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.

A/N: I love my Fran. She's the best.

Chapter Eighteen: The Going on, on the Road: part two

EPOV

I sit in bed listening to Bella's tape; her way of telling me how disappointed she is with my behavior. Tears fill my eyes because I hope I haven't blown it. I'm such a dumb fuck. I can't leave well enough alone; I have to control all the music.

As the door opens, Bella and Emmett walk in. It's a battle of wills … my saddened stare to her determined glare. She looks amazing. The lights play with the red and gold colors throughout her wavy, chocolate hair. I follow its length down her back where her tight jeans caress every curve of her ass. Her long shapely legs are encased in these black boots with thin, spiky heels. The ribbing of her light blue sweater shows some midriff of her creamy skin. I swallow … hard.

She clears her throat, and I look into her eyes.

Emmett quietly sits on a chair at the far end of the room. He just watches.

Bella speaks first, "Before I say anything, I would like an explanation." She has great composure with her hands on her hips. "I want to understand."

"Please, sit down," I barely say.

With a small huff, she pulls a chair close to the bed, sits and crosses her legs.

I begin, "We all had our jobs to do. We were writing. You needed to finish your new songs with your band, and Jasper and I set down all the tracks. Christy would bring food to me. She never once missed a meal. If I didn't come upstairs, she would bring the plates to me. I was wrapped up in the mixing. Time would pass, and the food would sit. I never saw a clock. I didn't think to look. All that mattered was to get those tracks down. The first day, I was so tired I threw the day's food into the trash, and took it out to the outside dumpster and placed the empty plate on the console. I went to bed a little after midnight and woke up at four. By seven-thirty, I had two songs completed, and Christy met me in the studio with breakfast. I would take a few bites to appease her, but as soon as she went upstairs, taking the dirty dishes, I went back to work leaving the food untouched."

Bella sighs. "And then throwing it all out again?"

I nod.

Emmett grunts in the background, but still doesn't say anything.

"The following day, you brought three songs in, and, if you recall, we recorded and worked on them."

"Yeah, we played off one another."

"Well, when you left, I continued to work. So, when you and the band came in to record each track, I was ready." I shrug.

"That went on for two weeks, Edward," she quips. "Christy is blaming herself for not doing her job."

"She shouldn't. As I said, she didn't miss a meal or a snack."

Bella throws at me, "But you did."

"I-I did."

"And tossed everything out, allowing her to believe you ate," she points with a nasty tone. "Have you any idea how she feels?"

I sit up and defend myself, "This is how I am. This is how I work."

She closes her eyes and takes a deep breath. "To pass out from starvation and dehydration?"

"I didn't mean…"

Bella stands. "You didn't mean what? To pass out? To get caught in your deception?"

"We have a tour to do."

"Not at the expense of your health. You finally know what is wrong with you and you blatantly ignore your doctor's orders. Your parents went to China. They were worried sick about you. Ali. Emmett … Me." She stands, paces and turns to point at me. "Have you any idea how worried we've all been?"

"I didn't think …"

She interrupts, "That's right, you didn't think."

"Bella."

She throws her hands in the air shaking her head. "You have two choices, Edward." She huffs, "You can continue with this selfish obsession and find yourself alone in a hospital bed, or you make that decision to finally listen to the diagnosis and follow doctor's orders. You don't have to do it all. Whether I was here or not, you have a band that can function musically … Oh, yeah, they have talent, too."

I plead, "I never said they didn't."

"But your actions speak differently. You have to give up some of this control. We work together, or we don't work at all."

I bow my head. "I listened to your song. I'll do anything. Once I'm out of here, I'll do whatever you want."

She whisper-shouts, "It's not about me."

"But it is. I love you."

With tears down her face, she grabs the door handle and flings it open. "I can't do this." She quickly runs out.

I wipe the tears from my eyes and look up as Emmett walks to the front of the bed.

He points a steady finger. "That's the first and last time you make that girl cry, or I'll kick your sorry ass."

I nod.

He whisper-shouts, "For five years I watched over you. We all took turns staying back while the others went out to blow off some steam, but mostly … me. Don't fuck this up with that girl, Edward. She's the one who knew what was wrong with you, she's the one who will kick your skinny ass when it needs to be done, and she's the one you love. We are a family. We were all sick with you. So, get your head out of your ass and do the right thing. You do what you're told and get your strength back. And for God's sake, let us work together. You hear me?"

I nod.

Emmett emotionally hugs me. "Jesus, you're my kid brother. I love you, man, but I'll walk away, too, if you ever do this to us again."

We both tightly hold onto one another. "I promise."

BPOV

When I run from the room to the elevator, there's a small doorway to the side. Through the opening, I see Ali sitting with her head bowed. She turns to see me and pats the chair next to her. "You, okay?"

I plunk down. "He infuriates me."

She smiles. "Welcome to the family."

Just then, I realize we're in a chapel. "Praying?"

"Naw, resting. I just finished the tour schedule." She sits back. "Eighty, U.S. cities in eight, possibly nine months. I have to get with Seth."

"Wow."

"You have no idea. The opener's in Seattle with a detour to Alaska, back to Washington, and throughout the country ending in New York." She breathes. "I really found the best routes with a backtrack in the upper Midwest. Otherwise, it's clear sailing for the buses."

"Sounds amazing."

"Oh, I'm just waiting for Edward to get all pissy over the Midwest backtrack."

I angrily hum.

Ali smiles. "Ohh, I love that look of determination and fire."

"He won't. He's done enough."

She grabs my hand and squeezes. "I'm so glad you stood strong."

"I was so angry with him. I was working on pure nerve and shaking in my boots."

"By the way, I love what Kate did. Great boots."

"Thanks."

"But I'm going to bet he disregarded everything," she nonchalantly says.

I sigh. "He was lost in what he was doing, and he didn't eat anything Christy brought to him. And the worse part? He threw the uneaten portions out, so she could only assume he had eaten"

"That sneak!"

"He knows the conditions."

"Good for you."

A week later, we settle Edward into his room for as long as we can keep him there. He's not happy, but he's quite agreeable. Emmett says he's scared shitless. We'll see how long that will last.

Christy recites her conditions. She pulls the trust card and tells Edward that she will sit with him until he finishes every bite, and will administer all his meds.

"If you're going to behave childishly, then you'll be treated as such. All meals and snacks will be on a schedule. You will have a nap after lunch and will sleep eight to nine hours per evening until we get your levels back to normal. No, objections. You're on probation, Edward."

He actually says nothing, but you can see the fire in his eyes.

I spend a lot of time with Jasper helping him lay the tracks for both bands.

The following day, I make my way to the kitchen finding Christy rushing around and placing Edward's food on a tray. "Hi, Bella. Would you mind taking Edward his breakfast? He said when you came in he wanted to see you."

"Okay. Sure, Christy."

I grab the tray, carefully maneuver the stairs to Edward's room and knock on his door. "Hey, it's me."

"C'mon in, Bella," he says.

I nudge the door open with my elbow and make my way to the bed. "Good morning."

Edward sits with propped pillows behind his back and his guitar across his lap. "Would you mind placing the tray at the end of the bed? I will eat everything as soon as I play you a song."

I place the tray down.

"Please, sit."

I slowly sit on a chair near the bed.

"This is for you, Bella."

He plays the intro and begins to sing:

EDWARD

I'm Sorry

I don't deserve your love

And all the care you've given me.

You're unselfish and kind.

I go off half-cocked living free.

I only know one thing

That I went and broke all the rules.

I couldn't stop myself.

It's a habit and I'm a fool.

I'm sorry that I lied.

I'm sorry I pushed you away.

I'm sorry I screwed up.

I'm sorry for then and today.

I'm sorry I lost trust.

I love you in every way.

But, Baby, I'm sorry

I hurt you in so many days.

Please, Baby, forgive me.

And this is what I want to say.

I love you in my heart

I won't do it again okay?

I'm like that old doggy

Trying to learn about new tricks.

Lost in my secrecy

Hiding my mistakes like a dick.

If I could take it back,

Yeah, I would have followed orders.

Owned up to my mistakes,

And walked the line of straight borders.

I'm sorry that I lied.

I'm sorry I pushed you away.

I'm sorry I screwed up.

I'm sorry for then and today.

I'm sorry I lost trust.

Yeah, I love you in every way.

But, Baby, I'm sorry

I hurt you in so many days.

Please, Baby, forgive me.

And this is what I want to say.

I love you in my heart

I won't do it again, okay?

Tears fill my eyes, and I hold back the sobs. Edward reaches for my hand and squeezes it close to his chest with me leaning forward.

He quietly pleads, "Bella, please, forgive me."

A/N: Oh, man. Would you forgive him? Would you give him your trust?

A/N: Be patient. The love is coming.

From: Guest

You should change the rating to T and the title to "Lyrics and Recipes" cause there is NO romance in this story!

A/N: Pay It Forward will be featuring fics in four different categories on their new blog. Number one will be our Rookie ... A new, first-time writer showcasing their first fic on our blog. Number two will be our Encore ... A new fic from a seasoned author giving us a sneak peek. Number three will be our Classix ... one from the vault, a time-tested oldie. And four, is an Overlooked fic that needs some love.
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