Chapter 35
- Girlscout

Authors Note:
The Twilight Series, and any related characters, do not belong to me.
Authors Note 2:
Pipes- http:/www(dot)cutlerywholesaler(dot)com/images/products/detail/11(dot)1(dot)jpg

Playlist
http:/listen(dot)grooveshark(dot)com/#/playlist/The+Handcuff+Bracelet/28554942
Lucky- SR-71
When Two Are One- Atreyu
Born With Nothing, Die With Everything- Papa Roach
Girlscout- Jack Off Jill
This Afternoon- Nickelback

Edward's Point of View

I had been caught. By Bella's father. Getting into her room had been easy, I found that my trek through the forest had been calming. I wasn't worried about making a lot of noise, I'd robbed people while they slept a room away. Some instincts didn't fade as time went by, they improved even without constant use.

Standing outside on a thick branch, I hadn't been able to move. Memories aside, I couldn't run and leave Bella to face the repercussions of our actions. It hit me all at once. Everything I'd tucked away to think about when I was alone and really high, I wouldn't be able to lie to myself then, came clawing to the forefront of my mind.

I loved her. Protecting and defending her notwithstanding, I had asked her to move in with me as though it were the most natural thing in the world. That's how it felt, at least, which might have flipped me the fuck out were I not precariously balanced in a really fucking tall tree. Charlie wouldn't hurt her, I knew that much. I doubted he would make her cry, there wasn't very much that could cause that reaction in her. With all of his talk of innocence and purity, finding me in her bedroom couldn't be a good thing.

So there I stood, like a fucktard, torn between leaving the state and jumping back through the window. It wouldn't have been a question in the past. Well, back then I wouldn't have been fucking caught… but even so, I'd be on the first bus, plane, or cab that had an ability to get me out of there. And while every instinct was screaming at me to run, a very deep, quiet place inside of me was calm and insisting I stay. This was one of those things I'd hate myself for doing either way, but one option was more tolerable than the others were.

In the past, I had left because no one meant anything to me. They used me, I used them, it was a nice arrangement I had with any chick I slept with. I didn't want anything to do with their parents or making plans, and I certainly didn't care what their schedule was like aside from when we were going to be fucking. We met at pre-arranged locations, did our thing, and then left before anyone could make the connection.

I didn't like the idea of keeping Bella a secret. She had no problem with letting people know we were together. I liked knowing that when we walked the hallways together, my arm around her waist... she was mine and every guy at Forks High knew that. They were also aware that I could easily kick the hell out of anyone stupid enough to give Bella a hard time. Good to be the scary loner guy sometimes.

I was far from standing in a tree, but the feeling remained. It wasn't even fear… I knew what being afraid felt like. When I first heard Charlie, my reaction was to get near the window. Her bed was too small for me to fit under, her closet was out of the question. I didn't want to run. Charlie knew I was there, he made that obvious. If I left, it would look suspicious, and we really hadn't been doing anything sexual. In her room. Had Bella's father taken a punch at me, I'd take it as was his right. One free hit, only one.

Responsibility. What a bitch.

Taking another hit of pot, I turned the music up and wished Bella were here. We could have one of our conversations that made everything make sense. I liked watching her flush due to the pot. She smiled easier, relaxed more, and her eyes were alive with emotion.

It now being after two in the morning, I hadn't expected to hear from her again after she sent me a 'sweet dreams' text. So, until I smoked myself out, I was alone to think.

I had changed my fucking class schedule for her. She wouldn't have asked me to, god forbid Bella Swan ask someone for help. I knew the prospect of gym was making her nervous. Thanks to Alice and the school's blood donation rally, a Saturday class on Safe Driving, and a walkathon for some sort of cancer- I had a marking period of gym to miss. The school was really into their cause work, too. Any student that donated blood consistently for four years, enrolled in the Safe Driving class, took part in one of the charities, and- of course- donated to the Senior Class Trip Fund was able to bypass one marking period of senior gym class.

Alice had insisted we take part in all of them. She knew I liked skipping classes to begin with. At least this way it was officially permitted. I had bitched about it, all of them, but I went anyway because Alice wanted me there with her. Now, along with sixteen Saturday's I couldn't get back, I had been able to switch into Bella's class easily.

The charity work I helped with in school, as well as the functions I'd attended with the family, had me at enough credits to pass another year of school. I only needed four of them to convince the guidance counselor to let me skip Health. Bella still looked nervous when anyone mentioned sports, but I'd watch out for her. I wouldn't let her sprain any fingers or get roughed up. The thought made me laugh. I could see Bella holding her hand, death on her face. She'd probably go into the locker room and return with a bat to beat whomever had temporarily handicapped her.

Fuck me. Like the night on the Res when she had defended me. Remembering it still made me feel strange inside. Jake and I had actually bonded, if that's what it can be called. I glanced over at him, he stared at me, we both looked to Bella who seemed furious.

"He's not a fucking thing."

'What did we do?' It was obvious he had no clue, either. I listened to the rest of her angry tirade and retreated to that dark, quiet place within that hadn't existed before Forks. It made me feel so off-balanced, I hadn't been able to think about it until now. I'd never been one of those 'walk around in a daze' type people. Yet now, if someone came flying through my door, I wouldn't know until it was too late.

I knew I was a person, for all of the jokes I made about being monstrous with no soul, I was breathing and alive. I knew that. In all of my experiences, it wasn't who a person was that mattered. I tended to judge people by what they could do instead of who they were.

I had known right away that Sam was someone I'd want on my side. Bella, even, and I couldn't be ashamed of it- my first reaction to her had been based on a universal out-of-this-world fuck factor. I didn't compare her to a celebrity I wouldn't mind fucking, there had been no time to think of anyone else. She didn't remind me of anyone, either.

With Jessica, I had been able to hold her long blonde hair in front of her face. It was easy pretending Trish Stratus or Jenna Jameson, in her hot years, was the one sucking me off. Terrible, but true. She had dyed her hair red once, I had to change over to Evan Rachel Wood to get the job done. In fact, picturing redhead Jessica from the vampire show Alice watched might be why Stanley had grown so attached. The fantasy got a little out of control, what can I say?

Bella, however, would never have a problem with that. I liked taking her in ways that exposed her face. There was nothing she could do with her mouth or body that would be wrong. She had talked with me in the backseat of the Volvo, eating cookies while lying naked on my leather jacket… we had a real conversation about my masochistic tendencies.

First, it stunned me that she had noticed. Second, it amused me that she brought the subject up while I fucked her, standing in a public parking lot. And third, it really bugged me that I hadn't been aware of it. I had fucked a lot as a teenager, it was something physically pleasurable to do. My first time, even, my arm had been all fucked up. I didn't tell the girl that, it wasn't really noticeable, and from her reaction I knew I'd performed decently.

The meadow I couldn't count because aside from the marks I left on Bella, fucking hell, she had left some nice reminders for me, too. She had purposefully avoided my tattoo for which I was grateful. The ink wouldn't have been okay, not that I'd give a damn. Even contemplating the shower within these parameters was laughable. After the dance? No… How to have sex without hurting oneself... Was that a question normal people had? There were very few times in my childhood and teenage years in which I could say I wasn't hurt in some way. If I had waited until I healed completely before having sex, I'd have been a nineteen-year-old virgin. Seriously? No guy waited that fucking long. Most girls I had known at that age knew what they wanted sexually. Any guy who didn't satisfy them was left in favor of someone who could.

There had been a lot of time to kill when Alice was in school. Sex, fighting, and the drug trade, I got valuable lessons in all three from eight in the morning until three in the afternoon. Then I'd go pick up Alice or meet her back at the hotel, motel, apartment, or group home. She'd fall asleep around eight or nine, I was free to go back out if we weren't in one of the homes.

Bella was getting me to think about things in a different way. She made it seem as though, while I had things under control, I wasn't the one in control. Things had happened and been done to me. She made it clear that she was impressed, proud even, of the way I'd coped with those things, but she said it'd be okay if I weren't alright. I was missing something somewhere. Why wouldn't I be alright? A lot of what she had to say was right. I called Carlisle 'Dad,' and the floor didn't open to reveal hell come to drag me down. It felt awkward and a little wrong because thinking 'Dad' made me envision Masen. I wouldn't compare Carlisle to him, ever.

Bella called Phil her stepfather even though she hated the bastard. She didn't hesitate when calling Charlie her dad. He was her real father, but having been absent for part of her life, I'd expect her to hold some sort of grudge. I would be wrong, Bella was too rational for that. She wanted to like people, I could tell. Me, on the other hand? I didn't want to like anyone else.

Having my list expand by three people over the course of a few months, I was thinking about taking all of us to a remote island somewhere. We could have supplies air-lifted in. The internet was a marvelous thing. Alice could order clothes to her heart's content, Esme and Alice and Bella could have fun feminizing the island. Jasper and Charlie could go hunting, Lost-style. Carlisle would have every rich man's dream. An island getaway of his own and early retirement. I wouldn't have to worry about any of them, sharks being the only exception. It was a great plan, I laughed to myself and extinguished the blunt.

Bella and her obsession with pirates… I lit a cigarette and fucking flew after letting the high settle in. We'd do better than rum. Pot plants for miles- could the plants grow in sand? Sure, why not. They'd grow anywhere I wanted them to. Fucking call me Captain. The high hit me after I put out my cigarette. Sleep was going to be great.

o . o . o

And it was. Red-eyed, yet full of energy, I sat in the living room after school had ended. I barely remembered school. Thanks to Bella's hidden cigarette, I had been relaxed and easy the entire day. Sometimes I talked to people, incredible what a social drug pot could be.

"Uh-oh," Alice came to sit next to me. "Serious face."

I didn't try to hide anything from her. She looked over my shoulder at the laptop I'd put on the table. Bella and Jasper would be here soon. He had needed to stop at home to check in with his Dad, Bella wanted to go home and change first. They were car-pooling so no one would have to park near the woods.

With Carlisle's SUV, Esme's car, Alice's bug, my Volvo and bike… the garage had been full halfway through that list. Bella and Jasper both drove trucks; our driveway was expansive, but not to the degree we'd need with everyone driving separately.

"I haven't used the account at all this month," Alice said. "Is there something wrong with the bank?"

"No. I'm just looking over some things, that's all. I haven't checked in a while-"

I turned the music down so that we could talk. It had been awhile since she and I sat down to bullshit. She was off doing things with Jasper, Bella and I had our own shit going on. All of us hung out, but alone time with Alice was rare lately.

"Three hundred? The grocery store, right?" she looked over my shoulder at the summary of purchases.

"Yeah. We're all going shopping next time. Bella's reaction was great. She was so… it was really funny."

"Ah. So now you're going over our financial records because… you want to take her shopping again? A lingerie store, perhaps? Or a concert, the two of you are obsessive about music. Seriously. I've never seen two people more involved with their I-pods."

"It's not nearly that bad."

"You pick songs and smoke cigarettes in the car more than you pay attention to the road." she pointed out.

"I don't need to stare at my cigarette to know I'm smoking it. Besides, I know what song's playing in, like, five seconds. What are you talking about? You're safe when I drive."

"Whatever, Edward. Where are you taking her?"

"There aren't any plans for us aside from the Halloween party."

She looked contemplative, the next few minutes passed in silence.

"It's something bigger than a date. Tell me. If you know, that is. Maybe you're not done seeing all of the angles, planning everything out so things work in your favor?"

"You're not going to let this go, huh?" I already knew the answer.

"Now that I know there's something to know?" She smiled, pleased with herself. "Nope."

"I… don't really know how to talk about it. You're, well- I don't fucking know, Alice."

Her eyebrows rose, she was all seriousness now. "This is about me?"

"Sort-of. Alright, I'm going to tell it from the beginning. Straight. No bullshit. Try not to kill me until the end?"

"Are you fighting again?"

"… not really."

I knew what she meant. Throwing down wasn't fighting, I didn't plan for anything to happen after we all met in the parking lot. The rest had found me. I wasn't scheduling fights for money anymore, that's what she was worried about.

"Then I won't be mad," she patted my arm reassuringly. "Go."

"Bella's my girlfriend."

"Mmhmm," she gave me Droll-face. "All of Forks knows, I don't think you have to worry about competition."

"Things have spiraled way the fuck out of control. I didn't expect to feel so… whatever. Fuck that part. I keep telling her that I could make everything easier for her, you know? If she wants an apartment, to finish school. I don't care if she wants to bum around until she knows what to do with life. That's what I'm doing right now. There are options is all I'm saying."

"You're talking about Bella Swan?" Esme had brought the mail in. She was holding two magazines that were supposed to go on the living room table. I moved some of my shit out of the way so she could put them down.

"Uh, yeah," I offered.

"Ok. Just curious," she grinned. "I'll be in the office if you need me for anything. Carlisle will be home sometime around nine tonight, we'll have to eat without him."

"Um… stay, I guess. If you want to. I don't want it to seem like I'm trying to kick you out of your own fuck- er, y'know, your own living room."

"Great," she sat down without preamble. "What's got you so agitated that you're cursing in my presence."

Yeah, that had been a pretty bad slip-up. I liked how laid-back Esme was. If I dropped an f-bomb, she didn't flip out. I knew she'd prefer I not curse so much, but it didn't really bother her. I watched my language around her out of respect. She wasn't like my street girl friends. Or Alice. An interior decorator and a doctor, wife of a surgeon, I didn't want her knowing all sorts of gang slang. It wasn't necessary.

I had found it difficult speaking around her in the beginning. She was just so… nice. The house she had designed was incredible. She worked, made time to be home, supported and encouraged everything we did academically and otherwise. My clothes and smoking bothered her, but aside from sitting me down with blackened lung pictures, she didn't ask me to change my behavior. I don't even think she planned it that way, manipulatively. Smoking I had cut back on a lot. Really. It wasn't a sacrifice or anything, I really did need to cut back. I was up to two packs a day and getting worse.

Some of my shirts had been retired, I bought nice clothes and some suits to wear instead of the all black, chained, and silver stuff in my wardrobe. As for the suits, I had agreed to take part in the charity cause work. When we all attended dinners and events together, I wasn't going to make Carlisle and Esme look like the poster parents for what it was like raising a juvenile delinquent. Once my tattoos were covered, my piercings taken out, with the right haircut? Fuck me, I almost looked normal. It was eerie, brought back strange memories. Alice called me pretty. I am not fucking… pretty.

"Maybe I can put it this way," I addressed Esme for the rest of what I was going to say. "From Carlisle, you expect him to support the family, make time for you, help ensure a future for the both of you, right?"

"Not exactly," she paused, thinking. "Is that how you see your relationship with Bella going? Pure business? Cold hard cash over love and partnership?"

"No," I denied right away. "I'd, uh, y'know… love her. Of course I'd consider her part of all decisions, everything we'd plan as a couple. But I'd want her to know that I can take care of her. She wouldn't have to struggle or be poor, I can make sure she's financially secure in anything she wanted or wanted to do. You're married to Carlisle, it's a lot more serious than boyfriend and girlfriend."

"You're right. But I didn't marry Carlisle because he could support me."

Her tone was gentle, but I could see that she was serious now. Our age gap wasn't enormous, I liked that both Carlisle and Esme didn't placate us. They regarded everything we said as meaningful. That almost never happened with anyone else.

"We fell in love, pledged our vows, started a family. And we did all of that together. We thought about the future, what we wanted for ourselves, and we made it happen."

"… with money," I added. "I mean, not to harp on the subject, but love and respect can be shared while two people live in cardboard boxes. Relationships die because of financial problems. Other things, too, but that's the most prevalent reason. At least in my experience."

"Edward!" Alice perched behind me on the couch. Her legs were on either side of my body, her arms were around my neck. Like hugging me, for a really long time, I was used to Alice's strange seating arrangements.

"Yes?"

"You don't need to throw money at Bella to make her love you. What did you tell me? Bringing baked goods to her house wasn't going to make her my friend. Something like that. Cookies are a little less offensive than handing her a check."

I knew she was glaring at me. My neck was prickling the way it always did when Alice was pissed. It was no laughing matter. A lot of rage could come from small Ali-fae. Her nickname had lasted all these years. It was on Halloween that it had been spawned. We were browsing costume stores because she needed one for school. She was looking at princess costumes, I went to browse the adult section. The pictures were pretty good, what can I say? I didn't notice her come to stand next to me. There was one of a fairy directly in her eye-range. A very sexy, partially nude fairy. Alice fell in love with the wings. No way in hell was I letting her buy the entire costume, I ended up paying extra because the hard-ass behind his counter made a fuss about separating the pieces.

She still had them. Hidden in her closet, framed by the wings, is the larges of Alice's collages. It's symbolic of all the things I'd gotten her when we lived on the streets. She told me it started as a scrapbook and progressed from there. A record of how nice I could be, she told me.

Esme went contemplative. "And how does Bella feel about all of this?"

"That's the problem." I tried to keep the frustration from my tone. "She doesn't want anything. Ever. If we go somewhere, she tries to pay. I try to buy her things and she'll say something inane about how I've given her enough already. 'She's financially solvent,' 'my money isn't needed,' 'why can't I let people do things for me.'" Those were just a few of her arguments. Granted, I had let her pay now and again. Mostly at lunch in school because, really, five dollars wasn't going to break her. So long as we didn't go over ten, twenty, dollars, I wasn't going to bitch.

"I like her," Esme smiled.

"Me too," Alice laughed.

This should have been more awkward. I wasn't the 'talk about my fucking feelings' type of person. Alice had always been easy to vent with. Now that I didn't wince each time I tried to say 'Mom,' Esme was easier to speak with, too.

"And I'm very happy about that," I hesitated, "but it doesn't help solve my current problem."

"Which would be…" Ali prompted.

"Yeah… um, Bella and I were talking about colleges, possible jobs, future stuff, y'know?"

"Have you decided on anything yet?" Esme didn't look worried in the slightest. She had made it clear that the future was ours. Whatever we wanted to do, as Cullens we would have our pick of universities and careers. Most of them. Some I was contemplating had to deal with contacts I'd made prior to the adoption. No one needed to know about those yet, I hadn't come to any conclusions yet.

"I mentioned, maybe, eventually, getting an apartment together. With her. She and I."

Inside I was still. Would Alice be upset? The plan had always been for her and me to get a real place, one that we could legitimately own or rent. I didn't want to leave her behind. She was one of my top priorities, yet Bella was just as important to me. I couldn't see the three of us inhabiting the same space. We'd drive one another insane were that the case. Not to mention, I planned on 'breaking in' every piece of furniture, the walls, and the floor with Bella. That would be awkward knowing Alice would be living with us.

"… and?"

I glanced over at Alice expecting more. Nothing was forthcoming, she looked confused and a little excited for me. Maybe she didn't remember?

"I'm not going to hit you," she rolled her eyes at me. "Stop giving me defensive eyes."

"I thought you'd be pissed…"

"Why?"

"The both of you," I included Esme in the conversation again. "I mean, you adopted us four years ago. It really hasn't been that long. I didn't want you to feel… I don't know, gypped or something."

"Gypped?" Esme made a sound half between laughter and disbelief. "Am I guarding the windows and doors? Edward, you aren't serving time with us… you aren't going to leave and never return, are you?"

"No, definitely not. I know that. I just meant as parents, it might be difficult to think of us leaving the house considering it's only been four years.

"Ah," she smiled to herself. A gentle, happy, all-Esme smile that made me want to buy her something for being so… maternal.

"And Alice. You were going to school, we'd room together. I don't want you to ever think I'd just abandon you…"

"No way," she scoffed. "It'd be weird. Bella's really not a morning person. You get moody in the afternoons sometimes still. I'll pass on living with that, thanks. Besides, I don't know what's going to be happening. I've been working with horses, Jasper's been teaching me things. If he moves when school ends, I might get a job working around here. I could take community classes on equine care, be licensed as a large animal veterinarian. Or-"

"Wait a fucking minute," I interrupted. "What do you mean, 'If he moves when school ends.' He told you this? I'll take out his fucking kneecaps, where's he gonna run then?"

That son-of-a-bitch. For all his talk about me not leaving Bella, he wasn't only going to leave Alice, but he was going to leave the state? I had warned him... If he hurt Alice emotionally, I'd destroy him physically.

"Edward," Alice wrapped her arms more firmly around my neck. "He mentioned it once. And that was toward the beginning of school. He hasn't brought it up since. I'm assuming, since he's teaching me with horses he loves, that he'll be around for awhile. If not, I like to know my life won't just end, I know you can understand that."

"Well, yeah," I admitted. "But-"

"And if he does decide to leave, I'm either going with him if he'll have me, or I'll let him go if he won't. I don't want you to force him to stay. Thanks for the offer, but I can't do that to someone. Promise me."

I'd have a difficult time doing that to someone, for myself. I wouldn't, however, find it hard to do that for someone I cared about. I'd make sure all of their significant other's vital organs were still intact. They'd be able to perform; what the hell else did they want?

"I'll promise after you talk to him. Find out if he still plans to skip out after graduation."

"No…" she trailed off, laughing. "Now."

"Fine," I smiled at her and hope it looked sincere. "I promise I won't hurt him now."

"I know you wouldn't really," she slapped my arm. "That would go against your code. The 'Edward Cullen will not do this' list."

Which burned when it came to family, but I'd let her believe what she needed to.

"Um," Esme cleared her throat. "Not to make anyone feel financially insecure, but… Edward, you've spent a good deal of money in the past few years…"

"There's still thirty-thousand in my bank account."

"Maybe when you first inherited," she looked uncomfortable. "The interest rate isn't, I don't think, as high as you seem to believe. And you won't get the accounts we put in your name until you and Alice are thirty-five."

"The what?" I turned the lap-top so she could see the total. My bank account record was on the screen, thirty-thousand, six hundred, and twenty three dollars was documented as being in the bank.

"What did you put in our name?" Alice glanced from Esme to me. I had no idea what she was talking about, either.

"Carlisle and I opened accounts for the both of you when the adoption was processed. Upon turning thirty-five, you'll have access to your… trust funds, in other words. Not until that point, though."

"When- " thinking and speaking weren't happening at the same time. "But we don't…"

Esme cut in gently. "How, Edward-? You started with thirty-thousand. How is there more than that in your account? And not only more, but after everything you've purchased… is there something serious we need to discuss?"

"I really thought you knew about that. In all this time, I can't believe you didn't…" My sentence died as I went back through the facts. Had I really not let Esme and Carlisle in on the cash in my closet? Surely, at some point, I must have mentioned it. And if not me, Alice would have. She and I exchanged a glance. Shit.

There were still secrets. Not so many anymore, I wasn't going to try and lie my way out of this situation. If it would be useful to them… when I hid money around the house, where did they think it came from? If I tapped into the account, I'd replace the money with what was in my closet. Four years ago, there had been a lot more. I was down to twenty-thousand or so, maybe twenty-five if I really searched. Thirty if I tore some of the flooring apart.

"I wasn't purposefully hiding anything. Somehow, I guess I forgot to fill you guys in. I'm sorry about that. None of it would be traced back to me, or you, or Alice. Not that it makes you feel any better, but if anyone wanted to come after me for it, they would have by now."

"Reassuring," Esme said, still shocked. "Where did it come from? And why would… people… need to chase you for, um, how much money?"

Alice looked to me again. I hesitated before allowing her to take over. She was better with words and explanations. I had already partially fucked things up. My meaning hadn't been clear. I had noticed that my priorities tended to differ from... everyone else. My first question would have been: Any potential threats? Followed by, who knows it's here? Apparently I'd be wrong.

"You knew that Edward and I lived together in New York. We weren't always in a group-home. When Edward came to get me, for example. We hid for a couple of years before social services put us back into the System. Uh, Edward found unconventional ways of supporting us."

"I worked three jobs, separately, but none of them paid enough. The pet store looked into my fake past and had to let me go when nothing showed up. I wasn't comfortable cleaning a strip club, too many fights. And the last job, well, I should have known better than to work in a pawn shop. I made more selling their useless crap for myself than I did selling it in the store."

"We," Alice took back over. "We made more selling their useless crap. It wasn't enough, though. So Edward found some people that dealt purely in cash, who wouldn't question age or background."

"I joined a gang," I clarified. "Alice convinced me to leave shortly thereafter. So I took part in underground fighting to make money. And you adopted us before I got too far into their ranks."

"Ranks," Alice snorted. "He's promised not to do anything like that again. No more fights like that for money, right?"

I knew why she snorted. Trying to make it seem less severe, I usually let people believe it was like UFC championships. It wasn't. There weren't any rules. People bet depending on how much experience and recognition you had. Fights were decided haphazardly, they got progressively more dangerous as the night went on. Some were 'last man standing,' I had only taken part in one of those. No one conditioned the fighters. There wasn't anyone to administer first-aid when the fight was over. They'd sling fighters out of the building if they couldn't walk out on their own. There was always someone desperate enough to take their place.

Most of the cash I'd stored in my closet was from that night. Like dogs, five or six men were pit against one another. When it was over, I can remember most of them still breathing. None of us were standing, me included. I had been out of commission for a month or so recuperating from that motherfucking bad idea.

We all heard a truck door close. The silence was awkward. I didn't know how to diffuse this situation before Jasper and Bella walked in.

"I think we should talk later," Esme said. "After Carlisle's home. Edward, if you wouldn't mind?"

"Sure, by all means," I replied.

"Okay," she stood. "What do you all feel like having for dinner? Pizza?"

Esme was awesome. My reaction, upon hearing my kid had an unverified amount of cash in their room, would probably entail buying a panic room of some sort. Bullet-proofing windows, upgrading our alarm system, I wouldn't be nearly so calm.

"Um… pizza's good," Alice offered.

"Sounds great," I added.

"Pizza it is," she nodded. "I'm going to finish some of my work and… call whenever you get hungry. Come find us when you want to talk, Edward." The study door closed to give all of us some privacy. I really fucking loved her.

"Tell Bella to come smoke with me if she feels like it?"

"Addicted," Alice clicked her teeth on the last syllable. She kept her voice low, which was all I asked. "Stoner, pot addicts."

"Everyone has their vices." I ruffled her hair as I walked past.

"I'm going to cut your arm off while you sleep," she growled.

Looks like I was going to be using cans again as a safety measure. For the rest of my life, Alice would bide her time until I let my guard down. The front door had been purposefully unlocked. I was fine with that provided someone was expected to be over.

"Wait!"

I braced as Bella came running towards me. She waved at Alice, took my arm, and dragged me into my room. With her little step-hop move, she straddled my waist and wound her fingers in my hair. She sucked on one of my lip piercings before letting her tongue touch mine. After kissing me soundly, Bella leaned back against the door.

"I got you a present," she said.

"... We were caught in your room last night and you're giving me a present?"

"Yep." She handed me a black box tied with a red ribbon. I appreciated the lack of pastel colors. Untying the ribbon while Bella lowered herself to the floor and did a little dance, I pulled out a pipe. Not just any pipe, two skulls were carved into its surface. The entire thing was white and felt like bone. It was heavy, too, and it looked incredibly easy to clean.

"Wow."

"I found them online and had to get you one. You like?"

"Hell yes!"

"Awesome," Bella smiled. "Pack that bitch so we can get through the first-time-packing hassle."

"Fucking incredible."

I did as she suggested. In no time, I was pulling hard to break the pipe in. Two hits later, I passed it to Bella who had no problems gaining smoke. Great fucking quality, of course Bella would go for top notch. She handed it back to me and sat with her back to the wall. One more long drag from me. I wanted to thank her properly. Shotgunning seemed like a good way to go. She closed her eyes and smiled as I leaned over. Her lips met mine, soft and mango-flavored, I let my tongue curl along hers. Blowing smoke into her mouth, she inhaled and held her breath.

When she exhaled, I got a lazy, pleasure-filled smile that made my cock twitch. I loved it when Bella was on her way to getting high. She blinked languidly and moved closer so she could trace my tattoo's with her fingernails. One more hit before I passed it back to her.

"So much higher. Why did I wait so long?" She chewed her lip for a moment before answering her own question. "Because I got to watch you roll blunts. It all makes sense now. I'm good, by the way. Done."

"Have we ever had sex high?"

One to say good-bye. I held the smoke as I extinguished what was left in the pipe. Exhaling slowly, I savored the taste. It was a random question, but the topic was always at least partially on my mind whenever Bella was around.

"We smoke all of the time. So I assume so, yes."

"No, we've gotten high and then got around to things. After awhile. I don't think we've had high sex."

"I don't know what the difference is," she scooted away from me. "And we're not trying it now. Alice and Jasper are waiting for us."

"We don't have the time now," I sighed. "You don't know what I'm talking about? I'll have to show you. Soon."

"What are the chances we'll remember high sex? I have a feeling you're talking about 'off my ass' stoned, in which case I might pass out."

"That's the point."

I lit a cigarette for us, we could share one. After the pot, I wasn't sure I'd be able to smoke an entire cigarette. Bella got first drag, she made sure to hold it over the ashtray so nothing fell onto the bed while passing it back and forth.

"Gym class starts tomorrow," she sighed.

"Hockey, basketball, track, volley-ball, and soccer. In that order. For the past three years, they haven't changed it up once."

Bella looked disgruntled. "No, no, great, hell no, and no."

"Hockey's easy. You go around and beat the shit out of people wearing the opposite color." I thought about the rest in relation to Bella. "Basketball, well, I won't let them near you. We'll smoke up as we run around the field. Soccer… I'll do my best, but I'm not very good at that sport. Volley-ball's not a big deal, I've got you covered."

"How will we smoke up while running?"

"There's a track outside. And near the track are bleachers," I grinned. "We duck behind them, take a few hits, you pretend to tie your shoe… hell, its motivation to do another lap. I've done it before, no one will notice anything."

"I know why you're not as good at soccer."

"Why would that be?"

"There's a penalty if you hurt the other players," she laughed. "Too bad it's not football instead."

"They won't let us play football in class anymore. People were getting hurt too often, they had to substitute with a nice loner activity. Solitary running."

"I don't run," she took the cigarette back from me. "I've done enough running. From people, from cops, from one or two animals. From friends, from an entire state. I'm good with walking. Ambling. Taking time to smell the… foliage."

"Foliage?"

"Plant life," she glanced to the pipe meaningfully.

"Did you want another hit? I can top it off for you."

She sighed. "No thanks. Then I'll want another cigarette, it's a vicious cycle. Besides, Alice and Jasper really are waiting for us."

"Yeah, yeah," I groaned at the thought of moving.

"C'mon," she straddled me horizontally before standing. "I'm excited about your Halloween party. The last major event went well, I'm hoping for better things this time around."

"Better than a bike? I wore that poofy pirate shirt for you, y'know."

"So, no effort required then?" She smiled wickedly and backed her way to my door. "I'll show up in jeans and an overly large t-shirt… some bling to make a statement. I can grab my crotch and pretend to adjust myself…"

I leapt off the bed. Bella provoked my primal instincts, and I knew she did it on purpose. I stalked toward her loving the way she backed up until there was nowhere else to go.

"Alice would murder you," I pointed out.

"She would think it's funny. Halloween is great that way. People can do unexpected things and get away with it."

I grabbed her hips and held her in place. She rested against the wall and crossed her arms. Quirking an eyebrow, she rested her head on the wall so our eye-contact wouldn't break.

"Thinking about you in something so… I don't even fucking know how to describe it. I've already got my costume planned out. You wouldn't wear pants, would you?"

"I dunno… it could be a lot of fun."

I lowered my head to her neck and nipped at the soft skin of her pulse point. Moving down, I felt her shiver as I reached her collar-bone. Even lower, I knelt and was still tall enough to run my tongue between her cleavage. Far as I could go before kneeling back, I kissed down her chest, played with the zipper on her shirt with my mouth. Across her stomach, I lowered her skirt so her hipbones were revealed.

"Don't wear pants," I sucked a hickey onto her waist. "I love your high heels and corsets, don't cover that with a fucking large t-shirt. Unless it's mine."

"Okay."

Her voice was husky as she looked down at me. She wound one of her hands through my hair, but not to hurt. Even with me on my knees in front of her, Bella gave me control. I wasn't begging her. I was persuading her, in a dirty way, to do things my way. She'd give in, I wasn't asking for something she hadn't been planning.

"I want some of my shirts back."

"Good luck with that," she smiled. "You just gave them to me."

"Yeah, alright."

I wedged her legs further apart with my shoulders. Before she had time to react, I stood. With my hands on her waist for support, I had braced myself to keep her from falling to the side. Bella was remarkably easy to carry around, I loved taking advantage of opportunities. She tensed, closed her eyes and bit the inside of her cheek to keep from yelling. After a moment or two, I rubbed the parts of her back that were reachable with her against the wall, she was calmly able to look down at me. Full trust, she never would have let me do this in the past.

"What would you do if I carried you out of here over my shoulder?"

"I'd… wait until you put me down to unleash hell," she glared at my fiercely. "Don't do it, Edward. You know, Jasper will see my ass."

"Irrefutable point," I sighed. "Fine. I won't do that to you now."

The urge was there, but I had no doubt that she'd be pissed. Not worth it. Esme was home, my bed creaked, there would be no hiding what we'd be doing. I stepped back and positioned her so that she slid down my body again. At no point was she in danger of falling, I didn't let go until her heels hit the floor. It felt really fucking good, but it wasn't at an out of control, need-to-have-her-fucking-now level. They still happened, a lot, around her. Yet some of it faded because I knew there would be time to indulge what I wanted.

Instead of becoming bored, I found the patience to wait until we could be alone. Smoking with her got me higher, spending time with her made me feel like an actual person. She didn't need me for anything, frustrating as it was when it came to her and money. Bella could take care of herself in tricky situations. We had dealt with rapid concerns pretty well, in my opinion. Going from one thing to another, I tried to make sure that we had some down time. With all of the hopping we'd been doing, last night had been the first real conversation we had in awhile.

I hadn't expected her to jump at the idea of moving in with me. If she had been too eager, it might have worried me. Practical, as always, Bella felt the need to detail everything we'd need to worry about. She would need to worry about. I really did have access to a lot of money. With everything about me she accepted, getting her to take cash couldn't be that complicated. I just hadn't found the right way of phrasing it.

"Rain-check on the rest?" I smirked, "Alice and Jasper are waiting, I believe you said."

"Are you into matching costumes? What's your take on Halloween?"

"Like… a two-person cow suit? Or… a Pocahontas and John Smith type of pairing?"

She laughed, "John Smith? I don't know. It just occurred to me that today's the last real shopping day. Tomorrow's your party."

"Surprise me," I suggested. "If we match, we'll make it work. And if we don't, that's cool."

"Alright," she opened the door for me. "Since I can't come as a dude, you'll have to be happy with what I pick."

"Always," I took the door and made her go through first.

She smiled at me, but didn't respond. Jasper was sitting on a chair behind Alice who was kneeling in front of the coffee table. Bella sat with her legs curled to the side, also on the floor, but in front of me.

"Ok," Alice had arranged different color papers on the glass table top. "Edward and Bella, you guys are in charge of music again."

"Sweet," Bella agreed.

"Wait," she leaned up so her elbows were in view. "The dance was… interesting. The principal thought so too when we talked the next day in his office. Did I know that the word 'fuck' had been said six times, and the word 'whore' had been used twice before he lost count? Why no, I told him, I was sure I'd asked the people in charge of songs to use edited versions."

"It was a surprise to me, too," I cleared my throat at the uncomfortable silence. Alice was staring at me with no expression on her face. Jasper thought it was funny, but Bella looked horrified.

"Mmhmm…" Alice raised one of her eyebrows.

"Fuck. Alright," I held my arms up in surrender. "I'm sorry. You can't edit 'Closer,' you just fucking can't. That's just… it would be… tell him it was my fault. I'll bring my pipe and the album, we'll sit down together and I'll make him a fucking Nine Inch Nails fan, you'll see."

"Edward," Bella laughed, "you've been strangely… chipper all day."

"Chipper," I snorted. "That bad, huh?"

"I expected to hear, 'I'll burn his office down,' or 'I'll kick his authoritative ass.' 'We'll sit down together…' really?"

"I'm starting to get a fucking complex. I do not sound like that."

"I did notice a certain, uh, friendliness from you today," Alice smirked. "You have a good time last night?"

"Yeah," I sat back against the cushions. "Too bad you weren't free, I'd have helped you with your problem."

Her eyes immediately went to my piercing, which I just happened to be playing with. Her text had said something about her toy being frustrating because it didn't feel like my tongue.

"Unfortunate," she sniffed. "Thank goodness there's tomorrow."

What the fuck? Tomorrow? Time flies fast, sure, but it was only five in the afternoon.

"Keep in mind," Alice continued, "Esme and Carlisle, some other parents, they'll be at the party."

"Hang on a second," Bella looked confused. "I thought this was a school Halloween party?"

"People from school are invited… but everyone in the neighborhood knows they can show up."

"How-"

"They keep their houses open, too," I added before Bella started imagining a parade of people flocking through our door. "Not sure how, but parents and kids tend to work out some silent agreement as to where everyone goes on Halloween. You know how a lot of parents are on the PTA or whatever the fuck Forks calls it?"

"Uh huh…"

"Trick or treating is a huge thing here. So parents of people in FHS keep their doors open for people to hang, watch movies, you know… chill. They go from house to house, get their friends together, and we're their last stop. It's because they live kinda far from us, Alice wanted our house to be included."

"I threw a party our first year here," she took over for me. "And instead of just inviting people we went to school with, Esme decided to have their parents come, too. So now, invitation stands for everyone. Your Dad will probably stop by in his cop uniform."

"And scare half of our classmates," I laughed. "Mike Newton's going to pass out."

"He should know by now," Alice said sternly. "No one brings drugs to this party."

"And people come here voluntarily?" Bella looked dubious, "I know you throw a great party, I've heard all about it. People in FHS… they're, well, they like their substance abuse."

"They like money even more," Jasper spoke for the first time since we'd all sat down. "Buncha gold-diggers, the lot of'em. They'd go stone sober if it meant they'd get to be your friend."

"Some of them started smoking up," I shared a look with him. "I know what you mean."

I wouldn't take the blame for that. My habit was kept a secret until one girl went digging around my bed stand for a condom. That was why I had gotten a lock put on the drawers. The rest of that month had been full of offers to smoke with girls that I hadn't seen with a cigarette.

"I love that you get along with my friends," Alice smiled cheekily. "Both of you. Because come Halloween, we're all going to play nice. Right?"

"Mm."

"Yeah, darlin'," Jasper smiled in spite of himself. "Thick as flies on shi- er… puddin.'"

"Nice save," she said dryly.

"Here's an idea," I moved the layout of our house to the top of Alice's pile of papers. "Why don't we, and by we I mean everyone in FHS, hang around outside. We can have people bring their guitars, keyboards, you know, like karaoke but better. Live entertainment, that way there doesn't need to be music."

"You want Tyler to rap in our backyard?"

"I'll talk to him," I promised.

"I'd get my guitar out for that," Jasper mused. "Sounds like fun."

Sold! Done, I'd have to thank him later.

"Maybe I'll join you," I heard myself add. "I've got a guitar lying around, too."

"Do you know how to play it?" he grinned.

"I can hold my own. You?"

Cocky bastard. I couldn't still be high. What other motive had there been behind pow-wowing with Jasper? Oh, making Alice happy and Bella horny. Right. Some alone time with the cowboy would be good, too. I could find out how inclined he was to leave the state after graduating FHS.

"I've been playin' since I was eight," Jas grinned. "I'll keep up with ya."

"I vote yes," Bella said immediately. "C'mon, Alice. It will be fantastic. And after all of the people with talent are done, you and I can set up real karaoke. Your friends will be down for that. Everyone can participate."

"Okay, cool. I never said no, guys," Alice laughed. "We still need music, though. If we close the sliding glass doors, the adults won't hear us. And I think that'd be for the better. So, get a playlist together of songs that you think Esme and Carlisle would like."

"'Werewolves of London,' Bella suggested."

"Yes. Great. Add it?" Alice pushed her laptop over.

"'I Put A Spell On You,'" I said. It was traditional and everyone heard it at least once on Halloween. That and 'Thriller,.' but they could listen to Michael Jackson somewhere else.

"Yep," Alice smiled. "See? I knew you could do it. No Cannibal Corpse to be funny, Edward."

"Fine," I rolled my eyes at her. "I don't see what the problem would be. Look at their name, it's perfect."

"'Devil Went Down To Georgia.'" Jasper. Naturally.

"Thanks! Got that one, Bella? Moving on… food. Esme said she would cook, I'd help, but it was a lot of work last year. Think we should just go with snacks? Brownies and rice-krispie treats are one thing, but cake and cupcakes? We can buy a few packages of those instead, right?"

"Bella and I actually got a start on that."

"Yeah," she nodded. "The bags lined up in the pantry. That was awesome of you. Next time you go… think bigger."

"More than-" Bella sputtered. "But-"

"How about 'Sympathy for the Devil.'" It was a great song, she couldn't refute the Rolling Stones.

"Fine," Alice sighed. "Alright."

"Devil With the Black Dress On."

"By?" Alice laughed as she stared at Bella.

"Uh… Jack Off Jill."

"No."

"It's better than 'Girlscout.' I'll play it for you, it's a great song."

I loved watching her go through music. For that brief second, when she first thought of a song, and the resulting need she had to hear it at that moment, she was fucking radiant. So damn excited, no matter what we'd gone through, after she reached for the Ipod, I knew she'd be calmer.

"Well," Jasper paused after the song ended. "That was… you wanted to play that for our parents to hear?"

"It didn't sound that crude when I sang it in my head," she shrugged. "So, no Jack Off Jill, got it. Whoops. She kicks ass and I stand by her, but not for the parents."

"Girl scout. Is that a costume hint?"

"Nope," Bella glanced back at me with a mischievous smile in place. "You'll have to wait and see."

"Speaking of," Alice turned to me. "You're going to be dressing up this year, right?"

"I did last Halloween. Why wouldn't I this time?"

"You also stayed holed up in your room. People only saw you when you were hungry. You'd come out, grab some pizza and candy, disappear back into the bedroom…"

"Well, yeah," I insisted. "Every time I left, some other chick would find their way in. You didn't see me warning inebriated girls away from my room?"

"That's not the impression I got, no."

"Toward the end of the night- Carlisle and Esme were home the whole time. I didn't want to razor blade my door, you know? But I caught Lauren going through my shit, Jessica stripped down and laid in my bed. A few girls who weren't even in fucking high-school yet were checking out my porn. … that's not happening this year."

"No, that really won't happen this year."

That from Bella who was kneeling up with both of her arms over her head. She stretched way far back and rested her head on my thigh. Fucking flexible as hell. I leaned forward so she could lace her hands around my neck.

"Lauren snooped around and Jessica climbed in your bed?"

"Uh…" I could see all the way down her shirt. She kissed me lightly on the lips and searched my face with her wickedly glinting eyes. I had over-shared. Bella was so laid-back most of the time that comments like I'd just made weren't sent through a filter. The warning bells hadn't sounded until I saw her expression darken with planning.

"I still haven't seen any of your… collection." She dug her nails into my chest unobtrusively. I saw pain and deadly intent stored for any female who entered my room without express permission. It was hot, I couldn't lie to myself.

"We'll get right on that," I put my hand over both of hers and pressed down. Her nails were sharp and insistent, she didn't try to pull away. For all sakes and appearances, I was holding her hands over my chest. Hallmark moment, not exactly. Jasper lips twitched, but he didn't make any quippy comments. Alice rolled her eyes at us. Bella smiled, rubbed circles over the marks with her fingertips, and then sat up.

"Edward," Alice said, "don't forget. Hide your stash and anything you don't want people to find. Anyone could show up. Bella will take care of the drunk and snoopy, you keep an eye on your stuff."

"I'll take precautions. For you, too. Don't even worry about it." I didn't want anyone rummaging through Alice's room. If something happened to her collages, or if someone saw and made Alice uncomfortable by talking about her art, I'd fucking destroy them.

"Cool," she moved another of her index cards to the side. "Then Bella and I can go shopping. You guys will be okay until we get back?"

"Uh…"

"Sure," Jasper took over for me.

"Great," Alice jumped to her feet and kissed Jas on the cheek. "We'll be back soon, okay?"

"Yeah, but-"

"You'll be fine," she grinned. "Get out your guitar, go hang at Jasper's or something. Bring out the PS3, play some shooter games. There's so much to do-"

"Alright," I laughed. "Go, shop, do whatever you have to do."

"See you soon, babe." Bella left the taste of mango on my lips as she got ready to go. Alice, efficient whirlwind that she was, had everything cleaned up, put the magazines back in place, and was ready to leave in less than five minutes.

"… feel like a cigarette?" I asked, not sure what we should do from there.

"Sure," Jasper shrugged.

Yeah, this wasn't awkward at all. I had no problems talking to the guy, but Alice and Bella were always there to provide conversation spikes. He and I didn't spend a lot of time together. This was the first time we were actually hanging out. It was weird, I wasn't very good with the whole 'be my friend' thing. Lending him my bike, talking about mechanics, none of that required any real effort. If he needed help moving something or fixing his truck, I was around. To sit and talk? I should have gotten a beer or two, what the fuck were we going to talk about for the four hours Alice would be gone? Four hours if we were lucky.

"Get the-"

Jasper closed the door behind him before I could finish the sentence.

"… thanks."

"No problem, man." He looked around, pulled a cigarette out of his pack, and sat on the floor. Utterly relaxed, some of my unease faded. "I've got a twenty if you don't mind sharing?"

"Don't worry about it," I snorted. A twenty for four hits of pot. He was Alice's guy. Not a bad one, either, provided he didn't fucking leave her behind.

Reaching into my drawer, I grabbed the canister of weed and my new pipe. I was still pretty good, but I'd never turn down a smoke break.

"I didn't think you'd be the pot smoking type."

"Yeah, I don't plan on makin' a habit of it. Can't ride high, I wouldn't trust myself drivin' this way. Do you?"

"Do I drive high? Yeah. Kind-of. Not so much anymore."

I wasn't going to tell him why not anymore. If I were high… which was a pretty natural state for me, I had no hesitation before getting behind the wheel. I could handle the car, pot was nothing. It made Bella worry for me, though. And really? It took fifteen minutes to get to her house, thirty on the way to school and back. I wasn't a complete addict, I didn't need to be high all the time.

"Good," he took the pipe I handed him along with a lighter. "I don't know how you do it. Last time, I couldn't concentrate for shit."

"Speaking of," I said around smoke, "you have college plans? What's up for next year?"

Alright, that had… sucked. No finesse. I completely failed at being smooth. Maybe he was high enough that it wouldn't matter to him.

"Waiting to hear 'bout a job. In Texas," he added. "Summer brings lots of work, there's not much to 'round here 'til Fall. The rodeo comes to town there, it's a good way to make some cash of my own. I was thinkin' of goin' back for a few months, see what business is like now." His accent had deepened while thinking about Texas.

"And if it's good?"

"Fuck if I know," he laughed darkly. "Go to college, major in business. Try to open business of my own when I graduate. What about you?"

"I've thought about being a hit man, a doctor or surgeon, being a bouncer would be fine. Bella mentioned that I should become a lawyer. I've no fucking clue."

"Sounds like a solid plan," he laughed.

"Yeah," I passed the pipe back to him. "Solid."

"Y'know, I was also wondering what Alice would think about comin' to Texas with me. I don't know what her plans are, though, and I'm not sure if now's the right time to be askin'. What's your take on the situation?"

"I didn't mean to be an asshole. Alice hasn't said anything, anyway. I'm just checking to see how things are between you. She seems happier lately, y'know?"

"Yeah," he grinned easily. "She's not the only one."

"I think, considering she has no summer plans that I know of, you should ask and see if she wants to take that trip with you. It's only for the summer, right?"

"So far. You and Bella are welcome to come along. Like I said, there's a rodeo, there will be a state-wide fair. Good times in the summer. I know some people that could set you up with a hotel, easy. You any good at poker?"

"I'm not really a card player. I make money different ways. With cards everything is up to chance, I don't like the odds."

"Every goddamn thing is a risk," he sighed. "Knowing when to break even, raise the stakes. I've won a lot, lost a lot... gambling saved my ass a good few times."

"Good to have something to fall back on."

"That's my way of thinking."

Silence reigned yet it wasn't awkward. Not that I planned on doing this often, but Jasper was pretty easy to talk with. Normal things that pissed other people off, Jas took in stride. I didn't understand the brotherly feelings he felt toward Bella considering his relationship with Tanya was a wreck… hey, it wasn't any of my business. I didn't care about Tanya enough to talk about her.

"So, I've got a favor to ask of you."

Jasper grinned. "Trade me your bike and you've got it."

"Permanently? Go to hell," I snorted. "I'd be willing to trade for a week if you… let me borrow one of your horses for the night?"

"Borrow one of my…" he lit a cigarette. "Do you know how to ride?"

"Not on a professional level. I worked near Central Park for awhile. A thrift store. Sometimes the stable would hire me to work for them. It was shit pay, literally, but cash is cash, right?"

"Central Park," he laughed to himself. "Was that before or after high tea?"

"Fuck you." I flipped him off for good measure because… well, because he deserved it.

"How long would you want one for?"

"An hour, tops. I want to swing past Bella's, we can go from her place back to the stable. I'll leave my car there, if you don't mind, and we'll head to the party."

"You're workin' on one hell of a costume," he mused.

"Stakes are high. I'm going all in."

"I thought you didn't play cards?"

"Risk's higher on your end," I replied. "No big deal if you're not comfortable with the idea."

"No galloping through the woods, alright? I'll find one for you, nice and docile. He looks like a son of a bitch. Keep him off the main road, try and stay on grass. Don't let him eat anything in the forest. He's trained better than that, but you never know. If I hear that you left him standing around, I'll kick your ass."

"Done."

"Don't just leave him in the- d'you want me to stick around? Brush him down, take care of his tack?"

"I can handle it."

"My horses are…" he took a deep breath. "Don't fuck with my horses, Cullen."

"I won't be high tomorrow. At all." I figured that would cinch this deal, especially after Jasper had mentioned not riding high.

"We can stop by my place in a little while. I'll introduce you to him. We can go over some more of the basics. You wouldn't endanger Bella, I trust you to keep them both safe."

"After we we get straight, you take your truck and I'll take the bike. She's yours for a week."

"Damn straight," Jasper snorted.

"Thanks."

Alice had told me about Bella's interest in the equine. It all fell into place from there. I hadn't planned on taking things so far as to include a living animal, but Jasper was a friend who worked around them. I didn't see any harm in asking.

The stable job really hadn't lasted long. I learned how to ride free because I'd done the work of three people for the salary of one. Alice had come to hang with me while I worked once or twice. When she saw a stallion mount a mare, completely a freak thing, she wasn't keen on learning to ride. Whoops…

I used a remote to turn on my television. The PS3 was already hooked in, I had episodes of 'That 70's Show' on the console. Three or four episodes, maybe I'd bring out my guitar. Jasper would come down from his high and I'd get to go and make friends with a horse. Then I could come home and talk to Carlisle and Esme about the piles of cash in my closet. At least Esme had warning.

I really had thought they knew.

Authors End Note:
Thanks are coming soon as I get home from work. I wanted to upload the chapter for all of you first. So sorry about the long delay.
A huge Thank You to Ssherrill115 from Southernfanfictionreview(dot)com. She wrote an amazing and fantastic review for my story and… you're incredible! Thanks so very, very much.