Chapter 3

Epov

What in the fuck is wrong with me? Why would I ask her to be my girlfriend? I know I don't want to date her, but I know Bella doesn't want to date me. It's been a few days since I started this dreaded relationship with Tanya and it's plaguing me.

I sigh as I pull into my parking spot at school. Tanya is just babbling on and on about whatever. I tune her out; she doesn't seem to care regardless.

I get out of the car, walk to her side and pull her door open. My mother at least raised me to be a gentleman. What a pity. I wonder if I treat her like garbage enough would she leave me.

"Hey Ed!"

My head snaps up at Emmett's voice. He's standing by his jeep with Jazz and Peach. She's not looking at me so I take my time drinking in the sight of her. I love her so much it makes my heart hurt with every painful thud.

"Hey I'm going go shoot the shit with the boys." I announce as I close my door behind her.

"And Bella." She sneers.

"Yes and Bella. I'm going to go. You can come or catch up later. I don't care."

I don't wait for an answer as I walk towards my Peach. She's pulling me into her orbit and I would be stupid to fight against such a strong current.

"What's up?" I greet.

"We were wondering when you'd get the fuck away from Tanya." Jazz chuckles.

I don't say anything instead filling my time staring at Bella.

"Eddy! What are you staring at."

My body tenses at the sound of Tanya's voice. It causes Bella's head to snap up and she looks into my eyes.

"Just at one of the wonders of the world." I smirk.

She ducks her head as a blush erupts across her creamy skin. I've never wanted to kiss her so bad. Lord what have I done. My body jerks with the urge to touch her; I clench my fists instead.

"Emmett's jeep?"

"Hell yea! This baby is the only wonder of my world." He hollers slapping the hood.

"You ok?" I lean down to whisper in Bella's ear.

I reach my pinky out to stroke hers while she looks up at me.

"I'm fine. How about you?" She giggles.

I love you; madly, deeply.

"Ok." Is what comes out instead.

Though it feels like I'll never be ok again. Not after what I've done.

Tanya starts with us a lunch on select days now and I know it's driving everyone crazy. Those days are the ones I feel the most shitty. I'm trying to make everyone happy but I don't know how anymore.

"So Ed…sleep over tonight?" Jazz questions.

"I want Peach to make her brownies!" Emmett practically screams.

She giggles at him. The sound makes my heart clench. It feels like it's been an eternity since I've heard her laugh.

"You want brownies to Edward?" She looks up at me expectantly.

A low whimper escapes me; that I hope no one heard; as I look into those melted chocolate pools.

"Hell yea babes. Is that even a question?"

Tanya clears her throat obnoxiously as she shoots daggers at Bella.

"Edddyyy I want to come too." She whines, giving me puppy dog eyes.

I don't even get a word out before Emmett, Jasper and Bella are yelling.

"NOO!"

I give them a hard stare. My look warning them to shut the fuck up.

"Tan it's just a guy thing." I murmur soothingly.

"Last I checked Bella isn't a guy." She huffs.

I roll my eyes. Why does she have to make dating her so difficult?

"She's like one of the guys. Trust me Tan it'll be fine. You can't come but I'll plan our own little sleepover." I drop my voice seductively.

Maybe that will placate her enough for her to leave well enough alone. I notice Bella's face screws up in disgust. She doesn't look up or even speak before she rushes out of the cafeteria. My first instinct is to go after her. I stand up quickly at the same time Jazz does. He gives me a look.

"I got her."

My eyes narrow but I let him go. I'll catch up to them in a second.

"What was that all about Edward." Tanya hisses.

"Bella is my friend and I wanted to make sure she's ok."

"Jazz has her. You worry too much." Emmett chuckles.

I know he's trying to down play how depressed Peach has been feeling. My body is tense as I wait. I want to give Jasper enough time to speak to her, console her. I can't wait any longer. I stand up abruptly.

"Edward wait up!" Tanya calls after me.

As we turn the corner my eyes narrow to slits as I see Jasper holding a watery eyed Bella.

"Looky Eddy! Bella is already moving on." Tanya borderline screeches with joy.

Peach looks up at me but I keep my face arrange is a blank mask. I'm livid. She's my girl, mine to comfort.

"I thought it was my job to comfort you Peach?" My voice comes out low.

Tanya's head snaps to look at me. I don't meet her gaze. I'm solely interested in Bella and Bella only.

"You were busy and I have other friends. I'm not your sole responsibility Edward." She snaps sharply.

I scoff and roll my eyes. She's ridiculous. She's 100% my responsibility and if it was up to me she'd solely be mine.

"Edward I'm so confused as to why you're upset. Bella isn't your girl." Tanya's voice drips with malice.

I cock my head to the side staring intensely at Bella. She meets my gaze just as vehemently.

"Peach will always be my girl." I smirk.

Tanya turns beet red in anger then.

"That's so funny Eddy. You mean I'm your girl right?"

Inside I almost find it funny the way her question comes out as a threat. Outwardly I don't even flinch. I look at her but I know my expression is dead. Whatever she saw in my eyes she didn't like it.

"You're my girlfriend sure, but Peach- Peach will always be my girl, my best friend, and my other half. Always." I leave no room for arguing.

She staggers back and looks at me in disbelief.

"What does that mean for us?" Her voice is small now.

"Whatever you want it to mean." I shrug.

I literally don't care. I almost feel like a piece of shit for stringing Tanya along but we've been doing this sneaky shit for a year. Not once in that year have I ever given her an indication that this was the outcome I wanted. She knows I have no interest in her past a quick fuck. We can pretend otherwise along as Bella pretends she doesn't want me back.

The bell rings making the girls jump. I look at Bella. My eyes penetrating her soul.

"Hey Tanya we're going the same way. Let's walk together." Jasper offers.

Always the mediator that one. I owe him one for sure now. In her shock Tanya wordlessly follows him. I look back down at Bella who's staring after them.

"Baby?" I breathe.

Her eyes immediately snap to mine, knocked out of whatever thoughts running through her head.

"Hmm?" Is her brilliant response.

I chuckle silently before I smile at her.

"I love you." I test.

"You're pushing it Edward."

My first reaction is to crawl away and lick my wounds. She doesn't want to hear that I love her. She doesn't realize she feels the same way. Boy does it hurt.

"I'm sorry love but you have to know how I feel. It's important to me to be open and honest with you. Plus I need to make sure that you don't think Tanya is replacing you."

Her brows furrow.

"Why do you think that I think Tanya is trying to replace me." Her voice is monotone.

Fuck. Maybe I should have said anything.

"I didn't say that. I said I want you to NOT think that. Either way Tanya already thinks she has. I'm trying to keep it balanced. Let you both know you're place in my life." I try to sound nonchalant.

"This is a conversation you should be having with your girlfriend." She sneers.

"Bella…I've already spoken to Tanya. She already knows everything including my feelings for you."

"You're…you're feelings for me?" She squeaks.

There I fucking said it. Might as well come out with it and hopefully push her along. Please let this open her eyes. I don't know what I would do otherwise. I stare at her fervently. I could see her brain working double time. She finally meets my gaze.

"You don't have feelings for me." She shakes her head.

"I do Peach. I have hella feelings for you. I don't even know what to do with it all. It feels like I'll burst at any minute." I breathe.

"Then why are you with Tanya." She hisses.

Ah yes that age old question.

"Isn't that what you wanted? I thought you didn't want this, didn't want us. I was trying to please you."

I'd rake my balls through hot coals for you. Tell me how to fix this please.

"I don't want us, not right now." She cries. "Everything is so messed up and I don't know how to feel. Why didn't you tell me sooner." She's openly sobbing now.

My poor Peach. My heart can't take this.

"Baby, please stop crying." I whisper as I cup her face.

I rub my thumb under her eyes trying to wipe away her desperate tears. It's killing me that I'm the one who made her cry. I pull her face to mine with every intention of kissing her forehead.

"Edward please." Her voice trembles with a thousand wants.

I can't help myself. I crush my lips hard to hers, unhinged. She whimpers into my mouth and it does nothing but ignite a fire. My cock hardness in my pants. I curse inwardly at myself. That feeling is quickly pushed away as she tugs my hair roughly. She opens her mouth to suck in air but I take advantage and slip my tongue in. Our tongues fight for dominance. I ultimately end up winning. I groan again and pull away from her. I have to do this right. What's wrong with me? I fucking attacked her. Her eyes flutter open to meet mine. I'm sure she's shocked at my pitch black eyes. She blushes at the sight of me and it only makes the lust worse.

"Sorry." I rasp, leaning my forehead against hers.

"No you aren't." She giggles breathlessly.

I smile to myself. She knows me well. I don't ever feel sorry for anything unless it hurts the ones I care about and this definitely isn't hurting her.

"No I'm not." I murmur rubbing my thumb across her swollen bottom lip.

What I wouldn't give to fill that pretty mouth of hers. I'm sure she would happily take all of me. The last bell rings again snapping me out of my hungry thoughts.

"We're going to be late, we should head to class." She hums.

"You're right, you're right." I concede.

I stand up straight and rake my fingers through my hair anxiously. Was this too much? Did I go too far? I shouldn't have done it this way. I should have thought this out better. I definitely need to break up with Tanya and start pursuing my Peach heavily. I sigh as I look down at her. I wish she know how complex my thoughts were. I push everything out of my mind and start tugging her along to biology.

"I hope you know we need to talk about this sometime today."

I hear nothing but silence.