A/N: Sorry for the long overdue update, everyone. I had surgery on Wednesday to get my gall bladder taken out and I've been a bit loopy on Vicodin ever since. I hope you enjoy the new chapter! For those of you waiting for the lemons, please feel free to check my other new story up on my profile now.

Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight or any of its characters.

BPOV

I stood up and rushed away from Edward before I answered my phone. "Hey Jake," I said.

"Heya, Bells. How's Washington?" he asked.

"It's great, the Cullens are all really cool," I replied.

"Hey, so the tour is going to be over in a week and when I get home I want to talk to you about something kind of important." Jake sounded somewhat nervous. I wondered what he could possibly need to talk to me about.

"Sure, bub. What do you want to talk about?" I asked, concerned.

"Well I think we need to talk about us. I feel like you've been distracted lately and I want to talk to you about it, just not over the phone. I guess it can wait another week, right?"

His end of the phone call crackled a few times and I thought I lost him, but I cleared my throat and said, "Yeah, I guess we do need to talk when you get here…" I trailed off. I felt an unpleasant sensation crawling around in my stomach. I peeked back over my shoulder at Edward, who was leaning on one arm on the ground trying to look like he wasn't listening in. I definitely felt awkward.

I hung up, shuffled back over to where he was reclining, and sat back down on the blanket before sucking up all my courage to look at him. "Sorry, that was Jake calling," I mumbled, blushing.

He raised his eyes to mine and I felt my face get even hotter. His eyes seemed sad and understanding at the same time. "It's okay, we should probably get headed back to the house anyway. It's getting cold out here."

With that, he stood up and brushed off his pants before picking up the blanket. I stood off to the side, feeling so uncomfortable in my own skin. I didn't want to look at him, but I couldn't help myself. I felt so different when I was with him. I felt special, like I had something different to offer. I didn't feel so strange when we talked. It was as if Edward actually understood me, and that was definitely a novel feeling that I realized I had been missing in my relationship with Jake.

Stop it, I told myself sternly. Just because Edward was new and different didn't mean he was better for me than Jake. I'd been with Jake for years, and I knew Jake had finally caught on to my distraction over Edward. I didn't want to compromise my relationship with Jake over someone who probably had tons of girls hanging on his every word. Edward was beautiful and talented, how could he not have a gaggle of girls at his beck and call? I knew plenty of guys like him in the scene; always sought after by the groupies surrounding their bands. They probably never thought twice about girls like me.

We walked back to the house in uncomfortable silence while I dwelled on Jake's phone call. What did he need to say to me? With the tour ending soon, they would be taking a small hiatus to record their next album; I knew they'd be home for at least a year before heading back out again.

It hit me then that Jake might be intending to propose finally. My stomach firmly lodged itself in my throat as I tried to shake the feeling of instant dread that overtook me. I was acting like a stupid girl. I needed to focus on my boyfriend and stop crushing on some boy who wasn't mine to like.

EPOV

We got back to the house and I drifted up to my bedroom after waving goodbye to Bella. I definitely wanted to be alone. I was about to confess my feelings for Bella there by the pond before Jake called.

Saved by the bell, I thought grimly. I needed to get my feelings in hand. I couldn't go on letting my feelings for her grow. I needed to remember that she wasn't mine. Jake was a good man and I liked him; I didn't want to fight him for Bella and I definitely didn't feel comfortable even thinking about it. In fact, I felt dirty and shameful just for all the lust-filled thoughts and dreams I'd been having about her as of late. I would never be able to touch Bella the way I wanted to and I would just have to get used to that. She wasn't mine to touch.

A couple days passed and we were finally done with recording the songs for the EP. We were headed to a warehouse downtown to do a photoshoot for the cover art, and we were all feeling really hyped up. The record label was going to be sending out a stylist and I was having some reservations about what they'd want to do with us.

We walked in and looked around, taking in the surroundings. On the left was a big blank wall with a bunch of lights set up and some random props haphazardly stacked around a bunch of camera equipment. To the right were racks of clothes, all shoved against a bank of makeshift dressing rooms constructed from those walls used to make cubicles in offices and white sheets slung over the openings.

I spotted a tiny girl with spiky hair lounging in one of those cheesy director chairs by the clothes, wearing skin tight blank pants with zippers all over them and a ripped black Megadeath t-shirt. Her face held more metal than I'd ever seen and her hair was five different colors, at least. She saw us and jumped up as we made our way over to her.

"Hey guys! I'm Amber, I'll be your stylist. The label sent me over with these clothes. I already picked out a bunch of different outfits for you guys, so if you just go into the dressing rooms and put them on we can get started as soon as the photographer gets here!" She seemed to bounce around excitedly, reminding me a lot of Alice. I was sure they'd get along.

We all found our dressing rooms and started putting the outfits on. I looked down in dismay as I realized that the record label must have been joking; I was not going to wear this!

My mood sank deeper when I heard Emmett yell from the next stall, "Oh hell no! I am not wearing these pants! I think you got me confused with Alice!"

I drew back the sheet and saw Emmett standing there looking ridiculous in a pair of jeans so tight that he looked like he was suffocating. The stylist looked nervous, trying to figure out what was going on. Emmett looked so furious, I couldn't help but laugh.

"Dude, Em, it's okay. I think you look kinda cool," I teased.

"Eddie! Rose wants to have babies someday and I'll never have sperm again if I have to wear these girl pants!" he yelled. I couldn't stop myself, I burst out laughing until tears were streaming down my face.

Emmett looked like he was going to kill me. I saw his hands inching up to wrap themselves around my neck just as Jasper came rushing around the corner, looking panicked. "Edward, tell them I don't want to dye my hair black!" he said tightly under his breath.

I looked up to see a freakishly made up girl chasing him down with gloves and a bottle of hair dye clasped in her hand. I realized that they were expecting me to be the one to say something, so I cleared my throat awkwardly. Alice was the only one not looking at me; she was standing toe-to-toe with the clownish girl, glaring at her as if daring her to touch Jasper's hair with the blank dye.

"Let me just make a phone call and I'll be right back," I said. I looked around and saw the rest of my family, my band, looking relieved and guilty at the same time. They knew how much this was a dream of mine and they were afraid to get in the way, but I couldn't let them be changed so much for something that I wanted for myself. I quickly walked over and phoned our manager, telling him the situation. He agreed to call the label and get back to be as soon as he could.

I spotted Bella sitting on one of the couches by the props, looking like she didn't want to be there. I could tell she was uncomfortable because of our awkward moment by the pond a few days ago, but I didn't want her to feel that way. I walked over and sat next to her.

"So… did you see how silly Emmett looked in those jeans?" I said.

She laughed. "Oh my gosh, I thought he was going to turn purple!" she exclaimed. We both laughed until we were clutching our stomachs. Emmett was always good for a laugh and this time he didn't disappoint.

Feeling a little more at ease, we wandered back over to the rest of the group together. I hung close to Bella, trying to make her feel like she belonged there with us. I wanted her to belong with us.

My phone rang and I talked to our manager, feeling relieved. The label was reluctant to give up on the image they wanted for us, but they agreed that they wanted to keep us happy so they were willing to let us do our own thing within reason. I told everyone and they visibly relaxed.

Alice clapped her hands to rally us and turned around to shoo the stylist and make-up girl as far away as possible. Then she walked over to the racks of clothes and started throwing things every which way, shouting at each of us as she found something suitable for us to wear.

Finally, we were all dressed in something much more appropriate. Emmett was wearing a black t-shirt with dark blue Dickies and a pair of Chucks with a black baseball hat. Jasper was wearing a grey Dickies button-up workshirt with black Dickies pants and some solid black Chucks. Alice was dressed in a black tank top with red Dickies and black ballet flats while I was wearing a black hoodie under a blue Dickies work coat and a pair of dark jeans and a studded belt. We were excited to find that Dickies would be one of our sponsors, so we'd be able to wear stuff we already wore anyway.

We settled in and the photographer showed up to start the shoot. We loosened up as soon as the music started playing and we tried to absorb the ambience of listening to Hatebreed while we stood around looking tough. It was hilarious to see all of us trying so hard, because none of us was very intimidating.

I kept my eyes on Bella as much as possible, watching her reactions to the photo shoot.

BPOV

I watched as the Cullens and Jasper took their pictures for the cover art for their new album. They all looked really tough, and that made me want to giggle. I knew that Emmett was just a big teddy bear, but he had such a convincing look on his face that I actually started to believe that he could be menacing.

Edward looked gorgeous and I had a really hard time keeping my eyes away from him. I loved the way he was dressed and I felt my body responding to him against my best efforts.

Down girl, I reminded myself sternly. Just because Edward was personifying every delicious fantasy of mine come to life, I couldn't let myself enjoy it. He was off limits. I was getting tired of my uncontrollable physical reaction to him, and my lust-filled dreams were getting hotter every night. I just hoped that nobody could overhear me talking in my dreams.

I shifted self-consciously as I realized Edward was staring at me with his deep golden eyes. It felt as if he could see into my mind and read my thoughts. I looked away from him, focusing on Alice and her humorous attempts to look fierce. I knew her favorite show was America's Next Top Model, so I figured she was trying valiantly to channel Tyra Banks or something. I snickered quietly behind my hand while she wasn't looking.

As soon as the photographer was done and everyone was changed back into his or her own clothes, we headed back to the Cullen's house. I sat in the front with Edward, teasing him about the stylist and the make up artist who had tried to turn them into a bunch of sissy post-punk hardcore kids.

"Yeah, like I would be caught dead in manscara!" he laughed.

"Oh but just think how you wouldn't even have to buy new clothes, you could just raid Alice's wardrobe!" I snickered.

"Yeah or I could just steal all your clothes. I bet I'd look just fabulous in your pants," he said.

I choked as I thought about Edward getting in my pants. I'd be willing to bet he'd be fabulous in my pants, too. I blushed as I laughed at my horrible gutter mind and looked over to see Edward peeking at me from the corner of his eye as he tried to focus on the road.

"What's so funny?" he asked.

"Oh, uh, nothing. Just having a gutter moment in my head," I admitted guiltily. He just chuckled and turned his full attention back to the road.

Alice perked up from the back seat and said, "Hey guys! Who wants to go bowling?"

We spent the rest of the evening laughing and joking around, having so much fun I forgot all about my troubles with Jake and my problematic attraction to Edward. I felt like I was part of the Cullen family, and the more time I spent with them, the more I felt like I belonged. I never wanted to give them up.

The rest of the week passed in a blur of fun. I spent most of my time hanging out with Alice and Rosalie, but a lot of my time was also spent in Edward's room talking about music and sorting through his enormous music collection. He had such a varied taste in music that I felt I could get lost in it and never miss a thing.

On Friday, I was lying on the floor of his bedroom with his huge studio headphones on while Edward messed around on his piano. I was listening to my favorite Iron and Wine album, completely at peace. The sunlight filtering through the huge windows in Edward's bedroom was warm and inviting. I could feel myself beginning to drift off to sleep when the floor started to rumble. I looked up at Edward curiously, not being able to hear what was going on. His eyes widened as he looked down at me and I could see his mouth moving.

I took off the headphones and he said, "I think Jake's here."

I jumped up and ran down the stairs, and sure enough, Jake was standing in the entryway looking up at me. His face was clouded with concern and something else, something I couldn't put a name to. I stopped short on the bottom step, unsure.

He stepped forward and reached his arms out for me, pulling me into his warm embrace. I sunk my head into his solid chest and absorbed some of his endless supply of body heat. My eyes were closed but I could hear Edward coming down the stairs behind us, so I stepped out of the way and turned to look up at Jake.

"Hey, Bells. Miss me?" he grinned.

"Yeah, I did. Why didn't you call me to tell me you were back?" I lightly punched his arm in mock irritation.

"I wanted to surprise you. I was hoping we could go somewhere and talk," he said. The concerned look was back on his face and I looked at my feet, afraid my eyes would betray me by wandering to look at Edward.

Everyone came and greeted Jake as I went and grabbed my purse and brushed my hair. I didn't know what Jake wanted to say, but didn't want to say anything if he didn't bring it up. I knew telling Jake about my feelings for Edward would be a horrible idea, and I definitely wanted to avoid a scene now that Jake was home from tour for a while.

I ran back downstairs and grabbed Jake's hand, waving goodbye to everyone and promising to call Alice after I was done hanging out with Jake. We hopped in Jake's old beat up Rabbit and roared down the lane leading to the main road.

We drove down to First Beach, and after we climbed onto a big waterlogged tree trunk and got settled, Jake finally cleared his throat and began to speak. "Bella, I don't really know how to talk about this…"

I felt my stomach plummet as I looked at his face. I'd never seen this look on Jake's face before. "Just say whatever it is, Jake. I can't help you if I don't know what's going on," I said desperately.

"Well, I've been noticing how distracted you are lately and it got me to thinking about us and our relationship… we've been together for so long now and I guess I always figured that we'd get married and have a couple kids someday." He shifted around, looking like he wanted to fall into a hole.

I felt tears well up in my eyes. I didn't know how he knew, but he must have figured out my feelings for Edward. I panicked. "Jacob, you know how much I love you. I would never hurt you or leave you…" I began.

Jake cut in. "That's just it, Bella. I love you too and I never want to hurt you. That's why this is so hard to say…"

"Then just say it, Jake!" I pleaded.

"Okay, here goes," he took a deep breath. "Bella, I…"

EPOV

My stomach twisted as I watched Bella leave with Jake. The last week had been like a gift from the universe. I had been able to spend my days hanging out with Bella. Her beauty was breathtaking, both inside and out. I had such a hard time denying my feelings for her that were growing steadily by the day.

Every morning was its own brand of torture, waking up alone after nights filled with hot, sweaty dreams echoing with her passionate cries for me. Cold showers were my new best friend. I couldn't get past my own selfish desires for her. It ate at me every moment I spent with her.

Shortly after Jake stole Bella away, I grabbed my coat and headed into Port Angeles. I was in a foul mood and I wanted nothing more than to drown my sorrows. I hardly ever drank, but tonight seemed as good a day as any to get completely shitfaced.

I slouched down at the bar, my hand wrapped around a Jack and Coke while I replayed all the time I'd spent with Bella so far. I remembered in clear detail each laugh, each look, each time she'd bitten her lip. She drove me crazy and she had no idea.

I heard someone coming up behind me and I turned my head disinterestedly. A blonde woman who might have been attractive to most guys in the bar was standing slightly behind me, looking at me with a very feline expression in her eyes.

"Hey tiger, mind if I sit here?" she purred.

"Go ahead," I mumbled. I turned back to my drink and she rubbed her body against me as she sat on the stool next to mine. She turned to the bartender and ordered a drink before swiveling the stool back in my direction.

"So, what's a guy like you doing looking so glum on a Friday night?" she asked.

I raised my bloodshot eyes to hers and said, "Just trying to forget some things… or remember some things, I guess." I grumbled.

She laughed seductively. "Well, I can probably help you forget. What's your name, tiger?"

"Edward," I said.

"Well, Edward, I'm Tanya. It's nice to meet you," she purred. She held out her hand and I reluctantly shook it before her words echoed in my mind.

Her name was Tanya. I thought back to the night I gave Bella that stupid mix CD. Those drunk girls had been slobbering all over me and Bella had made up some joke about my girlfriend Tanya being pissed off.

Perfect, I thought.

Tanya must have sensed a change in me because she threw some money down on the bar and took my hand, leading me out of the bar. I followed behind willingly.

A/N: I know, you hate the cliffhangers. Honestly, I just didn't want the chapter to have too much in it. The next one will hopefully be up in the next few days. Check my profile for some music suggestions for this chapter. - HIE