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

Beta'd by HollettLA.

Higher

Chapter Sixteen: End of the Day

EPOV

We filed into the van and headed out to drive my father home. Dad and I rode up front while Jasper and Bella had to touch all the crap in the back. Bella kept holding up a tool asking, "What's this?" and it was cute.

Jasper hopped out on Fourth Avenue, wanting to pick his girl up some flowers at a fruit stand. Since we were going in the same direction, we waited for him. He was quick, jumped back in, and we dropped him at Alice's.

Bella had to get out and say hello, and then the giggling ensued. They were loud, goofing, and Alice really didn't look all that upset.

I gave her ten minutes before I called Bella back to the van.

We dropped Dad off, and I told him I'd be here by eight a.m. tomorrow to pick him up.

"He's really nice," Bella said once he was gone.

I nodded and pulled away from the curb. "He thinks you're a sweetie, too—said you were beautiful." I held her jaw.

She giggled and grabbed one of my cigarettes.

"You don't have any?" I asked.

"Oh, I'm sorry." She went to put it back.

I rolled my eyes and stopped her. "I'm not being stingy. I need a pack, too. When we go to the store…yo, we need rubbers, too." I gave her a fleeting glance, and I actually hoped she didn't give a fuck, that we could keep doing without. "Right?"

She nodded, lighting the cigarette. "I didn't have enough to get more today. But you really liked dinner?"

"I loved it." There was a green light streak and I stepped on the gas.

"Cool…I put some aside for Emmett."

I raised a brow. "Don't tell him that. If there's any left over when he gets home, he's welcome to it, but . . . He'll get the wrong idea."

"Wrong idea? What? Being nice and polite?" she laughed.

"He's a dude…He already likes you. At least, I think he still likes you. I dunno. You tryin'a take care of him—it might fuck with his head," I explained.

"Well…I just figured because he does nice things for me…"

"What's he do for you?" I asked.

"Just courteous things. Like, yesterday morning he went to the laundromat, asked if I had laundry. At first I said no, but he was all, I don't mind. My stuff was nice and folded after, too." She shrugged.

"Don't do that no more." I didn't like that. I really, really didn't like that. It actually had my chest feeling all tight and shit. "Anyone's touching your drawers…" I pointed to myself.

"Oh, I didn't give him any of that stuff. Just shirts and shorts...pajamas," she giggled. "That is weird—gross, too. Some dude washing my panties."

"Still." I squeezed her thigh. "We're allowed to have a washing machine…I'll get one this week."

"Edward, the laundromat's up the block. You don't—"

"I'm gettin' you one. Shut up about it!"

That's queen treatment right there.

Well, women dig appliances, right?

Get her a washer and a dryer . . . that's what's up.

She'll know how I feel about her.

I couldn't believe I never thought of getting one before. Well, I usually just wash my shit at Dad's, to be honest. Bella and I went to do laundry last week up the block. But that shit'll come in handy for us all. "It can go in the kitchen corner—behind the table," I told her.

"Okay," she whispered, had her head down.

"What's wrong?" I grabbed her hand to kiss it.

"Nothing." She smiled.

We were able to stop and get condoms, cigarettes, soda, beer, and icees. And we drove by the supermarket, while I hoped Bella would wanna stop there and pick up something for tomorrow. But she didn't say anything.

Shit was cool, though.

I really dug Bella staying here, living here. The only thing better was if we had our own place, but I think we're far from that.

We met a little over a month ago, and I couldn't believe all that time flew by.

Huh?

When we got to the crib, I sat on the couch. It was already past ten, and I never smoked my blunt.

"Tired?" Bella rubbed my back.

I yawned, and I didn't even wanna shower before bed. Fucking beat. "You ready for bed?"

Since it's contagious, Bella yawned, too. "Maybe I should stay up and play Sega…or watch TV."

"Why?" I asked, pulling her into my side.

"'Cause…I'll wake up early with you again, and then I'll have nothing to do. Sleeping later kills at least an hour or two . . . I dunno." She looked down, and down in the dumps. "If I lived at home still, I'd probably be out somewhere right now."

I frowned, worried. "Well…we can do things. We always do something on Saturday nights." Staying home doesn't bother me. I'm so fucking happy, but . . . I thought Bella was, too. "Just tell me. How am I supposed to know you're not happy unless you say something?" I took my arm from around her and stared.

"I am happy." She grasped my hands. "Edward, I'm so, so happy." I was afraid she was just saying that for me.

"If you're bored . . . I mean, you could look for a job, if smoking weed and playing video games isn't fun anymore." Fuck, I'd love to be in Bella's position—quit working with Dad, hustle when I have to, chill out with my girl all the time.

She nodded. "You're right. I'll, um…I've been lazy. I'll hit the avenue tomorrow—go see which stores are hiring."

"Whatever makes you happy, baby." I kissed her cheek.

"Yeah…"

I nodded. "Do whatever…but tuck me in first." I stood up to pull her along with me.

Then our roles reversed. She started to push me toward the bed before we both tumbled back.

I caught her, hugging her tight as she lay flat on top of me, and I hummed.

"I am happy, Edward," she whispered. "I'm the happiest I've ever been with you, but you work…and you have to work." She played with my chain, and her bony elbow dug into my chest.

I groaned, pulling her arms around my neck. "Summer will be over before we know it. Then…shit'll slow down. I'll be home by three or four—it's a eight-hour day instead of ten or whatever." I rubbed her back. "That's what Dad says."

"I hated Carvel…that was a shit job. Maybe I could work in a clothing store or waitress?"

"Stick with retail," I said. "If you waitress…you'll have to work evenings and weekends."

"I'd still have to work weekends anywhere," she sighed, scooting lower.

"Stop...You don't have to." I placed my hands on her shoulders, as I always feel...off when Bella wants to suck me off. It always feels amazing, but she's my girl not some ho.

"I want to," she said.

My breath hitched as I watched her undo my belt. She's gotten exponentially better at sucking my cock, and she looks hot doing it . . . but I always have this war within me when she gets on her knees.

I got excited, hard with her just pulling my pants back.

On the inside, however, I feel Bella's too good, too pure for this shit.

"Can I?" She wore a smirk.

I folded my arms behind my head, throwing all those worries out the window.

She likes doing it.

Shame on me for trying to stop her, I guess. "It's yours. You want it…" I smiled, thinking, this is the life.

It can't get any better, but then it did—when she took me deep to twirl her tongue and moan around my cock.

"Whew." I blew out a large breath, listening to the phone as it rang. It must be inside because it wasn't loud.

"You wanna get that?" She jacked me hard.

I grunted a no and pushed her head down on me.

She gagged.

I pulled her hair and her mouth off me. "I'm sorry."

She grinned, gobbling my cock down again.

"Fuck." I bit out.

She started going faster with a rhythm, and she had a swirl to her neck.

I clamped my eyes closed, trying to concentrate, and then she played with my balls. "You're so—so good, baby." The phone started ringing again.

She smiled around my cock, shielding her teeth with her lips and everything got tighter—her mouth was so fucking warm. And that phone just kept on ringing. Then my pager went off, and then someone called again.

"What's going on?" Bella asked.

I tried to catch my breath as I looked to my beeper. I didn't recognize the number, but Jasper's code was at the end. "This Alice's crib?" I showed it to Bella while the phone started ringing again.

"Yeah…" She kept yanking on my cock. "I'll get the phone. You stay here." She ran out.

I threw that stupid pager away from me, and then I kicked off my sneakers and my jeans. Basically, I got naked.

"Lose the clothes," I told Bella. "You can scream. No one's home, and I plan to make you scream." I stroked myself as I checked out those meaty thighs as she walked. "And I'm not tired anymore." It was true.

She tossed me the phone before undressing.

When her ass was exposed, I crawled over to bite it, making her hiss. "You don't think that's gross? My butt?" She has such an immature outlook on certain things that's cute.

As the phone started ringing again—having something to prove—I ignored it to spread her ass cheeks and lick her hole right quick.

She squealed and hopped away from me. "Edward!"

I shrugged. I'd never done that to a bitch before, but that's how much I . . . I don't know. Every part of her is glorious. "That was hot." It was taboo in a way that made it sexy. I'm the freak who likes to lick up her sweat and everything else.

Why not her ass?

It's Bella ass.

"Felt weird." She scrunched her nose and lost her shirt, and I eased back to jack my cock again. "But if you like it, I mean…I'm yours." She threw her bra away, letting those puppies loose.

"Get over here." I bit my lip. "When I'm done with this phone call, you'll sit on my face." I turned the phone on. Bella, nor any before her, has ever sat on my face either. It's surprising. How much I haven't done because of all that trust and shit. I usually hit it and leave.

And having a long list of past partners doesn't necessarily mean experience.

I know how to fuck, trust.

But when I just had to lick Bella's pussy…

I had to. I'd been thinking about it for a while, all the time, actually. Every time I'd rub up her thighs, I wanted to bury my face in her.

Yet, I was nervous; I have to be the best at everything I do.

Bella's the first broad I've gone down on since…before I was locked up. Wow. I don't even remember ever doing it, though, but I swore I had, or maybe it was some teenage fantasy? Who the fuck knows...

It's just…pussy has never had a face before for me.

It's a startling realization.

Realizing that sex truly meant nothing with everyone else I was ever with, but when Bella and I fuck . . . It's a beautiful experience. It's wonderful, fucking spiritual and shit.

I laughed at myself for thinking like such a pussy. "Uh…I need the number." Of course, since I'd thrown my pager, I had to ask Bella for Alice's number.

Bella gave it to me and was on me fast, going for my dick again while I placed the phone to my ear. She looked so sexy, her knee bent, ass raised slightly.

I groaned, grabbing that ass. "So hot." And I spanked it to watch it jiggle. "Hmmm."

" . . . Hello?" Alice laughed.

"It's Edward." My mouth made an "o" shape as Bella licked up and down my shaft, massaging my balls.

"Yo…" Jasper hopped on the line.

"What?" I held the phone with my shoulder, pushing Bella's hair away.

Then we heard "BELLA!" which someone had shouted from outside. It was a dude. I didn't know what to do—talk to Jazz, continue with my BJ, or wonder why some guy was shouting for my girl.

"Who the fuck is that?" I looked to Bella.

"It sounded like—"

"Bella!" We heard it again.

"—my Dad." Her face paled.

Fuck, mine did, too.

"Ed, you there?" Jasper shouted.

"I gotta go," I said.

"Nah, listen to this shit, man…" Jasper actually sounded pissed. "We just got back from getting ice cream—"

"I don't care." My hard-on was almost gone, but Bella was just…sitting there. "Get dressed," I told her.

Or should we pretend no one's home?

"You do care, Ed. We obviously ran into Rose. She was about to close the store, but there was some dude talking to her. Alice knew who he was—it was Bella's father, and Rose gave him the addy. Then he bounced—taking off in his cab. Alice starts screaming at Rose…It was ugly. I never saw my baby get angry like that." Jasper ranted that out, Alice giggled in the background, and Bella's dad shouted for her once more.

"Tell Bella to call me," Alice hollered into the phone. "I want deets."

"He's here," I told Jasper. "Thanks for the warning."

"I tried calling how many times, my dude. Once from a pay phone and then we rushed here," he explained.

"I know…thanks." I ended the call. "Fuck."

Bella had her shirt on, hopping into her shorts. "How—"

"Rose," I said. "And after a month—three weeks of you living here he's coming by?" I started throwing clothes on, too.

"I—I don't talk to him often. He calls every few weeks, like once a month to check in. Renee must have just told him. I don't know." She bit her thumbnail.

"Put your shoes on. I'm sorry; he's not coming up here." There's too much shit around; it stinks like weed…

"It's fine. I'll just…I don't know. But you stay here." She went to leave.

"Wait for me!" I called out, scooping my kicks on.

Her father had a car, was right outside, and it's close to midnight—I'll be damned if he tries to put her in and drive off with her.

Father or not, I'd clock him one.

We ran down the steps together—me in front of Bella, and he was right there, about to shout for her again. "Bella!" He widened his arms. "I spoke to your mother . . ."

"Oh," was all she said.

Charlie was about my height, looked about my father's age or younger, a thick mustache—a fan of denim and flannel.

"She told me you moved out weeks ago—neither of you could call me, and Renee had no answers. How does she not have your number or know where you live?" he was ranting. "That woman sometimes—I swear to Christ. Bella, what is this?" He gestured to me.

I put my hand out. "I'm Edward."

He dropped his arms. "Rosalie had a whole bunch to tell me about you—"

"You can't believe her!" Bella shouted. "Rose and I are fighting, but her lying to you—that's a new low." Now Bella was pissed.

"Oh, he's not five years your senior and sells crack?" Thankfully, his voice was lowered.

"No!" Bella shrieked.

I cackled, and they both turned to me. "Sorry." I put my hand up. "No, I'm actually an HVAC technician." I jerked a thumb to the van.

Charlie looked to it and back to me, and he didn't like me either.

Great.

I'm sure there's plenty more Bella could have said, but… "Please don't give Mom the address," she pleaded.

Charlie backed up closer to his taxi. "Go get your stuff. You're leaving."

"What?" she shouted. "I'm not going anywhere." She stepped back into me.

I placed my arms around her waist. "Sir—"

"Get your hands off my daughter!" Charlie pointed.

I did not fucking move. "She's eighteen, sir. By right and law, she doesn't have to live with you or your ex-wife." I didn't know what to say either. Well, what would sound polite. I knew what I wanted to tell him. "She's starting college in the fall—"

"You continue living with this filth," bastard called me filth, "I'm not paying for shit!"

"When have you ever?" Bella laughed. "Besides the money you used to give Mom, which I never saw… I don't want to fight with you, but where were you? All the times Renee would—" She stopped talking and turned to bury her face in my chest, sobbing.

"Shhh." I rubbed her back. "Tell him, baby…let him know." My tone was low, and then I looked to Charlie. "Don't worry about her tuition—I'll take care of it." I thought that might gain me some points, but I'd actually love to do that for Bella.

"HVAC salary, right?" He thought that was funny.

"Bella works, too." I shrugged, rubbing circles in her back.

"If youse last that long." His tone was sarcastic. "You meet some guy and the next day you move in with him? Bella, do you even know him?"

Bella sniffled and turned to face him, and she had toughened up. "I do know him. But you don't, and you're judging him? I love him and what we have is amazing! I'm not leaving, and you can either accept it—that we're together, or—" She shrugged. "We never saw each other before…It'd break my heart."

I gulped, all happy suddenly, like I wanted to shout and let everyone in the 'hood know that my girl loves me.

"The fuck are you smiling at?" Charlie asked.

I chuckled, but I was instantly pissed. "Slow your roll, man. Don't come at me like that. You don't know me."

"You love him?" Charlie grimaced, pointing to me.

"His name's Edward," Bella said. "Yes, I do."

He pinched the bridge of his nose. "Fine. Be with him, continue to date him. That's fine…but live with me if you and Renee are at odds. Bells, start your life before you settle."

"My life started when I met Edward." Her tone was low again.

"Are you kidding me?" he laughed. "You're gonna get knocked up before class even starts!"

"We're safe!" she hollered. "I won't. Just because you and Mom screwed up—weren't happy, it doesn't mean I won't be. Please, accept it." She left me to grab her father's hand. "I can't leave with you. I'm happy, Dad. I'm finally happy. There's so much you don't know, and I find it baffling that just like Mom...you suddenly care now?"

"Bells…" He pulled her in for a hug. "I've always cared...I've always...Baby, you're so young…and I looked into things. There's a community college not far from me. Or…you could do loans and go to a four-year school. You had the grades—"

"I'm fine where I am," she whispered, clamping her eyes closed as she hugged him back tight. "I can't live with you."

"Look—" I started "—Renee's man, he's living there now. He creeps her out." I wasn't sure if Bella wanted Charlie to know. I knew she was having a hard time getting it out.

"Did he do something?" Charlie pulled back to hold her face. "Tell me."

"No…" Her lip quivered. "He—I don't know. It's a long story, but Edward took care of it."

"What's that mean?" Charlie asked.

I made the punching gesture, which made him crack a smile. "I know there's an age difference. That was true," I said, my stomach knotting up. "I'm a little older. But I love your daughter very much. And I've been trying very hard to make her happy, make sure she's safe, to care for her. She's…she's, uh, my life now."

"What?" Bella turned to me.

I just smirked and shook my head.

She let out a squeal and then she was hanging off me, had jumped at me.

I chuckled, kissing her hair and hugging her tight. "I do."

"Oh, me too!" she sighed.

Our moment was cut short when Charlie asked, "And you being locked up for years? Look, I'm sure you're a nice guy. I'm sure you love her, but you have to understand that…I don't like the things I've heard." He stared at Bella. "What you've been up to lately...your behavior." He looked angry again, but his eyes were settled on Bella when he said that. "I'm not that crazy about my young daughter living with an ex-convict, but the things I've heard make me sick to my stomach!"

I scraped my teeth on my bottom lip. "My past…it's in my past, shit I can't take back. I did some shit, none of it was violent or anything. I did the crime and I paid the time—"

"Drugs, I was told."

I shrugged at a loss, and I didn't know what to say, but for Bella's sake . . . I wanted this guy to like me, respect me. "I was a stupid kid."

"Rose is a fucking bitch. God!" Bella shouted.

"She told me plenty, and I was grateful someone had answers. I'm trying to be nice here, give this guy the benefit of the doubt. Bella...I heard you're not working anymore. You're using drugs—poppin' pills. All you do is smoke pot, and wait around to get fucked by this one?" He counted off his fingers. "That is not what I call being taken care of, and you wanna throw your life away for this trash—"

"Whoa!" I widened my arms. "Listen, don't talk about things that are definitely none of your business. Like what goes on in my-fucking-bedroom." I pointed to myself. "I'm trying—doing my best to show you respect as Bella's pops, but you're pushin' it! And you're making these half-assed assumptions when you don't know jack shit! She's living with me a month, and this is the first time you're reaching out...? Nah, fuck that and fuck you. Some father you are...I'm not a piece-of-shit. You are!" I walked closer to him.

"You're gonna take a swing at me, too, tough guy?" He actually stepped toward me.

Livid, I laughed anyway, pushing Bella to my side.

"Stop!" She hopped up and down between us.

Charlie was smart, backed up. "What the fuck happened? That's making you act out this way?" He stared at his daughter. "Since when do you even care for boys? You still have Barbie dolls and you're a good girl—"

Bella cleared her throat, staring to the ground, and it was evident that Charlie knew nothing about her. "Nothing. I just grew up, but Rose is lying. I don't do drugs, he doesn't sell them…The only thing true about what she said is his age, which is…he just turned twenty-four. So, six years, big whoop."

"You're too young to just throw your life away—"

"How is she throwing it away?" I asked. "We're together. We're in love. We're happy...Accept it or step off already."

He looked to his daughter. "You're making these huge decisions…As your father, I see you making mistakes, and I want to help—do anything I can. You don't know what's going to happen tomorrow, or next week, or whenever."

"None of us do," I said. "But you go for it anyway and hope for the best." That's actually what my own father told me, when I was all weirded out by having a girl for the first time—lots of firsts with Bella, my love.

"You're investing everything in this guy…who will more than likely hurt you. There. I said it." He shrugged.

"Why 'cause I look like some playa?" I shook my head. "My jeans might be too baggy for you? Too many tattoos...? What's up? I got my word and my dick, that's it!"

"Edward." Bella rubbed on my chest. "Relax. I'm not going anywhere," she whispered. "Nothing matters."

I pulled her into my arms and planted my lips on her forehead.

"Bells, just think about the things I've said—call me, or I will come here again. I wanna know you're safe." Now Charlie just looked exasperated as he opened the car door. "But you know what? For you, Bella, I do hope I'm wrong. I wish you nothing but happiness." He looked to me and entered his car. "Call me, Bella."

"Dad—" Bella turned, disappointment coloring her face, and then she waved.

She waited until he drove away to start crying.

"I'm sorry," I said.

She shook her head.

"Wanna go to the store? Get some more icees?" I suggested; they're her favorite. "Brownies? Cake?" I didn't want to say ice cream, afraid she'd think of Carvel. "We can…pig out in bed and watch a movie?" The sight of her crying gets me so fucking pissed for some reason, wishing I could fix whatever's broken. "Baby…" I wiped her tears away.

Bella sniffled, nodding. "We'll get snacks and smoke that blunt?"

I actually paused. "How 'bout we talk?" The last thing I wanted her to do was reach for weed or anything because she's upset.

"Whatever," she whispered. "Thought it might help me sleep."

"Come on." Even if I was still shirtless, I didn't care, wrapping my arm around Bella to walk down to the bodega.

But she kept crying and crying, sobbing, when she never does. Bella gets teary-eyed often, which I know is a girl thing, but she never cries like this.

I stopped us before we entered the store, concerned because she didn't cry at all when she left Renee's. "Um…" I massaged her shoulders. "If…" I couldn't say it, but I had to. "If you're that sad…Bella, I'll drive to Queens every day after work. We can...go on dates and spend weekends together. You living in Queens won't change anything. This neighborhood is shit, and..." My heart felt as though it was breaking, but I had to say something.

She threw herself into my arms. "I love you too much to leave."

I grinned, lifting her chin to get those wet, salty lips. "I love you, too." My stomach was nervous and excited when I said it again. "And you going to live with your pops won't change that either." Deep down, however, I didn't want her going anywhere.

"It'd hurt me…literally almost kill me if I left," she whispered. "I'm sad because…I'm so pissed at Rose, at my dad for being so rude to you—"

"I'm tougher than I look." I winked. "He got me heated, too, though...but he's just concerned about...everything. He's still your father, same as your mom is your mom . . . Rose? Fuck her. But what I'm saying is…no matter what, just because they don't approve of me, it doesn't mean you can't talk to them, or go see them." The last thing I wanted was for her to lose them because of me. Her living in Queens, I can work around. Me being noble and stepping back? Fuck that. "You never know, though. Charlie seemed scared. And I am going to prove him wrong."

She started sobbing again. "I just…you're wonderful. I mean, sometimes you have an attitude and snap, and you say everything that's on your mind…" She giggled through her tears, "but you're perfect."

I chuckled, slouching low to be attentive, wipe her cheeks again. "Baby, I am far from perfect."

"I feel so much for you…the past month…I look at each day with you as a gift. And I've been dying to tell you that I love you." She placed her hand on my chest. "I wanna scream it…and when I'm with you, I'm whole. I'm so happy with you…it's a high that doesn't end—" Her speech did because I kissed the fuck outta her, and we were on the corner, and I got overzealous, bringing her over to the brick side.

"I do love you." My heart was beating rapidly, my cock hard again when I gazed into her eyes. "I…" I didn't know how to tell her what was up with me. I knew how I felt; I just couldn't describe it as beautifully as she did. "I didn't know that was missing, that I was supposed to say it? That my feelings were love? Until I just knew?" I knew I sounded stupid, but I did the best I could.

"Well…" she giggled. "I finally found the courage to say it…not only to tell my dad, but because I thought you might feel the same. Sometimes you're hard to read. In the beginning, I didn't know anything—how you felt? But you care so much for me…You've shown me more love than they ever did."

I didn't know what to reply with. "It's late…let's get your stuff."

She pulled me down to kiss me fierce again.

My hand went to her hip, trying to hold her as close as I could, while my tongue tangled—explored. She needed to watch it, or I'd fuck her right here. "So sexy." I squeezed her ass, our noses touching.

She nipped my bottom lip.

I groaned, going back for more.

A whistle and a chorus of laughter broke us apart.

When I turned to look, I saw Tanya and two of her friends—Irina and Kate—walking toward the store.

Tanya doesn't know I bumped off both her friends.

Irina and Kate liked me; it didn't even matter to them that I wouldn't kiss them. They get down with each other, so we all got down together one time—because I used to be nasty and it didn't matter if they were kinda busted.

Getting out of prison…it was a pussy free-for-all, I guess.

Irina and Kate are real skanky, though. They're actually the reason I was quick to get tested again—had my mind going crazy. I used condoms, lots of them, but you never know. I watched them fuck, and then I took turns fucking them. Then I was out.

Fucking Emmett and Jasper got down with those skeevy bitches, too.

The funny thing about Irina and Kate, though . . . They're actually decent people, like human beings, or whatever? Well, Irina's a cool chick. Kate is simple, like slow, or really fucking dumb. Tanya's not far behind Kate in that respect.

Either way, the situation I was in now was fucked. But I knew—despite whatever we'd done—Irina and Kate wouldn't fuck with Bella at all.

I didn't say anything, but I turned so that Bella was shielded from Tanya.

Maybe we needed to leave this neighborhood, I thought.

"Hi, Edward." Tanya waved.

I looked to Irina, wondering if she was going to control her minions. "'Sup?" I jerked my chin, also wondering what that bitch Tanya was going to do. I knew I had to do something, and punching her in her face wasn't an option…unless she does some wild shit and places a hand on my girl.

Then all bets are off.

"I been beeping you off the hook. You can't call yo' girl back?" Tanya placed her hand on her hip. "What's up with that?"

"Every time my wifey pages, I call her." I made a show of grabbing Bella's hand. "I would'a told you sooner. I've been busy…I'm wifed-up now. My bad for not letting you know." I shrugged, pulling Bella so she flanked me, was tucked under my arm. "Baby, this is Tanya." I decided to be polite, cool as a cucumber, and see where it got me.

Bella just stared at her.

Tanya sized her up, looking up and down. "Jazz told me. You couldn't tell me?"

"I told you. I been busy." I brought Bella's hand up, kissed her knuckles. She was squeezing my hand so hard, I thought she might break it.

"You're such a pussy! Couldn't tell me. Got me waitin' by my phone and shit." She twirled that fake nail.

"He's not a pussy. He just didn't give a fuck—you weren't important enough, not even a blip on his radar." Bella took a step forward, and I still can't believe how fast she is to throw down sometimes. She's so small, quiet, but she chooses the best times to be mouthy.

What was she gonna do, though? Take on all three of them? I stopped her real quick.

Tanya's jaw dropped, stuck for a second. I guess she thought Bella wasn't going to say shit.

"It's whatever…my bad. You want a written apology?" I laughed.

Tanya looked to Bella. "You wanna step to me, little girl? What's up?" She threw her arms out, flinching back.

Once again, I had to pull Bella into me.

"Let that little white ho go!" Tanya shouted.

Bella let out a loud laugh. "I live with him. He loves me! That makes me his wife. And that makes you…well, you were his ho, I'm guessing. You're his used-up ho! Taken out like last night's trash."

That was the moment I knew I wanted to marry Bella.

"Fuck you, bitch!" Tanya sang, flipping my wife off.

"Just get your triflin' ass outta here!" I pointed across the street. "This is my block, you hear me? So you step off, and don't let me see you…you got that?" I bent lower to look into Tanya's eyes. "There's stores on every fucking corner that accept food stamps—you don't go to this one no more. You see my wife on the street, you say what's up, or you cross the fuckin' street. Don't fuck with me and mines, or else I'll be coming through heavy—looking for you."

She knows better. It wasn't because we were so close or together, but Tanya's got brothers who know me—know what I'm about and shit.

Tanya turned back to her friends. "He's gotta white girl now, thinks he's hot shit."

"T, let's go." Irina pulled her away.

"Do you hear how ignorant you sound?" Bella asked.

Tanya laughed. "I'm Puerto Rican so I'm ignorant?"

"No, you're dumb as fuck!" I shouted. "That makes you ignorant."

"Maybe you think you're hot shit. But you ain't shit," Bella laughed.

"Enough." I yanked on her arm—didn't want this shit to escalate, and then Bella gets jumped. I'd end up killing somebody.

"Maybe you had Edward at one point, but he's mine now. So, get to steppin'." Bella leaned forward.

I narrowed my eyes down at Bella, and she wiped the smile off her face.

Tanya put her hand up in my face, so I could speak to it. It pissed me off, but she had no retort—she wasn't going to add fuel to Bella's fire—which meant she was going to heed my warning.

"I'll break your fuckin' hand. Get it out my face!" I spat, and now Bella held me back. "Don't come around this block no more."

Tanya gritted her teeth and then she turned. Her friends quickly did the same, and Irina mouthed an "I'm sorry" to me.

Once they were across the street, I faced Bella, and Christ...her glare on me was murderous. "I'm sorry that happened…but what the fuck? You don't think?" I poked my temple. "You live here now. Making the chicas your enemies wasn't a smart move." I'd have to counteract that somehow. "They all stick together—they're all cousins or say they are." I huffed a breath. "Just…I'm sorry that happened. I know you're probably pissed at me. We fucked around before I even met you…I haven't spoken to her since before I met you."

"I knew you wouldn't let them hurt me, and she was talkin' crap about you—"

"Don't worry about me," I said. "You're a tough guy now...? No, you were just frontin', 'cause I'm here. What happens when I'm not around?" I shrugged.

"I would have!"

I rolled my eyes, but I knew she would, and she would have gotten her ass kicked. "Look, this isn't Bay Ridge…those bitches ain't gonna pull your hair and scratch at ya like Rose. They fight like men. You…you'll get your ass kicked. I'll take care of it, but from now on…think." I poked her temple this time.

"How many more are we going to run into around here? Sore girls you've used?"

That felt like a kick to the gut. "I'll take care of it. I'm sorry that happened." I couldn't even promise that won't happen again.

"How many?" she whispered. "Do I have to get tested?"

"I'm clean," I said. "I have those results at home…you can look at them. But if I thought I wasn't, thought I had something…I wouldn't hurt you that way. I'd be more careful. But we can both go together to get checked out if you want." I kissed her hand.

"And you get mad when I act like a slut, when I just wanna be your slut and...I love giving you blow jobs and stuff." She sounded weepy again.

"I let you blow me."

"Yeah, now. But you've said you don't like loose women, meanwhile..."

"You're going to be my wife someday, hopefully the mother of my kids. The shit hoes do..." I shook my head. "If I wanted one, I'd..."

"What?" she asked. "Go out and get one?" Bella actually raised her fist, like she was gonna do something.

It made me smile. "No, no fucking way." I pecked her lips. "You're just too good to be doing that nasty shit."

"That's crap...and it's not nasty, not when it's us." She tried to be mad at me, but she couldn't. I saw the look on her face when she relaxed her stance. "For all the bullshit today, I should get the whole blunt."

I smirked. "You still want candy, baby?"

"Yeah…you said you'd get me some." She walked into the store.

I smiled, trailing after her.

Knowing from now until forever . . . wherever that ass goes, I follow.

Thank you for reading.

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