Stephenie Meyer owns all things Twilight. No copyright infringement is intended.
Beta'd by HollettLA.
Higher
Chapter Fifteen: Dinner With Dad
EPOV
When Dad and I entered the apartment, I already smelled the weed in the air, but then again this place always smells like pot. We need to light some incense.
But I also smelled…garlic?
The music was loud, the air was smoky despite the fan, and Jazz was half-passed out while he played his Sega on the couch.
"Hey!" I hopped in front of him.
Jasper cracked up, always a happy weed smoker. "Yo…Mr. C!" He shot up to hug my father.
"Where's Bella?" I asked.
Jasper backed away from my father. "Somewhere…Kitchen, I think?"
I nodded and went to search for her.
Bella wasn't in the kitchen, but there was something in the oven. We never use that thing. I don't think we've legit cooked anything in that jammy since we've lived here. Although the microwave gets used all the time.
I raised a brow, entering our bedroom—kicking the door shut to get her attention.
My girl was sitting on the bed, leaning back on her one palm, legs bare and wearing one of my work tees with the Cullen logo.
It was classic. Dad'll get a kick out of that.
Her hair was up in one of those big messy bun-shits, and she wore these large, hoop earrings.
Bella looked sexy as hell.
She was also on the phone, but she smiled as soon as she saw me.
"How long you been on the phone? I tried calling like five times." I kicked off my boots.
"Sorry." She mouthed.
I sighed as I took off my T-shirt to stand in front of the A/C a minute, hoping to cool off. "We should get that call-waiting thing." I stared at my woman, but she paid me no attention, running her mouth to...it's gotta be Alice.
Who else is it gonna be?
Her eyes were glassy and happy, and she must have smoked with Jazz.
It's always easy to tell when she's blazed. There's always this permanent little smirk, and her eyes smile, too. It's cute. However, she doesn't smoke a lot anymore. It's definitely not an everyday thing these days. She's been good, behaving herself, and she barely even drinks.
"Yeah, Edward's here—he just got home. I'll call you right back. Feel better, and call me if anything." She sounded sad, her voice laced with concern. "Love you, too . . . bye." She ended the call to frown. "My poor Alice."
"What's up?" I asked.
"I missed you." Bella beamed only to squeal when she looked to me, rising to her knees and coming toward me. "Ugh, you're so warm; I love it…sexy." She ran her cold hands over my chest, making my cock come to life.
"It's hot out there." I rubbed down her back, always loving the feel of her in my arms, and then I had to squeeze that ass. "Hmmm. It's good to be home." My forehead rested to hers, and then I got those lips—sticking my tongue all in there, needing to taste her.
Bella moaned, weaving her fingers into my hair.
Christ. I love that shit.
But I knew Dad was in the living room . . .
I had no idea why I was nervous. Maybe it's because I never introduced Dad to anyone before? However, I knew he was going to adore her.
I pulled back to hold her face. "My father's here."
"Carlisle?" she giggled because she's high. This is just great. Bella is quiet already. And while she's always happy when she smokes, she gets even quieter. "Oh my God. Do you have eye drops?" She pushed me back to jump in front of the mirror.
I wore a huge cheesy smile as I held her back to my chest. "Look, it's no big deal. He puffs, too. He's not gonna give a fuck about that."
"Oh…" She nodded.
"He wants to take us out to eat." I turned her to have her in my arms again…have her tits against me. "Get dressed, but keep the tee on." I lifted it to see if she wore anything underneath, and I saw my boxers. "Put on jeans or something." She's got great legs, but they're my legs . . . and I try to be as cool as possible. I don't say shit; I just suggest.
She shook her head, wrapping her arms around my neck. "I used the twenty you left me on your dresser and went to Key Food . . . and I made dinner for you. Lasagna, and there's salad, garlic bread. We can eat here because there's plenty."
I swore my heart stopped. "You cooked…? For me?" I swallowed, thinking it so sweet, and if my baby can burn—has skills in the kitchen—that's awesome. I'd left that money for her, in case she wanted to go chill in Bay Ridge with Alice or something.
She shrugged. "I was home…and yeah. You do so much for me," she whispered. "I…I wanted to do something for you . . . and Jasper only just came home a little while ago, and Alice is upset. That's why the phone was busy for—"
I didn't care about what their problems were, cutting Bella off with my lips.
Always so excited to see her when I get home, and even more excited now, I brought her to the bed to hover over her, holding her tightly while I kissed her deep.
Bella yanked my hair, guiding my lips to her neck, which spurred me on. My dick was rock hard, and I pushed it against her, needing to feel her.
She squeaked when I bit her collarbone and eased my hands under her shirt. Wanting to say hello to my tits, I pushed her bra up. "You're so sexy," she moaned. "Hmm, Edward."
I panted, staring at her pretty face, and then I bent low to suck on her nipple. She's got a great rack; Bella says she's a size C or something, and she's got these cute, pink nipples. They're perfect in size, fit in my hand, and they always taste like her.
"Edward…" She pushed her hips up and yet reached for my belt. "Now…"
"Shhh." I kissed her lips, having noticed that Jazz turned the stereo down, and I knew my father was here . . . that we should be out there. Guided by lust, I leaned up a little bit, letting Bella kick my jeans and boxers down. "Shit," I laughed and shook when her cold hand grabbed my dick. She's been sitting in the A/C for however long . . .
She jacked my cock while I pushed into her hand, going back to her tits. Bella was getting heated, maybe overheated, moaning out these loud ones. I had to kiss her so she'd shut up. "Touch me," she whispered against my mouth.
"Can I hit it real quick?" I bit her bottom lip, sucking it back.
"Yes." She hugged me tight, pushing her chest up. "All day…I thought about you all day."
"Me too." I pulled the shorts off her, only to pause and stare at her.
She really is gorgeous, beautiful down there . . . pink, bare, and clean, too.
The first time we fucked, she was so tight—almost too fucking tight, and I was afraid she might have been a virgin, despite the fact that she told me different. But it didn't matter. She felt too fucking good, way too good, and I wasn't stopping. She wasn't complaining. She wanted it, and I just knew to be easy—gentle, and go slow because the last thing I wanted to do was hurt her.
Bella likes it rough, though. She bugs out when I really go for it, comes instantly.
God, I love that.
And it was like I did break into that shit, but she still feels mad tight.
"Edward," she whined, her chest heaving, as she lightly tugged on my chain to pull me forward.
I slowly went low to kiss her, resting my elbows on either side of her head, lining us up—my dick always finds her fast, but I didn't push in. "You're beautiful…you know that?" My tongue came out to lightly lick her lips.
She took in a shaky breath, staring into my eyes, kissing me softly and gripping my shoulders hard.
Since her forearms were in my way—keeping our chests from touching—I gathered her hands into one of mine, bringing them above her head, while I pushed forward.
While Bella gasped, I clamped my eyes closed and paused; she felt fantastic, so good my abs stiffened, butterflies flew in my stomach.
And fucking her bareback . . . Christ. It's indescribable.
I started slow, picking up a rhythm with my hips, and I let out a low groan every time I'd fully enter her.
Bella was pushing back, and her legs were up so high and spread wide that her knees rested just under my shoulders. "Harder…" she pleaded.
I bit that lip again, letting out a hiss. "That's what you want, baby?" I let go of her hands, and she was fast to scratch down my back, making me groan and pick up speed.
"I want it…more." She bit my neck, making my eyes roll, and . . .
Shit was on now.
I hugged her tight, her face tucked in my neck, as I dogged her out—digging deep, hard, and so fucking fast. And she needed to come before I did. "That good?" I panted, bringing my hips back to slam into her.
"Yes! Oh God, yes!" She was mad loud again.
I slowed. "Shhh."
She nodded, blowing out a breath. "I'm sorry."
"It's okay." My nose touched hers, so I could occupy her mouth, gradually speeding up again—picking up that same momentum while my hand snuck between us to play with her clit.
Bella whimpered. "Edward, I—I—" She tossed her head back, lifting her chin as she stiffened, clamping down on my cock, and every time she comes it makes me lose control—the feeling of her, seeing her.
I went even faster, causing the bed to rock—the headboard banging into the wall.
I didn't give a fuck.
Bella rode it out to pant and claw at me some more, grabbing my biceps—just losing it herself.
My chest vibrated, letting out a growl. I leaned back to sneak my hands under her—hold her ass close so I could get even deeper—swiftly bouncing her on and off me, my hips thrusting, too.
"Fuck." I bit back a groan, biting my lips together.
She gripped the sheets and sat up a little bit, but I pushed her back down—going faster, faster, feeling the fire in my gut.
All too soon, I left her to jack my dick—come on the sheets. "Fuck, baby…"
Out of breath and feeling amazing, I let out a chuckle.
"Hmmm, Edward." Bella kissed me deep, passionately.
I tangled my tongue with hers, only to collapse to her side. "Shit…"
"That was so good." She rubbed my chest. "I mean, my God…Edward." Her tone was emotional as she shook her head and stared at me.
I leaned on my side to palm her cheek. "I know." I kissed her once more.
But Bella backed up fast to gasp. "The lasagna!" She quickly scooted from the bed to hop into her panties and boxers, righting her bra and pulling the shirt down. "I forgot—" And she ran out the bedroom, leaving the door open.
Jazz raised a brow at me; he was standing in the living room with a glass of Kool-Aid in his hand.
That's when I jumped to pull my pants up and grab a cigarette. I didn't give a fuck about that shit; sure Jazz has seen my dick before.
But . . .
Fuck me.
That was good.
Every time we fuck, it's amazing. But I gotta go to the store later and get more condoms. We used the last one last night. It's like playing with fire, but Bella lets me get it wet—play for a bit before I put one on. The first time I did it, I just wasn't thinking…too swept up, and Bella didn't stop me.
Never in my life had I dared to do that, but with Bella being my girl, and because I trust her . . .
I've been tested, and Bella said the one time, she made sure they'd used a rubber. I wasn't worried about it. She's not the type to do some shady shit, stick me with a baby either. And I do pull out. But God…I wish I could just come inside her. That'd be hot.
When I went in to check shit out, Dad was already in the kitchen, oven mitt on his hand, while Bella held her forehead.
"Everything all right?" I blew my smoke into the air and rubbed my shoulder. Now that my mind wasn't occupied, I felt a burn. Bella's scratches were raised. Shit.
"It's perfect," Bella said, stepped back and closer to me. "Um…" She turned back to Dad. "I forgot," she whispered. "Sorry you had to—"
"No big deal." He smiled at her and looked back to me from over her head. I knew he'd instantly adore her. "I was just checking . . . You must be Bella?" He took off the mitt to shake her hand.
"Yes." She held his with both of hers. "You're Carlisle . . . It's great to meet you, Mr. Cullen."
"Likewise." Dad nodded. "Edward, did you want to set the table?"
I agreed, leaving my cigarette in my mouth while I grabbed some plates and shit.
"We can use bowls for the salad," Bella whispered.
And I knew she'd get all quiet.
I put the dishes on the kitchen table, took my bone outta my mouth. "Relax."
She nodded, holding her stomach, and then she stole my cigarette.
I smiled as I set the table, and I did leave bowls out for the salad. Dad placed the lasagna and garlic bread down, and then he called Jazz to the table.
I liked this.
There was all this traffic in the kitchen suddenly.
And sitting at the table for a meal . . .
We've always had the table in here. We break up weed on it, forget our mail here, toss keys on it . . . but we never sit and eat. The guys and I are always in our own corners or sprawled in the living room.
Before I took my seat, I kissed Bella's cheek.
"Looks delicious," Dad said. "Thank you, Bella."
"You're welcome. I hope you enjoy." She was still nervous, still kind of whispering; meanwhile, I bet my father heard that "Oh, Edward" shit before when we were fucking.
I squeezed Bella's thigh—a silent thank you—and a soothing gesture.
She grinned at me. "This is nice…sitting at the table." We shared the same thought, as she grabbed the salad. "Want?" She offered me.
I shook my head, rubbing my hands together, staring at that lasagna. "I'm going for that first. If there's room, I'll have salad," I laughed and waited for Dad to serve himself. Then I went for it, but I plopped a healthy portion onto Bella's plate first.
"That's too much," she giggled.
"I'll eat what you don't; trust." I kissed her cheek again; I just had to.
She wore a smile and picked at her salad.
And I swore I was having another orgasm with my first bite of food.
"You like it?" Bella asked.
"Love it." I kissed her forehead this time.
She wiped at it after. I might have left her some sauce there, but I didn't care—sitting and eating great food with Dad and Bella . . . Jazz, too.
But he was quiet until Bella piqued his interest.
"I spoke to Alice before." She let it hang there, and Jasper stopped chewing, a slight frown in place.
I furrowed my brow at him, asking what was up.
He shook his head and went back to his plate.
"Who's Alice?" Dad asked, looking to Bella.
"My best friend…she's dating Jasper."
"Oh." Dad nodded. "Good for you," he told Jasper.
He smiled at my father, but something was bothering him—something neither one brought up. Bella was probably going to tell me before I cut her off. Oh well.
"Youse want something to drink?" I stood from the table, realizing the only one with a drink was Jazz.
"Yeah, whatever you have," Dad said.
We didn't have much, us lazy fucks, who don't shop. "Kool-Aid, water, or a blue quarter juice?" I asked.
"Kool-Aid," Dad and Bella said in unison. It was cute.
I grabbed three cups and brought the pitcher over, pouring them some. "Dad might have a date soon." I smiled.
My father grinned, slouching back with a mouthful.
"Go Carlisle. Get it." Jasper hit his arm.
I laughed, and Bella was trying not to smile. "Eat." I kissed her cheek again. "Yeah…this chick from one of our jobs. She seems cool, nice."
"This kid just gave her my phone number." Dad shook his head, staring down to his plate.
"Well, when she calls…you can ask her out," Bella said, and I was happy she was making an effort.
Dad blew out a breath. "It's been a while…"
"You'll be fine," she assured him and glanced back to me.
My mouth was filled with cheesy, pasta greatness, so I just pointed to her plate with my fork.
She rolled her eyes at me, but she did get down to business. Conversations flowed, and the munchies must have hit Bella. She finished off her salad and what was on her plate. All she had to do was give in to it.
The garlic bread was banging. I could have eaten the whole loaf, but when my dish was empty…I leaned back to hold my stomach, so full.
"That was fantastic." I belched into my fist.
"Excuse you," Dad told me, looking to Bella. "Sweetheart, that was the best lasagna I've ever had. Are you Italian?"
Bella's cheeks got all pink. "Half…my mom is." Suddenly her thumbnail was tasty.
I couldn't really move, so I pulled Bella's chair closer to me, just to have her close. "That was great, baby." Fuck, I was out of breath, too. "Stop." I stole her hand from her mouth.
Bella hummed, squeezing my thigh before she left to bring my plate to the sink along with hers.
And I really liked this.
Fucking Bella treats me like a king.
I'd have to do my best to give her the royal treatment as well.
Shouldn't be too hard . . .
Dad helped Bella clean up, while Jazz and I were just stuck there—two fat fucks—and I really needed a cigarette.
I heaved myself out of the chair.
After all, I couldn't get too comfortable or anything. I still gotta drive the old man home.
The first pull of my cigarette after that meal…I hissed and blew my smoke out.
"Yo…" Jazz knocked once. "Can I rap to you a minute?"
I grabbed the ashtray and sat on my bed. "'Sup?"
Jazz walked in and took a sip of his juice. "We need beer or soda or something."
I nodded. "I'll pick some up when I take Dad home."
"That's what's up," he sighed. "I like having a girl live here. There's always toilet paper, and now she cooks? That's awesome."
"It is," I admitted.
"I've been doing my best to put the seat down." He chuckled. "Poor Bella, she fell in that one time."
"Yeah…I felt horrible. I've been trying, too . . . but what's up?" I asked again.
He stared at Bella's box of gel, hairspray—all that girl crap on my dresser. "What's this?" He took a tampon out a smaller box.
"Dude, you've never took one out wit' your teeth before?" I was joking. Fuck, I've never done that nasty shit before. But I know what a fucking tampon is.
"That's gross. I never eat pussy—unless you love the person, then you wanna and shit. I love getting Alice with the tongue, but she's gonna pull all my hair out one day." He put his glass down and opened the wrapper. "You go down on Bella yet?"
"Yo…put that back...and fuck, yeah, I do. She's my girl."
"It's just one, and I want it…she got a whole box of them." He popped it out of the applicator. "Oh, it's a fucking tampon."
I shook my head at that simple motherfucker. "I think you're puffin' too much lately, man."
He stared in the mirror and put it up his nose.
"What's goin' on wit' you?" I asked once more, putting my cigarette out. Something was likely bothering him.
That sick fuck plopped the tampon into his Kool-Aid, letting it flower-out. "Alice lied about her age," he sighed, turning to face me.
"Uh…yeah. I knew that," I said. "Bella's eighteen."
"You couldn't tell me?" he asked.
"Wasn't my business," I repeated his words from that Emmett shit.
"Fair enough…She lives with her parents, too…and she was a virgin." He looked to the floor. "I thought she just came from money…had a phat crib like that so young."
"You finally hit it?" I asked, surprised he hadn't told me sooner. I mean, I knew they were fucking already. Alice chills here with Bella sometimes—Jasper, too, of course—and she leaves in the middle of the night. I think she's slept over once, and that was a couple days ago.
He nodded. "The first time was weeks ago—the day before Bella moved in?"
I nodded, knew what day it was—Alice's birthday.
"It was amazing, man. Like…what making love is probably like? We went slow, we had some R&B going, fucking candles…it was special."
"What's the problem?" I shrugged.
"She didn't tell me she was a virgin until she…" He chuckled. "I knew it was something like that—so tight I thought my dick was gonna fall off, which was also amazing. But…she was frowning, making this face and she was stiff. So, I'm already inside her—been inside her trying not to blow my load for a minute—and then…I'm an asshole. I finally saw her face, and I ask her what's wrong, and she says it's her first time."
I smiled. "That obviously means you're special. She's feeling you something fierce, right?"
"That was the first lie—"
"And I bet you still finished."
"Of course I did," he laughed. "I wasn't mad at that. My head was gassed that she not only trusted me, but was giving me something…so precious." He sounded wistful, which made me crack up. "I only wished she'd told me before. I could have…I don't know."
"Swift or slow…still hurts them." I shrugged.
"And I would have gotten her off first." His eyes widened. "She had me waitin' so long." He groaned. "I wish she told me that was why. I was just so eager. Again, I should have known something was up. We're kissing and kissing for like…what felt like fucking hours, and she never went for the dick."
I raised a brow. "Well…" I didn't know what to say.
He smirked. "She's a little freak now, though. Alice didn't come the first time, but whenever we're alone—she fucking lunges at me. Calls me Jazzy now. It's awesome."
"Again…what's the problem?"
"Last night, we're here fucking around…chillin' out, and then she says she has something to tell me. She'd already called car service, so we were waiting downstairs on the steps…and she tells me she lied about her age. That she's not twenty, but eighteen. But not only eighteen…the day I took her virginity was her eighteenth birthday." His voice continued to rise. "And fuckin'…" he groaned, pissed. "She was technically seventeen—messing with me like that. I ate seventeen-year-old pussy and I got nothin' in return!"
He widened his arms. "I only did it 'cause I hoped she'd fuck me after. Thank God she didn't, that'd be worse…Christ. Could I go to jail? Well, I can't now. Yo, me and Alice don't work out…fuck, man. I'm checkin' IDs at the door." He punched his palm. "Word. Up."
"But…she's eighteen, so…she's legal." That's the way I look at it—grateful I won't get locked up again for being with Bella.
She'd be worth it, though.
"But she lied about two major things…Even if I can get over her being eighteen, which…yo, it's really not a big deal. Another thing that explains her immaturity, how sweet and naïve she is. My babe's got like no common sense, but whatever. How did I not know? Did I only see what I wanted to? I mean, she's not like the ghetto bitches around here. That's all I see—living here and working here. Did you see the hoodrat Emmett came home with last night?" He grimaced.
I shook my head no. "I saw him come in when I was going to the bathroom, but no. We went to bed early."
"Ugh." Jasper shuddered. "She was busted. I mean, I know I been wit' a few…You know, you wanna pull the paper bag ova their heads…but ugh." He shivered again, slapping his hand to mine, 'cause I been there, too. "And Em's a really good-lookin' dude. Alice met her while she was on her way to the bathroom. Then when Alice had to pee, she made me Ajax the toilet before she pissed."
"You cleaned the bathroom last night?" I was surprised.
He waved a hand. "The ho Em had'hea used it…whateva. Look…my point is…I'm just saying it was nice to meet someone…like Alice. Sure, Bella and Alice are young, can be silly—especially together—but they're classy?" He crinkled his brow. "I think so. Prime example—there's a difference between chicks like Alice and Bella and then like Rose."
I nodded since I knew exactly what he was talking about.
"It has nothing to do wit' sex neither. 'Cause…yo, Alice is a natural."
"I know what you're sayin'. We got lucky—meeting them. Thanks for being a creeper on AOL."
He didn't think it was funny, frowning now. "But she lied…if she can lie about that shit…what else has she lied about or will lie about? I hate acting like a bitch about it, but that shit hurt. I feel like she stomped my heart." He lifted the tampon to suck the Kool-Aid off it.
At that same moment, Bella popped her head in. "Um…" She grimaced at Jasper. "Anyway—" she continued "—Jazz, can I have some of your weed to load the bong for Carlisle?"
I laughed. "I have some in the drawer."
"Go 'head." Jasper waved a hand. "It's on the coffee table."
Bella left, and I thought it awesome—she could bond with my dad.
"You think Bella's bossy?" he whispered.
I shook my head. "Sometimes in bed she's demanding, but I love it. Otherwise…no."
"It's not a bad thing—good leadership skills, whatever. But she bosses me around. I bet she's got Mr. C wrapped around her finger." Jasper chuckled.
"Fuck…she's got me," I admitted. "As far as Alice goes, ask her…if she's lied about anything else. Get to the bottom of shit, air it out…and start over. We both know you dig her—like for real." I insinuated he might be falling for her already.
And Jasper nodded. "How 'bout you?" He raised a brow. "It's weird, right?"
I laughed. "Why fuck around, though? Giving her the cold shoulder while you're all wounded. Forgive her and get over it." I shrugged. "Bella!" I shouted for her.
"Now you're a real bossy fuck," Jazz commented.
I gave him the finger.
She ran back, wearing a smile. "What's up?"
"What's up with Alice? Talk to Jazz a minute."
She frowned. "She was upset and she's sorry, really sorry. You should call her so she stops crying." Bella stared at Jazz.
"She's cryin' because of me?" Jasper looked mortified. "Over my stupid ass?"
Bella hummed. "You don't even know how excited she was…right before we met you guys. She was sure you were telling the truth—had faith. You know? She liked you a lot without meeting you."
I blew her a kiss.
Bella beamed at me for a second. "She kept wondering why a guy like you would like a girl like her. She was gassed and excited, thought you wouldn't meet her if you knew her real age. Alice…she has a huge heart, you know? And…she gave it to you. Jasper, you're an awesome dude, but…Alice is special. She's amazing and she is very honest. Some people…they might wonder what a girl like that is doing with a guy like you. Understand?" I liked the way she broke shit down. "Call her."
Jasper barked out a laugh. "I've asked myself that since the night we met."
Bella pointed behind herself. "I'll be inside."
I waved and looked for the phone on the bed. "Call her." I couldn't find the damn thing, and I had to lift all the blankets before I found it under a pillow. "We need another phone—one we can keep in the kitchen, the living room. We have the extra jacks."
"I'm the only one wit' a computer, and the phone is constantly busy now. It's busy more now—teenage girls, you know?"
"Shut up," I laughed. "I'll…I'll get a line for Bella in here. Tomorrow, I'mma get her a pager." Because if I call this line, the regular line, and I need to talk to her, she'll know. "We should get that call-waiting shit. I mean, my dad had that before I went away." I shook my head, didn't why we didn't get it. "Besides your computer, this place is like Bedrock…all old and shit. We need new…whatever."
"Technology?" he raised a brow.
"That's the word," I sighed.
"Fuck that. Wanna talk about technology…When shit is better, I'mma get a cellular phone. Not one of those Zack Morris shit's either—them big shits? They got a new one out that flips. It's small. Like a TV remote."
I nodded. "That's…" I wondered how much it'd cost to get Bella and me one.
He stared down, pointing. "Why's your bed wet?" Jasper gaped at me. "You hittin' it without a jammy? You crazy?"
"Shhh! What the fuck? Stay out my business." It was a pretty big spot, which was likely a combination of us both. I don't think it's possible for me to come that much, but damn. We gotta change the sheets. I'll ask Bella to do it.
Nah, it'll dry by the time we go to bed. Fuck it.
"You could pull out and they still get pregnant—when we leak, son," he whispered and widened his eyes, pointing to his dick. "I'm sayin'…"
"Here—" I wiggled the cordless. "Call your girl."
"Hang on." He actually closed my door.
"Wassup?" I kept my tone low.
He sat next to me. "You dumb motherfucker!" He slapped the back of my head.
I was quick to get him in a headlock. "Hit me again. I'll throw your little ass out a window."
"You deserved that shit!" he shouted.
I gave his scrawny ass a noogie anyway.
He pushed, and I let him go. "I'm serious, Ed…We all agreed. No babies in the crib…Well, besides Bella and Alice," he laughed, fixing his hair.
"It's all good," I whispered. "Don't worry so much."
"Look—"
"Let it go," I said. "What goes on in my bedroom…Dude, it don't concern you."
"Well, I plan to be a bitch—plan to tell Alice so she gives Bella a lecture." He raised a brow. "If Bella says…"
I didn't say anything more about that, although I wanted to deck him for the hell of it. "Yo, you need a haircut…like a skin fade. You're lookin' like Shaggy from Scooby Doo lately."
"That was low—gotta make fun of my do." He smirked, petting his locks.
"Nah, you never brush it—it looks like a full, nappy pussy bush," I laughed. "You have feminine features, too…you know. Watch that."
"I'm liftin' weights again. But be serious a second."
I gestured for him to continue.
"Bella was out…food shopping around the corner, but I came home for my lunch break." Jasper widened his eyes and shook his head. "Before I left to go back, fucking Tanya was shouting from outside—looking for you."
"Fuck." I had to call her, and I didn't want to. "It's been like a month. That's enough time to get a hint or a clue, isn't it? And we weren't even fuckin' like that. I'd stop at her crib like maybe once a week…if I had nothing better goin'. What's wrong wit' her?"
There was no way she was going to fuck with Bella, or me, or fuck with shit.
I won't let that happen.
"That's what she was bitchin' about—how you can't call her. She's just looking to bust your balls. But I took care of it, bro." He hit my arm. "I did you that solid. I told her you had a girl, that you were happy and in a 'committed and exclusive relationship' and to step off—I was polite, though."
"What?" I laughed.
"Oh, she called you a pussy-nigga or somethin'…in front of the baby. What's his name, Nelson?"
I shrugged. "I dunno."
"Anyway, she talked about needing to get her nails did. She was…talking and mumbling to herself, and then she walked away. But the worst part—" He was laughing his ass off. "I'm about to cross the street to go back to work, and I peep Bella coming from around the corner at the avenue, at the same time Tanya got to that same curb. Dude, I was shook—thought they'd just know and start swinging."
"Fuck," I said again.
"Yo, it was close. Imagine Bella was here? Bro, you must have an angel on your shoulder." He nudged me.
I hummed, handing him the phone. "Good lookin' out. Thanks."
"Thank you." He took it and went to leave.
"Hey!" I shouted and pointed to his tampon in a glass.
He snatched his Kool-Aid and left.
I put on a clean tee and followed after him, smiling wide when I saw Bella lighting the bong for my father. It was cute.
Dad covered the top with his hand, trying not to cough. "That's strong." He let it out.
"You're telling me," Bella said.
He offered it to me.
"Nah, I'm good. Gotta drive." I looked to Bella. It was already going on nine, and I knew Dad wanted to get home—to his shows. Besides toking, he had that look in his eyes.
"Edward, can you give me a lift home?" he asked.
I nodded. "You wanna come?" I asked Bella.
"Sure. Lemme just go—"
"Put pants on?" I finished for her.
Bella entered the bedroom and I sighed, facing Dad. "How do I get her to wear pants?"
"It's summertime . . . and don't be like that. Be secure in your relationship. Shit like that...it shows your insecurity."
"Fuck that. I just don't want my legs being seen everywhere. They're my legs." I pointed to myself.
He laughed at me, but I didn't know what was funny. "I was young…telling your mother she couldn't wear this or that. Well, I'd tried to. Lizzie was scrappy. But then you know what? I dug that I had my beautiful wife…she looked hot, but she was on my arm."
My brows rose, and I guess I could see his point.
"Son, how old is she?" he whispered.
I laughed. "Eighteen."
His eyes widened. "She's a sweet girl, very polite, and beautiful—Edward, you really lucked out…but she looks young."
"She does," I admitted. "But I'm not gross, like…I like her because she looks young. She's easily the most gorgeous chick I've ever met. You don't even know how nervous I was," I laughed at myself. "She's in that baggy tee, but yo. She's got some body, man." I whistled, shaking my head.
He smiled at me. "Like her? Are you in elementary school? I think it's more than that, but what do I know?" He shrugged.
I didn't say anything, wondering why he thought that.
"All that time you were talking to me about everything, and you purposely left out her age. Does it bother you?" He lightly coughed into his fist.
"Nope…that's just how not important it is."
"Unimportant or not of any importance."
I ignored that; he makes fun of my English all the time. "It should have been obvious, though. I spoke about her living at home...wit' her moms and shit."
"It's mother or mom. No S." He furrowed his brow. "The way you speak says a lot about you, and why do you add 'and shit' to nearly every sentence? And it's fuck this or fuck that." It really does get him upset.
I rolled my eyes.
"These days, kids are living with their parents for longer," he said. "At least…that's what I hear. I just assumed she was your age . . . geez, you're twenty-four, she's eighteen?" He made a face. "Maybe…no, I'm sorry."
"What were you going to say?" I asked.
Dad wore his "level with me" with a dash of "no offense" face, gesturing to me. "Hear me out, okay? Maybe…living with her mom doesn't work, but you said she has a father? He's in the picture—"
"Barely. We're together a month, and I've never met him."
"Well…What if she lived with him for a little while? In a year, two years, you guys are going strong, you two can get a place together—settle down for real."
"No," I said.
"Just listen…You're finally adjusted. You spent a while trying to get shit in order, you're still—"
"I don't want to talk about that. She's staying here. That's it." I was adamant. "She's not going nowheres."
"Anywhere," he sighed.
"Stop with the English lessons already!" Maybe I had trouble passing my GED, and I speak the way I speak, but I'm smarter than most motherfuckers out there.
"That's English?" he laughed. "Look, if I was Bella's father…" He whistled. "I'd try to kill you. I'm being honest. I wouldn't want my daughter anywhere near you. I'm your father. I know you, but an outsider looking in—who doesn't know you? Come on, Edward. Half the reason she's with you is more than likely because doesn't know any better. You really lucked out." That made me feel like shit.
"You ever wanted more kids?" I asked, highly curious. "Or did Emmett fill that void?"
He shook his head. "If we had them, we had them, but…Mom and I just never did. Since we were so young when we had you, and we struggled along . . . We were seventeen, and we had no idea what we'd gotten ourselves into," he laughed. "We were really careful in the years that followed. Then…we kind of threw caution out the window." He waved a hand, smiling. "But it just never happened."
"What about now?" Again, I was just picking his brain.
His eyes bugged out and he gasped. "Is she pregnant?" he hissed, pointing that finger to my bedroom.
"No!" I shouted, my voice all high-pitched and shit. "No," I laughed. "I was just curious."
"Oh…" He slumped his shoulders, settling down. "Please, please, please, please," he begged. "Wait 'til she grows up a little bit before you even think about—"
"I don't want—" I stopped talking.
Bella left the bedroom in tight shorts, having tied the long t-shirt in a knot. She had lipstick on now. Her hair was neater, but still up. She looked beautiful…those legs, she had some belly showing, too, and I groaned. "Ready?" I looked between them.
Bella popped her gum and left ahead of us, and we trailed after her.
"Yo, youse leaving?" Jasper came running out, sniffing the pits of a shirt before pulling it on. "To get to Guidoland you gotta go through the Ridge. Drop me at Alice's." He ran down the steps past Dad.
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