Chapter 25

We used to do this all the time, back in the beginning. On our shitty first bus as we worked our asses off in crap bars opening for the opening band of headliners.

We played for things we found then… condoms, bags of chips, phone numbers.

Second time in a week I'd let my guard down to hang out with these motherfuckers I once loved like brothers. Still did.

And now we had Bella. Baby baby baby kept repeating in my head and I was anxious to record it. It was the first time in a long time I'd had any thought to.

I was winning, of course, but she held her own with the cards. Didn't make too many mistakes, didn't make stupid bets like Yorkie.

Something about her getting all pally with them irked me. I didn't want her to be alone with them. I didn't want her to like them more than me. I didn't want her to stop getting nervous and sweaty when I was around.

I wanted her to continue to want me and only me.

I'm a selfish prick.

I looked over at her, lips twisted while she thought about the cards she held, what cards were showing in front of Jasper.

She narrowed her eyes at me and turned her cards away when I tried to sneak a look. I couldn't help smiling at her. Cute.

What a chick word to use.

That wasn't the word I thought when I first saw her. Like most women I'd met, I thought she was hot enough. Good for a night or two, wrestling in sheets, throwing her around like a doll. Adios and close the door on your way out.

Fun to toy with. Fun to annoy Carlisle with. Fun to toss away when done.

I hadn't planned on finding her interesting.

Sweet, spunky, headstrong. Troublesome trio.

Now I was attracted to her because she was hot and fucking nice. Nice to me, when I'd given her no reason to be.

I liked having her next to me on that picnic bench, like I did at the bar. Having her next to me felt good. Like now. Having her squashed against me at the table simply felt right. I didn't want her to go, didn't want her to move to another seat.

Having her next to me made me feel like I was an okay person because if someone like her chose to be near me, how bad could I really be?

Out of the corner of my eye I saw her hand reach slowly towards my mug of whiskey. We were all drinking, Jake with his tequila, Jasper and Yorkie had their beer. Poker and booze go together.

I didn't stop her when she pulled my mug in front of her, curious to see how far she'd go. Was she really daring to take MY mug? Drink MY whiskey?

She put it to her lips while playing a game of pretend. Pretending I hadn't noticed, wasn't watching. Innocent eyes big and pointed to the ceiling as she took a small sip then swallowed. Her face scrunched and her body gave a shiver.

"Niece," I said low, leaning in. "What are you doing?"

"It was just a sip."

"From my mug." She didn't look disturbed. Didn't seem scared. "I don't recall you asking for permission." Maybe I was trying to get her to be. Run, baby baby baby. Far from me.

She looked at me, kept the mug held in her hands and shrugged. "Then reach around and get me my own," she said. Completely serious.

Kinda stubborn and bratty.

I narrowed my eyes. Glared at her. Thought about it, 'cause fuck, demanding Bella was fuck hot, too. I was surprised I liked it as much as I did.

"I'd rather share," I challenged. Pushed. Let's see if she would break. I grabbed my mug, took a swig, and pushed it back in front of her.

She took it immediately.

We shared the mug back and forth while we played. She took little sips, but kept sipping like a champ. She wasn't drunk, neither was I really.

So I don't know why I did what I did.

Don't know why I reached under the table.

Touched her knee.

And pulled her leg right over on top of mine.