Chapter Four
"Jesus fuck," Alec groaned. "Who fucking farted? Open a damn window, assholes. And you all wonder why you don't get laid." He was out the van before Edward had even come to a full stop in the driveway of the house they had rented.
Edward found the key exactly where the rental agency said it would be and unlocked the door. He hoped his friends would behave long enough to get their shit inside the house, so they could head into Morro Bay for something to eat and pick up groceries. There were a few places they could get some food closer, but the guys wanted to check out what beach to hit the following day. Most nearby hot spots were less than thirty minutes away. He knew Alec and James were heading out to Pismo around dawn to surf, but would be back to pick them up around noon.
"Look, that's the house those girls were at," James pointed to the house across the way. There was a road between them, but they shared the same stretch of beach. "We'll be seeing them tonight." James and Alec fist-bumped each other, and pushed their way into the house.
Edward could tell them he already talked to one of them, but he was positive it would sort itself out later.
"I got the master suite, assholes," Edward called out. He did contribute the most, and they had agreed to his terms when he ran the risk of renting the house and van under his name only. "And remember, if you break something, you're paying for it." Their distinguishing scent went from the van, lingered in the driveway, and made its way into the house. "And for fucks sake, take showers, assholes. You all smell like ass."
"Who's ass you been smelling, cuz?" Alec slapped Edward's back, making him cringe. He pushed his cousin away and tried to trip the asshole, laughing when he succeeded.
"Quit being a dick," Edward said, going straight for the balcony that overlooked the ocean. "Come on, Riker." He showed his dog around, hoping that he wouldn't go stir crazy if they were gone for a few hours. There were a few dog walkers and sitters in the neighborhood, according to the rental agency. He'd have to look into that if they went anywhere overnight. Most people would've left him at home, but since he was leaving for college, he knew days with his dog would be limited once he moved. He had Riker since he was nine.
"Shower is fucking cold," James said a few minutes later, towel drying his hair, dressed in only shorts.
"Shit, I need to turn on the pilot light on the water heater. Sorry." Edward ran into the garage where the woman he spoke with from the agency said it would be, and found the instructions taped on it. He followed them and saw the little blue flame in the tiny window. Once he was back inside, he informed the others it would be another thirty minutes before they had hot water. "But you're all used to taking cold showers, so get a fucking move on."
"Are you in a hurry for some particular reason?" James asked, checking out the pantry and fridge. They had brought some shit from home, but they had to go out for perishables. The rest of the guys helped to unload cereal and the shitload of junk food they all brought.
"I met one of the girls we saw earlier," Edward said, smiling at the thought of her. He didn't have a name, but he hoped he'd see her again.
"Can't take you anywhere, man," Alec said, bumping Edward into the counter space and trying to put him in a headlock. "We're here twenty minutes and already have your eyes set on a girl."
"I can't help it if the girls love me."
They got the rest of their things inside and Edward found his room, and did his version of unpacking, tossing the contents of his duffel bag in two of the drawers. He took his smaller travel bag into the separate bathroom he had all to himself.
A quick shower in lukewarm water had him shivering in front of the mirror fifteen minutes later. His green eyes were bright; his long hair flopped over one his eyes and curled around his ears and neck. He ran his hands over it a few times and put on a few of his leather ties and cuffs onto each of his wrists that he removed to shower. The shark tooth necklace he'd had since he was kid was around his neck, along with a tiny anchor that once belonged to his brother.
Several versions of his name, not all of them nice, echoed from downstairs. His room was the only one on the top floor.
"I'm coming!" he yelled, as he made his way downstairs. They all gave him a hard time at his choice of words. He intended to have that bonfire later, but first, it was time to find something to eat.
.
.
.
"I love the beach," Ben said to Edward as they passed yet another girl wearing only a bikini top and short-shorts. "I want to move to the beach." Alec slapped Ben's back and led him toward a place that served a bit of everything. From seafood to hamburgers, even chicken strips.
"Wait until we hit Pismo tomorrow," Alec said, getting into a line. The rest of the guys had gone to a store around the corner that sold sweaters and beanies. Despite the warm weather, the wind was cold at times, and could be even worse at night.
Edward had dressed in board shorts, but wore a button down with the sleeves rolled up, a few buttons open. It had been hot when they arrived, but with the sun starting to set; he'd need a hoodie soon.
They ordered some food for everyone and waited, watching a bunch of sea lions on the docks below. The restaurant they found had only outdoor sitting, but it overlooked the water. Alec and Ben made faces at the sea lions, taking a few pictures.
Edward kept looking around, hoping he'd bump into the girl he'd seen earlier. He thought he'd seen her blue-brown hair earlier, but she'd been too far ahead to be sure. "Look, Edward," Alec said, pointing at two seals slapping each other. Ben laughed and explained how they were likely battling for a spot on the pier.
"Looks like trouble," a voice said from behind him. Edward whirled around so fast that he leaned too much to side and bumped into an umbrella of one of the tables on the outdoor patio. "Oh, fuck." He said rubbing his temple, but smiled the moment he saw the girl with the blue-brown hair. "Hi." He tried not to flush in embarrassment, considering he practically tripped over his own feet to see her. "I'm Edward Cullen, um, hi again."
The girl and her friend laughed, both saying hello. "I'm Bella," the girl said, and nudged her friend. "This is Angela."
Edward wasn't a stranger when it came to girls, but he only had two girlfriends since he noticed them. Over the last two years, after ending things with Jessica because he wasn't handling his brother's death well, he rarely dated.
Yet, there were times when a girl knocked a guy off his feet, and Bella was one of them. It could be the way the sun glinted off a shiny surface, making her skin glow. The way her hair blew around her pretty face was a possibility. If it hadn't been any of those things, it would have been her smile. She had golden brown eyes that contrasted with her ivory skin and pink lips that would make for interesting dreams later.
Don't think about her lips. Don't think about her lips.
"What was that?" Bella asked, looking adorably confused.
He said that shit out loud; fuck, he really was in trouble, too. "Uh, nothing," he said, smiling to cover up the stupid that threatened to come out of his mouth. "Are you two grabbing some food, too?"
Bella shook her head. "We picked up something and should be heading back, but I thought we should say hi." She looked at her friend. "My aunt and uncle said we had to check with them before we head to the bonfire. Are you and your friends still having one?" She looked behind Edward, causing him to groan, knowing his cousin would say shit.
"What do we have here?" Alec asked, tossing his arm around Edward's shoulder. "Have you been holding out on us, cousin?" He aimed his pearly whites at Bella and Angela, and introduced himself. "Alec Cullen. I'm an Aries, two time award winning track star, and currently looking for a lucky lady to serenade."
"If you mean the sound you make that's worse than a cat in heat, then I suggest you skip it," Ben said, shrugged.
Edward gaped and threw his head back to laugh. "Oh, Ben, I'm so glad you came," he said, bumping fists with him. Alec was trying hard not to laugh, pretending to wipe an imaginary tear from his eye, likely proud of him. "Someone has to help keep these clowns in line." Ben fidgeted under the attention.
"I don't have to stand for this kind of abuse," Alec said over-dramatically, heading toward the window of the restaurant where they had ordered. They all called for him to come back, laughing as he strutted away. "They called our order, but the two of you make me proud and get their numbers."
Edward rolled his eyes. "We better go eat before Alec and the others leave us nothing but crumbs." He stopped in front of Bella and smiled. "Though, he makes a good point. I should have your number."
Bella cocked an eyebrow. "Oh, you should, huh? And why must you have my number?"
He held up his hand, counting on his fingers. "So, you don't get lost on the way to the beach," he said, continuing. "Then there's the fact that you might not want to go and how would you let me know if you can't?"
"It would be heartbreaking if you can't," Ben said, shaking his head. Angela giggled at his display. "Don't break his heart, Bella." Ben made an excellent wingman.
"Wait, there's also the fact that you're pretty," Edward was quick to add, ticking off another finger. He looked at Ben, repeating each reason. "Oh, and you're beautiful." He smiled, hoping the dimple he had would surface.
He watched as Angela leaned toward Bella and stage-whispered, "You better get it over with, or else he'll starve and get crabby." At the mention of starving, Ben said a quick goodbye and joined their friends.
Edward huffed and grumbled. "What ever happened to never leaving a man behind?" His asshole friends all waved to him, gesturing at him with air kisses and uncalled for dry humps. He had to get the number before they scared Bella and her friend away. Looking Bella in the eye, he grinned and flipped the guys off behind his neck, over his shoulder and with flair. The girls laughed, but Bella was waiting. "How about I promise you a song?"
Bella bit her lip as if unsure, and he went for the big guns, widening his eyes and tilting his head just so. It worked for his dog; it should for him, too.
She huffed a little, but he saw a hint of a smile. "All right, give me your phone."
He happily handed it to her, watching as she took a picture with that sexy eyebrow arched and those enchanting lips of hers in a small smile. She added her number and held it out, pulling back from his reach.
"This for your use. If anyone but you calls me, there will be hell to pay, Edward Cullen." Something in her voice told him she was serious and didn't trust easily.
"You think I'd share it with those assholes?" he said, frowning and covering his heart. "I would never do that." He knew a couple of his friends would share a girl's number, but he wasn't one of them. She had every right to ask him not to share it. There were creeps out there.
"I trust you, but don't make me regret it," she said, handing him the phone. Their fingers touched and stayed there a few beats too long, garnering all kinds of attention. "Let's go, Angela." They left, flipping off the guys as they passed their table while they whistled.
Something in her eyes told him that someone had hurt her badly, and Edward knew he had to handle her with care. Should he even try? Everyone knew that summer flings were just that, nothing could become of them as they went their separate at the end of their vacation. Would it be fair to start something if it would only end in heartbreak?