Chapter Twelve

EPOV

Bella's sister-in-law, Mary Alice Brandon Swan, daughter of Tennessee Brandon, the famous bluegrass musician, as she introduces herself, reminds me of those girls I went to college with: roaming eyes, seductive smiles, girls used to getting whatever they wanted in the only way they knew how to get it. She shakes my hand, and I'm momentarily stunned at the coolness of her palm pressed against mine.

"So this is the infamous Edward Cullen," she says, crimson-red lips twisted into a sexy smile. "Your name been thrown around my house quite a bit lately; almost as often as it was a few years ago. And just as bitter, I might add. I have to say, you're much more handsome than I remember. I guess the black and white print of the newspaper after the accident didn't do you justice."

With her words, my blood runs colder than that hand of hers. I pry my paw away, discrete as I wipe it off on my pants. Alice hung onto my hand a second too long, just long enough to be considered inappropriate.

"Nice to meet you, Alice."

"Mmm … likewise," she says, pristine-white teeth biting a bottom lip. "I hear you're helping Bella with the yard-work and pool. You know, I could use a little help around the house. Landscaping and whatnot. I bet you're pretty good with your hands. Want my number?"

"Uh, no thank you." Is this bitch serious right now? "I've got my hands plenty full as it is."

I nod across the den at Bella, who is engaged in a deep conversation with my mother. The two women become distracted as Eli, Mary Alice's knee-high child, rips through the house with a toy airplane in his hands, screaming at the top of his lungs. Cringing, I shake my head, my temples pounding from the hour's worth of Eli's non-stop hollering, but Mary Alice is unfazed, licking her lips between sips of bourbon.

I glance at my watch, desperate to change conversation. "Is your husband coming tonight? It's getting close to suppertime."

"Who knows?" Alice's eyes grow cold. She sips her bourbon and sighs, flexing her jaw. "He's either still at work, or maybe at the bar … or balls-deep inside our maid right now." She grins at my stunned expression. "Oh, don't look so surprised. Mommy's little titty baby is never happy unless he's up to no good. Say, you got a cigarette I can bum?"

"Nah, I quit a while back. Maybe you shouldn't drink so much since your husband's not around to drive you home."

Alice downs the rest of the bourbon, nearly choking on the liquid with her raucous laughter. She wipes the liquor from her mouth, the crimson stain of her lips smudging in one corner. "Edward Cullen giving me driving lessons? You of all people?"

This is twice she's brought up the accident, all within a few minutes. Snatching a bottle of bourbon from her hands before she can refill her glass, I shoot her a narrow-eyed glare. "I'm gonna let your sexual innuendos and blatant insults slide for now, only because you're drunk and you're technically part of Bella's family. But rest assured, you will not be leaving the driveway tonight unless someone else is driving, or until you've sobered up."

Alice sways on her feet, an amused smile on her face. "Stern, intense, demanding … everything I lack in a mate. I like it."

"Alice Brandon, you two-bit tramp," a voice whisper, so low it's almost inaudible.

The familiar voice is that of Renee Swan. Standing near the doorway of the den, she holds a casserole dish in her hands, Charlie Swan by her side. He's distracted and doesn't seem to witness what his wife has, as he shakes my father's hand and introduces himself. A sincere, excited smile stretches across his face. Carlisle cracks one of his lame jokes and Charlie bellows in laughter. Bella grins, shaking her head at her father's exuberance.

"Look who it is," Alice murmurs, snatching the bottle from my hands while the others are distracted. She presses the bottle to her lips and takes a long pull. "Enter Renee Swan, the reason we all drink."

Alice cackles at her own joke and shoves the bottle against my chest. She takes the casserole dish from Renee's hands, the two caught up in a silent stare off for a second before Renee releases the dish. Esme locks eyes with me from across the room, her bewildered gaze bringing a bubble of hysterical laughter to my throat. I clear it away with a cough and step forward, introducing Renee to my family.

"So nice to finally meet you, Renee," Esme says, forgoing a handshake to pull her into a friendly hug. Bella and I exchange a surprised glance before returning our attention to our mothers. I'm not sure what I expect, but Renee doesn't sprout horns and throw my mother to the floor. She doesn't spout out insults regarding me, Esme's son. Instead, she returns the hug and the two pull away, grinning demurely at one another. As the two shuffle into the kitchen, Esme shoots me a wink and a knowing grin before turning back to her newest friend. The two chatter about cooking and recipes and I think my head is going to explode. Pressing my palms to my temples, I close my eyes, the stress and shock of the night unfolding around me almost too much to bear.

"Mama's playing nice," Bella whispers, sliding up beside me. I open my eyes and drop my hands from my head, giving her a tight smile. "She's an angel at first. The claws come out slowly, after she's wrapped you around her finger and forced you to like her. That's what makes her words cut so much deeper."

"She sure wasn't worried about wrapping me around her finger," I grumble.

"She wasn't trying to impress you," Bella says. "It's all abouther being the victim and wanting the best for me. You'll see what I mean before the night is over."

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