Chapter 7: Scary Movies and a Jealous Teenager

Disclaimer: SM owns Twilight.

Ms. Swan

I got up before Edward, pretty much right after I felt his freaking mammoth arousal pressed against me. I didn't want another awkward moment between us and honestly I had no idea why he would be dreaming about me that way anyway. I knew I wasn't ugly, but I wasn't the type of girl for a former all-star football player to lust over.

Did I mention mammoth arousal? Holy crap, that thing was freaking huge. Damn it, why did he have to be so perfect?

We drove back to Forks later that day, leaving a little earlier than everyone else. Edward and I had plans to look at his movie collection and pick out scary movies to watch for the next two weeks. The idea sounded so crazy for two adults to plan out watching scary movies together, but I was so freaking giddy over it. I wanted to get to know Edward better because he was a really nice guy. A nice, horny guy I might add.

Edward took me over to his house before taking me home and we sorted through his movies, determining that we only found fourteen extremely scary movies. Since we both weren't tired, we drove to Port Angeles, where we each picked three more. Of course he laughed at my choices, saying they weren't scary at all, but I thought they were.

And so… the scary movie marathon began that night. We watched the first one at my house. It was Edward's choice first, as he won the coin toss. Edward picked 'It' and I was terrified to watch that movie anyway, because I hate fucking clowns.

Seth called to let me know that he was on his way home and I told him that Edward was over to watch a movie. My brother, being the little jackass that he is, insinuated that there was something going on between me and Edward, but I denied it all the way. If only my stupid face would stop blushing when someone mentioned Edward's name….

"So, Bella… what kind of pizza do you like?" Edward asked, looking over the coupons in the phone book. "I bet you're one of those girls that only like the veggie pizza… or cheese, huh?"

I playfully hit Edward's arm as I walked by with a couple of drinks for us. "Haha… um, no I don't like the veggie pizza… I hate onions, olives and mushrooms… I actually like the meat lovers."

"Perfect… but you hate onions?" Edward asked with a shocked look on his face. I nodded and laughed at his facial expression. "You do know they add the best flavoring to any meal, and oh my God Bella… I am so going to make you eat an-"

"Oh, no you're not! They are disgusting… actually I think I'm allergic," I explained, lying through my teeth. I used that excuse with everyone because I hated the damn things. And they did make me want to puke, so technically they did make me sick. I sat on the opposite end of the couch that Edward was sitting on.

Edward stood up, walked over to me slowly and leaned over me with his hands propped up on the back of the couch, staring into my eyes. "Tell me the truth Ms. Swan."

And I melted.

"Umm… I…" I let out a long sigh, feeling so overwhelmed because Edward was so close to me and looking so damn sexy. "Okay… I'm not allergic, but they do make me sick to my stomach… so…"

Edward laughed and ruffled my hair with his large hand. "That's what I thought."

We eventually ordered the pizza and talked about life in Forks. Edward missed the big city and I honestly couldn't complain about living in Forks again. I hated living in a big city and felt so lost. Edward's eyes lit up when he talked about growing up in Chicago. He even mentioned if we ever went to Chicago he wanted to show me around town. I didn't know when an experience like that would ever come up, but I would be more than willing to have Edward show me around.

I just met this guy a week ago and already consider him a friend. A pretty good friend that was so freaking well endowed… How crazy is that?

Seth got home just as the pizza arrived. He talked to me and Edward for a few minutes before piling his plate full of pizza and going up to his room. During his short exchange with us, Edward made plans with Seth to go out to the football field the next day to practice Seth's throw. I was thrilled that Edward was going to be a great role model for Seth. He was exactly what Seth needed.

Edward insisted on turning off every single light downstairs. The house was silent as we waited for the movie to play, except for the small amount of noise from Seth's television in his room. Edward loved it. He was definitely trying to make it creepy.

I sat at one end of the couch and Edward was at the other. I grabbed a throw and pulled it over me, clutching it tightly as Edward chuckled.

"I thought you liked scary movies?" Edward asked as I was already covering my eyes, just from hearing the creepy ass music.

"I do… I just… this music is really scary," I complained.

Edward yanked my blanket away and laughed. "No hiding behind the blanket, Bella. And if you close your eyes, I'm starting the movie over."

That's how our movie nights began. We planned on alternating watching movies at each other's house. If Edward was at my house, he'd pick the movie and if I was at his house, I picked.

Friday night: The Sixth Sense (my choice) – Edward's house.

I inched my way closer to Edward, but keeping my distance. Edward restarted the movie three times that night because I put my hands over my eyes. He was a determined ass, that's for sure. Edward turned the air conditioner on to freeze me out, "setting the mood" for the movie. He definitely wanted to freak me out and it worked. Edward ended up following me home that night, walking me up to my door because I was so freaked out.

The one thing I proved to Edward – I was a pussy when it came to scary movies.

Saturday night: Ju-On (Edward's freaky ass choice) – my house.

I moved another inch closer to Edward than the night before. Edward laughed during the scariest parts and I couldn't figure out if he was actually laughing at my pussy behavior, or if it got his mind off of the scariness that is Ju-On. I thought 'The Grudge' was scary as hell, but this one was just… damn. I usually walked Edward out to his car after the movie, but I made him walk me up to my bedroom after that movie. Seth was spending the night over at Jake's and I was terrified to be home alone. I felt so childish, hiding under my covers, clutching my cell phone after Edward left. What Edward did next amazed me…

My cell phone rang and I immediately smiled as I recognized the ringtone that I picked for Edward's calls. It didn't have an actual meaning behind the song... I just really liked it.

Save me, I'm lost
Oh Lord I've been waiting for you
I'll pay any cost
Save me from being confused
Show me what I'm looking for
Show me what I'm looking for

I giggled like a giddy idiot, feeling relieved that I had someone to talk to. Not just someone… but him. Even though I had just met Edward, he was slowly becoming one of the best friends I had ever had. Sound crazy? I know, but it was true.

"Hey," I answered with a big smile on my face.

"So, I've just pulled out of your driveway… I'm at the stop sign now… Has anything crawled into bed with you? Come out of the closet? Opened your-"

"Stop it!" I screeched. "I'm going to make you drive back over here and spend the night with me if you don't quit it!" My voice was whiny and desperate, but fuck I was scared.

Edward chuckled into the phone loudly. "Aw, poor baby," he cooed, trying to irritate me. "I'm going to stay on the phone with you until you go to sleep… sound good?"

"Please," I sighed.

"We'll watch a less scary movie tomorrow night, Bella. It's your choice anyway," Edward teased.

True to his word, Edward stayed on the phone until I was drifting off to sleep. We talked about anything and everything, but never bringing up the relationship topic. I was curious about what he had against relationships, but didn't know if I should ask. I complained to him about my all day shopping trip coming up with Rose and Alice the next day. They were coming over to pick me up at eight o'clock to "get a move on" as they liked to call it. I felt bad because since I had been back, I spent more time with Edward than I did with them. This would be our first girl time together. I remember Edward wishing me good luck for my shopping experience the next day before falling asleep.

Sunday was spent at the mall in Port Angeles. Rose, Alice and I were fully stocked up on Victoria's Secret when we got back home, though I had no one to wear the stuff for. I was only asked about Edward once, though I knew it was killing them not to get all the details.

"So, Bella… are you and Edward getting along well?" Alice asked, gnawing on her lip.

I nodded, unable to hide the smile that spread across my face. And the blush.

"He's a good guy, Bella," Rose said as she rubbed my shoulder. "And we're not going to push anything, but if you chose a guy to be with… he definitely gets the friend approval."

"Thanks," I said. I turned so Rose could zip up the back of my dress that I was trying on. It was black and strapless and made me feel sexy. "Does this look okay?"

"You look fucking hot, sweetie!" Alice exclaimed proudly.

That was the extent of our talk about Edward.

Sunday night: The Ring (my choice) – Edward's house

Edward teased me constantly that my selection of scary movies was not scary at all, but I thought I picked a pretty good one for Sunday night.

"I'm amazed, Swan… though I don't know how you're going to sleep at night with your television in your room…?"

I stared at Edward with a horrified look on my face. "You… you are so…" I stammered. "Mean!"

Edward grabbed my hand and pulled me to sit next to him on the love seat. I noticed that he had moved his living room around since Friday night, placing the smaller sofa in the perfect position to watch the television. Did he want to be closer to me?

Being somewhat bold… Edward put his arm around me and grinned. "Am I so mean now, Bella?"

I shook my head, staring at the screen, unable to look directly at him. I felt tense and so nervous, sitting this close to him, even though I had slept even closer to him when we went camping.

"Are you mad?" Edward asked as the movie started.

Without thinking, I turned my head to the side, looking up at him. "No, of course not… I was just kidding."

"Good," Edward replied as his hand lazily rubbed my shoulder. "You know… I was thinking that rather than you driving over here every time… I think I'll just pick you up, so I can take you home. And if it rains really bad again, your little car will get stuck."

"You don't need to do that, Edward… I'll quit acting like such a little girl," I said, laughing lightly. "That's too much trouble… and by the way, I do not have a little car."

"Whatever, Bella… you'll be crying for me to take you home tonight… and yes, you have a little car," Edward teased.

And I couldn't really argue with that. Edward lived down the creepiest road with trees surrounding his property. It was the perfect scene for most of the scary movies we were watching.

During the scariest part of the movie, with the freaky little girl crawling out of the well, Edward asked me something to get my mind off of how scared I was.

"So… why did you and your last boyfriend break up? You said he ruined relationships for you when we were camping… I'm just curious."

Well, shit. I really didn't want to discuss it just yet, but honestly, I felt like I could talk to Edward about it. I wasn't still upset over it, but it was still embarrassing.

"I…" I began, but Edward cut me off.

"It's okay, Bella. I understand if you don't want to talk about it," Edward said sincerely. What's up with this guy always being so nice?

"No, it's really fine… just a little embarrassing. He… cheated on me," I said, trying to find an easy way to put it. "I found him with the person."

Edward and I were now facing each other. I had my legs scrunched up against my chest and Edward had one leg resting against my feet, the other hanging off the couch. His facial expression was so sweet and kind.

"I'm sorry, Bella. Whoever the jerk is… well, he didn't deserve you."

"Thanks," I said, looking down at my hands. I couldn't help but glance over towards Edward's direction, particularly his crotch area. My God, what is going on with me? All I could think about around Edward was sex. And that is what kept my mind off my really fucked up relationship with Eric. I don't know why, but I kept putting off getting tested for any diseases. Part of me was embarrassed because I didn't go sleeping around and shouldn't have to worry about that shit, and the other part of me was worried.

"Did you know the girl?" Edward asked, which made me laugh loudly. Now here was the funny part of my story that I could kind of laugh about. Edward looked at me as if I was insane.

"No, I didn't know 'her'", I said, using quotations. "Actually, he would have liked a guy like you… a buff football player…"

Edward's eyes were bulging now as he took in what I said. "Are you fucking kidding me? Your boyfriend slept with a… and you caught them… was he… oh my god, Bella." Edward laughed loudly, throwing his head back as I laughed along with him.

"Yep," I sighed, "I think I may have turned him gay… although he used the term 'bi-sexual' and wanted me to try out things with both of them. The other guy… I don't know his real name, but he goes by Tanya when he's in drag… he likes women as well and was very open to the idea."

I went on to explain to Edward about my current dilemma that I needed to be tested. I could go to the hospital where Carlisle worked and get tested, but I really didn't want to explain what was going on with Carlisle. He would step in as my father and want to kick the guy's ass if he knew what happened. Edward found a way to ease my worries, as usual, since becoming friends with him.

"I need to get tested, too," Edward said plainly. We hadn't even begun to discuss his relationship problems and I guess he was ready to spill as well. "Lauren is, well… you know… and I don't really trust her, though we…" Edward paused, looking so conflicted. "I don't really want to talk about specifics with you, but anyway… I'll go with you to get tested."

To be honest, I didn't want to even think about the skank having sex with Edward. He was too good for her. I was already jealous, knowing she had been with him that way. Pathetic.

"Sounds good," I finally answered after a short pause. "But since I told my story… you have to tell yours. Bad relationships? You said multiple the other day… so what happened?"

Coach Masen

Shit. I kind of dreaded talking to Bella about my past girlfriends or problems. I was going to sound like a man whore to the one person that, for the first time, I genuinely cared about. Would she think less of me?

"Edward! Hello?!" Bella grinned, waving her hand in front of my face.

I chuckled, blinking my eyes, snapping out of whatever I was in. Oh yeah, I was thinking about how to explain my fucked up former life.

"Sorry about that…" I said lamely. Bella shifted on the loveseat, sitting Indian style to face me. And fuck me, she was wearing shorts that should be illegal on someone as fucking hot as her. I could see a tiny sliver of her black underwear as she moved. Yes, they were fucking black and I wanted nothing more than to pull her into my lap, ridding her of the annoying ass shorts that kept me hard most of the time. But I didn't.

"Anyway… Lauren and I broke up because she was hounding me about a future. She wanted kids and everything, whereas I saw no future with her." Bella nodded, biting her bottom lip. "That started a few months ago… and I had been trying to end it with her the entire time."

"I don't blame you for not wanting a future with the skank," Bella replied, but immediately put her hand over her mouth as her face blushed. "Sorry…"

I placed my hand on her knee and laughed. "Bella, it's fine… and that's really a good nickname for her."

"I promise, I'm not just some mean person that goes around calling people names. She just… really made high school miserable for me, especially after Emmett went away for college."

I wished that I had met Bella years ago. For a while, my parents almost sent me to live with my aunt and uncle in Forks. They were traveling a lot, leaving me with a nanny, if you want to call it that. I always felt like I missed out on an actual childhood sometimes because my parents were away so much. It hurt a lot when they didn't go to my games. All of that had been forgiven now, and it took a big falling out years ago for the apologies to happen. I guess part of me was still hurt, but they learned from their mistakes. I really did love my parents.

Anyway, looking back, I wish I had given in to my parents' requests for me to move to Forks during high school. I didn't want to leave my school just because I was "King" there. If only I had gone to Forks… I wondered what would have happened.

"Bella, you don't have to explain yourself to me. I think you're a really… sweet person. And I'm sure that Lauren was a bitch back then… she still is," I chuckled, trying to ease Bella's tension.

"So…" Bella sighed after being silent for a minute or so. "You don't want kids or-"

"Yeah, I do… just not with her. And honestly, I don't know if I'm ready, anyway. Lauren was the first relationship I had been in since my days playing football… I'm still looking, you know."

Bella's cheeks turned back to a light shade of pink as she tucked a few strands of hair behind her ear. Yes, I was really fucking attracted to her and thought pornographic thoughts of her constantly, but she was extremely beautiful as well. I don't think that she realizes how perfect she actually is.

"Me, too," Bella said quietly. "After my parents died, everything just… well, nothing mattered. I worry constantly about Seth and hope that I'm doing a good enough job with him. I never expected to practically raise a teenager and he is a kid that tries to find trouble… so I don't know if I have time for another relationship. That and I'm going to have to find like the manliest man ever because I don't want my next boyfriend to find a boyfriend as well…"

I noticed that when Bella talked about something emotional, she would always end it with something funny. I knew she was quite ready to open up about her parents and I wasn't going to push her because I didn't know what to say when and if she did open up to me. The hospital has those brochures about coping and dealing with death, so the next time I went to the hospital to visit Carlisle, I was definitely going to grab some handouts. Dipshit? Fuck yes, but I wanted to help Bella.

"Bella, I wouldn't worry about the whole boyfriend thing… you'll find someone great and I mean…" I struggled to find the words. I wanted to say that I could be all the man she'd ever need, but yeah, that wouldn't have been the best time to come up with my "great line" or whatever the fuck it was. "That guy was wrong to drag you along… if he felt that way, then he should have been honest."

"Eh, it's okay. I knew Eric and I weren't really going anywhere… and I really pushed him away after my parents died because I was upset over them. Plus, he didn't get along with Seth too well."

Bella and I continued talking about her ex-boyfriend. Thankfully, we didn't discuss any of my other past girlfriends, which I was majorly relieved over, but I knew it'd come up someday. Hopefully by that time, Bella would know me better and not judge me by my past. I wasn't into hookers or anything like that… just money hungry women that may have looked like… sluts? None of them stood a chance against Bella.

The movie had long been over and kept replaying the short clip on the dvd menu by the time we finished our conversation. We cleaned up, carrying our left over dinner to the kitchen. The next night we would be at Bella's house for movie night and she was going to cook quesadillas for us. Seth and I were going out to the football field in the morning to practice again. He had stopped playing after his parents died and wanted to warm up a bit before practicing with all the other kids. I enjoyed spending time with him and wanted to help him get through everything he was dealing with. He was a great kid with a terrific sister.

Seth and I ended up spending the morning and afternoon together. The only break we took from practicing was to meet Bella at the diner for lunch. She was sorting through everything in her classroom part of the time we were practicing. This woman was invading every thought in my head no matter what I did.

On my way over to Bella's house that night, I received two desperate calls from my agent, begging me to accept an offer made by a very high profile team. Their quarterback was dealing with an injury and they didn't know if he could make it through the season. I knew I could still play because my throwing arm had gained back the strength it needed, but up until this point, I really hadn't considered going back to that life, though I missed playing so much.

I declined again.

Monday night: The Shining (my choice) – Bella's house

After we finished cooking together, the three of us ate together, laughing over Bella's mishaps growing up. Apparently she was a very clumsy kid and had a thick medical record over at the hospital. Bella turned pale white when Seth pulled out an old picture of her. She was probably nine or ten and had a pony tail on the top of her hair, looking like she had used a bottle of hairspray to make it extra poofy. A pair of those early nineties red plastic rimmed glasses framed her face, along with a few barely there freckles on her cheeks. With a huge smile on her face and bouncy curls, she was a very cute kid.

"Oh my god, Seth… I'm going to kill you!" Bella exclaimed as I tried to hold back my laughter.

"Aw, come on… you were a cute kid," I grinned. Seth doubled over, laughing heartily.

"Oh, Edward… shut it!" Bella said as she hit my shoulder lightly. I pulled Bella to me, wrapping my arm around her waist so she couldn't get away.

"Swan, you were such a cutie," I teased as Seth was breathing hard from laughing so much. Just as our laughter had died down, there was a knock on the door. Seth answered it as Bella and I continued cleaning up the kitchen.

I heard loud footsteps behind us as I put away the leftovers.

"Well, well, well… hello, Bella!" Jake said, coming straight out of my nightmare. The kid was here to ruin my fucking night with Bella. Seth always left Bella and I alone, not that I seemed to mind because I really got along well with him, but I knew Jake was over to snoop around. I turned towards Jake with a smirk on my face, receiving an instant frown from him. "Hi, Coach Masen."

"Hey, Jake… how are you doing?"

"Fine. Seth invited me over for movie night," Jake said, looking at me but turning to Bella. "I hope that's okay?"

"You Jackass… I did not invite you over," Seth replied, earning a slap on the back from Bella because of his cursing.

Jake and Seth began arguing back and forth, normal teenage stuff until Bella and I were finished with the kitchen. We moved around each other, silent the entire time, but working so well together.

I walked into the living room and settled down on my usual spot on the couch. Seth sat on the recliner over to the side of the room and Jake conveniently placed his large body in the middle of the couch. Well, fuck me… you're blocking my view!

Bella walked into the living room and placed her hands on her hips as we waited for the movie to start. "Uh-uh, Jake. That's my spot."

Jake looked at her with wide eyes and grinned, patting the empty spot next to him. "Right here, Bella… plenty of room."

Bella walked over and tugged on his arm as Seth and I laughed. "Nope, get up… I like to stretch my legs."

Jake huffed as she walked over to the other recliner and plopped down. Bella winked at me and smiled as she sat down, stretching out her long legs so that her feet were almost touching me.

We lost the boys about ten minutes into the movie, both of them saying it was too fucking boring. I was more than happy when Jake left. Seth went over to Jake's house to hang out for a little while and came back home close to the end of the movie. He went up to his room and passed out quickly as we heard his snoring echoing from upstairs.

After Bella's slow inching towards me all night, she finally ended up next to me, pressed against my side. I couldn't stop laughing as she clung to my arm, hiding her face. My fucking horny side took over and the movie was no longer on my mind at all. This couch… I wanted Bella to fuck me on it. I wanted to see her face as I pleasured her while she rode me. Not fast, but slow so I could savor every fucking moment of her.

"That was scary," Bella whispered once the movie credits scrolled up the television screen.

"Yeah," I said, letting out a long breath. I shifted slightly, trying to hide my Bella-hard-on. That's what I called it these days because I swear that shit never went away when I was around her.

Bella yawned and looked up at me, smiling widely. "Sorry," she sighed, letting go of her death grip on my arm.

"It's okay."

We were quiet for a few minutes, still sitting side by side. I looked down at Bella who was now resting her head on my shoulder. Her eyes were closed, her breathing evened out, which meant she was asleep. I slowly got up from the couch, trying not to wake her. Gently, I slipped my arms under her small body and lifted her effortlessly into my arms. The fact that my hand was inches away from her fuckhot ass did not go unnoticed by me.

Bella didn't even wake up slightly as I carried her up the stairs to her room. I hadn't been in her room, but knew which one she was in since I helped paint it before she moved here. I felt so awful for her because she was too upset to sleep in her parents' old room even though her room was really fucking tiny.

Just as I stepped into her room, Bella's hand moved over my chest and she smiled, looking up at me. "You're too good, Edward."

I could show her really good. I really could. Fuck, now I was rhyming. I settled for the reply that would make her giggle, which was something I loved hearing. "That's what all the ladies say."

I placed Bella on her bed and turned on her bedside lamp as Bella laughed quietly.

"Thank you, Edward…"

"Anytime, Bella… Sleep well," I said as I walked over to the door to leave.

"Wait!" Bella said, jumping up from the bed. I stopped quickly, praying she would have a change of heart and push me against the door or something. Damn it, I really needed to stop thinking dirty thoughts all the time around Bella. "I'm so rude… not even walking you out."

I shook my head and grinned crookedly at her. "Don't worry about it… you're exhausted and I'll lock up for you."

The next thing I knew, Bella's arms were wrapped around my body as she hugged me tightly. "Thank you for being such a good friend, Edward. I know we haven't known each other very long, but I feel… close to you."

Friend. I didn't want to just be her friend, but if that's what it took to get closer to her… to make her realize that we could be more someday, well then that's what I would be. Not just to get into her pants, which I really wanted badly, but I wanted all of her.

I hugged her back and kissed the top of her head. "I feel the same way, Bella." I squeezed my arms around her small body once more. "Now get into bed Ms. Swan… you need your sleep because after movie night tomorrow… I think you'll be too scared to sleep."

Bella pulled away from me giggling. "Nope. It's my pick tomorrow night!"

I shook my head. "No… you see, my dear Bella," I said as I put my arm around her and walked her over to the bed. "You kept your eyes closed during most of the scary parts of The Shining… and rather than start the movie over, I just took away your movie choice for tomorrow night."

"Ass!" Bella whispered loudly.

"Hey, now… stop that cursing, Ms. Swan. Your brother is in the next room!" I demanded teasingly. "Now, sleep tight and I'll see you tomorrow."

I walked out of the room as Bella sat on her bed, still arguing with me. I loved being around her.

As I pulled onto the highway towards my house, my phone rang.

My brown eyed girl,
You my brown eyed girl.

Do you remember when we used to sing,
Sha la la la la la la la la la la te da

Yeah, I was a corny asshole, but that was the song I thought of when I pictured Bella. Bella thought she had plain brown eyes, but they were so much more than just plain. I picked up before the chorus ended.

"Already? Geez, Swan… you're scared already?"

"No! I just… wanted to make sure you… got to your truck okay."

"Yes, I'm fine… no insane ghosts are in here with me," I teased.

"Edward," Bella sighed. I loved hearing her say my name. "Can I ask you something personal and you can tell me to go to hell if it makes you mad…?"

"Ask away, Bella… you can ask me anything."

Bella let out a long breath. "Did you and Lauren ever have sex in my room?" Before I could even begin to answer, she continued her ramble which was so quick that I could barely understand what she was saying. "Because if you did, I think I'll need to burn this room or something."

"No, Bella. We never had sex in that room… actually we never had sex in your house while I lived there."

"How come?" Bella gasped.

It was time that I tell her about the massive lie I told Lauren. "Well, first off, I never bring girls back to my place because that just leads to awkwardness… and I wasn't even dating her when I lived there, Bella… or anyone for that matter… so no sex for me in your house."

Bella groaned into the phone as I felt the surge of success run through my body. Bella had thought about me. She had thought about me and sex. Bella, Edward, Sex… that's a really good fucking combination. Just hearing the word 'sex' come out of Bella's mouth made my cock hard.

"I'm so sorry," Bella whispered.

"No worries, Bell…" I waited to see if she was going to say anything, but she remained silent, probably blushing furiously.

Eventually Bella spoke up and I almost choked with her next question. "Why didn't you… have sex… I mean you're, well… you and, oh forget it."

I loved hearing her get flustered. "Quit worrying so much about what you ask me. You can ask me anything, Bella. And to answer your question… I just always felt like it made everything awkward to bring a girl home with me… as for Lauren… if I tell you, you can not laugh. Okay?"

"Okay," Bella said quietly, probably still so embarrassed from her sex question.

"A couple of months ago, I lied to Lauren and told her I was taking up Catholicism… participating in lent and I was giving up sex." Bella laughed loudly, already breaking my no laughing request, but I was laughing as well. Plus, I loved hearing her laugh. "So… Lauren actually believed me, even though it wasn't the actual time for lent… and mine lasted for over one hundred days, rather than the usual forty. Fucked up, huh?"

"Yeah," Bella giggled, still trying to catch her breath. "So… wow," Bella breathed. "I figured you were a very… active guy."

Bella was really pushing my restraints now because we were having the conversation that I wanted to have, only I wish that we were still in the same room because if we got this far, maybe we would've let go. By letting go, I mean have sex. After debating with myself many times, I finally figured out that Bella was attracted to me, or at least I hoped that was what all the blushing was for. I sure as fuck was attracted to her. And now she was thinking about me and sex at the same time.

"Nah… maybe when I was younger, but I'm kind of trying to settle down now… you know?"

"Yeah," Bella replied, almost whispering.

I decided to go out on a limb and ask her something personal, since I felt like we were at that point in our friendship or whatever it was. "What about you?"

"Me?!" Bella gasped. I was silent, waiting for her to answer me because she knew exactly what I was talking about. "Well… I haven't… you know, in a while because Eric stopped wanting me… and the whole time I thought he just didn't find me attractive. April first… was the last time for me."

"You remember the date?" I asked, laughing quietly. I had been sitting outside my house for the past few minutes, but I didn't want Bella to think that I was ready to go because I was home. I loved talking to the girl.

"Yes… especially because, well… he just wasn't into it that night… and one of my friends found out that he had been out with his boyfriend earlier that night, before he came to see me."

"I'm sorry, Bella."

Bella giggled, then sighed. "It's okay… I just mainly worry about the fact that he could have been sleeping around for so long and I was completely oblivious to it. It's not that he was with another man… it's just how could he cheat on me, and put me in danger that way… you know?"

"I know, Bell… Sorry I brought this up. I really didn't want to make you upset."

"Edward, I brought up the sex thing," Bella said, her voice sounding a little more cheery than before. "And it's really okay because I haven't exactly talked about the dirty details like these with anyone… not even Rose and Alice. They would seriously go kick Eric's ass if they knew everything."

"Can I?" I asked. That Eric guy did not deserve Bella at all. No guy did.

"Nah, he'd probably want you too much," Bella laughed.

We talked for a few more minutes as I made my way into the house and up to my bedroom. Like the jackass or horny ass that I am, I ran my hand over my hard on as Bella talked to me. It was her damn voice. Fucking sexy as hell. Bella started yawning just as I was ready to finish myself off in a cold shower.

"Get some sleep. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Okay…"

"Sleep well, sweetie."

"Night, Edward."

I sent her a text after my shower before I went to sleep, just a simple note to say thank you again for dinner. Bella replied shortly after, though I figured she would be asleep. Her reply was simple, like my text. It was the end of a great night, though a perfect night would have been spent sleeping next to her…

The next couple of weeks went smoothly. We had our routine down, alternating houses and getting to know one another even more. Rose, Emmett, Alice and Jasper joined us a few times. Emmett was definitely worse than the girls about starting gossip. As soon as Bella left the room one night, Emmett made sure to warn me to be careful if I was fucking Bella because he would 'fuck me up' if I hurt her. I once again had to explain to him that nothing like that was going on and we really were just becoming good friends.

Whoever said men and women can't be just friends… well, they were close to the fucking truth. I didn't know how much longer I could hold out. I wanted to tell her how I actually felt about her, but I knew she had just gotten out of a relationship with an asshole that didn't deserve her and I wanted her to know I would never treat her that way. I would never cheat on her. I would only want to be with her. I needed to show her the kind of guy I could be for her.

It was the day before our trip to Portland for the concert and Bella and I were scheduled at the hospital clinic to get tested. I picked her up early that morning as we were going to breakfast afterwards. When I pulled into the parking lot, I wanted to go back home. The shiny red car parked next to Carlisle's was Lauren's vehicle. She would see me. She would see me with Bella. Lauren and Bella hated each other. And fucking shit… Bella and I were going to get tested for STDs. How great is that?

"Are you nervous?" Bella asked as I broke out in a cool sweat.

"Nah," I lied, shaking my head. "Just ready to get out of here so we can eat… I'm starving."

"Me, too," Bella agreed, patting her already growling stomach and smiling so sweetly at me.

We made our way to the entrance of the hospital and I nervously shoved my hands in my shorts pockets. Bella stopped in front of the sliding door and looked at me.

"Are you sure you're alright, Edward?"

I almost passed out as Lauren crossed the hallway that we were about to walk into. Lauren stopped dead in her tracks as she noticed me.

Fuck. It was going to be a hell of a morning.

**reposting due to requests. I'll post the complete story as soon as possible, and once I'm finished with this one, I'll repost the other stories as well (FFY, SSN). I'm still not finished with UtSM and I 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!