Stephenie Meyer owns all things Twilight. No Copyright infringement is intended.
Beta'd by HollettLA
Higher
Chapter Thirty-One: Future
As soon as I approached our building, I peeped Bella hanging out the window.
"Hey!" I shouted, widening my arms and wearing the only huge smile—legit cheesing up to my girl. "I thought you were gettin' ready?"
"Did you do it?" She beamed down to me. "Where is it?"
I didn't answer and then I ran up the stairs—both flights—as fast as I could.
Bella met me at our door to pull me inside, her eyes scanning me over. "Where—"
"It's right here." I pointed to it, and it was a nice size—big enough for her to see right away.
"Edward…" She stared and she started to weep.
"Stop." I chuckled, placing my lips to hers as she cried into my mouth.
Dad was staring at our exchange. "Everything okay?"
"Perfect," I said, holding Bella to me to usher us farther inside. "I forgot—had to stop somewhere." I peeped one of my shirts and a pair of my jeans near my father. Bella must have hooked him up while I was gone. "Why is no one getting ready?" Excited, my head whipped to everyone. "Dad…get dressed. Emmett…" He looked about ready, and I turned back to Bella who was still in those old clothes.
"I just..." She sniffled. "I wanted to wait for you."
"What's going on?" Carlisle chuckled.
I just turned to him, and his gaze settled on it quick—eyes zeroing right in.
Carlisle shook his head as he chanted my name, sitting back. My father obviously didn't approve, but he didn't even like me placing my mother's name on my body either. He's never been a fan of any tattoos. "What…What would possess you to—?"
I chuckled as I gathered Bella into my arms, holding her waist and keeping her back to me. "I wanted my woman's name on me. What?"
Dad just kept shaking his head, leaving his mouth open like he wanted to say something.
"I got one, too!" Bella hugged my forearms to her chest. "Can I show him?" She stared up to me.
I kissed her forehead, letting her go. "If you want…"
"What?" Dad asked again.
"What's goin' on?" Emmett approached while he looped his belt into his jeans.
I couldn't even wipe the smile from my face. "Show 'em, baby."
Bella blew out a breath, facing me now, and I bent over to bring her pants down just a bit—a little bit to give them a preview.
"Youse are fuckin' nuts, man!" Emmett hollered.
"Thank you!" my father hopped from the couch, basically agreeing with my cousin.
I shrugged, looking down to my woman who was still grinning from ear to ear.
After everyone—except Alice who'd gone with Bella to get inked—told us we were crazy, they were fast to get ready to go. Since we decided to stay local, we were all casual, and then we piled into the van, heading to a bar that's right on Sunset's border.
Bella didn't want to go into Bay Ridge, and it took us a minute to find a spot that wasn't predominantly filled with gang members. Whether it be whoever-the-fuck, I just didn't wanna chill around anybody who had affiliations with anyone...I didn't want any problems, but Bella was cool with the idea of hanging amongst those people—the novelty of it.
She received an eye roll from me after that comment—kidding or not.
We found this place on 71st and 8th Avenue that was pretty cool, sort of empty even for a Saturday night.
And I was able to slip the bartender a C-note, so he'd look the other way as far as Bella and Alice were concerned.
As long as they didn't cause any trouble, we were all good. Then I found out Alice had a fake ID, and I could have just gone to the bar for Bella.
Oh well . . .
Bella, since we're out, wanted some fancy mixed drink thing. Before the bartender even finished serving all of us—the both of them—Alice and Bella, had emptied their glasses. They placed their lips to those straws and sucked them down fast, almost within seconds.
They were thirsty and giggly, and Jasper quickly got them another round.
I nursed a longneck.
There was a jukebox, where we were able to play our own tunes. There was also a pool table, and like I said, there were barely any people here.
We had the run of the joint, and we were all having a great time; I was able to relax.
After the past two days, I really needed this—to kick back and chill. I was glad Dad was out with us, that we didn't go into Manhattan, that I was the only E that would enter Bella's mouth…
Before I knew it, I was deep into a game with Emmett. Then I realized that we'd never served Bella's cake. "Fuck…"
"You're beatin' me. Why you bitchin'?" Emmett's a sore loser.
I shook my head, pulling on my smoke. "The cake…I forgot." I turned to smile at my girl, exhaling.
Tonight, she was in a miniskirt, wearing all black with these white tube socks that went up to her knees. She looked cute as hell—standing at the jukebox with Alice, staring back at me.
Emmett sucked his teeth, sitting up onto the table to take a shot I knew he'd miss. "Damn, man." He scratched, making the pool stick hit the felt of the table, as he also looked back to me. "We'll do it when we get home. Where's this girl? Did Bella call her?"
I nodded, blowing out a breath. This chick was supposed to come to the crib, but she never did. Bella called and told her to meet us here.
"I'm nervous, bro. But I spoke to her earlier . . ."
"That chick?" I placed my cigarette into my mouth, leaving it there and going for the eight ball. "Corner pocket." When it slammed into the slot, I threw the pool cue down. "That's how you do it."
Emmett didn't look like he cared anymore, peeping back to Dad and Jasper who were drinking and talking. "Her name's Leah. Bella says she ain't no ho, says she's really nice and shit. I spoke to her for like…half-a-minute. Leah told me that she's thick—Puerto Rican and Irish—that she looks like Janet Jackson."
"Nice." I raised a brow. "That's what's up. Good for you." I guzzled my Heineken.
"I'm kinda nervous." Emmett rubbed his stomach. "You wanna do some shots? Liquid courage?"
"Since when do broads make you nervous?" I laughed.
He looked away from me, shrugging a shoulder.
"Look…I know you see us, and you get how you get…but don't force yourself—"
"Shots?" He interrupted me, like he didn't wanna hear it.
Emmett can see how happy Jasper and I are, and he gets lonely, feeling down in the dumps and shit. He wants a girl, his own woman—not some ho, or a one-night stand—really badly. I feel for him, I truly do, but…
I nodded. "Grab a bottle, some glasses . . . We'll get my father toasted." I slapped a bill into Emmett's hand.
"I got it." He went to give it back. "I ain't that broke." He walked toward the bar.
As I placed my money back into my pocket, I saw Bella coming toward me in my periphery. Of course, she was drunk already—had two or three of those Long Island iced teas, so she's silly, happy, and I was happy for her. "How you feelin'?" I pushed her hair behind her ears.
She giggled, nestling into my side. "I'm great, having fun."
My gaze flashed to Emmett. "When's your homegirl coming through?"
Bella furrowed her brow. "Any minute now. She was getting off of work at nine." It was about ten p.m. now, I thought. "She's excited to meet Emmett." Bella let out a squeal.
"You're too fuckin' cute." I kissed those lips.
Bella hummed, running her hands down my sides.
I leaned away to put my cigarette out in the ashtray.
"What's this?" Bella patted my mother's engagement ring that was still in my pocket. In my rush to get us going, all I did was wash up and put a nicer shirt on.
I took her hands into mine, landing a smooch on each palm. "I love you."
She sighed. "I love you, too." Bella hugged me tight, pulling me down to whisper in my ear, "I can't wait to fuck and stare at my name...on your chest."
I laughed, because I couldn't wait until she was on all fours, when I could fuck her and gawk at her ink, too. "Yo…" I bit my bottom lip, and I couldn't wait to get out of here.
I'd even settle on hitting it real quick in the bathroom, but no. Bella's too good for that, and I wouldn't demoralize her—the woman I plan to marry, the mother of my future children—by fucking her in some filthy bar can. No way. "Are you having fun, though?" I asked.
Coming here was Bella's decision. We could have gone anywhere, to be honest, and this joint was kind of beat—on the quiet side. I love it, actually, but I know Bella likes a more happening, upbeat place.
No one was dancing despite the music playing. There wasn't a crowd. Shit. I'd hoped to hook my father up with some sweetie, but there weren't any chicks here either—just our small group and a few older dudes at the bar.
"A blast!" she shouted. "I have you…and Alice, and I don't need anyone or anything else. You guys are my two favorite people." She hopped to kiss my lips, and then she turned to Alice who was sitting with Jazz now. "I'm having a great time. Thank you."
"Don't thank me," I said, bending low to get those lips again. I kissed her deep, my hands going down to her ass, but this time I remembered to be gentle.
"Don't be too careful now." She giggled into my mouth, and then we broke apart when her pager went off. "It's Leah—she said she'd beep me before she left." She looked for Emmett, calling him with her finger.
My cousin came over with a tray filled with shot glasses, a bottle of tequila, salt, and lime slices. "We ready or what?"
"Leah will be here any minute."
"You've said that before," Emmett laughed, placing the tray on our table.
"I mean it this time!" Bella replied.
Dad leaned back, giving me this shifty look. He looked good, much younger in my clothes that we all insisted he wear. At the crib, he left the bathroom, and we all whistled at him. Dad wanted to put his threads back on, but peer pressure and all that. He was smiling, knew he was fly—in a polo and some loose jeans.
"You're not getting outta this one," I told him. "You never did shots before?"
"Son, I've been drinking since before you were born." He poured himself one and threw it back.
We all hooted and hollered while I banged on the table. Everyone laughed, and then we made a line of shots. We toasted to Bella before drinking them.
"Whoo!" Bella winced, her nose scrunching when she sucked on the lime. "Damn." She sipped her other drink to chase it. "I-I don't wanna do another one." She grimaced.
"You don't have to." I kissed her cheek, collapsing back into a chair as I took her with me. "Maybe we should get you a soda, some water?" I knew my girl was about to hit her limit. She has almost no tolerance to booze, and she'd already had a few—enough to keep her feeling nice for the rest of the night.
"In a minute." Bella placed her glass on the table. "I'll get a soda...just a coke," she agreed with me before she sat on my lap and pulled my shirt back, quick to look down it. "It's too dark in here. I can't see."
"I promise; it's still there." I stared at my beauty, my fingers twirling in her soft hair, and I kept thinking to myself…wondering how I got this fucking lucky.
You know?
It's baffling—shocking—that I landed someone like Bella.
Someone so perfect…perfect for me.
Someone so wonderful, adorable, funny, and sexy…with a fucking gorgeous body, face, and heart.
Someone who loves me back as much as I love her . . .
Bella, who loves me just the way I am; my past included.
And she's sure of our future.
I had nothing to fear anymore, knowing nothing could keep us from our future now.
We could move forward...take steps toward that future.
Although...knowing us, I'm sure those steps will truly be leaps and bounds.
We always have to rush...
That was the first time I wanted to get down on one knee, immediately whip out my mother's ring.
Alas, this wasn't how I'd pictured it—Bella drunk, and we're in a bar, around all our peoples and shit.
It wouldn't be the last time I'd want to ask her either.
"You drive me crazy," she said, her finger toying with my chain.
I quirked a brow and palmed those cheeks because I just love holding her pretty face. "Yeah..."
"Do you think we'll always be like th-this?" She slurred her words a little. "'Cause...I like always wanna fuck you." She clapped her hands. "I wanna fuck you! Woot!"
"Shhh." I chuckled, placing my lips to her cheek. "Relax."
"I'm, um, I em-embarrassed you." Her lower lip jutted out.
"No way." I smiled, smoothing that lip down. "It was cute. You're a cute drunk."
She flashed me a toothy grin but composed herself fast. Lust shining in her gaze as she leaned into me. "You...I-I wanna—"
"I know," I laughed again, hugging her tightly.
Bella turned to point. "Right on the pool table! That's-that's where I want it."
I nodded. "One day, we'll have a pool table."
"You just...bend me over and that's it." She shrugged, nonchalant. "End of story. You have at me." She poked my chest. "I'm your woman."
"You are." My heart swelled again.
Bella hummed, angling my mouth to hers for a sweet, too short kiss.
When some rump shaker song came on, Bella left me to go bug-fuck-out with Alice. It was like they shared a brain, had the same thought. Alice left Jasper dumb quick, too, all for them to strut as they walked past the pool table to what could have been a small dance floor.
It wasn't even that Tootsee Roll song that Bella loves.
And it didn't even matter that they were the only ones dancing.
"Don't stop, pop that pussy. Let me see you doo doo brown…I wanna rock. I wanna rock. I-I wanna rock. Doodoo brown!" Bella and Alice shouted that out shit mad loud, which made my father raise a brow as he watched. "Doodoo brown. Doodoo brown . . ." And they continued to sing, as they busted some moves. I knew the song; it came out while I was locked up, about two years ago.
They looked cute as hell as they danced. Bella and her friend weren't doing any sexy shit—they weren't grinding on each other. Their steps matched, as if they'd rehearsed it—all giggly and moving to the music together.
"Look at them, yo." Jasper sat next to me, bumping his shoulder to mine. "How'd we get that lucky?"
I chuckled as I finally finished my one and only beer. "No fuckin' clue."
Jasper placed his arm around me. "I'm…drunk. I never get drunk. I can't even re-remember the last time. Yo…I'm always higher than a mov'fucka, smokin' my ganj, like you…Like, we be drinkin' beers and shit, but weed and beers…they ain't shit."
"Right." I nodded, getting a kick out of his rambling ass, as my eyes were glued to Bella—ecstatic that she was having a great time.
"You know—" Jazz lightly hit my chest "—the night we-we met them, I bought the X from you…but I never took it, that crazy-ass bullshit. Alice took it…and she don't know that I didn't. I'mma not gonna tell her," he laughed.
Even if I barked out a laugh, 'cause I'd done the same exact thing that night we met, I didn't tell him.
"I'm so twisted right now, though…I bet if I puffed on some trees…I'd die—" He belched.
"No...You'd just fall asleep." I pushed his nasty ass away from me. "Go be drunk over there." Regardless of the liquor, when he burped, he smelled like those garlic knots from earlier.
Jasper cackled, laughing his ass off before sidling up to my father. "Yo, Mr. C, lemme holler at'chu for a minute."
My father leaned forward to look at me.
I smiled, mouthing "He's drunk," to which my father laughed, engaging Jasper into conversation.
The song was winding down; Bella and Alice slowed their movements to catch their breath, and I put my empty Heineken bottle off to the side.
There'd be no more drinking for me. I had to drive, which fucking sucks, but not really. We're out and about, and I'd rather have my head—let everyone else have a good time.
Bella's gaze met mine and then she whipped to the door when it opened.
I was about to stand, but…it was Leah? By the way Bella and Alice greeted her I guessed it was. However, that chick looked nothing like Janet Jackson. She was thick, like Emmett had said, but…Well, she wasn't no dime piece, that's for sure.
"Oh my God." Emmett leaned into me, whispering, "She looks more like Freddie Jackson."
I fucking snorted, trying not to laugh.
"Is Bella crazy?" he hissed, and my girl was coming over with his girl.
"Play it cool," I said.
"Yo…" Emmett reached across me for that bottle, quick to take a swig. "Fuck it." He sat back, suddenly casual, as Bella, Leah, and Alice approached.
Alice actually introduced us all, and Bella sat with me again.
"What's wrong with you?" I whispered.
"What?" She leaned back to stare at me.
I smiled, taking a peek at Emmett and Leah. By now, they were talking. My cousin was grinning, had his mack face on and everything. "You told Emmett she was…"
"Pretty and nice," Bella said. "She's really nice and, and funny, and she's pretty." She nodded, matter-of-factly.
"Okay," I agreed, nipping at her chin.
"You think she's pretty?" Bella asked, and…by her tone, I thought it might be a trick question. I wasn't sure given her drunk state.
"Me?" I pointed to myself, and I knew I had two choices—one, tell the truth and dis her friend. Or, two, lie and say yes, and then Bella will think I'm feeling her busted friend. "Are you trying to pick a fight with me…?" I wasn't sure, and I was sober, so I was glad to have caught that.
"No…no way. You fight dirty 'cause you're my dirty boy." Bella toyed with the buttons on my polo. "I was just asking." She shrugged, her face falling. "Because I think she is—thought she'd hit it off with Emmett, but he doesn't look as excited as he had been." Bella turned to Emmett and that chick. "Hey, you guys...!" She sounded like Sloth from The Goonies.
They waved to her.
I nuzzled my nose to her cheek. "Don't ask me shit like that again. You understand? I only have eyes for you, gorgeous."
Bella didn't even care, too busy staring at what Alice and Leah were doing. Emmett and Jasper were now talking, the girls pairing off, too.
I squeezed her hip. "Go be with your friends, baby."
She pecked my lips, muttering a thank you before going to join her homegirls.
Seeing Dad at the jukebox, I walked over to join him. Carlisle stared at the music selections mad hard, like he was afraid to make the wrong choice. "You having fun?" I asked.
When my father's gaze met my own, I knew he was feeling good. He'd smoked before we left. He had a few drinks and then a couple of shots. "I think I should call Esme. You know?" He hit the buttons on the music machine.
I shook my head. "Wait 'til morning."
"Why?" He widened his arms.
"'Cause…you're tipsy, feelin' nice. You don't need'a be brought down...or embarrass yourself," I'd whispered that last part.
"I'm fine, and yes. I'm feeling nice," he laughed. "I'm not sloppy drunk." Dad looked over to Bella when he said that. "Watch so she doesn't get sick. She's a little thing."
"She's okay," I said, turning to the bartender. "Yo, lemme get a coke?"
He nodded, quick to pour one, and I plopped a couple bills onto the bar.
"I'll be back," I told Dad, taking the few steps to hand Bella the soda. "Drink that."
"Oh! What is it?" Alice was drunk outta her mind, worse than Bella, and she better not try to kiss my girl—do some wild shit.
I'd be so fucking heated.
Bella laughed. "Relax. It's just a soda. You-you should drink some, too."
"Jazzy don't care if I get dr-drunk, right?" she shouted over to Jazz, who was so twisted, he probably wouldn't care if she ran out of the bar naked.
"Love you, too!" he hollered back, half slumped on Emmett's shoulder.
My cousin sipped from that tequila bottle—trying to catch up to them, or drink until Leah looked like Janet Jackson. Meanwhile, she just sat there quietly and gawked at Emmett's aloof ass.
It was quite a scene to be honest.
"Thanks, baby." Bella squeezed my hand.
I winked, going straight back to Dad. He was still alone by the jukebox.
"It's nice seeing you take care of her." His gaze flashed to mine, and I didn't reply. "Everybody's rushing to do this or that, and I'm still the same. I could be dead soon." He hit another selection.
I laughed and stopped him from placing another dollar into the slot. "How many songs are you playing?" I asked, and I was quick to add, "You're not dying anytime soon."
"You're right. I'm only forty-one, and I don't wanna be livin' like a senior citizen anymore…I could get married and give her some babies…You want brothers and sisters?" He chuckled, but he seemed kind of sad.
"Hey…" I shrugged, laughing. "Pop, if that'll make you happy...fuckin' go for it, man." I had no idea why he'd ask me that, as if my opinion counted for something. "Tomorrow, you call her…maybe start over. Talk about all that shit a little more—tell her you're unsure but thinking about it, and that you'd like to try to see where it goes. "
"When'd'ju get so smart?" Dad shook his head—probably to shake the slur out. "I'm fine. The way you kids party, man..."
I just grinned at him.
While I was away and he'd visit, Dad would try and talk to me about my mother's death—as if I had a hard time coping, as if that was why I'd acted out. I could never answer him, and to this day, I have no idea why I've done the things I've done. I'm an adult now, and I've long since come to terms with my mother's passing. Truth be told, I don't even think about her all that often, which probably means there's something wrong with me. Too many things have happened since then. I've been knocked down too many fucking times to dwell on shit for too long—and I always try my best to come up swinging every time I've been knocked down.
Elizabeth was a great mother. She loved me, showed me love all the time. We were a family—as regular as anyone else on the block—and then she got sick.
And then she was dead not long after that.
It all seemed to have happened in a blur.
Either way, and by that time, I was already doing my own thing—getting into trouble that had nothing to do with my parents.
My father's still hurting, though—that much was evident—and I wished I knew how to help him.
I spoke to Esme for him, gave her his number . . . which I hoped would break him out of that funk he was in.
Honestly, I didn't expect them to fall in love.
I just wanted my father to get laid and have a good time for fuck's sake.
"I don't know," he muttered, frowning and stepping back. "I was married for fourteen years…and I thought...I thought I'd be married forever—'til death do us part. We had a plan. I was Lizzie's husband and your father, and I thought my life was set—that that's all I'd ever be—and it was a good plan, a good life. I loved filling both roles, and I love you—I love being your father, but...Edward, my life didn't work out the way I always thought it would. I didn't bank on your mom ever...going first."
"Hey." I placed a hand on his shoulder. "Let's not think about that tonight. Come sit." About to usher him toward the table, I leaned in to whisper, "Emmett's not feelin' that chick. Maybe you do, and she digs older dudes?"
"Edward, that's someone's child." He bounced back.
A laugh escaped me.
"I hope you were joking—" Dad paused, raising a brow. "This—this was mine and Lizzie's song." He pointed back to the jukebox, his eyes lighting up.
I shook my head and patted his back. "Come on, let's go sit down." If this was their song, I had no idea—I'd never heard it before. Then again, it's been a long time—most childhood memories have faded.
"I'm good," he said as he started to sway, holding his beer bottle. "I just wanna listen to it."
I scratched my brow with my thumb, watching him get lost in the song. Dad looked to be having a good time by himself, but he wasn't—he truly seemed as though his heart broke a little more each time he mouthed the words.
It hurt me just to watch.
"You're just too good to be true—" Bella sang along, too, sneaking up to slap my ass "—can't take my eyes off of you!" She jumped at me, laughing crazy. "You'd be like heaven to touch." She hugged me tight. "I wanna hold you so much—"
"I love you," I told her, serious in the moment, when she was all smiles.
No matter how much I didn't want to let her go, since I couldn't imagine the heartache of ever losing her, and seeing Dad . . .
I kissed Bella, quick to squeeze her and bring her over to my father, place her into his arms.
Dad caught her, and they both chuckled as they began to dance together.
My smile was huge while I stepped back to watch them—joining Emmett and Jazz again.
"Frankie Valli?" Jasper asked.
"What?" I turned to him.
Jasper clapped. "Yo, Mr. C!" He cackled, leaning into me again. "Your pops is mackin' on your girl, man," he told me.
I rolled my eyes. "No…" They were just dancing—now talking but both still wearing smiles.
"I'm kiddin'," Jazz sighed. "This is beat…You okay to drive? We should go."
"I'm fine…We'll head out in a few." I peeped Emmett chatting Leah up while Alice giggled at their exchange. Everyone seemed drunk. Everyone was smiling and just chillin', and my two most important people—Dad and Bella—seemed happy, too.
ExXxB
Whether or not Emmett was feeling Leah, she came back to the crib with us.
It was just before midnight when we all piled into the van again.
Sadly, we hadn't even made it to our block yet, and Bella begged me to pull over.
Thank God, Dad was faster than me, closer to Bella. He held her hair back while she lost the shots, those iced teas. I'd gotten out to walk around to the sidewalk, help her out.
She was bent over, puking onto the curb while the rest of them cheered her on, applauding her. "I'm o-okay." She rasped.
Dad handed me a napkin, and I cleaned her mouth. "You sure?" I asked, rubbing her back, and that's when some more came out. "Damn, baby." It got on my boots.
"S-sorry," she coughed.
I jutted my lower lip out while I stared at her. She looked crazy cute—even sick, but I wondered if we'd even get to the cake tonight.
"Here." Emmett handed me a bottle of water from the front. "For your shoes."
Knowing it was mine from this morning, I opened it and handed it to Bella. "Drink that."
She took a sip and then clutched it to her chest as she nestled back into my father's arms.
"I'll make sure." Dad said.
They were both too cute right now. "All right, we good? Anyone else need to yak?" I asked the crowd, and I received disgruntled sounds. "Whatever." I slid the door shut and ran to the driver's seat.
Either way, by the time we got home, Bella was passed out and it wasn't even her birthday anymore.
She managed to drink the bottle of water, which was cool, though.
Jazz helped Alice into his bedroom. She was drunkety-drunk, and so was he. I was surprised they'd made it. My father plopped down onto the recliner, and I brought Bella into our room—not knowing what the other two were up to.
"I'm sorry," she whispered when I placed her down onto the bed.
"Baby…" I held her hip, thinking she might still be asleep, actually. "Why—"
"Your boots," she sighed, opening her eyes.
"Fuck my boots...You had fun tonight?" I asked, pulling the covers over her.
She hummed as her lids fluttered to a close again.
"Why don't we put your pajamas on?" My lips lingered on her forehead. "And we drink some more water?" I nudged her, hoping she'd get a second wind. I knew she'd have a hangover in the morning if she didn't.
But she never answered.
Bella snored lightly, rolling onto her stomach.
I placed a kiss on her cheek and went to check on my father.
Dad was chill—in the recliner and watching TV.
I sat on the couch and then—to my surprise—Emmett left his room to join me.
"Yo, youse gonna puff?" he asked, and he looked fucked-up, too.
Sighing, I stood up to grab my blunt from my bedroom. "What'chu doin'?" I asked my father.
"I'm fine here." He yawned. "Just gimme a blanket…I'll smoke, though."
I laughed and disappeared into my room. Bella was still sleeping, and I snatched our extra blanket for my dad before placing the L behind my ear.
When I reentered the hall, that chick Leah was looking around. "Where's Emmett?"
"Gimme a minute!" he shouted, and Leah backed into his room again.
I chuckled as I joined my cousin, giving my dad his quilt. "What are you doin'?" I asked Emmett.
"I think...but I'm not 100% sure. I think she wants to fuck," he whispered. "Why else come back here?"
"Maybe she just enjoyed your company? You boys and your egos astound me," Dad said. "Not every woman wants to be a chew toy for five minutes...if that," He scoffed, giving his nephew the stink-eye. "Nor do they feel blessed to be some notch in your belt."
"Ha!" I clapped once.
"Call her a cab." Dad recovered and flicked through the channels. "Take her out tomorrow."
"No…If she's down, I have to." Emmett pursed his lips. "She ain't ugly. I think she's cute. She's stacked, has those hazel eyes I like...I was just expecting Janet Jackson, so it took me a minute to get use to...you know."
"Freddie?" I teased.
Emmett didn't reply.
I lit the blunt, taking a large pull back.
"She's a nice girl, too…" Now he seemed contemplative. "Says I'm the hottest dude she's ever seen. I can't let her down...and she's not some pig. A girl like that? I could totally introduce her to my mother."
I laughed, blowing my smoke into the air.
"Leah also cooks. Her pops owns this Puerto Rican restaurant," he mused.
I hummed to answer him as I continued to smoke, suddenly so tired with those few tokes.
"Love Connection's on." Dad pointed to the TV. "Never fails, everyone is always a douche bag on this show. Em, you should see about being a contestant." He glanced to my cousin.
I coughed through a chuckle, mellowed.
It'd been a long fucking day.
Yesterday was a clusterfuck of an emotional day—plus my own confusion, how I'd been feeling inside . . .
Now I knew that Bella and I were solid. We're happy. We had a great time tonight, and I was finally relaxed—more so than when we were at the bar.
"It's puff, puff, pass, dude." Emmett hit my arm.
"It's my blunt," I told him, puffing away.
"I got this chick waitin'." He frowned, and I thought about giving it to him.
"Don't sleep with her, Em." My father faced us, speaking to my cousin. "You think she's nice? Get to know her. Let some anticipation build, work on the passion." He seemed serious. "Sometimes…beauty isn't always skin deep, and waiting to actually make love…instead of some petty fucking...it's so much more rewarding. It actually means something."
"Now that's deep—some deep shit." Emmett nodded, pointing to him.
I passed the L to Emmett. "When you're done, give it to this one." I jerked my head to Dad. "I'm goin' to sleep." I slapped my hand to my father's, and he was fast to pull me down—hug me tight. "You need anything, just knock on the door," I said. "It's not a bother, a'ight?"
He patted my back. "I'll be fine. Maybe we can all go for breakfast in the morning." Dad kissed my cheek.
"Sounds good." I turned for the room.
After I kicked off my boots and my jeans, I crawled into bed behind my Bella, gathering her into my arms.
Sleep came easy that night, all my worries and fears flying out the window.
But I knew what I'd start doing tomorrow...
I'd start building our picturesque future.
We're almost to the end of this short tale! Higher will be complete at forty chapters, and there are no plans for a sequel.
* * The joke about Janet/Freddie Jackson, I borrowed that from the movie Friday! I thought it hilarious and it fit (shrug) * *
Thank you for reading!
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