the hospital." His head rests against the seat somberly. "Drive like you're going to Jake's and I'll stop you when it's time. I'm going to close my eyes for a bit…"

I worry my bottom lip fretfully. "Do you think that's a good idea? I mean, you could have a concussion."

"True," he admits frankly. "But my head feels like it's going to crack open, so I really don't fucking care right now."

My lip will be raw by the time I'm done with it.

Royce lies beside me quietly, still, and sometimes I have to place my finger under his nose to make sure he's still breathing. When I know we're getting closer to Jake's, I call Edward and tell him that I'm going to watch one more movie with Rose, just until she falls asleep. Even through all the loud sounds of laughter and music, I can hear the suspicion in his tone. It eats away at me until I don't think I can do it anymore. Then Royce starts to stir beside me and I quickly end my call with Edward.

"What's wrong?" My eyes dart sideways to see his face scrunch up in pain.

"Nothing," he grunts.

Why do guys do that? Seriously. Why?

"I'm almost at Jake's," I update him on our whereabouts seeing as how he hadn't yet opened his eyes during most of the ride back to town.

"Yeah, yeah. Keep going past the Rez and the Walmart. It's the trailer park you and Jake used to play at." He says all of this while looking half alive.

I pause. "Excuse me?"

He chuckles. "You have so much to learn, little girl. It's obvious how much of your time spent in Forks as a child meant to you. Don't ever tell Cullen that," he snorts to himself with a dopey look on his face. "I'm sure you probably blocked everything out Pre-Belladonna. And when I say Belladonna? I mean the porn star."

On instinct alone my hand shoots out to smack his shoulder.

"Fuck!" he shouts in pain, but with a hint of a small laugh. "Easy there, slugger. Injured misfit on this side of the vehicle."

I roll my eyes. "How did you know that Jake and I—"

"How do you think Cullen met you?" he snorts. "I think it's really freaking hilarious that you used to go to that park every summer and you don't remember it."

"I remember." I grimace.

His head rolls so that he can get a closer look at me. "But you don't remember him."

I gulp.

"Take me to McDonald's and I'll sing like a fucking bird for you. Deal?" He sighs in delirium. "I'm an open book, Bella. All you have to do is read me…"

Fuck. He's starting to act drunk. Which means that I seriously have to start thinking about taking him to a hospital against his wishes. There is no way he doesn't have a concussion. What if he falls asleep and dies? What if he barfs in my car? What if…

"Hi, welcome to McDonald's." The operator sounds way too cheerful to be spending a Saturday night working a drive-thru at McDonald's. Maybe she's boning her boss?

"Would you like to try our new five layer Big Mac burger?" she continues happily.

I grimace at the very thought. "Uh, no, thank you. Can I have a minute to—"

"Sure, just let me know when you're ready." The speaker flicks off with a crackle.

I turn to Royce, who has his eyes closed again. "What do you want?"

"Ohhh, what do I want?" His sleepy tone only adds to my worry over him. "What I want and what I can have are two separate things, Belladonna."

"Stop calling me that or I'll hit you again," I scold him.

Finally, his eyes crack open. "Three burgers, three fries, and one Happy Meal for a pretty girl." He winks up at me.

He's hilarious—not. I relay his order and pull up to the first window. I watch him lazily reach for his wallet in his pocket—I ignore the looks of agony he makes while doing so—before he pauses to look up at me slightly embarrassed.

"I'm gonna need another favor…" He smirks.

-x-

The park is exactly how I remember it. Not a single thing has changed since I was eight years old. It's the same bright colored playground, and the same tire swing, and the same brick wall with various colors of tiny handprints. I want to go look and see if Jake's and mine are still there. We planted our hands on the wall in a way that made it look like we were holding hands.

Best friends forever and all that.

I turn my face away from the playground and focus on Royce again. "You need help?" He seems be warring with himself for the answer, so I unbuckle my belt and walk around to his side. "Give me the food." I hold my hands out.

He does as I ask and I set the bags and cup holder on top of the car. This next part will have to be done cleverly, or he'll never go for it.

"Okay, how do you want to do this?" I brace myself for his answer. He's very prideful—like Edward—so I don't expect him to just agree to let me help him into his home.

"Do what?" He gulps a deep breath just before he heaves himself out of the car.

Time stands still as I watch with my hands out as if to catch him. He doesn't move once he's on his feet, holding his breath in wait of the pain to pass I would guess. What's funny is that I do the very same right along with him.

I can't stand watching him like this. "All right." I push forward and wrap one of his arms around my shoulders to brush up beside him for support. "Come on." I urge him forward.

"I'm not a fucking cripple," he snaps angrily.

"So not going there with you right now, Royce," I warn him as we make our way to the front door. "Easy," I coax him to slow his pace. He's not even leaning on me, making my close proximity useless and a waste of good time I could be with Edward.

"I'm good," he tries to peddle me off. "If you could just bring the food up to the door—"

"Shut up," I stop him. "I'm not leaving until you're cleaned up and you tell me what happened."

"Goddamn, you're clingy," he gripes like a whiny baby.

I leave him at the door to go grab the food that's still on the roof of my car. I close the car door with my hip before making my way back to the steps in front. The trailer home is actually pretty nice, the area isn't as bad as it seems, or else my dad would have never allowed me and Jake to play here.

It's a cozy little home that he lives in. It's in a mobile home community, but it's not a trashy looking place. In fact, none of the homes in this area are on wheels at all. It looks like a regular home, it's just that it can be removed from ground fixture and relocated if completely necessary. I admit, it's nicer than I expected. I feel kind of guilty for imagining that Royce was trashy.

"Is your, um," I clear my throat, "is your mom here?"

He snickers. "On a Saturday night? No way in hell. She's a bartender, these are her best nights." He starts to knock on the door in a memorized pattern.

"What are you…?" I pause when the door swings open and standing on the other side of the screen door is a boy around eleven or twelve with brown hair and a Boston Red Sox hat atop his head.

"'Sup, Sammy?" Royce replies as he attempts to stand up straighter. "Do me a favor, huh?" His hand keeps the screen door closed.

"What's with your face?" The little boy, Sammy, squints and moves to turn the porch light on.

"Nah, don't do that," Royce stops him. "Just do me a favor, all right? Take Jack and Bailey into the kitchen, and Bella here," he nods in my direction, "will hook you up with some grub."

Sammy sighs. "They're watching Harry Potter," he says in a dry and bored tone, "you know they won't move from the TV."

"I don't care what you gotta do, Sam. Just get them out of the living room until I can get inside without them seeing me like this," he says angrily.

"Whatever." Sammy rolls his eyes and leaves the doorway.

I gulp and hug the fast food to my chest. "Is that your brother?"

"Yeah," is his gruff reply, "so are Jack and Bailey. The outcomes of my mother's weekly walks of shame, ones in which she blames the alcohol she consumed that night." He snorts. "Samuel Adams, Jack Daniels, and Bailey Irish Cream. Just put the food in the kitchen for them, will ya?"

I'm still trying to process the fact that his mother named her children after alcoholic beverages. He clears his throat and I do as he asks. Royce pulls open the door and holds it so that I can slip inside under his arm. My heels sink into the carpet until I reach the tiled kitchen where they click and clack. The living room is warm and inviting. Inside, it's clean but for a few scattered toys and shoes. I hear laughter from the kitchen and head that way.

Three children sit around a small wooden table with matching chairs. A simple white tablecloth is draped over the surface and three pairs of hands are resting on top in wait of what I have with me. Sammy is watchful as I approach, and I notice that the other two are much younger—maybe five and seven years old. The youngest is obviously the adorable little girl with light brown ringlets that surround her puffy cheeked face. Jack has striking blue eyes that stare up at me curiously. He has a chocolate smudge on his chin and his dark blond hair is in terrible need of a trim.

"Hello." I smile down at them and place the bag onto the table. "Um, we got you some yummy food. Do you like McDonald's?"

Not a peep from any of them, just a few blinks from their nearly identical cobalt eyes. I pull out the burgers and fries and pass them out, handing Bailey the Happy Meal that she excitedly tears into to reveal a plastic My Little Pony.

"So, uh… are you all going to be okay while I go check on your brother?" I glance around the table nervously.

"Are you my R-rwoys's giwlfwend?" the little one, Bailey, asks me innocently. "'Cause you pweety."

I have to smile at how darling she is. "Not nearly as much as you are, pretty girl." I bop her lightly on the nose. She giggles and shyly hides her face away from me. "No, sweetie. I'm not Royce's girlfriend. I'm Edward's girlfriend." I wink.

"Edwood! But that's my boyfwend!" She honestly looks as if she's about to kick my ass right now.

"Okay!" I start to back away from her. "Wow. Okay, I'm so sorry. You are completely right. He's all yours."

"Bailey, eat your food," Sammy scolds her. She frowns unhappily but does as he says. I quietly mouth the words thank you to him and then slip down the hall to where I hope to find Royce.

"Ah, fuck!" I hear him curse from the last room at the end of the hall. There are three bedrooms all lined up on the left side of the wall with one single bathroom across from them.

"Royce?" I call out just before I invite myself into his room.

He quickly grabs something from the pocket of a sweater in his closet and slams the door shut. "I thought you were gonna bounce?"

"I didn't." I eye his clenched hand and wonder what he has in it but decide not to ask him.

Pausing to look around the room, I'm dumbfounded. White walls, light gray carpet, plain white bed, and a small lamp on top of a few stacked milk crates. His closet door is shut, but from where I stand, I would never guess this to be his room. There is not a single personal touch but for the few pictures that are stuck inside the frame of a long mirror slanted against the furthest wall. He could literally pack his entire life into a single duffel bag.

I clear my throat and step inside. "Why does your room look so… temporary?" I ask aloud.

He sighs and drops his leather jacket onto the bed. "Because it is," he answers solemnly.

My heels are killing me, I toe them off by his door and then cross the room to help him undress. Never in a million fucking years could anyone have convinced me I would be here right now, pulling his soiled shirt up over his head.

"Oh, my God," I gasp the moment the bruises on his torso are visible. My fingers lightly touch the darkest mark over the right side of his ribs. "You have to get this looked at, Royce."

He flinches when my cold fingertips touch his flesh, but he doesn't pull away. "No, I don't. It's fine."

I roll my eyes, annoyed. "You're lying. God, Royce, what the hell happened? Who did this to you?" I gesture at him.

"You already know the answer to that, dollface." He brushes past me to his dresser to pull out a clean shirt. "You don't need to be here anymore. Thanks for the ride. I appreciate it, and it would be in everyone's best interest if you kept this to yourself."

"Why?" I move to stand beside him again. "I have a right to know what I'm keeping from Edward."

Royce closes his eyes and rubs his face with his good arm. "I went to do a run by myself. Trusted the wrong people. Walked into a bad situation and paid the consequences. I know better now, for next time."

"Next time?" I cry, disgusted. "You're lucky you didn't fucking die, Royce! They stole your wallet, your keys… your car?"

He grimaces. "Don't remind me."

"I have to tell Edward." I turn to leave and he grabs me firmly by the arm.

"You won't say anything!" His grip hurts as he tightens his hold. "You hear me? Not a goddamned word."

I try to yank my arm back, but he has me locked where I am. "You're hurting me." My words are a dangerous warning. I know where to hit him in order to make him stop.

He knows it, too, which is why he releases me.

"Why did you call me?" I turn around to face him. "We don't even like each other! Why me? I don't want any part of this!"

"I had no one else to call!" he shouts back into my face. "I swear to God, Bella. I would not have called you if I had any other option."

"You did! You could have called Edward! O-or Jake!" I slam my hand down onto the dresser. "Alice, even!"

He shakes his head. "I already told you. Cullen would do something stupid and Jake would get dragged into it just to back him up. Alice can't lie to save herself, and I trust no one but those three. You are the only person I could think of."

I shake my head at him. "What makes you think I won't tell him anyway?"

"You won't." He looks away from my stare. "You care about him too much, which means you wouldn't want anything to happen to him. If you tell him…" His eyes reach mine once more. "You were there that day at Jane and Alec's. You saw how he was, he told me how much it scared you. It's why he's even giving a fuck in those anger management classes. He doesn't do runs with me anymore if they're outside a house party, and he's doing all this shit for you."

My breath catches in my throat. He sounds so resentful of me as he speaks. I take a step backward toward the door, wondering if I should just leave him to take care of himself.

"Well, I'm sorry. I'm so very sorry if my being with Edward is cutting into your drug dealing." My face wrinkles into a scowl. "I'm sorry he's trying to be a better person. I'm sorry if he doesn't want to put his life in danger just to make a few bucks to buy stupid, selfish shit!"

He storms around me to shut his door before he starts up again. "Look around you, Bella! Do you see a flat screen TV or a state of the art stereo system? How about a simple fucking laptop or iPod? Do you see any of that shit in here, or anywhere in my house?"

I shake my head no.

"Exactly," he spits out, livid, "and that's because every penny I make keeps this roof over our heads and food on that fucking table. My mother is a bartender, Bella. You really think she can afford to keep this place? It was left to her by her parents, and it wasn't even paid for. My dad took off before I was even born and she's been trying for years to find a replacement." He steps up closer to me. "You see those kids out there? Not one of them shares the same father. Do you know what it's like to watch some loser walk into my house and spin lies about whisking my mother away to a better place?"

I gulp. Actually, I do know. But I don't tell him that.

"Then, when she's knocked up? They run. Every fucking one of them. And who has to clean up the mess? Who has to make sure the kids get up and ready for school while she's holed up in her room feeling sorry for herself? I see the way you look at me, Bella. It's the same look Rosalie gave me the day she cut me off." He snorts and backs away.

"But none of you know shit about me. So, fuck you," he sneers. "Fuck all of you. I do what I do because I have to, not because I'm trash or a loser. You know what? Get out of here." He points to the door.

But I can't move.

I'm still trying to process everything he's just told me. I feel so bad for him, and yet I still feel those lingering feelings from before. The ones that think he's a liar and a womanizer, a selfish thug trying to drag everyone else down with him.

"I said get the fuck out of here!" he roars and it makes me flinch.

"Stop yelling at me!" I cry out at him defensively. "I'm the only one you have right now, asshole. Now sit your ass down on that bed and tell me where to find cotton balls and alcohol."

He rolls his eyes. "Don't fucking pity me. Just go, you did your good deed for the year."

He's really fucking infuriating.

"Where can I find it?" I reply through gritted teeth.

He eases himself down onto the bed. "In the bathroom, obviously."

I walk out of his bedroom and grab what I need down the hall. I snatch the nearest towel that hangs from a rack and jog back to where he is. But when I enter his room, I wish I hadn't.

"You have got to be fucking kidding me," I laugh bitterly at the sight before me.

Royce, bent over the top of his dresser, sniffing a line of coke.

He comes back up inhaling deep through his nose and rubbing at it furiously. "How the fuck else am I supposed to deal with this pain in my side?"

"What the fuck was all that crap you just said to me? I knew it!" I slam the alcohol bottle down onto the dresser and drop the towel and cotton balls to the floor. "You almost had me," I laugh, "you really almost fucking had me…"

He cringes. "Bella," he sighs, "I wasn't lying."

I hate that I believe him. If those three kids weren't in the living room I would think he was full of shit. "Then, what?" I set my hands on my hips.

"Then, nothing. I never said I was perfect." He looks back at me with shame. "And if you think your precious little Edward is clean, you're wrong. You don't just go cold turkey, Bella. Cullen is the one who first got me hooked, and then you came along and you think he's suddenly cured? Dream on, dollface. Life doesn't work like that."

My chest heaves with uneven breaths. "I know that," my voice is small, "I just thought…"

He limps to his bed and lies down on his back achingly slow. "I don't mean to be your buzz kill, all right? I'm just telling you that Cullen's trying. So, if he slips up," he groans and holds his side, "don't crucify him for it."

I bite my lip in deep thought. I really had allowed myself to believe that Edward was different. I should have known I was wrong. Life really doesn't work like that. You don't wake up one day and just… change. How naïve of me to even fantasize about it.

"Will you be okay if I leave?" I whisper from my spot near the door.

He holds up his hand with his fingers in the universal 'okay' sign. I start to slip my feet back into my heels while I lean against the wall. I don't know what to do or think right now. I have so much going through my mind.

"He's lucky, though," Royce speaks with his eyes glued to the ceiling. "He has you as the reason to quit all the bad stuff and turn it around. The grand prize or whatever. I've always envied him about so much shit. His parents are gone, he's an only child, he has you and Alice, and Esme, and Carlisle…"

I gulp and try to think of something encouraging to say. But I can't. So I leave him lying there on his bed and show myself out. I wave to the kids, who are too enthralled in the ending of Harry Potter to acknowledge me. Sammy gets up and follows me to the door, probably to lock up behind me.

"You're a lot nicer than the other one he used to bring here," he says when I'm outside.

I bustle around to look at him in surprise. "Who?"

Sammy shrugs. "Does it matter? She's gone now."

He shuts the door and I hear the lock turn into place.

-x-

It's been one hell of a night I think to myself as I drag my heavy ass up the stairs to Edward's apartment. The music coming from Alice's house is barely audible and for good reason, it's past two in the morning. I wonder how many people are still at her party. Pulling my copy of Edward's apartment key out—given to me the day before he had to serve detention and wanted me to wait for him to get home—I slide it into the lock sluggishly. I just want to go to bed. I'm tired, and grumpy, and my feet hurt, my head hurts, my chest hurts. Everything just… hurts.

It's dark inside so I flip the switch nearest to the door and the walkway lights up. My heels go first. Followed shortly by my dress, my strapless bra, my nylons, hairpins and ribbons—and where the hell is my mask go?—and finally my stupid g-string. Why the hell do women wear these things again? I leave a trail of my belongings for him to follow like the yellow brick road when he gets back.

Also, it pisses him off how messy I am.

Walking naked through Edward's apartment feels kind of exciting. Like I'm being naughty, like it's something I'm not supposed to do, when really, I'm quite sure Edward wouldn't mind at all. I leave most of the lights off as I make my way into his room and fall face first onto his bed. My eyes feel clumpy and my skin feels oily, and that's when I remember I still have loads of makeup on.

With a whiny moan, I pull myself up and run a quick, hot shower. It feels wonderful after the night I've had. It also feels lonely. It makes me miss my boyfriend. I miss his lips, and his smell, and his arms, and his eyes, and his nose, and his jaw, and…

I towel dry quickly and run over to my phone that's plugged into the wall by my side of the bed. The right side of the bed, it's mine. I don't know how or when it happened, but after the third morning waking up on the right, I suppose it was obvious. I own the right side of that lovely orgasm-inducing bed of his. A small giggle escapes me as I bury under his covers and type up a text to send him.

Come to bed. You have a naked girlfriend waiting for you…

He sets a record for speed and time as he makes his way over to me. I hear him curse when he trips over my things I left on the floor and it makes me laugh until I cry. He hears me laughing and pretends to be mad at me when he walks into the room loosening his tie. It doesn't last long, because the second I pull back the comforter and push up to my knees, his jaw drops. He eyes me lustfully as I crawl across the bed to help him unfasten each and every button on his dress shirt.

"I'll never be able to look at you and not wonder if it's real or a dream." He runs his hands down my sides and nuzzles his nose against mine.

I pull him to me and wrap myself around him tightly.

I'm falling.

Hard.

-x-

When you sing, I have to keep it close just as a hymn

And in your breath I know just what you sing

And spoken words might not be what we speak

'Cause in our lungs there's something that we keep quiet

-x-

AN: This chapter's title (as well as posted lyrics above) refers to the song Keep Quiet by Hot Chip.

I'm typokween on tumblr & twitter, and Typokween Writes on Facebook. Seriously, if you want to see the images and teaser for this fic, you might want to check my twitter.

TK's FIC REC: The Plan by QuantumFizzx (One of my top 5 fics!)

See you next… Friday or Saturday! lol ;)