Ready to meet Jasper and Alice?
The following morning, Edward parked in front of Jasper's house. He'd always found peace in the quiet place Jasper had built their house. It was past the Rattlesnake Canyon Park and near the Santa Ynez River. The rocky terrain offered a natural hideout, and no one adventured within his property, which covered three acres.
The ride through the dirt trail hadn't been pleasant for his ass, but he still considered the bike his freedom of movement without being paralyzed by fear. Besides, he didn't like bringing Felix out here.
Edward was taking the helmet off his head when Princess and Rocks ran at him full speed from around the house.
"Hey!" he snapped, thankful when they stopped several feet away, whining and tails wagging in the air. The two German Shepherds were the best guard dogs he'd seen, but like Jasper had said many years ago, Edward had managed to turn them into Bichons with the way they behaved around him.
He finally approached them, crouching down and allowing them to lick his face, while he petted their heads and sides.
"I should've known they abandoned me for their favorite person," Jasper commented lazily, as he came from behind the house.
Edward grinned at his friend, finally happy to see someone he had actually missed. Not that he hadn't missed his family, but Jasper was the only one to understand him, his only real friend.
"What can we say? They know who loves them more," Edward chuckled, getting up.
"You might argue with Alice over that. She made the mistake of allowing Rocks on the couch some time ago, and he thinks he owns it now."
Edward snorted. That was typical dog behavior. "I hope you didn't punish her over something so silly," he said seriously.
Jasper pursed his lips. "It crossed my mind, but when I saw how happy they both were, I couldn't do it."
Edward walked closer, grabbing his friend's hand, and then they hugged. "I missed you, Jasper."
"It's a relief to see you're so much better than I expected. Did Tanya tell you about my attempt to visit you?"
"She was amazing at keeping uninvited guests away."
"She's one scary woman, man. I mean, it's no easy feat to scare me." His eyes were serious. "But the way she demanded for me to leave because I'd hurt you more proves how much everyone around you cares for you."
"Jasper, she managed to keep mom and Rose away. If that tells you anything," he shrugged, hiding a smile.
"Whoa. She's a keeper."
Edward rolled his eyes. "Don't worry, Tanya's not going anywhere."
"Come on." Jasper led the way around the house to the backyard.
"Is Alice shackled somewhere? I'd half expected her to jump me from the second I arrived."
"I told her to stay put. I had no idea the state you'd be in."
Edward nodded. They arrived in the backyard.
Alice was on a sun lounger, literally sitting on her hands.
Edward checked with Jasper if it was okay to approach, and when he got a nod of approval, he went closer and sat next to Alice. She was just as small and fragile as ever. Her hair was longer, and Edward wondered if she had decided on a change of look.
Her head snapped up, a large smile spread on her face.
"Good girl," Jasper whispered, coming to stroke her hair.
That was all she needed to hear, before she dove into Edward's arms, sobbing into his shoulder.
"I was so worried. We were both so worried. When Jasper visited you and returned with bad news, I knew you'd isolated yourself."
"Shhh, Alice." Edward rubbed her back. "I'm okay. Look, it took me some time to pull out of my head."
She sobbed some more, clinging to him. "Jasper can't lose you," she whispered into his ear. "He was lost without you."
Edward shuddered at the news. He hadn't even thought of how his self-isolation had affected others.
His eyes met Jasper's, and he saw the relief in them. "I'm sorry, man," he said quietly.
Jasper dismissed his apology with a hand, heading inside.
Alice finally pulled away, wiping her eyes with her hands. "Are you really okay? Whoa! That's a beard."
"I'm aware," Edward deadpanned.
"But you never wear one."
"I have an appointment with Riley next week. Shaving was at the bottom of my list."
"Yeah, no time for thinking about keeping yourself together while emptying the bourbon." Jasper's cold voice startled him. "You don't even have to deny it. I'd probably be constantly drunk if it were me."
"Jasper!" Alice exclaimed, scandalized. She rushed to his side, hugging him tightly. The top of her head barely reached his chin. "You promised not to think such dark thoughts."
His cloudy eyes left Edward's and met hers, as a small smile spread on his lips. "I'd be lost with you, Ally."
Edward looked away, because their love was palpable.
He saw the dogs lounging by the pool, the small patio table filled with finger foods and cool drinks. The ride had made him thirsty, so he went to pour some grapefruit juice in a glass.
"You hungry? Alice worked on these all morning," Jasper said, joining him.
"She shouldn't have."
"Have you met Alice?" he laughed easily.
"This is mild," Edward agreed.
"I tamed her. She was all for throwing you a party."
Edward stared at him in horror, knowing his friend couldn't lie about Alice's exuberance.
They placed some food on paper plates, and then joined Alice by the pool. Edward lay on one of the sun loungers, sipping from his glass.
"Aren't you warm in those clothes?" Alice frowned.
Edward grinned into his glass. "I came with the bike," he explained.
"You did?" With barely a look at Jasper, she sprinted to the front of the house.
"You'd think she's never seen a bike," Jasper joked.
"How the hell do you separate your romantic relationship from the other relationship?" Edward asked, upset and confused.
As much as he had loved Angela, he hadn't been able to compartmentalize, and that meant he couldn't keep his temper in check when it was supposed to be just them.
"We had this conversation, Edward. You need to find the right girl…not that Angela hadn't been what you needed at the time."
"I know." Edward stared into his glass. "I might've found her."
Jasper leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees. "Is she the reason you're here?"
"Maybe? If by here you mean outside the house. I'm here at your house because I missed you, and I know I've been an ass."
"Tell me about her," Jasper decided.
Edward's eyes cut to Alice skipping back to Jasper's side, gushing about the bike. Jasper kissed her brow. "We'll take mine for a ride later, okay?"
She squealed, kissing the top of his head. "I'll let you talk alone. It's too hot outside."
"Okay, baby." Jasper turned to face Edward. "It comes naturally. You do what a man would do in a relationship, but you bring up something more in the playroom. I can't explain it, Edward. You have to feel it for you to understand. I was just as confused as you are before I met Alice, but she changed everything."
"I know." He smiled, remembering Alice's entry into Jasper's life.
Edward and Jasper had been leaving the hospital after Edward had made sure his dad would keep it all under wraps. Since Jasper had needed to let his last Sub go, Edward had stopped being surprised at Jasper's behavior: fighting, drinking and picking up random girls to bring home.
Edward had been complaining to Jasper that he should have been at work, not playing babysitter for Jasper's sorry ass, when they heard the toe-curling screams.
After asking the nearest nurse, they found out that a girl from the psychiatric institution had been brought over after trying to cut her wrists. Edward had seen the shift in Jasper when he laid eyes on the screeching girl, being wheeled down the hallway.
It took days for Jasper to rescue her from being sent back to the institution after her release. He reminded her doctor that he had a psychology degree, and that the girl needed help, not padded walls and being chained to a bed.
For a whole year, Alice had tested Jasper's patience. She was the perfect submissive, but she wouldn't snap out of the subspace. If she was allowed to be herself, she started panicking and saying she heard voices in her head…that she could see what happened in the future. No one had believed her, until she'd told Jasper one day to be careful with his new patient that afternoon. He hadn't minded her, though he'd been surprised at her for talking freely to him. Nonetheless, he'd returned home with a purple eye, after his new patient had punched him out of nowhere.
Alice didn't always see bad stuff, but she kept most of her visions to herself.
Edward could remember how she'd begged him to drive carefully on the way back that night in February.
"Edward." Jasper's worried voice startled him. Edward became aware of his hand stinging, and he noticed he'd squeezed the glass until it broke. "Don't move."
"I just have to clean it up," Edward said mechanically.
They went into the bathroom.
Jasper changed the bandage, asking about the gash on the side of his palm.
"Don't worry about me. I'm a fucking mess, Jasper."
"Tell me about her," he said quietly.
Edward stared at Jasper's longer fingers, working on wrapping white gauze around his hand. "I didn't expect her."
"That's how it should be."
"She's a bartender, and definitely not the kind of girl I'd choose for myself. She's this good girl gone bad, complete with dyed hair, tattoos and a shady past."
The corner of Jasper's mouth went up. "Sounds like you're a match made in heaven."
"Stop being an ass. I hinted at what she might need…to be free and give up control."
"And what did she say?" he asked, turning to wash his hands.
"She was outraged that I'd suggested suicide." Edward still couldn't believe the way Bella's mind worked.
Jasper laughed loudly. "Really?"
"Yeah. So…I'll have to be careful how I broach the subject."
"She might not accept it," he said seriously.
"I'll take her any way I can. It feels like my body is on fire around her, like her energy gives me life."
Jasper caught his eyes in the mirror. "Are you willing to forget your lifestyle for her?"
"If it's what it takes? I'll try."
Jasper frowned. "Edward, please, remember how lost you were when we met. You need this in your life. If…this girl is your Alice, she'll understand. Eventually."
"I can work with eventually." He nodded.
They moved back outside, catching up more, even though Edward didn't have much to tell his friend. He knew Jasper was analyzing his every word and gesture, but he couldn't be mad. The talk helped him, and it was exactly what Edward needed.
"I think you should tell her up front," Jasper said suddenly.
Edward turned his head to Jasper, not sure what he was talking about. They had lapsed into silence, simply enjoying the sun.
"That girl…tell her about you, explain why you think you can help her. Also, don't say you're willing to change for her."
Edward pondered the words. "I might do just that."
Alice rejoined them around lunch hour, insisting they should eat something.
Edward watched them together. It was possible to have a devoted Sub and a girlfriend all in one person. Alice still respected Jasper and did as he said, but if she wanted something strongly enough, Jasper had lost the fight before it even began.
They were around the sitting room when Edward's phone vibrated from the coffee table.
"Work on a Sunday? Feels like before," Jasper chuckled.
It was an unknown number. Edward shrugged, accepting the call. "Cullen."
"Tell me you're the intense creep who Garrett said was looking for me last night."
"Sorry?" Edward sat up, confused at what the hell was going on. His phone had all kinds of restrictions, so he rarely got called by mistake.
"Uh, it's Bella."
"Oh. That explains it," he laughed. "Intense creep?" he repeated, laughing some more.
"Garrett's words," she explained. "I took the weekend off."
"I see. Well, I hope you had time to rest." Edward ignored Jasper staring a hole into the side of his head.
"Yeah…so, I thought about your proposition for freedom. You meant riding a bike again?"
Edward fought against a smile. "What do you say about me picking you up, and I'll explain what I meant."
"It's Sunday afternoon. Don't you have plans?"
"I just made plans with you, Bella. That is if you want." Edward turned his back to his friends, now whispering to each other.
"Okay. I'll text you the address."
"See you soon."
He hung up, keeping the phone in his fist. "I don't want one word," Edward said sternly, turning to face Alice and Jasper. They were watching him on different levels of amazement. Alice looked like she'd had one of her moments. "What!" he demanded, impatient to leave already.
The phone vibrated with an incoming text message. He checked it, seeing that her place was not far from Eclipse.
"Be careful," Jasper finally said, getting up.
Alice sprung to her feet, clapping twice. "We're going to be best friends!"
"Alice, we are best friends," Edward told her slowly.
"Not you…" she scowled, but immediately recoiled. "…Sir. Uh, your new friend…Bella?"
Edward pinched the bridge of his nose.
"Alice, say goodbye to Edward. I'll walk him out."
"I'm not mad. You took me by surprise," Edward told her loud enough for Jasper to hear. He was already by the front door.
After hugging Alice, he went after his friend.
"I mean it. Be careful." Jasper grabbed his shoulder, looking at him intensely. "I'd hate to see you hurt."
Edward knew Bella could destroy his fragile heart, not knowing everything he'd been through, and judging merely by what he wanted of her.
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