Twilight isn't mine, but the idea is. I was inspired to write this after a marathon of Fast and Furious. All the songs on the soundtrack helped me create this, so you should check them if you don't know them.
Many thanks to my dear friends m0t0b33 and TeamAllTwilight for the pre-reader and beta work.
And to you, my readers and followers, thank you! I wish I had the time to answer you, but we can discuss stuff in my facebook group. ;)
I'm on my way home! Early. Edward sent the text message to his friend Jasper.
Edward, Bella and Rose were on the plane, waiting to take off from Flagstaff. Bella sat next to her boyfriend, wrapped around his right arm, shaking. No matter how much he'd told her everything was going to be okay, the concept of flying still scared her. Rosalie didn't even try to come to his aid, simply rolling her eyes and scoffing at the silly girl's worry.
It was the concept of something new, something unknown that scared Bella—the change always put her off.
Edward's phone buzzed with an incoming message, making Bella startle at the vibration against her hip. He chuckled, patting her knee before taking the phone out. He couldn't wait to get home and beg his parents to buy him a replica of his old one.
Want me to pick you up? Jasper had answered.
Nah. I'm taking off now. I'm with Rose…and the exchange student. ;)
Cool, man. See ya!
"Tell me about your friend," Bella mumbled, watching as Edward turned off his phone.
Knowing she not only wanted to know about his friend and life in Chicago—something he tried to avoid as much as possible—Edward knew that Bella needed the distraction. During the flight, he told her in a few words about Jasper and Alice, mostly speaking of their characters and avoiding exactly what they did. Edward did tell her Jasper worked in a garage, but not about his extra-curricular activities. He told her about Alice and about her dream to open a tattoo parlor when she was legal.
When they landed in Chicago, Rose led the way out the airport after gathering their bags. Bella stared amazed at her surroundings. The airport was huge. She was sure half her town would fit in there, maybe even all of it.
Edward kept a strong hold of her hand as he trudged after Rosalie. Bella could tell his behavior had changed somehow. He was on guard, looking everywhere as if afraid of something. He suddenly stopped, nearly causing Bella to collide with Rose who had stopped as well. In front of them was a massive man. He reminded Bella of a bear she'd seen when she was younger.
"Emmett!" Rosalie flung herself at the man.
Oh, that's Edward's cousin, Bella mused. She glanced at Edward, but he had his poker face on.
"Rosebud, I send you after one and you bring two." Emmett laughed.
She flipped her hair over her shoulder, smacking Bella in the face with it. "That's his girlfriend. I know, what a joke!"
Edward ground his teeth, stomping his foot to the floor. "Shut the fuck up! You don't know anything!"
"Hey, easy there, man. Nice to see you." Emmett walked around his fiancée and gave his cousin a bro hug. He turned to Bella, who cowered into Edward's side. He kept her close, glaring at his cousin. "Nice to meet you, Edward's girlfriend."
"Bella. Her name is Bella and if I hear you stoop to your girlfriend's idiotic behavior I swear to God…" Edward threatened Emmett.
"Chill, man." Emmett was taken aback by his cousin hostile behavior. The kid must have it bad, he thought to himself. "Come along. Your parents are waiting."
"What's up with you?" Bella whispered as they walked behind the lovebirds.
"I told you, I understand why Rose is acting like this, but if he starts it as well, it's war. I won't sit back and have my own family say shit about you."
Bella's heart took off at the sweet gesture. She knew Edward didn't realize why he felt so protective toward her, and she hoped she read him right. He was surely developing stronger feelings for her. It thrilled her, yet it scared her at the same time—giving herself so fully to someone, baring your heart and soul was big.
"Holy shit, Em! You washed your car!" Edward exclaimed when they reached the parking lot.
"I took it to the car wash before leaving," Rose said over her shoulder, winking.
"Oh." Edward laughed. "Seriously, man. Cars are like—"
"I'm not in love with my car like you," Emmett grumbled, opening the trunk.
It was a SUV, but Bella wasn't sure what type since she didn't catch the logo. It was quite big and black.
"Yeah, so? I love Betty. Big deal."
"You don't want your girl here to become jealous," Rose commented.
"Of an inanimate object?" Bella asked amused. She failed to see the horrified look on Edward's face, being busy climbing inside.
Emmett clapped his cousin on the back. "Wait one moment." He waited until his fiancée climbed in after Bella, closing the door. Placing a hand on his little cousin's shoulder, Emmett cleared his throat. "You been good, kid?"
"Emmett…" Edward glanced toward the car. "She doesn't know, if that's what worries you."
"What about the car you've been repairing?"
"What about it? Jake will compete. I'll be here. I'm clean."
"Cous, if the judge hears about that…"
"Emmett, I didn't race! Can't we just…forget about this? Look, you're getting married—and I can't believe you didn't tell me—and it's Christmas…soon."
"Forget about it, Edward? Kiddo, it's your life we're talking about. I didn't send you to Arizona to wet your dick in the exchange student. You're there so you won't be in juvenile detention! Edward, wake up!"
"I didn't! Bella's different." Edward glared at his cousin.
"This isn't over. We need to talk. But tomorrow's my wedding as you said. I hope you'll be my best man." Emmett grinned, slapping Edward's cheek jokingly.
"I'll kill you if you choose someone else."
"Want to add homicide to your long list of felonies?"
Rolling his eyes, Edward stepped into the car, in the passenger seat. He turned toward the back and was surprised to find Bella passed out against the right door. Rose pressed her finger to her lips.
"She is tired," she whispered, as Emmett got behind the wheel. "Baby, no music. The girl's sleeping."
Emmett nodded, before starting the car. "Seatbelt, cous."
Scoffing, Edward did as told, his eyes on the rear-view mirror on his girlfriend. Every time he looked at her, a warmness engulfed him and for a few seconds everything seemed to be right in the world. He was like any boy his age, with no dark cloud looming above his head threatening to ruin his life.
During the drive to his house, memories assaulted him at every corner. He remembered good and bad things—from trips to the park as a child, to hanging out with his friends from school and even to his bad deeds like robbing the liquor store down 34th Street or that fateful night of his last race.
As they rolled through the gates of his house, the first thing Edward noticed was the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution. It was white with black stripes and the changes made it look even more feral than usual.
"Who… What car…"
Emmett burst out laughing. "Only you'd notice the car. Here I thought you'd first notice the tree."
"We always decorate it. But the car. What's with it?" Edward insisted.
"It's Jasper's. He's here, which makes me wonder how did he know you're back."
"He likes Mom's cooking," Edward lied smoothly, throwing his cousin a big smile.
"Nice try."
"I told him. I had no idea it was a secret I was coming back early." He shrugged.
Their exchange woke Bella. She looked out the window at the grand house in front of her. Having been asleep, she was sure this was a dream.
They piled out of the car, grabbed the bags from the trunk and made their way to the front door.
"You don't have to come inside," Edward told Emmett.
"What, I thought your mom was a great cook."
"She is, but you don't have to."
"I do, actually. I promised Uncle Carlisle to bring you home safe and sound," Emmett said seriously, pushing his cousin up the front steps.
"I'll be fine," Edward retorted.
"What if a brick falls from the sky and hits you in the head?" Rose wondered making Bella giggle.
"Upset anyone lately, Rosalie? I had no idea it could rain with bricks."
The front door opened, showing Esme in her flowery robe, she always wore in the house.
"Edward, my baby!" She wrapped her arms around her son, hugging him tightly. Edward forgot about bickering with his cousin's soon-to-be-wife, and hugged his mother back.
"Hi, Mom."
"You've grown up." She sniffed.
"Maybe?" His eyes found his best friend's over his mother's head. "Jazz, my man!" Edward detangled from his mom and caught his friend in a hug. "Nice ride," he whispered.
"You like?" Jasper asked, laughing.
"Love it, man!"
"We can take it for a spin."
"Or not. Emmett's right behind me, probably burning holes in my head."
"You nailed it." Jasper laughed. "Who's the pretty lady?"
"Shit," Edward cursed under his breath, rushing to Bella's side. She'd stared from afar at the reunion, and wasn't sure how she'd fit in. Edward's mom was watching her with eagle eyes.
"Mom." Edward grabbed her attention from where she was asking Rosalie about her health and if she had any sickness yet. Esme turned toward her son, smiling, her hand still lingering on Rose's forearm. "Uh, Mom, this is Bella."
"The exchange student? Nice meeting you honey."
He chickened out in the last minute. "Yeah, her brother is away with…friends' problems. I invited her to spend the holiday with us."
"That's so nice of you, honey!" Esme beamed at her son.
"Are we keeping the guests outside on this cold weather, darling?" Carlisle asked from the doorway.
"Oh, dear. I'm so sorry. I guess I'm excited to have my boy back." Esme wrapped an arm around Edward's waist, leading everyone inside.
"Hey, Dad." He grinned as he passed his father. Carlisle caught his chin, looking at him curiously.
"Arizona has done you good, son. You've tanned."
"Really?"
"No."
Edward scowled, escaping his mother's hold only to take Bella's hand. "You want the grand tour?"
She bit her lip, looking around nervously. "Maybe after you present me to your parents? As your girlfriend!"
He cracked a small smile, draping his arm around her shoulders. "Guys, uh, Bella's more than the exchange student."
"Holding her hand gave you away," Jasper commented lightly.
Esme laughed, shaking her head at her son's friend antics. "That saves me the trouble of preparing a guest bedroom."
"See? They're cool with it. Told you." Edward winked at Bella. She looked mortified at the whole exchange. She had never met such laid back people.
It seemed that was all everyone needed—to hear the confirmation from Edward's mouth, because they scattered about after that. Carlisle took Emmett to his home office to discuss business, Esme took Rosalie to the kitchen, and that left Jasper leaning against the hallway's wall rolling a cigarette between his fingers.
"My room?" Edward asked, already tugging Bella after him up the stairs. "Jazz?" He stopped, turning expectantly for his friend.
"Coming." He pushed off the wall and in two long steps, he was next to them. "Do you think your mom will be mad if I smoke?"
"Yes." Edward opened the door of his room, flipping the light on and stepping aside. "Welcome to the jungle," he joked.
"It's pretty clean…" Bella mumbled.
"Now, but give him one hour," Jasper told her, throwing himself on Edward's bed. "I've never met another person who can make a mess of things in such a short period of time."
"Jasper!" Edward said on a warning tone, knowing full well his friend wasn't speaking of his room. "Anyway… Sit down, Bella." He pointed to his rolling desk chair. "Tell me about the Mitsu." Edward jumped on his desk, dangling his legs over the edge.
"It's crazy story. I kept a low profile after your arres—"
To stop Jasper from saying something he didn't want Bella to know, Edward made a show of pushing the photograph on his desk to the floor. "Oh, fuck," he gasped, kneeling to collect the broken glass. He loved the frame, but it was collateral damage. Better the frame broken than Bella hating him.
"Let me help," Bella offered, kneeling next to him.
Edward glanced up at Jasper, putting a finger over his lips and gesturing to Bella's head which was bent over the broken glass.
"Oh." Jasper nodded. "Yeah, so one day some dude came to the garage to repair his car."
"Yeah?" Edward interjected, allowing his friend to know he was paying attention. He quickly deposited the broken frame in the trash bin, helping Bella back on the chair. He also dropped a kiss to her forehead. "Did the dude give the car to you?" he added, turning his eyes to Jasper when he didn't say anything else.
His best friend was staring in shock at Edward. He'd never seen him so careful and attentive toward anyone else, beside his family and him and Alice. "Right." Jasper nodded, letting Edward's odd behavior slide. "He told me he got into an accident. After examining the damage, I told him a price and he freaked. You know how usually my customers start shouting at me for being too pricey and blah blah blah?" Edward nodded. "This one didn't say any of that. He actually asked me if I wanted the car. He'd leave it really cheap for me. It didn't take me long to realize he wanted to dispose of the Mitsu. I bought it from him without blinking. He wanted one grand, I gave him seven hundred and fifty, and free service for his next car, for life. We had a deal."
Edward laughed. "What was the catch?"
"The catch was that a couple days later the cops showed up asking if I'd seen that guy or if he'd come at my garage for help. I lied, and immediately called your cousin. It turned out the dude who sold me the Mitsubishi was involved into an illegal street race which had taken place on August thirteenth."
Edward's face drained of blood. That was the fateful date that ruined his life. "Michael, by any chance?" He asked without realizing.
"Yes! He was your opponent!" Jasper exclaimed. "I knew his face was familiar. Damn competing under a nickname."
"What are you talking about?" Bella blurt out, the curiosity getting the best of her. They were talking about racing—illegal racing—a very touchy subject to her.
"Edward's last race, of course," Jasper said as if it was the most natural thing.
"JASPER! Fuck, man."
"Race? What race, Edward?" Bella asked in a small voice.
To lie or not to lie, that is the question. The longer he looked into Bella's chocolate eyes, the more he hated himself.
Check out the pictures I'll post in my group on Facebook. There will be teasers, too. :) Also go subscribe to Fictease, I'll add there teasers and pictures.
Updates: Saturdays and Wednesdays.