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Chapter Fifty-Three

"I heard my brother gave you a key to his place," was the first thing Emmett said after he started the car.

"I heard you cried when Rosalie went to work one day," I said teasingly. Edward had told me the story while Emmett slept on the way to the airport. I found it all too amusing.

"Ouch. I wasn't expecting that from you of all people." Emmett laughed heartily. "You have been hanging around my brother too long."

I sat quietly as I stared out the window, smiling to myself.

"You make him happy," Emmett divulged a few minutes later.

"He makes me happy."

"He wasn't like that with Kate," he continued and I tensed. "I don't know if he's told you about her. That was his ex."

"I figured," I said calmly. "What do you mean by 'he wasn't like that'?"

"I don't know. Affectionate or whatever. He never kissed her in front of other people and I sure as hell never heard him say he loved her."

"Oh." I swallowed and picked at my thumb nail.

I wasn't jealous but it was a little odd thinking about Edward with someone else.

"Whatever," Emmett suddenly said. "Not trying to make shit awkward. Just thought you'd want to know."

"Thanks," I said softly.

"For what?"

"For approving of Edward and me."

"I don't have a choice," Emmett explained and glanced over at me before switching lanes. "You're his person."

I smiled down at my hands and loved how such simple words could make my heart burst.

We finally made it into town a little after six.

"Do you mind stopping by the store for a second? I need to grab a few things and I'm not sure if my mom will be home with the car."

"Yeah. No biggie." Emmett shrugged. "You can drop off your shit at home and then come with me to see Rose at work if you want."

"Sure. That sounds fun." I gave Emmett a warm smile before stepping out of the car. "I won't take long."

I grabbed a hand basket and practically ran through the store grabbing any food items I'd need for the next few days.

I set everything on the conveyer belt before opening my wallet. I pulled out the debit card and handed it to the cashier as she gave it a nice, good swipe.

"Your card has been declined," the cashier said with no emotion.

"That's..." Well, I was going to say 'that's not possible', but then I remembered it was most definitely possible. "Can you swipe the card again?"

The cashier gave an annoyed nod and swiped it again.

Declined.

As my palms began to sweat, I asked her to try one last time.

Please.

Declined. Declined. Declined.

A few customers behind me began sighing heavily, making a point to know they were growing impatient.

They were rude and this was useless.

"I guess, uh," I mumbled. "I'll just use this card," I said as I pulled out my personal debit card.

I ignored the stare of the cashier and the snickering of the customers as I grabbed the grocery bags and rushed out of the store.

"So, I was thinking..." Emmett started as I buckled my seat belt. "We should all go camping soon. It's cooler outside and there's nothing like getting drunk in the middle of the woods and fucking in a tent."

I blinked back my tears and tried to speak. "Yeah, uh...I'm not sure I will be able to hang out later."

"Shit. Did I offend you? I'm sorry."

"No! No, you didn't offend me," I said frantically.

"Maybe I shouldn't have said 'fucking'. Making love in the woods doesn't sound all that great though."

"I just don't feel very well," I lied. "But thanks for asking me to hang out."

Emmett eyed me for a moment before dropping the subject.

He pulled into the empty driveway and I thanked him, saying I would see him soon.

Walking into the empty house, I left both the grocery bags on the floor in the entryway.

I cried.

I called Renee's phone and it went to voice mail.

I cried a little more before deciding I needed to call the bank.

Maybe it was a mix up, I thought positively.

With shaky hands, I dialed the number on the back of the debit card and listened to the prompt.

The only mix up was me getting too comfortable and letting my guard down.

Renee wasn't changing; she was getting worse.

I had been choosing to ignore it.

Edward was a good blinder.

And just like that, I felt alone again.

A/N: I'm trying to blind you right now with hopes of tent sex. Ignore Renee standing in the corner over there smiling. Thanks for reading.