When the sun goes down, Jessica brings over a bottle of bacardi and a 12 pack of coke. We light a bunch of candles, grab some chips and salsa, and sit in Charlie's kitchen with an old radio we found in the attic, and a pack of cards.
Jessica clinks my glass, a different toast to the start of each game, "Here's to staying positive and testing negative," she says with a big smile on her face.
"Here's to cute cousins with tattoo's... and what you said," I say, and we both laugh.
We pass the fading night hours with hands of Rummy until the bottle is empty and our drunken hands have knocked the candles so much they've spilled.
Jessica tries to wipe the wax up to no avail— ultimately just smudging it in.
The next morning we wake to coke cans all over the kitchen and wax all over the table.
We're both a little hung over and decide that next time, we won't drink the whole bottle.
I grab the eggs out of the fridge and crack open four.
"So Jake, and your cousin… they fix cars, right?"
I make a mental note to take four tylenol as she replies, "They work on bikes and stuff. I don't know about cars."
We're both moving at a sluggish pace, "You think they could fix my car?" I pierce each yolk and whisk until the bowl is a sunny yellow.
Jess pours two mimosas and looks over at me. Her brown hair is sticking up in the back and she has mascara all around her blue eyes. She looks like she's still drunk."I think they just fix bikes, but I'll call Briggs if you want me to."
"You will?" I smile at her like, thank you for not making me beg. Because facing Edward Cullen is not on the top of my list.
She grabs her phone as I pour eggs into the pan.
I hear her talking to Briggs and I take a few sips of the more-fizzy-than-orange mimosa. I don't mind because hair of the dog and all.
As I scramble the eggs I picture Briggs doing pull ups, how his muscles flexed and then I picture him again, standing at the bar. His body so defined, his eyes so pretty and his face so sweet. A strong urge for morning hangover sex rises high.
My head pounds as I pour salsa on top of the eggs and fold it into the pan.
"Okay, see you," she hangs up.
"No luck, they only work on bikes, and mostly their own. You're gonna have to call him," she pulls the bacon out of the microwave. "They'll get it done faster than anyone else anyways... and they'll do it right. Just call him."
The thought of it makes me cringe.
We eat and then do a few half-assed yoga poses until we both decide curl up on the couch with blankets and netflix instead.
.
.
.
Three more days go by before I finally swallow my pride and decide to call Edward.
After eight rings I'm transferred back to the lady that answered. "It seems he's stepped out of his office. Can I take a message for you or would you like me to send you to his voicemail?"
"Can you please tell him that Bella Swan called?"
"Sure, Bella. Can I have a number that you can be reached?"
I give her my number and the next day I get a call from the same lady telling me to bring my car into the Parts and Services department next Tuesday.
I really shouldn't have put it off this long.
.
.
.
A wall of shiny Buicks, sleek Corvettes and masculine Silverados line the front of the parking lot and I guide my car between the new and the used. Following the signs to the Parts and Services bays, I pull my car neatly to the entrance.
It's been two weeks since Edward Cullen saved me from doing jail time.
I get a nervous flip in my stomach but I tamp it down, smooth my hair and get out of the car, locking the door behind me.
Once I approach the counter, a bigger guy with a name tag that spells out Emmett, asks me how he can help and I tell him, "I'm here to see Edward Cullen."
He's got kind eyes, a child like energy and two big dimples in his cheeks. He greets me, "Ah… you must be Bella."
He purses his lips together and looks at me like he knows all things… including me rear ending Edward.
"Yep, that's me… I'm the one." I hold up my hand, feeling a little shy.
"One sec, I'll go grab him." He inhales and rubs his hands together like he's excited.
A few minutes pass and Edward approaches following the baby-faced big guy. He seems to be busy, carrying papers in his hand, walking fast.
"Here she is," he waves his hand in my direction, Edward following right behind him, and whispers, "and you were right bro, she is hot."
Edward looks at him like he's lost his mind, and the big guy named Emmett looks back to me while pointing at Edward and mouthing, "He said you were hot." He backs out of the lobby holding up both hands like he's surrendering to a stick-up.
I don't hide my amusement.
Edward just stares at me, unamused. It's clear he's embarrassed though.
"Ignore him, he's a total idiot," he says unbothered. "What took you so long to bring it in?"
I step closer, looking up at him, trying to appear seductive, "So… you think I'm hot?"
His expression goes from unamused to humorous.
"If by hot, you mean hot mess? Then, yes."
I laugh and it breaks the tension.
He smiles, but it isn't without hesitation… he's trying his best not to.
There's an energy between us. It's not friendly but it isn't malicious… it's just there, undeniably felt by both of us.
"You got the keys?" He holds out his hand.
I dangle them between us.
He gently takes them from my hand, "Is someone here to take you home?"
He's not going for any of my advances so I give up the seductive act.
"Yeah, my friend Jessica is coming to get me… she should be here in a few minutes."
His cordial smile and attitude is gone, he's back to inpatient professional.
As he starts walking, I follow closely, listening as he speaks, "It will take at least two days before it's ready. You really need a new hood and bumper."
Women look up from their desks as we pass… their eyes glued to Edward. I'm invisible next to him.
He continues, "Parts should be here within a few hours, it might take the rest of the day for the guys to paint them to match, and the paint has to cure 24 hours before they can begin installation." He stops and looks back to me, "So, I take that back… three days."
"Three days," I say, unprepared to be that long without my car.
He touches his chest and leans into me speaking quietly, "Oh, I'm sorry Miss Swan, am I inconveniencing you now?" He gestures toward the front, touching his hand to the small of my back while walking us both forward. "Here, let me show you the door."
I hold a hand out, "No, no. I mean, I just didn't prepare for that. I don't have any other transportation and I know like five people in this town."
Well, I did have transportation. Charlie's truck, but I wasn't ready for that yet.
"Listen, I'm not your babysitter or your problem solver… you want your car fixed or not?"
What an asshole
"Yes."
He takes his phone out of his pocket, and with a fake smile and sarcastic tone, he gets to his point, "Then give me your number, not a hard time. I'll call you when it's ready."
This guy is a piece of work.
Makes me wonder what's happened to him to make him act this way. I actually feel a little sorry for him.
After he takes my number he walks me to the waiting area where I sit for thirty minutes with no sign of Jessica. And she isn't answering her phone. Voicemail, every time.
I am about to call Jess's mom when I hear him speak, "Your ride on the way, still?" He's leaning against the door frame, hands in his pockets, looking at me like he's concerned.
He's so hot and cold I can't keep up.
"I can't reach her. I don't know what's going on."
"Come on," he nods towards the door, "I'll take you home."
I follow behind him as he leads me through the lobby, out into the parking lot. We walk alongside rows of cars and come to the side of the building. On the corner sits a new custom Stingray parked diagonally, taking up two spaces. It's sleek and white, with red wheel wells and all black rims.
It looks like sex.
He opens the door for me and we share a glance as I dip inside.
Sexier than any man, the smell of the car's tightly pulled leather, lights a fire inside me. His seat is already pushed back, his business cards are in the console like it's his regular ride and a flutter stirs deep at the thought of him owning it.
The second we turn out of the dealership and onto the road, we accelerate to eighty in no time. The force of exertion has me pressed into the seat and the roar of the engine is the only sound I hear.
The cars blur one by one, as we pass and the most erotic feeling of pleasure and excitement spreads as we race towards my house.
When he glances this way, I don't even care that I'm smiling so wide, I like this.
He looks back to the road and I can see the crooked smile on his face too.
The energy is crackling and alive... floating between us on the silent ride home.
So low to the ground, tucked in behind this powerful engine, Edward knows how to drive. He hugs each curve with full control, turning me inside out with the thrill of the ride.
As we approach my street in the distance, he slows, and my high is gone.
When he turns into the driveway I'm not ready for it to be over. I'm not ready for voices. We're so good when we're silent.
He parks in front of the steps and looks over to me, a serious look on his face, "What were you doing at The Clubhouse that day?" He adjusts his watch and continues, "Besides drinking."
"How did you know th..," before I can finish he cuts me off.
"We passed you pulling out of the parking lot."
"Oh, I mean. I don't know… google. It's been a weird month. Just decided to go to a bar, and google pointed me to that one." I don't know why I lie to him.
"You should stay away from that place," He says it quietly. Almost like he's taking care with this warning, like it truly matters… if he says it too harsh, it might push me towards it, but if he's gentle enough, I might actually take heed.
He might be right, but I doubt it will happen, "Why do you care?"
And just like that, all gentleness fades and pompous returns.
"I don't. You just seem like you need some guidance. Your father was a good man, he'd tell you the same thing."
That stings, but I don't take offense.
"Look, why don't we just hang out or something," I want him to come in.
He lets out a small laugh, "I've got a girlfriend, the last thing I need is another one, kid."
I ignore his jab and finish, "I'm not offering you a blowjob, and stop calling me kid." He looks straight at my mouth as I finish, " I just thought that maybe you could come in and talk for awhile. I don't know, maybe get to know you or something. I barely know anyone here, it would be nice."
He smiles a nice smile that makes his eyes crinkle and shakes his head. His phone buzzes.
Phone in his hand he says, "I gotta take this and get back… I'll call you when it's ready."
I let myself out and watch his tail lights as he leaves. Again.
Later that night, Jessica finally calls.
"My phone died this morning, my cousin showed up out of the blue, I couldn't find my charger anywhere and I've been so sidetracked that I completely forgot I was supposed to pick you up earlier. Plus work..."
"It's okay, take a breath" I stop her and grab the nail polish, "it actually ended up working out pretty well."
She can hear the smile in my voice and I can hear hers when she says, "Tell me everything. Did you see him?"
"You first. What happened today?"
I swipe a soft shade of grey over my pinkie toe as she begins, "My cousin is going to give me a heart attack. He was here for hours this morning, and then mom came by... " she trails off going through her day, "and he's supposed to be coming back."
I switch to the other foot, "Wait, he's coming back tonight? Because, sleepover at your house."
She laughs.
I'm totally serious.
She sounds tired, "Yeah, he is. And not just for tonight. He needs a place to lay low for awhile, so it looks like I've got a roommate now."
Excitement bubbles up inside me as I think about what that means. One minute he's a fantasy, the next Jessica's roommate? Oh.
I try to contain myself and console her instead of taking total advantage of this new turn of events..
"Jess, I'm sorry. I know you worry about him."
"All the time now."
"How about you get your mind off of the worries and get over here to watch a movie with me?"
"That sounds good. Gimme five."
I weave pieces of cotton between each toe and walk to the back door.
Flipping on the light, I watch for her.
She walks under the canopy of large redwoods and valley oaks that paint the expanse between us. When she makes it to the old pine fence, I think back to when we were seven— when Charlie installed a small gate in the corner so we'd stop jumping over the fence. He, mom and Renee spent a weekend landscaping an entry way between our yards, adding stepping stones, pompous grass and desert wildflowers. That was a great weekend. Jess and I caught fireflies in mason jars while Charlie and our moms finished the last stones… we felt like our yards were magical back then, and standing here now, the trees much taller… I still feel that way.
.
.
.
Hours later, after we've both fallen asleep on the couch, Jess on one end, me on the other, a buzzing sound won't let me sleep. The light of the tv strobes as I wake from a fog to find the sound and I see her phone lit up on the floor.
"Hello?"
A quiet raspy voice I've heard before speaks, "Jess, I'm locked out, will you come let me in?"
"This is Bella, hang on… she's asleep."
I shake Jess's shoulder, trying to wake her. She turns over sticking her face into the back of the couch.
"Jess," I nudge her again, "your cousin is on the phone… he's locked out."
She mumbles like a zombie… "Keeeeys over there," while hanging an arm out in the direction of her bag.
I grab her purse and rummage through it until I find her keys, bringing the phone back to my ear.
Jess is already snoring.
"I've got her keys, we're here at my house."
"Ok, where's that?"
"Are you at Jess's front door?"
I look down to see I'm just in panties and a t-shirt as he says, "Yes."
"I live right behind her, come to the back yard... I'll meet you at the fence."
A/N: A massive thank you to the hardworking ladies over at The Lemonade Stand blog… another big thanks to all of you that leave reviews. I smile each time I get a word, thanks so much. I hope you all have a lovely weekend and I'll see you soon ;)