Thanks again to my betas MadelineJade and Vicky.
This chapter is dedicated to my best frienemy Lucy, there aren't words to describe the epicness that is our friendship.
Song List
Your Honor by Regina Spektor
Rejazz by Regina Spektor
All Characters Belong To Stephenie Meyer
"Ugh!" I groaned as I slammed the door of my apartment shut. I glanced at the clock, it read 4am. I could already hear the birds chirping and see the sky lightening as the dawn was preparing to break outside my window. My show at Sweet Up's had gone better than I could've imagined. Everyone had told me I did an amazing job, even Edward, and I had a hunch he didn't dole out compliments often, and there was no need to be nervous on stage, apparently I was a natural. I, Bella Swan, was actually good at something.
The night was going great. I even enjoyed my argument with Edward. I got under his skin and we both knew it. I wanted to shove his huge ego right up his ass. But then I received a call from Renee. Grammy Dwyer died in her sleep. I found myself sobbing on the fucking sidewalk by myself, until James showed up. He comforted me, which I appreciated, until he tried to make a fucking move on me! I mean, who makes a move on a girl when she's grieving over her dead grandmother? The nerve!
I was fully prepared to defend myself but Edward lunged at James before I had a chance to. His hands were already bandaged so it was obvious fighting was a bad idea for him. Who the fuck did he think he was to try and defend my honor? Like I couldn't take care of myself.
I was broken out of my inner ranting by three loud knocks on my door. "Who the hell is knocking on my door at this time!?" I wondered out loud.
"Bella, it's me." I immediately recognized the voice as Jake's. I wretched the door open and was surprised at what I saw. He looked like hell.
"What the hell are you doing here, Jacob?" I said grinding my teeth.
"I can't live without you." With that statement his shoulders slumped and I had to admit that I felt guilty some how.
"Come in," I sighed as I stepped aside for him to enter.
"Thank you. I don't deserve your kindness," he said as he sat down on the sofa.
"Damn right," I replied as I sat in the floral chair across from him.
"I'm not here to ask you to take me back. I'm asking for my best friend back. I fucked up beyond belief and I know that. I'm so sorry."
I shook my head and tucked a piece of hair behind my ear. "You can't just show up here at four o'clock in the morning and expect to be forgiven. You're right about fucking up, but now you have to deal with those consequences."
"I'm fully prepared to do that," he said.
We didn't say much after that. We were both exhausted. I went to bed and let Jacob crash on the sofa in the living room.
Since Edward couldn't play for a few weeks, Angela asked if I would fill in. Instead of being an opener, I would just play enough for 2 sets. I agreed to do it. As much as I hated to admit, I loved being on stage. Before Jake came along I had planned on sleeping until late afternoon and then having James come over for a quick practice before the show tonight. He and I were officially band mates, a She & Him type deal, if you will.
After the fight last night, the last thing I expected was to be woken up by the smell of bacon, French toast and coffee. I climbed out of bed thankful for the pleasant wake up call, as opposed to the Alice and Rosalie's method. I slipped on my robe and made my way to the kitchen. What I found shocked the hell out of me.
"Jacob," I paused as I assessed the other man, "James, what are you doing here?" I questioned.
"I wanted to apologize to you for last night but it turns out that I'm not the only one who owes you an apology. Jake and I both fucked up so we thought we'd make you breakfast. Although I think Jake's offense should not be forgiven over an offering of bacon, mine although should be," he said with a smile. He looked like shit. His right eye was bruised. His lip was cut and swollen as well. His hands looked a little worse for wear but still usable.
"You're forgiven, James," I laughed as I sat at the stool. He and I had a misunderstanding. I couldn't hold a grudge over a beautiful man for kissing me, even if I was mourning the loss of my Grammy.
"I heard about your grandmother. I'm so sorry, Bells," Jake said as he took a seat on the stool next to me. "When is the funeral?" he asked as he poured the three of us coffee.
"Sunday, in New Jersey. You are not forgiven one bit, but it would mean a lot if you came," I said as I served myself French toast and bacon.
"Of course," he replied.
"Are we still practicing today?" James asked.
"When we're done eating, I'll get my piano out. Are you up for playing guitar or should we switch instruments tonight?" I asked having seen his hands slightly injured from the fight last night.
"Nope, I'm good to go for the 6 string," he answered.
We ate breakfast quietly. When we were finished we pulled out the instruments and jammed for a while until it was time to go. I had planned to play a few songs that I had written for Jacob but decided against playing them during the practice. I must have lost my phone during James' and Edward's fight because I searched my apartment and turned up empty handed. Rosalie and Alice must have been freaking out. When we made it to Sweet Up's, the girls were waiting for me outside, pacing back and forth.
"Where the fuck have you been and why are you with Jake the fuckhead?!" Rose yelled.
"I lost my phone last night and Jacob came to apologize. No, I did not forgive him before you ask. He insisted on coming tonight and I couldn't stop him," I explained.
"What about Grammy?" she asked with sad eyes. I noticed that she had seemed to have calmed down.
"Rose, I loved her. I just need to push it away so I can get through tonight, please?" I begged.
"I understand," she responded. We made our way inside the club and I noticed that Edward was there. Apparently he was having a good time because he was laughing with Jasper and Emmett. They immediately stopped laughing though as we approached. Emmett narrowed his eyes at the sight of Jake. I could almost hear him growling. The look Rosalie gave him must have instructed him to heel because he sighed and gritted his teeth sulking, but otherwise didn't make a move to deck Jacob like I knew he wanted to. Emmett was so sweet to be protective of me, not to mention, well trained to follow silent instructions from his wife. She should teach a workshop.
"Everyone, this is Jacob. Jacob this is everyone," I introduced.
There was a tense moment as everyone greeted knew the way our relationship had ended, and I was sure everyone aside from Edward wanted to take a shot at him.
I left Jacob with the gang as I made my way to the stage to set up for the show. James took a seat on the stool next to me and checked the settings on his guitar as I banged on a few keys to make sure the sound was spot on. Once we were ready I handed James a piece of paper with the songs we would play tonight.
"It's nice to be here again. I'd like to thank Angela for giving me this opportunity." I took a deep breath, spotted her sitting at a table and gave her a nod and a smile. She smiled back. I was really excited that she'd be living with me soon. She just had to finish out the rest of her lease at her current apartment, which was going to be the end of the month.
"My entire set tonight, although inappropriate as it may seem, is dedicated to my grandmother. Katherine Dwyer." I blinked back a few tears as I looked to Rosalie, who was teary-eyed herself, and then quickly glanced over at Edward to regain my composure. I had to admit that it satisfied me to see how messed up he was from the fight. He looked just as bad as James, if not worse. His hands were now in casts and every time he would try to run his hand through his hair, he'd just end up smacking himself in the forehead with his cast.
I smirked to myself. It served him right.
"This one's called Your Honor," I introduced before I started singing into the microphone.
I kissed your lips and I tasted blood
I asked you what happened and you said there'd been a fight
You said I've been fighting for your honor but you wouldn't understand
I said hold on your honor I'll get ice for your hand
Oh you been fighting for my honor and I don't understand
But hold on your honor I'll get ice for your hand...
You said come on baby let's just make love it's the only thing to make me better
You said come on let's just get you out of that sweater
I said I don't kiss losers and I don't kiss winners
And I don't fight for honor cause we all are born sinners
Gargle with peroxide a steak for your eye
But I'm a vegetarian so it's a frozen pizza pie
You tell me that you care and you never do lie
And you fight for my honor but I just don't know why
Mary had a little lamb with fleece as white as snow
You've got me and I'm just a common 'ho
But I know what I am and I know what I ain't
So don't get cut 'cause I still won't be no saint
Gargle with peroxide a steak for your eye
But I'm a pizzatarian so it's a frozen pizza pie
You tell me that you love me and you never do lie
And you fight for my honor but I just don't know why
You fight for my honor and I don't understand
But hold on your honor I'll get ice for your hand...
I let out a satisfying chuckle when I noticed how upset Edward looked. I noticed that Jacob looked smug as fuck. He obviously didn't have any idea what I had in store for him.
"There are some men in this world who work hard to repel stereotypes." I breathed out before I took a sip of my water. "Jacob Black isn't one of them," I said with a smirk before I began to play the next song.
Thought I'd cry for you forever
But I couldn't so I didn't
People's children die and they don't even cry forever
Thought I'd see your face in my mind for all time
But I don't even remember what your ears looked like
And the clock still strikes midnight and noon
And the sun still rises and so does the moon
Birds still migrate south and people move on
Even though I'm no longer in your arms
Thought the mountain would crumble
And the rivers would bend
But I thought all wrong and the world did not end
Guess the maps will just have to stay the same for a while
Didn't even need therapy to rehabilitate my smile
Rehabilitate my smile
Thought I'd cry for you forever
But I couldn't so I didn't...
The rest of my set went without a hitch. I played more songs in that same vein. It was so cathartic, and I felt victorious.
"Kudos, Bella," Edward said as I rejoined the gang.
"Let me see you do better than that, Nubs," I said with a sly grin. I obviously didn't forget that his hands were useless at the moment. He gave me a sideways smirk back and I swear I saw his middle finger twitch upwards. I had to admit that I loved our sarcastic banter and snarky interaction. He so wanted me.
"Yeah, you did awesome, Bells," Jacob said with a sad smile.
"Oh shut the fuck up, Jacob," Rosalie replied with glare. I could see Emmett chuckling as he rubbed soothing circles on Rose's back.
"I'm not sure if Rosalie has told you but our Grandmother's funeral is this Saturday, it would mean everything to me if all of you showed up," I announced. "Yes, I mean all of you," I said as I glanced at Edward and Jacob. Even if they weren't my favorite people at the moment, during sad events like the death of a loved one, it was important to keep everyone close, even enemies.
"Can I speak with you outside for a moment, Isabella?" Edward asked as he gestured towards the door to the back.
"I guess," I responded with a shrug as I followed him out the door. Once we were around the corner, out of eye and ear shot from everyone he turned around and spoke.
"I'm sorry for over stepping my bounds last night. James and I have a bad history and I assumed the worst of him," he explained as he tried to run a hand through his hair, effectively smacking himself in the forehead again. "Fucking hell!" he yelled.
"Relax, Edwardo, I will forgive you this once, but I will not forget." I replied as I sat down on the sad broken stool that was propped up against the brick wall. "I never forget," I added softly to myself, not even sure if he had heard. The look on his face was soft, as compared to our last few encounters, and it indicated that he may have heard what I said.
"I don't want to write shitty songs about you, only nice ones," he almost whispered, and I wondered if I was even meant to hear it. It seemed we were both having quiet conversations to ourselves.
"I'm sorry about your hands. You can ask Jasper to play for you. I'm sure he wouldn't mind. That way you can still perform because I don't think I can do this every other night by myself," I suggested. I actually missed hearing his voice and knowing how he felt through his lyrics.
Edward looked like he was thinking it over. "I will ask," he said as he took a seat on the concrete floor. "Cigarette?" he offered as he held out a Camel cigarette for me. Hmm, he switched brands too, I noticed.
"Oh, you're allowing me to smoke tonight?" I smirked at him. He smiled a little back at me still holding the cigarette. "Sure," I replied as I grabbed it from him. He handed me the lighter and I lit it, taking a long pull before exhaling.
"I'm sorry for your loss," he said with sad eyes. A piece of hair fell into his eye and once again he attempted to push it out of his face and failed. I watched him try to blow the hair away before letting out a small laugh. I leaned forward and brushed the hair from his forehead gently. I froze when our eyes locked.
I'd never seen his green eyes look more alive or sad in that moment. So I did the only thing I could think of. I placed a soft kiss on his forehead and said, "Thanks," before I stood up.
"I should go," I said as I put my cigarette out on the building. "I start at The Daily Grind tomorrow," I explained quickly.
"Yeah, maybe I'll stop by," he said as he lifted himself off the ground.
I nodded and before I could turn to leave he spoke. "Friends?" he asked with the same sad eyes.
"Yeah, I can handle that." I let out a small laugh. He held his hand out for me to shake and I stared at it with a quirked eyebrow.
"Fucking handicapped asshole," he sighed angrily at himself before he opened his arms for me.
"Hug it out?" he asked as he cocked his head to the side. I shrugged before I walked forward into his arms. I wrapped my arms around his waist as he draped his arms softly over my shoulders. We stood there for at least a minute. His arms felt so warm and safe. He smelled like heaven, and I could have sworn that I felt him sniff my hair. That would have been the second time he'd done that, not that I was keeping count. We pulled apart slowly. Both of us noticeably shaky.
"Goodnight, Edward," I said as I turned and left him standing there alone. Tonight I had managed to defend my own honor, stand my ground with Jacob, actually enjoy being the center of attention and let my guard down enough to let Edward in. I smiled, congratulating myself. My grandmother would have been so proud.
a truce has finally been made, lets see how long it lasts. More E/B interaction next chapter! The more reviews the faster the next chapter will be put out, a lot of changes are coming :)