Chapter 4: Cheap Wine and Rum

Disclaimer: SM owns Twilight.

Ms. Swan

After Edward and Jasper left my house, I made sure his truck disappeared down the road before letting out one of those really embarrassing, girlish squeals. Edward Masen was just standing in my kitchen, eating my cookies…

I really felt like a moron when my teenage brother ran down the stairs to make sure that his crazy ass sister hadn't lost her mind. I didn't tell him about Edward being in the house; he would have seen right through me.

Once I was finished cleaning up the kitchen, I went into my bedroom and changed shirts, changing back into his shirt. I felt like I was back in high school with a horrible crush on someone that was out of my league. It was like déjà vu; Lauren dating the star quarterback that I dreamed of every night. Only now… it was Edward.

Alice and Rose called to ask what happened and literally screamed over the phone when they found out that Edward came into my house. I didn't see what the big deal was since they both knew he was dating the skank.

I got up the next morning even before the sun started to rise. I had a lot to do and not much time to do it. I sniffed Edward's shirt one more time before throwing it in the washer. Sick obsession? I know. I hurriedly showered, dressed in my workout clothes, and left a note for Seth in case he woke up before I got back. I stopped at the local gas station, which was also the mini grocery store for Forks, and picked up a bottle of wine. I'm sure the store owner thought I was crazy for getting alcohol so early in the morning; for all he knew I was a raving alcoholic that just moved into town. Nobody in town would recognize me unless they saw me at the funeral. I was no longer the bookworm with long hair and glasses that did nothing but study; I had changed immensely since going to college.

I ran by the ATM and withdrew enough cash to cover the tire that Edward purchased for me, plus money to fill up his truck from all the running around he did to take me everywhere I needed to go last night.

I ran back by my house and picked up the t-shirt that was drying while I was running my errands. I drove over to Emmett and Rose's house which was extremely close to Edward's place. I used to go running out that way because the Cullen's property was surrounded by lush trees and it was just a nice, quiet place to go. Edward's house just happened to be right in the middle of my old running trail, I noticed last night.

I left a note on my car's windshield in case Emmett and Rose woke up to find my car there without me anywhere around. Also, I wrote a quick note to Edward. Against my better judgment, I scribbled my phone number on the note, just in case he ever needed anything. I grabbed the bag with Edward's things and started walking along the trail through the wooded area.

Almost immediately, I spotted the tree that Alice and I sloppily scribbled our names in several years ago. 'AMC + IMS = BFF'… We wrote that on everything. Alice was the kind of friend that I would grow old with. We had run away from home the night that we carved our "slogan" into the tree. Emmett joined a football camp his sophomore year of high school and Alice and I were extremely depressed that he would be leaving us all summer. We looked up to our "big brother" and we were mad that he was going to do something without us. Alice got a crazy idea in her head for us to run away so that Emmett would stay home to search for us. Crazy? Definitely. We were teenagers, though, and very dramatic teenagers at that. Anyway, we probably spent an hour out in the woods before Emmett found us. He followed us out there, listening to us whining, before breaking up our little plan. I loved him so much.

I didn't realize how close I was to Edward's house as I thought about old times. It was so dark last night that I didn't get a very good look at his house, but seeing it in the daylight… it was gorgeous. And huge. I wondered what a single guy would need such a huge house for, but I guess that's how the filthy rich football players live?

Very carefully and quietly, I stepped onto his front porch and placed the bag in front of the door. As soon as I put it down, I heard a rustling noise coming from inside. I did not want to get caught by Edward. He'd probably think I was stalking him or something, coming to his house so early in the morning. So I ran away from his house as fast as I could.

Too soon, my phone rang. I answered on the first ring accidentally when I meant to just push the stupid silence button. Damn Blackberry.

"Hello?" I answered, as I held the phone away from my ear to see who was calling. 'Coach McHottie' was displayed across the screen. Yes, I saved his number from when I called him about Seth. What's wrong with me?

"Hey, Bella… it's Edward. I just got your note and… well, I was wondering if you could help me out with something…?"

What could Coach McHot- Edward, possibly want from me? "Sure," I replied tentatively. "What's going on?"

"Well, I love your cookies… and I have this dinner thing that I have to go to tonight. I need to take something, so I was wondering-"

"Sure, I'll make a batch for you. It's the least I can do." I didn't want him to keep going on and on about it. For some reason, it seemed like the smooth and suave Edward Masen was kind of nervous.

Edward cleared his throat and let out a deep breath. "I kind of… wanted you to show me how to."

"Why? I mean… I can tell you what to do, but-"

It was Edward's turn to interrupt me. "I want to know how to, and I'm more of a 'hands on' kind of guy."

Just hearing his smooth, deep voice did things to my body. Why was I letting him affect me this way? "Um… okay. Do you want to come to my house or-"

"How about mine? I'm just going out for a run and then I'll be here the rest of the day, but I do have that dinner thing later this evening."

So many thoughts crossed my mind. Who was he having dinner with? And as immature as it sounded, was the skank going to be eating my cookies? "Just call me whenever you're ready, but my car… will it make it down your road?"

"Probably not." I heard rustling from his end and his breathing picked up slightly. "I've got to go to the grocery store anyway… to pick up the ingredients, which you'll have to give me a list for anyway. Want me to pick you up?"

I heard more rustling in the background. He was running while talking to me. I started jogging lightly, afraid that he might use the trail behind his house. Oh my God, what if he thought I was stalking him or something?

"Bella?" Edward said, considering I was silent for several seconds.

"I'm here… sorry. Yeah, you can pick me up – just call me when you're coming."

My face turned beet red as I heard Edward call out my name from behind me. He had already caught up to me. I stopped my slow jog and turned around to find Edward in his athletic shorts and no fucking shirt. Yes… no shirt. I tried to look away, but I couldn't. His chest was muscular… tight… perfect. Edward wasn't one of those overly muscular guys who looked like they were on steroids or lived in a gym. He was just right. My eyes trailed down his body, leading down to the defined 'V' shape where his shorts hung.

"Hey," Edward breathed. I still had the phone up to my ear, probably looking so stunned. "You like to run?"

"Yeah… sorry, I used to run this trail in high school… and I didn't mean to interrupt your-"

"Seriously, Bella?" Edward grinned and gently nudged me with his elbow. "You're too uptight… actually, I'd love to have someone to run with if you're interested."

I didn't know what to think about him. Over the phone he seemed so unsure of himself, but face to face he was smooth and calm. I was the blubbering mess now.

"Sure," I said shyly.

Edward and I walked slowly as I explained that I was parked at Emmett's house, worried that I might get stuck if I went down his road. He couldn't believe that I was out so early, which led to my verbal diarrhea about never sleeping well, etc. The more we talked, the more comfortable I felt around him. I found that he had a very calming, soothing voice and sometimes I would get caught up with just listening to his voice, not even paying attention to what he was saying. He was incredibly sexy, but I had to remember that he was taken. Taken by the skank.

"Well, I'm going to shower and get changed… call me when you're ready?" I asked as I nervously shoved my stray hairs behind my ear.

"Okay… thanks for doing this, Bella," Edward said, placing his hand on my car, leaning comfortably against it. "I hope it's not too much trouble…"

"No, it's fine… really." My face was blushing as I kept losing focus when I would stare at his body for too long. "So…" I felt so awkward. "I'll see you later then."

"Yep," Edward grinned as he pushed himself off my car. "Have a good morning, Bella." I loved the way he said my name. .. "Oh and thanks for the wine…" He had that devastatingly sexy smile on his face again.

Edward walked to the other side of my car as I got in and drove away. I looked back in my rearview mirror as Edward watched me drive away. There was definitely something different about him. I expected him to be a jock… a jerk… but he wasn't. He was cocky, don't get me wrong, but he was very kind.

I drove home and woke Seth up since he was still asleep. He had made plans to go fishing with Billy and Jacob all day and they were going to camp out if it didn't rain. I wanted him to go to the Cullen's barbecue with me, but I didn't want to push him if he wanted to spend time with his old friends. Billy, like Carlisle, wanted to be there for Seth, the way my dad was. I knew my parents would very much like it if Seth had men like that to count on as fatherly figures.

Seth jumped out of bed and hurried out before I could even say goodbye. I quickly showered, shaving my legs, all the while wondering why I was being so particular; it wasn't like we were going to do anything. I was going to help him make cookies, probably teaching him how to woo the skank, and then I would leave to go to a barbecue and see all of my friends in perfect relationships.

I kept my outfit simple, wearing blue jean capri pants and a black tank top. Edward called as I was straightening my hair and said he was a few minutes away. I pulled my hair back into a pony tail and slipped on my flip flops before running down stairs. And then I had a mild panic attack. What in God's name was I doing? I just met this guy last night and I was going to his house, causing me to be alone with him once again? Before I could come up with a good excuse to back out, I heard Edward's truck pull up in the driveway. Seconds later I heard his door slam shut. I didn't want some weird awkward scene like he was picking me up for a date, so I hurried out the front door, meeting him on the porch.

"Hi," I said shyly.

"Hi," Edward replied with a small smile spreading across his face. "Ready?"

I nodded as we walked towards his truck. He opened the door for me as I climbed into the truck. As he walked around the front of the truck to his side, my mouth started to water. Literally. Edward was wearing khaki shorts and a white t-shirt with a USC logo and a cap covering his usually messy hair. I did not know how I was going to be alone with him all afternoon without making a fool of myself.

"Okay, so where to first, chef?" Edward asked, turning towards me before pulling out of the driveway.

I had just finished off my bottle of rum for the batches of cookies I made the night before. "Um… well, we need to go to the liquor store first and-"

"Wait… are you trying to get me drunk already, Ms. Swan?"

"N-no! It's just… the cookies have rum in them," I said, fumbling over my words. I felt my face flush as Edward chuckled heartily. Cocky bastard.

Once Edward was finished laughing, we headed towards the local liquor store, immediately receiving odd looks from the clerks, as they usually didn't get customers so early in the morning.

"Coach Masen? What are you doing here so early, cutie?" The clerk said from behind the register. I automatically recognized her voice. It was Sue, the wife of one of my dad's close friends.

I turned the corner, afraid she would recognize me. I wasn't ready for the whole town to know I was back and she would definitely spread the word. Edward laughed loudly as he was talking to Sue while I tried to find Kahlua vanilla rum. I heard the squeal coming down the aisle as Sue approached me.

"Little Bella Swan… is that you!?"

I turned around slowly, face still flushed from being around Edward. After Sue's squealing and catching up, Edward paid for his things, which included a case of strawberry daiquiri wine coolers for his party later that night. Sue winked at us as we walked out and I thought I saw a hint of blush on Edward's face, but maybe I was imagining things.

Edward and I went to the local grocery store next to get all of the ingredients for the cookies, where I ran into more people that recognized me. They had all seen me for my mother and father's funeral, but only during the funeral. I didn't attend the small memorial that the sheriff's office had for my dad and I didn't go to the viewing of their bodies the night before the funeral. I didn't care to see anyone anyway.

Edward talked about the school and some of the new teachers that weren't there when I attended. He seemed to really enjoy teaching and liked being around the kids, but his face beamed when he talked about football. Edward didn't talk about his football career and I didn't ask because I knew it had to still bother him that he wasn't able to play anymore.

I found myself laughing… really laughing, for the first time in such a long while. Edward was funny and tried to make me laugh on several occasions. Once we were back at his house, I was back to my shy self, feeling uncomfortable and out of place. That didn't go unnoticed by Edward.

"Bella… can we be friends?" Edward asked with a completely serious face.

I thought he was kidding because it sounded so juvenile. I let out a small giggle and nodded. "Yes…"

"I'm being serious," Edward sighed. "I mean it just makes sense because my family and friends are your friends… so…"

"Yeah," I sighed.

And so we were friends. The dreaded status. I pushed away my feelings of crushing on him because I honestly wanted to be his friend. He was a nice guy, and even though Alice and Rose tried to cheer me up for the past few years, he was the first one to actually do that after just knowing him for a day. I wondered how long our friendship would last once his girlfriend found out.

Coach Masen

This girl was going to fucking kill me. All morning long I had to hide my painful erection that would not go away as long as she was near me or in my thoughts, which was most of the fucking time.

"So, friend… we need to soak the raisins," Bella said sweetly as she pulled out the contents of the grocery bag. I stood quietly, just watching her as she moved around my kitchen. I still couldn't believe I had actually talked her into helping me with this. Making cookies was the only thing I could think of on the spot. I didn't even think twice when I called her, only wanting to see her again.

I grabbed a bowl out of the cabinet and handed it to Bella. "Will this do?"

Bella shook her head and grinned. "No, not for that, but I could use it for the other stuff. You'll need a medium sized saucepan."

I bent over, rustling through the bottom shelf for a saucepan that I had probably never used. I really never cooked anything because I didn't have anyone to cook for. "This okay?" I asked, holding up the unused pan.

"Yep… now you'll need to pour about six cups of rum," Bella said as she measured out the flour. "Just start pouring and I'll tell you when to stop."

I grinned at her obvious skill in the kitchen. Bella had definitely been doing this for a while. I began to pour the rum into the pan, watching her face as I poured.

"Right about… there!" Bella said.

I stopped and placed the bottle of rum on the counter as I poured the bag of raisins in the pan. Bella explained what heat I needed the stove on to boil the raisins. Once that was done, I sat back and watched her again. Her eyes were gorgeous as she spoke, beaming the entire time as cooking was something she thoroughly enjoyed. We both had a spoon full of the cookie batter once she had mixed everything together. I had removed the raisins from the heat so they could cool. Everything was going so smoothly between us until Bella stumbled backwards in the small space of my kitchen, her back leaning into my chest. And my still hard cock. I didn't know if she felt it, but there really was no way around it.

Bella blushed as she moved away from me. "Sorry, Edward… I'm a huge klutz, so you better get used to that," she laughed.

Maybe she didn't feel it. "That's okay, Bella," I said as I cleared my throat and let out a girlish cough. Fuck. "I've got to go to the bathroom. Are you okay down here?"

"I'm fine," Bella said softly as she stirred in the raisins.

I slipped away, rushing up the stairs to my bedroom, slamming the door behind me. I stumbled over a pair of shoes as I made my way to my bathroom. Once inside, I locked the door just in case, as I unbuttoned my shorts and shoved them down along with my boxers. I had not been this affected by a woman… ever. For the millionth time since the first night I fucking talked to Bella on the phone, I grasped my cock in my hand to relieve the intense pressure that she unknowingly caused. What the fuck was wrong with me? I couldn't even stay in the room with her for a few minutes before jerking myself off again.

I didn't last long as I pictured Bella underneath me, over me, her mouth around me… flashes passed through my head as I released. Would it always be this way?

I cleaned myself off and put my shorts back on before joining Bella in the kitchen. "Sorry about that…"

"It's fine. So… I put the cookies in the oven and they'll need to bake for fourteen minutes," Bella said shyly. I tried to get her to open up to me all day, but every now and then she would retreat back to her shy self.

"Thank you, Bella… I really appreciate this."

Bella grinned as she fiddled with the spoon, scraping the sides of the bowl. "That's what friends are for, right?"

I nodded, smiling at Bella.

Once the first batch of cookies were done, we put in the second set. We stood side by side a few minutes later, washing the dishes that we were finished with. Bella washed, I rinsed and dried.

I was the first one to speak up, breaking our comfortable silence. "What are you doing tonight?" I wanted to invite her to dinner, considering we would be around her friends anyway, but I didn't want to push the friendship boundaries.

"Oh… um… I'm going to a cookout and then hopefully I'll be able to unpack some things. I hate moving and I've decided I'll never move again," Bella giggled.

I nudged her softly with my elbow. "I can help you if you'd like," I offered.

"You don't have to do that, Edward," Bella said softly. Fuck, I loved how her voice sounded as she said my name. "I'm sure you have better things to do."

"Not really… so the offer stands if you want some help… or company."

Bella nodded, jumping slightly as the timer went off for the cookies. She hurried over to the oven, leaning down to pull the tray out. Damn it. I was hard again as I stared at her firm ass displayed before me.

Too soon, we were finished with the cookies and I had to take her home. Before we left, we had a small glass of rum, clanking our glasses together as we drank to making new friends. Bella was the type of woman I wanted in my life.

I reluctantly drove Bella home, offering once again to help her unpack later if she needed help. She said she would call me if she did, but I knew Bella was too shy to actually call me. I decided I would text her later that night. Isn't that what friends are for?

When I got back home I took a shower, relieving my painful hard on again. I dressed casually, wearing shorts and a t-shirt for the cookout. It was so fucking hot and more than likely we would be outside all night. Emmett called to make sure I was coming just as I was walking out the door.

I drove the few miles down to Esme and Carlisle's house, parking next to Alice and Jasper who had just arrived.

"Hey, cousin!" Alice exclaimed as she walked over to me, enveloping me in a huge hug. "Thank you for taking care of my Bell last night. Isn't she a doll?"

"Yeah," I chuckled. I pulled away from Alice and grabbed the cookies out of my truck. "I brought dessert."

"Yummy… look at my cuz, baking away," Alice said, standing on her tiptoes, ruffling my hair with her hand.

I spoke to Jasper briefly as we walked inside the house. Esme was in the kitchen, mixing together some of the food while Carlisle, Emmett and Rose were outside. Esme hugged me tightly, complaining that I don't come over enough. I laughed, wondering how much more she wanted to see me. We had our family dinners every weekend, so we definitely spent time together.

I left Esme in the kitchen after she insisted she didn't need any help. As I approached the French doors, opening up to the deck out back, I heard her voice. Bella. She was here. I didn't see her car parked out front, though. I chuckled at myself, not even realizing we were going to be at the same place.

I took a deep breath as I pushed on the handle to open the door. Carlisle turned around from the grill and greeted me as I stepped outside. Bella was standing beside him and turned around quickly when she heard Carlisle say my name.

"Edward?" Bella said. I felt a million times better as a big smile spread across her face.

I laughed, walking towards her, completely ignoring Carlisle. Bella was stunning. I didn't think it was possible, but she looked even sexier than she did this morning. Her long legs were on full display as she wore a pair of khaki shorts and a light green t-shirt. How was I going to last all night?

"Nothing to say to your old uncle? 'Hello?' 'How are you?'" Carlisle said as he patted me on the back.

I broke my intense gaze from Bella and turned to Carlisle. "Hello uncle… how are you?"

"Smart ass," Carlisle grumbled as he turned back towards the grill.

Before Bella and I could say anything, Emmett interrupted by throwing a football at me. For the next hour we played football while the girls watched. Carlisle even joined in, all of us beating up on one another.

Dinner was spent laughing and eating as usual, only now we had Bella with us. I didn't feel so alone as I usually did when we all got together, since I had Bella to talk to. Esme winked at me so many times that I was beginning to worry that something was wrong with her eye, much like my mother.

Bella and I didn't tell anyone that we spent most of the morning together. I think neither of us wanted to explain that.

As the night went on, the guys and I ended up playing a game of poker while the girls cleaned up in the kitchen, though Bella described it as gossip time. I told the guys what Lauren left on my porch. They all made sure that I didn't touch the probably disgusting panties. Just as we were talking about burning the underwear, Bella, Alice, and Rose walked outside holding a beer for each of us.

"Esme and Carlisle went to bed," Bella said as she giggled quietly.

"Fucking old perverts," Emmett mumbled. He hated the idea that his parents were still having sex. I think he must have thought they that had sex twice, when they got pregnant with him and Alice, and that was it. I wanted a marriage like that when I grew old.

Rose sat down on Emmett's lap and chuckled. "Come on, baby… wanna go up to your old room?"

"And listen to my fucking parents going at it… no, thank you!" Emmett pouted, causing all of us to laugh.

Bella sat next to me as our friends coupled up, the girls sitting on both of the guys. Emmett announced that he and Rose bought tickets for a concert later next month, inviting all of us. Bella said that she would go if Seth was going to do something with Billy and Jake, which was where he was all day today. The concert was in Portland, which meant we would be spending the night away from home. I daydreamed about the possibilities…

Jasper and Alice were driving up north the next day to go camping for the fourth of July and invited all of us to go. Emmett and Rose planned on going as well, and Bella and I said we would both think about it. I hated to admit it, but I didn't want to go if she wasn't; what was the point?

After we talked and laughed late into the night, everyone cleaned up as we were getting ready to leave. I grabbed the wine coolers I brought over and put them in the refrigerator. They were Esme's favorite.

"Hey, mind if I take a couple of your girly drinks?" Bella giggled as she stood by the fridge.

"Hey, they weren't for me," I protested. "My aunt happens to love these…"

Bella laughed harder as she playfully hit my shoulder. "I know, Edward… I was just teasing."

I could think of better ways for her to tease.

Bella grabbed a couple of bottles and walked out of the kitchen, following Alice and Jasper out of the house. "Good night, Edward," Bella called out.

I walked them out, following close behind with Emmett and Rose. "Good night… See you around," I said to Bella. "You guys be careful."

Bella grinned at me as Jasper held the car door open for her. She was riding with them, which was why I didn't see her car before. Alice hugged me goodbye before leaving. As soon as they pulled away, I turned around to find Emmett smiling like an ass and Rose with her arms folded over her chest.

"We're on to you," Emmett chuckled.

"What?" I asked, not knowing what they were talking about. Fuck… did they see what I was trying to hide down below?

"What?" Rose repeated my question. "We're just wondering how you managed to bring a fresh batch of Bella's famous cookies to dinner…?"

*reposting due to requests. I'll post the complete story as soon as possible, and once I'm finished with this one, I'll post the other stories as well (FFY and SSN). I'm still not finished with UtSM and don't know when I'll be able to work on it. My life has been crazy the past few years and I apologize that I have not finished UtSM, but I just haven't felt like writing or had the time. I never intended to be one of those people who couldn't finish out stories... but I'm trying to get back into writing, so I hope to work on it soon.

Thanks for reading!