AN: Hello readers, I would like to apologize for the late chapter, I was going through a horrible case of writers block, plus the fall semester at college started so I'm going to be a busy bee as of this week. I'll try my hardest to post a chapter each week and again I'm sorry for the missing chapter last week, hopefully it will not happen again.

100 reviews for chapter 11! I immensely thank each and every one of you for your support. You guys ROCK!

Disclaimer: SM owns twilight…

Chapter 12: Curve balls

Tricky, deceptive and backstabbing cycle of events; in short that was my life. What was once a peaceful and humble existence was long gone and forgotten. My life was nothing short of whirlwind, a rollercoaster ride of hurt and misinterpretations. How I longed for simplicity and humbleness. How I craved a future that was never meant to be.

I was wrapped in a blanket of heat when I woke up in the morning. I was groggy and felt as if I just woke up from a coma that stretched on for years and years on end. The heat was slowly lulling me back to sleep, but I shook my head to clear it, and then everything came back to full focus.

I wasn't wrapped in a blanket, the sun's rays weren't the source of the comforting heat, it was Edward. He had his arms wrapped around me, one hand supporting my head and the other possessively draped across my waist. Our bodies were too close to one another, not an inch of space between us, our legs and feet entangled and the hand he firmly had clasped with mine was resting on my belly. His breath was wafting across my shoulder and neck, causing my skin to flush and tingle. This was the closest we've ever been, and for a moment, I forgot that I was supposed to hate him. I totally forgot that he was the devil in disguise, that he was the source and my humiliation and aguish. I felt safe and protected in his arms. But then he stirred, and the moment was gone. Reality came crashing down on me, and I let out a soft gasp.

I couldn't be here; I couldn't let him hold me that way. I couldn't relish in his heat and protection. He was danger, not safety. He was hurt, not comfort. He was beauty that will never be mine.

I tried moving away from him, I tried untangling myself from him, but I didn't work, so I tried harder. I pulled against his arms and legs, against the sheets and our position, and due to my clumsy nature, that effort sent me tumbling to the ground. I was off the bed and on my ass in an instant and that caused the sleeping beast to wake up.

Flushed and unfocused, he shot of the pillow and sat there, his eyes wide; searching for me.

"Bella?" He asked his voice husky and low. God, the sound of this sleepy boy in the morning did something to me, but all I could do is giggle softly.

I had no idea why I wasn't pissed, he violated my personal space yet again, but it didn't exactly look like I put up much of a fight. Last night I slept like I have never slept before, and I guess I owed it to Edward. Last night, against his nature and habits, he offered comfort and protection; he offered heat and tingly breaths. Contrary to what I got used to, he didn't take; he gave.

Lying flat on his stomach, and peeking at me through the edge of the bed, a cute smirk plastered on his face, his eyes danced with amusement. "Mind telling me what you're doing on the floor?" He mumbled.

"Searching for my dignity?" I replied, still giggling.

He laughed, and the sound surprised me. We were acting like adults, a strange new ground for me and Edward.

"Mind telling me why you had me in vise grip right then?" I demanded, but I didn't sound bitter or angry, it was just simple question.

"I uhhh, what?" He asked, confused.

"I think you were spooning me or something, I don't know." I said, embarrassed.

"I was? I… I'm sorry, I didn't… consciously do that I guess, which is weird, because I'm not the type of guy who likes to cuddle, or spoon" He was rambling, he was nervous and it was hilarious to me. I should have been the one rambling and nervous, or pissed and uneasy. But I felt a strange sense of peace, it didn't change anything, but I lacked the feeling urging me to fight with him. What was done was done; there was no use in dramatizing it.

"Okay, well I'm gonna… get dressed and go downstairs now. Sorry for waking you up." I replied.

"Don't worry about it; I had to wake up anyway." He smiled a crooked smile and looked away.

I realized I probably looked a mess; I probably looked horrible in comparison to his blinding beauty, after everything that happened last night, his hair was messier than the usual mess it always was, but he looked nothing short of a Greek god.

Just as I was getting ready to get myself off the floor, there was a pounding on the door. I heard Emmet's voice filtering through the wood soon after.

"Edward!" He yelled, "Get the fuck up, we need to talk." He demanded.

It was slightly weird, all the while I've been here, I've never heard Emmet sound so angry, and I've never heard him curse either. But he sounded pissed, he sounded like he was on a mission.

"The hell…" Edward trailed of, bewildered. "Just give me a second Em." He yelled back.

I gingerly got up, and made my way to the bathroom. After finishing my morning routine, I dressed casually and hesitantly opened the door. Thankfully, Edward was already dressed and was making his way towards me.

"You done?" He asked.

"Yeah, sorry. The bathroom is all yours." I replied.

"Thanks." He smiled. "And by the way…" He said just as I was walking past him "Good morning."

"Morning." I replied nonchalantly.

I wasn't sure if it was going to be a good morning, or afternoon for that matter, since a quick glance at the clock hanging on the wall told me it was 2:15.

As I made my way down the stairs and into the kitchen, I was greeted my Esme, Alice and Elizabeth who sat on around the kitchen table sipping tea, and oddly enough, laughing.

"Well, well, well, sleeping beauty emerges." Alice teased.

I laughed and headed towards the empty seat next to hers. "Yeah, I guess I was up pretty late last night." I replied.

"I passed by your bedroom at around six in the morning." Elizabeth announced, causing my eyes to widen. Had she seen how Edward and I were sleeping? This screamed trouble, and I looked at her a little scared and frightened.

"You…You did?" I asked. I tried acting normal, like her snooping around wasn't disturbing or crazy.

"I did." She replied. "And I'm very glad you are sticking to my rules. I'd hate to have to take… certain actions. I trusted Esme and Carlisle with enforcing the rules, and trust me Isabella, those rules weren't put there to hurt or torture you, contrary to what you might think. But I firmly believe that the closeness that comes with having to share a room will be very beneficial for you and Edward both." She explained.

Before I had a chance to reply, Esme cut her off. "Enough of that talk Ely, the girl just woke up. Bella dear, would you like a cup of tea?" She asked me kindly. I was very grateful for her stepping in.

"No thank you, I… I have somewhere to be right now. I'll be gone for a few hours." I replied.

"You want a ride?" Alice asked enthusiastically.

"No thanks, I'll call a cab. I wouldn't want you waiting for me; this… thing could take a while." I replied.

"Okay, if you're sure." She said, pouting a bit.

"I wanted us to have a family dinner tonight, get to know you a little better Isabella. I'm sorry you'll have to miss it." Elizabeth offered.

"Not necessarily, I'll back before dinner." I replied curtly. I just didn't the woman, what can I say?

"Well that's good news." She exclaimed. "Good luck with… whatever it is."

"Thank you." I replied, excusing myself, and heading up the stairs to grab my purse.

I called a cab, and then reentered the kitchen, opting to spend a little time with Esme and Alive before my ride arrived. I had unfinished business, I was on a mission today.

Today, I was throwing everything I've ever dreamed of away, but I had no other choice, no other options. I had to make some changes, and those changes were going to cost me my dreams and ambitions.

Today, the future I've worked so hard to reach was going to be crushed, with a few signed applications, and hopefully a little luck, I was going to sign my life away.

Again…

EPOV

Life was messing with me; life was throwing me one curve ball after the other. My life as of now is fucked up.

Last night, getting into bed was an awkward feat. Everything smelled like her, and by God if she doesn't smell mouthwatering every damn minute of every damn day.

Apparently, during the night, or early morning hours to be exact, my nose led me to her. I felt myself move, but I didn't want to stop or prevent it. Carefully, I moved closer to her and gently put my arms around her, gauging her reaction, preparing myself for the tensing up of her body and the impending slap that would no doubt make its way towards my face. But then, the most amazing thing happened; she just sighed softly and sank into me.

I was the one tensing up, I was the one who freaked and froze for about half a second. Her body fit against mine perfectly, her soft curves and my hard muscles meshed together and brought us closer, relaxing me instantaneously.

I got drunk off of her scent; I reveled in her closeness, her softness, her heat. I was never one to cuddle; I didn't see point of it. I was more of a wham bam thank you ma'am type of guy. But with Bella, it was different. With Bella, it felt right, it felt like she belonged there, she belonged that close to me.

Of course, I wasn't making any sense, even to myself. I was in a sleep induced haze, and I fully intended on succumbing to it.

I woke up the next day to a thud, and then the sound of Bella giggling. She looked so amazingly beautiful with her messed up hair and blush stained cheeks. I found myself unable to stop smiling at her. Our interaction was a bit awkward, but I enjoyed it just the same.

Emmet's knocks and angry voice both startled and worried me. Em was a laid back guy, it wasn't often you'd find him pissed or even upset. After getting dressed quickly and waiting for Bella to finish up in the bathroom because I desperately needed to piss, I went out to find him.

Unfortunately, we didn't get a chance to talk right away. While he was busy driving grandmother around town, I was busy burning a hole in the library's floor with my pacing. Isabella was MIA. I haven't seen her since she left the bedroom this morning, it was now closing in on 6 o'clock and she has yet to return.

I was worried, and a little offended. She didn't even have the decency to tell me she was going out, instead she told Alice and Esme that she was going to be gone for a few hours and that she'll return by dinnertime.

What was she doing? Where did she go? Why wouldn't she tell me she'd be leaving for a while? I was her husband after all. Maybe we weren't that close, but I couldn't help worrying about her, which surprised me. She was in a new city on her own, she knew nothing about New York or which areas to avoid. What if she was mugged? Or attacked? What if she had a clumsy spell and fell down and passed out? I was driving myself crazy thinking about these things, I didn't notice the bulldozer of a man charging right towards me.

Emmet came charging in on me, his massive hand grasping my bicep and pulling me right to his face. I could have had him on his back, with a bloody nose and busted lips in five seconds flat, but his aggressive demeanor and flushed-from-anger face had me intrigued. I simply raised my eyebrow at him, but didn't make a move to defend myself; I wanted to hear what he had to say.

"What did you do?" He spat angrily.

"What the fuck are you talking about Em?" I asked irritably.

"Don't act clueless with me, you asshole." He retorted. "I always knew you were low, but I never knew you where that fucking low Edward. That girl is a saint, she's kind and smart and funny and caring and loving, so why the hell are you deliberately trying to make her life a living hell?" He went on.

"This is about Bella?" I asked, incredulous. Was I the one who caused her to run out today?

"Of course it's about Bella, you dick. I saw her crying at the ball, I saw her leaving with Alice and Jasper instead of with you. I heard her crying and I heard the thud when she fell last night. So I'm going to ask you again, what the hell did you do to her?" He hissed, menacingly.

"That's none of your god damned business Emmet, that's between me and my wife." I hissed back, stressing the word "wife". "I mean, I don't go snooping around your business with Rose now do I? Why can't you show me the same curtsy?" I continued.

"If you think that Bella considers herself your wife, you are more delusional than I thought. My loyalty is to Bella, and that's final. I promised her protection the moment she stepped inside this house, and I intend to honor that promise." He seethed.

"You're loyalty is to Bella now, is it?" I asked, a little hurt. It stung that my own brother would sell me out like that.

"Look Edward, you're my brother and I love you. I will always be there for you, and that includes setting your ass straight when you're acting like a douche." He replied. "You have to realize that the way you are treating Bella is inexcusable and unwarranted."

"Are you in love with her or something?" I yelled "Is that it? Little princess Bella caught your attention and stole your heart? Is that why you are so protective of her all of the sudden brother?" I mocked, knowing it was a cheap shot, but having no other way of expressing the turmoil resounding in my head.

In a quick move, he had me pinned against the door, the library eerily quiet, except for the sound of Em's hard breaths.

"Don't you ever repeat the shit again, do you hear me?" He said, shaking me. "I love that girl; I love her like I love Alice. I treat her like a little sister, and I've never, not once, thought of her as more than that. How could you say that to me Edward? You know that I love Rose more than anything in this world, you know she's everything to me." He sounded hurt, and I felt like a total dick.

"I'm sorry Emmet; I didn't mean what I said. I was just angry." I said, my voice laced with regret.

"Yeah, okay." He mocked, still pissed. "You didn't mean it, you never fucking mean it. You're the prodigal son with the purest fucking intentions. You know what Edward? I loathe you. Any man who treats a woman the way you are treating Bella deserves to be loathed. You're scum, and you better fucking believe that." He roared. "You hurt her again, and I'll fucking end you. Got that?" He shook me again, and then let me go.

"You want to fight me Emmet? Let's have at it right here, right now asshole. I'm the scum? I'm not the one who sold out his brother." I roared right back at him.

He just shook his head and exhaled. He looked at me like I was the biggest disappointment he's ever seen, and that shattered me a little more than anything could have.

"You don't get it do you?" he asked, resigned. "You still don't fucking get it."

With that, he stormed out of the library and I followed him, stalking him like a predator would stalk his prey.

"Tell me what the fuck you want from me." I shouted at him.

"I want you to wake the hell up and take a look around you brother. I want you to wake the hell up." He said, sad and thwarted.

I couldn't stay in that house one second longer; I couldn't stand there and let him make assumptions.

I stumbled down the stairs and headed towards the door, wrenching it open and coming face to face with a wide eyed Bella.

"Edward?" She asked, troubled.

I ignored her and headed for the car. Quickly getting inside my silver oldie, I turned on the engine and peeled through the driveway, through the gate and away from the house.

Everything Emmet said was true, and that was what bothered me the most.

We've always been close; Em and I. We were the two musketeers until Jasper came along and we became three. I trusted him with my life, and I thought he trusted me with his. It turns out I was mistaken. It turns out my own brother loathed me and thought of me as scum.

With a heavy heart and a foggy mind, I made my way to my favorite bar; Eclipse.

I was going to get fucked up tonight.

He thought I was a disappointment? I'll show him how truly disappointing I can be.

And since I was going to Hell, I might as well take them all with me.

Tonight, I was determined to bring on the pain and the blood and the agony.

Trouble… I truly was nothing but trouble.

….

….

….

The lights at Eclipse were low and almost romantic. The dominating color was red, which perfectly fit my mood. I was in red smog of anger and deception.

I took a seat at the bar, wanting no special treatment or VIP rooms. I signaled at the bartender, and apparently he knew who I was, because he came right away.

I offered no greetings, I only said "Tequila, bring the whole damn bottle."

He quickly obliged, and I quickly began throwing down the shots, one after the other; poising my body with liquor and my mind my spoken works and broken trusts.

I was paying no mind to my surroundings. I didn't care enough to look around. That is, until I heard the stool next to mine being moved, the wood scraped against the floor, and a man with a ponytail sat next to me. He reeked of cheap liquor and cigar smoke, and he pissed me off instantly.

"You're Edward Cullen." He murmured. It wasn't a question, more like a statement.

Yeah no shit, Sherlock, I thought.

"The one and only." I replied, instead of voicing my thoughts.

"I saw you at that fundraiser the other night. The one your filthy rich family throws every year?"He said. "I'm James, James Hunter."

I wanted nothing to do with this James character. I was in no mood to entertain or talk to anybody, but he kept on pushing.

"Let me buy you a drink man, you look like you could use it." He said. "Or better yet, you buy me one; it ain't like you're lacking the money." He smirked, quirking his eyebrows at me.

I huffed, and counted to ten in my head.

"I appreciate the offer James, but I just want to be alone right now. Maybe another time, yeah?" I offered.

"What, you're too high and mighty to fraternize with us common folk rich boy?" He mocked, and I held the shot of tequila in my hand a little too tightly.

"Yeah, something like that." I said, having had enough of his shit.

"You know, I saw you with that new wife of yours. She looks too clean cut, too sweet for your taste. I bet that pussy was untouched when you met her, am I right?" He taunted.

"For your own sake James, get up and walk away." I threatened. I raised my head and glared at him. He was itching for a fight, and I was itching for blood.

"Why don't you let me have a shot at it, I'm sure I could teach her a couple a things for you boy. I'd take that hot piece of ass to pound town, anytime, anyplace, anywhere." He murmured, smirking at me.

He just signed his own death sentence, and he didn't even realize it yet.

I pounced on him, like a hungry lion would pounce on an unsuspecting little zebra. He was an inconsequential little herbivore and I was an apex predator.

I had him on the floor, on his back while I pounded away at him. I hit him again and again, my fist connecting with his jaw, mouth, eyes and temple over and over again.

"You talk about her like that again, and you won't live to reminisce about it. You are hear me you fucking asshole?" I screamed at him, spitting on his pathetic face.

He was throwing his arms around, and trying to fight back or at least block the blows that were raining down on him, but it was no use.

I hit him until blood was seeping from every pore in his face. I hit him until my knuckles became raw and the skin broke.

I was vaguely aware that someone, or multiple people were trying to pull me off of him, but I was too focused, too consumed by the haze, too strong for them to handle.

A few minutes passed, and I let up a bit. The guys who were struggling to pull me off of James succeeded and I was yanked away from him, and held back against the bar.

"What's your problem man?" A guy I didn't know shouted. "You could have killed him."

"He fucking deserved it." I screamed back.

I was breathing heavily; the pain in my knuckles hadn't registered yet.

I couldn't believe the nerve of him, he had the guts to speak that way about my Bella, my Heaven. He's fucking lucky I didn't kill him.

"I'm sorry Mister Cullen, but someone called the cops." The measly bartender told me hesitantly.

I just nodded and stood up tall. I wasn't going to run like some pussy. I made my bed, and now I had to lay in it.

I didn't even flinch when the police officers arrived to whisk me away, I didn't even flinch when they slapped the handcuffs on my wrists and put me in the back of the police cruiser.

At the end of the night, I found myself detained in a smelly cell, paying for my mistakes.

At the end of the night, and after everything that's happened, I found myself calling Emmet without hesitation.

I found myself asking for my brother's help, and he didn't hesitate one second before coming to my rescue. I was grateful for that, I was grateful for my brother. Turns out, he didn't sell me out in the first place, he had my back at all times, and I understood now that what he was screaming at me at the library back home was for my own good. He was just trying to protect me, like he always has and always will.

It took beating the crap out of some guy and then spending a couple of hours in jail to make me understand that my brother was trying to look after me from the very start. I was just too dumb to realize it…

I was troubled and messed up. I was drunk and a little disturbing. I was fire and ice, fighting for control.

And I realized at that moment that I needed to start making some changes, especially with Isabella…

I needed to stop being the Hell to Bella's Heaven.

AN: So, there you have it folks.

Again I'm sorry for the delay. Thanks to everyone who read, reviewed, or put my story on favorite or alert.

Can we reach 150 reviews this chapter? I'm counting on you please?

Please do not hesitate to tell me your thoughts, I'm not that delicate, I can take it.