It was short and done, so I figured why not give it to you?
Thank you booklover484 and Broken Summer for getting this back to me so quickly, I really appreciate it!
No copyright infringement intended.
CHAPTER 16
~ Alice's POV ~
Saturday, March 17th, 2007 ~
What the hell just happened? I thought watching as Bella ran off. I turned to look at Edward and Jasper, the two the gasps had come from, and knew instantly.
It can't be, I thought going after Bella. She was walking aimlessly through the crowd, looking around; I'm sure seeking out the exit.
"Bella?" I called, grabbing her arm. I didn't say anything; I just pulled her back through the crowd, taking her outside.
She wouldn't even look at me, which told me it was indeed true. My brother was Bella's out of town boyfriend. Why it just clicked was beyond me, I mean, I knew his name, well, his first name … no, I didn't know he was from Boston, but still?
How could you have known, Alice?
"Here … come with me." I took her hand in mine and pulled her up the stairs. Once we were in my bedroom, I quickly locked all the doors and then turned to look at her. "It's Edward, isn't it?" I asked, moving to stand in front of her. "You're boyfriend, it's Edward?"
She didn't say anything; she just stood there staring at her feet, crying. It broke my heart, seeing the girl who had quickly become my best friend, so broken, so hurt—and it was all because of my brother.
My married brother.
I pulled her into my arms, and she instantly melted against me, her sobs getting louder. She was really starting to scare me, she was becoming hysterical and I wasn't sure how to help her. My father could help her, but I couldn't very well tell him why he needed to help her.
"Bella—" I started, but she quickly cut me off, stepping out of my hug.
"I … I … I gotta go," she stuttered, moving towards the door. "I can't … I … I gotta go … I just …"
"Bella, wait," I begged. "Please, just talk to me?"
She shook her head, reaching for the door. "I can't, Alice … I … I—"
"Bella!" I cut her off, holding the door closed with my hand. "Unless you want to see Edward, I wouldn't go down there."
She stepped away from the door, and started looking around the room. "I can't see him, Alice. Please, you have to help me get out of here. I can't see him."
"Okay," I conceded. "But promise me we'll talk."
She nodded, as the tears continued to fall freely down her cheeks.
"Come on." I took her hand in mine once again. "You won't even see him."
I led her back out onto the terrace, only, instead of going down the way we came up, I took her down the back way. There was an entrance to the lift lobby, and she wouldn't have to enter the apartment.
Once we reached the lift, I pulled her into my arms, squeezing her tightly to me. "I am sooo sorry, Bella. I just … I can't believe he'd do this." She nodded, the sobs still very evident, but she didn't say anything. "Please tell me this won't affect our friendship, Bella … I've grown fond of it."
She looked up at me, and shook her head. "N-no. I just … I need … some time," she sobbed. "I promise you … I'll call."
I hugged her again just as the lift door opened, and then watched Bella climb in, her eyes trained on her feet the entire time—she didn't look up once before the door closed.
I turned around, took in a deep breath and returned to the apartment. I knew two people who had an awful lot of explaining to do.
I found Edward and Jasper together on the back terrace, huddled over by the hot tub. I closed the doors behind me, and marched right up to both of them.
"Ali …"
"Al's …" They both stuttered out, the first coming from Edward, the second coming from Jasper.
I didn't say anything; I just glared at them both and headed up the stairs. Of course, they both followed me.
Once we were in the bedroom, I turned on my brother. "What the fuck are you doing?"
"I know, alright? I know, I just … how is she Ali?"
I stared at him. He couldn't possibly be serious. "Really?" I spat. "She's fucking crushed, Edward. She just found out the guy she's been sleeping with … dating, for the past what, six months, was married. How the fuck do you think she is?"
He tried saying something, but I quickly turned on my husband. I wasn't done asking questions. "And you … you knew about this?"
He shook his head erratically. "No! I mean, I knew about the first time, yes, but no, I didn't know they were still …."
"He didn't," Edward affirmed. "No one did."
I stood there, staring at my brother, this man I thought I knew. He looked so broken, so damn lost, that had I not known what he did I may have felt sorry for him. But I didn't. I couldn't. I didn't understand cheating in itself, but an affair? That I understood even less. I mean, if you are so unhappy in your marriage that you're going to carry on this indefinite affair, why the hell don't you just get a divorce?
"I've gotta go find her … talk to her," Edward exclaimed suddenly, before heading for the door.
"THE HELL YOU DO!" I yelled, grabbing his arm. "You're not going anywhere near her, Edward. You're going to let her—" A knock at the door interrupted me.
Jasper looked between Edward and me, before going to see who was at the door. "Is Edward up here?" Tanya hissed, pushing past him. "I've been looking all over for you … what are you doing up here?"
I had finally had enough, the alcohol mixed with all the emotions, it had all became too much. "Tanya, get the fuck out of my house. NOW!" I snarled, walking towards my bedroom door.
She huffed, and quickly turned to look at Edward. The fucking pussy that apparently became my brother bowed his head, and turned to leave the bedroom.
"Yeah, go be with your wife," I hissed after him. "Glad you can take someone's feeling into consideration!" My comment definitely had double meaning, and if the wince he tried desperately to hide wasn't a confirmation of his understanding, I don't know what was.
Edward glanced to Jasper, and then followed Tanya out of the bedroom, not once making eye contact with me. I slammed the door after them, and then turned on Jasper. "I swear to God, if you knew about—"
"I didn't!" he cut me off. "I swear to you, I didn't."
I stared at him, and then softened my glare, stepping closer. "Why didn't you tell me about it before, though? I mean, I thought—"
"I couldn't," he interrupted again. "We all agreed that if he didn't see her again, we'd keep his secret. He's my friend and my brother, babe. I just couldn't."
I slouched down on the loveseat in our room. "I get it, I guess. I just … I never thought he would do something like this, Jas." Jasper came over and sat down beside me. "I mean, he has been having an affair … a full blown affair, Jas. She was pregnant—"
"What?" he cut me off. "She's—"
"No," I interrupted. "She had a miscarriage, but … I just can't believe this."
We were both silent for a while, my head just resting on his shoulder while his hand lightly caressed the exposed skin of my upper thigh.
"Alice?" my mom interrupted, when she knocked on the door. She didn't wait for us to invite her in before she entered. She never did.
"Yeah, mom?" I asked, lifting my head to look at her.
"What just happened with you and your brother? You threw Tanya out? Really, Alice?"
"Seriously, you've lost your mind!" Rosalie hissed. "She's fucking family, Alice!"
I looked at my superficial twin, then back to my mother. "The last I checked, this was my house … and I told her, and all of you, that she was not allowed back in my home!" I turned to my husband; he was just sitting there, not really looking at anyone. He knew better than to get between us. It never ended pretty.
"I'm sorry, Jas." His eyes popped over to mine, and I quickly explained. "I love you, but this party is over." I turned my attention back to my family, my mother and sister standing in front with the rest standing behind them. "Now, you can all leave. Get the fuck out!"
**Author's Note**
Yes, I know it was short, but I didn't figure you would mind getting two updates in a week :D