Disclaimer: Any thing Twilight based is SM's...I'm just using her babies to bring my story to life.

Chapter Forty-One

JPOV

I was hella tired as I made my way home from Bella and Emmett's.

I snorted to myself at that thought, wondering what the two of them would think about that. It was true though, even if they didn't realize it yet.

They had made that place a home, and it was miraculous seeing the man my best friend was becoming. And even though somewhere deep inside me, in that place where I would always be hopelessly in love with him, I knew I couldn't have lost him to a better person.

Bella was what he needed.

A cold dose of reality.

She would never put up with his childish shit; ever.

And he was also good for her, he made her think about the things she said and did before she did them. It was a lovely balance, even though I was pretty damn sure neither of them realized it yet.

Seriously watching them was absolutely hilarious. Half the time I expected one of them to just pounce on the other, completely forgetting that anyone else was around. Of course the two of them were such control freaks they refused to give me an ounce of entertainment and it was fucking frustrating.

Ugh.

I sighed tiredly as I parked the car outside of the garage, knowing I probably would go out again before calling it a night. I grabbed my phone off the seat next to me and got out of the car, making my way to my door.

God, I was tired.

I closed the door behind me and threw my keys into the little glass bowl by the door, kicking my shoes off as I made my way to the living room, turning on the lights as I went. My phone buzzed in my hand, nearly giving me a heart attack in the process, and I cursed silently. When the fuck did I turn into such a pansy.

With another sigh, I flopped down on to the couch and looked at the screen.

I wasn't surprised to see it was yet another message from Al.

I really didn't feel like talking to him just yet.

Hell it had been almost two weeks that I hadn't seen him and after the way the last time ended, I wasn't sure when I was going to want to see him.

I liked guy, really I did. He was sweet and endearing, but there was just a hint of clingy about him and I didn't do clingy. Ever.

Still, that wasn't the bone of contention between us now.

The bone of contention was actually one Edward Masen.

Al and I had been at the gym two weeks ago, enjoying a workout, well I was enjoying my workout, he was enjoying watching me. I didn't mind, the conversation never lulled and I liked the company. The rain was falling outside and the gym was practically empty. I don't remember what drew my attention to the door but when I did, boy, was I taken aback.

Edward was standing there, brushing his wet hair back off his face, looking so fucking good. I mean, really really good. Model good. The memory still made my stomach clench. I must've made a sound because Al stopped talking and followed my gaze to the door.

"Um," he stammered standing abruptly. "I gotta go."

Say what?

"Go where?" I asked him, looking at him as though he had gone crazy.

"I just remembered I had something to do," he said grabbing his bag, his eyes frantically going between me and back to Edward, who was now making his way into our area.

And before I could say another word, he was gone. Two minutes later Edward was standing in front of me, his head lowered as he fiddled around in his duffel bag.

"Hey," I said clearing my throat.

His head snapped up, his gorgeous eyes widening as he looked at me.

"Um...hey," he said softly. "Didn't notice you there."

"That's ok," I said smiling, hating the underlying awkwardness in his voice. He must've been thinking, of all people to run into.

Can't say I blamed him, I hadn't been particularly nice the last time we were alone.

"You here alone?" he asked after a few moments of awkward silence.

"I wasn't, but Al had to leave," I said. "Something came up."

He nodded, "Cool."

And that was it for the rest of the night.

We worked out silently, neither of us knowing what to say to the other.

It was only as I was about to call it quits, I remembered that Al had been my ride there.

"Fuck," I muttered under my breath.

"Huh?" a voice next to me said.

Edward.

I had all but forgotten him, well not really, but still.

"Yeah, I just realized that Al was my ride here," I told him warily.

He glanced to the front of the gym, looking outside at the pouring rain.

"I could give you a ride home," he said after a while.

Wasn't expecting that.

"You don't have to," I protested.

He snorted, "Like you're going to walk home through the rain."

He was right of course, I lived a good three miles from the gym and I had absolutely no desire to go out in that deplorable weather.

"Only if I'm not putting you out," I said, giving in.

He chuckled and I had felt my insides warm at the sound, "It's not a problem. Besides Bella would cook my balls and serve them on a platter if I left you here stranded."

I had to laugh at that, he was right after all. She probably would.

He took me home, and we talked. Actually had a conversation.

About cars. Something we had in common and the whole fast driving thing. Gosh, it was as though we were cut from the same cloth. I tried not to think about it. I was smiling when he drove away.

Al called, apologizing, asking how I had gotten home and some evil part of me got a sick thrill out of telling him that Edward had brought me home.

He had gotten all huffy and jealous.

Served him right.

How dare he leave me stranded like that?

We smoothed it over.

I asked him to go to the gym with me again, and if he'd like I'd introduce him to Edward.

He refused so I went alone.

Well not technically alone, Edward was there.

We got to know each other in that two week span, and I was wrong about him. He was actually a really nice guy. And he was extremely funny in a snarky kind of way.

Sure Al and I hung out in those two weeks, but it was strained and I often brought up something funny Edward had said at the gym, and that only helped send him into a jealousy frenzy. Oh he was never vocal about it, but his demeanor changed. He got all sulky and withdrawn and to be honest it was pissing me off.

I looked down at the phone and read the text.

I'm sorry I've been an ass. I miss you. Please come see me. - A.

I shouldn't go, but I liked him.

And it would keep my mind from drifting towards a certain man with wild bronze hair and weirdly enticing green eyes.

-TA-

?POV

"Is he coming?" my voice rising in pitch.

"I don't know!" he snapped back.

"Well you better know, you have to keep him close."

"He's interested in someone else," I heard the little shit say softly.

"Of course he is," I said nastily. "It's not as though you're doing much to keep him interested in you."

"Fuck off," he said hotly.

It made me laugh.

"There we go," I said, "Finally a little fire from you."

"How long is this going to take?" he asked.

"As soon as I have what I want, and that requires you being all chummy with the best friend. Who knows, you might even get fucked or whatever it is you queers do."

"Are you sure we're related?" he asked, his voice betraying his hurt.

"Amazing, I know," I told him. "Now get off the phone with me and beg if you have to. You're good at that shit, or so I've heard."

His shocked gasp on the other end made me laugh maniacally. Silly little cunt.

God, I hoped to hell he didn't fuck this up.

I sighed and pinched my nose bridge. I would have to help the pathetic piece of shit.

"Listen up poppit," I said. "I'm going to give you a few tips on how to keep a man interested. The way I see it all of you have dicks and if there's one thing I know how to do, is to keep dicks satisfied."

-TA-

EdPOV

I sat in the club nursing a drink for God knows how long, just watching the bodies on the dance floor gyrating against each other. I didn't usually do gay clubs, but I had been bored and needed to get out of the house.

Tons of men came over asking me to dance, I politely declined not really feeling the need to at the moment. My mind was otherwise occupied with a certain blonde.

James.

He and I had gotten relatively closer over the past two weeks, even though we just hung out at the gym. We had talked and joked around, which wasn't a bad thing, although it wasn't necessarily a good thing either. I was quite attracted to him and that was where the problem lay.

He thought I was a whore.

Believed it vehemently, and maybe in some ways I was.

Thing is, I didn't want him to see me in that light.

I wanted him to get to know the real me, to see what was behind the facade of a playboy.

There were times when he was talking and he was so caught up that I found myself wanting to grab him and just kiss him. And when he looked at me sometimes, when he thought I wasn't paying attention? I bit back a groan at the memory. His tongue would come out and lick the very lips I wanted to taste and I'd imagine him licking my body.

I shifted in my seat, easing my legs apart so I could at least ease the discomfort of my now too tight pants.

I was so screwed.

The DJ changed the tempo and the couples on the dance floor slowed down and started slow grinding against each other. I knew that I wouldn't last that much longer in here, it was almost too much.

I was fucking horny and for the first time in a long time, I couldn't have the man I wanted.

Throwing back my drink, I put down the glass and got up from the table and headed towards the bathrooms. Hands brushed against me as I walked and I smiled and shook my head at the few propositions I received.

The corridors were full of couples kissing and then they were the bolder ones who had their dicks out being sucked off by their partner for the moment. That was never really my scene. I kept moving, threading my way through them, the moans and sounds of people reaching orgasms.

I have no idea what made me stop, but I did and when I did I was caught by a familiar gaze.

James.

His face was mottled with desire, his chest was heaving heavily and my eyes traveled down to see the back of someone's head, moving to and fro as they sucked him off. His expression was a mixture of pleasure and surprise and I knew I should turn away, but I couldn't.

Oh no, the glutton for punishment I am, moved closer.

I could hear his small gasps of pleasure, I could see his hands reach out blindly and delve into the man's head, his eyes never leaving mine.

He was going to cum down another man's throat and I'd be fucked if it wasn't one of the sexiest sights I'd ever laid my eyes on.

He came with a cry, his eyes, hot and wild and burning into mine.

I licked my lips and smiled.

He blushed and his lips moved and then he whispered my name.

"Edward."

Holy fuck.

I think I came in my pants.

Like I said before.

I was so screwed.

A/N: *bites lips* Soooo...whatcha think?

Not gonna do the reply thingy here now...hella sleepy. Just came home from Fantasia in concert *squeals* I LOVE MY TASIA! *breathes* and I've got work in the morning so I love you all hope you enjoyed. The whole gay club thing with the men in corridors getting head, well if you've ever watched Queer As Folk, you'd know about Babylon and the back rooms...yada yada. :)

Okay I'm stalling...gonna post this now and get in my bed. *smooches* ~ Riney