Stephenie Meyer owns all things Twilight. No copyright infringement is intended.
Beta'd by HollettLA.
Notice: Time has moved ahead, and this group of chaps will be in Edward's POV. Pay attention to the dates, though. It'll let you know the timeframe.
Higher
Chapter Fourteen: In His Words
EPOV
July 15th 1994
Smoking a fat blunt with my fat booty baby . . .
That's all that was on my mind as my father and I drove toward our last job of the day.
With the sun blazing, and because my father would rather have the windows open, I was aching to get home, take a cool shower, smoke my L, and just chill with Bella.
It's already a quarter after six; we were running behind since we usually don't drive in the same ride. We do jobs separately, but today we had to get to everyone scheduled together—tag teaming this bitch of a day. It was cool, though. We've been so busy the past few weeks, I've barely spent any time with the old man. And all my free time has been spent with Bella . . .
Dad drives the other van, but something's wrong with it. Yesterday, I brought it to Jasper's job. He can fuck with it, see what's wrong for free.
The garage he works at closes at five, and it's actually in our neighborhood. I knew Jazz would be home to keep Bella company, so I didn't feel too badly about running later than the norm.
Bella . . . She's always home.
That night when Rose came over . . .
Shit.
I was fucking pissed at Rose. I mean, Bella and I were fuckin', and then my baby passed out. So, for a third time, she scared the fuck outta me. She's gotta take better care of herself, but we're working on that.
Anyway, Emmett pulled out all his moves, sweet-talked Rose, said some other shit. Rose can front all she wants, call him an asshole or whatever, but she'd wanted my boy bad regardless. They did end up fucking, were probably getting it on while Bella and I did our own thing.
When I'd gone to get Bella something to drink and ordered the food, they were just finishing up—that hit and run. Rose was leaving Emmett's room when she confronted me.
The door to my spot was open as I was about to give Bella her water, check on her . . .
Bella, who was still in bed, heard her. I don't know what happened. All I knew was that I was concerned for Bella. She was pale, tired-looking, she hadn't eaten, and she was dizzy.
Bella heard us arguing and came out of the bedroom.
I can't remember what was said exactly, but then they started talking and were civil for a little bit, and that turned into another argument.
Rose started calling me every name under the sun . . .
I didn't give a fuck, but my woman did.
It was kind of fucked. Here they were fighting because of what I had done, that shady shit, which I refuse to make apologies for…and it ceased being about me, specifically.
Bella should have been angry with me, but she wasn't.
She was pissed at Rose, and I get it.
Just as the Chinese was being delivered, shit got even more heated. I should have sent Jazz to get it, but then he was shouting for me to get back upstairs. I gave homeboy a bill, grabbed the food, and I had to run—to where our bedrooms are—to stop Rose and Bella from hurting each other. They were actually rolling around on the floor, and I still have no idea who threw the first punch.
Fucking Emmett and Jasper just watched. They made bets. Jasper was sure Rose had it, but then Emmett went on about passion, saying Bella was gonna kick her ass . . .
Well, while that would have been amusing another time—granted, only if Bella had the upper hand, which she did—I pulled Bella out of the scuffle. She was huffing and puffing, and then she grabbed for her aching head before she passed out.
Bella had woken up right away like she did when we were fucking, and I already had her in my arms, so she didn't get hurt. I put her in bed anyway.
Regardless, I was pissed, and I kicked that trash—Rose—out of the apartment. Emmett didn't even go after her, the girl he'd just boned, and was too busy munching on an egg roll, worried 'bout my girl.
Hell, I was worried about Bella, too, and I was surprised at how much I truly cared about my baby. I knew all she needed was some food, something to drink, and sleep. It was hot as fuck that day, she had drama, and she fucked around with the pot and pills.
After I got her situated in bed, with her dinner and a huge glass of water, I smoked and chilled out with Jazz and then we ate. Bella did good, eating-wise. She eats like a bird; I never see her with food, whereas I do see her put whatever the fuck in her body.
While I was blazed out of my skull—Jazz was right, they were good fuckin' trees—we had another short talk about it.
I know Bella is new to all this shit 'cause she's said so. She hasn't been smoking that long, first fucked with ecstasy maybe a few months ago . . . and once you're introduced to shit, like the high you get—I know the mind-set—you start chasing the high.
You figure every day is a party day or whatever, although you're not legit addicted to anything yet.
I like to party, too, but I stick to weed, and weed ain't shit—no big deal.
Bella agreed to cool it, slow down, yet she looked depressed as fuck about it. She's doing fine, though; she doesn't need anything. I think she looked upset because she thought I was chastising/lecturing her, disappointed, but I wasn't.
I was just looking out for her.
If we go to a club in the future, I won't stop her from taking a hit of X if she wants to have a good time. You know?
I just…I care about her, and God forbid anything. It'd kill me, and I don't want her developing a habit—where she can't be straight without something.
The night I met Bella . . . I didn't even take an Ecstasy tab.
I was on cloud nine, chillin' with this crazy beautiful girl, who I thought might be feeling me. She was all over me, making me think I won the lottery or some shit. My only problem was Emmett, but I didn't give a fuck. Before I came up with my clever plan, I knew I'd do whatever to keep Bella interested.
It was a shitty move—knowing Bella was feeling decent, since she'd shared an X with Rose, but . . .
She saw me swallow a mint, not a pill.
It's not like she was paying attention, and I urged her to take what I'd given her . . . so she'd loosen up even more, not give a fuck.
And she was so much fun—carefree, silly, gorgeous, and she was all over me.
I fucking loved it.
I'm not unfortunate looking, you know? I've had my fare share of bitches, but Bella was on another level of female. I don't know. She was young, younger than Jazz said she was, and I knew from just looking at her. She had an air of immaturity about her, this innocence that I dug, but she was classy.
I prayed to God she was at least eighteen.
Plus, she looked amazing—wearing this miniskirt, and her top was very formfitting.
Unlike her friends, Bella had tits and an ass.
I was drawn to her, and nothing mattered.
I had to have her.
She was perfect—definitely the prettiest one out of the three. Probably the prettiest chick at the club, too. Bella didn't notice—a lot of things—because her perception was fucked, but many dudes were staring at her ass.
Damn. She's fucking sexy as hell, cute…and I wanted to get home so badly.
When Jazz told me he was going to meet some Shorty from AOL, I laughed at his ass. She'd previously told him to bring one friend because she was gonna have a friend. Emmett and Jazz were all stoked and shit. I had other plans. I had to drop shit off with my uncle at Tunnel, and then I honestly planned to call Tanya.
I met Tanya a few months ago. She's older than me, has a baby, and she doesn't live too far from here. She's convenient. We always chilled at her crib. We'd smoke a bowl, fuck, and then I'd leave.
Since I've been out of the can, I don't party like I used to. I don't enjoy going to the clubs at all.
On a Saturday night, you'll usually find me at home—on the couch—with a blunt.
Fucking Emmett and Jasper are usually right next to me, too.
But I had a technical difficulty, and I was a day late with making the drop off.
Anyway, it was like a quarter to ten and I was on my way out the door, when Jasper stopped me.
Alice was bringing two friends, not one.
He begged me to come with them. Also, these chicks were twenty, supposedly loved the club scene . . .
Not only did I have to be wingman for the third chick, but Jasper needed my connections to get them in the door.
Reluctantly, I agreed, and we headed to Bay Ridge right away.
We were early, but we didn't have to wait long for Alice—who only showed up with one friend.
Rose . . .
Now, she was cute but nothing special, wearing some cowgirl shit, big tits, decent face, and the girl has no ass.
Rose also seemed like a ho.
I know it's not cool to judge a book by its cover, but . . . you can tell.
Trust me. I can spot one from a mile away.
Since I had to go meet my uncle anyway, I just patted Emmett's back because she was feeling him, and it was obvious.
But Emmett wasn't interested in her either; meanwhile, Jazz had stars in his eyes.
Then we're about to turn around for the subway, and Rose says we have to wait for her friend, Bella.
So, I was hopeful, but I didn't really care.
While they were all talking and shit, I peeped this shorty from across the avenue, and I hoped it was Bella. However, Shorty stood on the corner, smoking her cigarette, and she pulled up her hood. She also kept staring at us, and I contemplated running across the street to holler at her.
At the time, I still didn't know if she was their friend or not.
And then Bella crossed the street, and I was able to see how much more beautiful she was—I was able to get a better, closer look.
But I clammed up.
I had it in my head—a chick that pretty, that classy. There's no way she'd go for a cat like me, you know?
Again, I just wanted to get to my uncle.
We start walking—Jasper and Alice were in their own little world, like they weren't even with us—Rose is attached to Emmett's arm. She latched on and she wasn't letting go, and Emmett kept breaking his neck—looking back to Bella, who was walking near me.
I tried to keep a slow pace, stay close, but I didn't know what to say.
And my mind boggled, thinking up ways to break the ice.
Bella kept her head down, staring at her feet as we walked. She kept her hood up, hiding her face, and her hands were in her pockets.
Then she just . . . snapped out of that. We were close to the subway when she offered me a cigarette, wearing this breathtaking smile, and I should have taken the cigarette. But I don't smoke those Newport shits.
My rude ass didn't even say thank you or anything, while my mind whirred—still thinking.
And Emmett, he was busy talking about himself. Rose kept asking him questions, and he was speaking mad loud—occasionally peeping back to Bella, hoping she heard him.
That was . . . when I got this knot in my gut.
And I knew what was gonna happen. Once we got to the club, he'd ditch Rose and try to talk to Bella.
After she'd offered me a bone, she giggled—was so fucking cute—but she ran up to Rose and Emmett.
Bella was flirty, she touched my cousin's face, and that's when I picked up my pace to walk closer to them.
Before Rose told Emmett about them splitting a pill, I had the feeling Bella was rollin', to go from not saying a word to fucking bugging out and all happy.
Then Bella started talking about Emmett's dimples…and he made his move. He got mad close to her, pushed her hood down and touched her hair.
And there came flowing down her back . . . long, chestnut brown hair.
I actually groaned and cringed, wanting to fight Emmett for her right there. He made his intentions known from jump. I don't know why Rose didn't get the hint. Emmett pretty much stole Bella from Rose to put his arm around her, and she went with it—nestling into his side.
Bella . . . didn't even know I existed.
Rose wasn't subtle either—had this determined look on her face as she pulled Bella away from Emmett. They walked off, giggling and talking, while Emmett looked back to me. He asked me to take Rose off his hands. I flat-out told him no, that I was feeling Bella.
That's when the gauntlet was thrown.
He said he saw her first, from when she walked out of the store—the same time I peeped her—but I didn't give a fuck. The night was young, shit could change.
But I wasn't going to fight with him. Our conversation lasted a minute at best, and I shrugged—told Em, "Let her decide." I told him to tone himself down, too. He was eager, coming on way too strong.
They started talking about Ecstasy. Emmett pointed, nudged Rose in my direction and stepped closer to Bella.
Rose asked me where they could get more X.
I don't talk business with strangers, so I didn't elaborate on a thing. I kind of ignored her question, and then Rose pushed Bella toward me.
I also heard Rose. "That's YOU right there." She basically told Bella I was her dude, and I was more than cool with it.
That was when Bella stared at me. She fucking gaped at me like a fish, and then she got all quiet again.
It wasn't until we were entering the subway that Bella spoke to me—sounding all shy and shit. It was cute as hell, and at that point, I knew I had her attention.
My head was gassed, and I was excited, but I tried to hide it. And because I'm an idiot . . . I knew I sounded like a dick, asked her if she had money. Little did she know, I would have emptied my pockets for her.
On the platform, they started talking. Emmett was trying to engage Bella in conversation, and she was far-gone. She laughed and shrugged a lot while she practically pranced around.
Again, it was adorable.
Emmett inquired about some shit, Bella being a student, and I asked if she was in high school. Because she does look young, despite having that body.
Bella said she was in college, and that wasn't far-fetched. I figured she could just look young, maybe I was wrong.
Nevertheless, Emmett and Bella were standing too close again while she kept looking to me from the corner of her eyes.
I was like, okay . . . maybe she's feeling us both. It wasn't a bad thing; I just had to get Emmett out of the way.
Rose took care of that for me.
Emmett started talking to me…
But I only had eyes for Bella, and she wasn't that quiet; I heard her deny that she was flirting with Emmett; meanwhile, his dumb ass was still running his mouth. He didn't hear her, was telling me about how much he liked Bella—asking me to back off, just so he could have her.
I don't know much about girls, but some aren't as nasty as us guys, you know? Rose obviously liked Emmett, which meant he was off-limits to Bella, which just so happened to work in my favor.
By now Bella kept checking me out anyway, and I hoped she dug what she saw.
To my surprise, she threw this cute little grin my way before she started making out with Rose. Bella also—while her tongue was all in Blondie's mouth—opened her eyes to stare at me.
I'm such a pervert, and I actually caught a stiffy from that.
Bella basically let me know at that moment she might be feeling me.
Emmett applauded them while they laughed, and then Bella called him over. Knowing my cousin, because he wasn't liking Rose at all, he called Bella over to where he was standing.
Bella backed up, looking to Rose.
I pushed Emmett over there, having a feeling about what was gonna happen next.
Just like I knew, Rose threw herself at Emmett. He seemed caught off guard, was all unaffected while she kissed him, and he was looking for Bella.
That's when the train arrived, and Bella came to me. That was also when I needed to get my head out of my ass and talk to her.
When she sat on my lap . . .
I wanted to do a cartwheel and clap.
Anyway, Bella was rollin' on X, so I knew her affections had to do with that, but I wasn't about to take advantage of a sweetie like her.
Or…was I?
At that point, I had a war within myself, especially when she tried to kiss me…I said no to the kiss, wanting to give her time, let her figure out if she truly wanted me. I surprised myself, acting like a fucking chick and shit.
Because if Bella was going to kiss me, tease me, all for her to pick Emmett in the end? Fuck that. That would have caused more problems. Trust.
I was just happy having my hands on those thick thighs, and she loved that.
Emmett was totally hating on me, too. He kept glaring at me, staring at my hand, and I did my best to ignore him. Bella wasn't paying him any attention.
Then I pretended to take a hit of X . . .
Bella was high as a fucking kite—gone. But with X, it's funny. You could be soaring high, something fucked happens, and you can be totally straight. Like, any anxiety scares you straight, but as soon as whatever happened is over, the X takes you again. Bella had a what-the-fuck moment as soon as I mentioned Tunnel.
That was when I kind of knew Bella and her friends were young—definitely younger than they had said.
Again, I honestly didn't give a fuck, but I needed to know. I'm no predator. And I wanted Bella to know me—like me—the dude who thinks he's a player and yet decided to act like a female. The X was a great excuse, as to why I was opening up suddenly.
So, I talked to her, and I never lied.
Bella wasn't as open. She spoke more with her body and actions than her mouth.
Well, her mouth . . .
It was coming for mine again, she fucking straddled my lap. My insides were going nuts at that point. Never in my life had a broad's touch affected me that much.
The first kiss…our first kiss…was chaste in nature, but Bella let out this moan . . .
At one point, I actually counted how many loose pills I had in my pocket, wondering if I'd taken a real tab by mistake—I was flying, you know?
All bets were off at that point. Once she kissed me, that was it. Now Emmett had to back off—he had to. That's how it goes.
That motherfucker actually yoked her up, was so upset that he yanked her away from me.
He's lucky, too.
Since I was acting like a pussy, all gooey with my feelings, I was too busy staring at Bella—this chick who was doing all this shit to me—in awe.
We had a moment.
I laughed at myself as I stopped at a red light.
"What's funny?" Dad asked.
"Just thinkin'," I said, taking off when it turned green.
Carlisle sighed as he stared at his clipboard. "We've been busy lately…How have you been otherwise?"
"Good." I smiled wide. "You know how Bella was staying with me? Now she's living with me . . ."
"Really?" He sounded surprised, but he knows all about Bella.
Especially since I talked his ear off about all that bullshit with Renee.
"Really." I couldn't wipe the smile off my face. "Things are going well."
"That's great, but I figured that was coming. She's been staying with you a few weeks already." He squeezed my shoulder. "I am…Son, I am so happy for you."
"Thanks," I sighed, pulling up to a spot to park.
"When do I get to meet her?" he asked.
I winced. "Um…" I wasn't sure if she'd feel weird about meeting my father. We moved crazy fast, although I really don't know how this relationship shit works. I figured, we're feeling each other, we make each other happy, and the sex is phenomenal . . . I just rolled with it, letting my instincts take over.
"All right." He put his hands up. "Sorry, I pried."
"No." My pager went off, and I looked to it, and it was Bella—or whoever's paging me from the crib. "You know what? Lemme call her. Maybe we can all get a bite to eat after we finish this."
I know my father is lonely, and if I wasn't doing the other shit I do, I'd still be living with him. I behaved myself for a month. I mean, shit had changed around the way, but not really.
Emmett's my cousin, and Jasper was my best friend from when I was little, and the three of us always rolled together. Getting released, I couldn't believe how much had changed and yet stayed the same.
Jasper was still a pothead. But he'd gotten into some trouble when he was eighteen. He'd stolen a car, and he worked out a deal. Instead of serving time, he lied—said he'd planned on joining the army. The DA dug that or whatever, so he got off. But he had to…join the army. He served a few years somewhere down south, and then—since he's such a fan of cars—he got a job at some garage.
As a matter of fact, the night I was arrested, I took those pigs for a ride—so Jazz could jump out, and then . . .
There was no point in us both getting into trouble, and I knew shit was going to be bad because of what I had in the trunk. Just in case anything, I told Jazz to beat it. He was all hell-bent on taking the heat with me—womb to tomb, like we used to say.
That shit didn't fly with me. Especially since it was my business. Jasper has a knack—obviously—for hot-wiring cars, and I needed one. He was bored, wanted to chill. We'd planned on dropping off this shit to the guinea, and then troll for chicks around the 'hood.
Shit did not go the way we'd planned.
The car we boosted had a broken fucking taillight. But then, I took them on a small chase, they ran the plates, found out it was stolen…I was a stupid kid who made an already bad situation worse.
But I did all that so Jazz wouldn't get into trouble.
When I got out, Jasper was still living at home—working and doing his thing.
Emmett also lived at home with my mother's sister—my Aunt Anita—and he was slowly counting down the days until his probation was over, wanting to be a fireman. He obviously couldn't while on probation, but then he went for it.
Emmett got arrested for jumping a turnstile in the subway—of all things, you know? They searched his pockets, and they found a decent-sized bag of weed and some pills.
They actually slapped him hard, though. He didn't do any time, but he was put on two years probation, and he had to complete a drug program, do some community service, and it wasn't even a fucking felony. They'd dropped it from a class D to a criminal misdemeanor. A felony wouldn't be on his record, but he was sentenced as though it was one.
His father, who'd been waiting for him to clean up his act, knew some higher-ups in City Council or something. I don't know.
For two years, all Emmett did was try to clean up his life. He still does whatever the fuck while passing judgment on others.
For the most part—Emmett, Jasper, and me—we had to keep our acts clean and grow up. We decided to get a place together, and we found this cheap, three-bedroom in Sunset Park.
I hate that fucking neighborhood because it's ghetto. Sometimes, I actually wish I'd stayed near my father, or with him.
But I couldn't stay with my pops if I was going to keep on slinging. That shit doesn't fly with him, obviously. He has no idea about what I do or anything. Dad knows I puff, and he'll smoke weed, too. He has no problem with that . . . It's the rest of it.
He has a decent-sized house in Bensonhurst, lives alone, barely has friends.
All Carlisle has is work and me.
When I was locked up, all he had was work, and he'd visit every weekend. My father and I have our ups and downs. He definitely didn't agree with my old lifestyle, which…I was a kid. He'd harp on my ass all the time, but he never gave up on me.
I hope I can help Demetri and Dad mend fences. Pop hates his brother for putting me to work, and I get it, understand. Yo, sometimes—and especially since I met Bella—I get angry at Demetri, for like, damning me to this? At the end of the day, though, I know I made those choices myself.
But Dad and D used to be so close . . .
"Okay…my treat." He pointed to himself. "It's the least I can do, buy your woman dinner…thank her for taming you." Dad was excited.
"Hey…"
"You know I'm joking." He left the car.
When I met him in the back so we could unload our equipment, he stopped to stare at me. "I really am proud of you. I was worried for a while…because old habits die hard?" He placed his arm around me. "But you proved me wrong. You're a great worker…you're staying out of trouble, and now you have a girlfriend." He hugged me tightly.
"You got your life together. Next you'll be getting married and having babies."
"Ha!" Just the thought was kind of scary.
"You'll see. It's more natural than you think. Everything falls into place. You'd be an even better employee if you wore your uniform," he teased.
I rolled my eyes. "It's hot." Instead of coveralls with our company logo, I've been wearing a navy logo tee, my jeans, and my constructions boots. "It's hot as fuck lately. I dunno how you wear it."
He palmed my cheeks. "I'm so, so proud, Edward." He squeezed me tight again.
I cleared my throat, nodding as I stepped back.
That made me feel guilty as fuck.
Remembering how lonely he is, I said, "Lemme call Bella back. I'll meet you inside." I went toward the pay phone on the corner while he entered the doctor's office—their A/C is fucked.
"Shit." The line was busy, and I'd bet Jasper was on the computer.
I waited, smoked a cigarette. Most times, Jazz just hops on to check his mail. He knows the deal during the day—keep it short, keep the line open. We should just get a second line, but he mostly goes on AOL at nighttime, and if anyone needs the phone, he gets off.
Plus, I wanted to let Dad do his thing. We were actually at this job yesterday, too. We didn't have the part their A/C needed in the truck, and with all the other jobs we had, Dad rigged it the best he could—to hold them over until today.
I caught him checking out this receptionist when we were here then. I don't know her name, but she was all smiley at Dad, and I hoped he'd talk to her.
I'm no better, can be shy around the really, really pretty ones…but he's the worst. Most people think my father is my brother, and he's not a bad-looking guy.
I get it, though. Mom was this great love, all he'd ever really known since they had me so young, and he still loves her, but she's gone. The man's never moved on.
That was almost ten years ago.
After flicking the cigarette butt into the street, I called the house and it was still fucking busy . . .
Aggravated, I slammed the phone down, and entered the medical building.
Dad was actually almost done, and I was about to go wait in the truck, try to call Bella again. But this brunette in scrubs…the one from yesterday, I caught her peeping Dad's ass while he knelt down to the A/C.
It made me smile, but then she caught me looking at her, looking at my pops…
She actually blushed and turned in her seat.
I bit my lip, staring between them, and then I decided to go for it. "Hello." I leaned on the counter.
She was flushed, taking a deep breath, and she looked younger than my dad, maybe in her thirties. "Finished already?" she asked.
"Almost." I nodded. "Hey, can I use your phone?"
She picked it up and handed it over, and I tried calling Bella.
Still busy.
"Thanks." I handed it back, my gaze lingering on her left hand. There wasn't a ring. "So…how's your day?" I had no idea what to ask her.
She nodded. "Good, and you?"
"Well, my fa—my brother and I have been really busy." I thought better. "How 'bout youse? The doctor business going well?"
She giggled. "There's never a shortage of sick people."
"True." I pursed my lips. "Look, I'mma cut to the chase." As I pulled back on the counter to stretch my arms, I spied Dad still working on shit. "You feelin' my man ova there?" I tilted my head.
Her eyes widened. "Um…you caught me looking." It wasn't a question.
I didn't confirm or deny. "So…how 'bout I give you his number? You call, say what's up…" I trailed off.
She sucked her bottom lip into her mouth, contemplative.
"You're not married or nothin', right?" I asked.
"Divorced. One kid—a toddler."
"No baby-daddy drama, right?" Last thing I wanted to do was hook Dad up, and he be miserable. He's been out of the dating game forever, and times have changed. It's the fucking 90s.
I should get him some condoms, too, I thought.
She furrowed her brow, looking at me like I was a weirdo. "We're-we're civil."
I raised a brow, nodding. "Cool. You gotta pen?"
"Wow, okay, then," she laughed again, handing me a pen and paper from over the counter.
"What's your name, sweetheart?" I asked, scribbling Dad's digits down for her.
"Esme," she said.
"That's beautiful," I lied. What the fuck do I know? "That's Carlisle." I kept my tone hushed because Dad was coming over. "Use that. Understand?" I raised a brow, handing her Dad's number.
She looked to him and back to me. "Definitely." Her voice held some conviction there.
"That's what's up." It made me chuckle. "Awesome."
"We're all set here," Dad said, squeezing my shoulder with that death-grip of his.
It made me wince, and it reminded me of being a kid.
Esme waved, and we walked out.
Once in the hall, I stretched my shoulder. "The fuck was that for?" I started laughing. "You jealous I was talking to your girl? What?"
He had a straight face. "It's not about me. Yes, she's attractive…but you're already involved. You're happy. Don't fuck with that." He shook his finger at me as he walked out.
I smiled as I put my sunglasses back on. "I don't plan to fuck with anything…"
"You kids…think I don't know? You slipped her your phone number, didn't you?"
I cackled as I closed the back of the van. "Nah, I gave her yours, stud!"
"Edward!" he shouted as I ran to the front to hop in. "Edward…" He stared at me as he entered.
"What? She likes you or whatever." I started the van and pulled off. "I knew you'd chicken out and not call if she gave you hers." I shrugged. "Look, when she calls…Her name is Esme, by the way. You say what's up, get to small talk, and you ask her out. Take her to dinner." I actually have no idea what people do on a date. I've always just chilled with broads.
He sighed, massaging his forehead. "Okay." Dad actually agreed.
"Okay!" I nodded, and we weren't too far from the crib. "Uh, I didn't get ahold of Bella."
"What do you need to talk to her about? We'll go to your place, pick her up, and go someplace simple. I'm in uniform." He plucked at his shirt.
I nodded. "Sounds good." And I hoped Bella wouldn't be upset, but it's fucking Dad. He's nothing like Bella's mom. He can be cool.
Phil is still around. He either wasn't threatened by me, licked his wounds, or maybe he truly does feel for Renee. Who knows? All I do know is that Renee was faster to move him in after he was "jumped by some kids."
They'd still gone to the beach that weekend, just a day late. So, they spent a day there, and then came back to Brooklyn Sunday night.
Bella didn't call home until that Monday. She told her mother she didn't call to fight, but she needed to know what was going on and such. Bella doesn't even want to be in the same room as Phil.
She says he did nothing wrong, but I knew…just by looking at her face that she was creeped out. Not knowing if he watched her in the shower or not.
I groaned, that shit still vexes me.
"What's wrong?" Dad asked.
I shook my head. "I keep thinking about that Phil shit. How Bella's moms is still cool with him? What's that?" I wondered if Dad could make more sense of it. "What if he was peepin' her in the shower?" I should have done more damage. I mean, I got him from behind, knocked him to the ground, punched his lights out with my right hook, told him to stay away from Bella. If it weren't for all the people…shit. No, I was glad I couldn't really hurt him. Bella might think me crazy.
"Let Renee worry about it. If he was…that's unfortunate. It probably makes Bella very uncomfortable."
"Exactly," I exclaimed. "He moved in, and now Bella's staying with me—that's why. But I don't even mind. I'm actually…happy, you know?" I looked to him as I stopped at a sign. "It gave her an excuse to stay with me." It definitely did.
And I urged her to be—at least—cordial with her mother.
Also, I won't hurt Phil because I wasn't thinking about the bigger picture when I was so enraged.
As long as Phil is around, Bella's mother doesn't need her.
As long as Phil is around, Bella will continue to stay with me.
Weeks ago, we went to get some of her stuff while we thought no one was home. Phil had no idea. His bruises were still present, but he must have forgotten my voice.
They fucking hated me. I'm obviously no teenager. Renee called me a thug; I didn't comment, nor did I give a fuck. The more Renee hounded Bella, the faster Bella moved to get her shit together. Renee said she was calling Charlie—Bella's dad, and that had my attention.
I wondered how much pull Charlie had over his daughter. Like, if . . . he's going to disapprove, but will Bella listen to him? Move out to Queens with him?
That thought made me sick to my stomach, but all this time has passed . . .
Phil kept eyeballing me while I was there.
But he made sure he stayed out of Bella's way, didn't look at her, didn't even say hello. I dug it.
Bella's eighteen. So, it's not like cops were gonna show up at my door to take her home.
Personally, I think Renee will relent. She'll either realize how wrong she was, apologize, or Bella will learn how to get along with her? I'm not sure.
To be honest, it bothers me. I wished she could be happier, get along with her mom.
But the fact that she doesn't . . . it's been working in my favor.
The fucked-up shit Rose did worked in my favor, too.
After they fought it out at the apartment, Rose had her daddy fire Bella.
Again, I'm sad Bella lost her job, but…I pay the rent, I feed her.
What's she need that bullshit job for when she has me?
But nah…she can't just sit around the apartment all day. I know she'll find another job or whatever.
Dad smiled and patted my back. "I understand. You feel bad but you're grateful."
I nodded. "I should beat his ass again, though. Right?"
"Edward…" He sighed, drawing out my name.
I actually chuckled. "I'll behave myself."
"Good . . . Whatever happened to that Puerto Rican girl you were dating?"
"Dating?" I snorted. "Tanya and me…all we did was fuck. It was strictly physical."
We definitely never had any dates. She never hounded me about taking her out, or for a commitment. All she'd want was some money to get her nails done because she's on Welfare. Only weird shit she'd do . . . she used to place her baby on my lap and take pictures.
I used to hand him right the fuck back. I think she liked to pretend he was mine? I don't fucking know. But her baby's half-black, so it's obviously not mine. We were only fucking around a month, maybe longer. We'd met at the subway, and she came right up to me, rocking her baby on her hip.
"I mean, how did it end? Everything is good?"
I huffed, turning down my block. "She pages me sometimes. She actually beeped me twice earlier, but…I just don't call her back. We weren't together, and I bet I wasn't the only dude she was with. You know?"
"But doesn't she live around here?" He stared at me.
I nodded. "Like a few blocks away."
"I'm just…everything is going so well. I want you to…play it safe, so there are no problems." He seemed really interested in …everything, concerned.
It made me smile. "Me and Bella are solid. I never, never felt this way before." I shrugged, knowing I could always be honest about everything but narcotics to my father. "She's amazing, and I just can't keep my fucking hands off her. She's gorgeous. Watch…you'll see." I was suddenly all the more amped to get upstairs.
Dad was still smiling when he left the van, but then he frowned. "You never told me how things worked out with Emmett?"
Yeah, I told my father all about paying Rose to set Emmett up.
Dad obviously didn't approve.
I knew Bella was mine the night we'd met.
I just didn't know how shit would play out afterward.
Knowing I wanted to chill with her again, I also knew that someone was gonna let my past out of the bag. It's not like I was away for six months. I was in the can for over six years, where my greatest accomplishment was getting my GED.
Now...I work this bullshit job. I do what I do…and I'm not the most romantic.
Smart women stay away from a cat like me. It's true.
Emmett…he'd be the safe choice.
I know no one was talking marriage and shit, but still.
Emmett's a good guy, a really great person. He's got the looks, is a total pretty boy while also being a monster of a dude. He comes from a good family, and he also plays up his fireman gig—talks a really good game, too.
It only took me a minute to ask Rose and slip her the money. She agreed real fast, but…
I would never tell Bella this, but Rose thought I was talking to her because I was interested. Rose offered…told me to leave the little girl for Emmett, insinuating she was a woman.
She's just a fuckin' skank.
I told her no, and then I asked her.
Rose was pissed at Bella, although I don't know why she would be, and she was upset that Emmett was so hung up on Bella.
Again, I didn't know how it would all go . . . so I needed some insurance.
I knew Emmett was going to seek her out. When you like someone, you don't give up on that shit. You go for it. He had no idea Bella was even at the crib. But as soon as he woke up . . . Jazz said he woke up talking about her, was adamant about seeking her, asking her out.
Jazz is my boy, but he can be a fuck, too. He talks about all that no-drama bullshit. He didn't tell Emmett that Bella was just there with me either—to which Emmett would have backed down.
My friend Jazz is a watcher, can be a quiet troublemaker, but he always has my back. So, he watched Emmett leave to meet up with Bella, and he didn't page me to give me a heads up either.
He's all about staying out of other people's business, my ass!
Jazz gets a kick outta watching shit go down.
"We're good," I said. "He won't step outta line or nothin' like that." I located my house key and ran up the steps, and I already heard the music blasting from upstairs.
"No, I was talking about…you two. Did you guys make up?"
I pursed my lips. "I know he's still sore about it. He doesn't give a fuck about me giving that ho money—"
"Edward…"
"Sorry." I chuckled. "Giving that girl money…He's more upset about me being with Bella. But I think he's getting over it. He was chillin' with some chickenhead last night." I opened the door and we walked upstairs.
"Chickenhead?" My father asked.
I bit my lip. "A, you know…a loose girl."
He gave me the stink-eye. "What's wrong with calling them girls, women, females, ladies, or even babes and chicks?"
"My bad…" I opened the door, praying to God shit was cool on the other side.
Thank you for reading.
Please leave me your thoughts.
NOTE: I'm doing my best to space out updates. I'll post again on Thursday/Friday. I have a busy few RL days ahead of me. Thanks for understanding.