All recognisable characters belong to SM. I just own the plot.

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Same as before, this chapter has been tweaked multiple times, even after A Jasper For Me had gone over it, so I apologise in advance for errors that you might encounter.

I twirled the empty bottle of beer on the cement floor, watching it spin on its axis until it slowly lost momentum and eventually stopped. I reached for the bottle again and this time held the tip with my fingers, just rubbing the cool, smooth glass as I raised my eyes on the billboard that hung on the other building across the street.

"We've been up here for a while now," Emmett interrupted my thoughts, and I turned to see him pull a drag from his bottle before speaking again. "We should go."

His reminder just increased my resolve to stay longer. "Did you know the only bird that could fly backwards and sideways is the hummingbird?" I asked, moving to stand just a few feet before the edge of the building so I had a clearer view of the big ad. Emmett had this friend who lived in this building and allowed us to sneak upstairs on the rooftop.

"No, I didn't," I heard him reply. It was such a random thing for me to say, but he didn't ask any questions. Perhaps it was my tone that had set the mood, I wasn't sure, but he just stayed quiet … waiting. Sometimes his silence unnerved me, making me want to go and find Jake and beg him to accompany me everywhere instead … but not this time.

I glanced back at the poster of Bella and Alice. They had on formal red dresses and they were on their stomachs on a bed, smiling and laughing, looking like they were gossiping about something or someone. It was an ad campaign for the upcoming holidays. The slogan clearly stated it was so.

My eyes focused on Bella, drawing in the small smile that curved her lips, loving how it made her eyes sparkle.

"The first time I saw her I was still a teenager. I think I was still sixteen or seventeen," I said, my eyes never leaving her face. "She was fourteen or something at that time, and she had these hideous braces on … which to anyone wearing them, would make them look ugly, but not her. Not her." I smiled at the memory. "She was pretty even back then, but what made me notice her was her infectious smile. I remember I just stood in one corner, sipping some god-awful drink, while I stared at this kid who made everyone laugh as she talked like she knew everything about life."

Emmett didn't interrupt me, and for that I was grateful.

"She had this … this charm, this charisma that draws people to her. There was this old distant uncle of mine, who was always so grouchy, who rarely smiled and was so mean to everyone who tried to help him. He had one artificial leg, so … anyway, Bella accidentally bumped into him and spilled her drink on him at that particular party. Everyone waited for him to lash out at her; they held their breaths because they knew what would come next … but that never happened. She said something to him, I can't even for the life of me remember what it was, but even so … he started laughing. It was so unusual, everyone first thought he was choking. To make the story short … it was the first time we saw him laugh with anyone, and even be kind."

I turned to see Emmett so engrossed in my tale. It was my first time to open up to him about Bella, and it looked like he was soaking it all up. I turned, needing to focus on something other than his face so I could continue.

"Bella has the ability to captivate people. She always reminded me of a hummingbird. Flying around – back and forth like she was eager to show how amazing she was."

"I never really got the chance to know her. As far as I was concerned, she was just the girlfriend of Edward."

I snorted. "She would hate you if she heard you referring to her as just the girlfriend. She wanted to be known other than just my girl."

"Wise woman."

"She was incredible, Em … still is. Everyone who knew her couldn't help but love her."

I loved everything about her. I wasn't sure how she would ever take me back.

"I was one of them, " I whispered. My hummingbird … my little bird.

"Edward, we're gonna make it right for you. I promise," I heard Emmett say, and I smiled bitterly, knowing he was just saying that because he was obligated to say it. "Bella is worth it, right?"

I felt his hand on my back and I turned to face him. He had this serious, determined look on his face.

"Yes, she is."

"Then by all means, we're getting her back."

"We?"

"Yes, we. You're our future king, and if she's what you want … what you need, then I, as a lowly servant of yours, will help you get her. So, we," he said, pointing his fingers between us.

He could be cheesy, I could tell you that, and most times that side of him irked me. At the moment, however, I honestly didn't care if he was being corny or some shit like that, because somehow he made sense. "I think that task will be a hard one."

"You mean to say you have doubts we won't succeed … that you're losing your touch? Shocking," he added, mocking me.

I opened my mouth to say something, but closed it again, because really, what was I to say to that. He clapped me again on the back and chuckled.

"C'mon now, Edward. We need to do a few things first – find your father and explain. We'll do the wooing after we talk to King Carlisle."

I groaned. Yesterday at the club was fun because Bella was there, but the pictures and the articles about us in the news today were anything but enjoyable. Father had been looking for me since this morning, and Emmett had successfully made excuses about some previous important engagements I had to delay meeting with him. We all knew what it was he wanted to talk to me about anyway.

"Do you ever think Alec would have landed himself in this mess?"

He stopped in his tracks and met my gaze. "No."

He was right. Alec wouldn't have been this messed up. Hearing him say it though, felt like a confirmation of how far away from being an exemplary prince I was.

"You're not your brother, Edward. You don't need to compare yourself to him. You know why?"

I really had the urge to clamp my hand over his mouth so I wouldn't hear what he had to say, but somehow his words meant a great deal to me. It might sting, but they were still the truth, and in my life right now, I needed all the honesty I could get.

"Because he wouldn't have liked it. You two are entirely different, he's the cool-headed type, while you …" he paused for a minute, trying to find the words "…you're the adventurous and spontaneous one. BUT, it doesn't mean he is the better person than you."

"I feel like I'm not the same as I used to be … and I'm not sure if it's a good thing or not." Ever since I had taken over Alec's role and his responsibilities, it seemed like my life wasn't my own anymore. It seemed when I had chosen to honor my promise to Alec, I had also relinquished some of what little freedom I had enjoyed.

Emmett took a whole minute before he answered, the frown on his forehead deepening as he spoke. "Edward, sometimes you've got to make choices because you think it's the best for the people around you, even if that choice is not the one you want. These decisions, these choices affect our lives, but that's what grown-ups do, they make decisions … hard decisions," he said, and looked at me when I sucked in a deep breath.

"It feels like that's all I do these days, you know," I muttered, my bitterness obvious. "I have to plan, to discuss and to fucking decide! Everything needs some kind of resolution."

His eyes were on me, serious and unrelenting. "Have you ever made a decision that somehow altered your life?"

Yeah, I was … I did. Bella.

"Yes." I cleared my throat. "I'm not sure if you know the full story about Bella and me, but yeah …" I let that statement hang, not really sure how to proceed.

"So, do you think it was the right choice? The one you made, I mean."

When I decided not to go back to Bella like I promised, I was so sure it was the best for the both of us. For her mainly, but now …

"I'm not sure," I replied, my voice so low I wasn't certain he heard me.

OOOOOOOOOO

"I knew this wouldn't last long," Kate said, and gave me a tight smile.

"Kate, let's just … the two years we shared were great, and I truly appreciate what you've done for me. I'm ending things because this isn't working for –"

"Oh, no worries. I'm a big girl," she interrupted, trying to lighten the mood, her pitch a little higher than usual.

"I'm so sorry again for this, Kate."

"I saw the pictures of you and your ex," she said, looking like she wanted to add something.

"I don't want to talk about it. She's no concern of yours," I snapped, suddenly irritated she had to mention Bella.

She nodded, looking defeated. I wouldn't discuss Bella with her, even if she paid me. "I hope you will be happy, Prince Edward."

She stood, her eyes shining with tears, and leaned down to kiss me on the cheek, leaving without a backward glance.

It was over, and I felt like shit.

I pinched the bridge of my nose, trying to quell the uneasiness I felt. I had to do it ... to end my arrangement with her. I wanted to pursue Bella, and it wouldn't be right if I still had any kind of association with Kate.

Sudden movements in my periphery made me look up. It was Emmett, offering me a cigarette.

I cocked an eyebrow at him, but he just nodded, urging me to get one. When I didn't make a move, he fished one and handed it to me, even offering a light as I stuck it between my lips. He sat on the chair Kate had just vacated and lit one for himself. I never knew he smoked, and as I stared at him dumbfounded, he just gave me a shrug.

"Don't be so surprised," he said, blowing out the smoke from between his lips, and smirking. "I do a lot of things you don't know about."

"Things? What sort of things?"

He shrugged again, smiling wickedly as he continued to puff on the cigarette. "It's for me to know, and for you to find out."

That made me laugh. I had a hard time imagining Emmett being wild. It was not in his nature, although the wicked glint in his eyes started to make me doubt that thought.

"Now that Kate has been dealt with …" he stood up and motioned for me to follow "… it's about time we have fun. The two of us."

"Ha, this is a first! " He didn't ask about details, just allowed me to tell him at my own pace. That was what I liked about him. "So, do you have a place in mind that spells fun with a capital F?"

He looked confused for a moment, before his eyes lit up. "Let's go bowling."

What the …

I shook my head in disbelief. "And here I almost thought the things you said you knew were cool shit. Now, I have my doubts."

I started to walk, leaving him to trail after me.

"Where are we going?"

"You'll see."

OOOOOOOOOO

"You fuckers don't know how to play?" Rose asked, shaking her head in disbelief. The smirk was permanently plastered on her face as she leaned down to position herself for another shot. "You could learn a few tricks from mwah … just look and learn."

It only took less than a minute for her to put all the remaining balls – four to be exact – in the pockets of the pool table. She dropped her cue stick with an exaggerated bang, smiling smugly and giving us a big bow like she just finished a play. It was that same exact moment I heard Emmett curse. I glanced at him and saw he was scowling at Rosalie. It seemed he didn't like Rosalie, and she was having too much fun with his straight-laced ass.

Rosalie was a bombshell – a pretty face with a sexy body, but the most striking feature of her was the bright blue color of her hair. She looked like a punk rocker with that choice, but she didn't care. I had seen her hair green and pink, and somehow this color looked better on her, if I was being honest.

"Gimme the money, guys. You lost," she said, her hand open to collect.

"You said she's an amateur," Emmett complained, his statement directed at me. Although the irritation was obvious in his tone, he still handed out the fifty-dollar bill he owed her.

She took offense at his words. "No, Emmett. You're the amateur for listening to his …" she thumbed me "… royal ass."

"Rose, don't scare him."

Emmett groaned when I said that. The moment we had entered this private bar almost an hour ago, he had been complaining about everything, but mostly about her. I had to remind him he was the one who wanted to have fun. I was just inducting him into the life of the old Edward.

"So, he's a softie. That doesn't surprise me," she said, licking her lips as her eyes scrutinized him. She smirked and rolled her eyes, like she was amused at what she saw.

Emmett squirmed and I laughed, because that was Rosalie for you. She was brash and bold, and she wasn't afraid to show it to people. Many were easily intimidated with her, what with all that prettiness, but what made people scour away was her tactlessness. She had a sharp tongue and she wasn't scared to use it. I was used to her, but Emmett wasn't. I suddenly pitied the guy.

"Don't make fun of him, or he won't be letting me stay long to have fun," I said. "He's the authority here."

"Oh, really?" she asked, arching an eyebrow at him, challenging him.

"Yeah, he is," I answered for Emmett, who seemed to have lost his voice.

"He doesn't seem to talk much. Is he mute or something?"

"He talks, I assure you. Just a little shy to be around you, I guess," I answered, and earned a snort from her. I could tell Emmett was shooting daggers at me, but I was having too much fun at his expense.

"Oohh, is that so? My little ass turn you on, big guy?" She gave him a wink and he choked on his own saliva.

"Yeah, I guess you're right," she said, giving me a nod. "He likes me."

"No, I don't. You're not my type." Emmett finally talked, and he sounded more pissed than earlier.

"Whatever you say, big guy."

Rosalie proceeded to go around her counter to bring us, I presumed, another round of beer. This little private bar near her home wasn't open to public. She would usually rent it out to wealthy people, most of whom were in their twenties, who loved to have wild parties without having to worry about privacy. She catered to this need of the rich, and that was how I met her a few years ago … after Bella, of course.

There were two jacuzzis at the far corner of the establishment that were strategically placed so they were facing the pool table in the middle of the room. I settled myself in the black leather couch, ignoring a grumpy Emmett. I wasn't sure what his problem was, and I didn't want to know. I was here to have fun, and he was here just for the same reason. He slumped back on the couch beside me, muttering something under his breath.

"I only got a few beers left, so you have to make do … okay?" Rose placed a few cans of Heinekin in front of us … on top of the very red coffee table. "We don't all have fine Pomerols and Pauillacs on hand, you know."

She winked at me, and I smiled. I had met her not long ago – around three years ago. She was even photographed a few times with me, and although we never had any romantic relations, the press surely made sure people would think we did. She was one of the few women my father had told me to stay away from. With her wild style, Rosalie looked exactly like the woman my parents didn't want me to be seen with. Unfortunately for them, I kept the people who I thought were my real friends, even though they didn't approve.

"I haven't seen you in a long time, Your Highness." She loved to irritate me, and she knew I hated when she called me that. "So what gives?"

"Nothing. I just wanted to hang out. And this place is the best place to unwind and have fun … fun I deserve."

"If you wanted the fucking usual, then you should have informed me earlier," she said, grabbing a can and twisting the cap before chugging the beer like there was no tomorrow.

"No, I just wanted to have a lazy, enjoyable night … not a wild one."

"Ya sure?" She was smirking, and I nodded.

"Okay then." She wiped her hands on her jeans and stood up, glancing once in a while at Emmett, who was silent during the whole exchange.

"I need to whip up something to eat so this night won't be that boring. Tacos all right with you?"

I quickly nodded, knowing they were going to be good.

"I'll be right back, you two."

My phone started ringing. It was Jake.

"Where are you?"

"I'm at Rosalie's. You wanna come join us?"

"You bet your ass I do. I need a break away from all this fucking chaos. Let me just finish here, and I'll be there in twenty."

"You better hurry, asshole. She's doing her famous tacos, and if you're not here by the time she serves them … I can't assure you there'll be something left for you."

Rosalie sure made the best damn tacos. I knew it. Jake knew it.

"Don't you fucking dare, or I'll be kicking some ass … royal or no royal."

I was still laughing when I hung up the phone. It was then I realized Emmett was no longer beside me.

Music had started to waft softly from the speakers, making the ambiance more suitable for relaxing. Yeah, I need cool and calm, not sexy and wild.

It had been around ten minutes, and Emmett hadn't returned yet. I had finished another two cans of beer and had a good buzz going. I stood up, ready to scour for him. I didn't come here to be left alone.

I pushed past the empty bar towards Rosalie's office. The door was slightly ajar and I went inside. The sight in front of me stopped me dead in my tracks.

Emmett was sitting on top of the table, his head thrown back in ecstasy. It was no surprise, since Rosalie was between his legs, clearly giving him some oral love.

They hadn't noticed me, and I took that chance to close the door and give them some privacy.

I didn't need to fucking see that!

The mental image of what I just saw made me cringe. I was muttering to myself when my phone started to ring again. I didn't look at the screen, just assumed it was Jake.

"You better be here, asshole."

"Edward?" The sound of his voice shocked me into sobriety.

"Father?'

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Thanks for reading.

xoxo