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

Beta'd by HollettLA.

Higher

Chapter Twenty-Four: Perfect

Hearing a crash, a loud boom, I hopped up awake.

My head whipped to Edward, and I saw him jump up, startled, also.

I looked to the clock to see I'd been asleep for a while. It was going on two-thirty in the morning; meanwhile, I felt groggy, like I'd just fallen to sleep. "What was that?" I hissed, my eyes feeling heavier.

"Sounded like someone kicked our door." Edward, who looked sleepy, too, lifted a finger, indicating I wait a second while we listened. His other hand went to the nightstand. He has a revolver or something in there.

I gripped his free hand tightly, wary.

We relaxed as a headboard began to serenade us.

"Emmett," he whispered, pulling me into his arms again.

"Hmm…'k." I collapsed, my nose landing in Edward's armpit, instantly falling back to sleep.

/=/=/=/

Last night was so amazing; I woke up in the morning wearing a smile—the same smile. The alarm clock didn't go off, so I felt well rested too.

I stretched, while Edward hugged my torso close. "I gotta pee."

He let go, rolling over to bury his face in the pillow.

I giggled, poking his slightly raised butt.

He swatted back at my hand and missed.

While I did the pee-pee dance, I put a bra on. It sucks, but Edward freaks if I don't wear one outside our bedroom—especially since we live with two dudes.

Even though I have nipples, I doubt Jasper knows about them or cares. He's seriously like a brother, but it's the principle, and the other one . . . Argh.

Despite my thoughts, I sighed, smiling wide, as I skipped to the bathroom.

After peeing and brushing my teeth, I washed my face and cleaned up in other places.

Combing my hair with my fingers, I wondered if Edward . . . if we could have an encore.

That'll be a great way to wake him.

During the week, he has a morning routine, and there's never any time for much else. On weekends, we wake up whenever, do whatever.

And sometimes, we do spend a few extra hours in bed, joining the world at noon or later.

I hoped today would be one of those days.

"Yo, git'da fuck out!" Edward had shouted.

Alarmed, I ran into the room, and I jumped at what I saw. "What the fuck are you doing here?" I asked Tanya. She was standing in our fucking bedroom wearing a T-shirt—a baby-doll tee at that and revealing underwear.

She smiled at me. "Just sayin' good mornin'." Tanya turned, wiping sleep out of her eyes, lazily swaying her hips as she left.

I gaped at that bitch and then my head whipped to Edward.

He was still on his stomach, slightly turned and squinting his tired eyes.

And he had a finger pointed at me, which was a silent threat.

I knew that finger. He was warning me not to touch her, not to say anything.

Fuck!

I cringed and slammed the door closed after her nasty ass. "What the—"

Edward jumped from the bed. "Stay in here." He tore open the door.

I followed after him anyway, but he closed the door on me.

Fuck!

Cringing again, I stomped my foot, pissed.

Who the fuck does she think she is?

"Who the fuck do you think you are?!" I shouted to no one, hoping she heard me.

Livid.

I was fucking pissed.

And I was just so happy.

Hindsight, she obviously spent the night with Emmett, but to sneak into my bedroom? Where my man is sleeping in his drawers? She must have been spying, saw me go into the bathroom. Now that I think about it, Emmett's door was open, but I didn't see anything, nor did I look inside.

And what did she think was gonna happen? Was she hoping to fuck Edward or something? Doesn't she have a kid? Who's watching her baby?

That fuckin' skank!

I groaned, throwing myself onto the bed to stiffen, enraged, once more.

But then when I heard shouting, I crept to the door, opening it just a crack.

Looking down the hall, Edward was in Emmett's room.

Tanya was in the hall, and Edward was tossing her clothes out to her.

My mouth made an "o" shape, and then I snickered.

You go, boy!

Edward practically chased her out of the apartment. Tanya still only wore the shirt and the panties, and she didn't say a word.

And there was no sign of Emmett.

Once the front door closed, Edward was fuming and coming toward the bedrooms.

Quickly, I hopped back in bed.

"I was sleepin'! What the fuck? I didn't know," Emmett shouted, so I guess he was here.

I snuck into the hall, and Edward was livid, running his mouth and shit.

"Um…" I took two steps down the hall, and then they came tumbling out of Em's bedroom. "Stop!" They were fighting, throwing punches, rolling around on the floor. "Edward!" I stomped my foot.

Edward was doing well, but then Emmett got him in the balls, making my baby collapse down. "Stop it!" I shrieked, nervous, but they kept going.

Edward's back was touching the ground. He was still clocking Emmett, but Emmett was able to wail, had more leverage.

About to vomit, I ran into the living room to grab the bat. "Stop! I mean it!" I lifted the bat, but no one noticed me. "You fuckin' fuck!" I hit Emmett with the bat—got him in his shoulder, his neck, and he fell into the wall.

But Emmett recovered fast to come back at Edward.

I went to swing again, but Edward caught the bat. "Chill!" he spat. "Fuck!" He spoke to us both, sitting up.

"Damn, B. Fuck!" Emmett held his shoulder. "What's wrong wit'chu?"

"Fuck you!" I was still pissed…bringing that bitch here, placing a hand on my man.

"Hey!" Edward hopped up. "Bro, you need to get over this shit," he told Emmett, his tone harsh yet taking a pleading tone. "You were wrong bringin' that skank hea—"

"Yeah!" I nodded.

Edward groaned and grasped my bicep. "Get in the room!" He pushed me inside and closed the door.

My arms folded over my chest, my lip quivering as I stared at the closed door.

That wasn't very nice.

I was only trying to help. You know?

Refusing to get weepy, I lit a cigarette and stripped the bed of the sheets. Now that we have a washer and dryer, it's easier to keep the bed neat and clean. But Edward hadn't come back, and I didn't wanna leave the room…

As I finished my cigarette, my mind wandered and I was no longer sad.

I was mad again.

Did Edward throw Emmett a beating for fucking around with his old girl? Why would he care? I know friend codes and shit. Like, if Alice and Jasper ever broke up, and I was single, I'd never.

Same with how Edward's Rose scheme would have worked, if I gave a fuck.

Why did Edward care?

I'm the one who should be pissed.

When he entered the room, I was still angry. His cut lip didn't even soften me.

"Shit..." Edward fell onto the bed. "What happened to the sheets?"

"Why do you care?" I stood up to turn and face him. "Emmett's fucking Tanya, so what? You hit him because—"

"Stop!" he shouted, wincing. "I need fucking ice." Edward went to leave the room again.

I stopped him. "Answer me."

"I don't give a fuck. All right? He asked if he could, I said I didn't care, but I didn't want him bringin' her back hea. That's disrespectful to you." Edward poked my chest with force, made me step back. He was ranting, and in my face like he was about to throw down with me. "I didn't do shit!"

He was so loud, I jumped, and Edward backed up a few paces.

"I'm sorry," he whispered.

I cleared my throat, and I know he'd never hurt me. It's that voice—his mouth, how loud and harsh he can sound. "Okay."

"While I'm kickin' Tanya out, Emmett's in bed laughing," Edward said. "Then Emmett just came at me. I didn't throw the first punch."

"Why—"

"Because of you!" he hollered.

Teary-eyed, I said, "It's not my fault."

Edward didn't say anything, and his expression made me think he was holding something back.

I wanted to ask him, but I was scared. "You think I—"

"Maybe if you weren't so loose the night we met, flirtin' wit' Em, too…" He shrugged and recovered to stare at me wide-eyed.

"It's done. You already said it." I ran out of the room to lock myself in the bathroom, just needing a minute. Edward walks away when he doesn't want to fight. And I think that's a good thing; I wanted to do the same.

Plus, what he said…I wasn't crying, but just in case…I didn't wanna cry in front of him. I know I get emotional, cry over stupid shit sometimes. I'm a girl. I don't know.

Edward then thinks I'm being a baby, and I always want to prove to him how grown I truly am.

Hey, I pretty much raised myself, but Edward's words…the mean ones…hurt more than anything, only because they come from him.

"Bella!" Edward knocked.

I ignored him.

"Don't make me take the door off!" He banged. "I'm sorry, baby. I didn't mean that!"

"What's up?" I heard Emmett.

"Get the fuck out my face!" Edward replied. "You—with your bullshit…"

I rolled my eyes, using some toilet paper to wipe my nose—a few tears had escaped. Those sneaky fuckers.

"Baby…" Edward was crooning. "Open up, please."

"Fuck you!" I shouted, refusing to be a cry baby.

"Fuck me?!" He threatened to break the door down with the way he was hitting it.

"Can't I have five minutes to myself? You fuckin' animal!" I blew my nose.

"Not from me, you can't—open this fuckin' door!" He must have kicked it.

"Just leave me alone. God!"

"Bella—"

Hearing the loudest bang yet, I let out a scream when the door almost fell back on me.

Luckily, I was sitting on the toilet. "Edward!"

He didn't care and pushed it to his side. "I didn't mean it—what I said." He was reproachful again.

"You're crazy!" I kicked his hand away. "Just leave me alone."

Edward groaned and lifted me out of the bathroom.

Staring back—refusing to fight him—I was tucked in his arms, and I saw that the bathroom door was fucked.

"See what you made me do?" He tossed me onto the bed. "You couldn't just open the door?"

"What was I gonna do, Edward? Live in there? I wanted five-fucking-minutes!"

"Oh!" he spat. "You know what…" Edward left the room.

Still pissed, I followed after him with the sheets to throw them into the washer.

Edward was in the freezer, holding the frozen fries to his mouth.

"We need to stop," I said, and I meant it. While I was upset, fighting with Edward wasn't worth it.

He fights hard and dirty, and I don't stand a chance, although he's always walking away . . .

And I'm wrong for needing five minutes of privacy, so I can shed a few secret tears?

Edward nodded, letting out a sigh.

I set the washing machine and leaned back on it to face him. "I hate that you think that. I was on X, friendly…I never flirted with him. Never. When he showed up at my job, I told him to step off. We've been together like three months. It's getting ridiculous."

Edward rolled his eyes. "Let's just forget it. I'm sorry I said what I did."

"'K." I looked out the window, and it was so sunny out.

"My pops has a pool…" Edward stared outside, too. "It's small and old, but it's still a pool."

"I'd like to do something today. How 'bout the beach? Coney Island?" I cracked a grin.

He shook his head. "You think Sunset's ghetto…?" Edward raised a brow. "You used to go there a lot?"

I shrugged. "Sometimes…mostly Brighton Beach." But I was crazy curious about the house where Edward grew up. Carlisle comes over quite often, actually. He eats dinner with us, smokes a bowl, and then he leaves.

Even if he has a girlfriend now, he's still here more, and he barely speaks about her.

"Lemme call Dad." Edward grabbed the kitchen phone to dial.

It was only going on ten a.m., and I hoped Carlisle was home.

I mean, he never invites us over, so I hope he doesn't mind having people there.

"He's the one who brought it up—said he fixed the pool. Stupid, I mean, the summer's over, but he was bored…" Edward shrugged. "'Sup, Dad? Yo, you still want company . . .? Word?" He raised a brow. "All of them? Oh, yeah, all right. See you soon."

He groaned as he hung up the phone. "Emmett!"

"Is he coming with us?" I was mortified, thinking I'd have to swim in sweatpants.

"Since he got the jammy fixed, he invited the fam ova for a barbeque—"

"Family?" I asked.

He shrugged. "I forgot to mention it." Edward turned when Emmett approached. "Your moms and them'll be there by one—Pop said. You need a ride?"

Why was Edward being so nice to him? Cousin, right.

"Good lookin' out," Em said, and they slapped hands like they weren't just rolling around the floor.

"I'm going to take a shower—wait." I turned back to the door destroyer to widen my arms.

"Get that look off ya face. I'll fix it." He glared.

I scoffed at that sexy fucker, and then I sat in front of the TV to watch cartoons . . . and California Dreams.

Ten minutes later, Edward joined me on the couch. He brought two Phillys and the small garbage pail over so he could roll.

"The bathroom door?" I asked.

"Emmett's showering—I'll do it. Relax. It's not too bad—half-off its jammy."

"Who's gonna be there?" I asked, a little nervous, and I wondered what I'd wear.

"Emmett's parents, that broad Esme, and her kid. Uh, Dad, and us—break this up for me." He placed a large amount of bud on the coffee table, and it was in two clumps. "I dunno who else. That's it probably."

I sighed, leaning forward to break the weed up.

"I'mma roll two L's . . . We'll probably smoke." Edward licked the cigar down.

I tried not to stare at his tongue. "What do you mean?"

"Emmett, you, me, my pops…I wonder if his chick puffs." He sucked his teeth. "This shit's stale." He had to use a box cutter to open the Philly instead of his thumbs.

Edward looked back to me. "We'll just be chillin' in the backyard. The pool really ain't shit—like four feet deep. The yard is small, but he built it for Mom when she was first sick, since she'd always wanted one. I dunno. We'll have beers, play some cards, eat…everyone'll talk shit 'bout peeps who ain't there."

He chuckled. "We just can't smoke in front of my aunt and uncle—Emmett's parents. His dad's five-o, a pig, and my Aunt Anita is just a high-strung bitch. They tolerate me, but—" He paused, looking over to me. "What if I called Demetri—told that fruitcake to come by with one, like a gesture?"

I winced. "Edward—"

"It's about time they put shit behind them. They're brothers. I ain't neva had a brother, but Jazz and Em—we fight, we make up, we fight again…" He shrugged. "They haven't spoken or seen each other since I was first locked up. It's time they chill out. And at least I wouldn't have to go to Tunnel later. I'd just give him his shit before he bounced." He dumped all the tobacco from the cigar into the trash.

That's another thing I hate that concerns the knapsack. Edward never lets me go with him—not since the first time when I met him. He's not into clubs, whereas I'm dying to dance and go back. I thought Tunnel was better than Limelight.

And with all the love I have for Edward now, and with how good I've been lately—barely smoking weed and not taking anything, since I don't need anything but him—I'd love to drop an X and bug out with my Edward, have fun.

"No, I think that's a bad idea." It didn't matter what my hang-up was. "Not unless Carlisle says it's okay." I didn't want any drama today.

He nodded, sucking the Philly paper into his mouth. "You're right." He squeezed my thigh. "Wear that jumper thing today—that's hot. You look cute." He scooped some weed to roll it up.

I grinned, because that wasn't a bad idea; meanwhile, he disliked it when I wore it two weeks back. "You got it."

"Well, you won't be around the 'hood, you know? You'll just look hella sexy—and I get to show you off." That hand roamed up my thigh, and I squirmed.

Last year, I went through some of Renee's old clothes when I needed something to wear. It's a vintage, sleeveless, and strapless jumper from the 70s or the 80s—I wasn't sure. It's a one-piece, it's a tube-top and shorts set, and I do look cute in it. And I can wear my kicks with it.

"Show me off?" I asked.

"Yeah, I ain't neva brought a chick home before. My aunt and uncle think I'm such a loser—" He shook his head. "They'll be all, 'How'd he bag that?'"

"Because you're wonderful," I said. "You're a good man with a huge heart." And I won't stop saying that until he believes it. "You take care of the ones you love. You have a great job."

He just nodded, staring down, but it was placating.

I poked his side. "I mean it. I love you, Edward."

"Love you, too, baby." Edward turned to hug me tight. "Gimme kiss." He placed a forceful wet one on my lips. "You know I didn't mean that shit before. I was just…I dunno. It's not your fault, got it?"

I kissed him once more.

"The night we met, I knew just by looking at you—how silly and playful, and just how you carried yourself. You were a good girl. Sure, you kissed that ho, were very friendly, but…I could just tell that there was so much more underneath all that—and that you might'a done that shit to get my attention?" Edward raised a brow at me.

"Maybe…I dunno." I smiled, but he was right, and he already knows that's why. "I totally did."

"And you look young. That's why I was all like, 'How old is she?' But even so…you only stepped outta line and got fresh with me—you were only open to me, which…yo." He smirked at me.

"I said you were special…You are special." I felt my face get all flushed, thinking about that night. It made me sigh and rest my cheek to his shoulder, while he broke apart the other Philly.

After a few minutes, he chuckled. "I was . . . Yo, I was so fuckin' thrilled." He kissed my hair, and I sat up. "I wanted you so bad, babe. You don't even know. I was nervous and quiet at first, like how you get when you're high."

I snorted. "Yeah…I just thought…I dunno. You weren't interested."

"I thought you were the finest bitch I'd ever seen, and I didn't think I'd have a chance. I thought you'd—" He groaned, shaking his head. "And when you'd touch me—it was like nothin' I'd ever experienced. I mean, having a woman all on me always felt good, but when you'd just hold my hand…it was nuts, the shit I felt."

"I feel the same!" I got excited, pointing at him. "The X gave me the opportunity to be more open. But, honestly, all I did was do the things I'd still want to straight—I just had the excuse. I was buggin' out because…Damn, Edward. I thought it was the X, you know?"

"I know how X works. You're free and happy. Your shyness disappeared…"

"Then you—my beautiful, perfect stranger, who I'd just basically made love to—drops me off, and my heart was breaking. 'Cause I was tryin'a be this adult, accept that I'd just had a one-night stand, but it was so much more. I was trying to be a woman about it? I thought I'd never see you again, and I wanted you so bad, and I didn't think I'd have anything to lose," I rambled. "I thought you were so hot—still do, by the way—and I just knew I needed you."

"Ditto, baby." He winked.

"…But you're a guy. I'm sure all that sensation you got when I touched you was from the X. You took it, too."

He stared at me. "No…it wasn't. Bella, I—"

"You didn't have to do anything—giving Rose money." I pinched his chest, and he swatted my hand away. "It was always you, baby. I think I fell in love with you that night." I grinned. "Tell me more."

It's awesome, not being uncomfortable, airing out all those confusing times. I know I was scared in the beginning, but I don't really know what was going through Edward's mind.

He nodded. "You—baby, you were the best lay. Still the best lay. When we fuck—damn. It's on a whole'notha level. The first night, I was scared, though. Sure, you was feelin' me, we boned, which was amazing, and you—I knew you enjoyed yourself." He chuckled.

"Best." I was getting heated right now, turned on, and he wasn't even touching me. Just thinking about it.

"So, I did what I did after. You didn't know anything about my past, and I—" Edward bit his lip, squeezing my thigh and turning to face me. "I needed to see you again—have a shot. I was scared this cat, Emmett, would woo you and shit. But I didn't know what would happen between us anyway, like if I got you in the end. I thought we'd…fuck around. I didn't expect to love you, but I did, and I do. Maybe I didn't see it at first as that, but…you had me from jump."

"Same thing with me," I said.

"But…getting to know you, the days after, I was able to see you—without the X, how you really were. You ain't no ho. It's not your fault. I'm really sorry I said what I said. If someone else called you that shit, I'd fuckin' kick their ass, and there I was insinuating. Baby, I'm sorry. I was a dick."

"I know I'm not a ho, and I know you're sorry. You get mad, and you just start running your mouth," I giggled, wanting to keep talking about stuff.

Also, in the beginning, I'd never speak this much—sure he didn't or wouldn't care, but my Edward listens to every word. He cares.

"Edward, I only slept with that kid Matt because…I don't know. I was drunk, when I never used to drink, and I wanted to get it over with. He really wanted to, and I didn't care." I shrugged, making a farting noise with my mouth. "I didn't love him. I didn't even really like him. But he was popular at my school. Rose was all tellin' me I should." Shaking my head, I found myself wishing that Edward was my first.

"Forget about him. You said it was like thirty seconds—did you bleed?"

I furrowed my brow. "No, he was nowhere that big. I don't know. It hurt, and it was over before I knew it. But being with you hurt, too, and I didn't bleed—"

"I meant your cherry." Edward stared at me like I was stupid.

"I know. Um, I don't remember to be honest. I barely remember the sex. I was saying…like if he didn't pop my cherry, then you would have." I pursed my lips.

"Forget about him." He nodded, loading the other Philly with trees. "I took your virginity—well, we can pretend, whateva, if it'll make you feel better."

"That's sweet. I'd like to think so," I admitted. "Because…what I did with him and what I did with you were two very different things. And after sleeping with you…I don't even know if what I did with Matt was sex," I giggled, pointing to my head. "It makes sense up here."

"I got'chu—I understand." He nodded, smiling widely, and we watched Emmett enter the kitchen in a towel. "I gotta go fix that shit." He made to get up.

"Thank you." I still couldn't believe his crazy ass broke it.

He opened his mouth to say something, but then his shoulders dropped, and he started cracking up.

"What's so funny?" I asked, wanting to share his humor.

He straightened up and pretended to swing a bat. "You clocked that motherfucker." Edward looked like he might piss himself.

"Well…"

I didn't want to say that during their fight…I saw how the power had shifted. They did a number on each other, going back and forth, but Emmett sucker punched Edward, and then my man lost the upper hand.

Emmett might be bigger—have more muscles—but Edward knows how to fight. Like I said, he fights dirty, and he's a total scrapper.

However, even Edward didn't go for that punk move—punching the nuts.

Fucking Emmett. I wish I'd gotten another hit in myself.

"I wanted you guys to stop fighting."

"Nah..." Edward came closer, gazing into my eyes, his mouth an inch from mine. "You had my back. You saw me on the floor—you did that shit for me." He knew the truth, and I'm constantly surprised at how much he does see.

I grinned. "Of course."

He nipped my bottom lip, sucking it back into his mouth. "Baby…" His stare was intense.

"I know," I whispered. "I love you."

"No, I mean, yeah. I love you, too." He shook his head, leaving the couch. "I just wanted to—forget it. It's not important." Edward waved a hand.

"Tell me." I rose to meet him.

"I forgot." He chuckled, slapping his forehead. "I do that a lot. Oh! Can we fuck right quick before we go?"

I glanced at the time, hoping we had some. "We have to be—"

"Nah, you're right. Lemme go fix this shit." He turned for the back hall.

I shrugged, my stomach growling because I was hungry.

Thank you for reading.

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