Chapter 14
EPOV
—DC—
I couldn't do it.
I couldn't stand there and listen to her go on and on about her boyfriend and how cute he was. So I made some lame excuse about needing to make phone calls. Rose knew I had no phone calls to make, and there was no way she didn't know I was lying.
I laid low for what felt like hours, listening to them talk and giggle. I heard the pop of at least three champagne bottles, and who knew what else they'd gotten into. But I was glad they were having fun. I was happy they were reuniting. Rose didn't have many girl-friends—aside from Alice—who she rarely saw since she'd moved to Texas with Jasper.
There was no way I was joining them, though. I knew my sister…and her lack of a filter. Some bits of the conversation drifted under my door. What I heard…I could hardly stomach it from inside my room, never mind in front of Bella. I didn't need to know if Seth had a huge dick. However, if I'd heard correctly, it was just average. And I definitely did not need to know if he was good in bed or not.
It was hypocritical of me. I wasn't a virgin, and it wasn't that I expected her to be. Nevertheless, I wished we could have been each other's first. I wished that she could have trusted me back then, the way she obviously trusted her boyfriend. But I couldn't go back in time and change the past, no matter how much I wanted to.
That was when the thought hit me. Maybe I couldn't change the past, but I could change the future. If I still knew Bella—even just a little—I was positive that if she was truly happy in her relationship, she wouldn't be swayed. But what if she wasn't happy and didn't know it because he was her first everything? The most I could do was try, and if nothing came of it...at least I'd know I gave it my all.
There was a light knock on my door, so I climbed out of bed, pulling it open to find Bella on the other side. There was a rosy tint to her cheeks, and her pupils were slightly dilated. She gave me a lazy smile, and I knew for sure then, she was wasted.
"I didn't know if you were awake, but I wanted to say good night, you know, if you were awake." There was a slight slur to her words, and I couldn't keep the grin off my lips.
"I'm definitely awake. Did you drive here today?"
She shook her head, causing a few strands of hair to flop into her face. She attempted to blow them away, but eventually gave up, pushing them out of her sight. "Nope. I took a cab, I'll take one home."
I took a deep breath, trying my best not to laugh at her antics. She was a fucking adorable drunk. "Will you let me make sure you get home? If you give me a few minutes, I can have a car here, and I'll ride with you to your house. I'd feel better knowing that you got home safely."
Shrugging, she threw herself down on my bed. "Suit yourself, movie star." She giggled.
I snorted as I grabbed my phone, rolling my eyes at her. I made a quick call to the car service my manager set me up with. "They'll be here in about fifteen minutes."
—DC—
I breathed in deeply as we stepped into the elevator. "Bella?"
"Hm?" Her eyelids were heavy, and I had to wonder how much she'd really drank or if she was just a lightweight.
"I don't know how many reporters will be outside, but there's bound to be some. Just keep your head down and follow me straight to the car, all right?"
She chewed on her bottom lip for a moment. "They already know who I am, Edward. They saw me coming in this afternoon. Besides, don't worry, they would never think we were together."
Furrowing my brow, I looked at her. She stood there, leaning against the wall. Her eyes were shut now, she'd given in to their weight. I took the opportunity to let my gaze drift down her body for what felt like the hundredth time that day.
Bella looked confident; she walked well in heels, no she'd strutted in them earlier. She acted as if she knew her worth. But it seemed like she was just like me, she was a great actor.
Alcohol loosened people up, it let them speak the truths they typically hid. Bella's truth was the fact that inside, she was that young girl who had been hurt. It made my chest ache. Didn't that man of hers build her up? Did he not tell her she was a goddess and that anyone who got close to her should count themselves lucky?
The elevator doors slid open, and I placed my hand on the small of her back, leading her into the lobby. I stopped us before we were in sight of anyone. I drew in another deep breath, trying to find my balls. She might not even remember my words in the morning, but I had to try. "I've always thought you were beautiful, inside and out. And that hasn't changed after all of these years. If any of those people outside of this building assumed that we were together, I'd have a hard time setting them straight. A man would be a fool not to be proud to have you on his arm."
"Edward—"
I shook my head. I didn't want to hear her explain she was with someone. "Don't, Bella. I know. As long as he's good to you...anyway, Emmett will make sure we get to the car unscathed." I gripped her hand in mine, and internally cheered when she didn't pull away. But as soon as we got to the door, I slipped my hand out from hers, placing it between her shoulder blades instead.
She was drunk and most likely unable to make the best decisions at the moment. I wouldn't take advantage of that. In this business, something as simple as a hand hold would be misconstrued, setting off a whole slew of rumors.
No matter how much I wanted her, no matter how hard I was willing to try to prove to her I was the man she needed, I wouldn't cause her trouble.
If she truly loved him, I'd never want to take that love away from her.
But if she didn't, I'd do everything in my power to make her mine.
Well, he's not going to give up easily, is he?!