Chapter 10

Edward drove past fields covered with freezing fog. A car pulled behind him from a county road, and Edward looked in his mirror to see red lights flashing. With a groan, he pulled his truck onto the shoulder, pulled out his license and registration, and rolled down the window. The police officer seemed to take his time getting out of his squad car and strolling up to his window.

"Morning, officer," Edward said as he handed out his paperwork.

"License and registration," the officer said as he focused on his clipboard.

Edward waved it, and the officer snatched the papers out of his hand. "Don't get smart with me," he looked at the license, "Edward Cullen." He wrote on his clipboard. "This is an Alaskan license and tags. You visiting?"

Edward's eyes narrowed. "Can I ask what my infraction is?"

Dark brown eyes shot up to meet his. "You visiting? We don't need any trouble in this town."

Edward sighed, "Yeah, I've heard that before. I have moved home, and I will be here for a long time to come. Why was I stopped?"

The officer shoved his paperwork back through the window. "I'm letting you off with a warning. Watch your speed along here, especially on icy mornings."

~o0o~

Edward watched Emmett open the second bay door and ran his hands through his hair as he passed Rose perched on her red Jeep. "Em?"

"Yeah?"

Edward leaned against a gray Silverado. "Uh, do you think you could hang for a few minutes before we get started on the transmission?"

Em frowned but nodded. "Sure, Rose doesn't need to get to work until nine, so I got time. What's up?"

Edward rubbed the back of his neck and said, "Bella's coming by, and I'd like for you to meet her."

Emmett gave a brittle laugh, "Ed, we grew up together. We all went to the same school."

Edward nodded and said, "yeah, but I'd like you to meet my—girlfriend."

"What, the Swan girl?" Rose snickered from her seat on her hood. She wrapped her arms around Emmett's shoulders and pulled him to lean between her long, jean-clad legs.

Edward stuffed his fists deep into his pockets. "Don't."

"Ah, come on …" Emmett began.

"That girl is a reject." Rose cut in.

Emmett leaned back into her and continued. "… and way more trouble than it's worth."

Rose nodded and flipped her hair. "Reject."

"Rose, you've been with Em since middle school, and I've never questioned Em's choice, even though I find you to be a bitch more than half the time."

"Hey …" Em shouted.

Edward rounded on him. "I want to know why you feel justified in making Bella Swan out to be some kind of pariah."

Emmett threw a rag through the truck's window. "Dude, she had my best friend run out of town."

Rose folded her arms over her breasts. "Then she played the victim—put on this big act—trying to get everyone's sympathy. It was disgusting."

The fury rushing through Edward's blood cooled and stilled with the devastating evidence of how much Bella had suffered with no one there to support her. He had a family to support him and help him move forward. Bella had no one, not even her dad. He swallowed thickly and ground out, "She wasn't acting. She was hurt as much as I was. It was Charlie—Charlie Swan."

Rose looked away, but Emmett rested his meaty hands on her thighs and said, "The Swan girl didn't know?"

Edward slumped against the truck. "No, I was there one day—promising Bella my undying love—and the next day I was gone without a word."

Emmett stared at his buddy since first grade. "You loved her?"

Edward sighed. "I love her."

Rose huffed, but Emmett looked hurt. "Why didn't you tell me? I'm supposed to be your best friend."

Edward shrugged. "You didn't want to hear it, man. You were the jock dating the head cheerleader. The 'Swan girl' was a Baptist wallflower in choir and band whose dad was the grim reaper of fun. She was a joke to you," he watched his boot roll a cigarette butt on the floor, "so I didn't give you any ammunition. I thought I'd have time to get you to come around."

Emmett rubbed his neck and looked hard at his friend. "You loved her."

Edward gave him an apologetic shrug. "Like I said, I love her, man."

"Hell, that's a game-changer," Emmett said with a wide grin. Edward relaxed and smiled back.

Rose hopped down. "Like hell it is, Emmett McCarty. You cried when he left. You cried. The captain of the football team cried, and it was that skank's fault."

"Em, I need her to stop talking, or you and I are going to have a serious problem."

Rose's mouth flew open, but Emmett held up his hand. "No, Rose, you'll let this go—for me. I want my friend back, and he needs his girl—like I need you."

Rose softened as he pulled her to him. "I'll try to be civil."

Edward stood and turned to lift the hood of the Silverado. "That's more than we usually get from you."

Emmett took Rose into the break room, and he could see her hands flailing about as they discussed his love life.

"Hey."

Edward looked up to Bella silhouetted in the door of bay 1. "Hey," he said back as he wiped his hands on a shop rag.

"Uh, is it still a good time?"

Still a little greasy, he didn't touch her but leaned to kiss her.

"Hey, Swan," Rose's voice broke their kiss, and Bella squared her shoulders as Edward took her hand.

"Hi, Rose, it's nice to see you again," Bella said.

Rose gave an indelicate snort and leaned a hip against her Jeep, "I doubt that, Swan."

There was a pregnant pause. The two men shifted before Bella said, "You're right. I was just trying to be polite."

Edward laughed, and Bella saw Emmett grin behind Rose while he pulled her back with his hands on her hips. "For me, Rose. I mean it," he said in warning.

Rose glared at Bella.

Edward sighed, "Okay, now that we've got the pleasantries out of the way. Emmett, Rose, this is my girlfriend, Bella Swan."

Emmett stepped around Rose and held out his hand. "Hi, Bella, it's nice to finally meet you. I hear my boy's been pining for you since high school."

His wide dimpled smile pulled Bella to take his hand. "Uh, it's so nice to meet you. Uh, Edward talks about his best friend all the time."

Emmett laughed and slapped Edward on the back. The men looked at Rose, and after a moment, Bella said, "It's all right."

"Rose?" Emmett said.

Rose ran her tongue over her teeth and looked pointedly at Emmett. "It's bullshit. I don't like her."

Edward took a step, but Bella held his arm. "That's fine, Rose. You've been very open with your opinions of me through the years. You made quite the sport of it. So I'll make it easy. I love your boyfriend's best friend and have since high school." She cut her eyes to Edward and added, "I'll love him till the day I die." She looked back to the bitter girl before her. "I don't owe you a damn thing, and I sure as hell am not asking your approval or permission. This isn't high school, Rose."

Bella reached up on her tiptoes and kissed Edward's cheek. "See you tonight," she said. As she walked out the bay door, she waved, "Nice meeting you, Emmett."

After she left, Emmett nodded, "Damn, Ed, she's feisty. I can see what you see in her. Yeah, I like her."

Rose huffed and climbed into her Jeep. The engine roared to life, and she took off without looking back.

Edward slapped his rag against his thigh. "Well, that went well," he said.

Emmett blew out a long breath. "I'm gonna be paying for that for a while."

~o0o~

The lunch crowd had the diner hopping as Edward made his way past chattering tables to the quiet booth in the back.

"Sit down. You're drawing attention."

Edward slid into the booth across from Charlie Swan and folded his hands on the table. "Is there a reason I got pulled over this morning?"

Charlie didn't look up as the waitress approached the table. "What can I getcha', hon?"

Charlie dipped his fry into a glob of ketchup. "Order something. It's on me."

Edward looked at the smiling waitress. "Uh, I'll have a Patty melt and a Coke. Thanks."

As she sashayed away, Edward turned his attention back to the reason he was here.

Charlie sat back and popped another fry into his mouth. "Did you get a name?"

"Yeah, Jacob Black."

Charlie nodded. "Well, he didn't act on my orders. I'm guessing he's got his own agenda. He's been sweet on Bella for years." He tossed his wadded napkin on the table. "I guess she's always been sweet on you."

Edward smiled a bit at that. "I'm sweet on her too." Edward looked square at the man who held such a large role in changing Edward's past. "After the conversation with Bella's mom, I understand better your overreaction to my youthful indiscretion. I'm glad you protected her from her mom, but …"

Charlie sighed and took a bite of his hamburger as the waitress set Edward's meal on the table. When the waitress left, Charlie shifted the subject. "I checked up on your time in Alaska—straight-A kid—graduated with honors—not even a speeding ticket."

Edward took a bite of his sandwich and waited.

Charlie sat back and drained his coffee cup. "I'm going to try to set my feelings aside for Bella's sake. She's got her hat set on you—so I'm going to try."

"I appreciate that, Chief. I'll make sure you never regret that decision."

Charlie pulled out his wallet and left a five on the table before picked up the ticket. "Just keep making her smile like she is now, and we'll be square."

"Deal—sir."

Charlie slid out of the booth and headed to the cash register.

~o0o~

At the end of a long-ass day, Edward cleaned up and headed to Bella's. The dogs met his truck on the gravel drive and ushered him to her door.

She laughed as she stepped onto the porch. "Oh, my goodness, a king wouldn't get such a welcome from those two. Come on in," she said and gave him a quick kiss.

With Mischief perched on his lap, Edward watched Bella move about the kitchen. Bo lay at her bare feet as Jangles hoovered the dropped breading, running over to him for an occasional ear rub.

A wistful smile played at Edward's lips. This is coming home to Bella.