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. ;)
Bella refused to understand that Edward had been lying to her for months. He simply couldn't have been part of illegal races. He would have told her when she spilled her darkest secret to him.
But as she thought about it, she realized that he knew too much about cars and racing—more than boys his age would. He had rebuilt that car for Jacob. He knew her Ford Focus had been modified at some point. He even asked about the nitro. That itself should have rang warning bells.
"Does James know?" She asked softly, afraid to acknowledge her boyfriend being a racer.
"Which part?" Edward answered.
"You, racing..."
"Yes. Yes, he knows. But I've changed, that's why I lived with you. I got in trouble and they sent me away."
"So Jake giving me papers for you to fill in wasn't a mistake?"
"What papers?" Edward asked, surprised she hadn't mentioned any papers. "Bella, what are you talking about?"
She grabbed her backpack and after looking through it, came out with a file. "Here. Jake told me to give these to you to fill in. It's for the competition."
"I thought you were done with racing," Jasper said in a shocked voice.
"I was. I am. Fuck. He wants me to compete?" Edward felt like his world had turned upside down in a matter of minutes. "I'm not doing this."
"Your name is there…everywhere. You only have to sign." Bella pointed to the papers. "I thought it was a mistake."
"It is." Edward grabbed her hands, holding her tightly. "I'm not competing. Please, believe me. Shit." He moaned, grabbing fistfuls of his hair. "Don't tell anyone. Okay? It's between us until I get to talk to Jake and rip him a new one."
"Dude, if Emmett caught wind of this…" Jasper shuddered.
Just then the door of Edward's room opened to show none other Emmett. "I need to talk to you, Ed," he said on a gruff voice.
Edward's hand shook as he pushed the papers in Bella's hands, pleading her with his eyes to hide them. "I'll be right back," he promised. After stroking her cheek and sharing a worried look with Jasper, he followed his cousin out the room.
"Where are we going?" he asked meekly, trudging after his cousin.
"To your father's office."
Fuck, Edward thought panicked. "I've done nothing wrong. I promise you. I'm good."
"I know that, dude!" Emmett looked at his dubiously. "He wants to talk to you. I'm simply delivering you there before going home. Rose's downstairs freaking out."
"Cold feet?" Edward joked.
"Just self-doubts, but everyone has them."
"So you're sleeping together? I mean…you're seeing her before the church?"
"What church, Ed? We're going to the City Hall. There might be a real nice ceremony at some point, but for now we're going to sign the papers and hope everything is clear before New Year's. Her visa expires soon and…I don't even want to think of her leaving."
Edward gaped at his cousin. "So basically you're tying the knot so your girlfriend won't be extradited? Sweet, man."
"Big words there, cous, but basically that's right. In a nutshell." Emmett laughed, ruffling his cousin's hair. "Here you are." He waved to Carlisle's office door. "Be a good boy and see you in the morning."
"I'll be the one keeping my eyes open with toothpicks."
"Our appointment is at nine. Not too early, not too late." With a pat on Edward's back, Emmett took the stairs, whistling.
He's probably the only guy happy to get married—bound forever to the same pussy. Edward shuddered and knocked on his father's door.
"Come in, son!" Carlisle called loudly.
As Edward stepped inside his father's office, he pondered on his last thought. Maybe being with the same person wasn't so bad. He hadn't gotten bored of Bella, and they hadn't done anything yet. Wanting the same pussy meant growing up, right?
"Something amusing?" Carlisle interrupted Edward's moment of wisdom.
"No, Sir."
"Good. Sit." He pointed to the plush chair across his desk. Edward sank in the soft seat, feeling a wave of dejà-vu clouding him. He'd done it so often. He couldn't barely recall him and his father having a conversation in another place. "How was school? Did you get accustomed to that town? Make any friends?"
Is this the Inquisition? Edward wondered idly. "It's been okay." He shrugged.
"Emmett got only good reviews from your host, James Swan."
"Reviews?" The teenager couldn't contain his shock. "What am I now? A movie? A book? Am I also rated one to five starts, too? Do I get an Oscar or something?"
"Edward, don't raise your voice at me. Remember, you're the delinquent."
"Dad!"
Carlisle narrowed his dark blue eyes at his son. "As I said. You got good reviews—feedback. Does that sound better?"
Worse, Edward thought sullenly.
"And I have a present for you."
Now I feel like a good puppy. I did my trick right and got my treat. Edward folded his arms over his chest.
"Don't you want to know what I got you?" Carlisle prodded gently.
"A book on good manners?"
The frown reappeared between his father's brows. "I'm starting to think that would have been a better choice. Nevertheless, grab your jacket and follow me." He stood and crossed his office to his door.
Grab my jacket? "Where are we going?" Edward's heart slammed in his chest. A small part of him thought he was going to get introduced to his father's friends—the mob. As much as it had thrilled him in the past, the idea made him feel sick now.
"Just outside."
"I don't need it, then," Edward concluded. He was wearing a long sleeved sweater.
Carlisle sighed aggravated. "Will the day when you listen to me ever come?"
Edward rolled his eyes, walking a step behind his father. They reached the foyer. He could hear his mother in the kitchen, bustling around. Emmett and Rose must have left. His father opened the front door and ushered Edward outside, leading him to the garage. He had a strong grip on his son's upper arm.
Edward couldn't help but let his gaze linger on Jasper's ride. He so wished his baby wasn't scrap metal—or close to it.
"Close your eyes."
He shoot Carlisle a worried look before doing as told, not sure what to expect.
The door of the garage opened slowly, groaning loudly. Then Edward was pushed inside. The first thing that assaulted him was the smell of fresh paint.
Maybe they had redecorated.
Carlisle turned his son a little to the right, positioning him so when he'd tell him to open his eyes to have a full view of his present.
"Merry Christmas, son," he whispered.
Slowly, Edward blinked his eyes open. His mouth fell as he found himself staring at his restored Talladega. "Dad," he whispered in a hoarse voice. "God." Blinded by a sudden invasion of tears, he turned to hug his father. "Thank you so much!"
Carlisle patted his son on the back, moved by the reaction he got out of his stoic son. He couldn't remember the last time he'd surprised Edward, let alone extracted such emotions from him with a present.
He pulled the key out of his pocket. "You only have to promise me one thing."
"I will never race again," Edward blurt out.
"Do I have your word?" Carlisle stared intensely at him.
"Do you want my signature in blood? Dad, I realized what I was doing was stupid, but I loved the speed…I still do, but I'll never do it again."
"I truly hope so." He pressed the key in his son's palm. "You should probably thank Jasper, too. He's the one who did the work. It was Esme's idea to repair the car. I only wired the money." He chuckled.
"This is the best present. Oh, shit!" Edward's eyes widened in horror. "Bella." He'd forgotten all about her. He was rubbish at this boyfriend stuff. He simply abandoned her to his best friend.
"Oh, right. Bella. I expect to get to know your girlfriend better. But in the morning."
Edward wanted to stay longer with Betty—touch her, feel the metal under his fingers, the smell of fresh paint and leather, but Bella was waiting. For the first time in his life he chose flesh and blood over metal and oil.
As they walked inside the house, Carlisle stopped Edward before he could run upstairs. "Another thing. I can't stop you from doing anything—literally—but all I want is you to be safe."
"Is this your way of giving me a sex talk? Don't worry. I'm not."
"You're not what? I was talking about the car."
"Oh." Blood rushed to Edward's cheeks. "I'll be careful. Thank Mom from me too."
His father nodded and turned to go into the kitchen while Edward took the stairs two at a time. When he burst in his room, he found Bella and Jasper exactly where he'd left them. They seemed to have been laughing about something, but stopped when he entered.
"Don't stop on my account," he mumbled, making a beeline to Bella. He pulled her up, sat on his chair, before tugging her down and encasing her in his arms. He inhaled deeply, burrowing his nose in her hair. "We'll talk once we're alone," he whispered to her.
She gave a choking sound, too embarrassed by his affectionate display in front of his friend.
"Jazz." Edward looked up at his friend. "Thank you so much, man. She's back to her perfect self."
Jasper raised an eyebrow in question, then suddenly a smirk appeared on his lips. "Oh, you like? I was so worried you wouldn't like what I did."
"Not like? Man, she's…superb. My precious little Betty once again alive and ready to rock."
"Not too hard," Jasper warned him. "I repaired her, but your dad made me keep away any improvements."
"You think I care? It's not like I'm going to race her." His tone was firm.
Jasper chortled loudly. "Who are you and what have you done to my buddy?"
"I'm starting to wonder the same thing," Bella said quietly. "Who are you and what have you done with that sweet boy I've grown to like over the past few months?"
Edward knew there would be a time when his past would come up biting him in the ass. At the moment, his past and present were in the same room, being confused of his true self. He wasn't sure himself who he was anymore.
"I've done stupid stuff before I came to Fredonia. I thought it was the right thing. But then I decided to be good and impress your brother while there. I guess being good suits me."
"Did you crack your head?" Jasper asked amused.
Edward threw him a glare. "I think you should go. I have to go play Best Man in less than twelve hours."
"Luck with that. I better go before Alice realizes I'm here, and has my balls for seeing you before her."
"You're friends with her folks, suddenly?" Edward couldn't help but be surprised. Jasper had never been on friendly terms with Alice's parents.
"Oh, I didn't tell you! She moved in with me when he father told her to choose. It was crazy. I already had Rachel over—you know my neighbor from third floor. She was crying that her husband was cheating. Then Alice dropped by at eleven at night with her bags and red puffy eyes. What hell am I? Seriously? Does it read 'shrink' on my forehead?"
"Did she freak about Rachel?"
"You know it. She even said she'd go sleep in the park. I talked sense into her, got rid of Rachel and…that's how Alice moved in with me."
Edward sighed, standing up, keeping a hold on Bella's waist. "I missed the good stuff."
"Don't worry. You'll see her tomorrow. It was nice meeting you, Bella. See you, man!" Jasper waved to them. "I can show myself out," he added when Edward took a step after him.
Once the door closed after his best friend, Edward peered down at his girl. She pursed her lips, narrowing her eyes at him.
"So…" He ran a hand through his hair.
Bella clenched and unclenched her fists at her sides.
"I was going to tell you, but I hoped you'd never hear of this."
He didn't see her hand moving—only heard the whooshing sound and felt the sting on his left cheek.
"I'm going to sleep in the guest bedroom. Where is it?"
"Bella, look…"
"Now," she snapped. "Unless you want a matching splotch on your other cheek."
Tentatively he took her hand, collected her bag and led her a few doors down the hallway. "I'm sorry."
"You better have a good explanation tomorrow after a good night's sleep. I don't want to ruin your cousin's wedding so we're going to talk after that."
Edward nodded solemnly. "I'll grab you clean bedding."
As he went in search for the promised stuff, he realized what a huge mistake he had done. He should have told Bella everything the moment she opened up to him about Brady's accident. Dragging the inevitable and hiding behind more lies, he was in over his head.
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