Twilight characters are and remain the sole property of Stephanie Meyer. No copyright infringement intended. Original characters, story, and plot lines belong to Shenda Paul.

Unplugged Chapter Twenty-Six


The seconds until Edward turns feels like an age for Bella, and yet, when he does, she finds herself tongue-tied. 'Think…think,' she tells her fumbling brain.

And Edward, who'd cursed himself for being weak when stopping, berates himself even more when looking into Bella's beseeching eyes. 'Idiot!' he calls himself when remembering how easily she'd rejected his pleas. Those memories, however, are overrun by recollections of their kiss—the feel of her lips, her breasts pressed to his chest; how longingly she'd whispered his name. No amount of determination to keep walking, not even the anger still crawling beneath his skin can counter them. 'Fucking moron!' he silently remonstrates.

" I…could we talk?" Bella interrupts his tirade.

Edward runs an agitated hand through his hair. "Please. Just five minutes," she asks, making his green eyes spark with anger. Bella mentally kicks herself for her poor choice of words. "I'm sorry. I know I don't deserve it…not after how I behaved—" She stops, afraid of aggravating him further.

Edward looks up at the ceiling; a hand still clutched in his hair. A nerve in his jaw tics spasmodically as a moment, and then another passes before, looking equally frustrated and resigned, he retraces his steps and enters his suite.

Shocked and confused by his sudden action, it takes Bella a few seconds to realize Edward's granting her request. She finds him in the living room, back and shoulders stiff as he stares out of the window. "Can we sit?" she asks somewhat timidly. Edward silently turns and crosses the room. He waits until Bella sits on the sofa before occupying a nearby chair. Determined not to let his closed-off expression discourage her, she clears her throat and takes a deep breath.

"I truly am sorry," she says, drawing a scowl from Edward. "I know you don't want to hear it, but I need you to know how much I regret everything. I was heartbroken too, Edward, by what I saw…what I thought I saw. I felt betrayed and humiliated, and by the time you returned, I was hopping mad. But I should've listened." Her voice breaks as she wipes away a stray tear.

For the first time since apologizing for kissing her, Edward's stance softens. "I accept your apology, Bella, and I'm not just saying it to get rid of you. I don't blame you for believing what you saw." He pauses, contemplating his next words. "What hurt was that you wouldn't let me explain; that you could so easily believe I'd cheat and then lie about it. I've never lied to you. Never," he repeats, his voice rising. Realizing it, Edward stops and mentally counts to ten. His next words are unplanned, and his voice when he utters them is thick with hurt and betrayal. "You know, others have asked, and I've asked myself over and over if, in your place, I would've listened, and I honestly believe I would have. Maybe not at first, but I would have—even if only to learn why—how, after everything we'd been to each other, you could have done that."

"I'm sorry. I let you down…let us both down," Bella's voice cracks again.

"I didn't say that to make you feel guilty. You wanted me to say what I think, so I did, but I don't want you to think I blame you because I don't, and you need to stop blaming yourself."

"But you thought it—"

"Bella, I thought all kinds of shit then," Edward interrupts and then hesitates, looking torn. Bella waits for him to elaborate, but he doesn't. "But that's in the past," he says instead.

"I'd still like to know, and I'd like to explain—"

"What use would it do?" This time, Edward doesn't hide his frustration.

"I know it isn't fair, not after what I did, but I don't know how else to make amends—"

"You don't need to," he stops her again. "We both fucked up," he admits, his chest tightening when thinking about his part in causing what he considers their impossible situation. A beat of silence passes and a myriad of emotions flit across Edward's eyes before he speaks. "I don't know what you want from me, Bella, and, honestly, even if I did, I don't know if I can give it to you," he says.

"Can we at least try to be friends?"

"We can try," Edward reluctantly agrees.

"Do you mean it?"

"Yes," he answers after a long pause.

Thank you." Bella expels a shuddering breath, one she hadn't even realized she'd been holding, and then, afraid he'll change his mind, gathers her bag and leaves with a subdued goodbye.

Edward watches her go, still not sure how or why he'd relented. He calls himself a moron several times over, and when, after an hour, he still feels on edge, he visits the gym and pounds a treadmill until his legs give in. Later, showered and changed, he calls Jake and arranges to meet him and some of their North Philly friends at a pub where they'd both gigged before. There, Edward tries to keep a low profile but, as inevitably happens, he's recognized, and several people interrupt. When the manager arrives, greets him effusively, and then suggests that he 'sing a coupla songs,' he agrees when the man, Chris, says he can use the performing band's equipment. "My nephew's the drummer," he explains.

"Three songs and you make sure we're left alone," Edward bargains.

"Done," Chris promises, and when the band takes a break, Edward, Jake, and one of their friends, Ty, also a guitarist, take the stage. The crowd claps and yells appreciatively, and when, after tuning their guitars, Edward strikes the first chords of Unapologetically Me, the place goes wild. He performs five more songs before thanking the audience and introducing Ty. "He's amazing. Watch out for his gigs around town," he tells them and waits until the clapping and whistling die down before continuing. "Some—hell, most of you already know Jake Black. He's officially playing with me now," he informs their audience before announcing his upcoming album and planned tour. "It's great to be home," he shouts over the noise and then, ignoring the calls for another song, waves and leaves the stage to thunderous applause.

True to his word, Chris ensures they're undisturbed, and for the rest of the night, Edward enjoys the company of people who knew him before he became famous. Like Jake, they're impressed but not overawed by his success, and, most importantly, they don't expect or demand anything from him. For a few hours he stops worrying about Bella, but later, when in bed, she fills his mind again, and again, Edward questions his sanity in agreeing to be friends. He imagines when and how he'll be forced to reveal his truth and pictures her disgust. He considers withdrawing his promise, but each time he does, memories of their kiss flood his brain.

Bella had left the hotel feeling relieved but somewhat deflated. She'd consoled herself with the thought that this time, rather than only promising to consider renewing their friendship, Edward had agreed to try. She clings to that thought, but two hours later, when Lia calls, she's still feeling down. Glad to have someone to talk to, Bella reveals everything that happened that evening. "He kissed you and came back to talk. That says a lot," Lia tells her.

"I know. It's just—"

"Just what?"

"Edward's so angry and closed off. He says he doesn't blame me, but it feels like it," Bella explains.

"Bella, he said he doesn't. Believe him," Lia advises, and Bella, remembering the last time she'd doubted Edward's sincerity, feels ashamed.

"Maybe if you do what he says and stop blaming yourself you'll actually believe that he doesn't," Lia adds as if reading her mind.

"You're right. I just don't know what to expect or how to deal with this new Edward," Bella confesses.

"You've talked twice. You can't just expect things to go back to the way they were," Lia points out.

"I don't," Bella protests, but Lia continues.

"It doesn't matter if either of you yells or cries, or even walks out. Keep communicating. Masen took a big step today, which means he wants things to change. Remember that."

"He came back because he's polite," Bella argues, but Lia cut her off.

"Hey! Stop with the negativity," she says, and then, with a gleam in her eye, asks about the kiss.

"I dreamed about kissing that mouth before I knew about you and him, and the only way I'm going to know if my imagination came close is if you share," she adds when Bella ignores her.

"I'm not telling you that stuff!" Bella tries to sound firm but can't help blushing.

"Not even when you have hot make-up sex?" Lia teases.

"Shut up!" Bella's face flames now. "There'll be no sex. We agreed to be friends; that's all."

Lia's grin widens. "Three months! Three months before you're crawling all over each other," she predicts and then, taking pity on her friend, changes the subject.

The next morning, Bella types a message thanking Edward for talking and repeats her wish to be friends. I hope we can talk more, and I'd love to hear about your album. Everyone who's heard it says it's fantastic, she writes and, after agonizing about how to end, settles on, Have a great day and then, before she loses her nerve, presses send. Three nerve-wracking hours later, he replies with, Thank you. Enjoy your day too.

Bella chokes down her disappointment that Edward hasn't acknowledged the rest of her message. 'At least he answered,' she consoles herself and the next day, sends another message wishing him a lovely day. Edward responds in the same polite, yet detached tone, but she persists, and each morning, for the next four days, sends the same message.

Edward always responds but doesn't, once, mention anything personal. Bella finds it increasingly hard to stay optimistic, and, one day when feeling particularly disillusioned, she tells Lia she's decided to stop texting him. "Let me see," Lia waggles her fingers, demanding Bella's phone. Rolling her eyes, she hands it over and watches Lia scroll through her messages.

"He's answering sooner and sooner," she points out.

"He isn't," Bella argues, but Lia shoves the device under her nose. "Check the times between your texts and his," she orders.

"I didn't notice." Bella smiles.

"No, you were too busy second-guessing yourself. Don't give up so damn easily. Hang in there," Lia advises, and, hard as she finds it, Bella does. Her perseverance pays off the following Monday when Edward sends more than his standard reply. Thanks. You too. I signed documents securing my master recordings this morning. Thanks for that also, Bella, the message reads.

Elated, she types, I'm thrilled for you and no need for thanks. She's even more delighted when, ten minutes later, her phone pings with another message, You made it possible, so, yes, it's necessary and deserved. Bella thinks about calling but resists. You're welcome, she texts instead, and when Edward doesn't answer, reminds herself to be patient. Over the next few days, she follows the same pattern, and, gradually, Edward opens up. On Sunday, he shares that he's been for a run, on Monday, that he's still in New York, and on Tuesday, that he's 'messing around' in his studio. For Bella, each revelation sparks a dozen questions about his life, but she doesn't ask; she reciprocates with snippets of her own instead.

On Wednesday, for the first time in days, he doesn't immediately respond, and her spirits sink. No amount of self-chastisement can pull her out of the slump. "Why so miserable?" Lia demands when they meet for lunch.

"I'm not miserable."

"Bullshit! Is Harrison being an asshole?"

"No!" Bella smiles because Harrison is anything but.

"So what's up?"

"Nothing."

"You're a hopeless liar, Bella."

"I'm just being stupid," she shrugs, and when Lia stares expectantly, she confides that Edward hasn't answered her text.

"Has he ever not answered?"

"No."

"Then why worry? He could be busy."

"I told you I was overreacting," Bella answers, reluctant to confess the truth—that she's afraid, no, terrified, that Edward may be with a woman and that she may have lost him forever. She's too embarrassed to admit that she'd Googled him, avoiding the past and focussing only on the time since he'd returned to the East Coast. She'd been relieved, ashamedly so, when finding no evidence of a relationship, but the possibility still bothers her.

Lia, though, has lost interest in their conversation. She's staring over Bella's shoulder while sporting an almost wicked smile. Curious, Bella turns her head, her breath catching when seeing Edward. It takes a moment for her to register Jasper's presence, and several more to realize that Lia's speaking but, for the life of her, she can't decipher the words.

Edward is listening, seemingly attentively, to Jasper. His eyes, however, are restless, roaming the room until they land on Bella. He smiles, purely involuntarily, and it's that smile—the one Bella had always considered hers exclusively. A rush of happiness floods her senses but recedes just as quickly when Edward schools his expression. He's still smiling, but it's polite and friendly and laced with caution.

Lia's snort, loud and exaggerated finally penetrates Bella's brain. "So goddamn stubborn," she mutters, and then, before Bella can anticipate or prevent her actions, she waves.

"Jasper!" she calls as if he hadn't already spotted them or noticed Bella and Edward's interplay. "Join us," Lia invites as the men reach their table. Jasper's glance shifts between Bella and Edward before he answers. "We're in the middle of something. Just stretching our legs and picking up burgers," he says, but Lia insists.

"You can spare a minute. Sit!" She pats the seat beside her. Jasper relents, and Lia smiles, even more satisfied when noticing Edward's eyes narrow as Jasper slides in next to Bella. He hesitates and smiles briefly at Lia before taking the remaining chair.

"Bella," he greets her when seated. "How are you?"

"Fine…thanks." Bella's cheeks flame under Edward's gaze, and before either she or he can say more, Jasper interrupts. "Hi," he says, and Bella turns her head, embarrassed to find him also watching her closely.

"Umm, hi. When did you get back?" she asks.

"Last night. I was hoping we could catch up over coffee," Jasper replies, and Bella, acutely aware of Edward's presence, answers hesitantly. "Sure. Just let me know when."

Lia, who'd enjoyed watching Edward's jaw clench during the exchange, suffers a pang of conscience when realizing her friend's discomfort. "It's great to see you again," she tells Edward before Jasper can worsen the situation.

"You too," he returns, and Lia, never-at-a-loss-for words, Lia, is struck momentarily dumb as, for the first time, she experiences the full impact of Edward's incredible green eyes.

"Lia—I work with Bella," she says when gathering her scattered thoughts. "How's the album?"

"I remember—and it's going well. Release next week, and media interviews kick off tomorrow when the first single's released."

"Here or New York?"

"LA. Masen flies out today," Jasper interrupts, his eyes again flitting between Edward and Bella. Caught off guard by the news, she drops her eyes to her lap. Lia can't tell if she's hurt or disappointed. 'Probably both,' she decides and glares at Jasper, feeling a sudden and overwhelming urge to kick him. 'Shins or balls?' she wonders, and then, seeing the satisfied glint in his eyes as he stands and announces that he and Edward should go, imagines aiming high.

"Same place, three-thirty," Jasper tells Bella, who watches in dismay as Edward, stony-faced, also stands.

'Definitely his balls,' Lia decides, and, when Edward wishes both Bella and her a cool goodbye, imagines doing the same to him.

"I'm sorry. I just wanted you two to talk," she explains as soon as the men are out of earshot. "On the positive side, Masen thinks something's going on between you and Jasper, and he doesn't like it," she says, trying to comfort her friend.

"I don't want to talk about it right now. Can we go?" Bella asks, and Lia, looking more apologetic than ever, agrees.

Edward and Jasper, meanwhile, are making their way back to Jasper's office. "She's really something," Jasper comments.

"Who?" Edward feigns ignorance.

"Bella. You were childhood friends and then dated?"

"Yes," he answers tersely.

"What about now?"

Edward stops, forcing Jasper to do the same. "What, exactly, are you asking?"

"If you intend dating Bella again."

"Do you want to date her?"

"Maybe."

Edward walks, ignoring the statement until they enter Jasper's office. He waits until Jasper sits and then, still standing, speaks. "Whatever happened, or happens between Bella and me is our business. Do whatever the hell you want Jasper. Bella's more than capable of making her own decisions, but don't play fucking games with me—and certainly not with her. Now, can we finish this meeting? I have a plane to catch."

"Sure," Jasper shrugs and unwraps his burger. Edward stares at him before he sits and also starts eating. Over lunch, the two pick up on business. Neither mentions Bella or their exchange, and neither, it appears, holds a grudge as they debate the merits and then agree to conduct the joint media interview. Their meeting ends soon after, and the men shake hands, arranging to catch up the following week.

Walking back to his hotel, Edward ponders Jasper's comments and the events leading up to them. He'd been surprised and, honestly, pissed when Jasper had asked Bella for coffee. To him, the invitation had seemed extremely personal, and he'd wondered about the nature of their relationship. 'You have no right to be jealous,' he'd told himself, but still, his anger had simmered, worsening when Jasper mentioned his trip to LA, something he'd intended sharing with Bella when answering her text. His morning, however, as he'd termed it, 'had gone to hell.' First, Steve, his producer had phoned for a lengthy chat. Then, immediately after, Eva had called with a proposal that he and Jasper conduct a joint interview. "Oh, and there are some changes to your schedule," she'd said about his LA trip. By the end of their conversation, Edward had been running late for back-to-back meetings at Sigel, the last being the one with Jasper. Thanks to his revised itinerary, he'd spent his journey from the hotel rearranging his plans with Chez and alerting Alice to the changes. He'd been ushered into his first meeting on arrival and then directly into Jasper's office.

He'd felt restless, and the sense of missing out on something vital had only evaporated when seeing Bella. For a brief moment, their painful past had fallen away, and he'd forgotten why, over the past weeks, he'd resisted calling or seeing her. But, thanks to Jasper, reality had returned. Still, he'd decided to speak with her before leaving Sigel, but Jasper had changed that also—with his coffee invitation, and then by declaring his interest in her. Despite his anger, Edward couldn't and still doesn't blame Jasper because Bella is, after all, a free agent. He believes Jasper and his business relationship will survive the incident. He's less sure about their budding friendship.

Back at his hotel, an hour later, just before checking out, he sends a text. Flying out at 5 back on Tuesday. Take care of yourself.

Jasper also contemplates his actions. He hadn't planned on provoking Edward. When inviting Bella for coffee, he'd reasoned that he was, in his words, 'just puttin' a rocket up his ass.' 'We've gone out for coffee before,' he'd thought. Now, he acknowledges that he may not have completely given up on Bella, and, because of that, he'd overplayed his hand. He also admits that he'd wanted to know Edward's intentions toward her, and while he hadn't gained that knowledge, he's convinced that Edward still cares for her—his warning had made that clear. No one had spoken to him like that in years, but Edward's forthrightness and lack of concern about damaging their relationship had only deepened his respect for the man. The question now,' Jasper wonders as he prepares to meet Bella, 'is what happens next?'

. . . . .

While Edward jets his way across the country, Jasper watches Bella stare pensively into space, the second time in the last forty minutes that she's drifted off during a lapse in their conversation.

"You're very quiet," he says, pulling her from her thoughts.

"Sorry; just thinking." She smiles apologetically.

"Somethin' botherin' you?" he asks, and Bella shakes her head, smiling again, but the emotion doesn't quite reach her eyes.

"Tell me about your trip," she suggests.

Jasper wonders if he should challenge her; if he should reveal his feelings or not but decides against it. "We signed two new artists. Blair Jones is twenty- one and is studying music in London. She's performed at Reading and Leeds festivals for the past three years—that's where I first heard her, and Angus Brùn is Scottish; also twenty-one. He's been singing in pubs since he was eleven and, since seventeen, he's supported successful local bands on tours around the country. He released a track, Black and Blue, on U-tube last year and scored around twenty million hits," he shares instead.

"Do you visit a lot of music festivals?"

"I used to, and pubs and clubs, when I started out. I don't have time for that now, but, when any of our execs get really excited about someone, I like to check for myself. I like UK festivals and pubs especially because the Brits often bring somethin' different to the table."

"I've always wanted to travel around England." Bella sounds wistful.

"You should come next time," Jasper suggests, and she laughs nervously.

"Why would you want to take a lawyer with you?"

"I wouldn't be takin' a lawyer; I'd be takin' you, Bella," he says, holding her gaze.

"I can't," she answers.

"Why not?"

"It wouldn't be right."

"Why," Jasper insists.

"I work for you."

"Bella, we don't have a no fraternization rule at Sigel. It just wouldn't work in our industry; not if you want to attract and keep the best people. I know you had reservations about the business and me, but you've been with us for months, and you know me better. Do you still feel that way?"

"No," Bella readily admits.

"Then why can't you come to London with me? Are you dating anyone?" Jasper asks, and Bella stares dejectedly at her now cold coffee before looking up.

"No," she says.

"Then what's the problem? I like you, and I think you like me. We'd have a great time." Jasper smiles, and Bella can't help responding. His smile, however, doesn't touch her bone-deep, doesn't make her breath hitch or her heart race. "You do like me, don't you?" he asks, deliberately keeping his voice light.

"Yes, I like you, but not in the way I think you mean."

"Lots of relationships start with friendship," Jasper points out and, when Bella blanches, curses himself for being insensitive.

"You're right," Bella agrees before he can apologize, "but not every friendship is destined for a relationship."

"And you don't think ours is?"

"No. I'm sorry, but I don't," Bella answers, her voice sure.

"I respect your honesty, Bella, and I hope I haven't messed up our friendship, but I had to try. I hadn't met anyone in years who I thought I could have a relationship with until you started at Sigel."

"We're friends, Jasper; I hope we'll always be," Bella answers sincerely.

"Sigel's lucky to have you," Jasper returns just as meaningfully and then, wanting to lighten the atmosphere, jokingly adds, "You know, I'm not used to being turned down."

For the first time that day Bella shows genuine mirth. "It's good for your overinflated ego. You're much too cocky; I thought that the first time you spoke to me," she tells him, suppressing a giggle. "And don't think I missed that you said after you started at Sigel. That just proves you were only interested in a casual fling!"

Jasper laughs too. "You handed me my ass; I admired that," he admits.

"Maybe you'll fall for the next woman who does the same," Bella says.

"Maybe," Jasper agrees.

Around the same time, nearly fifteen hundred miles away, Jack Kent approaches the auburn-haired woman he'd been watching for days. And, an hour later, in Los Angeles, Victoria is knocking impatiently on James' door.


Thank you for reading.

This chapter, for many reasons, kicked my butt, quite a number unrelated to my muse, who had gone on strike; something she hardly ever does. My dear friend, Coppertop, pulled me off the proverbial ledge—not only about my writer's block but the other 'stuff' happening in my life right now. Thank you, gorgeous girl!

Welcome to any new readers and, as always, a special thanks to my loyal and long-term readers for sticking with this story and with me. Our troubled lovers are slowly but surely getting there :)

I've rushed posting this chapter and the mother of all headaches is threatening, so please forgive any errors I may have missed.

Take care everyone. Until next time,

Shenda xxx