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Stephenie Meyer owns all things Twilight. Anything I didn't borrow from her belongs to me.

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Chapter Nineteen

Confessions

Bella POV

It had been almost a week since I last saw James. While I still spent more time than I liked tense and waiting for him to appear with a plan to make my life miserable, as the days went by, I couldn't help hoping that maybe he'd got the hint when Jasper shut him out.

When I was honest with myself, I knew it wasn't likely, but it was still pleasant to think about. And Edward…a flutter of excitement raced through my body at the thought of him. He had been like a breath of fresh air when my past had been threatening to suffocate me again. Every day, my resolve to live my life as though James didn't exist became a little stronger. I smiled and giggled to myself.

"Bella, wait," a voice came up behind me, snapping me out of my reverie. Turning around, I saw Jasper jogging up to me, looking oddly tense.

"Jasper, hey. Aren't you guys going on in like… ten minutes?" I said as I checked my watch.

"Yeah, we are I just wanted to check something with you before I get ready. Where's Alice?"

"She already at the soundboard, she's doing video tonight. I'm doing photos from the stage."

"Ah, okay. Um, Bella…" He still looked nervous, almost sheepish. I was starting to wonder if there was bad news coming or something.

"What's wrong Jasper? It's okay. Just spit it out."

"No, nothing's wrong, I just…do you think you can switch with Alice tonight? Have her do the photos at the stage?"

I furrowed my brow at that. The band never got involved in the minutia of our routine. No one had ever explicitly asked for one of us to do a particular job.

"It's nothing to worry about, Bella. I just, well, I want to do something, and I'd like to see her reaction."

I raised an eyebrow at him now. "Oh, really? Well, I can make that happen. Should she know that this is a request from you?"

"I suppose it doesn't really matter, but if you can get her up there without telling her, it would be appreciated."

"Alright, let me work my magic then. She'll be there."

"Thanks, Bella. Really."

I watched him stride away quickly and wondered what he could possibly be up to.

I threaded my way through the packed crowd quickly, knowing Alice would need a few minutes to get into place, and the show was starting soon. I saw Alice looking perplexed at her phone as I came up beside her. "You look like you're trying to solve the perpetual motion problem, what's up?"

"Nothing. I just got an odd text from Jasper. Maybe he was putting a lyric down or something and sent it to me by accident."

"Can I see?"

She shrugged and tossed me the phone. A few lines of text were lit up on her screen. I was starting to get a suspicion as to what Jasper was planning.

"That is odd. Anyway, I know this is really last minute, and I'm sorry, but can I switch with you tonight? I think I have a headache coming on. I really don't think being that close to the amps, the speakers, and the drums will help."

"Sure, you know how much I love any chance I get to ogle Jasper up close!"

I laughed and thanked her as she bounced off to the stage. I leaned back and wondered if Alice was ready for Jasper to call her bluff.

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Alice POV

I parked myself in the pit and said hello to the security people that were preparing to fend off the surfers. I judged the setup and height of the stage to figure out exactly what my best angles were going to be for each member of the band.

The show progressed, as usual, the crowd was into it, and as was the norm, I found myself ducking surfers as they came flying forward. I got some really great shots of Edward and even some good ones of Emmett. Drummers were always the hardest to photograph hidden behind a kit at the back of the stage.

Even after all the shows we'd been to, I still loved to hear the music live. I felt the excitement in the pit of my stomach as the band walked on stage and played their first notes. I joined in on the cheers and smiles as they played something that was particularly popular. Jasper was acting off, though, and I had almost no eye contact with him. He was playing with the crowd in his usual way, but he wasn't as relaxed as he usually was when an audience was this tuned in.

They were winding down now with only a song or two to go in the encore. "This is a new song. It's dedicated to anyone out there that's had someone special wander into their life," Jasper said simply as the lights dropped, and Edward started with a thin guitar line. A few beats later, Jasper joined in with his vocals.

I looked up and caught Jasper's eye as he sang directly to me. I froze in place and watched Jasper with rapt attention for the length of the song. If he wasn't watching me intently, he had his eyes closed, and the emotion washed over his face.

He'd written me a song, and it was the most beautiful thing I'd ever heard. For those few minutes, there wasn't another person in the room. He was singing directly to and only for me. Finally, the music drew to a close, and the world returned. The band waved at the audience as they exited the stage. Usually, we mulled around for fifteen or twenty minutes to give the guys a breather after the show then headed back to the dressing room. Tonight was not going to go like that. I needed to see Jasper, and I didn't want an audience.

I walked around the venue, looking for Bella, taking the time to work out the night in my head, and what I wanted to happen next. I found her in production, downloading some of the wide shots she'd taken from the soundboard. She turned and eyed me warily.

"Alice, are you okay?"

"Oh… yeah…. I uh think I'm okay… just a little bit surprised. Did you know?"

"Not exactly, I knew he was up so something. He asked me to switch with you before the show, and then there was the text. I did tell you to be careful with your game, and that he would surprise you again." She paused and waited for my reply. When all she got was stunned silence, she urged me on. "So, what now?"

"Yeah, that's what I was just thinking…"

"Alice, really? You even have to think about this? I know this is what you want, and well, I'm not you," she laughed. "You've admitted to me that you've fallen for him. And that was… well, that was pretty amazing even from where I was, I could see what he put into that song for you."

"Yeah, I know, I just… I don't know! This is really… it could get complicated."

"Alice," she groaned. "You aren't seriously telling me that you're worried about your job? After all the ass-kickings you handed me about Edward? You and I both know that this is way more important than any job, no matter how fantastic it is. This could be everything for you. Don't start worrying about stupid things getting in the way. Overthinking is my bit, remember? If this is what you want, go for it. If there's any fallout, we'll deal with it. That's what we do."

I nodded and smiled calmly. "You're right. The shock was a bit much for a minute there, but yeah, I'm stupid, of course."

"Don't get mad, ok?"

"What did you do. Bella?"

"Nothing bad! I just may have cornered Edward as he came off stage and asked him to get me Jasper's room key." She held it out sheepishly. "I thought you might want it."

"Bella, that's perfect! Have I told you how much I love you lately? Can you do one more thing for me?"

"Of course, Alice, anything."

I told her what I needed, and after a big hug and wishes of good luck, I was on my way back to the hotel.

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Jasper POV

I was pacing. I tried not to, but I couldn't help it. I knew what I wanted, I wanted Alice. The song had almost written itself, and I thought it was perfect for her. I wasn't nervous because I regretted what I'd done, It was honest, and I've never found honest to be wrong. I was worried because I didn't know how Alice would react. She was my wild card, it was one of the things that attracted me to her. Alice kept me guessing. Just when I thought I could predict what she'd do, she went in the opposite direction.

Thirty minutes. It had been thirty minutes since the show, and they weren't here yet.

"Jasper man, you need to calm down, you look like a caged tiger." Edward came over to me, willing me to calm down. If only he could affect my mood like that. I glared back at him.

"Give her some time she probably went to see Bella and talk first, I'm sure they'll be here soon."

At that moment, I heard a quiet knock on the door even though it was propped open. Bella, I thought with an exhale of relief. She stepped in and looked around. Finding me, she motioned for me to follow her and stepped back outside.

"Good luck, man," Edward said with a pat on my shoulder. I took a deep breath and tried not to notice that Emmett and Carlisle's faces showed a mixture of humor and nerves for me.

"Hey, Bella. Where is she?"

"She's waiting for you at the hotel, she wanted to see you, but she wanted some privacy."

I nodded and swallowed. I suddenly felt like a lanky teenager again. My mouth was dry and may as well have been full of cotton. I opened my mouth to thank her but suddenly couldn't find my voice.

"There's a cab out back. She's in your room." She smiled softly and took pity on me. "Jasper, it's going to be just fine, trust me. Here, take this." She handed me a bottle of water and excused herself into the dressing room.

I stood outside the door for a moment to hear Bella tell everyone that Alice wanted to talk to me. I also heard Emmett snort. I may have to put baby powder on his drum heads for the next show. I filed that away and walked to the back exit, there were more important things to deal with right now.

I jumped in the cab and gave the hotel name to the driver, thankful for the fencing that kept the bus area private from the fans tonight. I ran a hand through my hair and downed the water Bella had given me wishing it was something a little more substantial that could calm my nerves.

An eternity later, I arrived at the hotel. I knocked on my door and vaguely wondered how she got my keycard as I fidgeted. My fantasies had not prepared me for Alice when she finally opened the door. She stood like a vision before me with dark pink heels on her feet and a perfectly matched baby doll nightie that was part lace and part light sheer material. It stopped right at the top of her thighs. I felt a growl of desire leave my throat.

"Alice, you look…" I faded as she stood up very slowly and walked over to me. Her eyes were filled with a fire I'd never seen from her before. She put her index finger to my mouth.

"Shh… We'll talk later."

She closed the door and pressed into the wall as she ran both her hands up my chest, leaving goosebumps wherever her fingers trailed. Her arms snaked around my neck and pulled my head down to hers. She kissed me roughly, nibbling my bottom lip and scraping her teeth lightly against the stubble right below it. Her lips and teeth were driving me insane, and I felt myself harden with every one of her movements.

Her desire was infectious. I couldn't stop myself as I took control of the kiss, opening her mouth and diving in so I could taste her. We continued exploring each other as she turned me around and backed me to the bed.

It took a long time for us to exhaust ourselves, but we eventually managed it. Alice snuggled into my side as we lay on the bed and waited for our energy to return. Every muscle in my body was content as she ran her fingers up and down my chest. I kissed the top of her head. I had never felt this whole before, the feeling of her beside me was utter perfection.

"Are you going to thank me like that every time I sing a song for you?" I said.

"Maybe," she smiled devilishly up at me.

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