AN: Apologies for the long wait - been a bit hectic round here lately. But you care not for my RL problems, so I shall hush it. Hey, guess what, this is my longest chappy yet for Twisted Fascinations! XD

I had a lovely reader ask me for stories like mine. As I told the wonderful Danny, I know of two. Can't Have You and Dark Whispers, look 'em up on my favourites list! If anyone else has suggestions then feel free to comment! I like helping peoples so nice to me ;]

Disclaimer: Neither here nor there, but between you and me, I own nothing.

Bella felt the world come crashing down around her. The blonde had to have been lying. No, it wasn't possible. Emmett would never… He'd gotten better. She'd helped him. He'd promised her that he would never date another slut ever again. And yes, maybe her judgement on this girl was too harsh – heck, maybe she was as sweet as apple pie – but her brother would never lie to her, had never lied to her.

… Right?

Her head shook in denial, both at her thoughts and at the girl's reply. A tear trickled down her cheek and her hand came up to angrily wipe it away. She couldn't cry; it may not have been true. Maybe the blonde was lying…

"Emmett, there you are. Can you please get this freak to back off?"

She looked up shakily, her eyes coming to rest on the sight of her brother standing on the stairs, leather jacket in hand, gaze fixed on her. The blonde was smirking, sauntering over and wrapping an arm around Emmett's waist. Bella expected him to tell the girl off, perhaps threaten her, like he did to anyone who threw an insult her way, but he didn't. He just stood there. Another tear spilled over.

His baby blues burned into her, and when he did speak his voice was hard and mocking.

"Your date not here yet, sis?"

She flinched. How did he know she had a date? She never told him, didn't want him to get upset and all protective. How did he find out? For all he knew, she really could have been going to Angela's house, like she'd told him. Her plump bottom lip trembled. After being so indifferent to one another for ages, she'd been so happy when they spent time together again. The other day, she'd woken up beside him on his bed, a bit unnerved by her proximity to him, but happy nonetheless. They'd been so close... Why was he acting like this now? If anything, she should be hurt that he apparently did have a date with this blonde slut.

"Who'd wanna date her?"

The girl's words were hurtful, but the pain worsened to agony when her brother, her wonderful, loving, big brother, only shrugged carelessly and slung a huge arm around the blonde's shoulders. "We best be going, Rose, we've got plans."

So her name was Rose. She doesn't look like a delicate flower, Bella thought bitterly, upset. It was real, this was happening. Her brother had lied to her. But didn't I lie to him first? She was still frozen at the door, staring at the complete stranger who had taken her brother's place seemingly over night. He was just about to guide his date to the still open door when a quiet voice made Bella jump.

"Is – is this a bad time?"

She turned, relieved to have someone else there. But Emmett had tensed, his jaw clenched and his fists closed tight. His eyes penetrated the stuttering boy that now stood at their door, shifting awkwardly. Bella moved slowly over to the boy and gave him a shaky smile.

"No, it's fine, Eric."

His sister's kind tone, layered with some sort of dreamy quality that matched her expression as she looked at this boy, made Emmett snap. "Hey, Eric," he sneered. "Haven't seen you in a while."

"Wel – well," the boy stammered out, "I still have school."

Eric Yorkie had been one of the younger guys that Emmett let hang around him and his friends back during high school. The boy's older brother was one of his best mates; the same mate that informed him of Bella's date. Bastard must have known, Emmett growled inwardly. Why else would he have not told him who the date was if it hadn't had been his little brother?

The boy was growing more nervous under Emmett's glare. Bella suddenly realized her face was tear stained, and wiped the fresh evidence away again. Her movement had caught Eric's attention. He looked at her with concern until she minutely shook her head at him. Obviously taking the hint to not ask, he drudged up a smile, still feeling Emmett's fiery gaze.

"You lo – look really pre – pretty," he told her. Rose snorted in the background, muttering something horrible about her that contradicted his compliment. Bella tried to block her out.

"Thanks," she smiled slightly in return. He quickly held up the small bouquet he had been clutching without her notice and held it out to her.

"Here, I – I got you these."

She hugged them to her, for a moment forgetting anyone else was there and simply ecstatic that her first date had bought her flowers. It reminded her of the books she'd read and dreamed about happening in real life. She beamed now. "Thank you so much. They're beautiful!"

Eric blushed.

"Yes, Eric," Emmett interjected nastily, "how nice of you."

The boy squirmed at the intimidating brother. Bella took his hand gently and pulled him into the kitchen with her where she left him and she set about finding a vase. Whilst she bent down, searching cupboards, she glanced over her shoulder at him apologetically. "I'm sorry about him," she murmured. "He's in a bad mood tonight."

Eric gave a jerky shrug, "That – that's okay." He grinned as she placed the bouquet in a water filled vase. "I'm really gla – glad you like them."

She smiled at him and took his hand again, pulling him back to the front door. Emmett and Rose were still there, the latter wining about wanting to leave already. The former stood tall, features cold as he immediately set eyes on the couple joining them in the small hallway again. Eric practically shrunk under his attention, shying away. Bella held tight to his hand, becoming angry that her brother was ruining her very first date. She had been looking forward to this date and she wanted to enjoy herself. She tugged Eric towards the door, the boy getting more hesitant with each step closer to her brother.

As she passed Emmett and stepped through the door frame, his nostrils flared and he smiled horribly. "Remember, kiddies, back before eleven and no sex!" Her jaw almost dropped at his blunt comment, but she kept her cool composition. Eric leaned away from him, even more so when the brother shot a very serious, deadly, warning look his way. The poor boy nodded hurriedly and dragged Bella to his car.

She looked back at her house when she sat in the vehicle, locking eyes with Emmett. He seemed guilty and heart broken, but the expression was gone so fast she doubted she really saw it. Just as quick, Emmett pulled Rose towards him and kissed her full on the lips, pressing her body into his with urgency.

Bella looked straight ahead, tears filling her brown orbs once again. Cheer up, she scolded herself. This is your first date. Eric bought you flowers, he praised your appearance, he's being a perfect gentleman – everything is going wonderfully. Don't mess it up by being weepy.

She continually told herself this throughout the journey, and by the time Eric had parked outside the cinema, a genuinely eager smile adorned her face. My first date! When the two were seated in the dark room, popcorn and drinks surrounding them, Bella internally begged for Eric to hold her hand. Every fantasy she'd ever had about her date bringing her to the movies included the guy holding her close to him, initiating contact and kissing her cheek, smiling when she laughed at the movie's jokes. But Eric sat rigid in his chair, his body edged away from her, hand laying in his lap, nowhere near where hers settled openly on the armrest. A bit crestfallen at this, she assured herself, Gentlemen don't invade your personal space. They ask to hold your hand. Eric's shy so he won't. That's okay, it doesn't matter. It's silly to be disappointed.

But a voice in her head told her the truth; what she really wanted, why she was really upset.

Emmett would have never stopped touching me.