I know. I KNOW! Edward wasn't very nice last time. But maybe it will get better. Sure. I promise. Anyway, regular thanks, BB for being my masterbeta, DT for making me laugh, JDSK, who is my FF soul mate (and my co-writer on an upcoming piece!). I'm gonna thank WTV for being my pusher. But she doesn't read this I don't think so boo on her.

Cake-You Turn The Screws

BPOV

As we reached the reservation I felt butterflies dancing around my stomach. My fingers pressed down, physically trying to squelch them.

I was nervous.

About Emmett and the race, it all seemed very dangerous.

About Edward being there. About me being there. I wasn't sure how to act around him. I really wasn't sure how I felt about him.

Or so I told myself.

So, I sat in the car, driving down the highway at ridiculous speeds, feeling like I needed to vomit.

Possibly noticing the green tint spreading across my face, Alice began talking about our spring break plans.

Apparently, we were going to the beach for spring break. Alice, Rose, Jessica, Angela and I were going to head to the beach for some fun and sun. I think Alice was hoping this would take my mind off of Edward and frankly, I was glad for the distraction.

So the rest of the way to the reservation we had to talk about bathing suits, the benefits of a one piece or two, appropriate beach hair styles, spray tanning, and many other random subjects that entertained Alice and Alice alone.

Finally, Rosalie pulled up to the old track and I followed them towards the guys, who were making last minute adjustments to the car.

Emmett's car was amazing. They had completely reworked the whole car. It was a '67 Mustang, complete with a new coat of dark green paint, black canvas top and black interior. I was really impressed that the guys did this on their own and in such a short period of time.

I heard loud music from a cross the field, a group of guys and girls surrounding a black car with flames painted down the side. I saw James standing in the middle with a huge grin on his face. Clearly he thought he had this in the bag.

Reaching Emmett's car, I hung back a little, my hands shoved in my hoodie, trying to look collected and calm with the situation, when I was anything but.

When Edward showed up in my tree the other day I wasn't sure what to do. I was angry, and hurt and really, really depressed. And then I saw him out there, his hair all dirty, sticking up on end, wild and untamed. My first instinct was to turn around and run. Leave him in the tree, but I didn't.

I don't think I actually could.

So I moved closer, looking out the window at him, seeing his cheeks red from the cold, smudged with oil and grease. His eyes were filled with a mixture of pleading and determination. I figured after all these weeks of avoiding him I owed him the opportunity to speak.

And he spoke. His words crushed me further, telling me of lovers, but not love, and his inability to make this right. And it was true. He couldn't fix this. It was what it was. And I had to decide whether or not I wanted Edward Cullen, the real Edward Cullen, in my life.

Then, before he left, he'd reached out and touched me.

And I wanted him to.

I wanted to feel his skin on my skin. Feel the trial of fire that he left. Because no matter how much he broke me I wanted him.

So I spent the next couple of days thinking and here I was, at the racetrack, watching Emmett prepare to risk his life and his two best friends encouraging it. And I stood on the edge, trying to decide if my needs were as great as my wants. I wanted Edward, but did I need him? I hadn't decided yet.

Jasper ran up and grabbed Alice, tossing her tiny frame around and I watched Emmett and Rose settle into some comfortable small talk. They seemed to be taking things slower this time.

I smiled at them but realized I was intruding in their private moment, which, after all they had been through, was deserved. I shifted my gaze and saw him, standing next to the car, watching me. A small smile twitched on his lips but it didn't reach his eyes.

I slapped a grin on my face.

"Hey," he said, leaning back on the car.

I fought to relax my pose, to match his, and I echoed back, "Hey."

We stood like that for a moment, not uncomfortable but clearly not knowing what to say to one another.

He walked by me and began pulling the top back, on the Mustang, when I saw a flash of metal on his waist.

Intrigued I asked, "What's that?" and instinctively I reached out and grabbed his belt. My fingers grazed his warm, soft, skin and I withdrew quickly, forgetting his body was not mine to touch. Blushing, I mumbled, "Sorry."

Thankfully, he let it go, shrugging and pulled up the hem of his shirt, showing me a red buckle with the word 'Cocky' embossed across it.

I quirked an eyebrow at him and he laughed, a real one, and said, "You know, school spirit and all that shit."

I rolled my eyes. School spirit my ass.

Emmett came over and ducked under the hood of the car, while Edward checked the tires. Rose and I stepped back and watched them quietly, both understanding that the other was trying to find balance with the men in our lives.

Jasper and Alice came screeching by, playing some version of tag when Alice rounded the car and slammed into Emmett. The hood of the car came crashing down and smashed into Emmett's hulking frame.

Edward and Jasper darted over, lifting the hood off a groaning Emmett, who was clearly dazed yet not seriously injured.

"Emmett! I'm so sorry!" Alice apologized profusely. Her eyes widened when she saw the looks of fury on Edwards face and even Jasper shot her a silent warning. Rosalie went over and tugged her away from the boys.

"Man, are you okay?" I heard Edward ask softly. Emmett was rubbing the back of his head and Edward reached back and felt around. "That is a huge bump…are you sure you can do this?"

"Dude, I'm fine. I just need to sit down for a second and rest." He declared, dropping into the front seat of the car. I noticed the concern on Edwards face as he nodded at Emmett. He leaned over to Jasper and they began talking quietly.

We walked to the edge of the track, to where the other spectators were sitting, on large rocks, surrounding the area.

As we settled in Alice began to fidget next to me. "I can't believe I did that. They're going to kill me if they have to back out of the race," she fretted.

I ran my hand over her back trying to soothe her but I knew she was right. They were going to be furious if they couldn't compete.

I heard Rosalie grunt while gesturing across the track. James and his crew seemed to notice something was wrong and were trying to figure out what it was. James sneered towards Edward and I felt him stiffen, even though he was yards away. I could easily see this race turning into a rumble if something didn't happen soon.

I watched as Edward leaned into Emmett, whose eyes were closed and looked like he was ready to take a nap. Edward shook his shoulder, "Hey, man, I don't think you can drive."

Emmett's eyes fluttered open and he said, "I know. But you'll do it for me, right? Drive in my place?"

Edward's jaw clenched and he nodded, patted Emmett on the back and helped him out of the car.

My stomach began to twist as I watched this exchange and Jasper lowered the hood of the car one last time. I hadn't anticipated this. I was already worried about Emmett but the thought of Edward involved in something so risky was enough to make me nauseous.

Edward slid into the front seat and shut the door. He spent some time adjusting the mirror and making other adjustments. I watched as he stopped and ran his fingers through his hair.

He was nervous.

I wanted to comfort him in some way but it really wasn't my place. I gave him up and now were both lost and confused. I kept my eyes on him, willing him to look my way and make some kind of contact. Finally, his eyes combed over the people who had shown up and were sitting on the out cropping of rocks on the edge of the track. They settled on me and I gave him a small smile in return and a nod, to let him know I believed in him. The exchange only took a second and his eyes flicked away as he gunned the engine, and driving towards the starting line.

I felt Rose's hand cover mine and squeeze. I guess she knew better than anyone what I was feeling. Rosalie had turned out to be a good friend. Once she let her guard down and let you in she softened. It finally made sense to me why she and Alice were so tight and loyal to one another.

I watched Edward maneuver the Mustang to the starting line towards Jasper. They had some kind of discussion with James before the race started, I guess going over the rules. I took a deep breath and asked, "So what happens next? Exactly what does the race involve?"

Alice was almost vibrating next to me and she seemed more than happy to explain. "Well, first they drive down the track towards that bridge, then they turn around and the first person back wins."

I felt relief spread across my face, "That's all? Oh, well that doesn't sound too dangerous," and I smiled at Rose and Alice.

Rosalie's face was tight and she still had her hand on mine, "Bella, I know it doesn't sound dangerous, but trust me it can be. James is absolutely lethal. He competes to win. At any cost."

My brain tried to wrap its way around what she was saying, "What do you mean "at any cost'?" I asked.

Alice shot a look at Rose before saying, "Bella, Edward is an excellent driver. Honestly, he's more skilled than Emmett."

At that moment we could see Jasper running away from the cars, off to the side of the track towards Emmett. Both drivers were in place and focused, and the loud, boisterous sound of their engines starting ricocheted off the rocks and trees surrounding the area.

I was stunned to see that Tanya, of all people, was standing between both cars, in a hoochie tube dress, and 5 inch heels. She had a scarf raised over her head and with dramatic flair she waved it down signaling the start of the race.

Shockingly, I could hear the sound of my heart, pounding over the loud squeal of tires as they shot down the roadway.

Smoke billowed over Tanya as she scrambled off the track as Edward and James literally left her in the dust. I watched them dart down the track towards the huge bridge in the distance. Once they got under it we wouldn't be able to see them, but it was clear whoever made it through the tunnel first would be the one with a major advantage.

Just before the bridge they appeared to be neck and neck, driving at speeds so fast their cars kind of shook as they moved.

I gasped and clutched Rosalie's hand harder as James, not content to play fair I guess, veered his car into the Mustang, pushing Edward off his path towards the edge of the track. Edward pressed back and I could hear the sound of crushing metal as the cars made contact.

I felt myself rising, climbing up on the rock so I could see. The entire crowed had leapt to their feet and they were cheering loudly as the Mustang regained control and both cars dashed under the bridge into the darkness of the tunnel.

For several tense moments we all waited, listening hard for the sound of tires as they turned, the gunning of engines as they accelerated and the vibration of the cars rumbling through the tunnel on the way back towards us.

I held my breath.

For ages, it seemed.

And I closed my eyes and said a little prayer for Edward to come out first from the tunnel.

When I opened them there he was.

First.

As he sped down the roadway I could see his hair whipping around his head and he was intent, focused on the pavement ahead.

James was speeding behind him but he wasn't close enough and he desperately tried to gain on him, weaving towards the Mustang, doing anything to gain some ground.

But it wasn't enough and Edward knew it. You could see it on his face.

Even from up here on the rock the smirk on his face was visible.

In that moment my heart lurched and I knew what I wanted.

The entire crowd of students from Forks jumped up as Edward sailed across the finish line and scrambled down the rocks to go congratulate the winner.

Alice was jumping up and down with excitement and even Rose was excited, a huge grin on her face.

"Oh Bella he won! Come on let's go see him!" Alice shouted as she hopped down the rocks.

Rose picked up my hand and said, "Yeah, come on. Cullen will want to see you too, I'm sure."

I looked down the hill and spotted Edward who was being currently being hoisted up, into the air by Emmett. The smile on Edward's face was huge, spreading across his whole face and his eyes were shining with happiness.

"I'm coming…give me a second, okay?" I said and smiled at them encouragingly.

They hesitated but eventually left me alone. I needed a moment to go over my thoughts and feelings from this afternoon.

I realized that as I watched Edward on the race track day, I was able to see him clearly for the first time. I had seen the flash of nerves before the race began but once Tanya dropped that scarf another side of him emerged.

He was confident, disciplined, and skilled.

He took control of the car and of James, never bending under pressure.

And he came out ahead.

And he won.

Because Edward Cullen always got his way.

At the moment he drove across the finish line, with a smirk on his face, I realized that none of those things were wrong. I had been trying to force Edward to bend to my will this whole time. To take out the best qualities of himself and twist him to my version of what Edward Cullen should be.

When Edward was already perfect.

And glorious.

And he was mine if I wanted him.

Okay. Whew. I was not looking forward to that one. That race completely freaked me out. COMPLETELY freaked me out. But I did it and I hope you liked it. Let me know. You guys are the best reviewers and i LOVE it!!! Also, we are winding down as you know. I am thinking 2 more chapters. and maybe an epilogue. Sigh. I know. How depressing.