Two
"Why do you think that is?" I cross my arms, feel my hip pop slightly.
"You stopped coming," he shrugs.
"In what way? Any could be true," I'm cruel.
But he can be too.
Since he'd rejected me it'd gotten toxic. I'd show up for a booty call and it would end in an argument. Right after the rounds of orgasms he did give me - he doesn't need more ego. He has enough.
"We both know that's not accurate," he rolls his eyes.
"Do we? I'm a great faker," I shrug.
"That I know," he scoffs, "perhaps I got sick of the faking. Sick of waiting."
"Rose," Lisa calls my name.
Wordlessly I turn my back on him and step toward the collection counter.
"Ex?" She mouths.
"Not even," I scoff.
I wish he could have been that at least.
He's nothing.
I pick up my coffees and turn back to face him.
"That was… a whole lot of time wasted. Enjoy your donut officer," I sneer at him.
I'm annoyed. Angry. I long for him when I don't see him and feel my defences fire at him when he's near.
"Rose," he sighs defeatedly.
As he stands a woman approaches him, holding shopping bags and a phone.
"One sec," she says to it before facing him, "there you are baby. Why are you here? We're meant to be meeting the planner any minute."
He watches me freeze. He watches me look at her left hand. I nod at him in understanding and find the exit in what could be a world record.
I wasn't worth waiting for. So he found someone else.
I'm a fucking moron!
"Engaged?" Bella practically shouts.
"To who?" Edward asks.
"Some chick," I spoon more ice cream into my mouth.
"Slow down. That's expensive," Bella glares at me.
"Bite me," I mutter through my mouthful.
"You didn't know about this?" Bella looks at her boyfriend.
He's here again. He's a millionaire CEO with a mansion in a skyscraper but he's here.
I hate love.
"No idea," he shakes his head, "he didn't even mention dating anyone."
"What the fuck?" Bella looks at him confused.
"Oh shit," Edward groans suddenly, "he called this morning and mentioned he had a surprise for us all. He was waiting for Christmas."
"I hope it's chlamydia," I mutter.
"Rose," Bella tries to hide a laugh, "come on now."
"He would really propose that fast?" I ask Edward.
"Emmett is… he's got a problem with impulse," he says, "he acts on a whim and doesn't like to wait to see things unfold naturally."
"This is news to me," I sarcastically gasp.
"I tried to tell him," Edward shrugs.
"She had no ass. He liked to grab…" I trail off.
"Okay this is unhealthy," Bella steps forward, rips the tub from my hands and silences my fight with a look, "go shower, go change. You're going to come to have a drink with us. You're not coming to Christmas and I want to still get time with you."
"I'd rather eat glass than be in public," my voice is deadpan.
"Now," Bella commands, "or I will mix your paints."
"Your girlfriend is fucking crazy, Edward," I throw my spoon into the sink from my seat at the counter.
"You bet she is," Bella replies for him.
Sitting at a bar table, I frown at my wine, pick at the pizza Bella had ordered.
To make matters worse it had fucking pineapple.
"Pineapple doesn't belong on pizza," I say.
She looks at me. Really looks at me. She's trying to put together a puzzle that I've created unknowingly.
"You mad at the pizza or Emmett?" She asks.
"It can be both," I roll my eyes.
"Rose. Look, I'm sorry this turned out this way. You two have a raw talent of hurting each other without trying to. Perhaps it's for the best you don't have an ever after. Not if it leaves you miserable," she says.
"I thought that one day it would get better," I shrug, "that we'd realise we're perfect together."
"So did I," she nods.
Edward appears behind her, placing more glasses of gold before us.
"Perfect," I grab for mine, pulling it toward me.
"Bella mentioned you could have a shot at a showing of your art," Edward says.
I'd been frosty with him for a few months. Mad at him running away from Bella. When he found out about the whole fake bridesmaid pact we had with Alice, he'd flipped his shit.
I'd privately threatened to shove his dick up his ass if he ever hurt her when they'd returned from their wild overseas make up sex. Since he'd been buddy, buddy with me trying to smooth everything over. He was a nice guy and I hated to admit that I enjoyed having him around.
"My boss is trying to make it happen. Who knows? Maybe it's just not good enough to show," I shrug.
"You're stupid if you think that," Bella scoffs, "your work is incredible."
"Actually my mother was talking about needing an artwork for the space she's designing for," Edward clicks his fingers, "if you have a portfolio or something I could show her! She's designing for JLo right now."
"As in… Jennifer fucking Lopez?" I gasp.
"Yeah," he grins, "if you get it to me tomorrow I'll send it onto her."
"I'll pull something together. I'm not getting hopes up," I nod.
"Good. I never know how these things will go with her," Edward nods, "she might turn it down or she might adore your work and put it in all her houses."
"Imagine if JLo looked at your art every day," Bella grins at me.
"Hopes babe," I shake my head, "low."
She rolls her eyes.
"Where are you spending Christmas?" Edward asks.
"Alone," I shrug, "oh actually Angela mentioned rum and eggnog. I might see if she's going away. Maybe we can get drunk and watch Home Alone."
"You could join us?" Edward offers.
"Bella tried and failed with that one," I say, "thank you though."
"I hate you'll be all alone," Bella crosses her arms, scowling, "you are my family. We have traditions."
"Watching The Grinch in our lingerie while we eat Taco Bell isn't a tradition. It's sad," I look pointedly at her.
"What did she just say?" Edward looks at Bella smirking.
"You're not invited," Bella shakes her head at him, "girls only."
"We even pillow fight," I tease, "we always break them and feathers fall in slow motion around us. They always land in Bella's cleavage."
"The mental picture is too much," Edward shakes his head grabbing for his beer.
I laugh as he downs the whole thing, while Bella watches him in an amused shock.
"Stop giving my boyfriend issues," Bella looks at me, "reconsider tagging along."
"Emmett will be there," I shake my head.
"I'll keep him out of your way," Edward tries.
"Unless you have a jumbo jet between us, the distance is too close," I say.
They concede and agree to leave me behind. I'm sad that I'll be alone. But I know where I'm not wanted. I know who I'm not wanted by.
We enjoy another round when Edward leans toward me and whispers.
"He was a fucking idiot for letting you go so easy. I'll make sure he remembers it," he whispers.
"Thanks Edward. But we were both idiots," I defend his brother… I don't know why.
"Perhaps. But he should have battled harder. He gave up when you asked for something so simple as space to gather your thoughts," Edward says, "ever since each try has been a calculated fail because trust can't be rebuilt via texts about pineapple."
"How do you know?" I look at him shocked.
"I'll tell if you tell me when The Grinch plays at your apartment," he tilts his head.
I can't help but laugh at him, thankful he'd pulled his head in for Bella. Wishing his brother would have done the same for me.
Thanks so much x