Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight. I do however, own Adrian, Kelly, this storyline, and a teddy bear I've had since I was one. If I had to choose between my Charlie Bear or my husband, the bear would win.
A/N: Extra special thanks to readingtime for beta'ing this chapter. It's a hundred times better because of you. You're worth your weight in gold, girl! Thanks also to changedbyEdward and Lead69 for their help with the song choices. Sending me song lyrics at 1am is above and beyond. Jill and Tammy -- the boy band is for you. I'm going to apologize up front for the lyric OD.
Jasper's POV
"Alice, please? You've got to know something about how tonight's going to go?" I had a really bad feeling about tonight and I just couldn't shake it.
"Honestly, Jasper, I don't. Adrian is going to be there with us, so I can't see anything. Besides, I've told you already, I'm done with fortune telling." Alice went back to putting on her eyeliner.
"You told us about Bella getting a urinary tract infection." I crossed my arms smugly.
"Only because that was a health issue. I've been around human girls enough to know that UTIs hurt." Alice cringed a bit and went right on ignoring me.
Giving up, I decided to try another tactic. I went back into mine and Bella's bedroom and found her staring at her closet, oozing frustration. I wrapped my arms around her waist and brought her up tight against my chest. I pulled her hair off to one side and began kissing up her neck. "What's troublin' you, darlin'?"
"I should have let Alice get me ready. I'm no good at this. I have no idea what to wear." Bella leaned her head back on my shoulder, turning away from me a little so I had better access.
"We could just stay in tonight…enjoy the peace and quiet at home…make our own noise…" Bella giggled and squirmed out of my arms.
"Nice try, Whitlock. Adrian just won his first Big Ten Football game…as a freshman quarterback, no less. I'm not missing his celebration."
"Oh, alright," I sighed dramatically, throwing my hands in the air. "I was just trying to save you from having to dance."
"Ugh. Don't remind me!" Bella finally decided on a pale pink silk camisole with black jeans and pink heels. God, I love that woman in pink. She took the ribbons out of her hair, but left the ponytail in, took off the temporary tattoo from her cheek, touched up her makeup and she was good to go. We went downstairs to find Alice sitting in Adrian's lap with his hand halfway up her shirt.
Bella cleared her throat and giggled. "Didn't like spending the night alone last night, huh, Adrian?"
Adrian wolf whistled at her. "Bells and Whistles, baby! You look fantastic!" Alice smacked his arm and he quickly turned to her. "So do you, Ally-Angel." Alice laughed and got up.
Thirty seconds later, my favorite brother showed up. He completed his new standard greeting – kiss Alice on the cheek, kiss Bella on the cheek, then shake mine and Adrian's hands. It seemed odd to me when I realized that Adrian wasn't exuding his usual irritation around Edward. We decided to let Edward drive since his Volvo was the only one that could comfortably seat five and headed for the club.
When we arrived at Destine, we took a moment to look around. It was done in an ancient Greek theme, with statues of Zeus, Adonis, and The Three Fates, greek columns on the four corners of the dance floor, even the waitresses were dressed as Aphrodite. We ran into several of Adrian's teammates as soon as we got there, so Adrian introduced us and headed for the bar to do a celebratory shot. Bella ordered a chardonnay. I was a bit surprised, but didn't say anything. I leaned back and expected Edward to jump right in with the lecture. This ought to be good.
"You might like Reisling. It's a bit sweeter than chardonnay and has less of an oak flavor, or at least, so I've read." Edward flashed her a smile and she smiled back. Affection. Not love, but definitely affection floated my way from her.
I bit back a growl and sent Edward a mental warning which he pretended not to hear as Bella looked back to the bartender and said "I'd like to try that instead, please." Bella looked at me and I did my best to relax my face and smile at her. She forced a smile and turned her head away. Nervousness and fear radiated from her. When Bella's drink arrived, she tentatively took a sip, and decided she loved it. It disappeared rather quickly and she ordered another.
Alice grabbed Bella by the wrist and dragged her onto the floor. Beyonce's "Diva" was playing, and Bella was really nervous and feeling out of place for a little bit, but then Alice grabbed her by the hips and showed her how to move to the music. Soon they were both dancing and laughing and singing to the music. I had to shake my head, I never thought I'd see Bella bouncing up and down singing "A diva is the female version of a hustler, of a hustler…"
Edward was staring at them, too. I couldn't feel anything from him but that same infuriating calm. I growled at him and saw Alice turn and then shake her head at me before turning back to Bella. Bella looked at Alice questioningly, but Alice just shook her head again. I could almost feel Bella's chest tightening all the way from my vantage point.
The girls came back over to us when the song was over and we settled into a booth. I put my arm around Bella, making a small production of it, I'm sure. I was trying to make a point. She didn't say anything, but I could tell how uncomfortable she was. You could cut the tension with a knife. Adrian looked at myself, then Edward. Something he saw displeased him. He was angry and irritated. Bella downed her second glass of wine and ordered a third. A shot of worry hit me from Adrian. He looked at Alice, who nodded.
"Come on, Bells and Whistles, let's see how many guys I can make jealous tonight. Dance with me?" Bella stood up and scooted out of the booth to take his hand.
Bella's eyes darted quickly to Edward and I, then back to Alice, who smiled encouragingly at her. "Most definitely." She walked onto the dance floor with Adrian. I couldn't believe it! I hadn't even asked her to dance because I was certain she'd say no. Adrian asked her to dance and she didn't even hesitate.
"Are you really that surprised, Jazz?" Alice was looking at me quizzically. "The two of you are making her crazy. Honest to goodness!" I felt a huge shockwave of jealousy slam into me. I looked up to see Bella and Adrian. They weren't just dancing, they were grinding. He had one leg between hers, with one hand holding hers and the other behind her back, guiding her movements to Kanye West's Heartless. I looked at Alice, thinking the jealousy came from her, but she was smiling.
"He's a great dancer, isn't he? It's nice to see Bella finally loosen up a little." Edward growled and I realized the jealousy had come from him. I whipped my head around to face him.
"Who the hell do you think you are? You have absolutely no right being jealous of Adrian dancing with My Bella!"
Edward's eyes narrowed. I could feel him struggling to regain his calm fascade but it wasn't working, because now there was not only jealousy, there was rage. "She wasn't always Your Bella," Edward replied through gritted teeth.
Alice slammed her open palm on the table so hard she was going to have to smooth out the dents so she didn't leave a handprint behind. "You two are both ridiculous, you know that! You both know damn well that Bella and Adrian are just friends. He took her out dancing, and she accepted, because after last night she feels very uncomfortable around the two of you together. I will let you in on a little secret. If you two don't start learning how to play nice and show Bella that you can get along and be accepting of the other's relationship with her, you are both going to lose her."
"What?! Have you had a vision I should know about?" I asked, panicky. I could see Edward concentrating, trying to scan her mind, but it seemed as though he came up empty.
"No, I'm not saying this because of a vision. I'm saying this because Bella is my best friend, and I know her. Adrian agrees with me."
Edward and I sighed at the same time. "Okay, Alice, any suggestions?" I asked.
"Why don't you go dance with her? Both of you. Show her that she can relax, that you're not going to rip each other's heads off for being within a five mile radius of her." Edward and I stared each other down for a moment.
"Whatever," Alice said, suddenly bored with our antics. "It's your funeral."
I got up and headed for the dance floor, with Edward and Alice right behind me. "Ayo Technology" by 50 Cent and Justin Timberlake was playing. I tapped Adrian on the shoulder and he gladly let us cut in grabbing Alice to pull her back against his chest to dance. I took Bella by the hips and pulled her close to me. We began swaying to the music.
Bella really didn't know how to dance, and her nervousness was almost paralyzing, but she let me lead and soon she was relaxing and moving more freely. Edward sidled up behind Bella and put his hands on her forearms. Bella gasped as she opened her eyes and saw him behind her. She looked at me and I smiled and whispered, "It's just dancing, darlin'. I'm not upset. Relax and have some fun." Like hell I wasn't upset, but I was not about to tell her that. Keep your hands where they are, Edward. If they start exploring, I'm gonna rip 'em off by your wrists. Edward chuckled a little, but nodded at me as he moved even closer to Bella. I could feel the tension drain from Bella as we danced, slowly being replaced with joy.
Even when it's not about a vision, don't bet against Alice, I supposed. We danced a couple more songs this way, with Bella in the middle alternately facing Edward or myself. Bella really started getting into it, rubbing and grinding her body between us. I could feel her lust rising and it should have been such a turn on, but all I could think about was 'Is she hot for me? Or Edward?' When "Crack A Bottle" by Eminem came on, we decided to sit down and take a break. Bella looked like a totally different person than she had before, so much happier, almost glowing. She ignored the wine on the table and instead chose to order a water with lemon. She'd worked up quite a sweat dancing and needed to rehydrate.
We ordered some wings and potato skins for Bella and Adrian, which they wolfed down. We all chatted about the game and how we liked school so far, which classes we liked, which classes we hated. It was actually very pleasant and for a while I almost forgot what it was about Edward that I disliked so much. That was, until he asked Bella to dance. Bella looked at me and I put on my best fake smile. She kissed me on the cheek and took his hand. We Belong Together by Mariah Carey started playing. Did he request this? I stood up ready to go over there, but Adrian and Alice both looked at me and said "Sit down" at the same time. In fact, they said it in perfect harmony. Reluctantly I sat back down.
Edward's POV
I knew I was probably pressing my luck asking Bella to dance, especially with how well the evening was going, but I really wanted to talk to her alone for a few minutes. I figured since she had danced with Adrian, it would be alright if she danced with me, especially since I had no intention of doing any more grinding. My body couldn't take it. I was already aching with need from being on the dance floor with her earlier, feeling her body pressed up against mine, causing friction in all the right places. I thought back to the last time I'd felt her body pressed up against me like that. It was at the hotel in Buffalo. That snapped me back to reality. I still had a lot of making up to do.
I didn't request the song, but I couldn't deny it was perfect. I held Bella loosely by the waist as we started to dance.
I didn't mean it when I said I didn't love you so
I should have held on tight I never shoulda let you go
I didn't know nothing I was stupid, I was foolish
I was lying to myself
I bent down and whispered in her ear. "Bella, can I ask you a question?" She shivered from the sensation but nodded her head. "Why did Carlisle have to send you antibiotics?" Bella flushed bright red.
I could not fathom that I would ever be without your love
Never imagined I'd be sitting here beside myself
'Cause I didn't know you, 'cause I didn't know me
But I thought I knew everything
I'd never fail
"It was nothing, really. Jasper was tickling me, a lot. He didn't stop until I felt like I had to pee. But then we…got distracted, and I didn't get to go until afterwards. Alice said she saw me getting a urinary tract infection from it." Bella hung her head down. I took a moment to process what she'd said.
The feeling that I'm feeling now that I don't hear your voice
Or have your touch and kiss your lips 'cause I don't have a choice
Oh, what I wouldn't give to have you lying by my side
Right here, 'cause baby
We belong together
"Distracted how?" I cringed, not really wanting the answer, but the question was already out there.
"If you must know, we were having sex, Edward," Bella hissed in a whisper. I had suspected, of course. I'd known what I had seen in Alice's vision of Jasper going to Bella's before we broke up, but Bella had been so cautious to not be in any way intimate around me that I guess I had been holding on to a thread of hope that perhaps they hadn't actually made love. Bella pulled me a little closer to her. "I'm sorry, Edward."
When you left I lost a part of me
It's still so hard to believe
Come back baby, please
'Cause we belong together
"It's okay, Bella. You don't need to apologize to me. I just…always hoped it would be me, that we would be each other's firsts. But there's no use dwelling on the past, let's just enjoy the moment. Right now. This dance." I tried to not let my pain come through in my voice. I'm not sure I succeeded. Bella smiled sadly at me and I pulled her a little closer still to try and drive away the heartbreak. Now our bodies were touching, but in an innocent way, nothing that Jasper could cry foul over.
Who else am I gonna lean on when times get rough
Who's gonna talk to me on the phone 'till the sun comes up
Who's gonna take your place there ain't nobody there
Oh, baby baby, we belong together
When the song ended, the DJ announced 'I'm going to slow things down and take you all back a bit.' Gone by N'Sync started to play. I started to pull away, but Bella stopped me. "One more dance?" she asked me sweetly. I could deny her nothing. Why would she want to dance to this song, though? Was it just a coincidence? I pulled her tight against me and let the rest of the world disappear for a moment as our bodies rocked to the rhythm. Without really realizing it, I found myself singing the words to her as we danced.
I don't wanna make excuses, baby
Won't change the fact that you're gone
But if there's something that I could do
Won't you please let me know?
The time is passing so slowly now
Guess that's my life without you
and maybe I could change my every day
But baby I don't want to
So I'll just hang around
and find some things to do
To take my mind off missing you
and I know in my heart
You can't say that you don't love me too
Please say you do
Yeah....I've been sitting here
Can't get you off my mind
I've tried my best to be a man and be strong
I Drove myself insane
Wishing I could touch your face
But the truth remains
You're gone..
You're gone..
You're gone
You're gone...you're gone... you're....
Gone
Oh, what will I do
If I can't be with you
Tell me where will I turn to
Baby where will I be
Now that we are apart
Am I still in your heart?
Baby why don't you see?
That I need you here with me
Jasper's POV
I'd had all I could take. Between him whispering in her ear, Bella's emotions fluxing so much I was getting dizzy, and the fact that they were now moving very sensuously to the music, my jealousy was at an all time high. Two could play this game. I went up to the DJ and requested a song, and after slipping him a $100, he promised he'd play it next. I walked up and tapped Edward on the shoulder. His smile slipped when I asked him if I could cut in. Like Only A Woman Can by Brian McFadden started playing and I snatched Bella away from Edward and into my arms. Bella was radiating guilt and remorse. I tried to ignore it and focus on the fact that the girl of my dreams was in my arms.
"Listen to this song, darlin'. This is what you did for me." She wrapped her arms around my neck and smiled at me. I chose this song because it reminded me of how Bella trusted me when no one else did, accepted me for who I was and who I am; the good, the bad, and the ugly. I would forever be grateful to her for that.
I wasn't perfect
I've done a lot of stupid things
Still no angel
I wasn't looking for forgiveness
Wasn't laid out by my pride
Shocked by her attention
And someone signed me up for love
I didn't want it
And now I can't live without it
I heard a girl ask someone to dance and felt their sharp sense of surprise. Bella audibly gasped. I followed her eyes to see Edward take a beautiful young woman into his arms to dance. I recognized her from my American History class, her name was Kelly. She was a sweet girl, one of the cheerleaders if I remembered correctly. Really smart and drop dead gorgeous, with long strawberry blonde hair that flowed midway down her back, swaying behind her as they danced, legs that went on forever, perfectly proportioned curves. She was wearing a dark blue silk blouse and a pair of white blue jeans; sexy without being trampy. She reminded me a little of Tanya, only without all the slutiness. I would have to thank her later. Maybe she could make Edward forget about Bella. She could be good for him, which would definitely make my life easier. My happy thoughts were interrupted with the jealousy coming from Bella as she watched them. It almost dropped me to my knees.
"Bella? Why was I feeling remorse from you before we started dancing? And why am I feeling jealousy coming from you now?" My voice was cracking, fear overtaking my senses.
"I felt guilty because I told Edward we were sleeping together and I was afraid I hurt him." He didn't know? Well, good, I'm glad he does now. "As for the jealousy, don't take it the wrong way. It's just that I was thinking that the whole time I was with Edward, I always thought he would realize I wasn't good enough. She is exactly the type of girl I thought he would be with, someone blonde, beautiful, and perfect. Everything I'm not." Ironic, really. Here I was dancing with her, playing a song that tells her how I don't think I'm good enough for her, and she's thinking about how she wasn't good enough for him.
She changed my life
She cleaned me up
She found my heart
Like only a woman can
She pulls me up
When she knows I'm sad
She knows her man
Like only a woman can
"Bella, he was the one who wasn't good enough for you, not the other way around. Never doubt that, never forget it." Bella cringed at my words. I didn't know why. "Bella, look at me, darlin'. I love you. You are everything I never knew I always wanted." Her pain eased up a bit and she curled up against me, laying her head on my chest. I leaned my head on top of hers and breathed in her sweet scent, which soothed and tortured me all at once.
"I love you, too."
She's kind of perfect
She's kind of everything I'm not
Yeah, she's an angel
And it's amazing how she's patient
Even more at times I'm not
She's my conscience
And who decided I'd be hers
I wanna hate them
Cos now I can't live without her
When the song ended, I bent down and kissed Bella. "Come on, sweetheart. I think we've had enough for one night, don't you? Let's go home." Bella looked back behind us for one last quick glance at Edward and Kelly as we walked off the dance floor, wracked with jealousy and guilt.
A/N: I REALLY want to know what you think of this one. The Cullendales have brought their X-rated revue show to Dallas, Texas! Jasper's so happy about it, he's giving away naked lap dances AND massages (complete with happy endings) to all my fabulous reviewers!