Disclaimer: I forgot to add a disclaimer to my first chapter. Whoops! Anyway, we all know the drill. I don't own Twilight, or any of the characters.

I'm blown away by how many people have read this story so far and put it on their alerts! Thanks everyone! Just so we're clear, this isn't a song fic and it's definitely not going to be one anytime soon. I just love music and I wanted to write what I know. I hope you enjoy this second chapter!

BPOV

The tour had been going on for about two weeks now. Things were still the same as before we had hooked up with Volterra, except now I had a couple of girl friends. Rose and Alice would drag me away from our men at every opportunity, citing the need to sample shopping in every single stop along our route. I had to remind them that space was limited, so Rose and I usually ended up just window-shopping. Alice, of course, bought things to her heart's content and then had it all shipped home. I just shook my head in exasperation as I thought of all the boxes she would have waiting for her once the tour was over.

Currently, we were at the post office trying to ship her most recent hoard of stuff. My mind boggled at the amount she had managed to pick up in the two hours of free time we had before we were due back at the club. I was standing there in line, letting my mind drift off into space as we waited to mail the boxes. Alice was tapping her foot impatiently, constantly checking the time in her need to get going. Rosalie just stood serenely twirling a lock of her long golden hair around one of her fingers. She didn't look stressed at all.

In my daydreaming, my mind drifted off toward a certain person with bronze hair and warm golden eyes. Edward was definitely the most amazingly beautiful person I'd ever seen, but he was still really stand-offish. I wanted to get to know him, but I knew that it was probably a bad idea because I was already thinking about him too much. Jake didn't seem to notice my sudden preoccupation, but I still felt guilty over it. I just wanted to be Edward's friend, that wouldn't be wrong, would it? I imagined us hanging out and joking around, talking about music and movies. I had long conversations with him in my mind, imagining myself as extra witty and intelligent so that he would be impressed. I tried to snap my mind back to the present. I knew what I was doing. I was getting a serious crush on Edward. I hadn't had a crush on anybody since I met Jake, and I didn't feel right about it. I nervously peeked at Alice and Rose, wondering if they could see the guilt written on my face.

Finally, the line moved and we were able to finish our business and head back toward the venue. The bands were playing the Midwest for the next couple of weeks, so the drive back was kind of boring and cold. The heater on the van still wasn't working, so the frigid air was biting into my skin through my thin layers of clothing. I don't know why I just didn't invest in some heavier clothes, for crying out loud. Lord knows I had plenty of band hoodies, but my winter coat was still shoved somewhere deep in the recesses of the van and I just didn't feel like digging it out.

We pulled up in front of the club and Alice and Rose gracefully exited the van. I, on the other hand, ended up caught in the seatbelt on my way because I'd forgotten to unbuckle it. My body weight was hurdled back into the seat and I blushed furiously. I looked around quickly to see if anybody had seen this, and to my immense embarrassment, I noticed Edward looking in my direction with a small smile on his face. He was standing next to one of the guys from the club, who was openly laughing at me. I ducked my head quickly, my armpits prickling in the heated blush that consumed my entire being. I quickly undid my seatbelt and stumbled onto the sidewalk, trying to avoid eye contact with Edward and Rude Dude. I shuffled toward the main entrance and went to look for Jake.

EPOV

Tour was going really well. I was meeting a lot of really awesome people and making really good contacts. I spent most of my time talking to the people running the venues and meeting other bands we met up with locally. I was talking to one of the managers of the venue we were playing tonight when I saw Wolf Runner's van park next to the curb. Alice was driving it like a maniac, naturally. I watched as Bella tried to climb down from the front seat and had to hide my chuckle when I saw her get caught in her seatbelt. That girl was definitely a klutz. An adorable klutz, a tiny voice in my mind whispered. I quickly tried to drown it out. I had no business thinking of someone else's girlfriend that way.

I sighed and turned back to Jared. We were talking about Volterra's next album and I was excitedly explaining the concept that had come to me in a big, elaborate dream one night. I had already finished the lyrics for most of the songs we wanted to put on it, but the music was still in the works. The theme was about a powerful group of Italian vampires called the Volturi who lived subversively among humans while trying to keep the vampire world a secret. They were evil and corrupt, and most of the songs were about the bad deeds they did. The last song was about the ultimate battle between good and evil where the Volturi meet their match against good vampires set on winning the war. I wanted to call the album The Volturi.

Jared was really into the idea, so I hoped that more people would be on board and get excited about our second album. I hoped that this one would be released on the label; I really wanted to see my brainchild get the treatment it deserved.

Jared and I walked back into the club and I scanned the room, my eyes inadvertently looking for Bella. I hated my reflex, but after just two weeks, I was already craving the sight of her face. I wanted to be her friend, or at least that's what I told myself. I knew what I really wanted from her, and it had nothing to do with best friend bracelets and sleepovers…well, maybe the sleepovers. I shook my head quickly. I was getting angry over my lack of self-control. Avoiding girls who were taken was never a problem for me before, so I found it really annoying that I couldn't get past this sudden crush. Maybe I just wanted her because I couldn't have her, I don't know. All I knew was that I needed to stay away from her.

Which would have been easier if I everything in me wasn't steadily pounding away at my convictions. Maybe if I just let myself be friends with her, I'd get over the mystery Bella presented and I could stop imagining her cheering me on during the shows. I rolled my eyes at my apparent rush of estrogen. I was starting to sound like a love-struck teenage girl. It was sickening, really.

Right then, I saw Bella kiss Jake on the cheek and retreat to the rear of the club. She pulled her iPOD out and started listening to music. I wanted to know what she was listening to, so I innocently ambled over and sat down next to her. She looked at me nervously from the corner of her eye. It occurred to me that maybe she wanted to be left alone. I shifted uncomfortably, suddenly feeling unsure of myself. She removed one of her ear buds and I cleared my throat and smiled.

"So, what are you listening to?" I asked.

She looked down and her feet like she was embarrassed. She finally raised her eyes back to mine and said, "Well, since we're in the Midwest right now, I'm listening to bands from Nebraska. It's kind of this thing I do when we're on tour. When we were back in the Northwest, I was listening to Minus the Bear and Death Cab for Cutie. Right now, I'm listening to Bright Eyes."

I smiled. That was pretty cute. I could tell she felt silly telling me that, though. "So what is a girl who likes mellow indie rock doing on tour with a metal band?" I asked.

She wrinkled her nose and said, "I like metal, too, but I just get kind of overdosed on it night after night. Besides, my true love is definitely the mellow stuff. I'm just not like some of the really tough girls I see at these shows. I only have a couple of tattoos. I'm not pierced up and sleeved out and wearing brass knuckles as a belt buckle. I'm too clumsy and dorky to intimidate anyone. Besides, could you imagine me trying to hardcore dance? I'd probably kill someone on accident!"

I laughed and said, "I think all of that is mostly posturing anyway. I mean, sure, a lot of people like getting tattoos and stuff but I think the people who are actually here for the music don't need all of the appearance stuff. That's just kind of extra. A couple years ago when we started, I promised myself that I wouldn't let myself fall into the trap of gauging my ears until you could park my Volvo in them. I only have two tattoos, myself. I don't see myself getting any more."

She gave me a big smile and we kept chatting about our music preferences and our opinions on the lifestyle we were living in. She was really witty and clever. I was amazed. She was usually so quiet when everyone was around, so I never thought she would have so much to say about so many things.

I was already imagining a mix I wanted to make for her in my head. I was considering songs while we continued to joke around. I had a ridiculously large music collection and I was naming a lot of bands she'd never heard of. I figured friends make friends c.d.s, right? Therefore, it wouldn't be untoward of me to make one for her; at least that's what I told myself in my excitement.

I noticed Jake smiling and looking back and forth between Bella and me with a curious expression on his face. I wondered again if Bella was usually quieter than this, but I quickly tamped down the smug feeling I had in my chest at that thought. I quickly wrapped up our conversation and stood up to greet Jake. I said goodbye to Bella and walked off to find Emmett, trying to quiet the feeling of disappointment that I couldn't continue our conversation.

After we played our set a few hours later, I retreated to the van and pulled out my laptop. I had my entire music catalogue on it, so I was able to compile the songs I wanted for Bella's mix c.d. without having to burn any songs first. I sat there thinking about which direction I wanted to go with the music. I had to resist the urge to put the songs I really wanted to put on the list. I reined in my hormones and decided to choose some ambiguous and friendly songs. I tried to pick some stuff she might not have heard before. I closed my eyes and tried to imagine bands that Bella would like. Inspiration struck when I thought back to our conversation, and I scanned through my music, quickly picking the albums I wanted.

I finished burning the album and pulled out a black jewel case to write down the track listing:

1. Eric Bachmann- Little Bird

2. Sorry About Dresden- Butterflies

3. The Black Keys- When the Lights Go Out

4. The Felix Culpa- The Apartment

5. Of the Opera- Interlude

6. Sufjan Stevens- Amazing Grace

7. Castanets - Good Friend, Yr Hunger lyrics

8. The Silent Years- Open Our Eyes

9. Son Ambulance- Paper Snowflakes

I told myself none of the songs were suggestive. I didn't want her to read into my choices at all. I just wanted to make her a nice mix c.d… right?

I suddenly felt really silly. She would probably hate it and then I'd feel like an idiot. Still, I wandered off to find her. I knew Wolf Runner was probably getting ready to finish up, so I knew I'd probably find her backstage. I went in that direction but I stopped when Emmett flagged me down as I passed the bar entrance.

"Hey, man!" Emmett yelled above the noise.

"Hey, bro. What's up? Where's Rose?"

"Ah, y'know, she's just hanging out with Alice and Bella backstage. Alice wants Bella to help design our new merch. Did you know she designed some of Wolf Runner's stuff?" he asked.

"No, I didn't know. But Emmett, remember I told you that I wanted to be in charge of the new designs for the next album? I want to be sure they reflect the concept…" I wasn't sure if Emmett would remember this conversation, either. He was already on his fourth beer.

He just shook his head at me. "Eddie, you know you can't have your hands in everything concerning the new album. I mean, we still have to be a part of it if you want us to feel like it belongs to all of us."

I knew he was right, I just didn't want to let any part of my concept get misconstrued. I was a perfectionist, I guess. I knew I could trust my band with this stuff, but I was still reluctant. I just didn't want to let any small detail get out of my hands. I didn't want to bicker about it right now, though, so I just changed the subject. "Anyway, Em, you said Bella is backstage with Alice and Rose?" I asked.

"Yeah… hey, why are you looking for Bella anyway?" His eyes narrowed as he tried to focus on me in the dim light of the bar. I didn't welcome his scrutiny; as much as people thought Emmett was oblivious, I knew he understood me pretty well. If Emmett thought something was going on, he'd stick to me like glue until he got the truth from me. I shifted to my other foot and waited for him to answer my question as I ignored his.

"Yeah, they're in the green room backstage," he said finally. I smiled at him gratefully and stalked to the back. Along the way, a few drunken girls tried to get my attention. I feigned interest while they spouted on an on about how gorgeous I was. I definitely didn't want to be rude to fans, but it was really unattractive to be hit on by someone who was probably too drunk to know what they were doing. The smell of alcohol was sweating from their pores in the sweaty confines of the packed club. I just tried to hold my breath and keep smiling.

One of the girls giggled and held her shirt out towards me. She looked up at me brazenly and said, "I got this shirt to wear just for you, Edward! I just love Volterra and want to have your babies!" My mouth dropped in shock as I read the words on her shirt. It said "Save a Drum, Bang a Drummer" on it. I groaned inwardly; this was getting excessively awkward for my taste.

I looked up desperately, scanning the room for some help. My eyes locked on Bella's as I saw her come out of the restroom behind the stage. She must have sensed my desperate need for her help, because she walked towards me and eyed the drunken fans. I didn't know what to say or do, but the need was taken away when one of them launched herself toward me suddenly. Her wet lips grazed my cheek as her sweaty palms tried to find purchase on my jaw. I jerked my head to the side in surprise and Bella caught on to my dilemma.

"Hey Edward, I don't think, er, Tanya would be very happy if she found out you're making out with some chick," she said.

I turned to her, eyes wide, trying to figure out who Tanya was. Bella rolled her eyes at me and turned back to the brazen blonde-haired woman in front of me. "Tanya is Edward's girlfriend and she's extremely possessive. At the last show he played, some girl jumped on the stage and started taking her bra off in front of him and Tanya went crazy. I think the girl is still in critical condition," she added, looking up at me.

I caught on then and schooled my expression in an attempt to convey grave danger for the girls. "Yeah," I said, "she's backstage right now but I think if I were you, I'd get going. She probably already knows what just happened…" I trailed off, suggestively. The drunk girl's eyes went wide in fear as she quickly looked around the club. If she had been sober, our little trick probably wouldn't have worked so well.

Just then, amazingly enough, Rosalie came stomping into the bar. She looked furious, but I had no idea why. The girls must have thought she was the fabled "Tanya," so they quickly turned and ran off in the other direction. Bella and I just looked at each other, laughing so hard our sides began to hurt. Rosalie's entrance was pure perfection. I wandered back over to Emmett to see why she was so steamed.

"…and I don't appreciate you getting drunk when we have to drive to the next town tonight!" Rosalie was yelling. Emmett just sat there with a big goofy grin on his face. Instead of quaking in fear as I was sure she expected, he just grabbed her around the waist with his big beefy arms and planted a sloppy kiss right on her mouth.

With that, Rosalie growled and threw her hands in the air. She dropped on the bar stool next to his and ordered coffee to go. I turned to see Bella grinning at them as if she thought the whole thing was adorable.

Just then, I remembered the mix c.d. in my hand. "Hey, Bella, I made something for you I thought you might like," I said.

She turned around and made eye contact with me. I tried not to get lost in her warm brown eyes. I bet she could make men do anything with those big, beautiful eyes. I shuddered to think what kind of slave she could turn me into if she really tried. I handed her the c.d. and she looked at it with delight as she noted the songs on the back. I sighed in relief, not really realizing just how nervous I was in anticipation of her reaction.

She looked back up at me, her eyes sparkling with happiness.