Life Is So Unfair

No more apologies, just another chapter that hopefully makes up for the serious lack of mojo of late. Enjoy!

We seem to have picked up some new readers and reviewers. Welcome on-board this crazy ride and thanks for taking the time to read and review. Hope to hear your thoughts as we continue. Thanks as ever to all the regulars who take the time to read and review. Love you all!

Thanks as always to my beta, Dollybigmomma. You rock, girl!

Chapter 36

BELLA

I could feel the turmoil inside of me as I gnawed relentlessly on my bottom lip. I wanted so desperately to go to him, sit with him, and touch him. I was scared, though. What if by doing that we were exposed and he lost everything? I could not and would not let that happen. Seconds went by as I pondered what to do. He looked unsure, too, like me. I knew he wanted me to sit with him, be near him, but I was guessing that also like me, he was aware of the possible repercussions.

Then I had one of those eye-opening light bulb moments. Fuck it, fuck them all, Christ, we were in public, we were hardly likely to go at it on the pub bench now, were we? Well, I obviously wanted to, but I wouldn't. Anyone who would care knew we were acquainted through college, so what harm would there be just to go sit and talk to him? I could and would resist him until we got back to his apartment. Hey, who knew how much better it might even make things later, the waiting and the flirting would build the anticipation so it would be worthwhile to endure.

I sauntered over towards him slowly, my eyes never leaving his. I knew I had made the right decision when I saw the wry smile and look of relief cross his lovely face. He was beautiful and he was mine.

"I worried you'd decide against this," he said quietly, taking my hand in his.

"Yeah, I can see that. Just know that even if I hadn't come over here to sit with you, I love you, Edward, and it would only have been to keep our secret, nothing more. Okay?" I stroked the back of his hand discretely, looking down at it nervously.

"I know, Bella, I love you, too, so much."

We sat quietly for what seemed like an age, our hands entwined under the table, gazing between each other and our surroundings. No one seemed to care that we were sat together. No one turned around and stared, no one started to whisper and gossip. Maybe here, in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, no one would even consider our behaviour as anything other than normal. Our hands were completely hidden from view under the table on Edward's lap. Only close friends and relatives already in the know would likely notice.

People went about their evening, singing and shouting and enjoying themselves. Edward and I sat and watched, laughing occasionally, making the odd comment here and there. It was nice, normal.

Angela came over and asked to join us. She sat opposite and immediately started to talk ten to the dozen.

"So, you finally decided to take the plunge then, Swan?" she asked smiling up at us hugely.

"I really don't know to what you're referring, Miss Webber," I squeezed Edward's hand under the table.

She smiled back knowingly. "You guys look like two friends or people that know each other just having a chat while out with your friends for the evening, nothing wrong in that. I'm sure there's only me and Edward's brothers who are aware that under the table right now, your hands are grasped together tightly and you just want to go home and fuck each other's brains out."

I gasped, and Edward nearly choked on his drink at Angela's bold words.

"Angela Webber!" I said loudly in disbelief.

She laughed and winked at us, "It's true, if you both dare admit it."

"Well, Angela, it may be true, but neither Bella nor I would admit to just 'wanting to fuck each other's brains out.' We're far more than that. Not that we don't, I mean...we make love, of course, like all normal couples, and there's nothing I'd rather be doing right now than just that, but we're adults and can restrain ourselves when in public. Isn't that right, Bella?" Edward addressed me, fucking me with his wonderful eyes.

It took me a moment or two to reply I was so lost in his intense gaze. Time to pay him back... "Edward, love, I want to make love with you all day, every day, and you know that." I slid my free hand up his leg and stopped high up on his thigh. He shifted under my touch and I knew I had him. He was hard and having difficulty controlling his response to his need for me. "Are you okay, love? You look a little flustered there," I added sweetly, slowly rubbing his thigh, making sure I caressed his now throbbing erection.

"Bella," he groaned between gritted teeth, hanging his head and closing his eyes.

I turned my attention back to Angela. "So, what's happening over there?" I nodded toward the table hidden behind the pillar.

Edward slid closer and nibbled on my ear. His hand slid up my inner thigh, his fingers rubbing firmly against the seam of my jeans as he bit down on my earlobe, sending me into oblivion. "You are so in trouble when we get out of here. I hope you know that," I groaned.

"I'm looking forward to it," he whispered then bit my earlobe again.

I ignored him, I had to because I had just come in my panties and now they were soaked through and I knew he would know if I responded. I could feel the familiar heat rising up the rest of my body and any second now I would have that none-too-secret exposing glow Edward knew so well.

Poor Angela, she looked confused at my now-flushed and doped face. I was in that haze, all gooey and light-headed, with limbs that felt like they didn't quite belong and certainly weren't capable of doing anything; at least not yet.

"Uh, Bella, are you okay? You spaced out there for a second," she asked sounding concerned. Edward moved away a little, and I turned to look at him, seeing that smug smirk I loved so much. Satisfaction that he had unhinged me was written all over his glorious face. Fuck, he knew.

With a shake of my head, I turned my attention back to Angela. "Sorry, what did you say?"

His one hand started stroking my back slowly while the other found my thigh again. Christ, he was driving me mad. Just a touch and he had me. I really needed to do better, resist him at least until we were home. I should have made him work for it, but no, one touch and I went off like a bag of firecrackers. I could feel the tight knot rebuilding in the pit of my stomach.

I took a hold of his too-talented hands and brought them back to his lap, "Behave, Edward," I pleaded. He smiled and nodded reluctantly.

"I'm okay, Angie, just having a bit of trouble with the heat in here."

"Oh, okay, well, when I left to come over here, each of them was draped over Edward's brothers like blankets. They're both three sheets to the wind and Emmett and Jasper are both dead sober. I don't think either Jess or Lauren have noticed that the boys haven't renewed their drinks all night. Your brothers are very good at play-acting, Edward."

"Angela, if I knew what the hell was going on here tonight, I would comment, but seeing as I don't, I can't. My brothers have always been able to handle female attention; me, not so much. Well, up until now that is. Now I can handle all that this one has to offer," he added snuggling closer.

I rolled my eyes but let my body relax into his. We were both as useless as the other when it came to the opposite sex. But now we had each other so we were fine with that.

"So, they think the boys really like them? Do you think they have any idea about me and Edward?"

"They talked amongst themselves about the way he was looking at you tonight at the pool table. Lauren made some remark about wishing someone would look at her like that. I think she thinks she's found that in Emmett. I think they're too wasted to remember much of anything right now. I'm beginning to doubt the finale will register when it happens. What time are they arriving?"

I glanced at my watch, "In about twenty minutes I think. Rose said she'd text me when they were outside."

"Rose?" Edward asked, sitting up now and paying more attention.

"So, should we let lover-boy here in on what's about to happen?" Angie asked me.

"Seems like now is as good a time as any I suppose," I said laughing.

I explained how Emmett had come up with an idea that just might make Lauren stop her hounding of me; make her realize that her shameless flirting and aggressive pursuit of unavailable men carried consequences, and that nosily interfering into other people's lives did as well. I guess we would find out soon enough. Emmett thought Lauren more than Jessica needed teaching a lesson. He had come up with the idea, and I had shied away it from initially. I wasn't interested in hurting anyone. I just wanted her to leave me and my relationship with Edward alone. I also wanted her to back the fuck off my man and stay the hell out of my business.

"So, Em thought to get them wasted, flirt with them a little, make them think they had your brothers in the bag, and then bring in reinforcements. Rosalie and Alice should be arriving shortly. Rose is kind of looking forward to the confrontation. Remind me never to get on the wrong side of your brother's girlfriend, Edward, she's scary as fuck."

"So you're hoping that this will teach the evil twins a lesson they won't forget too easily?" Edward said smirking.

"Exactly, they need to know that other women's men are off limits and that I can get a man all by myself without their useless input. I don't need their help or anyone else's, actually. I found my Mr. Right all by myself." I leaned over and dropped a quick kiss on his cheek. He blushed and looked down at his lap, his hands still folded neatly there.

The noise coming from the table that was hidden behind the pillar was getting louder and louder. Emmett's booming laughter was becoming more and more raucous as the night went on. Jasper peeped at us from around the pillar periodically, grinning like a Cheshire cat, winking and making me and Angela laugh out loud.

"You do realise you've unleashed a right pair of monsters now, don't you? They'll dine off this for years to come, telling all and sundry and anyone who'll listen just how it was them that saved our relationship; saved me from being physically assaulted by two small but persistent women. We're never going to hear the end of this, my love, you do realise that, right?"

"It'll be worth every minute if it gets us some peace. Jesus, I can't leave the house for fear her nosy arse will follow me, and look at what they did to you in the canteen at school. I dread to think what might've happened if I hadn't come along when I did that day."

"I heard about that, Edward," Angela joined in. "That sounded like it had to be horrible for you. Had one of the other faculty members seen that, it could've landed back in your lap all over again."

"They were pretty insistent. Victoria Samples' allegations didn't scare me at all compared to what that day did. I was so relieved and so proud when Bella rescued me. Turned me on, actually, but you probably didn't want to hear that. Sorry."

Angela and I laughed. Edward was embarrassed all over again. It was usually me that had the runaway mouth. Maybe it was catching. I squeezed his hands, letting him know that I understood.

Movement near the pub's doorway attracted my attention. Men of all ages stood and stared as the door closed behind two women, one a statuesque blond, tall with a knock-out figure and an air of confidence I could only dream about. The other was a small elfin-type girl with short, crazy black hair, a somewhat boyish yet curvy figure which made her beautiful just the same. They looked around and then moved forward toward us as the blond saw Edward's familiar face.

Angela swallowed loudly and I swear I heard her curse. She muttered something that sounded like, "Fucking hell, they're going to freak." I smiled widely as they reached our table.

"Edward, lovely to see you," Rose leaned over me and kissed him at the corner of his mouth. So that was how she greeted my man, was it. A burst of the green monster ripped through me and I struggled to remain in my seat. "Bella, nice to see you again," she nodded in my direction.

"Rosalie, Alice, good you see you both," I said as calmly as I possibly could.

"Where are they?" Rose asked looking over her shoulder.

"They're just there, at a table hidden beyond the pillar behind you," I nodded in the general direction.

Alice sat down next to me and started to talk at a hundred miles a minute. I had difficulty keeping up, but I loved her enthusiasm. I had liked her the moment Emmett introduced us. She also had a knack for making me feel totally as ease, unlike Rosalie whose very presence intimidated the hell out of me.

Edward slipped an arm around my shoulder and pulled me closer. He whispered in my ear, "I need you closer, you don't mind, do you?"

"Not at all. In fact, I love being close to you." I snuggled closer to him, showing him what I meant. I then leaned over and planted a long, slow kiss on his stunned lips. "I love you so much," I whispered bravely and he grinned back at me like the cat that got the cream.

"I love you, too, baby, so much."

Angela sat in awe as Alice and Rosalie took over the conversation. I could tell both were looking forward to the coming confrontation. They invited us into their conversation willingly and I started to feel more at ease. They teased Edward endlessly about how much he had changed and how being in love did that to you. He responded by nodding eagerly and pulling me even closer. After finishing their drinks, and with a quick glance at my watch, I gave them the nod.

Emmett had asked for a text giving him a heads up, but I thought the surprise might be even more interesting.

"It's time," Alice said getting up and straightening her clothes.

As the two women made their way over to the pillar, Angela joined Edward and me on our side of the bench. We all wanted to be facing the action. The pub had emptied somewhat as it was nearing closing time, so our view was unobstructed and the lower noise level meant we would be able to hear what was being said.

Pausing before the pillar, I saw Rose lean in and speak to Alice. Alice, being so much more dramatic, made her way around the pillar. A piercing shriek sounded and then all hell broke loose. Rose rounded the pillar and I heard her roar. Even though this was all an act, I would have hated to be in Emmett's shoes right about now. Edward cringed into my side. I heard Jessica's whiny voice questioning Alice and then Jasper. Alice made it quite clear that Jasper was hers and hers alone, and from the look on her face and the way she was holding on to Jasper's arm, she wasn't acting in that moment. I turned to ask Edward about that. I could see by the surprise on his face that he was as bewildered as me.

"Remind me to ask Jasper later about his relationship with Alice. The sly old dog has never let on that something was going on between them," Edward mused.

Another loud shriek brought our attention back to the table behind the pillar where a pair of scantily-clad legs was now flailing all over, leaving nothing to the imagination. I covered Edward's eyes in jest.

When I tried to remove my hands, he begged, "Please, love, leave them where they are. I don't want that image etched in my brain for the rest of the evening, thank you very much." With his eyes still closed, he kissed my palms and placed my hands back over his eyes.

"Aw, aren't you two just so sweet," Angie said poking two fingers down her throat pretending to be sick.

Alice and Jessica were screeching at each other, while an amused Jasper stood back watching the whole thing going down. Jessica towered over Alice, but both Angela and I knew Jess was a coward, a right old yellow-belly. If Alice said boo, she would shit her pants. I heard Alice call her a whore and a no-good tramp. Jessica's response was to cry and tell Alice she didn't know he had a girlfriend or she never would have flirted with him. Liar. Jessica asked Jasper why he didn't tell her he had a girlfriend. His calm reply was, "You never gave me the chance."

Then from around the pillar, Rosalie appeared with Emmett in tow looking sheepish until he spotted us watching. He then grinned widely at us and put his thumbs up. Rosalie smirked as she dragged him away from a mortified Lauren who looked like something the cat had dragged in. Her hair looked like it'd had a good ragging, her clothes looked worse for wear, and her over-abundant make-up was smeared all over her face. If she hadn't looked like a witch before, she certainly did now.

She watched as Emmett followed Rosalie out of the pub, then her eyes found Edward, Angela, and I all looking at her. I could see her mortification from here. She actually looked embarrassed. She did not look like I would have expected, though, as she settled her gaze on Edward and I who were sat close together and obviously more than student and teacher. It made me nervous. I made to move away from him, but he stopped me by wrapping his arm tightly round my waist.

"I don't care anymore, Bella. I love you and I want the whole world to know it. Let's not hide anymore, please, love?"

His words and the look on his face told me he was serious. There were only two weeks left at school. Two fucking weeks and then we would be home free. I looked back at Lauren's face and swallowed hard. Could I deny him now? Could I refuse him in order to save his career when he had asked me so longingly?

Well, can she refuse him? Should she?

How do you think the twins are going to react to Rose and Alice turning up, and to Edward and Bella's obvious involvement?

Just a few more chapters left now of this story.

Until next time...