Disclaimer: We don't own Twilight, but we do have a few tattoos...and there might even be a Twilight one in the mix somewhere.

Removed - Chapter 2

EPOV

The sound of Van Morrison's Into the Mystic is playing on the jukebox when I finally walk into my favorite pub. I signal to Liam at the bar that I'd like my usual beer and then slide into the booth, ready to enjoy my Friday night with the guys.

"Where the hell have you been?" My older brother, Emmett, doesn't believe in beating around the bush.

My best friend Jasper is just as bad. "Yeah, Cullen, you're never late. What gives? You finally stick it to the new girl in your office?"

I barely refrain from rolling my eyes. Emmett and Jasper are my best buds and have been so all my life. It's our Friday night ritual to come to Kell's for the best pub food and ale in Seattle and, if one of us is ever late, it's gotta be for a good reason. Of course, they don't waste any time trying to get me to spill my story. Nosey motherfuckers!

"I just ran into Victoria."

Emmett starts choking on his beer and, while Jasper beats his fist on Em's back a few times, I take a big pull from my mug and calmly wait for more questioning.

"Your ex? That Victoria?" Em asks, wiping his watery eyes.

"The very same."

"What, did she finally come back and beg for forgiveness for leaving your ass at the altar?" I can hear the venom in Jasper's voice. He's never been a fan of Vic's, not even when we were in high school.

"She didn't leave me at the altar, Jas, and, no, she doesn't want me back."

"Thank fuck for that! I'd have to disown you as a brother if you ever took that skank back!"

"Fuck, Em! Shut up and listen! I ran into her just a few minutes ago when I was walking here from work. She saw me first and waved me down. I couldn't really ignore her."

"You could've tried," Jasper mumbles.

I ignore him and continue. "I'm actually glad we talked. She's married and has a baby now."

Both Emmett and Jasper are staring at me, slack-jawed.

"Look, I know what she did to me was shitty but it was a long time ago. I'm over her; I have been for years. Seeing her, though, made me realize just how much I'm over her. I'm actually ready to date now."

"But you already date," Em says, looking at me like I'm an idiot.

"No," Jasper clarifies, "he gets his dick wet. There's a difference."

"I mean," I say, raising my voice to get their attention, "I'm ready to put myself out there—meet someone special and, hopefully, start a relationship with them."

Emmett leans over the bar and slaps his hand on my shoulder. "Well, congratulations, bro! It's about damned time!"

"Finally! Alice and Rose now have a new project to work on: Operation Find Edward a Girlfriend," Jasper chimes in.

I cringe at the idea of going on blind dates again, but I guess I have to start somewhere.

"First things first. It's time to get my tattoo removed."

"Whoa, you really are serious! This calls for another round! Liam, shots and beers over here, pronto!" Emmett yells.

My brother, the fucking drama king!

I watch as Jasper pulls his wallet out and removes a business card. Sliding it over to me, he says, "If you're really serious about this shit, here's who you need to see. Swan Dermatology—best dermatologist in town."

Rolling over, I feel the sun shining through my bedroom window, but I refuse to open my eyes. I feel the beginning of a hangover headache. Emmett and his "one more shot" are biting me in the ass this morning. It's my day off and I could lay here until tomorrow, but that'll just make me feel even shittier. I don't know what I'm going to do today, but if I'm not productive in some way, I'll feel like the entire day was wasted.

Seize the day is what my dad always said.

When I'm finally able to drag myself out of bed, I stumble to the bathroom and turn the shower on a little hotter than usual. I'm hopeful the steam will help clear my head. Turning to look at myself in the mirror, my eyes immediately go to my chest. The black cursive writing that's been a constant reminder of lost love, lost trust, and a broken heart, glares back at me. As I rub my hand over her name, my mind takes me back to the night I got it.

"You're so fucking pussy-whipped," Emmett joked, his big burly hand making contact with my head.

"Dude, you know it's bad luck to get a tattoo of your girl's name. Are you sure you wanna do this? Maybe you could get something else that reminds you of her?"

"No, Jas. I'm doing this. There's nothing that could or will come between us. We're meant to be together; when I ask her to marry me next week, I'm going to show her that she's already tattooed on my heart . . . where she'll be forever."

"That's the cheesiest shit I've ever heard," Emmett said, nearly falling off the chair beside the table I'm lying on.

The buzz of the tattoo gun started up, instantly giving me an adrenaline rush. I loved getting new ink and the fact that I was doing something to show Vic just how much I loved her, made this one even more special.

"You know what, dickwad, you can make fun of me all you want, but I'm marrying this girl. If cheese is what it takes for her to say yes, then cheese is what I'll give her. Besides, you just wait until you find your soulmate—you'll be the most pussy-whipped mother-fucker around."

I rub my chest a little harder, realizing for the first time—for as long as I can remember—thinking about that night and about her doesn't make me physically hurt inside. My heart is in one piece. It doesn't feel like there's a gaping hole or even a small tear. Taking a deep breath, I know exactly what I'm going to do today.

A/N:

And, a little more backstory. :) Don't forget, we'll be back tomorrow . . . same time, same channel!

Thank you so much for reading! Please let us know what you think so far in the reviews!

As always, a big thanks to our rockstar beta, Mauigirl60!