Chapter 7
A/N
Yeah, James makes me sick too! You see what an asshole he is now you get to see how demented he actually is…one sick puppy (blech!).
Bella didn't call Edward because she really likes him. She knows full well what James is capable of but has no idea what Edward is actually capable of. With Edward's safety in mind, she wouldn't want a confrontation between the two…although it is inevitable. But her fears are unwarranted – believe me, Edward can handle himself.
Jake does have other 'business related' things to do…so he can't be with Bella all the time.
…
"Hey!" I look up and Emmett nods his head at me. "You keeping your dick up?"
Smirking, I glance sideways at my brother. "Why? You wanna lick it?"
He motions to the drink that's been sitting on my desk. "You gonna drink or just fucking sit there?"
"Sit."
"What's your problem?"
I don't answer at first. I have a lot of fucking problems at the moment. But the one that seems to be consuming my every fucking thought is Bella.
I've been fucking pissed since that last phone call…and being the dick that I am - I haven't talked to her since. Not that she's called me either – which is another reason I'm pissed. Logically I tell myself she's just fucking busy…but something inside doesn't like that word 'busy'. Busy is too vague of a word; it's like a big fucking umbrella and covers a lot of fucking ground. My mind has been working over time trying to define busy. I don't like the definitions I've come up with for busy.
Other girls? It's always the same shit. I don't call for a few fucking days and I'm being phone stalked. Ignore those calls - and all the sudden they're staking a missing fucking person's ad and putting their friends on that high amber alert shit. Fuck that!
But this one – she's different. She knows who she is and she's fucking amazing. She doesn't need me up her ass to feel like she's worth something. She has her own mind, her own life, her own fucking interests and it blows my mind that it all continues to exist without my fucking presence. As amazing and fucking hot as that is – it's also got me shaking like some little school boy. For once I'm the pathetic fool on a rope wishing I could be in her back pocket. For the first fucking time I find my confidence wavering and I don't fucking like it.
"She's got a date." I take a drink and swallow hard, biting against the burn of the whiskey.
"Who?" He asks me this and I really don't want to hear her name right now.
"Who? What are you asking me who? You know who?"
"No, I don't or I wouldn't be asking." I can feel Emmett's eyes watching me curiously. "You still thinking about that broad from the café? Is that what this is about? I can't believe you-"
"Stop with the shit. What do you want me to do?"
"Do us all a favor…go get your dick wet already and your head out of your ass!"
These past few days I have been a real prick. I shake my head in frustration and return my attention to my drink. I watch my fingers twist the glass back and forth on the table.
"She has a date – so what? What are you gonna do? You gonna buy her flowers and take her out and shit?"
I chuckle and take a drink. "Maybe." Shit, this girl has given my mind one serious fuck.
"Maybe," Emmett repeats.
I lean back in my chair and rest my head against my laced hands. "Yeah, maybe." My mind continues to wander…more scenarios to define busy – although this time I'm the one keeping her busy. I like this kind of busy better.
Shifting in my seat to adjust my shit, I absently pull out my rubber band ball from the drawer and toss it from hand to hand. "You hungry?"
"Yeah, I could eat."
"Yeah? You could always eat." I throw my rubber band ball at him. "I was thinking we'd stop in Rosebuds."
Emmett tosses the rubber band ball up and catches it. "Rosebuds? It's not Tuesday. Are Marcus and Carlisle –"
"No. This isn't business."
He tosses the ball up and catches it again. "Uh, huh. So is this your way of asking me out on a date?"
"Yeah, I'm ah…practicing for the real thing." I catch the ball he tosses back and give him my best 'fuck off' smile.
"What? No flowers?" He jokes.
"What flowers?"
"I'm hurt – you could've at least picked up a handful of those shitty carnation things from Fat Tony down on the corner."
"Could've, yeah, but I'm irresistible and being the whore that you are…" I toss him the ball back a little harder this time. "… you'll still say yes."
"That's real nice. Is that what you're gonna say to Bella?"
I catch the ball back. "No – she can have the flowers. So you wanna go or you got a frozen meal waiting for you at home?"
"Fuck you."
"You should look into getting that peapod shit."
"Who do you think is gonna cook it?"
"Fuck if I know…isn't it already prepared…"
"It's not like meals on wheels."
"Fuck, whatever. So you in?"
"I think you like playing house with Bella a little too much."
"I like her – so what?"
"And this sudden trip to Rosebuds…you a stalker now too?"
I roll my eyes but really Emmett's not far from the truth at this point. "Stalker?" I laugh and shake my head. "Definitely not. Curious? Maybe." Shamelessly nosy fucking bastard – absolutely.
"Just so you know…for the record – I think this is stupid…but whatever we'll go. Now can we please get out of this fucking room."
I open my arms wide, gesturing to the room. "What's wrong with my office?" I take an exaggerated whiff around my desk. "Does it stink in here or something?"
"No, it doesn't stink." Emmett shrugs. "I don't know it's too fucking small in here." Emmett loosens the top button of his shirt and pulls at his collar. "I feel like a fucking caged animal or something. Let's go to the bar. It's hot in here and now I'm thirsty. You always keep it so hot?"
"It's not hot in here. Maybe Rosalie finally cut off your shit and you're getting hot flashes now like a woman."
"Rosalie went with her sister to visit her aunt. She's gone till Sunday." Emmett turns and wags his eyebrows.
"And what are you going to be doing till then?"
"Janeen."
I frown. "Janeen? Janeen out there? What is it with you and strippers?" Janeen was a new girl I had hired and apparently Emmett's new slampiece.
"They're hot and it's easy and convenient –same reason you had a hard-on for Tanya. Plus strippers don't mind doing things the wifey won't do."
I smirk at Emmett, "And the ah…wife, she's gonna let you shack up with your whores while she's gone?"
"She'll be busy at the spa…doing chick shit." Rosalie was always fucking out and about…doing chick shit. If it was me, I'd have to wonder if she doesn't have her own booty call on the side. Karma is a bitch like that. If it were me, I'd fucking check up on her shit. Jesus Christ, I don't even want to think about what would happen if Emmett found some other guy between Rose's legs. Emmett would flip his fucking lid; they'd be finding pieces of that mother fuck all over the state.
Laurent enters the club and quickly makes eye contact; he nods his head confirming he has the information I sent him for. 'Bout fucking time. I jerk my head to the right indicating he should head back to my office.
Turning to Emmett, "Sounds like you got it all figured out then. Look, I got something…I'll be back. You gonna be around?"
"Yeah – I'll be here." I clap my hand on his shoulder and give it a squeeze before heading back to my office.
Closing the door behind me, I move to sit at my desk and light a smoke. "Where the fuck have you been?"
Laurent shrugs. "This…ah friend isn't always easy to find. Prefers to stay off the radar…you know what I mean?"
"While you're too fucking busy playing hide and seek, I had to make your stops."
"Skip-" I hold up my fingers to silence him.
"Today is payday. You want your cut – you'd better tell me something I don't fucking know."
"Yeah..right. This James Mancini he crosses that thin blue line at every turn."
Nothing I haven't heard recently. "Yeah...so I hear. What else?"
"He's in everyone's fucking pockets . " Again nothing I haven't already heard. "Word is you got a trial and need a little help having the jury see your side – you know make the witness look questionable…you pay him. He gets paid to make favorable arrests and the DA is fucked. Who the fuck's gonna believe Joe Fucking Blow – a nobody who's been labeled a fucking drug dispensing baby raper?"
"Whose payroll is he on?"
"Fuck, whose payroll isn't he on. For the right price your witness gets a fucking headache." Laurent tilts his head and taps his temple with his index finger. "The kind ain't no doc prescription is gonna fix."
"He's got a loose fucking screw. Shot some kid and IABs got him seeing the head shrinker."
"Now this is an interesting fact. You wanted to know where he sticks his dick?" Laurent laughs.
"Turns out he used to fuck Kate." Laurent laughs at my surprised expression. "Yeah, you're uh little Katie…" He jerks his thumb toward the door. "…out there."
Kate and I have never fucked and she's not my anything nor will she ever be. Other than Tanya - I don't make a habit of shitting where I eat.
"Little Katie…little buttona's more like it…used to turn tricks over on Lower Wacker."
I leave my office in search of Kate and try to push down the annoyance aside when Jake says she's in the back with Emmett. I could give a fuck what they're doing and push the door wide open.
"Hey! Zip your shit up!"
Emmett flinches back. "Fuck! That's enough!" Emmett pushes Janeen away from him and gives her a light slap across her cheek. "Watch those fucking teeth!"
Janeen uses her fingertips to wipe off her lips and snakes her naked body back up Emmett's leg. "Can I try again?"
"No!" Shoving Janeen away, Emmett stands to tuck his shirt in before zipping up and walking past her.
My patience is wearing thin. Pointing to Kate, "You….put your fucking clothes on and get back out there." I turn to Emmett, "Where the fuck is Kate?"
Adjusting his belt he walks over to me and nods in Janeen's direction. "That broad's got teeth like a fucking beaver." Then like he just heard me, he asks, "Kate? Why?" Chuckling, he bumps my shoulder with his own. "You got an itch that needs to be scratched?"
"Fuck you."
"I don't know…Katie's around here somewhere. What's going on?" I don't answer and turn to walk back to the floor with Emmett in tow.
"You seen Kate?" Emmett asks as Tyler leans across the counter to grab a beer.
"Yeah, she stepped out – went to get a coffee."
Yeah, we all know what that fucking means.
"Bull shit a fucking coffee – she just wants to run down and get fucked up!" Grabbing Tyler by his collar, I yank him off the stool. "You get your ass up and get her ass back here! Now!"
"She's a junkie, man –"
"She's a junkie? She's a junkie?" I turn to face Emmett. "Listen to this one over here." Turning back to Tyler, "What the fuck are you?" I tap his head with my fingers. "Did you hear me?"
"Yeah."
"Then why the fuck are you still here?" I yank his collar and shove him towards the door. "Bring her ass back here!"
Tyler is walking a thin line and I am this close to cracking his head like a fucking coconut.
"I don't fucking believe this shit!"
Jake walks over and puts his hand on my shoulder. "Yo, Skip - relax. He'll bring her back. Come on, sit have a few drinks. Let it go."
I sit and run my hand over my face because all the sudden I feel fucking tired. I haven't slept for shit these last few nights. It's funny while I should be fucking happy I'm not spending the night on those stone fucking slabs Bella calls couch cushions – I'm not. That was the best fucking sleep ever.
Jake banters with the guys and I only listen with half an ear – my mind keeps drifting back to Bella. I'm curious to know how she met this James fucker. I check my phone – no Bella calls. I try to let the irritation this brings go, cuz really no calls should be a good thing. At this point though, I can only hope she's been having a good few days. I shouldn't have been such an asshole and just called myself.
I sit trying to process the information I have on James. There's something off – I just can't seem to connect the fucking dots. Maybe it's more a feeling in my gut and with this line of business you learn not to ignore those feelings. The more I hear about him though, the more I know that if he doesn't crawl back into whatever fucking hole he slithered out of soon I'm more than capable of putting him in a hole myself. Permanently.
While I'm capable of putting James to sleep – I'm not fucking stupid either. Dirty or not he's still a fucking cop.
Tyler walks up to the table and the first thing I notice are his dark glassy eyes nervously darting around. He found Kate…and apparently thought he had the time to party. "Hey."
Emmett sneers at his empty shot glass then looks up at Tyler. "Hey, I got an idea. Get me a fucking drink!"
"Hey, fuck you! You want an idea – I got a fucking idea. You go and get it yourself!"
Emmett takes a deep breath, reaching for his waist he pulls out his gun.
Setting my hand on Emmett's shoulder, I turn to Tyler, "That wasn't a fucking good idea."
He begins to argue back. "Who is he? I ain't no-"
That was a dick move on Emmett's part – but Emmett holds rank and Tyler is way out of line now.
I cut him off. "You put what you got on the table-" My middle finger taps the table. "And don't get fucking greedy."
Tyler reaches inside his jacket and pulls out a white envelope. "Yeah, here." He tosses it down on the table. I raise my eyebrow and lift it up. "Don't insult my intelligence. This is light. Where's the rest?"
"When I went-"
"I didn't ask you for excuses." I hold out my hand. "Where's yours?"
Tyler pats his pocket. "Let me see it."
He hands over another envelope and I take the difference out, handing him the rest.
"I already gave -"
"What's mine ain't yours to fucking give me. I ain't no fucking bank and I don't take IOUs. You want to get paid – get your ass out there. Did you find Kate?"
"Yeah, she's in the bathroom."
I look to Jake , "Meet me in my office."
He nods in understanding as my chair scrapes across the floor with my abrupt movements.
The bang the door makes hitting against the wall makes her jump back from the sink she was leaning on with a gasp. "Edward, I –"
"My office. Now," I demanded.
"Yeah, sure. I just need a minute to -"
"You had your minute – let's go."
"Yeah, okay. I'm going. I'm going."
I keep the door open as she walks past me and I follow her back to my office. I feel like I live in this fucking room lately.
Half way down the hallway, she turns back to face me with her arms crossed against her chest. Her hands run up and down her upper arms, "Look, I'm sorry."
"Save it. This ain't about that." She knows she screwed up and I don't feel like getting into it with her…at the moment I have more pressing matters.
"Oh. Okay." She turns away and enters the small room.
"Sit."
With uncertainty, she looks from the chair to Jake then turns back to me. "If this isn't about that – what then?"
"Sit." Hesitantly she makes her way to the chair to sit all the while keeping a watchful eye on Jake.
"I want to know about someone I understand you are…acquaintances with."
"Okay." She shifts uncomfortably in her seat. "Who do you need to know about?"
"James. James Mancini. He's a –"
"-cop." She finishes my sentence for me as the color in her cheeks drains of all color. I take a minute to look at her. Really look at her. The long dark brown hair, petite frame – funny I never noticed before but minus the hazel eyes she looks quite a bit like Bella.
"So you do know him?"
"Yeah, I know him. But you already knew that didn't you?"
"Tell me about him."
"Tell you what? What do you want to know?"
I take a minute to think about where I want her to start. "How about we start with how you know him."
"It's not my place to be shit talking."
There's a cop out if I ever heard one…she's always talking shit. If it's not about the clients than it's usually about the other girls at the club, she's always got something to say.
"You may make house calls but you and I both know you ain't no fucking doctor. So cut with this confidentiality bull shit. Speak."
"Please…just – " She closes he eyes and shakes her head. "Please…I can't."
"I don't think you understand. I'm not asking you –"
"He scares me."
I look back at Kate and laugh. "He scares you? HE scares you? You should be scared…but let me give you some advice. If you're gonna be afraid of anyone it should fucking be me!" She flinches back when my hand slams down on the desk.
"Skip, maybe –" Jake doesn't finish when Kate cuts him off.
"If I talk he'll know. Please, he'll -."
I turn to Jake, "The only rubbing out that's gonna be taking place is her…getting rubbed out like a bad mistake."
My eyes find Kate's terror filled eyes, "If you're gonna believe anyone…" I point to myself. " believe me. Cuz no one's gonna be looking for a missing junkie whore." I shrug indifferently. "But you believe who you want to believe."
She studies my face for a moment then turns to look at Jake. "I…he…he was a…" She blows out a deep breath and closes her eyes when she answers. "He was a client of sorts." When she opens her eyes, she's looking back at me.
"Yeah, well…when I first came to the city – " She looks to her feet and shrugs. "I had to pay the bills."
"So he paid you to fuck."
"Yes and no."
Yes and no – what kind of bull shit is this? "Explain."
"You gotta understand something first. I ran away from home. I had nothing but the clothes on my back. I did what I had to do to survive and no, I'm not proud of a lot of things." She looks back up, "But no I didn't fuck him."
I purse my lips and look at Jake who looks just as confused right now. Something told me I really didn't want to know – but fuck it.
"You don't fuck him – what's he paying you for?"
Kate takes the smoke I offer her as I light up my own.
She mumbles a 'thanks' as she waves out the flame on the match and blows a smoky cloud into the air.
She keeps her watery eyes on the ceiling and her voice becomes detached as she elaborates. "He'd allow me to work his streets and accepted payment in the form of candy bars…" she bitterly chuckles, "you know… for kickbacks."
"What the fuck is that supposed to mean?"
"He'd come by each week." She fans the smoke that's clinging in the air and then reaches into her purse to pull out a Snickers Bar. I frown not understanding where she was going with this. She waves the candy bar in the air looking between Jake and me. "…to have me stick one of these up my ass so he could eat it."
What the fuck? I've heard my fair share of twisted shit and believe me, I've been a part of my fair share twisted shit but this fucking guy makes me look like a choir boy. Jesus Fuck! What a fucking freak!
Her glazed eyes are someplace else now; deep creases line her forehead as she falls silent. Her left hand gets my attention as she absently rubs at a crescent shaped scar over her shoulder. "He'd never let me touch him…he'd always finish himself off. It was the same each week."
"What is that?" I nod in the direction of her shoulder.
"This?" She moved her hair, showing the mark and I felt my stomach roll with sickness because I already knew what she was going to say. "A bite mark." She placed her hair back over her shoulder. "His bite mark…I suppose his way of reminding me who I belong to."
I sit in silence watching her smoke. Not just her looks but something about the way she talks…her mannerisms maybe; they're so much like Bella. There is no doubt in my mind he chose her… sought her out even. I can feel the muscles in my jaw tightening as my teeth begin grinding down. My mind returns to Bella and I try to recall if she had any scars. My mind is frantically sifting through images of Bella – not that I've seen much of her… and although I can't recall any noticeable scars it does nothing to ease my fury. I swear to Christ if I wasn't holding on to the arms of this fucking chair, I'd get up and put a hole through the fucking wall.
"Don't look at me like that. It was the easiest buck I ever made."
I ignore that statement because I'm not judging her… in all honesty I wasn't even thinking about her. "Why are you so scared of him?"
"If he finds out about this…me talking, he'll kill me."
"Because having a sweet tooth is a matter of national security? I don't think so. What do you know, Kate?"
"Nothing. I don't know a God damned thing." Bull shit!
"See, that's the thing." I lean forward and rest my hands on my desk. "I think you do."
"Why is this so important to you?"
"Kate –" Jake warned.
When she looks up at Jake her eyes are filled with defeat. I know that look. I've seen it on countless faces, sitting in that exact same chair; so I sit back with very limited patience and wait for her to continue.
"He killed that kid, you know. For no reason – that kid didn't do anything. Shot him like he was nothing. I watched him. He pulled out his gun and shot him…just like that. I was so fucking scared – I don't remember how many times the gun went off. I remember looking at him and he just shrugged it off like it was nothing. Said that's how he deals with complications. He made me um…I didn't want to be a complication…so I did it. I did what he asked. He wanted me to lie to the cops; give a false statement – and I did."
She crushed out her smoke in the ashtray and reached across my desk to light another. "Sometime later, he shows up with one of his cop friends to party and…we uh…well you know" she pauses waving her hand in the air, "…and afterwards I was in the bathroom cleaning up and I heard them. I heard him laughing with his friend; saying that they were in the clear; they wouldn't waste their resources looking for a missing piece of shit like him. And even if they did - there isn't anything for them to find – he took care of it. I remember him saying he almost felt like a shit for taking the money too because, to him, this one was personal. I know he took money to get rid of witnesses for that trial. I don't have the proof – but I know he did it."
"Skip, I think Kate's had enough."
I look over at Kate; red eyes and black tear stained cheeks. She looks completely exhausted and scared. Jake is right she's had enough…but if I thought she had anything more to add to this fucked up story she wouldn't be leaving this room. "You need a ride home?"
She wipes at the black smudges under her eyes, "My shift's not over."
"Yeah, it is. Get your shit – I'll take you home."
Her eyes snap back to me and she stills her hands, "Does this mean…um am I fired?"
"No, you're not fired. Come on now –no worries. Go wash your face and get your stuff. I'll meet you up front in a few."
"Yeah, ok. Thanks."
I watch as Kate walks to the door and lets herself out. Jake is the first to break the silence. "Man that's some fucked up shit."
I look over at Jake and laugh because at this point what else can I do. This is so fucked up – there just aren't words. "I don't think I can ever eat another Snickers Bar," I tell him truthfully. "Those Blizzards made with pieces of Snickers Bars – fuck no." I shake my head, "No can do. That's a fucking shame too cuz that was some good shit."
"Hey, Skip…I hope you don't mind me asking. I was just wondering if you heard from Bella?"
I shake my head feeling like an ass for not calling. "No."
"You thinking of calling…you know maybe check on things?" I knew Jake had a soft spot for Bella – and really I couldn't be pissed at him about it. If anything it gave me peace of mind.
"No. The other day she said her roommate was coming home and she'd be fine. I was gonna stop in today but got held up."
I nod my head in understanding. "Yeah." I look down at my watch. "No – I know. It's fine. I'll check in on her." No need to tell Jake that I've officially graduated to stalker status as of late. "How'd that go by the way – this morning?"
"He wanted to renegotiate…offered up his restaurant." Jake chuckles. "Told him we weren't in the pizza making business. We came to an understanding."
Tyler's fuck ups were starting to add up. I'd throw him off my fucking crew but that wasn't my decision to make. "Take him off of Tyler's route. From now on you stop in."
"I can just see it-"
"Fuck Tyler. He can be a little pussy and bitch about it all he wants. If he has a problem he can come see me." I stand and grab my keys and phone. Not talking to Bella has me feeling a little anxious and I want to get going. "If Joe has a problem with you making the pick-ups, let me know and I'll go in – introduce you officially."
"I'll let you know."
Emmett and I walk into Rosebud's and just like any night it's packed. The food is just that good.
Bella and her date are standing waiting for a table…now I happen to know it's been about forty five minutes past Mike's reservation. Apparently I'm not above stalking. I called the restaurant earlier to get the reservation time for a Mike.
"Ah… Mr. Cullen – your usual table?" I smirk at the surprise written all over Bella's face when she turns around. "No, Jimmy that won't be necessary. Tonight it's just two." I don't have a reservation. I don't need a fucking reservation. Every Tuesday night we meet here with Carlisle and Marcus…although the big round table off to the back is held on reserve each and every night until 7:30…in the event business requires additional meetings.
"Of course, right this way, please." Jimmy waves us forward, ahead of the waiting crowd and as I pass through their annoyed stares, I find myself grinning as I approach a very surprised and wide eyed Bella. I nod my head at her as we pass and even with my back to her, I can feel her curious eyes on me. I can't help but look back over my shoulder and wink, giving her my best 'I know you want me' smile.
We get a smaller table near the bar and I move my chair halfway around the table to sit facing Bella. I ignore the irritated looks I get when I jerk my chair across the floor and end up shaking the whole God damned table making it rattle like it's sitting on a ruptured fault line or some shit. And I could give a flying fuck that I'm crowding the lady behind me and she can take that fucking stink eye she's shooting and stick it up her fat ass.
I keep my eyes focused on Bella and distractedly offer a polite head nod as the waiter brings out our usual drinks. I have to laugh as I check this fucking quack out; hands deep in his pocket and nervously dancing around like he's got to take a piss or some shit. Fucking hilarious.
"This fucking shmuck is Bella's date?"
"Apparently so." I look down and swirl my drink before taking a sip.
"He needs to get a fucking haircut and some pants that fucking fit." I look up and laugh – because yeah, he looks like a fucking dough boy that took a big ass dump in his shorts. It didn't sit well that Bella had a date. To be honest I was fucking pissed. But seeing this chump… I find myself not so much being pissed but more like having a little fun instead.
I signal for Jimmy and request that he seat Bella and Dough Boy. Jimmy works quickly and the waiters bring in an extra table complete with chairs and place setting right across from us. I find myself laughing again at her expression when Jimmy expresses my wishes for them to be seated. Her eyes, crossed between confused and surprised, find my own as she hesitantly follows behind her date.
I have to stop myself from rolling my eyes as Dough Boy plops his saggy looking ass down in his chair, leaving the waiter to pull out Bella's chair for her. What a fucking moron!
"Why in the fuck is she out with this quack?" I've asked myself that very same question…many fucking times already.
"Her roommate set it up…like a blind date or something."
"And this roommate is a friend of hers?"
"So she says."
"Her roommate…she ah…hot?"
The last thing I need is for Emmett to start fucking her roommate. There is no good that can come out of that. "You just keep your dick in your pants."
This just keeps getting better and better. This fucking jamook somehow spills his water on the table and then instead of helping Bella dry off he manages to trip her as she tries to step around his big clubs. I lean back in my chair with my arms crossed over my chest and watch a flustered Bella anxiously run her hands through her hair and bend down to wipe at her legs with her napkin before walking back to the restrooms. Now this guy? He sits back and pulls out a mirror from his pocket. A fucking mirror.
I gotta wonder about the kinda guy that travels around with mirrors tucked up in his pants. "Hey, check this shit out -Mirror, mirror in my hand – who's the biggest fanook in all the land?"
He gives the mirror a big toothy grin then uses his fork to pick at something between his teeth. What the fuck? He does a once over his shaggy ass hair with his free hand, licks a finger and runs it over his eyebrows, checks his nose then tucks that shit back up in his pants. "I wonder what else he's got in there?"
Emmett runs his hand over his face in disgust. "This shit is making me sick…It's like watching beauty and the ugly fucking beast. We'll see how good'a friends they are after this..." Emmett nods his head in Bella's direction as she happened to be looking over. Her scowl cracks me up.
The angry fucking kitten has come out to play and to push her buttons a little; I give her a big innocent smile and casually raise my drink to them, before taking a sip. I watch her over the rim of the glass and if looks could kill I'd be one dead mother fucker - a hundred times over already.
Her dark eyes flash with anger and her cheeks heat up to my favorite rose color, spreading down her neck and over her chest. What's funny is that while she's sitting there trying to look pissed – Fuck, if I don't find her completely sexy. I let my eyes wander from her heated chest then linger on her perfect tits and I suddenly find myself wondering how far down my tongue could trace that rosy hue. Her fair skin stained by the warmth of her blush reminds me of strawberries and cream – just like those sweet fucking lips.
Like some asshole that's been starved on a deserted island for the last fucking month, my eyes hungrily follow the blush back up that delicate neck I'd love to suck on, to those plump and perfectly pouty lips…fuck, I'd love to suck on those too, all the way up to two dark chocolate eyes…. Busted! And I don't give a fuck any more, I quirk my eyebrow daring her to call me out. She breaks the eye contact and nervously fumbles around with her napkin before turning back to her date smiling and politely nodding. I can tell by her stiff posture that she knows I'm watching. And the shy kitten's back. I fucking love that shit!
Dough Boy slides his chair closer to Bella and I find myself frowning as I watch her lean closer to hear what he's saying.
Time for a little fun. "I'm gonna get another drink – you want something?"
Emmett holds up his glass, "I'm good, man"
Loudly clearing my throat, I slide my chair back bumping into the overly opinionated bull dog behind me and earning me another annoyed glance; but with a face like that you can hardly get upset with her for looking annoyed. Shit - she might have even been born with that mug! Who knows? All I know is that I got a front row seat and a damn good view to the show.
My quick and rather noisy fucking movements have caught the attention of Bella and what's his face. Watching the shock spread across her face as I approach their table is fucking priceless. I stand right smack in the middle of the two and make sure I get right up in Mike's space as I reach far over him for a breadstick. I love these fucking things!
Mike leans back, as far back as he can without falling out of his chair and just stares like I sprouted three fucking heads. I could give a shit. "Cookie, over there in back –" I nod my head in the direction of the kitchen, "makes these things fresh every day. He doesn't use any of that refrigerated pizza dough crap either…these are made from scratch. These things are awesome - especially when they're warm right out of the oven like this." Mike leans back another inch as I hold the breadstick up in his face. "You don't mind do ya?" I take a bite and look over at fuck-face as he stammers over his words. "Ah…no, uh…I ah..guess not." He slides the basket over. "Here help yourself, man." I give him a sarcastic smile over my chewing; then swallowing I pat him on the shoulder. "Thanks." I reach over for another breadstick – I swear I could eat these by the dozens. My eyes are trained on Bella's and I give fuck-face a nice view of the back of my head as I lean low toward her and add in what I consider to be my best bedroom voice, "I intend to," followed by a wink. You would'a thought her jaw came unhinged. Fucking priceless! I take a big bite of that breadstick and walk away, snickering to myself as I make my way to the bar for the drink I almost forgot about.
Emmett shakes his head, "You have no fucking shame, man. No, fucking shame." Apparently not when it comes to Bella.
I play dumb. "You know I love those breadsticks, so what?"
"So while you're over there sampling their food and shit – did Bella have anything to say?"
"No, nothing. Not one word." I frown thinking about that…cuz if I was in her place I'm pretty sure I'd have a few words…maybe more than a few.
"Yeah, that sounds about right." Emmett laughs. "What? You want her to admit she knows you…you're over there…" Emmett wiggles his fingers to his head. "…acting like you're some kind of whack-a-doo. Fuck no she's not going to say anything. You keep that shit up…acting like some deranged lunatic – hold on." Emmett takes out his wallet and sets a bill on the table. "Hey, better yet I got $50 bucks says he's running outta here before dessert."
I look over at fuck-face and figure I got a fifty-fifty shot. "Yeah, ok. You're on."
"Easiest $50 I'll ever make."
"You think that quack…" I point my index finger over to Bella. "…is gonna walk out on her? Fuck – they wouldn't be together if they were Siamese twins…look at him…" I nod my head in his direction. "…he knows he's outta his league and he's not going anywhere. He's living his dream and is probably gonna be jacking off till morning."
"Yeah…until the random crazy comes barreling over snacking on your breadsticks…all the while looking like he wants to devour your date and you're not really sure what to say because this guy he seems a little off…a little unbalanced…you know like his elevator isn't shooting to the top - like I said fifty bucks says he runs the hell outta here."
"Now you're calling me crazy?" I have to wonder myself. Seriously I must be. My mind has been on Bella overload and all this pent up tension has me wound so tight – my dick is always aching and I think I've finally cracked. Can a person go crazy from not fucking enough?
"Hey what's this kid's name?"
"Mike something."
"How old is this kid?"
"Fuck if I know."
"Yeah, well to make amends I'm gonna send Mikey over there a couple of drinks. You know to make nice in front of Bella. You don't want her thinking you're a nut job."
"Yeah, whatever. I'm gonna go have a smoke."
When I return to the table everything began happening so fast. Mike flew out of his chair, tripped on the legs and stumbled before using the waiter to catch his fall then made a mad dash for the bathroom…he moved like someone put a firecracker up his ass….all the while Emmett's doubled over in laughter.
"Am I missing something here?"
"No…just ah…just a little insurance is all."
I watch as fuck-face returns to Bella and sits back down…although a little awkwardly. He mumbles something to her – I can only assume is some form of an apology. "A little insurance?"
Emmett's whole body shakes with the laughter he's trying to hold back and he finally has to set his drink down "Yeah, you know I'm a sore loser."
"So what did this-" I stop and watch as this kid flies up again and heads for the john like his feet were on fire…although by the look in his eyes I'm pretty sure it wasn't his feet that were burning. This has disaster potential written all over it…poor bastard.
"I sent Mikey over there a cockblock cocktail…"
"Cockblock cocktail?" I frown not understanding. "What the fuck is that?"
"Had my boy Billy over there slip a little…well let's just say his ass will be exploding well into next week."
"You gave him the shits?" I don't know whether to be pissed or fucking laugh. "This is what you're telling me?" I watch as Mike makes another flying leap out of his chair and runs like his life depended on it for the john – well at least he's not stumbling all over the place this time.
"He's gonna be needing the extra room in those pants tonight. I give it another ten and then you owe me fifty bucks."
"You give him explosive shits…and you say I have no shame?"
"Relax – you can thank me later." Emmett looks at his watch as this kid, who I actually find myself feeling sorry for now, quickly walks back to his table. I watch as he tells her something and she nods back in understanding. Then like he's walking over hot coals he makes a bee line for the door and heads straight on out.
"Didn't even need another ten…whatever…" Emmett holds out his hand, "…cough it up. So I guess you're gonna ditch me now?"
I slap the fifty in Emmett's big fucking paw and look over at Bella. "I hope so." I look back over at the bar. "I'd ask if you want a ride home but I noticed you talking to that hot blonde at the bar."
"You noticed that, huh?"
"Yeah, so you good?"
"Don't worry about me…now get the fuck out of here."
I take Mike's seat, lean across her and pick a cucumber off her plate. I chomp away on it waiting for her to say something.
She watches me noisely chomping away but says nothing. "Why the frown?"
"Things didn't go so well…um he got sick…I guess."
"Aw – sorry to hear your date was so um….shitty." Yeah, I'm a dick like that. I couldn't help myself.
"It didn't start out that great either…he was late, he couldn't find parking – kept circling around cuz he didn't want to give his car to the valet –"
"Oof! Sounds like it really went down the shitter." I have to cover my mouth to hide the snickers. It was just too funny to be pissed.
I worked to dummy myself up as she frowned at me. "Yeah, um I guess that's kinda how blind dates are…you never know what you're gonna get."
I pop one of her olives in my mouth, "Blind dates –"I chuckle. "…usually just a… shit storm of awkwardness and boredom."
I really need to just fucking stop already so I busied myself by picking more olives out of her salad and pretending not to notice her questioning look. If she suspected – she never said and that was just fine by me.
"And speaking of things not going well…what was that earlier?"
"I figured I'd help you out. It didn't look like you took my suggestion."
"What suggestion?"
"Remember, you were supposed to learn how to pantomime 'check please'…it didn't look like you did your homework."
"You were kind of rude you know."
"Maybe…" I give her a casual shrug. "…but you still like me."
"You're so sure, huh?" Her widened eyes and rosy cheeks contradict her words.
I lean to her ear and whisper, "I love it when you blush." If we weren't sitting smack in the middle of a fucking restaurant, I'd take her hand and show her exactly how much I love her blush. That blush gets me every fucking time.
Ignoring the painful strain against my pants, I casually pop another olive in my mouth, "So what do you want to do?"
"I guess I should probably just go home. I do know how to pantomime 'ride please'…" she giggles and hitches her thumb in the air, "but do you think you could give me a ride?"
My dick twitches at the thought of her ass bouncing up and down on me…Fuck, yeah – I'll give you a ride baby.
"Yeah, I could….but now that I got you all to myself…" I shrug still digging for olives, "I wanna keep you for a while."
She chuckles and I find her sparkling eyes and bright smile has me smiling like some kind of fucking clown. "You gotta nice smile…no more frowns tonight, ok?"
"Yeah, well tonight's starting to look up." The night is not the only thing looking up, sweetheart.
Feeling like an asshole for eating all the good shit out of her salad, it occurs to me that she hasn't even had her dinner yet. "Are you hungry? You wanna wait for the rest of your dinner?"
She shakes her head and sighs. "No, not really. I kinda just want to get out of here now."
I realize Mike has left her stuck with the check, so being the gentleman that I am, I take out my wallet and throw a few bills on the table it more than covers whatever they ordered plus a little extra for my rude behavior. "Oh, Edward no. Here –" She reaches for her purse and I shake my head. "What? You think I'm gonna make my date pay…I'm offended. What kinda asshole do you think I am?"
"Really you don't have to." She looks extremely uncomfortable but that is too fucking bad. I am a little insulted that she'd think I'd take her money. I may not know a lot about this dating bull shit but I'm not a complete jerk off.
"Hey - " I gently grab her chin and look at her pleading eyes. "I know I don't have to. Now come on. You wanna get outta here?"
She nods and when I stand to pull out her chair she doesn't move. I lean over her shoulder to see she's frowning – again. "I thought we were done with the frowns tonight? What's wrong?"
"Edward – the waiter didn't even bring the check." This is what has her frowning? Big fucking deal!
"So what? I'm sure you didn't eat over two hundred bucks in food, Bella."
"No, I know the bill isn't that much." She gives me a pointed look, "it's just that you really shouldn't just leave that sitting there like that."
"What? You think that someone is gonna come in here and take it?" That thought is ridiculous but I realize that she has no idea where she is or who she's with…although I suspect she has her suspicions.
Tucking her hair behind her ear, I bend low and lean over her shoulder so my mouth is against her ear, I drop my voice as I respond, "Relax, it's safe here. Now let's go." Really this is no big secret – I just love watching the goose bumps on her arms when I do this. Plus I get the added bonus of being able to smell that honeyed fucking vanilla in her hair and on her skin. Fucking Christ, It drives me fucking insane! I figure whispering in her ear all the time is a lot fucking smoother than just sticking my nose on her and taking a whiff – no?
She lets me take her hand and lead her over to Emmett.
"Hey, Bella…funny running into you here." Bella frowns and turns to look over at me before answering Emmett. "Yeah – small world…" she frowns at me again, "…I guess."
"I see you got Eddie here taking you out."
"Well something came up for…ah Mike and he had to leave."
"No shit? Sounds like you got a crappy deal." I have to turn away and bite my cheek before I lose it – again. Really nothing Emmett does should surprise me anymore.
"Well I suppose…" She gives me a half smile. "but I guess that depends on how you look at it." My thoughts exactly. The fucking mime is in his invisible box and Bella is walking away on my arm…as it should be.
"You know, I was thinking about you the other day and almost stopped in to see you. I got another joke for you." Oh, fuck me.
"Ok – shoot." Bella's apparently a better sport than I am. I'd just tell Emmett to stick it up his ass.
"I think you'll appreciate this one…it has to do with coffee…" He tilts his head and squints with his big meat hook wavering in the air. "…eh, sort of. So who's the most popular guy at the nudist colony?"
"Is 'you' too obvious of an answer?" I really don't find it funny that my brother is the first thing she thinks of on a nudist beach. Not surprisingly… my brother does.
"That's funny…but no, not this time."
"Well if not you – I give up." She holds her arms out, palms up. "Who?"
"Check this out…the guy who can carry a cup of coffee in each hand and a dozen donuts. Now there's some skills."
Bella shakes her head but giggles nonetheless at my brother's stupid joke. "Wow, Emmett…hmm how to say this?"
"Say what?"
"Stand-up comedy is so not in your near future. You do know this right?"
"Ouch – tough room!" Emmett jokingly pulls at his collar. "No good, huh? She shakes her head still chuckling, "Um, no. Not so much."
Emmett reaches over and grabs a roll, "Eh, ok…maybe not. But hey, you're a girl, a guy lacing up his shit with a dozen donuts now that's some shit, right?" Bella crinkles her nose. "Um…I don't know. Yeah?"
"Give me some time I'll find something."
I quirk my eyebrow showing my annoyance, "You do that."
"I'll see ya sweetheart…make sure Eddie boy shows you a good time."
I lead Bella to the front with my hand on her lower back, we walk out the door and my car is already pulled up to the curb.
My eyes follow Bella's finger as she points to my Escalade, "Edward isn't that your car sitting over there?"
"You're very observant." I tease.
I laugh at the surprise in her sparkling eyes and in her boisterous tone. "Wow! That was fast!"
"Here's a tip." I tap the tip of her nose with my index finger. "It's always a good bet to get in good with the valet…they keep your car on hand. Otherwise you're waiting a half hour for them to finally roll your shit up."
She purses her lips, "Hmm, good to know."
"See you learn something new every day." I tell her matter of factly.
I give the valet a twenty, then open the door for Bella and help her climb up before pulling out on to the crowded Taylor St. I really have no destination in mind – I'm not even sure what people do on dates. This is all new to me and I'm pulling this shit outta my ass at this point.
"Where's the baby tonight?"
"With Jessica. She offered and Adrianna really likes her. They play dress-up and stuff."
She looks over at me like she's gonna say something but doesn't. "What?"
"She really likes you, too. All she's talked about is the ice cream you took us out for."
"Well we can go again. I'm sure Sal would like it, too. I don't get over that way often…" Smiling I glance over at Bella, "…I think Sal was pretty taken with you, too." She looks down biting on her bottom lip, the darkness in the car covers the blush I already know is there.
"Where are we going?"
"Ah…" I chuckle. "I really don't know."
A/N
Yeah, I know…James is a sick bastard and completely demented!
Don't be too disappointed Bella didn't fess up to James being handsy…really it's a good thing because this chapter would be full of pissed Edward instead of fun and smexy Edward…in the next chappy. But never fear James' time is coming!
I actually wrote two outtakes for the Rosebuds scene – the one I posted and one with an angry, jealous Edward…which is my personal fav. Now – my sister said there is no way Bella wouldn't be completely terrified of that Edward and instead of running to Edward she'd be shaking like a leaf and hiding under her bed. Considering how James is and her not really knowing Edward yet…I guess that has some merit. Although, I'd happily jump on angry Edward – I guess our little Bella is more of a delicate little flower. So I'll save angry, jealous Edward for another time.
Poor Mike (*snickers*) I just think he is such a tool!
My sister actually did that to some guy when she was in HS…trust me he more than deserved it! She used the chocolate squares and pushed them into the frosting of a brownie. ..he happily ate every last bite before running to the bathroom with explosive shits. Sadly, unlike Mikey, he didn't make it the bathroom in time. But I promise, all said assholes, fictitious or otherwise are all still intact – so no worries.
If you happen to be in Chicago – eat at Rosebuds. If you like Italian – you will love it! The big round table at Rosebuds really does exist…right smack in the middle of the dining room…and from time to time has some interesting looking characters…sadly no Edward though…(sighs)!
