A/N: Ok guys, this chapter takes a jump from the Gilbert Rodeo in September to the end of November. The reason for the jump is this, I can only write about so many rodeos before it becomes redundant and you get tired of it, so to keep the story moving and the time line I had to skip ahead slightly. Remember Bella and Edward both have been treated wrong in their previous relationships, there are issues there that always seem to come up the longer you are together.
I hope I don't turn you guys off buy making the jump, just know it had to happen to move things along. Let me know what you think. Some questions are answered in this chapter and some are still hanging out there.
Thanks again StephieB, she is one in a million!
As always everything Twilight belongs to Stephenie Meyer.
Chapter 21
Time Marches On
BPOV
The months following the Gilbert rodeo have been nothing but awesome. I took Bree's advice and bought my WPRA card. I have been hitting some rodeos on the Turquoise circuit and doing very well, I am currently ranked third in the standings. Edward and I have our ups and downs; most of the tough times stem from the fact that neither of us trusts very well, but we are working on it.
He has been spending a lot of time at my house and just drives to the clinic every morning. I guess you could say he unofficially lives here seeing how all of his clothes are at my house. Edward has nightmares every night, when I ask him about them his standard reply is "It's nothing." Sometimes I just wish he would let me in all the way. I know that Tanya did a number on him but, damn it to hell, James did one on me as well.
School has been going well, I have a great bunch of kids and Mike Newton keeps his distance. Thank God! After the Gilbert rodeo Lauren has not spoken to me once. Believe me, there is no love lost there.
Emmett and Rose got engaged and are planning a Vegas wedding during the NFR this year, which is just a couple of weeks off; December third through the twelfth to be exact. We are all planning on going for the wedding on December second and to do some Christmas shopping at the tradeshow held in conjunction with the rodeo. To be honest I am excited, the NFR is the biggest rodeo of the year, this is where champions are crowned. It has been a life-long dream of mine to run there and it seems that if Phoenix and I keep on the track we are on, we will be there next year for sure.
It is now November thirtieth; Rose, Emmett and Jasper left for Vegas a couple of days ago. Jasper qualified in the Calf Roping in the number three spot and he has a good chance of winning the Championship if he ropes well. Emmett also qualified in Steer Wrestling in the tenth position. Edward, Alice and I are making the five hour drive to Vegas tomorrow. We are planning on staying for the wedding and a couple of performances of the NFR, though Alice is going to stay with Jasper for the remainder of the rodeo.
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December 1st
Edward is going to shit when he gets here to pick us up. Alice has packed everything but the kitchen sink.
"Alice, do you really need all this?" I grab another one of her tote bags and haul it closer to the door.
She just rolls her eyes while grabbing a hanging bag, "Bella, you never know what may come up. It is Vegas after all! I still can't believe Rose and Emmett are getting married tomorrow. We are so having a bachelorette party when we get there tonight. I know the guys are planning something for Emmett."
My head is a buzz with all the trouble those three could get into on the strip in Vegas, "Um Ali? Are they going to a strip club?"
"Hell Bells I don't know, probably. You know Emmett, he loves him some strip clubs." Alice turns and heads back upstairs for one more bag.
Great, just one more thing I have to worry about. It is not enough that Tanya is going to be there. At the last rodeo we were at, Bree told me the bitch qualified fourth in the barrels. Tanya supposedly has bought a new horse that is tearing everyone up. I can't worry about that right now, I probably will not even see Tanya.
"What the fuck is all this?" I turn to see Edward with his hands on his hips not looking happy. I hadn't even heard him come in. There's no point in him knocking since he practically lives here.
Only one word is needed to answer this question, "Alice." I say as I shrug my shoulders.
Edward grabs the first piece of luggage he can "I should have figured as much, good thing the Volvo has a big trunk."
Once everything is loaded we get on the road at ten o'clock in the morning. The drive is an easy one as we chat about Rose and Emmett's wedding and the very real possibility that Jasper could become a World Champion Calf Roper by the end of the week.
We are about twenty minutes from Vegas when it dawns on me that I haven't asked Edward about the bachelor party, "So Edward, a little birdie told me you guys are planning a bachelor party tonight?"
Never taking his eyes off the road he uninterestingly answers, "Yea Jasper said something about it. I also heard you girls are going to do something as well."
Alice chimes in from the backseat, "Yup we sure are. It is going to be a blast."
I really need to get over my trust issues.
This is Edward, NOT James. He has never done anything for me not to trust him. I internally chastise myself.
"Yup we are all going to have a great time." I say as I reach over and grab Edward's free hand, squeezing it reassuringly, which he returns with a smile and quick glance in my direction.
"Look girls, we are here! Las Vegas!" Edward says as he points to the famous sign that reads "Welcome to Las Vegas".
Alice squeals in the backseat, "Oh my gosh! You guys, this is going to be so much fun."
Alice's excitement must be rubbing off on me, because I start squealing along with her. There are a lot of oh's and ah's as we take in the sites of the strip as we drive towards where we will be staying, The Gold Coast Hotel and Casino.
The Gold Coast is the host casino and hotel for the NFR, so there will be a lot of the contestants staying here. This is also where they do the awards ceremony and after party at the end of each performance. We drive up to the covered valet area of the hotel, Edward gives the valet strict instructions on what to do and not to do with his car. I just shake my head as Alice and I walk hand in hand into the lobby of the hotel.
The outside of the hotel is impressive but the lobby is absolutely beautiful. The floor is marble with a tan look to it; there is intricate wood work on all the counters and there are chandeliers everywhere. Another valet strides by us as he hurriedly helps load our bags on the trolley.
Edward walks up to the check in counter where an attractive woman who looks to be in her late forties, looks up from her computer screen. I notice her eyes linger a little too long on Edward for my liking. I clear my throat hoping she will see that he is not alone. Her gaze shifts to me and for a split second the huge smile falters as she notices me. She resumes her sickingly fake smile "Welcome to the Gold Coast Hotel and Casino. My name is Rhonda. How may I help you today?" She clearly directs that last statement towards Edward.
"I have a reservation for Cullen…Edward Cullen."
Rhonda smiles again at Edward as she types into her computer, "Ah yes Mr. Cullen you have a suite reserved for today, Tuesday, December first thru Sunday, December sixth. Is this correct?"
"Yes, but I had requested to be as close as possible to Emmett McCarty and Jasper Hale's rooms." Edward looks around at me and winks as he returns his attention back to the front counter.
Rhonda types some more, "Mr. Cullen we have you in a suite on the same floor as the gentlemen you mentioned. Is that acceptable?" She looks up questioningly.
Edward nods as he hands her his credit card.
The bell boy ushers us towards the elevators, just as we walk by a meeting room a crowd of people walk out. "Edward, Bella, Alice!" We all three turn towards the familiar voice calling our names. Jasper walks through the crowd grabbing Alice and twirling her around in a hug.
Emmett walks out of the meeting room as well holding Rose's hand, "Hey you guys, we didn't know you were already here!" They walk over to us as well.
"Em what was going on in that room?" I nod towards where they just exited.
"Oh that? Just a mandatory contestant meeting, ya know what's considered acceptable behavior and what's not. Apparently they've put a ban on late-night streaking through the hotel lobby this year. Who woulda thunk?" Emmett just shakes his head in disgust that he won't be allowed to streak.
We all turn our backs waiting on the elevator to come back down so that we can all go to our rooms and plan the bachelor and bachelorette party tonight.
"Edward?" A tentative voice I do not recognize calls out from behind us as the elevator doors open. I feel Edward's whole body tense and his grip tightens around my hand. "Edward? Is that you?" The voice asks again. This time we all turn to see Tanya Denali standing right behind us.
A flurry of emotions over come me at this exact moment; I want to tell her to get fucked. I want to lunge at her and beat her senseless but for some reason my voice and my body won't work. Edward's voice breaks me from the internal debate I am having with myself.
"Tanya." He says flatly, void of any emotion at all. It is then that I realize Edward has a death grip on my hand. I look up at his face and see so much pain there. I glare back at Tanya, hating her more than I ever have. It than dawns on me that this is the first time Edward has seen Tanya since leaving Texas months ago. I must reel in my emotions and be strong for him; I am sure my feelings only pale in comparison with the ones he is feeling right now.
"How have you been? I have thought about you a lot." Tanya takes a couple of steps towards us as Edward takes one back towards the open doors of the elevators where everyone else is standing and watching.
I feel an overwhelming need to mark my terrority where this bitch is concerned so I stick my hand out, "Tanya, I am Bella Swan, Edward's girlfriend and the girl who now owns Phoenix. You remember her don't you? She is the horse you sold for dog food?"
Tanya's smoky grey eyes narrow as they shift from Edward to me. "So you are the one who ended up with that piece of shit of a mare? And…you are dating Edward?" Her cold glare shifts back in forth between Edward and I settling on our laced fingers, "Well I hope you enjoy my left overs" Tanya leans over towards my ear and whispers so that only I could hear, "You may have Edward now little Swan, but trust me when I say I could have him back at the drop of a hat." Tanya wheels around flipping her hair and starts walking towards the casino.
I am so pissed now I can feel my blood boiling. Dropping Edward's hand, I look back at him disappointed that he had nothing, absolutely nothing to say to HER. I walk briskly to catch up with her and once close enough I grab Tanya by the elbow wheeling her around, "Look here Tanya, I don't know who the fuck you think you are, but all I see is a bitch who carelessly threw away the two best things she ever had in her life. Trust me when I say they are both getting the love and care they need now from me. Honestly, I feel sorry for you because you are a truly miserable person who feeds off of causing others misery."
She wrenches her arm away from me, "Bella you have no idea what you are talking about and believe me when I say you have not heard the end of this." Tanya glares at me as she turns to walk back towards her friends.
I turn walking back toward my own friends, Alice comes running over. "Bella don't worry about that hag, she will get what she deserves. Karma is a funny thing. You know that."
I nod, still feeling dejected that Edward said and did nothing.
Are Tanya's words true? Would he go back to her?
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EPOV
Never in a million years would I have thought we would run into her. The minute I heard my name I knew it was Tanya. The only thing I could think to do was to hold on to Bella's hand like my life depended on it.
At Thanksgiving she had told me every detail of her marriage to James, from the verbal and physical abuse to the cheating. It was at the moment I decided she had gone through enough and I would not add to it by telling her why I wake up in a cold sweat screaming. Just seeing Tanya made my blood run cold and the vision of the day I left Stephenville for good to come rushing back.
I had just gotten off work at the clinic. Tanya had returned home from Calgary a couple of days ago. I had been so busy this was the first chance I had to see her. I drove to her house and I was greeted by Bree as I stepped out of my car. Her eyes were red like she had been crying. I asked her what was wrong.
"Edward if I were you I would get back in your car and leave. You don't want to see what she has done." Bree just shook her head and walked towards her truck and trailer.
What the fuck was going on? I walked towards the arena and that is when I saw him; Blackjack, the three year old black gelding I had bought for Tanya at the beginning of spring. I had bought him to try and make up for Phoenix and he seemed to be taking to training very well.
I ran to the middle of the arena where he laid. There was a lot of blood coming from his nose and upon further inspection I noticed several lacerations covering his beautiful body. I looked over to the side seeing a broken fiberglass fishing pole covered in dried blood…She must have used that to beat him with. He was extremely dehydrated and his breathing was shallow. I tried to get him to stand but his body had just given out.
I ran to the truck to get my medical bag when Tanya walked out of the barn.
"Edward, I didn't know you were coming by. I missed you so much." I can't believe she is acting like nothing is wrong.
"Tanya! What the hell? How long has Blackjack been like this?" I walked past her bumping her out of the way with my shoulder.
"Oh Eddie, he was being obstinate. I was just teaching him a lesson. He's only been tied out here for a couple of days. I figured the hot sun would temper his attitude." She casually walks by me, looking back over her shoulder "I just untied him when Bree showed up because she threw such a fit about his condition. Honestly I don't see what the big deal is, I had to break him some how. Besides I rode him this morning and he was fine."
I couldn't control my anger any longer, how had I been so blind. "FINE? FINE? TANYA DOES HE LOOK FINE… AND WHEN THE HELL IS IT ALRIGHT TO BEAT A HORSE SENSELESS WITH A FUCKING FISHING POLE? " I grabbed her by the arm dragging her in to the arena. Blackjack just laid there his muscles spasming in what was his last effort to hold on to life. I dropped to his side holding the syringe with the pink fluid that would end his suffering. I picked up his beautiful head placing it in my lap. I found the vein in his neck and stuck the needle in and pushed the plunger. I continued petting him until he drew in his last breath and left this earth for good. I sobbed on to his beautiful black coat.
Tanya just stood there emotionless, "Eddie he was a piece of shit anyway. Very hard to train, he would have never made it as a barrel horse anyway."
I lunged up from where I was, ignoring the fact that blood covered my jeans and hands. "Tanya you make me sick! I can't believe I never saw your true colors after all these years. I don't ever want to see you again. I am leaving! Don't try to find me. I am done with you."
I am brought back to reality when I feel Bella's hand leave mine, I turn just in time to see her march right up to Tanya. The conversation is heated I can't really make out what they are saying, but it appears that Bella is holding her own. I know I should go over there and stand with her, but I just can't. I don't want to be anywhere near that vile woman.
Bella turns and walks back to me with a look of disappointment on her face.
What did that bitch say to her?
"Bella what did she say to you?" I reach to grab her hand but she moves one step away.
Waving her hand in the air at me, "Don't worry about it Edward, because Lord knows you weren't worried enough to walk over there and stand up to that bitch."
She is right I am a shit…A coward, I ran away from Tanya months ago not wanting to face my emotions and I am still running.
The elevator door opens on our floor; I walk behind Bella as we exit. We say bye to our friends as we make our way to our suite. I open the door with the key card allowing Bella to walk in first. Once inside I turn and close the door, not really knowing what to say. So I just say the first thing that comes to mind.
"Bella I am so sorry. I know I should have said or done something…" Bella turns around sharply as she cuts me off.
"Edward, I know it is hard to face your ex. Hell it was hard for me to face her knowing all the horrible things she has done to you and Phoenix…But I did it." She pauses "I just wish you would let me in all the way. You are still running from something Edward I can sense it and those dreams... I know Tanya is the reason behind them. You wake up yelling her name."
I sigh knowing that she is right but I am just not ready to talk about it out loud yet. "Bella I promise when I am ready I will tell you everything." I walk towards her hoping she won't reject me.
Bella wraps her arms around my neck and whispers into my ear, "Edward, I love you. I do. But I can't help you if you don't tell me."
I nuzzle my head into the crook of her neck feeling all sorts of guilty. Bella doesn't know that I have gone as far to shop for rings and houses, even though I haven't even worked up the nerve to tell her I love her. I am a sad pathetic man… and for the first time in months I let the tears flow.
I really don't deserve the love this woman gives me...
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End note: There is a link to the Gold Coast Hotel and Casino on my profile, go check it out it is really beautiful.
Let me know what you guys think.
