Chapter 18: Deal

My skin itched under the brace on my hand. I slapped at the firm plastic and winced as pain shot through my arm. The painkillers were subpar at best. Not as substantial as what I got at the hospital the night before. Why do they always give you the good stuff at the ER and then set you up with some bogus stuff for after?

I sat on the porch with a wine cooler in hand. I didn't even care it was early afternoon as I drank it down and popped open another. I was enjoying my Saturday off as I watched Mickey skate around on her new board, 'breaking it in', as she said. She did some flips and kicks and at one point fell flat on her face. I laughed as she hopped up and looked around to make sure no one saw. She smiled sheepishly at me.

"Walk it off, hon," I called out to her.

She gave me two thumbs up and went back to skating up and down the sidewalk. For someone as clumsy as her, she was quite graceful on the board. I felt a sense of pride as I watched her flip her board under her feet and smile in triumph when she landed back on it.

I whooped and clapped and she looked down bashfully.

Checking my phone I had a text from Edward. He had been texting me constantly throughout the day. Checking up on me and being sweet as candy.

I can't wait to see you, he texted and I smiled wide.

We had decided he would come over for dinner and be formally introduced to Mickey. I was making burritos with all the fixings. Apparently burritos were a love Mickey and Edward shared. And I wanted everything to be perfection.

I miss you, I texted back.

I really did. I felt a need for him now. A craving for his presence. I let him in at a vulnerable moment and I felt the foundation of our relationship solidify if only fractionally. He made me see that he was reliable. And he cared. That meant more to me than anything else.

You have no idea, beautiful.

I set my phone down and looked out to the street. Mickey had disappeared somewhere. My eyes caught onto a face peering at me from the house across from mine. Old Mrs. Cope watched me from her stoop and I could barely make out a scowl on her wrinkled face. She had been one of the faces from the night before, watching the fight between me and Riley.

I scowled right back at her and gulped down my drink, daring her to say something. I was so done taking crap from people, it wasn't even funny. Ever since my attack on Riley, I felt my anger and aggression reach a new high. I wanted to swing on him again and make him gush blood. But I tried to keep a level head. While it felt really good, the night before had been an oops on my part. I had to be careful.

I didn't know what Riley was up to.

Mickey came back through, breaking my eye contact with the woman across the street. She flipped her skateboard up into her hands and walked over to me.

"How's the hand?" she asked coming to sit next to me.

I held it up and grimaced. "Annoying."

Mickey nodded. "So... there's something I need to tell you about last night," she started slowly, choosing her words carefully, her eyes guarded.

That had my full attention. "Go on, then."

She took a deep breath. "Dad showed up and let himself in when I opened the door. I told him I wasn't ready to see him, that's why I hadn't responded to his text. He said he understood but he had to talk to me. Well, we talked for a while and he apologized over and over again to the point I didn't want to hear it anymore. Words are just words, ya know? I told him that. And he said he would prove to me and you that he was here to stay. He said whether you liked it or not he would be in our lives again."

I swallowed the growl I felt rumbling up my chest and into my throat. "Yeah, he said something similar when we talked last night. That's when I lost it." I looked at her, her expression oddly blank. I couldn't read her. "Is that what you want? I know you missed him."

She nodded slightly. "I did miss him. He's my dad, ya know? But... I don't know. He really hurt me. And I don't trust him. I really never thought I would have the chance to see him again and I don't know how I feel about the whole situation. And I'm pissed at him for pushing you and hurting you last night. It's all just too much right now. Too much going on. I can't even deal."

I wrapped my hurt arm around her shoulder and leaned in close to her. "Just know that whatever you decide, I will be okay with. I will stand by you no matter what. If you want him in your life, I will step aside and not put up a fight. But just know that your father is flaky, always has been. I'm not saying he doesn't love you, honey, but he's a selfish man. And I want you to be prepared for whatever may happen."

"I know," she sniffled and I looked into her face to see her eyes swimming with tears. "I know he loves me but I also know he cares more about himself. That's why I'm iffy about letting him back in."

I hugged her closer to me. "You know you'll always have me, right?"

She smiled and nodded, leaning her head into my neck. "I love you."

"I love you more."


Bustling around the kitchen while Mickey set the table, we had less than ten minutes before Edward was scheduled to arrive. Every movement hurt my wrist but I pushed through it. I would have to push through it anyway for the sake of my bakery. I heaved a sigh at the thought. Angela would have to take on a lot more responsibility but she assured me she was okay with it.

"Ma, calm down," Mickey called from the dining room, her eyes appraising me as she leaned over the table to set the bowl of melted queso in the middle.

I ran my good hand through my hair. "Just promise you'll be on your best behavior," I said urgently as the minutes ticked down quickly.

She rolled her eyes. "I will. He helped out when you were hurt. He's a-okay in my book."

I smiled nervously, tugging at my roots. Everything was in order. The house was spotless, the food cooked, the table set, and Leah was lounging in the backyard enjoying the summer. I just needed to calm down. There was a knock at the door and I jumped, running to answer it and nearly slamming face-first into the wall when my foot caught on the edge of the rug.

I balanced myself and ran my hand through my hair to straighten it before pulling the door open. Edward stood there in a pair of washed-out jeans and a charcoal t-shirt that clung to his toned stomach and shoulders so perfectly I had to pick my jaw up off the floor. He never failed to stun me with his effortless beauty.

"Hey," he smiled at me.

"Hi," I breathed.

I moved to the side so he could walk in and he surprised me by grabbing me and wrapping me in a tight hug, his muscular arms locking around my waist, his face buried in my hair. He leaned down and sneaked a quick kiss. Even that innocent simple gesture made a thrill run down my spine.

I smiled shyly up at him as he released me.

"You look beautiful," he smiled warmly, his green eyes sparkling down at me.

I look down at my simple white dress that fell to just above my knees and ruffled over my breasts and blushed, grinning.

"You look handsome as always," I replied.

"And I look damn sexy as usual," Mickey piped up from the entrance to the kitchen leaning against the wall with her arms over her chest.

I glared at her. "Mouth," I warned her and she pushed off the wall to come stand next to us.

Her eyes looked up at Edward and she smiled kindly. "Hey, Edward. Good to see you again."

I breathed a sigh a relief. She was being nice. I was a little worried seeing as she wasn't too happy about my relationship in the beginning. But she seemed to be coming around. As much as I was pissed about the night before, it seemed to lay down a nice foundation on which Mickey and Edward could build.

"It's great to see you," Edward said with genuine sincerity shining in his eyes.

"Ready to eat?" I offered and they both readily agreed.

We headed for the kitchen and took our seats, me at the head with Edward to my right and Mickey on my left. We each filled our plates in silence, the only sound was clinking silverware as we piled our plates with burrito fixings.

It stayed quiet as we ate for the first ten minutes until finally, I opened my mouth to clear away the awkwardness. "Do you guys like the food?"

"Mmm," Mickey replied and I smiled.

Edward swallowed his bite and grinned at me. "You're a great cook, Bella. I shouldn't be surprised though seeing as you own a bakery," he laughed.

"Yeah, well, baking and cooking are very different. I'm better with pastries."

"I'll have to find out for myself one of these days. Maybe I could stop at the bakery and grab something on my break Monday?"

I nodded and smiled. "I'd love that."

"So, Mickey," Edward turned to my daughter, surprising both of us. She looked up from consuming her burrito to give him her attention, swallowing quickly. "I hear you like to skateboard?"

She nodded emphatically. "Heck yeah! I'm the best around."

Edward laughed. "Well, I'm pretty good myself. Maybe I could show you some things after dinner."

Mickey considered this for a moment, her eyes taking him in. "Aren't you kinda... well... old?"

I choked on my bite of food while Edward laughed and patted my back. He gave Mickey a reproachful look when I finally calmed down and I glared daggers at her.

"Hardly." he chuckled. "I bet I could wipe the floor with you."

Oh, no.

Mickey pursed her lips and sat back in her seat, crossing her arms over chest, her cheeks tinged pink and I knew she was taking the challenge way too seriously. "You're on. Hurry up and eat and I'll show you how it's done."

Both Mickey and Edward shoveled way too big bites of food into their mouths and I rolled my eyes watching their antics. Two big babies. When Mickey finished her plate, she jumped up and ran up the stairs, yelling, "I'm going to grab my boards!"

Edward turned to me. "Did I just get myself into a battle with a fifteen-year-old?"

I snorted. "You sure did, ya big baby."

"Hey, now. She called me old," he pouted dramatically and he couldn't have looked cuter.

I reached out and twined my fingers into the hair at the back of his head, pulling him closer to me. I placed a soft lingering kiss on his lips and felt him shiver slightly. I pulled away and smiled, his face mirrored my own. Kissing Edward was quickly becoming my favorite hobby.

"You're stunning," he whispered and my cheeks flamed.

"Okay, old man," Mickey said as she raced into the kitchen, holding her two boards under both of her arms. "Let's see what you got."

Edward smiled a crooked smile at me and winked as he stood from the table and walked over to Mickey. She handed him her old board, a serious look on her face.

I followed them outside, smiling the whole way. The night was going so much better than I could have ever hoped.

I sat on the steps and watched as Mickey did a few tricks on her board, followed by Edward doing some on his. There were hands and legs and hair flying everywhere as they each tried to outdo the other with more extravagant moves than the last. I laughed at the shocked and admiring look in Mickey's eyes when Edward put his hands on the board and rode down the sidewalk on his hands.

"Dude," she shouted when he came back, a triumphant smile on his face, board tucked under his arm. She held her fist out to him and he dapped it with his own. "Respect."

I laughed again as Edward held Mickey's legs up and showed her how to ride on her hands. She fell about thirty times before finally doing it all on her own and I cheered for her. She looked over at me with wide eyes and an even wider smile.

She was having a blast. And from the look on Edward's face, he was too.

"I can't wait to show Tanya that," Mickey said breathlessly as she sat on her board and rolled around on her butt, obviously worn out. Edward took a seat next to me, his breathing heavy and labored. He looked even more worn out than Mickey.

I patted him on the arm. "Doing okay, old man?" I teased and he mock glared.

I looked over at Mickey as she rolled down the driveway backward on her butt and my eyes caught a blue Prius going well over the neighborhood speed limit. My body ran cold and I clenched my fists momentarily forgetting about my fractured wrist.

Edward noticed my change in demeanor immediately and lightly touched my face. "What's wrong?"

I turned to him, scowling. "Riley," I muttered.

His features hardened and his eyes darkened turning to scan the street. "Where?"

"He just drove by," I bit out.

"What, is he stalking you now?" He looked livid.

I shrugged and stood up. I didn't want to deal. I was having a good night. I would have to deal with him sooner rather than later, I knew that, but tonight was about us, not him. I placed a cheerful smile on my face. "Who wants to watch a movie?"

Mickey jumped off her board and ran over to the steps, setting her board next to the porch. "Can we make popcorn with M&Ms?"

I grinned at her. "Absolutely." I looked down at Edward and he was frowning but stood up to follow us inside.

"This looks repulsive," he grimaced at the bowl of popcorn and M&M's. We all three sat on the couch with me in the middle as we watched the previews.

Mickey scoffed. "Try it before you knock it. It's only the best movie night snack ever."

Edward took a few pieces of popcorn with a little bit of candy mixed in and popped it into his mouth, chewing and swallowing quickly, his eyes tight and distrusting. After a minute he tilted his head to the side and smiled.

"Best movie snack ever," he agreed and Mickey whooped.

"What a dumb movie," Mickey grumbled next to me and yawned when the movie ended and credits rolled. She was getting cranky.

"You should head to bed," I told her checking the time. It was already after eleven at night."

She yawned again and nodded. "Yeah. G'night, guys," she said sleepily giving me a hug and fist-bumping Edward.

When she was upstairs I turned to Edward but before I could say anything, his lips were on mine, his tongue licking at my bottom lip. I groaned and opened my mouth to him. He sighed into my mouth and the taste of him made me feel wild. I wrapped his hair in my fist, putting my bad arm around his neck and leaning with him until I was flat on my back on the sofa and he was hovering over me. His body too far from mine.

I pulled away, panting. "Come here," I breathed pulling his hair until his head settled in the crook of my neck.

He moaned and settled himself between my bare thighs. My eyes rolled to the back of my head as his jean-clad lap pressed against my silk-covered center. I could feel how hard he was through his jeans and threw caution and shyness to the wind as I ground myself up onto him.

The vibration of his groans and the feel of his breath on my mouth as he huffed sent my head into a dazed mess. He pushed against me and I pulled him closer. I couldn't get close enough. His hands traveled up the sides of my thighs and then scratching back down, over and over again.

We were a tangle of breaths and moans and I felt like a teenager dry humping on the couch, sneaking it in while my parents were out. It was exhilarating. Freeing and stimulating.

Edward's hands found my butt, his fingers pushing into the skin there, his nails dragging down and sending shivers throughout my body. I gasped and Edward pulled his mouth away from mine to attack my neck with hard kisses and soft bites.

His hips moved sensually over me, up and down, side to side, just trying to get that beautiful friction. My own hips worked double-time to keep up with him and soon we were both panting and moaning as I felt the pressure in my lower tummy and his erection got impossibly harder against me. One more thrust and I came undone underneath him. Edward threw his head back and bit back a guttural groan and I knew he found his own bliss.

It made my lips tug into a self-satisfied smile.

He fell against me, his face in my neck, leaving languid kisses up and down from my ear to my collar bone. I felt him grin against me before he spoke.

"Haven't done that since I was in high school," he muttered.

I huffed out a laugh. "Dry humping is vastly underappreciated."

He snorted and steadied himself on his hands to look down at me, our bottom halves still connected as much as they could be with clothes in the way. "I agree."

His dark green eyes smoldered down at me, his brows furrowed together.

"What?" I asked somewhat self-consciously.

"I like you a lot."

I smiled. "Is that a bad thing?"

"It's a scary thing," he replied seriously.

"It is," I agreed.

It was very scary to be so vulnerable again to heartbreak if that was what was going to happen. But I was open and willing to endure whatever if it meant I was living again. And Edward made me feel things I never felt before.

Passion. Crazy, unadulterated, uncontrolled passion. It made it all feel worth it.

He blinked down at me, unsure. "Don't hurt me, okay?"

My eyes softened as I looked into his vulnerable ones and leaned up to place a small kiss on his lips. I laid back down and looked at him. "I won't if you won't."

He smiled then. "Deal."


Not where the chapter was supposed to go, but Edward and Bella were getting antsy. Jerks. Please leave a review and let me know what you think!