~~Chapter Four~~
The lights of the cabin came on with a click, casting a soft warm glow over the wooden interior. This was not what she was expecting, to be honest, Bella didn't know what exactly she was expecting. Half the place was rustic wood, the double bed rested under it and the small bathroom was just big enough to fit her and her bag. The rest of the place was under a well care for canvas, there was no tv but there was a small deck that overlooked the river with a nice firepit on the corner.
It was minimalistic and yet glamorous, she loved it.
With a shake of her head, she placed her bag on the bed and grabbed out her toiletries and a fresh set of clothes before taking a quick shower. She was not like the typical women she knew and quickly brushed out her wet hair and threw it up into a quick ponytail and braided it down, if she was to join in the activities then it would be best if her hair was braided back and the best time to do that was when it was wet.
A knock on the door had her hurrying and shoving the first clean shirt from her bag on, "Come in."
"Thought I'd give ya the key to the cabin." Jasper drawled and cast one of his best friends a wide grin. "I'm glad ya came Izka."
Bella groaned and chucked her wet towel at him. "That damn nickname will stick forever I swear."
"Of course, but in all seriousness Suga', I'm glad you came. When Pete rung to tell me that Gare got ya to come I was pleased as pie." Jasper replied with all seriousness. "Bells' you used to video call us every two days, email daily and text us throughout the day, you shined radiantly and worked with passion but when I saw you last, you were and still are a mere ghost of yourself."
It honestly said a lot how serious Jasper was being by the fact his accent had vanished, the only time he enunciated properly from the old school days was when he wants to be heard and understood with all seriousness and with the sheer intensity in his grey eyes, Bella couldn't help but look away ashamed.
She knew that Edward had kept her away from her friends, especially closer to the end of their relationship he had become more and more controlling to the point that he even criticized her over when and what she ate, who she could see and what she wore with the help of Alice. God, she was a fool.
"Ah Suga', it's not your fault but it's that good fer nothing cheatin' lyin' son-of-a…"
"Jas, enough… I know, I know he did awful things but… It still hurts and I can't help but feel hurt by it all. Don't get me wrong, I feel free, freer than I have ever been but at the same time, I can't help but think of how stupid I was for allowing it. I saw what Rose went through with Royce, I saw what Paul's mom went through as well and I knew all the signs yet I was too stupid to see them!" the last words were spat out like venom, as the fury she'd been hiding sprung forth like a caged viper.
Jasper marched forward and pulled Bella into a hug, eyeing Rosalie at the door and shook his head as Bella broke down and cried. "Shh, shhh Suga' you loved him, we all made mistakes. All of us should have tried harder to make you see, to help you but you were so happy with him and… it's just as much our fault too. Now come Suga, let's go drink them sorrows with bottomless margaritas liked the good ol' days."
A startled laugh escaped Bella's lips as she hurriedly wiped her eyes. "No, god no, hell the fuck no. Last time that happened Peter ended up the next town over in just his boxers with Paul and Embry naked as the day they were born and Rose, Emily, you and I suffered for the next three days."
"Fine, just come have a few drinks. You'll get to meet the Boss and Maria's sisters; they own the Bar." Jasper explained as he lead Bella out of the Tent and towards his Motorbike, he knew that Maria would be heading home to get some sleep and told him to take his time while
"…Lucy and Nettie?" Bella asked hesitantly, trying to remember the names Maria mentioned in the car trip as she put the helmet on and mounted the bike behind Jasper.
"Yeah Darlin', they're Maria's foster sisters, like ice and fire. Aight, hold tight." Jasper explained with a smirk over his shoulder and let the bike roar to life. He'll have to apologize to a few campers later as he roared past, but it was worth it to hear Bella's squeal of glee.
It was a pleasant ride all the way to the bar and when Jasper pulled up in the parking lot he couldn't help but smile at the sound Bella made the very moment her eyes caught sight of the name and the signs that littered the front as décor. 'Southern Wars' shone in bright gold with two drops of blood dropping from each S, she found it hilarious but what she caught notice of was her photos, the ones she had taken several years ago for an assignment was plastered on the 'windows' of what looked like an old cantina. Peter, Jasper, and Garrett with Golden and Red eyes were on a wanted sign for escaping the Vampire Wars of the South. Somewhere over time, others had been added, Maria was familiar, and two women stood behind her in what would have been traditional clothing of the 1800s, blood covering them.
"What on earth…" She asked Jasper with inquisitive eyes.
"When Nettie and Lucy were opening the bar, they needed a theme and well, Maria told them of our old D&D campaigns specifically the Southern Wars one we did and showed them the images. Remember I asked if I could use the photos you took for your assessment?" He asked as they made their way into the bar, bypassing the line completely.
The club was not what Bella expected, it was very countryesque, it felt like an old saloon and her fingers itched to draw or capture everything from the wrought iron bar stools and decorations down to the very old fashioned style tables and pillars. There was even hay in some places along with a few chunks of marble shaped into human pieces and blood scattered about on the walls. It was fantastic and Bella loved it.
"I need to photograph or draw this." She blurted as Jasper lead her over to the bar, earning a laugh from the blonde bartender.
"Well Darlin' you can capture to your heart's content if ya wish," The bartender replied, drawing Bella's full attention. She was blonde, her hair pulled back into a loose braid that flowed to her hips and she was dressed to the nines in tight jeans and a corset. She had red contacts in her eyes that seemed to sparkle with mischief. "Lucy Prout, pleased to meet ya."
"Oh, you're one of Maria's sisters, Isabella but people call me Bella," Bella replied while clumsily shaking the woman's hand. "I am loving this place and will definitely take you up on the offer, you, of course, will get all the photos I take in exchange as long as I get recognition for them."
"Now, I like this girl J, she's got business savvy. Sure Darlin', we could always do with more photos for Facebook and our website, AD's and all that tech. My hubby is savvy with the photoshop but a photographer he is not." Lucy explained, raising her voice a little and laughing as one of the bouncers at the door flipped her the bird. "That's my hubby Randall, he's a big softy."
"Speaking of such, where's…?"
"Ah, he gave a call an' told me t'tell you, that someone forgot to lock up the shed for the water rafting," Lucy explained with a cocked brow and passed over a drink to Bella while she was doing so. "Called a Vampire's Kiss."
Bella took a sip and hummed at the sweetness, it was different and though probably not something she would drink a lot of, but it was a good drink to start the night. She placed a twenty on the bar and left Lucy and Jasper to talk or well argue out over who and didn't lock the boat shed. She found the others in the corner of the bar in a roped-off VIP area and taunting each other as Paul and Rose went head to head in pool.
"No, give me that." Kate insisted with a slight slur and passed her another brightly coloured drink.
"…thanks?" Bella replied with slight confusion and shrugged after taking a sip of the drink, preferring it over the vampire one anyways.
The night drew on and Bella couldn't help but laugh as she watched her friends get more and more hammered except Jasper and Garrett who were designated drivers. Another round of laughter left the group as Paul went toppling off the couch and onto the floor with a dazed look upon his face.
"Please tell me you're getting videos," Bella asked Jasper as she moved out of the way of the chaos.
Jasper chuckled and jerked his thumb to where his phone was resting on a ledge that overlooked the whole table and area. "Of course, need fresh blackmail."
"I'm going to the bar, want a drink?" She asked while holding up an empty beer bottle and glass.
"Yeah Sug, can ya get me another coke?" He asked and the quickly shot forward to grab his brother by the scruff as he tried to dive across the pool table at Garrett.
With a chuckle Bella made her way to the bar, weaving in and out of the crowd when a hand caught her by the arm, jerking her to a stop and she thanked the stars that whatever deity was looking over her didn't make her drop the glass and bottle. She was spun around roughly to come face to face with a stranger who was just as drunk as everyone else in the bar and leering at her.
"Let go of me!" She hissed and yanked her arm out of his grip only to be grabbed roughly once more.
"Now, now, don be like that… only want to dance." The man slurred and pulled her close, this time causing her to drop the bottle and glass, sending them shattering across the floor.
She struggled against him, snarling no as she did so and managed to yank her arm back enough to send a fist flying, remembering every lesson both her brother and her father taught her when it came to self-defense. The man's head snapped back with the force and blood instantly began to leak from his nose, fury lit behind the man's eyes as he gripped his face in pain.
"You duckin' bitch!" The man snarled and raised his own hand only Bella didn't give him the chance and shot her foot out to connect with his family jewels. She went to strike again only for her to be grabbed around the waist by strong arms while one of the bouncers she saw before grabbed the dick.
"Let go of me you brute!" Bella snarled as she flailed, spinning on the spot once again and threw a fist, pausing when the man who grabbed her caught it with ease. Her eyes connected with his, bright blue eyes peered back at her with a spark of mischief, framed by inky curls.
"Now, now tiger." The man chuckled, "I mean you no harm."
"Yeah well excuse me for fending off that pervert who wouldn't take no for an answer only to be grabbed again!" She spat back and straightened her clothing, eyeing the giant man and ignoring the way her heart fluttered at the sight of his dimples when he smiled at her.
Though that smile didn't last for long as his eyes burned with rage as he turned to face the asshole in the bouncers grasp. While he was distracted Bella quickly disappeared into the crowd and made her way to Jasper.
"Iska, you okay?" He asked as he took in her rattled state and scanned the floor to see Emmett and Randall hauling out a drunk and put two and two together.
She cleared her throat and straightened her clothes before looking at Jasper. "Yes, the bouncers are handling it. Can we go Jas, I just, I'm in no mood to continue to celebrate."
"Alright sug, I'll meet you outside okay, I'll let the others know," Jasper replied while keeping his eyes on Emmett who was scanning the dancefloor with furrowed brows.
Once Bella nodded her agreement and left Jasper gave his farewells to the others and beelined to Emmett who was now at the bar and discussing what happened to Lucy who was writing another name down in the Burn Book. "You're late Boss, but seemed you came at the right time."
Emmett turned and greeted his friend with a grin. "Yes, someone left the white-water rafting shed open. I got here to see a small spitfire of a woman knock down this guy about my side, damn near took my breath away. Even more so when she took a swing at me too for grabbing her."
"That… is my friend Bella, she's Garrett's sister and Rose's Best friend… She's like a sister to me an' Pete' so I'd watch it if I were you." Jasper chuckled and pat his friend on the back. "She doesn't like to be touched. That bein' said I'm taking her back to the cabins, see ya tomorrow Em."
Emmett watched Jasper go with a furrowed brow, shooting Lucy a look as she chuckled at him. "What?"
"You were just telling me about that girl with fire in her eyes and now you've been told she's on the do not touch list." Lucy chuckled.
"What?"
Lucy raised her brows and stared at her friend. "Emmett, Jasper just told you that girl is like his sister. He was warning you off, now you get on and go drink with your friends. Find out more about the girl."
"What's the bet by the end of their trip they'll be together?" Nettie asked as she spun around on the barstool to face her sister.
A shark-like grin pulled at Lucy's lips. "Oh, with little shoves here and there… especially if we get Maria to help… then yes."
Laughter from both sisters filled the bar space as they began to form their message to Maria. Oh, this will be fun.
Author Note: Kinda not how I expected this chapter to go but ohhh Emmett!