She Rocks My World

80's Rocker, Edward Cullen, is the frontman for the enormously popular band, Cullen.

He's every woman's dream; handsome, wealthy, and talented, but the elusive rocker has something to hide until an overwhelmingly gifted, doe-eyed beauty steals his heart at first sight and sound.

This is Beta'd by the wonderful and lovely Fran who likes sunflowers, and loves Robert Pattinson (she met him last weekend in Savannah). Be jealous, very jealous!

A/N: BIG ANNOUNCEMENT:

My story, 'Rescue Ink,' has been nominated for 'Your Best Top Ten Completed Fics ~ October 2017'. So, if you like the story and want to support me (as the writer) and Fran (as the beta), please vote once a day until November 30. The site is TwiFanfictionRecs.

Thank you, Everyone.

Chapter Four: The Band Practice

BPOV

Ali and I move upstairs to the kitchen. We sit at the island with water bottles as she takes out a stack of papers from her briefcase and lays them on top. I just stare in amazement.

I whisper, "So many pages."

"I'll explain everything as we go along. This isn't just the contract. We have prospectives for you. Edward tends to be rather thorough. He doesn't want you to be overwhelmed. As long as everything is on paper, it's tangible, in his thoughts," she states.

I smile. "Well, it is overwhelming. I-I never thought."

She confesses, "Oh, I did. That's why I didn't approach you or talk about the band. While we were in school, the guys had a management team that went south on them. It gave me the idea to replace those Bozos with me. And I've wanted to create a label once they hit it big. Yeah, with you in mind, Bella."

"Really?"

"You have no idea how long I have waited for this. I didn't want to push you, and Jasper and Edward had to see you perform for themselves. Emmett and Garrett go along with everything. They weren't my problem."

"You're a conniving, little devil." I smirk.

"No, it was all in the timing. If I told you my plans, you wouldn't have allowed me to do anything. And if I approached my brother and husband, they would have felt it was all favoritism."

"Who knew you were this slick chick?"

She laughs. "Look, I've known you for over eight years. We went through trials and tribulations for two years in high school, fours year growing up in college and two years after just spreading our wings. We never missed a day talking with one another."

"I don't think I could have made it through Juilliard without you, Ali," I say. "You always encouraged me."

"And you, me."

"We're friends." I smile

She shakes her head. "No, more than that. Bella, I trust you. You always put everyone in front of you. You're so unselfish. You deserve everything," she admits.

"I just wanted to do the right thing, Ali."

"Bella, I've written up a plan for you just for you. Are you willing to at least listen?"

I nod my head. "Sure."

"Good. It's a three-year-plan, but I believe, you'll hit the market at a very good time and be a tremendous success."

"And how's that?"

"Sticking with the band."

"What" Perform with Cullen?" I ask.

"No, be their opening act. They're so hot right now. People flock to their concerts. Their three albums have gone platinum. We'll set you up as the first act on the playbill, and have Jasper and Edward join you for a few songs, and you'll soar. I feel it in my bones."

"I'm riding with them."

"No, no coattails. You'll be on your own merit. Your talent will win these fans over. Your look, your knowledge of music, but most of all your love for it all. I have promotionals, ad campaigns and interviews worked into the next tour."

I exhaust a long breath, "Wow."

"Most importantly, your safety is the main issue. Once we let your cat out of the bag, big rats will want a piece of you."

"In what way, Ali?"

"Oh, Bella, you will become a commodity for sales and profits."

I frown.

"Everyone will want a piece of you. We intend to keep you all in one piece, safe; with people who will watch your back and not take away your individuality, you're trained and raw talent. We don't want that kind of people getting their hot, nasty hands on you to mold and recreate into a corporate image that makes them money."

"I see."

"The band, well, Edward, wants you untouched. You have to be who he saw and continue to be just that; you."

I smile.

"And to my surprise, Kate is going to be quite an asset."

"How so?"

"She's a hairdresser and makeup artist."

"I thought you want me to be me?"

"Oh, on the contrary, we do, but a more radiant Bella."

"Ali, no poufy dos or stage makeup, okay?"

She shakes her head. "Nothing like that. We'll sit with Kate, and you'll decide.

I don't want your hair touched, but I think it would be amazing to allow cascades of curls to flow down your back. Let all those guys fantasize about running their fingers through it."

I groan, "Dear God."

"Bella, an innocent sex appeal won't hurt your image."

"And what is my image?"

"Talent."

"You make it sound easy."

"It's not, but you make it easy." She giggles. "I love you to death. I won't let anyone hurt you."

"I know that."

"The guys already feel you're like a little sister. They protect me, and they'll certainly protect you. So, let's discuss your career as a famous singer/songwriter, and break for lunch. Edward wants you in the studio with the band."

"I need to make a phone call. One of my employees should have been here already." I smile. "Edward bought a Gibson Hummingbird for Jasper."

Ali broadly smiles. "Oh, Jasper's going to flip out. Whoo hoo, and I'll get lucky tonight."

I cover my ears. "La la la la la."

Ali dances around the island making sucking sounds.

EPOV

As we finish up a song, Ali and Bella, who's holding a case, walk into the engineering room. Ali gives me a short nod only I catch, and I smile. Ali's meeting with Bella went well. This pleases me.

The contract is an airtight, no hassle arrangement that gives Bella free reign over her songs. We assist if needed but to her specifications. I understand how she operates. She reminds me of me. The only restraint is she will be under our umbrella exclusively. Apparently, this isn't a problem for her.

I'm a little loopy from my last drink and need to sit. I pull the strap of my guitar over my head, place it on its stand and walk slowly over to Ali and Bella. I lower myself into a chair, as Bella hands the case over to me with inquiring eyes.

She quietly says, "I thought you'd like to give it to him."

Jazz comes into the room with Emmett and Garrett. I extend the case. "Here, Jazz."

He looks puzzled. "What's this?"

I nod. "Early birthday present. Open it."

He sits next to me and lays the case over the panel.

Alice gives me a thumbs up, and Bella shyly smiles with her eyes on Jasper.

Jasper doesn't say a word at first. It's as though he views this guitar for the very first time. He runs his hands down the strings and over the curve. He finally lifts it out of the case, over his knee and does a light strum. I see the goosebumps on his arms and the redness of his skin. "Wow," he mumbles.

He looks over at me, glances through the glass at Bella's guitar and questions, "Where did you get this, man? It's just like Bella's."

I clear my throat and sit up straighter. "Bella's uncle had another in his back room."

He smiles at Bella. "You're a good luck charm."

She shrugs.

Jasper asks, "Ali, do you mind if we go play?" He points to the studio.

She laughs. "Honestly, Jasper, she's the only woman I'll let you play with."

Everyone laughs.

He and Bella go into the studio, sit on stools and instrumentally play; just going back and forth from one to the other. No set tune, just jamming. Jasper picks the lead and Bella follows him.

Emmett pokes me. "She's one of us."

I nod, still feeling their jam.

Garrett huffs, "It's too bad you don't play the drums, Bella."

She looks up. "But I do."

Garrett rushes into the studio. "We just brought in my other set. I challenge you."

With an attitude, Bella stands. "You're on, G-man!"

He nods. "G-man, I like that."

With attitude, Garrett sits on his custom stool 'to fit his tush,' behind one of the drum sets and tickles his sticks across the heads and smacks a cymbal. "Want to play mirror?"

Bella settles herself at the other drum set. "What's mirror?"

"We take turns playing a beat, and the other has to duplicate the other's cadence,*" Garrett explains.

She lightly touches each drum and cymbal giving nothing away. I'm on the edge of my seat. She certainly has me curious about her abilities. Ali did mention that she plays every instrument, but I didn't take her seriously.

"You want to go first, OT?"

She smirks. "No, it's your home base. Be my guest."

Garrett plays a simple 1-2-3-4 beat.

Bella looks at him and mumbles, "really?" She returns the embarrassing, beginner's lesson.

Garrett gets this devilish look in his eyes, but he continues with another easy set.

Bella rolls her eyes and follows.

He does this a few times, then he wales a string of rolls over his snare to his toms overkilling his cymbals.

"Now, you're talkin', G-man." And she mimics every sound with little effort.

Garrett's eyes grow wide, and he becomes determined. He does one of his drum solos, rolling his sticks and twirling them into the air.

When he looks at Bella, he crosses his arms over his chest in deviant arrogance. With an evil smile, he says, "Your turn."

Sweetly she smiles and tears into the solo, not missing a rimshot* or one roll or twirl of the sticks. She crinkles up her nose. "Next?"

I look at Jasper, and his mouth is wide open along with Emmett. While my sister nods her head in smug faith.

"Yeah, I think that would be good for a concert." She stares Garrett down. "What'd you think, G-man?" Ali does defiance so well.

"Bella, you're my new hero. Move over, John Bonham*."

Everyone laughs.

"I guess you told him, OT," Emmett shouts.

Jasper asks, "And you really do play every instrument?"

She turns red and looks at Ali. "You told them?"

"It was part of the hard sale."

Bella grumbles, "You know no boundaries."

"When it comes to you, your music is everything. That's your appeal."

I quietly whisper, "That's not everything."

Bella hears me and stares.

I wink at her.

Oh, man, can she blush.

I shake my head. "All kidding aside, I think we have a secret weapon."

Ali agrees, "I do, too."

"Okay, weapon aside, we need to go over Jasper's new song."

Without hesitation, we go into the studio.

Ali mentions, "Edward, Bella can work the boards."

Jasper quirks, "I'm not surprised."

"Let's run through it once, then make changes," I say.

Emmett starts the intro while Jazz and I sing:

Bree's Song

"Bree Tanner with an innocent smile

She plays with your heart for endless miles.

She's the girl you take home to mother

But you don't want her near your brother.

I gave Miss Bree her very first kiss.

The look on her face was total bliss.

She's the girl you won't ever forget

To give her the first with no regret.

Bree, you're no longer that little girl.

My kiss brings you to a woman's world.

No more little boys for you to date.

Step up to the plate for your soulmate.

When I sing this song, I will think of you.

Lips so sweet and soft I'll drink of you.

Find a good guy who will treat you right.

Respect those lips be gentle and light.

Next time I'll ask if she has been kissed

Making sure there is nothing I've missed.

I don't want to taint a young girl's heart.

And keep her fresh and new from the start.

Bree Tanner with an innocent smile

She plays with your heart for endless miles.

She's the girl you take home to mother

But you don't want her near your brother."

We finish the song and listen to the recording.

Simultaneously. Bella and I begin to talk ... "With different tracks…"

She apologizes, "Sorry, I didn't mean."

I look at her and incredulously ask, "What were you going to say?"

"If we place everyone on a separate track, we can modify each sound. Change the levels," she quietly explains.

I nod my head, lean in and whisper in her ear, "I was thinking the same thing."

She smiles at me, our faces almost touching, "You get what I'm saying."

""Completely." I stare at her lips.

I look around and see everyone looking at us. Ali smiles.

I clear my throat. "Let's try everyone on separate tracks."

We finish in a few hours, and I send them all packing. "Garrett, go meet your girl. Ali and Jasper, you can celebrate over the Humminbird. And Emmett, I was told that Rosalie would like to feed you."

Fist pumps and a 'woot-woot' and Emmett is out the door, which leaves Bella and me alone.

BPOV

"You don't have to stay. I'm going to go over the tracks," he says with great exhaustion.

"You look tired, Edward."

He reaches down to a small refrigerator under the panel, takes out a water and another bottle with his name on it. I find that really odd. He offers me the water.

"If you'd like me to work with you, I'd love it. I don't have to be at the shop until tomorrow morning."

He slowly smiles. "I'd like that."

I bump his shoulder with mine. "Great."

As I twist off the cap and take a sip of the water, Edward guzzles down his drink. Within minutes, he seems energized, raring to go.

We banter back and forth playing with the lyrics and laughing over his story about Bree.

"You know, I have this hard-ass image of 'love 'em and leave 'en.' So, when we play, 'Kiss Me,' I always find a girl to kiss." He blushes. "Well, Bree was only sixteen. I felt like a pedophile after the encounter. I mean, I apologized to her at the after party, but she was cool about all of it. I still felt like this old pervert."

"Oh my God, Edward, you're far from old!" I reassure. "You're what? Three years older than Ali?"

"Yeah."

I laugh, "Yeah, so old at twenty-six."

"You don't think that was wrong?"

'No. You were playing your part. And Bree was at the concert. No one would accuse you of something like that."

"Jesus, I felt so guilty."

"Maybe, you're not so true to your image."

We stare at one another. And just when I think he's going to kiss me, he bows his head.

"Edward, are you okay?"

He barely whispers. "I'm dizzy."

"What can I do for you?"

He takes a deep breath. "Just give me a minute."

I try not to stare, but where else would I look? The man is in pain.

"I really need to lie down," he says.

"Do you want help to one of the sofas?" I ask.

"I really need to get to bed."

"Okay, can you stand?"

Edward slowly lifts himself from the chair. I ease myself under his arm and hold onto his waist. ""Is this all right?" I'm a panic mess, but I keep it together.

He carefully leans against my shoulder and wraps his hand around my arm. "Yeah, this is great."

At a snail's pace, we make it out of the basement and onto the first floor. When Edward tells me his bedroom is on the second floor, I grit my teeth. We walk to the stairs with Edward grasping the banister. Little by little, we take each step with great care. He keeps thanking me, and I keep repeating, 'no problem.'

His face is pale, and his hair is damp. I listen carefully to each breaths, which seem full and jagged. His weight leans heavily on me, and I muster up all my strength to keep him from falling.

My relief peaks when we reach his door and I carefully help him into bed. Once he stretches out, he falls into a steady sleep.

I pull off his sneakers and bring the covers up to his neck.

To be honest, I don't feel right leaving him. I drag a chair next to the bed and sit taking in the surroundings.

It's a very masculine room. He has a huge bed with a black and brown comforter and pillows. The floor is dark wood like the rest of the house. There are pictures of the band performing in different countries around the room, on shelves and on the walls.

On the opposite side, there are a few acoustic guitars with sheet music on a stand. Across from the bed is a massive dresser with a large TV.

I feel my own exhaustion into my creep and I rest my head back to the side. With wavering consciousness, I lose control. I faintly hear a sigh, slide off my shoes, and curl up into the chair.

A/N: cadence: the beat, rate, or measure of any rhythmic movement.

rimshot: a percussion technique used to produce an accented snare drum backbeat. The sound is produced by simultaneously hitting the rim and head of a drum with a drumstick: the sound is part normal snare and part loud, woody accent.

I didn't want to describe each beat. It would actually put you to sleep.

But please, read all the lyrics, (I tend to) they tell a story in the story.

John Bonham - Led Zeppelin's powerhouse drummer.

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