Thank you to Frannie and Dani!

Day 18: March 30, 2022

Jasper

18:39 PDT

Los Angeles, California

"Let's go!"

Bella's shout draws my attention from the kitchen, and I smirk, helping Alice scoop up our drinks. "Damn, she's impatient," Alice gripes.

I nod. I don't want to mention it to Alice, but the few days Bella was locked away with Edward were some of the most peaceful days I'd had recently. Not once did she interrupt a meeting call I had for work, and I'm daring to hope that my co-workers have forgotten about cowgirl.

Alice and I head to the dining room, where everyone is gathered. We set the drinks down, and I see they have set up a game of Mexican Train.

"So, how are we doing this?" Emmett asks, clapping his hands together.

"Losers do shots?" Bella asks.

"Biggest loser of the round does double shots," Emmett agrees.

"Wait, wait," Alice interjects. "You guys want to get drunk?"

Bella turns to her. "I don't plan on losing, Alice," she says, pushing her glasses up the bridge of her nose. Her competitiveness is almost as aggressive as Alice's.

I look at Alice, whose eyes narrow at the challenge.

"Fine. Jas, grab the tequila."

I smirk and head back to the kitchen as Rose calls out an order for the vodka as well.

I grab the alcohol and six shot glasses before heading back to the dining room.

When we are all settled with a shot glass in front of us, we start picking up dominos.

…

We're on our sixth round of Mexican Train, and we're all pretty drunk. None of us is doing well, and I noticed that Rose has stopped keeping score. It's probably for the best, or we'd all be in a lot more trouble.

"Hey," Bella says, a little too loudly. We all glance up at her. "Why doesn't my Duck Dealer send me texts anymore?"

Edward looks amused, and I bite back my smile. When he'd asked me for her number, I hadn't expected the Duck Dealer to come of it, but I guess I should have known to expect the unexpected with Bella involved.

Edward leans over to whisper something in her ear, and I see her eyes drop to his lap. I look away quickly.

"Hey, how did you get my number anyway?"

I look up in time for Edward's eyes to find me. Bella isn't drunk enough to miss it, and her head whips in my direction. "Jas?"

I nod. "Guilty."

I glance at Alice. I never told her Edward asked for Bella's number. I'm not sure if it's the sort of thing I should have mentioned to her sooner. She doesn't look too angry, so I figure it'll be okay, so long as we talk through it later.

"Hey, what was with the ducks, man?" Emmett asks, looking across the table at Edward. Edward looks up at him.

"Hasn't autocorrect ever fucked up one of your dick pics?"

We absolutely lose it over his joke.

Mexican Train is a domino game for those unfamiliar. It's a blast and has I think 13 rounds, so these kiddos definitely have a long night ahead of them!

See you loves tomorrow!