Stephenie Meyer owns all things Twilight. No copyright infringement is intended.

Beta'd by HollettLA

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Higher

Chapter Thirteen: Egg Rolls

I didn't know what to think of my mother or what Edward did to Phil. It was actually in the back of my mind. Maybe that makes me a horribly selfish person just like Renee.

But what I wanted and needed right now was Edward.

I'll deal with the rest when I can…I guess.

"Thank God!" Jasper exclaimed as Edward opened the bathroom door. He was still toasted.

He went right for the toilet, and I turned to bury my head in Edward's chest.

"Yo! You just whip your dick out in front of ladies?" Edward shouted, and it was gross 'cause I could hear Jasper going. "In front of my woman, what's wrong with you?"

"Dude…I've been holding it for a while. Fuuuck."

Edward laughed, and I heard him unlocking his bedroom door. "Watch, Alice comes over—"

"You're going to cater to her every need," Jasper sighed, and then the toilet flushed.

I was safe. "Thank you," I told him, opening my eyes.

"Awww, you better eat this." Jasper shoved the grilled cheese at me, and I turned away from it before he just took it back. "It's cold…you probably don't want it." He bit into it. "Right?" Jasper chewed, going back for more, and he never washed his hands after peeing.

"Enjoy." When I turned around, Edward was already in his room, half undressed.

"Chinese?" he asked, stepping out of his pants.

I shrugged, not caring, but now I was a little hungry.

Also, I felt so much better...I smiled as I stared at him.

Edward threw his T-shirt into the hamper, and my eyes went to his chest. "You a'ight?"

I nodded, still watching and leaning back on the doorframe.

"The A/C's escaping." He came toward me. "What are we eating?" Edward nudged me away from the room to close the door.

"Oh, Rose called Alice crying…" Now Jasper had a mouthful. "Alice called me to say Rose was on her way over here."

"Why?" I asked.

"She's upset…what she did and all." He rolled his eyes. "It's funny—all this drama. It never would've happened if I wasn't such a perv on AOL."

I snorted.

"Alice fronts but she asked me to cyber." Jasper pointed to himself. "Me...But what the fuck, man. All the drama ain't necessary. You guys need to be easy. Spend time together, fuck a lot, and have a good time. Shit ain't that hard."

"Calm yourself." Edward snatched the phone out of his hand. "You want your usual from Ming's?"

Jasper nodded. "That's what's up. You treating?"

"Yeah…What do you want?" he asked me.

"Chicken Lo Mein," I said.

"Go see what Em wants," Edward told Jasper.

"He's downstairs waiting for Rose . . . and he deserves nothing! Don't be buying him food, Ed. I don't wanna blow up spots or start trouble," he looked to me, "but don't buy that petty fuck anything!"

Edward laughed, facing his friend. "Start talkin'."

Jasper started at me, which made Edward look my way.

"He was just..." My shoulders dropped. "He said you were trouble. Basically, he told me what you knew he'd tell me." I shrugged, trying to be nice about it.

Edward quirked a brow. "What else?"

"Nothing." I turned to Jasper, wanting to change the subject. "Rose is really on her way here?"

Jasper stuffed the rest of that sandwich into his mouth. "Emmett feels he's got something prove—'cause he's not a dead lay, or whatever the fuck. That troublemaker plans to show that skeezoid what's up, if she accepts." He showed us his palms. "They deserve each other," he sighed. "Plus, he's got all this aggression…and I think Rose thinks she's got something to prove, too."

"Fifty bucks she goes for it," Edward said.

"You ain't bettin' against me. I agree with you," Jasper laughed. "Yo, did you see the bullshit on TV?" He walked back into the living room.

"I heard about it on the radio." Edward pulled me into his side, and we followed his friend. "Crazy."

Looking to the television, it was a live news broadcast. The camera was following a white SUV, a Bronco. "What's this about?"

"Slow-speed chase. He's only going like thirty-five miles per hour," Jasper answered me, pointing to the TV. "O.J Simpson…He was supposed to turn himself in, but he fled. Pigs caught up to him, though, and he's still fucking doing this bullshit. He ain't gonna get away." He laughed his ass off. "I'm waitin' for helicopters to swoop in and light his ass up—just take out his tires."

"He'll pull over—surrender, watch." Edward nodded.

"Police are gonna shoot'em up. He's black and he lives in L.A...You wanna bet on that?" Jasper raised a brow. "Nah, if cops shoot'em it might cause another riot."

"What?" Edward laughed.

"Oh, you were locked up then. It was like two years ago, but they didn't hook you up with newspapers?" Jasper scrunched his nose.

"I wasn't exactly concerned with world news in the pen." Edward punched his bicep.

"Not world...California."

"That's mad far away from here. What do I care?" Edward defended.

"I'm just sayin'." Jasper chuckled. "People were goin' nuts here, too."

"Is he trying to get to Mexico?" I asked, but that football guy wasn't driving fast at all.

"You still owe me a C-note from the Stanley Cup." Edward faced me. "Remember we were watching that hockey game? This fuck bet on the Canucks. As a New Yorker, you shouldn't bet against New York teams—"

"Ha!" Jasper shouted. "The fucking Rangers? Those games were fixed." He waved a hand. "Didn't Canadians invent hockey?" He didn't even wait for a reply. "They did…As disgraceful as they've been, New York shouldn't even be allowed a hockey team."

"You wanna smoke?" Edward held up a blunt to him and glanced to me. "Not you." He pinched my hip.

"I'm fine," I said.

"Bet." That got Jasper to shut up. "I just wanna say one last thing…then you order the food, and we'll smoke."

Edward and I waited for him to continue.

"If any bullshit drama fucks with my date tomorrow night…" He groaned. "You all think I'm the baby, I'm cute, I'm Jasper. I work on my cars, and I keep to myself." He voice was very high in pitch for some reason. "Jerks off on AOL—"

"Get to the fuckin' point!" Edward exclaimed.

Jasper glared at him. "Anything fucks with my date tomorrow night—it goes for everyone—I will rain a shitstorm on youse like you've neva fuckin' seen!"

"Awww." Edward massaged his shoulder. "Isn't he cute when he gets all worked up? 'Cause I know he wasn't barkin' at me like that."

I pulled on Edward's hand. "Let's order the food."

He raised a brow, coming toward me.

I smiled, running for his room, feeling a million times better than I did before.

Edward cares about me. Me!

That was definitely something to smile about.

I'm special to him, and now I had the impression that my feelings weren't one-sided.

Edward chased me, quick to kick his door closed.

"Yo, Ed…you still sparkin' that L?" Jasper shouted through the door.

Edward stared to the ceiling. "Yes!" His eyes met mine. "You're okay?"

I grinned. "I am…"

"Forgive Rose," he said. "I'm not sayin' trust her, but squash this beef. After all, I mean, she helped out your man." He palmed my ass.

I giggled despite everything. "You didn't need her help…I need you to know that. You had me from jump."

"I believe you." He let out a growl, hugging me close while his hands roamed everywhere. "You know what I wanna do tonight?"

"Me?" I asked.

He didn't answer that. "I wanna eat…We take a shower or a bath together, and then we crank this A/C up as far as it'll go." He sounded so happy. "And then we just snuggle under a bunch of blankets. We can talk some more."

He was too sweet for words, and my stomach was an excited mess again. "Um…" I felt my face get hot from the mental image alone—of the brief thought I had. "Can I do something for you first?" I felt I owed him something.

He intertwined our fingers, pulling me even closer. "Snugglin' and cuddlin' would be for me, too, baby." Edward nuzzled his nose to mine. "We just chill the fuck out...after this long-ass week," he sighed.

Just like with slashing that tire earlier, I slid down to my knees before I lost my nerve.

"Get up," he whispered. "You don't—"

I paused, unsure.

"You're not some ho; get off your knees." He reached for me.

When I pulled his basketball shorts down, his boxers went with them, and he stopped talking, stopped moving. His cock was hard already, and I wondered what I'd done to get him excited.

I knew I was excited. My hands ran up his thighs, and I licked the head of his dick. "Sit on the bed," I instructed, hoping this will go as well as I saw it in my head—how I'd imagined.

He swallowed, stepping back until he collapsed down. "You-you don't hafta do this," he whispered. "We can just...fuck regular."

"I want to." I followed, easing between his thighs, and then I took him deep into my mouth—a little too deep because I gagged and my eyes watered.

"You-you okay?" Edward palmed my cheek.

I moaned onto his cock, trying to keep eye contact with him.

"Look, just—just take what you can and jack the rest with your hand." Edward cringed, and I wondered what the problem was. "No...just come here, please. You don't have to do this—"

I did as he said, my grip tight on his dick.

"That's it…fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck." He squirmed, his hips leaving the bed, and seeing him like this…because of what I was doing…I was crazy turned on, and I knew I was soaked.

Curious, I snuck my other hand underneath to gently touch his balls.

They felt awesome.

I loved them, so I pulled back to try and suck one into my mouth.

Edward had said that a lot feels good down there, and whenever I wanted, I could check shit out and do what's comfortable for me . . . as long as I didn't hurt him.

His dick was slippery with spit, and I continued to jerk him as I tried to suck his other ball into his mouth.

Edward squealed.

I paused again.

But then he slapped my hands away. "Wh-where'd you learn to do that?" He narrowed his eyes.

I swallowed, nervous. "Nowhere. I just wanted to suck a ball, um, I, uh, like your ball-skin. It-it feels nice on my tongue." My face blazed red, and I felt like such a dumbass—super embarrassed—admitting that. "I'm sorry," I whispered.

He bit his lips together and then he started cracking up. "Don't say ball-skin."

I massaged my forehead; I truly felt stupid . . . again.

This was my second failed attempt at blowing him. "I'm not even going to try anymore."

"Oh, baby…can that be my nickname for you? Bella Ball-Skin?" Edward can be too honest sometimes. Whether it hurts or not, he's very honest. That was something I knew for sure, regardless of anything shady he's done. And I don't even thinks he knows...like when he should hold back?

He's lucky I didn't kick him in the balls. I settled on pinching his thigh. "Fuck!"

I stuck my tongue out at him before he surprised the hell out of me.

Edward gripped me by my biceps tightly, lifting me off the floor—and I tried not to cry out since it hurt—and it was hot.

He tossed me onto my back, only to pull me closer by my ankle.

My foot rested on his chest, and I wore a frown. "That hurt."

"I'm sorry. I just—" Edward pulled my shorts off and my panties followed, and his chest heaved up and down. "I joke…but again…that was sexy. I've never made that sound before." He smiled, but I knew he was holding back—as worked up as I am. We were going slow. "I needed to get you on this bed, though."

I giggled, sitting up to pull my top off.

Edward unclasped my bra and tossed it over his shoulder.

I tried to scoot to the middle of the bed, but he pulled me back again to spread my legs and squeeze my inner thighs.

My breath caught, and I needed him. "Kiss me."

He shook his head, kneeling onto the bed. "You…you're perfect. Just lemme look, gorgeous…" He trailed off, mumbling, running his hands up and down the sides of my body. He'd squeeze my hips and rub down my thighs, and I couldn't stay still.

"Edward…" I was ready to scream or explode, so turned on my pussy was aching, my clit throbbing.

"Take a deep breath, try to relax."

I didn't understand why he was saying that. He needed to fuck me already.

"Deep breath."

To humor him, to try to relax myself, I inhaled deeply through my nose, and that's when he pinched and pulled my nipples. "Ohhh…!" My eyes rolled back, and my hips left the bed.

He let go. "That's probably what…it feels like."

"What?" I panted.

"How good that felt?" He raised a brow. "It probably felt as good as when you were on my balls…" His fingertips tickled my stomach, which was trembling from his touch. "Look at my cock…"

We both stared at it; he had some come on the tip, and it looked slightly bigger than usual.

"It hurts," he whispered, lifting my foot to place a kiss on my arch. "If my dick explodes, it's your fault." He made me smile, and I had no idea what we were doing.

We were both sweating, panting, and ready to fuck.

Yet . . .

Edward was trailing these soft, slow kisses up my calf while his hand roughly massaged my other thigh—going higher and higher each time he'd grab it.

"You're killing me." My voice came out squeaky.

"I'm what?" When he kneaded my thigh again, his thumb grazed my clit.

And that caused my whole body to convulse for a second.

"Ed…did'ju order the food?" Jasper shouted.

"Go away!" I hollered back, ready to strangle a fucker, too worked up and impatient.

"Awww, I knew it, and youse got the phone...!" Jasper bitched. "Damn!"

I didn't care about him. "Edward, I swear—"

He quirked a brow, bending low to hover over me. "What?" He snuck his arm behind my back and lifted me, moving us to the center of the bed, all while his eyes never left mine.

"You're so strong." My hands ran up his biceps. "Sexy…and you're all mine." Testing the waters, I sat up to bite his nipple, wrapping my arms around his neck.

He hissed, pushing me back down, but I managed to bring him with me.

Edward's kiss—I wasn't expecting it, to be so sloppy and perfect, and for me to feel so much from it.

I squirmed below him, whimpering into his mouth, ready to beg.

"Just stay here." He panted, and I thought he meant below him on the bed. "Please…" His nose nudged mine. "Go home in a few days or stay longer…"

"What?" My heart was threatening to beat out of my chest.

"Let me take care of you for a little while," he whispered, nipping and sucking the skin under my ear. "You need that…to be taken care of, and I need someone…who's not afraid to slash a tire to be my rock—someone to ground me." That definitely didn't sound like something a "player" would say.

In this moment, my gut told me that Emmett was wrong, and I was stupid for listening to him in the first place.

My fears were still my fears, but...

The bedroom was stifling despite the air conditioner, but I loved it. I had Edward's sweat on me, just like mine was on him, and the things he was saying…I didn't know what to make of it.

It all sounded crazy and wonderful, and it sounded like what I wanted.

"I'll take you to work in the morning…pick you up. Don't feel pressured to say yes…it was a thought while we worked shit out, you with your mother." He gulped. "Um…mostly, I just need, need you to k-know," he stuttered, which was so unlike him. I placed my hand to his cheek. "I need you to know that you have a place to go. You're welcome here."

"Okay." I swallowed my moan. "I'm—I—I wanna tell you—my body wants to scream it. I think I'm falling for you…headfirst, like, in love? And that scares me."

Now he knows.

It's out there—what I'd been dying to say.

He let out a nervous chuckle and closed his eyes. "I want to keep you. I never wanna let you go, Bella." He had me pinned, but I tried my best to kiss him. Edward let up a little and came lower to rest his forehead to mine, hiding his gaze from me.

"Open your eyes," I whispered, needing to see his.

As soon as he unleashed them on me, those exciting butterflies started flying around in my stomach.

Edward must have felt it, too. He let out a growl and kissed me fiercely, while his palms rested on my head, and I felt his dick at my entrance but it wasn't quite there yet.

And I didn't know what kind of torture this was, or why he was going so slow.

His lips trailed down my neck.

"Edward…please."

He nipped at my collarbone roughly and then bent lower to bite my nipple—licking it between his teeth.

And I couldn't take it anymore.

If he wasn't going to do anything…I had to.

When his mouth traveled to my other breast, I cried out—in agony and pleasure, as my hand snuck between us to my clit. "Oh, God…" I let out a large gust of breath, twirling my fingers, and then I inserted one, and I was absolutely soaked.

While down there, I came into contact with his dick, and I jacked it.

"Fuck." He spat, digging his hips deeper into my palm, as I placed him at my entrance. But then he was gone. He leaned back to grasp my waist and bring me even closer, hitching my legs over his hips.

"Bella…" His stare intensified, his nose resting to mine while he entered me once roughly—going too deep.

Edward groaned; I moaned out a loud one, and then he grabbed my cheeks to stick his tongue down my throat.

He was coming all the way out to go all the way in—letting out a grunt each time. I tried to match his thrusts, needing more. Just more. And feeling all of him without a condom...it felt so much better, and I wanted to let out a cry of joy, never having felt anything as good in my life.

Edward must have had the same idea.

Like an animal, he bared his teeth and fucked me hard, fast—with no abandon, and he was getting deep.

"Yes!" I shouted. "Edward!" It felt amazing; again, I wanted to cry, and I wanted him to go even faster if he could, but I doubt that.

My heart sang...and I wanted to admit it, scream it—tell him that I loved him, that I was crazy in love with him already.

The headboard beat against the wall, and I heard a glass break. I had no idea what it was, but I didn't give a fuck.

Edward didn't either.

He was consuming me, metaphorically eating me alive, and I reveled in it...him ravishing me.

"Edward, I—" I let out another loud moan, slapping my hand to his chest as I stiffened and my breath caught.

And I came the hardest I ever have before.

It was better than the first time, when we were on X.

This climax meant more the than ones from yesterday and the day before, and my heart swelled even more.

"Oh my God." I sloppily kissed Edward when he slowed to stare at me. "Did'ju come?"

"No." He pulled my hair to expose my neck, and then he flattened his tongue to lick up to my ear. "I wanted your sweat." He breathed, his cock leaving me. "I want everything."

"I'm yours," I whimpered.

Edward's tongue made a trail from my ear, sliding it all the way down to my belly button, his fingers spreading my lips to rub down the center of my pussy.

I widened my legs the farthest I could.

Edward withdrew his fingers to suck them into his mouth. "Hmmm." He swallowed, bending low to kiss the insides of my thighs.

Everything he did felt fantastic, but he was getting closer and closer to…literally eating me now, and he'd never done that before.

He was breathing so heavily when he looked up to me. "Anyone ever lick your pussy before?"

I shook my head. "N-no." Yeah, I was nervous again.

Edward crookedly smirked at me. "Good."

I blew out a slow breath.

"If at some point…" He slowly placed a finger inside of me, keeping his eyes on his hand now. "If it feels too good and you want me to stop…just breathe. Try not to stop me. If…you don't, uh…like it. I'll stop. Lemme know." And Edward seemed nervous, too.

Even though I wanted to ask what the big deal was, or why he was nervous, I didn't.

I nodded, agreeing, as I pushed his sweaty hair back.

"I've never...uh, either, um." He stopped talking, and that's when his tongue came out to lightly graze my clit.

My body shook as I stared, mesmerized, trying to spread my legs wider and scoot closer—needing more.

Now…that felt…wow.

Why hadn't he done it before?

Edward was being too gentle when he never is—flicking his tongue, fingering me slowly with only one finger—and I was close already, too, too close.

"Just—please." I yanked on his hair and pushed my pussy into his mouth, and a shudder rocked through me.

I was coming again, while I literally humped Edward's face.

"I—" I shivered once more, and I couldn't speak, and I had no idea where this boldness came from.

He let out a breathy chuckle. "That wasn't how I saw that going…what you did—"

"I'm sorry—"

"It was better," he said. "It was hot. I was just trying to be gentle, but you . . . Lie back." He pushed me down with force, leaving one hand on my stomach—steadying me—before he moaned into my pussy, his tongue getting deeper and deeper until he softly sucked my clit.

That was too much. My skin suddenly super sensitive, and I felt like a spaz as I flapped my arms like a chicken and shrieked a small scream. "Stop!" I pushed him away.

Edward smiled wide. "That was adorable."

I didn't comment while I tried to catch my breath, feeling a little dizzy and falling back. My head hit the pillow before I could stop it, shake it off.

My day caught up to me.

"Bella? Baby?" Edward was in my face now. "What was that?" He held my cheeks. "Look at me." He stared intensely into my eyes, searching them.

"I just…I was dizzy . . . It-it felt too good. You made me faint for a second." I was lightheaded and giggly now.

Edward nodded, a frown marring his handsome face. "I…I don't think it was me," he hummed, pushing my hair back. "Lie down." He pulled the sheet over me. "Just relax, baby...Close your eyes." He kissed my cheek, bringing the blanket over me now.

"What? I wanna finish," I lied, feeling headache-y, but just slightly, which replaced that dizzy and giddy shit. "Please…?" I placed my hand on his bicep. All I knew was that I wanted and needed to satisfy him.

He shook his head. "Besides the juice, did you drink anything today? It was dumb hot, you know? You could be—what's that called?"

"I'm not dehydrated. I had a few cups of water. I'm fine. I swear—"

"Why didn't you eat?" he asked.

I groaned. "We need to finish…" He didn't come, and he needed to come. "Put a condom on, or..." I was going to tell him he didn't have to, but...that wouldn't be smart, I guess, even if I'm on the pill. I don't know.

Edward stood up to put his shorts on instead. "Stay in the bed. I'll get you something to drink…and I'll order the food." He winced. "We should'a ordered it before, but rest your eyes. You fall asleep, I'll get you up to eat." He left the room, cordless in hand as he dialed.

"Oh…" I turned over to my side, pulling the sheets up and around me as my headache didn't go away but got worse. It throbbed, pounded, and I tried to breathe deeply and evenly, focusing on the hum of the air conditioner.

And I actually dozed off for about fifteen minutes, my eyes opening to see the alarm clock when I was startled.

I heard Rose and Edward talking right outside the bedroom. She was calling him a whole bunch of nasty names.

Ignoring my headache and how tired, groggy I was—I threw some clothes on. My head was still fucked, as I'd lost my balance and almost busted my ass when I tried to shimmy into a pair of Edward's boxers. My stomach was growling, feeling nauseous, too, now; I was starving.

I just felt sick.

No matter how much I wanted to crawl back in bed, I pushed through it to poke my head out.

"You're a fucking asshole! You're one sick and manipulative motherfucker!"

"Be that as it may . . ." Edward widened his arms, laughing. "Yo, I'm not sorry. I did what I did, and you didn't have to take my money—I didn't make you do nothin'. No one was holdin' a gat to yo' dome. Step off, a'ight?" He turned to look at me, tried to hand me a glass of water with half-melted ice in it.

How long was he holding it? I wondered.

I put my hand up, not taking it. "Rose…" I didn't know what to say, only I did.

My whole life…I've always shied away from conflict.

I've always been scared of my own shadow, never sticking up for myself.

Edward…if he truly knew that, he'd probably think me weak.

I faced-off with Renee earlier...

If I could voice my opinions to my mother, finally do it, then who the fuck was Rose?

She ain't shit.

And I really felt the need to defend Edward.

"Drink it." His voice was stern again.

Before I told Rose how I felt, I drank some water to appease Edward; I'd gulped half the glass rapidly, and then I handed it back—staring at Rose.

"Thank you," Edward whispered, placing a smooch in my neck.

It made me smile when I wanted to stay angry, stay focused. "Why would you? I mean…" My eyes never left her, and I didn't know how to put my feelings into words again, which seems to be a constant problem. "While I know everything worked out for the best, you betrayed me, tried to play me. How am I supposed to trust you?"

Remembering how Rose was trying to get me to leave Alice that night, telling me to go hang out with Jake…

She's always doing crap like that.

Alice and I have been friends since kindergarten, whereas we met Rose in high school.

She's always been jealous of my relationship with Alice, too—I knew that without a doubt.

She's beautiful, dudes are always surrounding her, and yet she's jealous of the little attention I get from guys…?

"Look, you won't always be the prettiest girl in the room. You need to get over that." I smirked, because her problem with me suddenly became very clear. "You wanna fuck me over…but don't. Just leave me alone. I'm happy. I wanna forget about that bullshit, but I'll never trust you again. But I'd like us to still be friends for Alice's sake." I didn't want to put my best friend in a position like that—her feeling she might have to choose.

I know who she'll choose, but I also know that Alice genuinely loves Rose.

"You're so blind!" Rose raised her voice, when I was just talking. "And…I got it. I know what I got. I'm me, and you're you." She sized me up, her eyes trailing from my toes to my face. "It's not my fault Edward and Emmett have bad taste, but…Emmett wised up." She stepped closer to me.

"Bad taste?" Edward sounded amused as he placed another smooch in my neck. "Emmett couldn't have what he wanted. He wanted a T-bone, but he settled on hamburger, still hungry. You feel me? You ain't got shit on my girl. Thinking you're all that...please." He scoffed. "You're so blind, dude!" he mimicked her. "Like...totally," Edward laughed, and he kind of sounded like her, too.

I smiled despite my aching head. "I don't want to fight with you," I said, blowing out a breath. All I wanted was to eat something and pass out, actually. Edward had the right idea, knew what I needed. "Just don't talk to Edward. He's my man. You got something to say him, you tell me." I kind of blurted that out, but judging by my man's smirk, he dug my words.

"Rose, why don't you go chill with Emmett?" Edward suggested, nice to her. It made me sick. "You should be in bed," he whispered to me, holding my waist.

"I'm fine."

"Awww, aren't you two adorable." Rose had a tone. "Bella, you're so fake—frontin' and trying to be this person to match that asshole," she laughed. "I may be a lot of things, Bella. I may have fucked you over, but you need to stay away from him. Can't you see what he's doing?"

"Yo, you need to mind ya business!" Edward got loud. "Go chill wit' Em or get to steppin', ho!" He shooed her toward the door.

I pushed my back into him, to keep him back since he'd stepped forward, thus bringing me closer to Rose.

"Ed!" Jasper shouted. "Food's here. That was fuckin'…dumb fast. What? Twenty minutes? You should tip'em good."

Edward growled, planting a kiss on my forehead. "Lemme go down and grab that." He left for the door. "Be easy," he said, looking over his shoulder.

I turned back to Rose. "I don't—"

"You don't wanna fight." She finished for me. "You've said that yet you keep barking at me." But I wasn't, actually. "I told you I was sorry—how sorry I was. I made a mistake. If you can't accept that…"

"Why did you come here?" I asked. "Just to sleep with Emmett?" Depending on her answer, I might be forgiving.

She smirked. "You know what? He wasn't bad at all. You missed out."

Just when she said that, Emmett—the Hamburglar—stepped to stand near Jasper, the both of them watching us.

"I missed out on nothing. I have Edward." I paid them no attention. "I also have a headache…Just leave Edward alone. He didn't make you take his money. I don't know why you're mad at him."

"He hit on me at Tunnel," she giggled; this was funny to her. "He tried…that's why you should leave him here, find a better man."

"He did not." I didn't believe that.

"He said we'd meet up after I did what I did…after he was done with you." She shrugged. "You should know who you're getting involved with. That's all."

"Why are you continually trying to hurt me?" I asked, nowhere near tears. The only thing I was trying to do was keep my temper in check. I'd sooner take a swing at Rose before I'd start crying over her stank-ass.

She stepped closer to me. "Truth is…you annoy the ever-loving-fuck outta me—always have, always will." She smiled, letting out a breath. "I don't care, glad to admit that finally."

I was shocked while more anger flashed through me.

"Bella, the virgin…Bella, the good girl. Bella, the straight A student. Please. I'm glad you're a biter, had to do everything I did."

"Yeah, right," I laughed. Truth is, both Alice and Rose have always copied my style. "You KNOW that shit isn't true. Who are you foolin'?" It was still funny, and I could make a list of things she's done just because I did.

Some of them were good things, too—like trying to get better grades and whatnot—because I'd always make honor roll.

She'd be a better manager because her father would compliment my work ethic.

Like I've said, I slacked off one day.

While Rose holds a job to prove something to Daddy, I don't have a choice.

Unlike her, I have to work.

If I was ever snarky with Renee, Rose would make a show out of being nasty to her doting mother in front of us, which was actually horrible.

But Rose had to show that she had freedom, like I did, which...

Mrs. Hale is truly wonderful, a good mom, who'd often show concern for me as well; Rose would get jealous of those few minutes when she has her mother's love 24/7.

That little attention from guys I'd get, the farthest I'd ever gone for that was kissing Rose, and it was always a goof.

Well, it was for me.

She craves the spotlight, puts out just so guys like her...will practically fuck anyone.

Thinking of that actually had me feeling bad for her.

Rose is sad...as a person.

"I gave you a joint…"

"And I smoked because I wanted to." I shrugged. "What's your point?"

"You've been sliding down notches ever since. Then with the X, and now you're half-a-junkie."

"Not true." I chuckled but nothing was funny.

That remark . . . My body shook with how angry I was.

"Bitch, I'm glad I could take you down a peg or two, now you're fucking this loser. In a few years, youse'll be king and queen of some trailer park—"

I'd never thrown a punch in my life, but I threw my fist out with everything I had—got her in the nose.

For a split second, while my chest heaved, I was shocked.

Rose recovered fast to grab onto my hair, while I tried my best to get her to let go.

Then…my fist stayed a fist, and I hit anywhere my hand would land. We fell to the floor in a grapple. She kept scratching and pulling my hair, and I found myself laughing—exhilarated while I clocked her over and over.

Rose really wasn't doing shit to me, but I knew I got her good quite a few times.

All of which lit a fire in me—my punches became harder, faster, and I aimed for her face—rage freely flowing through me.

"What the fuck!?"

I was dragged away, and I kicked her shoulder, making her slam into the wall. "Fuckin' chickenhead!"

Rose's face was red, she had a cut lip, and she was crying.

"You and those crocodile tears—you cum-guzzling hooker whore!" I screeched, trying to kick at her some more. "Nasty, skank bitch!"

Edward squeezed me. "Take it easy!"

"She hit me first!" I lied while Edward gathered me into his arms, and at that moment I was suddenly dizzy again. Shit got fuzzy, but I felt him lift me up and then bring me to bed.

When he plopped me down, he let out a large breath. "Stay in bed. Do not leave this room. I'll grab your food." He fussed, checking my face out. "You okay?"

"I'm fine." And I really was.

"All right, Rocky." He kissed my cheek, and then he left the room.

When he was gone, I went to the door to listen—getting there just in time to hear Edward call Rose trash and kick her out.

Satisfied.

While I was still confused, wondering how Rose could truly have hated me for the past four years—and yet pretend to be my best friend—I was happy Edward kicked her out.

And I knew in my gut…

There are plenty of things I don't know.

But I knew Edward never hit on her.

She's just a petty, jealous bitch.

Fuck her.

Thank you for reading.

Please leave me your thoughts.

See you Monday for the next set of chaps! We'll hear from Edward!