A/N
Sorry about not updating sooner. I was distracted by the latest New Moon trailer. This is short, but I wanted to get something out right away. This chapter gives you insight into our favorite couple's minds. Hope you likey.
I don't own the characters.
Chapter 11 Maneater
"Ed-0, how's it hanging, bro? You ready for this weekend? I know I am," Emmett practically sang into the phone. Just what I needed to hear, someone completely in love while my life was in shambles. Last night had been a total nightmare. But I needed to focus on my brother for this week, so I sucked it up.
"Everything is set, Em, just show up and enjoy yourself," I replied.
"Hey, I decided to invite my future father-in-law after all. Rose said it would be a good idea for us to bond."
"You sure that's a good idea?" I asked skeptically. Emmett was not known as "Party" McCarty for nothing.
"Dude, relax. He's only going to dinner and drinks. Not the club. Definitely not the club," Emmett laughed.
"So you want me to call him? When are they flying in?" I asked. I probably had to pick them up at the airport or something.
"I asked him last night, and they're driving in on Friday."
"They're driving from Arizona on Friday? That's crazy," I commented.
"What are you talking about? They live in Forks now. Not that far from you. You know it's only a few hours to Seattle."
"Wait, what? Why didn't you tell me? I probably know them. But the only new people I know of are. . ." my voice trailed off. "What is Rose's last name, Emmett?" I asked holding my breath.
"Swan, you 'tard. Don't you listen when I talk to you? Did her dad the Chief arrest you or something when you drove into town?" Emmett joked. "Hey, you must know Rose's sister by now, right?" Emmett rambled as I played through many conversations with my brother. How could I miss the obvious? But I thought Rose's family lived in Arizona.
"So, you wanna date her? Edward?" He brought me out of my stupor. "I can totally hook you up."
"You don't know the half of it Emmett." I told him.
"That hot, huh? Well, you've seen Rosie. Her sister had to be hot, too."
"Smoking hot, Em. But that's not all. She's brilliant and funny and completely amazing. And I totally fucked everything up," I said sadly. I told him the whole story of Tanya and the dance and the stupid misunderstandings. He listened to my pain and commented on my many screw-ups.
"You got it bad, dude. And you mean to tell me you had no idea that she was going to be my sister-in-law?"
"I didn't know Rose's family moved. It's not like I talk to her or anything. I haven't even seen her this summer, since the graduation party. And Bella wasn't there. I would have remembered her." I tried to justify my cluelessness, but it just made me realize that I had been in my own world way too much.
"Are you going to tell her about this? Maybe it will help the situation."
"Actually I don't think so. She's not too fond of me right now, and I really want her to like me for me, not because she's obligated to her in-laws. I'm just going to keep talking to her until she sees we belong together."
"Hey, Edward. Everything will work out. Give her some time, and then explain what happened. She probably thinks you wanted some kind of rebound hookup. Make her see you really didn't have a relationship with that other girl. By the way, what the hell were you thinking? That's some stupid shit you pulled just to be left alone. Just embrace the attention like I do," Emmett bragged proudly. "I have girls throwing themselves at me 24/7. Rose acts jealous at hell, but she secretly loves it 'cuz I'm going home to her every night. Seriously, Ed, when you look like we do you have to learn to deal with it. Remember what Dad said, 'With great hotness comes great responsibility.' "
"I don't think that's exactly what he said." I laughed into the phone. My brother could always cheer me up and put everything into perspective. I am so glad our parents found each other. He was technically my half brother because he was 2 years old when our mom married my dad, but it never mattered. My dad, our dad I mean, adopted him and we were a happy family.
I had missed talking to him, but I understood he was a rookie in the NFL and was getting married, too. And, truthfully, I had been a selfish prick lately. I was lucky my brother and family still loved me after being such a douche.
"Well, it was something like that. He had the right idea."
"Hey, Em. Do you think you can help me get a date with your sister-in-law?"
"Bro, I thought you'd never ask."
BPOV
"So I decided that I would see what happens," I told Alice. We sat on my bed rehashing every single detail of last night. "I'm not mad, I'm just, well, whatever." Such eloquence from a future English major. I inhaled deeply and tried to convey my feelings with the exhale. "I'm confused. I wish I knew how he felt and what exactly is going on with She-who-shall-not-be-named. What I know is that he broke up with her, asked me out, and then I saw them together. Maybe he was making her jealous."
"Bella, I told you what Jasper said. Tan-" I coughed loudly to keep her from saying that name out loud. "Ok, 'Lord Voldemort' grabbed Edward because she's totally pissed he dumped her for you," Alice stated as she rolled her eyes at my childishness.
"I've heard you, Jasper, Mike, and even James give their opinion of the story. The one person who won't tell me is the only person whose point of view actually matters."
"Well you're right on that count. But he's probably as confused as you are. You know boys are clueless."
"Actually, I have zero experience except for watching the movie Clueless."
"Hey, Cher totally got her man. Don't knock movie romance, Bell. Besides, I think everything will work out. I have a feeling about you two, and my hunches are never wrong," Alice said confidently. "Just promise me you will be open to his advances, because I know he's going to "bust a move." " She started dancing around singing the song. "You want it, you got it..."
"The dance is over, Alice." I said laughing my ass off. "So, James says I should go out on a date with someone else so Edward knows I'm not just waiting around for him. He says it will make me more desirable."
"I think that's a good idea, Bella. Who are you going to go out with? It's got to be someone that will drive Edward crazy." Alice thought for a moment and we both said at the same time, "Tyler!"
"Bella's going for a ride in the pussy wagon!" sang Alice.
"Sweet bejezus, what? I'm not ready for that level of action," I stammered.
"Relax, Bell. It's just a date. People go out on them everyday. You have Tyler and Edward in English, right? That's the perfect time to flirt with both of them. Just one look will be enough for Tyler, he's got it so bad for you."
"That's not very fair to Tyler."
"Tyler is a total man-whore. He deserves it. Besides, you are not going to be mean. You are just going on a friendly date to a nice, public place. Preferably where Edward will see you. Ooh! I've got it! The bonfire on Wednesday will be perfect. Tyler is the captain of the football team, so he has to go," Alice practically gloated over her perfect plan.
"Are you sure Edward will go?"
"He has to, he's class president. Besides, everyone goes. What the hell else are we going to do in Forks? Ok, so we need to pick your outfits. How do you feel about a mini skirt? I think I need to call our fashion consultant… James!!" She shouted down the hall.
Oh, good god, I cursed to myself. It would be a long day.
Four hours, twenty outfits, and a temper tantrum later, (James's, because I wouldn't go braless) we had two "perfect" outfits designed to bring Edward to his knees.
"Zat weel blow heez mind," James declared as I stood in my Monday outfit. "I ulmost wunt you."
"Told you so, Bells. Never underestimate the power of a stylist," said Alice with a smug smile.
"I can barely walk Alice. You can see my crack." I muttered while wearing a silver halter-top and the tightest low-rise pants ever to grace my figure. I don't know how we got the zipper up. Alice and James had to use pliers.
"You don't need to walk. Just look hot."
"Oui. Haute. Parlez vous sexy?" James chimed in with his two French cents.
"I'm having trouble taking deep breaths," I told her.
"Perfect. Edward will think you're panting."
Nothing changes Alice's mind. Not even my exposed ass crack or lack of oxygen.
"Fine, but you need to squeeze my cheeks into these in the morning," I huffed.
"Of course, silly. You can't handle the pliers. Just make sure not to eat or drink tomorrow so you don't have to pee."
Fantastic. The things we do for love.
A/N
I apologize for exaggerating James's accent. I think it's funny.
I plan to update soon. Review, please.
Reviews=embraces with shirtless Rob in Italy