DISCLAIMER: All things Twilight belong to Stephenie Meyer, I'm simply borrowing them for some play time!

WARNING: There will be language, adult themes, fighting, so please be warned. Also it will be obvious that being all human, that they are already OOC so keep that in mind as well.

This chapter has not been Beta'd.


Chapter 51 - Men

The week flew past rather quickly. Everyone trying their best to be cordial to one another, yet it seemed as if all the Cullen men were keeping out of one another's way. Which is why Edward was still at school about half an hour after it let out. They were planning on heading out around 7, so he was trying to stay at school as long as he could. He hadn't really spoken to Cyril about anything since that day, but he wasn't sure what to say either way. What do you tell a man who you thought hated you, but instead just hates the reminder you give them? Kind of a catch 22.

He wasn't into sports much, but he liked the fact he could let off some steam by shooting some hoops. He'd wanted to get to a gym, actually. He missed being able to let out his aggression on a punching bag. He half wanted to ask Carlisle if they could get one, but he still felt weird asking for things. Maybe Jasper can put one in his basement. He wondered while tossing the ball, missing. He was using the outside courts.

"Not so good, are you?"

Edward turned around and noticed a guy with a blond long ponytail, and another guy with dark black hair in dreads.

"Not really my game. I'm not really into the usual sports." Edward admitted walking over to retrieve the ball as the two guys came closer. Edward recognized them from around school, although he didn't have any classes with them.

"Did you guys want the court or something? I wasn't gonna be here long anyways."

"Nah. Go ahead and play. We'll talk and you listen?" James eyed him.

Edward wasn't sure what they wanted to talk about but he sort of felt like maybe he shouldn't hear it. They gave off the same kind of vibes that, well, that Demetri and the rest use to.

"We've noticed your car. It's nice." Laurent piped in.

"Thanks." Edward was suddenly taken back in his mind the promise he made to Carlisle. That he would never refuse anyone his car if they were trying to carjack him.

"We also noticed how you seem to handle it. Revving up the engine. Playing around when you get to school and when you leave." James pressed on.

Edward nodded tossing the ball again, this time making it.

"Have you ever raced?" James asked.

Edward stopped just as he was about to toss the ball again. "Why?" Had he raced? Sure he had, but he hadn't told anyone before. Why add to his problems by telling Carlisle and Esme he used to love to speed. God forbid Charlie found out.

"Well we were just wondering. We got this scene going. Not in Forks of course, well sometimes on a smaller scale but mostly back in Port Angeles and bigger ones in Seattle." James informed.

"Why are you telling me?" Edward asked.

James shrugged. "Like you said, usual sports aren't your thing. Racing's a different type of sport."

Just then Edward heard a horn honking and looked over to see Emmett jump out of his jeep and quickly jog over to them.

"Hey." Emmett eyed the scene.

"What are you doing here?" Edward asked.

"You didn't answer your phone and dad wants to get going as soon as possible." Emmett looked at James and Laurent. "Guys."

"Emmett." James nodded his head. "We were having a chat here with your brother."

"About?" Emmett asked.

"Nothing important." Edward quickly glanced at James and Laurent, hoping they didn't say anything. "It's alright, you head home, I'll take this back in and head home." Edward said motioning to the ball. "Good meeting you." Edward said walking away from the other two.

"Alright." Emmett said walking away, but wondering what that was about. James and Laurent didn't necessarily make new friends and he wondered what they wanted with Edward.

After Edward took the ball back to the gym closet, he headed out to his car. He wasn't very surprised to find James and Laurent there waiting for him.

"So, are you interested?" Laurent asked.

"No." Edward replied.

"Are you sure?" James raised an eyebrow at him. "Or are you saying what you think your new family would want you to say?" Edward had to get used to referring to the Cullen's as his "new family." The word had been out since the start, but more so when he started going to school.

"Here." Laurent handed him a card with a web address on it, and a phone number. "If you get curious."

"Later Masen." James said before the two walked away.

"Fuck." Edward muttered under his breath.

He was pissed at himself. Pissed at the fact that although he knew he should toss that card away and forget the conversation he had with them... he didn't want to. He was trying real hard to get used to life in Forks. He was trying hard to be a kid, and do what Carlisle wanted but a part of him was missing something. He was missing his freedom, he was missing the thrill he got when he used to take chances.

He knew he made a mistake when he started to get involved too much with Demetri, but he missed the fun he sometimes had. He had raced before, and he used to hang out and do stuff, but since being in Forks he felt as if he was trying to be someone the Cullen's, his, "new family," would prefer. How could he really do something they wouldn't understand? Especially after everything he put them through already. A part of him felt like he was fighting himself. Who he was, who he wanted to be, and who he used to be. If he could only find a balance. He thought of this many times. Never being able to come to any conclusion that would work for him. He wanted to be himself, to be alone sometimes and not worry about what Carlisle would think, or what Emmett would say, or if Bella would be scared. He wanted to just worry about Edward, but when you have as many people around you as he did now, that wasn't always possible.

/

"Edward! It's about time. Why didn't you answer your phone?" Carlisle asked as Edward walked into the house.

"I'm sorry, I forgot to charge it so it was dead by lunchtime." He responded.

"We're thinking of heading out earlier than we thought. Grab your bags and toss them into the Dodge." Carlisle instructed. They had rented a 2012 massive Dodge Durango to fit all of them and their things in.

"Is Jasper here yet?" Edward.

"Why?" Carlisle shot him a look of confusion.

"Um... Emmett!" Edward called out.

"What?" Emmett said popping out from the kitchen.

"You didn't tell them?" Edward asked.

Emmett shook his head no, causing Edward to sigh.

"Tell us what?" Carlisle asked.

Emmett cleared his throat. "We invited Jasper."

"What!" Cyril came into the foyer.

"Dad. Please." Carlisle didn't want him getting angry. Which is why they had avoided one another throughout the week. Carlisle had a few conversations with Aro, to try and get ready for the trip but had not spoken to his father about what was on his mind.

"With his and Rose's parents not around... he's not had guy time like this. We thought it would be nice." Emmett explained.

"It's fine." Carlisle sighed.

"It's supposed to just be us? Just the Cullen men." Cyril sighed.

"Well, I'm Masen." Edward reminded.

"Don't start pulling in technicalities Edward." Cyril looked at him.

"Jasper is probably more family than me. He's been here longer." Edward rubbed the back of his neck.

Carlisle sighed and just walked away.

"Nice going." Emmett shot him a look.

"What?" Edward shrugged his shoulders.

"Salt in old wounds Ed." Emmett shook his head at him before heading out to toss some things into the Dodge.

/

"Thanks for letting me come along. I didn't know these two idiots hadn't asked you first." Jasper apologized as he got into the vehicle after Alice had finally released her grip on him.

"It's fine." Carlisle assured.

"You're gonna call me and text me right?" Bella was standing close in front of Edward.

"You know I will." Edward promised.

"Don't let your phone die Edward. You always do." Bella warned.

"I promise to charge it." Edward leaned in, to kiss her.

"And, I know I've said it all week but..." Bell trailed off.

"Stop. Stop apologizing already." Edward put his hand on her shoulder.

"But I shouldn't have done that." Bella was still guilty about her sudden slap the morning after they were found. Especially knowing all Edward had been through. "Hit me back."

Edward's eyes suddenly went huge. "Fuck Bella, are you out of your mind? I'd never hit you. Never."

"But then we'd be even." She insisted.

"Bella, I'm going to pretend that you did not say that. Just let it go. Besides... if you want to make it up to me..." Edward leaned in and whispered into her ear so only she could hear. "We can practice some of those things you studied later."

Bella turned a shade of red.

"Ok, enough of that. Time to go." Cyril said pulling away from Lila who was also fawning over him.

"Emmett and Rose hands off!" Carlisle shouted at them. They were getting a little too handsy for his liking.

"I'll call you babe." Emmett said before running towards the car and shouting. "Shotgun!"

"Get your ass in the back." Cyril warned.

"Whatever." Emmett grumbled.

"Be careful! Be safe!" Esme called out as she waved to them once they finally got going.

"Why do I feel like maybe Aro should have gone with them?" Esme said out loud.

"Because their track record isn't so great." Alice chuckled.

"Don't worry, I'm sure they'll be ok. Jasper's good at defusing situations." Rose put her hand on Esme's shoulder.

"Yeah, when he's not the situation." Bella laughed.

Alice rolled her eyes, remembering the night in the hotel when Emmett caught them.

"Well girls, it's time to head in and not think of our men for the weekend." Lila chimed in. All the girls looked at her, before starting to laugh.

"Oh come now! We can try." Lila said, before laughing herself. Who was she kidding, that's all they would be doing the entire weekend. Thinking of their men of course.

"Rose, why don't you stay the weekend with us. You're off work right?" Esme asked.

"Yeah I am. Are you sure?" Rose asked.

"You can sleep in Emmett's room." Esme told her. "Wow... did I just say that?" They all looked at one another, Rose turning a little red and they all laughed.

"Well then I guess Bella can take Eddie's room." Alice smiled.

"I'll call my dad and ask, but since Edward's not here, I'm sure he'll be ok with it." Bella giggled.

"Men. Can't live with them, can't live without them." Lila sighed. They all broke out laughing again as they all entered the house.


A/N: So there's some new people... wonder what will come about with that... but for now... time for them to hit the road!

Thanks for reading! As always I appreciate any and all reviews you guys are willing to give me!