Right in Front of Me
Prequel to Burning the Midnight Oil
Summary:
Prequel to Burning the Midnight Oil. After breaking up with his long time girlfriend, Edward wasn't looking for a new relationship. But when his eyes landed on Bella one night during a show, it was as if his future was suddenly laid out right in front of him.
One
EPOV
—
When Edward met Bella
—
Pulling the phone away from my ear, I stared at it, making sure I'd dialed the right number. I couldn't believe what she was telling me. I'd heard the rumors that she was seeing someone behind my back, but I had thought they were just that—rumors.
"So, let me get this straight, Jessica. You're saying that you've been fucking around behind my back? I've been over here, sending you care packages, doing my best to take care of you and—fuck!"
"You don't have to be so crass about it, Eddie. I'm in love with him. I never expected this to happen, but it did. You and I…we're two-thousand miles apart, it's just not working."
"In love with him." I scoffed. "Did you sleep with Mike already, or do you have at least some decency left in you?"
She hesitated a moment too long and it was all the answer I needed.
"Take every fucking picture you have of me, every damn present I've ever given you, and burn it all!" I yelled, slamming my fist against the wall. "Fuck you, and fuck Newton. Forget I ever existed. I never want to see your face again."
I didn't even bother to end the call. Instead, I opted to throw the phone across the room, shattering it against the wall.
"God-fucking-damnit!" I shouted into the empty room. I'd just wasted two years of my life on that woman. She didn't even respect me enough to end the relationship before having sex with him.
No, instead I'd heard it from a mutual friend of ours.
I glanced around in my rage, taking in every picture that I had of her in my apartment. One by one, I ripped them off of the walls, letting the glass shatter as they hit the floor.
"I have to get out of here." I muttered to myself, grabbing my keys and coat, letting the door slam behind me.
—
"Lemme see your hand, bro." Emmett grabbed my wrist, examining my swollen knuckles. I'd taken my aggression out on a few more walls in Em's garage. "You sure you don't wanna get this checked out? Can you still play tonight?"
I shot him a glare, wrenching my hand from his grasp, stretching out my fingers. "Yeah, I can still fuckin' play. I'm happy to know when my life is in shambles, that's what you're worried about."
He shrugged, a smirk on his lips. "Well, the rent's due. Look, you know I care, dude, but Jessica…none of us ever liked her. She was just riding your coattails, hoping you'd get a record deal. You know what they say: you gotta get under someone to get over someone."
"You know I don't like—"
He rolled his eyes. "We all know, Ed. You're very virtuous. One woman at a time and all that. Just think about it, would you? You're a free man!"
I shrugged him off. "Whatever." I knew what I really had to do; I needed to get these feelings down on paper.
Jessica had fucked me over—the least she could do was provide me with lyrics.
—
I'd spent the last two weeks perfecting the melody and rhythm. The words had come easily enough.
My heart had been filled with so much anger at being deceived by Jessica, that the lyrics just flowed out of me.
Once I'd seen my feelings down on paper, I'd begun to feel better.
I took the time while I edited my words to reflect on our relationship. Jessica and I had been great together in high school, although it was no secret that she was hoping for fame and glory that came with being a rockstar's girlfriend. But after four years of us playing and nothing serious coming from it, she'd obviously grown tired.
It was probably a blessing in disguise that things had ended the way they did. I wanted someone who wanted me for me. Not what I could provide for them.
I turned to face the band after our first run through. "What do you think?"
"That shit was sexy as hell."
I raised my eyebrows at Emmett. "You think?"
"I'm serious, man." He laughed. "Do you know how many chicks are gonna wanna hop on your dick after they hear this song?"
"C'mon—"
"Nah, he's right," Jasper said. "This is probably the best song you've come up with in the last year. Maybe Jessica should have fucked you over sooner."
"Thanks man." I gave him a strained smile. "Let's go over it again before tonight."
—
We never had an issue getting people out on the dance floor. We loved doing what we did, which trickled down into the crowd. If we were having fun, they were having fun as well.
But the guys were right. This new song definitely hit differently. I couldn't help but smile. Between the hoots and hollers and the occasional cat call, I was eating it up. I lived for this kind of attention.
But it was when I looked out into the crowd and I saw her—the most gorgeous, doe-eyed, blonde-haired beauty—that my night got infinitely better.
Typically, it wasn't my goal to take anyone home after a show; not that I was completely against having a one night stand. But I wasn't the kind of man to go searching for just any attractive face to warm my bed.
But her...I knew I'd never forgive myself if I let her leave without me by her side tonight.
I locked eyes with her momentarily as our first set came to a close, hoping it would be enough to get her attention. And if she didn't seek me out first, it didn't matter. I wasn't leaving this bar tonight without at least learning her name.
I jumped off the stage and headed toward the bar, greeting a few of our regular fans. It was mere minutes later when I felt someone shift on the stool next to me. As I turned and took in the sight of her, my heart began to pound.
She was even more gorgeous up close. But damn, she looked much younger than she had in the crowd.
"I'm sorry. Was someone sitting here? I didn't even think—"
I let my gaze travel the length of her body. She was petite—only about five-foot-three—and I was sure her sweet little body would fit perfectly against mine. A smirk formed on my lips as my eyes met hers. "I'd kick them off the damn stool myself for you, darlin'."
She laughed in surprise, her eyes darkening as she put her hand on my bicep. It was obvious that she was flirting with me as she told me how great I was up on stage. As her touch drifted toward my elbow, I felt my cock stir from the attention.
We chatted for a while, learning each other's names and few other innocent facts, like where she was going to school and how long I'd been playing with the band. And as the minutes ticked by and I continued to listen to the lusty tone of her voice, she became more and more attractive. The only issue: I still didn't know how old she was.
And I needed to find that out before I let my dick get me further into trouble. "I've got one more question for you, Bella. You don't look a day over 18 and I'm guessing you're not supposed to be here…so tell me, how old are you?"
She looked up at me from under her lashes, a shy smile on her lips. "I'm nineteen."
Relief flowed through me. "I can work with nineteen. I'm only twenty-one myself."
Glancing over her shoulder, I saw Emmett approaching us and I knew our time was going to be cut short.
He had a shit-eating grin on his face as he took in the two of us huddled close together. "We gotta get back up there, Ed." He slapped me on the back before walking toward the stage.
As I stood from my seat, l leaned down, letting my lips graze her earlobe. My confidence soared as I watched a shiver run through her. "I want to see you after the show; you hear me, darlin'?"
Her eyes were wide, and she pulled her bottom lip between her teeth as she nodded.
I couldn't wipe the grin off my face as I headed toward the stage. I was definitely getting laid tonight.
—
And we're off!
This will be a long A/N, but it's filled with some good info!
So much love and thanks to Cheryl,(Sunshine1220) for editing this story and helping me to make it wonderful for all of you!
And thanks to my pre-readers:
Alyscia
LunaEclipse17
Brierlynn
SassYNoleS
This will be about 9 chapters, all of which are written. It will post every Monday.
It's quick paced, but that's what their relationship was. It'll cover from when they met, married and decided to start a family.
If you don't know already and you're curious who Edward is based off of, it's Mac Hanson from the band Joshua & The Holy Rollers.
If you haven't already, you can join my Facebook group, 'Stories by Missliss15' for pics and teasers!