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storyline - "Embrace"

prompt - castle

She Said

Frankly, I wasn't sure what to make of Edward Sulky Pants. It was weird to have him in my yard at my invitation and not because he was slinking around, up to no good.

It had been tempting to just leave him alone on his side of the fence when the boys came over. I hadn't really wanted to invite Jasper and Emmett, either. But Rose was obviously slumming it with Lumberjack and now Alice was making googly eyes at the blonde so I had to attempt to be a good neighbor.

He had, after all, shown good faith by un-taping my front door and buying a proper trashcan. And... okay. He was cute. Really cute. Even with his clothes on.

Especially with his clothes on!

I chanced a glance at him. He was standing off to the side, just on the outskirts of the two happy couples, beer in hand.

Broody, smoldery.

What happened to the social butterfly?

"Um… Edward," I called, waving him over with the spatula I was using to flip burgers.

He paused and then walked slowly over, all suspicious like I was going to grill him up next.

"How do you… you know. Like your burgers?"

"Oh." He shifted from one foot to the other. I was about to ask if he needed to use the bathroom when he answered. "Medium well."

"Really? Okay…"

He snorted. "Why? How do you like yours?"

"Medium rare."

"Figures."

I poked the burgers around. "What's that supposed to mean?"

He didn't say anything. I motioned toward the plates and he picked one up and handed it to me.

He said

I didn't know what it meant, except that Bella seemed typical. I had a feeling she only drank light beer and white wine, too. And ate sushi.

I decided not to tell her that, though. Our truce was tenuous.

She handed me my burger and nodded toward the condiment table.

"Thanks," I muttered, feeling like a moron. I'd almost preferred her being an insufferable bitch. This was just awkward.

Although, seeing her in that bikini was a sight for sore eyes. If she'd just never talk, ever, she'd be the perfect girl.

"Got chips?" Emmett bellowed, his mouth full.

"No," Rose said, shaking her head. "We do have fruit salad though."

"Oh, come on. What kind of barbecue is this?" he teased, winking at her.

She rolled her eyes and pursed her lips. "A barbeque we invited you to because we felt sorry for you."

"Ouch." Jasper set his plate down, looking all amused. "I think Edward has potato chips, right?"

I did. But I just shrugged.

Jasper ignored me and went next door, presumably to grab the chips.

"These are amazing, Bella," Emmett said, hovering by the grill, his plate out. "Haven't had burgers this good since we road tripped it to White Castle."

"White Castle?" Alice frowned, wiping her hand son a napkin. "I don't think I've been to one around here."

"Oh, there aren't any," Emmett assured her. "We just like… hit the road until we found one. You know? Like the movie?"

Alice shook her head. "What movie?"

Emmett started at her like she'd grown a second head. "Harold and Kumar go to White Castle?"

She shrugged. "Nope."

I watched Bella make her way over to us, adjusting her bottoms with her free hand. Oh man, she had a little tan line going on…

"You weren't missing much, Alice. It's a stupid movie," she said.

"It's a classic," I retorted.

"It's a disaster," she shot back.

"Which is why it's a classic."

"Whatever."

"You know what? Screw it." I stood up and tossed my trash just as Jasper returned with the chips. "You're impossible to talk to. I've never met someone as stuck up as you."

She gaped at me. For a second.

Then she stood up, balling up her fists. "Yeah? Well you're jerk. You're no picnic to live next to either, let me tell you."

"At least I'm having fun. It's not my fault you probably need to get laid."

Next thing I knew a half of a burger was coming right at me, complete with mustard, mayo and ketchup.

I was vaguely aware of the stunned silence around us. Calmly, I walked over to the condiment table and grabbed the bottle of mustard. Before Bella realized what was happening, I let loose on her, coating her with yellow glop.

She shrieked and ran for the ketchup.

I got the mayonnaise. Got her good.

She grabbed a beer, shook it, and sprayed me.

There was nothing left, so I grabbed a beer and did the same.

Sputtering, she lunged at me, knocking me to the grass.

"What the… you crazy witch!"

"I hate you!" she snarled. "I wish you'd just move! Far away! Why don't you just go to …to… White Castle!"

I narrowly avoided being kneed in the nuts.

"That makes no sense," I growled, rolling her over so I was on top.

Suddenly we were blasted with cold water.

Rose was standing next to us with the hose trained on us, Alice, Jasper and Emmett behind her with matching expressions of fascination.

"You guys…are completely out of line. I don't know what's going on here but I think you need to talk it out. Or... have sex."

Wet and slippery, Bella squirmed beneath me, pushing me away.

At which point I noticed her bikini top had shifted.

Prettiest.

Nipple.

Ever.

She said

I followed his gaze and nearly died. My boob was just… hanging out of my bathing suit.

Gasping, I fixed it but it was too late. Edward looked from my chest to my eyes and back down again.

Rose dropped the hose, grimacing.

Alice was purple with the effort of trying not to laugh.

Jasper was eating chips with gusto.

Emmett came over and gave me a hand. "Damn Bella. Where you been all my life?"

I stormed away toward the back door, ready to explode.

This day totally won out.

As the crappiest ever.

No sooner had I slammed the screen it opened again.

"Bella," Edward said, panting like he'd been running.

"What?"

He crossed the kitchen, shoved me up against the wall, and kissed me so hard my lips hurt.