Author's note: Welcome to Chapter 7 and Andrew's POV again. I'm going to work tonight but I wanted to get this up.

...

"She got my heartbeat racing

They say time heals (they say time heals)

Don't go build no life without me 'cause you're mine still (you're mine still)

And I don't wanna go unless you make me

Down on my knees hoping you take me"

You're Mine Still - Yung Bleu ft Drake

...

I couldn't believe she was here. Jasper won't stop looking at me and I can't stop looking at her. She notices and smiles like she wasn't just all over some other guy.

My heart beats faster as she turns towards me and walks forward. For a moment, it feels like it's just us. She looks full of life. Her black dress fits her well and is tight in all of the right places. Her skin looks smooth in the cutouts. Her legs look even longer in her black lace boots that have a thick heel on them. Her makeup brings out her best features and her accessories match perfectly. Her hair spirals flawlessly in all the right directions.

She's flawless. How is she here? Not that I'm upset she's here, she looks gorgeous

"Pick up your jaw, asshole." Jasper elbows me in my arm just as Bella stops in front of us.

"Hey," she says blushing slightly.

Her words are only to me. It feels like seconds before Jasper clears his throat. "Hey Bella."

"Hey Jazzy. Long time, no see." She frowns. Their relationship has always been strenuous and he was someone who expressed he thought our relationship was a joke and wouldn't last further digging it in by saying I told you so.

He deserves the unwelcoming, uncomfortable feeling he has but he decides to awkwardly excuse himself.

I let out a deep breath. "Well what are you drinking?"

"Water."

I raise my eyebrow. I'm surprised she decided to come to a bar tonight of all nights. It's Free Beer Night, all draft beers are free thanks to overstock. Open mic allows the local artist to come and share their creative side while others sit and listen to them sing songs about heartbreak, struggles and the other should've, could've, would'ves.

"I'm already slightly more than buzzed right now. Leah brought Vodka." She looks behind her at Leah, the one from her freshman year of high school. She fucking hates me.

I wave to her and she glares and rolls her eyes, turning back to the guy Bella hugged.

Bella giggles. Her lips glisten and I stare as some guy introduces himself on stage and explains what he's going to be singing tonight. The first song is good, but the second song isn't. Bella agrees with me, comparing the local singer's cover with the actual artist's.

We continue to converse at the bar, laughing at stupid jokes and people dancing embarassingly. Bella decides to order a cranberry and vodka and I order another beer.

"Chug?" She asks, holding her glass up.

I shrug.

We bring our drinks together, tap the glass to the table about tilt our head backs while taking large gulps. I finish first even though my drink is larger than hers.

When she's finished she wipes her mouth with the back of her hand. "I want to dance!" She grabs my arms and tries to pull me with her. She frowns when I shake my head.

"No." I continue to shake my head and she pouts but continues to go a few inches in front of me.

Her hips swing and I watch her as they do, the sad lyrics of the next song strikes me hard.

"If I ever made you angry, girl... Just know that it gets better over time... They say time heals..."

I watch as she moves her arms above her, still swaying. Her hands roam through her loosely curled hair.

I finally stand and move next to her wanting to savor her every move and blocking anyone else from watching her.

"She can't see her life without me, she's so blind still... fuck that man you can tell him that you're mine still..."

My eyes flash to the dark head guy she was hugging earlier. He's paying close attention to the man on the stay.

Good.

I lightly touch her side and my fingertips feel hot on her skin. I don't move with her, I let her dance on me, hoping my soft touches encourage her to go on and be free.

The lyrics continue, talking about how his pretty is tempting and came with complicated tutorials on how to love her but it was never good enough.

"Don't go build a life without me cause you're mine still... and I don't want to go unless you make me..."

I don't want to move from this spot with her. She wraps her arms around me and leans into me. She tosses her hair over to one side leaving me access to her neck. My lips tingle.

I can't. It's been too long since I've held her body like this. I can't rush her or she'll shut me off again. I just want to be there for her is what I've told myself, but as we are here together, I want to do more than. Not in a sexual way, in a protective way, I tell myself at least.

Plus, she's drunk. I can't do anything with her knowing that. I wouldn't.

I leave my lips tingling and before she can turn around, Leah is at her side, grabbing her arm.

"Okay, I think that's enough fun for tonight."

Bella pouts. "Is that what I normally sound like?"

"Yes! Now come on." Leah pulls her arm and she's out of my reach within seconds as her best friend pulls her through the crowded bar.

"What was that?" Jasper's voice makes me jump.

"I-," I stutter. "I don't know." But whatever it is it piques my interest. On the stage is the male that was hugging Bella earlier. He's setting up on stage but continues to look in the direction I was just in with her. And it's like something clicks in my brain and I fucking know it. He has to be an ex of hers, she wouldn't have hugged him like she did.

He's slim built, but just as muscular as me. His style is different and his khaki pants and leather jacket confuse me. He looks nice, the dreads fit him, but not nice enough for Sam. She used to hound me whenever I didn't get my hair cut.

Who am I kidding? Anyone other than me is nice enough for Bella.

He begins to sing a song I didn't expect him to sing. His own version of an R&B song that played too many times on the radio because it was relatable.

I'm just saying she can do better, tell me have you heard that lately?

He replaces the word "you" with "she" as he looks directly at me.

I know she can, I know.

...

Author's note: A lot of you are saying you don't like Edward, good. You probably won't for a while and you really aren't, but it doesn't mean there isn't some kind of happy ending. Your feelings are valid though. Leave a review! 3