Disclaimer: Twilight and characters belong to Stephenie Meyer.
A special thanks to Jessica0306. This was a hot mess when I sent it to her.
"I can't believe you made Jasper buy you that drink," Bella chastised.
"What?! He deserved it" Alice retorted.
"Look at him. He looks so embarrassed. I think the bartender is laughing at him," Bella pressed. Both Alice and Bella watched Jasper rub his flushed face with both his hands. Sure enough, the bartender was holding in a laugh.
"This is the last one, OK? These things sure pack a punch, though. Honestly, Bella, this is not that big of deal. I could have been a lot bitchier. Plus, he's the only one able to buy alcohol here, and if he wants to get me buzzed and happy, then he has to do what I say." Alice shuffled in her chair and continued to sip on the water-downed remains in her glass.
Bella nursed the soda in front of her. She really wanted something citrusy like a Sea Breeze but wasn't going to ask that of Jasper.
Rosalie and Emmett made their way towards their friends from the front entrance. Their coats were removed before they reached the table, but they didn't stop their conversation.
"Unlike cocaine, it's nothing to be sniffed at Rose," Emmett barked.
"You would know," Rose responded.
Alice and Bella gave each other knowing looks. It didn't matter what Rosalie and Emmett were quarrelling about. They were always like this.
Jasper joined them at that moment with Alice's third fruity, girly drink and a beer for himself. "Are you sure you don't want anything, Bella?" Jasper asked.
Bella declined his offer and gave him a genuine smile.
"What the hell, Jasper? I'm right here. Where's my drink?" Emmett bellowed.
"I'm not your bitch. You can't ask nicely?"
"When did you become such a girl? Did I hurt your feelings?"
"Leave him alone. I've already messed with him enough tonight," Alice interrupted.
"Damn, Alice, don't fuck with my man. My best man. My favorite person in the whole world." Emmett stopped talking and looked for Rosalie. He grabbed her around the waist and continued, "Except for Rosie here of course."
"Get your own drinks, Em."
"You know I can't, asshole. Just buy us a pitcher and Rose and I will share."
"Fine," Jasper huffed and walked back to the bar.
"Why do they serve him? Does he have a fake ID or something?" Bella asked.
Before Emmett realized what he was saying, he answered her. "Nah, it's just the privileges of once fucking a chick that works here.
"Wait, is that why he can buy drinks here?" Alice screeched, slamming her empty glass on the table.
"Yeah, she's got his picture taped behind the bar there. His drinks are like half off too," Emmett replied coolly. He knew he fucked up but couldn't stop the words coming from his mouth. Rosalie groaned next to him and shook her head. She leaned over and whispered in his ear, "God you are so stupid sometimes. Jasper is going to kill you."
Alice's eyes went directly towards Jasper who was busy joking with the bartender. Luckily for him it was a male bartender. The pitcher was placed in front of him, and he walked off with it towards the table.
"Alice?" Bella inquired.
Alice hadn't taken her eyes off Jasper. He was all smiles until he caught Alice's glare. He didn't know what he did this time, but his night has gone to shit. When he reached the table, Alice jumped right in.
"She still lets you drink here…with discounts…why is that, Jasper?" Alice asked with a disapproving tone.
At first Jasper was confused, but when he looked around the table and saw the apologetic look on his friends' faces, it registered.
"You mean Maria? Um, we are still friends, I guess." Jasper swallowed a large swig from his beer.
"Uh huh. Outside, now," Alice seethed while pushing her glass away from her. They both got up and left the table.
"Well, at least I got a pitcher first," Emmett joked. Rosalie punched him on the shoulder.
"Shit, I should have known better than to ask questions." Bella sighed.
"Oh please, Bella. This is all this idiot's fault,"Rosalie replied while pointing at Emmett beside her.
"Hey, Bella, right… you're in my creative thinking class, aren't you?" A strong male voice asked next to her. He had been sitting near by when he noticed her and finally built up the nerve to talk to her. Bella looked up to gaze at a very attractive face. She sort of recognized him, but that class was large and she never really paid attention.
"Yep, I'm Bella."
"Can I buy you a drink?" he asked.
Edward was laughing as he entered the bar. He had come across Alice and Jasper bickering in the parking lot. When he looked around, he spotted the group near the back. He didn't like what he saw. Instead of heading to the table, he went to the bar. He bought a beer, citing that it was for Jasper, that he went to the bathroom. The guy really didn't care and handed him the bottle without discretion. He couldn't control his fervor any longer and made his way towards Bella.
When he approached, he took the seat next to Bella and wrapped his arm over the back of her chair.
Emmett interjected, "How the hell did you get a beer? Is Jasper done getting reamed yet?" Emmett searched the bar. Edward ignored him and watched the guy leaning close to Bella back up and say his goodbyes.
When he was gone, Edward spoke up. "So, who was that?" He spoke to the group, but the question was directed at Bella.
"He's in one of my classes. He was just saying hello," Bella answered.
"And wanted to buy you a drink," Rosalie added. Bella gave her a pointed look and Rosalie just smiled.
"Is that so?" Edward said, taking a sip of his beer.
"Seriously, Ed, how did you get a beer? Am I the only one in this place not allowed? I look older than all you fuckers," Emmett whined.
"Gentlemen never kiss and tell," Edward teased.
Bella was transfixed on Edward's nearness. He smelt freshly showered and his hair was still damp. She could feel his arm grazing her back. She was feeling a little scatterbrained. It was the first time she was hit on at a bar by a non-creepy dude. It happened while Edward was present. Edward seemed put out by this. This could mean good things. Maybe.
"Did you see Alice by any chance?" Bella asked.
"Yeah, out front… yelling at Jazz." Edward laughed.
"I wonder if she is still giving me a ride back." Bella knew what she was doing.
"I could drive you home," Edward offered.
"Thanks, cool." Bella smiled. Worked like a charm, she thought. Edward smiled back.
About ten minutes later, Alice and Jasper made their way back in the bar. The gang teased them about their lovers' quarrel and then about makeup sex when the two made some excuse to take off. Emmett bitched at Jasper about how he was supposed to choose bro's before ho's. He was mad that he couldn't get any more drinks. The pitcher was pretty much drained.
Edward chose this opportunity to ask Bella if she was ready, but before he could say anything, a commotion close by caught his attention. Jane was drunk and yelling at some guy.
"Hey, guys, I'll be right back…" Edward said and left the table. Rosalie, Emmett and Bella watched as he made his way over to Jane. They couldn't really hear what was said, but Edward was speaking softly to a frazzled Jane. She could barely stand upright and her shirt was all rumpled. Guilt washed over Bella.
Emmett and Rosalie weren't clueless to the Edward and Bella situation. Alice had called Rosalie that afternoon, which lead to a call to Emmett. They just decided to keep quiet, but they knew this Jane thing must be awkward for Bella. They both jumped in to start a conversation with her as a distraction.
Edward appeared shortly after. "Hey, I need to take Jane home. She's really drunk and I want to make sure she gets home alright." He looked upset and Bella told him it was fine. Rosalie jumped in to say they'd take Bella home.
Edward was going to offer to take Bella with him but knew it would be all kinds of messed up to have Bella in the car with Jane.
"Bella, I'm sorry. I… can I call you later?" Edward asked.
"Yeah, sure. Talk to you later," Bella replied.
Rosalie, Emmett, and Bella watched Edward pretty much carry Jane out the door. Emmett couldn't hold back his snickering and Rosalie yelled at him for it. They all decided then that it was time to leave as well. On the way out the door, Bella was pulled to the side again by the same guy from earlier.
"Hey, sorry. I know you're leaving, but I wanted to give you my number. If you need any help… in class… or just want to hang out or something… ya know." He stuttered through the sentence. Bella found it endearing. He looked so bashful. She took the paper he had presented in his hand just to be polite.
"OK," she said and left the bar. When she got in the car, she used the streetlight to view the paper. It was just his name and phone number.
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I'm working that SPIE trade show this week... won't really be able to reply much... but I still appreciate!