A/N- Happy Monday everyone! I hope you all had a fantastic weekend! This is one of my more favorite chapters. You'll see why . Thank you to katydid2363 my beta with magical powers. To fngrcufs, Dinx, & angstaddict09 for providing me with the feedback that I need and for calling me out on my shitastic skills.
I have some important things to say at the end so please join me when you're done. Thank you!
~xxx~
Chapter 4
Take me back to New Orleans
And drop me at my door
Cause I might love you yeah
But I love me more
Take Me Back to New Orleans, Cowboy Mouth
EPOV
October 14, 2005
Our flight from New York to New Orleans left at ten that morning. We had a scheduled layover in Atlanta that would put us down for about forty- five minutes. Then it was home.
Home.
A place I had considered New Orleans my entire life. Even though I had lived in New York for the past three years, I still thought of the Crescent City as the only place I would ever truly be able to call home. Then why had I stayed away so long? Why was I so hell bent on not coming back? What had brought me to where I was now?
I spent the duration of the plane ride mulling these questions over in my head. Luckily for me Lauren had her eye mask on and was napping away peacefully beside me. I cared about her but I didn't care to spend the next five hours chit chatting with her. I needed this time to reflect on what had taken me so far away from my one true love. The lady who I thought would never let me down, the one that was in shambles at this very moment.
Growing up it had never been an issue as to what I was going to do with my life. Music, jazz music, ran in my veins. My dad was 'The Doctor' after all. A New Orleans legend and a staple to the fundamentals of the new age jazz era. Of course he was an old school soul when it came to his music. He never staggered far from the classics. Sidney Bechet, Louis Armstrong and Jelly Roll Morton were just a few of the early jazz singers that my dad associated his love of the music with. He performed alongside Dr. John and Pete Fountain signifying his place as an iconic jazz musician.
Where my dad was a natural behind the piano, I quickly took up the cornet. To me, along with the trombone and the saxophone, it was one of the driving forces behind a good jazz band. Not to mention, one couldn't really walk and play the piano at the same time unless you had a keyboard strapped around your waist.
I had never felt more alive than when I was marching in a parade down Saint Charles Avenue or on the stage playing for a small, intimate crowd in the Quarter. But I wanted more.
I finished college at Tulane with no clue as to what to do with my life. I wasn't sure if playing gigs around the city would be able to support the lifestyle I was so accustomed to living. My parents had given my sister and me anything and everything that we ever wanted. We weren't ungrateful in the least. We both knew that they came from humble, low beginnings and that every penny earned was a penny saved. When I told my parents of my plans to move to New York to start my musical career on my own, it broke their hearts. My dad was more understanding than my mom. He knew that as stubborn and hard headed as I was, that I would have to make a name for myself before I could truly appreciate the one that had been given to me. The one that everyone associated with The Doctor.
My mom on the other hand never dreamed that I'd leave New Orleans. She thought because I was the son of a famed musician that I would want to set down my own musical roots right alongside those of my father's.
I moved to New York and changed my name to an old family surname. People would never suspect that the kid that now went my Edward Masen was actually the son of a jazz legend. It suited me and quickly I started landing gigs. Small shows in the Village here, private parties for the elite there. Before I knew it I was playing alongside some of the best horns in the entire world at the Metropolitan Opera House. It was a far cry from the bluesy standards I had grown up playing but I loved it all the same. Playing for some of the greatest singers in the world gave me my own staple in the music business. I wasn't Carlisle Cullen's son when I was in the orchestra pit, I was Edward Masen acclaimed cornet player.
People knew me for me and not who I was related to. I got a euphoric high off of being my own person. The times I had traveled back home it was always about where I had come from, who my parents were. It was never who I had become. Then again, when you're the child of someone as influential as my father then I guess that was to be expected.
My trips home started to lessen. I had mad love for my city but at the same time New York was what gave me a name for myself. New Orleans would forever be in my heart but New York was now where I made my living.
When Katrina hit I felt like I had taken a punch in the stomach. My limbs were weak as well as my heart when I watched the devastation occur on the television. I couldn't bear to watch her be swallowed up by the water. It got to the point where I couldn't even watch the news. My parents sought refuge with me and they stayed glued to the Weather Channel, Fox News and CNN. I couldn't bear witness though. It hurt far too much to watch her wash away.
My mother pleaded with me to come home and help my city rebuild but I couldn't. At the time I wasn't sure when I would be able to return. I needed her in the tip top shape I had left her in. When I was able to stomach news reports, her aftermath showed that she was far off from being in that shape. But now here I was on a plane headed for her. My arms were not open wide, if anything I cradled them around my waist. I wanted to hold on to the last image I had of my city but it was no longer there. Images of flooded streets and people on their roofs were cemented in my brain.
Tyler of course saw this reunion as one that could make us money. The child of New Orleans' favorite son returns. How glorious a reunion it would be! To him I would come home, be seen helping out those less fortunate, play the benefit concert and then talk my dad into putting out a CD with me. My dad would see right through all the bullshit though and know that I had suddenly changed my mind for something other than just wanting to help out.
In all honesty, I could have cared less about the money. I had enough saved to be able to support myself nicely for quite some time. The deciding factor to return home wasn't just what Tyler had mentioned. It was a combination of several things. I needed to reach out to my lady and help her during her times of distress. I needed to come home and reclaim my right as 'The Doctor's' son and I needed to know who was behind the beautiful voice that had asked me to play for the benefit. The very one who didn't think I was worthy of my city any longer.
Lauren stirred in the chair next to me just as the captain began his announcements as the plane descended for the New Orleans airport. I looked out the window and could faintly see Lake Ponchatrain. I sighed knowing that this was the right decision. Coming home was the right choice. Not just for my career but for my soul as well.
~xxx~
After landing safely, Lauren and I made our way to the rental car desk. Awaiting us was a shiny silver Volvo. I wanted to joke with the poor man that maybe I would need something a little more practical to get down the streets of New Orleans but I figured that my humor wouldn't have been taken too kindly. Instead, Lauren and I hopped in the expensive foreign car and set off towards the city.
I tried to call my parents several times but was unable to get anyone on the phone. Instead of driving straight to the house I decided to tour the destruction the storm left behind.
I wasn't sure what I was expecting to see. Life? Civilization? I wasn't sure but everything looked so desolate. No one was out and about on the streets, hardly any traffic was on the roads. It was like a ghost town. There had to be people somewhere. Maybe they were all on Bourbon drowning their sorrows away. After seeing the city like this I couldn't blame them. I too wanted to sit on an old beat up barstool and drink my tears away with some good whiskey.
I was driving down the familiar roads when Lauren began frantically swatting at my arm. "What?" I asked half annoyed, half concerned that maybe she had spotted life or worse death.
"Edward, you're going the wrong way down this street! That sign back there was a one way pointing in the opposite direction."
"Lauren, I grew up in this city. I'm pretty sure I know which way I can travel down the streets."
I rolled my eyes and laughed but kept driving along. Sure enough, the next turn I had to take had the one way sign pointing in the wrong direction. "What the hell?" I asked aloud.
"See I told you! You're going the wrong way!"
"Shhh," I said, putting the car in park and getting out to inspect the sign. I looked down the street both ways thinking maybe the directions the cars were supposed to take had changed. Everything appeared to be just as I remembered it. Then it dawned on me. One hundred and seventy mile an hour winds. Of course they would turn the street signs around. I sighed as I paced back to the car.
"The winds from the storm turned all the signs around. We're going the right way," I said staring at her pointedly. Putting the car in drive, I continued our tour of the city.
We passed places I remembered from my childhood. Stores my family shopped at now had their marquee signs barely hanging on, if at all. Windows were busted out and the places looked ransacked. No doubt from the looters. As we crept through the city, we passed several houses with spray paint on the sides. Just about every house had some sort of graffiti on it, most likely from the National Guard coming in and checking to see how many were still alive, if any. But it was the homes that had life inside that told the truth behind what the city held.
We drove down Saint Charles Avenue near Lee Circle when I spotted the first of several personal messages on the sides of a house. This one was aimed for the looters. "Don't try: I am sleeping inside with a big dog, an ugly woman, two shotguns and a claw hammer."
The second house we passed with a message had two updates. The first was dated September 4, 2005. "Still here. Woman left. Cooking a pot of dog gumbo." Lauren shuddered in her seat at the mention of dog gumbo. I couldn't blame her. It was a dish I hoped New Orleans wasn't going to make a delicacy now.
The second message dated September 24, 2005 made me realize that you had two options. The first being to pack up and leave or as this person so eloquently stated, "Welcome back, y'all. Grin and bear it." Indeed. It looked as if that was what I was going to have to do. Grin and bear it.
It was a little after six when we finally reached my parents home in Uptown. For the most part, the Uptown neighborhood faired well. The only difference I noticed was the lack of trees. When we pulled into the driveway that led to my parent's large, stately home, my cell phone rang. I pulled in behind the two car garage that was in the back before I answered. My dad's name reflected back at me.
"Hello?"
"Edward I see you tried to call. Is everything okay?" my father asked in a neutral tone.
"Everything is fine. Where are y'all?"
"What do you mean where are we? It's Friday night. We're at Tizzy's getting ready to play. Where are you?"
"I'm in your driveway," I said with a huff.
"You're home? Oh, Edward, that's wonderful news! You're mother is going to be so excited. Well why don't you come down to the bar? We're all here. Bella's here too. I can't wait for you to meet her."
My stomach clenched at the sound of her name. I would finally have a face to match the voice that had haunted me for the past week. After he gave me directions to Tizzy's and Lauren refreshed herself inside the house, we made our way towards the bar. From the rest of the town the French Quarter looked like its regular old self, minus the shoulder deep people that usually were out at this time of night. I guess I was right in assuming that everyone was down here drinking their sorrows away.
I parked the car on the side of the road, not fearful that it would get hit. The fact was, not too many cars were actually traveling down the streets. As soon as my feet hit the pavement I heard the music, the sounds of New Orleans. It filled my ears and made my heart swell. It was the notes of the music that grounded me, that brought me back. Lauren sat patiently in the car until I rounded her side to open the door. I held out my hand for her to take and once she did I all but dragged her to the door. On the inside sat a beautiful blonde with a no nonsense look on her face. She gave me and Lauren both the once over before she spoke to us.
"Two?" she asked not elaborating further.
"Actually, I'm looking for a Bella Swan or…" I wasn't able to finish my sentence before she cut me off.
"Bella's gonna be a while. Would you like to come in and sit 'til she's done?"
"Can you tell me if maybe Esme Cullen is here?" My father mentioned that they were all here so I took that to mean my mother as well.
"Sure, right this way."
Lauren and I followed the leggy blonde to the table that I could clearly see housed my mother and sister. Turning her head slightly before we reached the table, my mother did a double take to make sure she had seen me correctly. Once she seemed to notice that is was in fact me walking in, she jumped from her chair and sprinted off in my direction. I smiled widely at her. She did little to hide her own elation as I held my arms out for her.
"Edward, you're home. I'm so glad you've come back," she whispered in my ear. She unwrapped her arms from around my neck and stood back to look me over. I vaguely heard her tell us to join them at her table. I was too fixated on the woman's voice on the stage. I glanced over and saw for the first time since we had entered the beautiful brunette who damn near took my breath away. She was petite, with her long brown hair and big brown eyes. Her pale skin glistened under the lights as she sang with the band. Our eyes locked and she looked at me like she wanted me. I had to be honest, in that very moment I wanted her to want me. I wanted her. I had no clue who she was but I wanted to know. I wanted to know everything about her. She shook her head and unlocked our gaze just as Lauren tugged on my sleeve to follow my mother. It was then that I remembered that I hadn't traveled alone.
We sat at the table with my mother and Alice, who was just as happy as my mom to see me. I couldn't say she felt the same for Lauren. Alice had never been a fan of Lauren's. She said that she couldn't understand what she was singing about and if the music required cliff notes than it wasn't for her. Not to mention, I think she harbored a little animosity towards Lauren because she felt that she was the reason for me not leaving New York. If my sister only knew.
We settled in our seats and I turned my attention back to the brunette. I barely registered my mother talking non stop but I couldn't make out anything she was saying, in that moment I only had eyes for the woman on the stage. I took in her form and the way the white t-shirt she wore hugged closely to her body. It surprised me to see the shoes she was wearing. Tall fuck me pumps adorned her feet. Fuck me indeed. I grew hard just thinking about the things I could do to her. I adjusted myself from my sitting position, hoping that it would be none the wiser to anyone else the effect this girl was having on me. I nearly jumped from my chair when I felt Lauren's hand on my thigh. I knew where that little hand of hers was headed. To the one place that would give away the impact that the woman and her voice, who stood before everyone in the bar, was having on me. Quickly, I grabbed Lauren's hand before it could rise any further and held it tightly in my own. I can't be sure because things became kind of hazy but I think I saw the brunette on stage smirk. Maybe I hadn't gone undetected after all.
For another hour or so we continued to listen to them play classic jazz songs one after another. It was refreshing to hear a live band again and to see my dad so happy in his element. When they finally took their first break, the woman on the stage bolted towards the back faster than my hard on had gone down. In all actuality, that took quite some time seeing as how I could barely take my eyes off of her.
My dad wasn't far behind her as he walked over to our table with a huge smile on his face.
"Edward," he said, embracing me and patting me stiffly on the back.
"Dad," I said. I returned the favor hugging and patting him back.
"Ah, I see you brought Lauren with you," my dad said, addressing the blonde at my side. "It's a pleasure to see you again dear and welcome to New Orleans."
"Thank you Mr. Cullen. It's been an eye opening experience so far that's for sure."
My dad arched an eye at me beckoning me to give him details. I simply shook my head to indicate that it would have to wait until later.
"Dad, who was the woman on stage with y'all? She's an amazing singer."
My dad smirked and motioned with his hands to some people behind us. He winked at me before he called out to those he had been waving over.
"Just the lady I was looking for." My dad pulled me into his side as I turned around to face the mysterious people behind me. My body reacted instantly at the sight of the brunette so up close and personal. She walked the few spaces between us and smiled at my father. "I'd like for you to meet someone, Bella." My eyes grew wide as soon as he said her name. Was he serious? The soulful, sultry woman in the fuck me heels was the very same woman who had hung up on me not even a week ago? "This is Edward Masen."
I briefly wondered why he introduced me as Masen instead of Cullen but I didn't dwell on the issue for long. My eyes were fixed, in what appeared I'm sure to be a very inappropriate way, to her tits. They were one shade of beauty when she wasn't in touching distance but now that she was I couldn't tear my eyes from how perfect they were in her shirt, even though I knew I needed to.
Thankfully she found her voice which took me out of my deep stare. "Edward Masen?" she questioned. "It's a pleasure to finally put a face to a name." She held out her hand and I took it within my own. The jolt of electricity that passed through my body had to have sent a current back through hers. Just from a single touch I had never felt this sort of instant connection to a person. She had to have felt it. There was no way not to.
"Likewise, Bella." And a face to the voice that has kept me in the shower for a little longer than necessary this past week.
My dad clapped his hand on my back and smiled at the crowd around us. He went on about how her cornet player had come home and how happy he was that I had finally decided to come home and that all she needed was a little faith. The part of the conversation that kept playing over in my head as he spoke was the fact that he called me 'her' cornet player. It wasn't that I was adverse to the idea. On the contrary, I quiet liked the sentiment actually.
"Thanks Dad. It's good to be home," I said, smiling at him and then Bella. Her face changed and her mouth dropped open a little.
"Dad?" she asked looking between us both.
Carlisle laughed. "Oh Bella, don't worry about anything you might have said. I'm sure it's something I've said myself a time or two."
I wasn't able to further our discussion on what Bella had said about me that had her so flushed. I was willing to bet though that after the way she ended our one and only phone call that it wasn't anything good. Lauren chose that moment to saunter into the middle of our conversation, linking our arms and getting as close to me as she possibly could.
"I'm sorry, Edward's rude. I'm Lauren, his girlfriend." Bella made to open her mouth, in what I assumed was going to be a friendly hello but Lauren continued talking oblivious to anyone else taking the floor. "You've got a unique voice. I too am a singer. Opera in fact."
"Is that so? Well I can't say I've heard any opera before," Bella said. I'd give the hard on I was sporting earlier to guess that she was doing her best polite southern charm act.
Lauren gaped at Bella. "You can't be serious? Opera is the oldest form of singing that there is."
I should have done more to stop this conversation but the fact was I kind of enjoyed watching the two women banter back and forth.
"I tell you what," Bella began, "Lauren, wasn't it? Why don't you join the band for the next set? I'm not sure if they'll know any opera but we're always up for tryin' new things." She had a mischievous look on her face as she spoke.
"Oh, I don't need a band, of course that is unless Edward would like to accompany me up there? Although I'm not sure how one little horn is going to make much of a difference?"
Had I not been used to Lauren's form on mindless self righteousness, I might have worn the same shocked expression as Bella and her amazon blonde friend. As it was, I knew Lauren and the games she liked to play. I didn't think though that this was the right stage for her to set herself up on.
Bella's expression instantly changed. Gone was the appalled expression and in its place was a look of malicious intent. "Well, Lauren. Why don't I give you a proper New Orleans introduction to the stage?"
Lauren nodded and smiled pleased no doubt that she would be able to show the natives what a world class opera singer sounded like. Bella waltzed on stage smiling eagerly at the crowd.
"Can I get everyone's attention?" The crowd fell on deaf ears as they all listened and waited for Bella's words. "We have a special guest with us tonight. All the way from New York City please help me give a warm 'Nawlins welcome to Lauren…" Bella bent down, away from the microphone, and waved Lauren closer. "I'm sorry sugar, what's your last name?"
"Mallory. Lauren Mallory."
Bella smiled and straightened herself back up. "Lauren Mallory." She threw her hand out in front of her and followed Lauren as made her way up the stage. Hopping off the stage, Bella came back to our table and smiled at everyone as she passed them. "Do you mind if I sit here while she sings? I'd love nothing more than a front row view of this little show."
I shook my head. "No, not at all," I said, mirroring her actions and taking my seat again. I watched as Lauren centered herself on the stage and began taking deep breaths. Bella on the other hand held my attention as well as she crossed her legs in front of her body revealing a small tattoo on the top of her foot. I wanted to get down on all fours and inspect it closer but I knew that might be odd. Instead, I leaned back in my chair wanting to throw my arm across the back of Bella's chair.
She was so close to me I could smell the sweet scent she gave off. I inched my way closer to her just having to be close for some reason. It wasn't until I felt our shoulders touching that I realized she had done the same thing. Something was going to have to give and I wasn't sure in that moment what it was.
The room grew quite as Lauren began the first verse of Once There Was a King from Cinderella. I took a moment to look around the room at the faces of the patrons listening to my girlfriend sing what some would consider a beautiful song. Most of the looks were a mess of contorted confusion. One thing was certain though, every face was on Lauren. I looked over at those sitting at our table. My mother and father looked indifferent. I'm sure they didn't want to show their real emotions one way or another, instead they opted to play the neutral card. Alice had her head buried in the crook of some riff raffs neck. I'd have to find out later who this guy was. But Bella on the other hand sat with a smile on her face. I watched her gather her hair from around the back of her neck and loop it though one of those pony tail holder things. She swung the now gathered hair from side to side as the ends brushed against her back. It was when Lauren hit her all powerful high notes that Bella leaned a little closer to me and patted her hand on my knee.
"Well, I bet that just gets your dick all nice and hard." She stood from her chair just as the room belted out a chorus of boos and hisses. Bella was right. That did in fact get my dick all hard as she politely put it but it wasn't Lauren's singing that did it. It was being in such close vicinity to Bella and watching her do something as simple as pull her hair back that made me want to seek release, preferably with her.
She sashayed up to the stage where I heard her tell Lauren, who was on the verge of tears from the outburst of the bar, "Welcome to New Orleans honey, where we don't give a shit what you can sing if it ain't jazz."
I had to bite back the laughter from her words. I knew it was wrong but at the same time it never felt more right. Lauren came back to the table in a fury demanding that we leave. My father agreed that maybe it would be best if I took her home. From the looks of the crowd, they seemed as if they were ready to tie into Lauren and her New York City ways. I obliged letting them all know I would see them when they returned home.
The short drive back to Uptown was sure to be the longest ride in a car, ever.
~xxx~
I spent a good bit of the next day with my dad. My mom and Alice took Lauren to Baton Rouge with them at my request. If she was going to be here with me on this trip then my family, notably the women in my family, were going to have to learn to be nice.
The majority of the day was spent in the home studio. Dad and I played around with a few tracks, laughing and joking about the night before and reminiscing about the city.
"Dad, she's pretty beaten up," I said by way of acknowledging the destruction of the city for the first time.
"Son, Uptown has nothing on the rest of the city. You should see the lower ninth or drive across the river to Gentilly."
"I haven't been to those places yet but I did a little touring myself yesterday after we got in. I mean, if I thought that was bad I can't imagine what the rest looks like."
My father came and sat at my side offering me a glass of whiskey. I took the glass and drained the liquid in one gulp. I offered my hand out again and he refilled the glass. "Yeah she's bad. All over is bad. But that's why we need people to come home. We need the livelihood of this city to come back so we can get back to right again. The benefit is just one way we are contributing to her revival. I hope with you being here that means that I can count on you for the benefit?"
I nodded. "Yeah, you can count on me. I'm not sure how long we can stay though. When is this planned for anyways?"
"December, sometime before Christmas. You really should talk with Bella about this. She's the one that's really heading it up. Speaking of Bella, you seemed quite cozy with her last night. I noticed how close the two of you were sitting while Lauren tried her best to win over the crowd."
I knew what he was talking about but I acted like I didn't. "Dad, I'm sure you're just seeing things. Besides, it was crowded in there last night so if it looked like we were close it was just because there wasn't much room."
"Sure son, whatever you say. Don't be ashamed. Bella's a very beautiful girl with an amazing voice. You two could do wonders together."
I wondered if he knew the kind of 'wonders' I wanted to do with her. It was wrong to think these things about someone I knew nothing about and only just met, especially when my girlfriend had come along for the ride. But I couldn't help it. I am a man after all.
"Why don't you come back to the bar tonight and bring your horn. I'm sure they'd welcome you to the stage with much more warmth than they did Lauren.'
"You know, that's not a bad idea. It'll be nice to jam on the stage to a packed house with you again. Speaking of Dad…"
"Here it comes. I knew you had to have an ulterior motive for coming home. So what is it? What can I possibly do for you, Edward?"
I lowered my head before I began speaking. I was beginning to think now that I was here maybe approaching my dad with this idea wasn't the best plan. "Dad it's not like that. Tyler just mentioned that maybe when everything down here settled down maybe you and I could lay some tracks together and put together an album." I looked up at him through my eyelashes afraid of what his facial expression might have told.
He smiled. I sighed in relief that he didn't come at me with his shoe. "I figured as much. I don't know Edward," he said after thinking for a few moments. "I need to think about this. Besides, how good do you think a CD with just a cornet and a piano would sound? You might want to consider asking some other folks to get on board to. I understand why you want it to be the two of us but before I commit to anything you need to determine who you are. You're either Edward Masen, New York's finest cornet player or you're Edward Cullen, New Orleans' lost son returned home to claim his right as one of the jazz greats."
He walked over and patted my shoulder. "Think about it. I'm going to get ready for tonight. I can either drive us there or you can meet me. Either way, I'm leaving at six."
On that note he left the room. I sat there, whiskey in my hand, as I thought about what he said. Now was the time for me to decide who I was. I couldn't be both it seemed. I would have to choose. But who did I want to be more? The guy who found himself in a city full of millions or the guy returned home, the guy he had been all along?
~xxx~
By the time I was ready to leave for the club, my dad had already left. Lauren opted to stay at the house, claiming that the heat and shopping had worn her out. I let her be as I left the house alone except for my horn. When I arrived the place wasn't near as packed as what it was the previous night. I parked the car in the same spot as the night before and walked to the doors of the bar. The amazon blonde was not at her post when I entered. Instead I saw her, along with my sister and two other men, at the bar. I walked over, setting my cornet down causing all four of their heads to turn in my direction.
"Edward, you made it," Alice said and looked behind me towards the front door. "You're alone?"
"Yeah, Lauren claimed she was too tired to join us tonight."
"I'm sure that little incident last night had nothing to do with it," Amazon said.
"Edward we didn't get to meet last night," the big burly man with the curly hair said. "I'm Emmett McCarty, string bass player, and this here is my better half Rosalie."
"It's nice to meet you both. Alice," I said nudging my sister. "Aren't you going to introduce me to your friend?"
She threw me a pointed look and huffed. "Edward this is Jasper. Jazz this is my brother Edward."
'Jazz' proceeded to talk through the tooth pick that was in his mouth. "Say Cap, nice to meet ya. I play the trombone," he said and stuck his hand out for me to shake. I took it and smiled.
"It's nice to meet you too. I didn't know my sister was seeing someone."
"It's new but amazing all the same," Jasper said, kissing Alice's temple.
I looked up from the happy pair just as Bella made her way from the back. She caught my eye and half smiled at seeing me sitting at the bar.
"Edward. Good to see you again. Where's Ms. New York Opera House at? I was hoping we'd get an encore performance tonight," Bella said with a sly grin.
"Yeah that's not going to happen. She's at the house so it's just me tonight I'm afraid."
"I see. Well what can I get for ya?" she asked, the weight of her body resting on one foot while her hand was planted firmly on the opposite hip. I ogled a little too long. Just like last night she was wearing an all too tight, but just right white shirt. I briefly wondered if she was wearing a bra or if the fuck me shoes were on her feet again.
"Um, whiskey on the rocks please," I finally stammered out.
"Whiskey it is." She turned her back and took the bottle of whiskey off the shelf.
"Brah, I had all the whiskey I could drink when we evacuated to Houston. I'm tellin' you, I'll drink as much Dixie beer as I can while I still have it. That was hell, pure hell," Emmett said tipping the neck of his beer bottle up to his mouth and drinking most of it in one large gulp.
"Here ya go city boy." I reached for my wallet to pay for the drink but Bella's stopped me by placing her hand on top of mine. We both jumped at the contact and the spark that ignited just from the touch. She looked at our hands and took a deep breath. "Don't worry about it. Your money's no good here."
"Thanks," I said, easing my wallet back into my pocket.
"Edward, son, you made it. I'd like for you to meet my old friend Charlie. He's the sheriff of these here parts," my dad said introducing me to the bar owner.
"Charlie Swan. Damn good to meet ya Edward. We're glad you came home. You got ya horn with ya? You gonna play with us tonight?"
"Yes sir. If that's alright."
"Fine, fine. I think Bella has vetoed any vocal songs though. She got her fill last night."
I turned to look at Bella. She was giving her father one hell of a stare. "Daddy, I told you I'd rather be behind the clarinet than up there singing. You saw what happened to that poor girl last night. What if people reacted to me like that?" I watched the exchange between Bella and her father. I had to give it to her; she had the innocent daddy's girl routine down to a tee. Batting her eyelashes and ducking her head like she was shy. That just proved to me that she was anything but.
"Oh hell, Bells. That girl sounded liked a stuck pig. You got lucky. You got ya momma's voice. People loved her. I don't know what that was last night but it sure as hell wasn't New Orleans."
Apparently no one seemed to care that I was standing right there as they all died in a fit of laughter at my girlfriend's expense. Then again, I guess I could have manned up and stuck up for her but I didn't. My mind had already traveled to other topics after finding out that Bella not only sang but she also played.
"You play the clarinet?" I asked changing the topic.
"Plays the clarinet?" Jasper asked like it was something I should have already known. "Tizzy Izzy here is one bad ass bitch behind the licorice stick."
Bella rolled her eyes but I continued to gape at her. This woman was beautiful, brazen, and bold; she sang and she played a key instrument in the band. If it wasn't for the fact that I had someone waiting for me at home I would have asked her back to my place. Or her place. That probably would have suited us better.
"Why don't we wrap up this little tea party and get out on stage. I got a bone that needs to be scratched," Emmett said, slamming his beer down on the bar top and stealing a kiss from Rosalie.
Jasper wasn't far behind Emmett, leaving in a similar fashion. He on the other hand took my sisters hand and gently kissed it leaving her fanning herself in his wake. I decided to be cute and see if maybe I could get a rise out of Bella.
"Well that just leaves you and me," I said, cocking an eye at her. She matched my look and leaned over the bar, pushing her cleavage up as she did. She was right in my face. I could feel her hot, steamy breath on my face. I closed my eyes thinking that maybe she actually would kiss me. I wouldn't have turned her away. It might have been wrong but I wanted it.
"Not. A. Chance." she said stressing every word like it was its own sentence and saying it in a breathy, seductive tone. By the time I opened my eyes she was gone and I was left with Alice who was doubled over with laughter.
"Oh brother dear, I think you've finally met your match. I like her. I really do," she said between bouts of laughter.
I didn't acknowledge what Alice had just said instead I walked to the stage and took my place next to Emmett and Jasper. Bella looked at me from the other side of the stage and winked. I hid the smile that was creeping over my face. I wasn't sure who this woman was but I had a feeling before I left the city I was going to find out.
The rest of the night went by rather quickly. We played a full set to a packed house. It was amazing being on stage with a small band and my dad. I would look over at him at random times during the show and he would smile like he was proud that he was sharing the stage with me. I couldn't really remember the last time we had done something like this. Maybe we never had. In that moment though it didn't matter because I loved every second I had up there with all of them.
The moments I wasn't focusing on the music or eyeing my dad for approving smiles and nods, I was watching Bella as she blew on her own wind pipe. She was amazing in front of the crowd. I had to admit, she was in her element playing her instrument but when she sang? Oh God, when she sang she made my dick hard.
Around eleven that night we wrapped the show up and sat around for a couple of hours drinking and talking. Bella worked the tables so there was little interaction between the two of us. I wasn't sure if I was grateful for that or not. On one hand I wanted to be able to talk to her and get to know her but on the other hand I knew she could be dangerous territory for me.
~xxx~
The next afternoon, while Lauren was spending the day at the spa in Metairie, my family and I sat down on the back porch to have lunch. My mother had out done herself with the menu. With most of the stores still not operating in the city, she had picked up most of the food while the girls where in Baton Rouge the day before. Crawfish etoufee, butter soaked French bread and bread pudding all sat nicely on the table overlooking the backyard.
"Dad, what's the set list look like for the benefit? I've got a few ideas after playing with everyone last night that I think might be able to work."
"Edward, your father is just helping Bella line up talent for the benefit. She's the one calling all the shots. You should really talk with her about all of this," my mother responded.
"She's right, Edward. Bella is really the one in charge here. How long is Lauren going to be gone today?" he inquired looking down at his pudding.
"All day I'm sure. Why?"
"Maybe you could visit Bella today and discuss these things with her. Find out when she plans on having rehearsals and such."
In theory it sounded like a good idea. Then again, my father had no idea that in the two days I had been around this woman she gave me a constant hard on. I guess I was just going to have to bite the bullet and deal with the constant pain I was in while I was around her.
"If you have her number I'll call her after lunch. Set something up."
My dad and mother looked at one another and smiled. Alice beamed from her seat. If I wasn't mistaken I would have thought that maybe my family was trying to push Bella and me together.
I spent an hour after lunch trying to reach Bella. She never answered her phone or called me back after I left her a couple of messages. Dad finally suggested that maybe I should just drive to her house and see if she was home. Needing to get out of the house, I took him up on the idea and drove to the Quarter, not far from where the club was. When I arrived I was shocked to see that Bella lived on the corner of Bourbon. I wondered briefly if the noise was loud on the other side of the walls when the city was alive and well.
I walked inside the discrete building and up the stairs. There was only one door where I was on the second floor. I knocked faintly hearing the sound of music on the other side. I knocked again, louder this time, hoping that maybe I had gotten her attention. When she opened the door it was apparent that she was the one that had gained my attention.
There in all her beautiful glory stood Bella Swan in nothing but a low cut white tank top and matching white cotton boy cut panties.
~xxx~
A/N- So yeah, I kind of left it on a cliffhanger for you. But a good one right? Bella's take will be next. The writing on the houses is truefax.
So, important things to share with you all. I'm auctioning myself off for the Fandom Gives Back. If you're coming over from The Sovereign Six I'll be auctioning a o/s of your choice. Examples include a look into the future, maybe an Esme & Carlisle outtake from when they partied on Bourbon, or just something you want me to dive further into to. The second thing I'm auctioning off is a collection of three o/s. These have not been written yet but they are swimming around in my head. Two of them are based on songs and the other is just one that I have been thinking about. So, if you'd like, I'll be up for bidding soon!
Until next week…