previously…

"He's cute. Do you know him?" She commented.

I nodded.

"Who is it?" Drunk Tanya was also incredibly nosey, but from the corner of my eye, I could see Edward also looking at me with interest.

"The reason I don't drink Jim Beam."

CHAPTER 5 –

He hadn't changed much in three years. His black hair was messy hanging out from under his Stetson, and his jeans were dusty. The same tan skin, the same cocky walk, the same beat up Tony Lama's. The memories all flooded back, and I tried my best to push them away.

I tried to ignore him. I tried to keep busy behind the bar, but it wasn't long until Tanya had me caught in another meaningless conversation and he caught my eye.

He smirked as he walked towards me.

"I heard you were back in town." He greeted as he took an empty barstool on the other side of Tanya.

"Do you need a drink, Jacob?" I snapped.

"No hello? It's been a while, Bella. We should catch up."

I rolled my eyes. "You can drink, or you can go. The Stockyards are right down the road, and I'm sure there's plenty of buckle bunnies there just dreaming for a chance to get in the back of your crappy old truck."

"Still a firecracker, I see." He said with a smile.

"Order a drink before I get my bouncer."

He sighed dramatically. "I'll have a whiskey. You know how I like it."

I rolled my eyes again and went to make the drink. I hated that I remembered what he liked. I hated that three years later, seeing him in front of me still felt like a gut punch. I hated him and every little bit of his arrogant cowboy demeanor. How he acted like he owned every room he walked into. How he acted like he could get any girl he wanted. How he thought that he was the greatest there ever was. And I hated the most that there was a time that his confidence was what made me fall for him.

When I walked back to where he had been seated, he was gone.

"Where'd he go?" I asked Tanya.

She shrugged. "I get the feeling you're not a fan of his."

I looked at her incredulously. "Oh, yeah? I can't imagine why that might be."

"Look, I don't know your history, but he seems nice. Maybe he's here to apologize for whatever it was that he did." She offered sweetly.

"Ha!" I laughed humorlessly.

"Tanya, I don't think we really have anything to do with this." Edward said softly.

At that moment, I was so grateful for Edward shutting her up that I forgot I was supposed to be mad at him, too.

Jacob walked back over with an evil glint in his eye and the same conceited smirk I had once loved.

I handed him his drink and was about to walk away when he called my name again.

"What? I have other people at the bar besides you."

"The DJ's about to play us a song. Why don't you take your break and come dance with me?"

"I just started my shift two and a half hours ago. I'm not going to take my break right now."

"Not even five minutes?" He asked, giving me the same puppy dog look he always did when he wanted to get his way.

"No. I'm not going to leave the other bartender by herself."

Carmen was sweet enough to overhear the conversation and insist that it was fine and that a third bartender was due to walk in any minute. I knew she thought she was doing the right thing, but as much as I liked Carmen, I wanted nothing more than to ring her neck.

I looked over Jacob. "Fine. One song. And then I'm back here and you leave me alone for the rest of the night."

He nodded. "I could live with that."

I sighed and walked out from behind the bar when the opening notes to Me and My Kind by Cody Johnson started playing. I looked over my shoulder and glared at Jacob, who was still smiling smugly. That wasn't a song I was about to dance with him to. And he knew exactly why.

"Are you trying to be funny?"

He shrugged. "It's just a song, Bella."

I saw red, and before I knew it, my arm was up and swinging at his jaw. I felt two strong arms pull me back, and I tried to fight them away to get another swing. My hand was screaming in pain, but it had been worth it to see the shock and anger on Jacob's face. The bouncer came and pulled Jacob out of the bar as the two arms dragged me out of the side exit. I fought every step.

"Okay, Mike Tyson, you wanna tell me what the hell your problem is?"

I froze when I heard the voice in my ear. Edward.

I pushed him off. "Why do you care?"

"You just assaulted a random guy in the bar that you work at. A bar that I'm part owner of. Forgive me, but I'm a little concerned about having a lawsuit on my desk Monday morning." He seethed.

Well, that was new information for me. Jasper and Alice had never mentioned Edward being an owner.

"He's not a random guy, and he's too fucking broke to try and sue me or the bar. He knew what he was doing, and he knew he had it coming for him." I ranted. "Fuck, I need a cigarette."

Edward sighed heavily. "I'll go get you one, but will you please stay put and try not sucker punch anymore of the customers?"

I nodded, deciding it was better to stay quiet.

Edward went inside and emerged about five minutes later with a box of cigarettes and a lighter.

I took one out, lit it, and handed the box and lighter back to Edward. He threw them down on one of the outdoor tables. "Talk." He commanded.

Sighing, I hopped up on the porch railings and took another drag from the cigarette. "I guess you could call him an ex. We dated on and off for a while when I first went to college. I thought he was the one. I dropped out to follow him around when he rodeoed. He ended up being super toxic. It was a real great time." I said sarcastically. "Dated a couple other guys I met in the circuit after that. Same exact story. Gave up on cowboys. Started breaking hearts. Ya know, just your typical angsty country music bullshit." I avoided his eyes as I told him. I didn't want to see the look on his face. The look that said, 'I was right' or 'I told you so.'

"So, you're like this because of that?"

My head shot up, and I narrowed my eyes at him. "I am the way I am. It doesn't matter how I got here."

Edward shook his head and sat down at one of the tables in front of me. "You're misunderstanding me. You're really going to let one sorry son of bitch and his pack of wannabe outlaws keep you running from everything you care about the rest of your life? I don't know, Bella. You just seemed a little more badass than that." He commented, leaning back in his chair. "If this is what you want... if you do want to live like a Highwayman for the rest of your life, find a better cause. Because this ain't the hill to die on, darlin'."

I stayed silent and hung my head, afraid that if I tried to talk that I would start crying. I didn't want him to know how much his words cut through me or how much I didn't want to admit that he was probably right.

Thankfully, the side door flew open, and Alice came barreling through with Jasper on her heels. "What the hell happened? I came here for a nice Saturday night cocktail and Carmen tells me that Edward had to physically restrain you from murdering a customer?"

Before I could answer, Edward spoke. "It's fine, Ali. Bella and I have already discussed it. Jasper, can I talk to you?"

Jasper nodded and the two of them went back inside.

Alice turned back to me with wide eyes. "You good, Rocky?"

"I'm fine." My voice cracked, and I internally cursed at myself as I raised my shaking hand to take another drag from the cigarette.

Her eyes softened, and she rushed to envelope me in a hug.

I broke down. It was an ugly cry. I sobbed uncontrollably. And as soon as I thought I was finished, it would just all come back to the surface again. My throat was raw, and my head hurt when I finally did stop crying.

"You wanna talk about it?" She asked softly, hopping up on the banister next to me. I shook my head and rested my head on her shoulder. She rested her head on top of mine and grabbed my hand. "I'm sorry I took the last good guy on Earth." She joked halfheartedly.

I couldn't help the small smile that crept on my lips. "No, you're not."

She laughed. "No… I'm not."

~ Coffee & Bourbon ~

Monday came quickly after my lazy Sunday and brought with it a long meeting with Jasper in his office at the bar. Jasper did most of the talking, reminding me that I was working as a favor to his sister more than anything else and that if anything like what had happened Saturday ever happened again, it wouldn't just be a warning. I told him I understood and that I was thankful for the job and that it wouldn't happen again. I felt awful about it in the cold light of day. I should've kept my cool, and there was no excuse.

But later that day, I overheard the bouncers talking about how they were given strict orders not to let Jacob in again, regardless of if I was working or not. I briefly wondered who was behind that decision.

I had plans to get lunch with Rosalie after my meeting with Jasper, and a very large part of me didn't want to go. I was sure the news had gotten back to her and Emmett. It wasn't a conversation I was particularly looking forward to.

The start of lunch was a little awkward, neither one of us wanting to bring up the belt buckle wearing elephant in the room. After we got our drinks and ordered our meals, Rosalie sighed. "I won't talk about it if you don't want to, but just let me know you're doing okay?"

"I'm fine, Rosalie."

"Are you sure? You know I never liked him. Cocky son of a bitch. He treated you like a trophy."

And when we first met, that's what I had loved about him most.

"Really. I am. The punch really brought me some good closure." I joked.

"Well, I know Jasper probably wasn't happy about it, but… your brother and I are proud of you for it. Cowboy had it coming for a while. He's lucky Emmett wasn't there."

I smirked. "Yeah, I know."

Both Rosalie's and my phones dinged at the same time three times in a row. We looked at each other with furrowed brows and checked our phones. It was a group chat with Alice.

BITCH.

We need to get dinner this week.

I have gossip.

"What is she talking about?" Rosalie laughed.

I shrugged. "I have no idea, but I guess we're going to find out this week."

Our phones went off again.

I can't wait.

Let's meet at the bar tonight during Bella's shift.

"I guess we're finding out tonight." Rosalie amended.

Rosalie and I both sent in the group that we'd be there, ready to hear all of the details. I didn't know what she would possibly have to tell us, but I was always up to hear drama about people I didn't know. It was like free, real life cable.

After Rosalie and I finished lunch, I went back to my apartment to take a nap before my shift. I woke back up fifteen minutes before my shift was supposed to start, and after a long string of curse words, I pulled myself out of bed and hastily got dressed for the night. I made it downstairs with two minutes to spare.

Alice was already seated at the bar, bouncing with excitement.

I clocked in and turned to her. "So?" I asked.

"We have to wait for Rosalie, but I promise, it's worth the wait."

I raised an eyebrow at her but started some busy work around the bar area. It looked like it would be a slow night.

Rosalie and Emmett walked in about twenty minutes later. Emmett greeted me with a high five above the bar, ordered a beer, and then walked off to find Jasper. Rosalie sat down next to Alice and ordered one of our complicated signature drinks. I tried to hide my annoyance as I started mixing it for her. Alice started talking while my back was turned.

"Edward and Tanya broke up." She announced quickly and excitedly.

I froze and looked over my shoulder. "You're kidding." I replied flatly.

She shook her head so fast that I thought it might snap off.

"Why?" Rosalie asked.

I turned to finish Rosalie's drink while I listened to Alice start to explain. "Well, apparently, they got home last night from an engagement party for one of her friends, and she just lost her shit on him. Screaming, crying, throwing stuff, demanding to know when he'd give her a ring. No answer was good enough. It's like she wanted him to leave and go to the jewelry store right then and there. And no matter how much he tried to tell her that he was just waiting for the right time, for the both of them to get more settled in their careers, the more she'd push him. Eventually he got enough of it and just dumped her. Right then and there. Just told her to get the hell out of his house and that he didn't want to see her again."

I handed Rosalie her drink and stared at Alice with wide eyes. "You're kidding." I repeated.

"Oh, so she's crazy crazy." Rosalie said, taking a sip of her drink and smiling. "This is good, B."

"Thanks." I replied. "Now back to this whole situation, Edward just called and told you all of this?"

"No, he told Jasper this morning, but obviously, I know everything Jasper knows. He wouldn't keep anything from me. Especially not something like this."

"Damn." I said, leaning back and crossing my arms. "Well, I'll be. Didn't think ol' boy had it in him."

Alice smiled evilly. "So now, I can finish setting the two of you up."

My jaw fell open.

Rosalie burst out with laughter, her drink nearly coming out of her nose.

I regained my train of thought. "I'm sorry, Alice. I just had a stroke. I thought you said you were trying to set me up with your brother. Who hates me."

"He does not hate you. In fact, I think he quite likes you. He finds you interesting."

"Did Edward tell you that? Or did you hear it through your husband?" I asked flatly.

"Well, neither, but I can just tell."

"You're just about as crazy as Tanya, you know that?"

"Don't be a bitch." Alice replied. "I think you'd be good for each other. He's kind of a cocky, uptight asshole and you're a super sweet free spirit. Like yin and yang. The perfect complement to each other."

Rosalie scoffed. "Bella? Sweet?"

I glared at her. "I'm nice."

"Bella is nice." Alice insisted. "You should see her with her customers. They all love her."

"Yeah, Rose. I'm lovable." I gloated. She rolled her eyes. I turned back to Alice. "Also, calling your brother a cocky, uptight asshole does not make me want to go out with him, you're aware of that correct?"

"Oh please, arrogant and rigid is obviously your type and don't tell me I'm wrong because I'm not wrong."

"She's not wrong." Rosalie agreed.

I huffed.

"And he wasn't always that way. I mean… cocky, yes, but uptight, no. He actually used to be really fun to hang out with. I think you'd bring that out in him again, and I think being with an older guy might help you, too." Alice explained.

I narrowed my eyes at her. "This is about me staying within an hour of driving distance. This isn't about trying to set me up with my soulmate."

"You're damn right it is." Alice snapped.

I sighed heavily. "Alice."

"Look, I don't think she's completely crazy for thinking that the two of you might work." Rosalie cut in. "Honestly, I think you might be pretty cute together. Just see if anything happens. If it works out, it works out. If it doesn't, it doesn't. You're here for at least three more weeks. Why not have some fun while you're here?"

"He's not going to go along with this, Alice." I stated.

She smirked. "Then why're you stressing about it, Bella? Just give in and let me meddle if nothing's going to come from it anyway."

I narrowed my eyes at her again. "Fine. Do your worst, but it won't. Work."

"We'll see." She sang smugly before taking a sip of her drink.

I shook my head. Staying in Fort Worth was starting to be a lot more than I bargained for.

A/N Some of y'all's reviews really crack me up. There will be no more Edward and Tanya couple-y moments from here on out. Cross my heart. Hope you enjoyed this one. Things get more E/B focused from here because as some of you may already know, I hate drama and love romance. Like I said before, it definitely won't be straight fluff, but it's a whole lot of Bella figuring shit out and growing up and Edward being along for the ride and making changes in his own life. She does seem to be wishy-washy on life itself (honestly, she drove me a little crazy writing this story which is why I gave the warning that in the first few chapters, she's a little hard to root for), but she's also a 21 year old commitment phob that spends seventy percent of her time in bars and didn't have her college years to figure life out, so her maturity is a little behind. She catches up, though. I will promise you that. The next chapter is a huge turning point. Things just need to hit the fan first. ;)

Anyway, let me know what you think, bebs. Until the next one.