BPOV
Lizzie ended up staying the rest of the weekend and Edward did indeed break his hand. I hadn't seen him since I'd left Saturday night. Mom told me I could go if I wanted to, but I felt like I needed to take a step back. Not a step back from Edward, but from the situation.
I was too irrationally angry to deal with Esme or Lizzie. Lizzie let her son be abused by his father and I wasn't sure yet if she'd joined in or not. Esme continually let Lizzie pollute Edward's life. In my opinion, if she never showed her face again he would totally be just fine. Whatever.
Edward tried to come over, but like I said, I needed to take a step back. I sent Gram out with a note. He didn't like that very much because he climbed the tree and tried getting in through my window. Did I mention I locked the window? That didn't go over well either. Edward stayed in the tree for almost two hours before Carlisle made him get down.
Carlisle came to talk to Mom after that, which I was fine with. I think she was kind of happy with my decision to take a step back. I could understand her concern for me, I really could. Edward broke his hand by punching a wall. Edward broke my nose by trying to punch Tyler. Edward broke things when he got angry. That was reason for concern, especially since I was around when those things happened. Only I knew he wouldn't intentionally hurt me.
"B, you're going to be late," Mom called. "Usually you're eating out on the porch by now."
"I'm still getting ready," I replied, pushing up out of bed.
I walked to my closet, running my hand through my hair as I looked through my clothing choices for the day. Gram had brought some of Mom's old clothes down from the storage closet in the attic. I think she was trying to help… understand my fashion choices. Renee's wardrobe was kind of punk rock so to speak. There were shredded up jeans and holey crop tops. I would never show that much skin. I mean, granted, too many of my shirts showed a little bit of my midriff, but that was about it.
I shut the door with a sigh, going over to my wardrobe and grabbed my usual Bella ensemble of baggy jeans and a Pixies t-shirt. I wasn't one for variety. I hurried up and changed, rushing out the door.
When I walked into the kitchen, Mom was sitting at the table with a very tired Esme. I stopped mid-step to the fridge, not quite sure if I should acknowledge either of them, though I was pretty sure I just had.
"Baby, come sit with us," Mom nodded to the chair next to Esme.
"Um, I'm running late, remember?" I pointed out lamely.
"You're not that late," she sighed.
"But Emmett is probably waiting, thus making him late as well. Do you really want to be responsible for tardy marks on our record?"
"You're good, but not that good. Now, sit," she pointed to the seat again.
I trudged over to the chair, slumping in the seat. Mom reached over, brushing my hair behind my ears. I glared.
"What? You looked like an orphan," she shrugged, tugging on a piece of my hair.
"So, you wanted to talk with me?" I mumbled, trying to get this ball of awkwardness rolling.
"I wanted to apologize," Esme spoke up quietly. "I know you're mad at me because I let Edward down, but I don't really know what else to do."
"How about not letting the junkie around him," I snapped.
"Isabella," Mom said firmly, shaking her head. "You will not talk to Esme like that."
"I can't believe to either of you," I started, slightly agitated. "Mom, you say you want me to stay away from Edward because you're afraid he'll hurt me, but this whole thing seems like an intervention to get me to talk to him. Esme, you let Lizzie mentally damage Edward; we know all the physical damage is already done. He's brilliant, articulate, and so, so, so kind, but get that woman around him and she turns him back into that tortured little boy."
I took a deep breath, convinced I'd just yelled that rant at my mother and Esme. I heard a sob escape Esme, but I was too busy trying to leave without seeing the effects of my words.
"Bella," Mom called for me.
I kept running until I ran into Edward's back as he sat on the porch stairs. I didn't really want to deal with him or my hiding, so I sidestepped him and leaped over the four stairs until I hit the grass. I took off in another sprint, hearing Edward yell out my name.
There was no stopping me though. My destination was Emmett's Jeep and I was getting to it without any obstacles. He stared at me slack jawed as I clambered into the passenger seat.
"Smalls, what the fuck?" he asked in shock.
"Just drive, please?" I choked out.
I felt my bottom lip tremble, but I was trying so hard not to cry. I had four issues. Mom thought Edward would maybe hurt me, Edward had major anger issues, Esme wanted to protect Edward and Lizzie both, and I wanted to so badly talk to my Dad about everything.
Charlie listened and he never judged. He always gave people the benefit of the doubt. I remembered one of the guys from the garage, Waylon, had a lot of problems, but Dad was always there to help him. I had to be six or so and I remember Charlie taking me to the beach. We had been there for a while when Harry called Dad, telling him something that caused us to leave. Mom wasn't picking up her phone, so he took me with him to a motor home community. Back then I didn't know what drunk was, but thinking back on it, Waylon was always kind of smelly and acted real goofy; he spoke funny. He told Dad in the car that his wife wasn't home anymore and that his daughter Sophie, who I went to school with, was gone.
"Daddy, why was Mr. Waylon crying?" I asked as he tucked me in really good.
"Well baby, he misses Sophie," he said, running his thumb on my cheek.
"Why did her Mommy leave with her? I go places with Mommy, but we always come back," I explained.
"And I'm happy my two girls always come back to me," he chuckled, kissing my forehead.
"Daddy, you didn't answer my other question," I huffed.
"Sometimes people lose their way, Bells. Waylon's sick and I'm going to do my best to help him. You'll learn when you're older that when you have friends, people you love, you'll do anything to help them when they're down," he explained.
"Is it because you've been Mr. Waylon's friend for forever?"
"Something like that, kid," he laughed, messing up my hair. "I just want you to remember that if someone you know is in trouble, you can always tell me and I'll do my best to make it better; to help you and them."
Edward needs your help Daddy and so do I.
"Bella, the crying is really freaking me out and I can't help you unless you tell me what is wrong," Emmett pleaded and I realized he had pulled over.
I gave Em the abridged version of everything that happened after he left on Saturday.
"Masen's dad beat him? That's why he's deaf?" Emmett breathed sharply. "Holy shit, who does that to their own child?"
"Apparently Eddie Masen," I sniffled.
"His mom just let that shit happen? Was she involved?"
"Edward only said his father hit him, nothing about his mother," I answered.
"And you're mad at Esme for letting her see him?"
"She said it was for Lizzie's sobriety," I explained. "But the woman just hurts Edward every time she's around. She brings back bad memories…" I trailed off with a whimper. "It's like I can't be near him because I don't know how to take away his pain."
The cycle seemed to be endless with him. Why couldn't Esme see that? Edward deserved to be a normal seventeen-year-old guy, with no worries except for his upcoming history quiz this week.
Once my negative thoughts passed, I realized Emmett was hugging me tightly while trying to comfort me.
"I have an idea how to help Masen control his anger issues. Do you think I can talk to Dr. Cullen?" Emmett asked, pulling away.
"Uh… yeah, I'm sure Carlisle would help," I nodded slowly, curious about what Emmett wanted to suggest.
"We're going to be late," he sighed. "Are you ready to head to school or do you want me to take you back?"
"No, definitely school," I whispered, wiping my tears away.
When we reached the school, I noticed Rosalie's car wasn't in the parking lot and the Triad was nowhere in sight. Emmett and I sat at our old table much to Jessica's chagrin. The guys didn't dare speak out of line when Em was around. I think it was out of sheer fear of him and his hulking figure.
"Bella, I really like your hair today," Angela complimented, as I tore into my pizza.
"Didn't do much to it except wake up with it like this," I mumbled around the food in my mouth.
She nodded shyly taking a bite of her apple.
"Where's Edward today?" Ang asked quietly so Jessica's nebby nose wouldn't hear.
"I guess he stayed home," I shrugged because I didn't want anyone to know he probably stayed home because of me.
She took my answer as a sign to back off, which she did. I felt bad because I knew Angela was far from being like Jessica and Lauren. I was a crappy person. I should have at least spoken to him and now he probably hated me.
"Me and my Mom are going to Port Angeles this weekend. Would you maybe want to come?" she asked before pausing. "If not that's totally okay too."
I felt Em nudge my side, giving me a nod to encourage me.
"Sure I would love to go, but let me ask my Mom," I explained. "We kind of had a rough weekend I need to see if… I'll ask her."
"If it helps, she can talk to my Mom," Angela offered, pushing her glasses up her nose.
"Yeah, that might work."
After lunch, I sort of went through the motions of the rest of the day. Emmett asked me for the millionth time if I wanted him to come in, but I brushed him off. Gram was at work and the other car wasn't home so I assumed Mom had gone somewhere.
It was raining, so with my goodbye to Emmett, I hopped out of the Jeep and dashed across the yard as he pulled out of the driveway. That's when I heard the sneeze from the side of the house. I walked around and saw a drenched Edward sitting on the porch steps. His eyes were super glassy and I was sure it wasn't from the rain. The wet weed stench rolling off him told me exactly what it was from.
He was stoned and looking right at me.
"Bella," he stood shaking.
I shook my head taking his good hand in mine, noticing the other one had a cast on it and led him into our house.
"Anyone home," I called through the house.
No one answered me, so my earlier observation was right. I pulled him further into the house, shedding his soaked jacket in the hallway. I saw a note taped to the mirror by the door.
Phil's office assistant went into labor. Went to his office to help him out. I didn't forget about this morning so we're still going to have a talk. I won't be home until seven. – Love you, Mom!
I sighed; it was only three. I heard the sneeze again. I shimmied out of my coat glaring at him.
"How long where you sitting out there?" I asked, throwing my hands on my hips.
He answered by shrugging sheepishly. His lips were purple and that definitely wasn't good. When I was sick and had the chills, Mom would always force me into a hot bath. I for sure wasn't going to get into a hot bath with Edward. Maybe I could get him to take a shower.
Edward was watching me carefully as I pointed up the stairs reaching for his good hand again. He followed as I guided us into the bathroom. I stopped at the hall closet grabbing a few towels. He raised an eyebrow as I shut and locked the door.
I paid him no mind though and brushed past him to turn on the hot water. He leaned casually against the sink when I turned around. He was still shivering really badly. I brought my fingers to the edges of his unbuttoned flannel, pushing the sleeves down his arms. Once I threw it on the floor, Edward ripped his t-shirt over his head. He urgently started on the button and zipper of his pants, pulling them off. It was then he tried taking off his boxers, but my hand stopped his movements.
We weren't ready for that, especially with everything that happened. I shook my head giving him a simple no.
"Bella," he groaned, inching my t-shirt up.
Maybe we could go in there in just our underwear. They cover as much as swimsuits do. I nodded, letting him take my t-shirt off. He tugged at my jeans, getting them off in one pull. Now I was standing in my training bra and heart panties in front of Edward.
I ignored his leering and pulled away to adjust the water temperature. He grabbed my hips, pressing into my bottom. I definitely felt him, this was turning out to be a really bad idea. I stepped into the shower because he was freezing and I was convinced he was going to get hypothermia.
When I turned around to face him, he attached his lips to mine. The kiss was gentle like all the other ones, but something was very different.
"Mmm, Edward," I mumbled against his lips, placing my hand against his chest.
He stopped, taking a step back and gave me a lazy grin before pulling the elastic band of my panties back. Edward peeked, making my stomach tingle. I squeezed his shoulder, looking up at his towering figure.
"We can't," I insisted, watching his face fall.
"I love you," his familiar muffled voice said.
"I'm not ready for sex," I whisper-yelled, hoping he understood.
"Not sex, but other things," he explained, lifting me up to press me against the tiled wall.
The tent in his boxers pressed firmly against me causing me to moan. This was like nothing I'd ever felt. I started to feel his fingers sneak in… near…my God. He was touching me where I'd never been touched before.
This wasn't a good idea because we had to talk and he was touching… his finger slipped inside.
"Edward," I groaned, slightly biting his shoulder.
That caused him to pause and I took that as an opportunity to stop. His casted hand was holding my bottom up so I lightly touched the wrist that had the fingers attached to me... in me.
"Bella?" he slowly withdrew his index finger, staring at me.
"I'm not ready for that," I said, wiping the pelting warm water from my face.
"You don't want me?" he frowned, stepping back.
I grabbed for his shoulders, moving him closer. I placed his hand over my heart and covered it with both my hands.
"Yours," was all I said as he watched me. "We need to talk first."
His green eyes were piercing me; I didn't want him thinking he wasn't wanted or that I didn't have the same feelings that he had for me. Everything was so scary and we were young. I never had any guy care for me the way Edward had, but I also knew he was a teenage boy. They were obsessed with sex, maybe they didn't think right when they saw boobs or lady land.
As he helped me set my feet down, my legs brushed against his boner, causing him to hiss. I cupped his face giving him a sincere kiss of apology. While we kissed, his fingers found the edge of my bra. I knew he was silently asking to catch a glance. I didn't get why he was so eager to see them again because I was almost as flat as he was. I had little curve to my breasts and could fill my A cups proudly.
"Please?" he asked sweetly.
Fine, whatever. I unhooked the back of my bra, flinging it out of the shower. I looked anywhere, but at him. Other than our first meeting, no other boy had seen me this exposed. I felt really insecure.
Edward caught my chin, steadying me to place a tender kiss on my lips. I deepened the kiss, moaning into his mouth when his thumb brushed my nipple.
"Bella?" Gram called, knocking on the door.
A/N: Eek! Yeah I left it there… As always tell me your thoughts! I have to say I really like that Emmett kid! Huge thanks to my betas Dolphin62598 and rainydays23 they really are a great help!