Chapter 25
Disclaimer: All things Twilight belong solely to Stephenie Meyer. No copyright infringement is intended
EPOV
As I exited the hospital, I realized I didn't have a way back to the hotel. Instead of calling Jared for a ride, I decided to walk the couple of miles instead and use the time to clear my head.
Just as I was beginning my trek along one of the side streets, my cell buzzed in my pocket. Figuring it was my grandfather, I ignored it; I was still incredibly hurt by his betrayal. When it stopped and began buzzing again, I pulled it out and saw it was Seth.
Shit.
With all that had occurred over the past twenty-four hours, I had forgotten to call him back.
"Hey."
"What the hell, Edward!"
"Sorry, I lost track of time."
"Seriously? Are you going to tell me what the fuck is going on now?" he sighed into the phone. "This isn't like you."
"I know, okay," I snapped as I paused to rub my forehead. My head pounded from the stress of the day. The last thing I really needed was my therapist giving me shit on top of it. "Listen, let me call you back later; I'm not even in a place where I can talk right now."
"Fine," he said before adding, "Hey, you know if you need me, I'll be on the next flight, right?"
"I know, and I appreciate that," I said. "And I swear I'll let you know if it ever gets to that point, but right now, I'm okay; I promise. I'm using the techniques you and Demitri taught me. I swear, I'm in control."
After hearing the sincerity in my voice, he said, "Okay, just call me when you can. Talk to you soon."
"Thanks. Bye."
By the time we finished our conversation, I had made it back to the center of town. Needing something to relieve my headache, I stopped at the local pharmacy to grab some Tylenol. After getting the medication and a bottle of water, I approached the cashier who gave me a wary glance.
I knew I looked like shit. In addition to the bruises that Mike had given me, I'm sure my face was still puffy from all the crying I had done at the hospital. In an attempt to ease her nervousness, I shot her a half-grin; it was all I could muster at that time. It appeared to work because she released a short giggle and flipped her hair.
"Thanks, Tanya," I said after reading her name on the badge which was pinned to her work vest.
"Anytime." She popped her gum and batted her eyes.
I grimaced as I left the store. Her giggle had brought to mind someone I had tried to forget.
Lauren.
The first of many mistakes I had made when it came to my relationship with Bella.
I'll never forget the day my father essentially hooked me up with her.
"Pops?"
"What, son?" Sighing, he threw down the papers he had been reviewing and looked at me.
"Do...do you think you can fire Lauren?"
"Fire her? Why in the hell would I do that?" he asked rubbing his temples. "Has she broken her contract?"
What he really meant was had she been flapping her gums where she shouldn't. . .
"No, no. Nothing like that. It's just. . . she's making me uncomfortable." I pulled at my shirt collar.
"Uncomfortable? What the fuck are you getting at, Edward?"
"She's been hitting on me. Today, she grabbed my fucking dick!"
Carlisle released a loud guffaw. "Are you shittin' me? You are such a damn pansy!" He continued laughing, his face turned red as he slammed his hand onto the surface of his desk. Standing, he pointed out toward the lobby and said, "You seriously want me to fire Lauren because she wants to fuck you?"
I ran a hand through my hair and shrugged. "I've told her I'm not interested, but she won't listen." Groaning, I continued. "Shit, Pops. A man can only take so much. I mean, I haven't had sex in two years! The least you can do is remove the temptation from my fucking face!"
Carlisle immediately stopped laughing. "What the fuck do you mean you haven't had sex in two years?"
I furrowed my brow. "Well, that's when I met Isabella–"
He interrupted me. "And? She's what. . . fourteen?"
"She's fifteen, now," I mumbled.
"And you're supposed to sit around and let your dick rot off your body while you're waiting on her?"
He couldn't mean what I thought he was. "What are you saying, Pops?"
"My God, Edward, a man has needs. You gotta take care of them. No one is going to think less of you for getting your dick wet every now and again. In fact, if you don't, you are going to end up resenting that little girl one day."
"Does that mean you cheat on Ma?" I whispered astonished by what he was saying.
After picking up the stapler from his desk, he threw it at me. I groaned when it hit my right shoulder. "Are you a fucking dimwit? Of course, I don't screw around on your ma. You're not fucking married now, Edward. It's not cheating. Don't you have a single brain cell in that fucking head of yours?"
As I rubbed my sore shoulder, I sat quietly and contemplated what he had said. Before I could reply, he pushed the intercom button on his phone. "Lauren?"
"Yeah, Mr. Cullen?"
"Come in here please."
Less than a minute later, she came sauntering into the room. As soon as she saw me, her tongue darted out of her mouth, and she licked her lips.
"Lauren, Edward and I have reservations at Shanghai Terrace for lunch. I'm unable to go. I thought maybe you'd like to join him instead?"
Her eyes bugged as she let out a high-pitched giggle. "Sure, I'd love to go with Eddy."
My eyes bugged as well; my dad was hooking me up.
As Lauren and I left his office, Dad pulled me aside. "I'll call and reserve you a room at the hotel. Have fun." He patted me on the back as he let out a sharp laugh.
That was the first time I slept with Lauren.
The first time I cheated on my soulmate.
It continued for two more years. The relationship did stop for a brief period when I was twenty-four. My uncle and Nonno helped me realize how wrong it was for me to disrespect Bella by screwing someone else. But unfortunately, when I started using drugs, all reason left me, and I began seeing her again for the occasional fuck.
But now, I've had not only three and a half years of sobriety but also, celibacy. Once I had gotten clean, and spent time with my grandparents, all desire for anyone other than Bella simply vanished.
The only action my dick was getting now was from my fucking right hand.
And you know what? That's fine by me.
Because it's all I deserve; I had the opportunity to have everything with Bella, and I had fucked it up.
As I thought about her, pain radiated inside my chest. She had looked so beautiful today. The way her long, mahogany hair had fallen in loose waves past her shoulders had driven me to the brink of insanity. The entire time I was there, my fingers had itched to reach out and touch a strand just to see if it was as soft and silky as it appeared.
Her gorgeous face with its rosy cheeks and pale skin were offset by the most perfect mouth I had ever seen in my entire fucking life.
And the way her eyes had smoldered in anger had me wondering what they would look like in the heat of passion.
But I would never know because she has a baby with someone else.
A beautiful little girl who I originally thought was going to be my daughter.
I paused as a fresh set of tears began falling from my eyes. When I had held her hand this afternoon and had the vision of a baby, a swell of happiness had burst through me.
I thought I was going to be a father.
I thought I was going to have a child with Bella.
But how wrong I had been. That gorgeous little girl belongs to somebody else. Another man who now owns my Bella's heart.
I knew my chance with Bella was over, but before I left town - I needed to make sure of one more thing.
And there was only one person who had the answers I needed. So when I reached the hotel, I went straight to room thirty-eight and proceeded to pound on the door.
-IT-
"Mr. Cullen?"
"Jared," I said as I passed by him into his room, not waiting for an invitation.
After closing his door, he turned toward me. I was already seated at the small table next to the window. Instead of speaking, he sat across from me.
"I need to know who the father of Isabella's child is." My voice clipped as I felt a stab of jealousy.
His face paled. "B-but...but Mr. Cullen, you said only wanted her location," he mumbled as beads of sweat formed on his brow. "You never wanted any additional information."
Rubbing a palm across my face, I sighed. "I know what I said, Jared. But, I'm asking you now - who is the father?"
"Right...right." He scurried from his chair and retrieved his laptop from its case. "I have all the information on the father in Isabella's file."
Within seconds, he began rattling off everything he had on him.
"Austin Marks. Twenty-five years old. Accountant. Lives in Boise, Idaho. Engaged to Maggie—"
Impossible.
Certainly, I heard him incorrectly. "What did you just say?"
"Which part?"
"Did you say he's engaged to someone other than Isabella?"
"Um...yes, sir," he responded. After typing something into his laptop, he turned the screen around to show me a picture of a young couple. "Austin Marks and Maggie Coleman have been engaged for over a year."
"What the fuck do you mean he's been engaged to another woman for over a year? Bella hadn't even given birth at that point!"
"Well…" He pulled his collar. "Mr. Marks hasn't been involved in Ms. Swan's life for quite some time, sir, and he's never even met Gia."
"Gia?"
"The baby," he explained. "Her name is Gia Rose."
Even as infuriated as I was, I couldn't help but smile upon learning her name. Bella had obviously called her that after my nonna and Carmen.
"Is he at least providing some type of support for Gia?" I asked, still unable to process how this lowlife was not involved in his daughter's life.
"No, I'm afraid he's not."
As soon as the words left his mouth, a rush of blind fury filled me.
Standing with my fists clenched at my sides, I stared at the ceiling and counted to ten. When I didn't feel any calmer, I began counting once more.
Once I got to seventy, I realized counting wasn't going to alleviate the anger I felt at that moment.
No, nothing was going to help except making a trip to Idaho and paying a visit to Austin Marks.
AN:
A glimpse at some of Edward's history with Lauren. Also, a peek at Austin Marks - who will appear in the next chapter.
I didn't get a chance to get back to everyone who reviewed, but I do think I responded to everyone who asked specific questions. I appreciate everyone's comments and feedback. I love you all.
Thanks as always to Fran and K who help me with each chapter. Gail, Diane, Kay, Cheryl and countless others who give me support and friendship through the process.
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