Recap of Chapter 27:
The Cullens have arrived at the Lodge and settle in for a lunch down in the restaurant - and Edward can't seem to keep his jealous emotions in check when Ian is friendly with Bella. The others take notice, but Edward's parents try to keep the others in check before Bella goes to find him and calm him down. They're found out however, by a unsuspecting Ian. Thankfully, their secret is kept safe by the Lodge worker. Luck is more on the couple's side when the adults of the group offer a free period for them to mess around before dinner - and while the guys and girls take the chance to go outside, Bella and Edward lie to sneak away. They reconnect after an extended separation since they last time they were able to be together, and things get mega-steamy in their room. But their time's cut short, for now, thanks to a planned dinner with the group that evening. Time will only tell just whatever other antics the group will get into on this Lodge trip.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
~Bella~
BEEPBEEPBEEP!
I groaned when I heard the shrill beeping noises coming from my phone, and blinked rapidly to dash away the sleep. I shoved my hand into my eyes to further shake off the slumber, and then giggled when I felt the arms around my naked torso tightened. I looked over at my shoulder to see Edward pressed tightly up against my back in his naked glory, kissing my shoulder. "It's too early for you to be awake, Miss Swan." Edward told me in a husky voice still wrought with sleep. It was still incredibly sexy hearing him talk first thing in the morning. I giggled again and wiggled my ass into his groin which he moaned at, before I reached over to the bed side table to get my phone. I picked it up and woke it up, seeing that the time was indeed too early - quarter to fucking six am man! I saw that what woke me was a text message from Alice.
Hey B! Waking you up early because I need you to get to the room in an hour - no less - as we're going to get dressed and get our butts over to the activity area for some skiing and fun in the snow! I know you and your sleepy ass is going to want to sleep in so I'm taking pity on you for an hour but no more than that! If you're not down here on the hour I'm coming up there to drag you out of that bed. Love ya and will see you then.
I sighed and shifted to lie on my back, smirking when Edward refused to let up his hold on me and went to move his head to my bare chest. "Honey I know you want me to sleep in with you but your terror of a sister is demanding I be up in an hour and in their room at that time. We're going down to the activity area today to ski." I told Edward quietly, holding up the text message for him to see. He blinked his eyes a couple times while adjusting to the light from my phone and read the text through bleary eyes. Edward groaned then, frowning.
"Damn fucking pixie."
I rolled my eyes at his whining and played with his messy bronze hair for a minute. "Well you know we can't hide up here from our friends the whole time we're up here." I reminded him while puffing out some air in a huff.
"I know. A man can try though." Edward muttered and turned his head on my chest to look up at me with his cheek pressed into my boob. He had a certain glint in his eyes while looking at me. "So... an hour yes?"
I laughed at what he was asking, knowing exactly where his mind was going. "Insatiable man!"
"Yeah yeah, you've already used that on me." Edward muttered with a chuckle of his own, before turning his head again but this time he nipped at my chest deliberately. I gasped at the sensation he caused and he smirked up at me boyishly. "So will you continue to entertain my insatiable needs, you sexy woman?" he purred while pulling himself up to hover over me. His green eyes darkened considerably while he stared down at me with almost a predatory gleam in his eyes.
"Make this hour count then, my sweet lover." I whispered, squealing when he pounced.
It had so far been a great start to our time at the Lodge. Yesterday of course had been incredible with the uinterrupted time we shared in our room while our friends were out in the activity unaware of what we were doing - well, half of them were unaware. It still helped that we had Angela, Jessica, Ben and Mike in on the truth about Edward and I. I bet at least they had tried to cover for us yesterday in coming up with convincing stories about us really wanting to go through with what we wanted yesterday - my nap to Edward's time spent over darts and with his parents. We were left undisturbed that whole time up until dinner time had arrive as per Carlisle's reminding texts. And since Alice had forewarned me a few days before, she had told me it was an affair with the Cullen family to make sure everyone was there and dressed up. So after one last little session with my man that was extra steamy yesterday, we left our room begrudgingly to head to the lobby and wait on the others to arrive. I felt at home with Esme and Carlisle teasing us since they too still knew about us - and just took us in stride still. I knew as Edward had explained it with me, his parents only cared about his happiness and they knew to trust him to be smart with this type of stuff; so as long as he was using protection with me and was doing everything to keep us safe, they were fine with our personal activities.
Our friends had finally joined us for dinner though, dressed up perfectly for this formal occasion. I had to bite the inside of my cheek when I noticed right away Emmett's and Jasper's ogling eyes - albeit they were smart to keep their glancing very subtle this time - when they saw Alice and Rosalie in their dressed up states. My best friends looked so pretty with their dresses on them that fit their figures and personalities perfectly; to Alice's tea-length pastel purple dress that was strapless with a tulle overlay on the skirt, and matching purple high heels while she had styled her down to keep it slicked instead of its usual wild spiky state and then Rosalie's ankle length dress that hugged her curves wonderfully. I could see a slip up the left side of her skirt of her dress that ended just a bit above her knee. The dress was an off the shoulder styled dress with long sleeves, and of course it was in the signature Rosalie Red that she usually gravitated towards. Her hair was straightened and cascaded down her back prettily, where Alice had swept some of it to one side and clipped it with big rhinestone clips. Both girls had makeup that complimented the outfits well.
Jessica and Angela were dressed nicely in their own simple dresses - they didn't like ever standing out too much still, but their dresses were similar in style. Capped sleeved and reaching to their knees in length, their dresses were simple satin with some rhinestones sewn into the fabric. Jessica's dress was a deep brown while Angela's was a golden color; they only differed in that Angela had a shawl hanging on to keep herself covered a bit more than Jessica. They had on simple pump heels that were in matching colors to their dress, and their makeup was done in a smoky style while their hair was curled to frame their faces. I could see them eying their secret beaus when they had all joined us in the lobby. The boys looked handsome in their own rights, although nothing could still top my Edward in how he dressed. Each wore suits with button downs that had almost corresponding colors to the ladies; Emmett was a deep maroon, Jasper a royal purple, Ben was a pastel yellow and Mike was a russet brown. I knew they obviously didn't plan that considering the fact Alice and Rosalie still hate Jasper and Emmett. The other four might've worked something out with their boyfriends in private to make it work but still they had to keep up the façade like I had to do the same with Edward.
Carlisle and Esme had complimented everyone on their attire before we were called into the restaurant that evening. We entered and were escorted to our huge table of which we took to getting through the evening in a more pleasant manner than lunch had been. The whole group conversed within their cliques and chatter was constant at the table, while Carlisle shared some stories of past family trips with us new comers. We were laughing at some of the funnier details about the Cullen siblings as children when they'd come up here in winter while growing up. I found it adorable hearing about stories with Edward who fumbled in the snow often but was desperate to keep up with Emmett. Or stories about Alice who fell in love with ice skating at a young age - it was great hearing about this side of the Cullen family in at least a neutral territory without having to remember us teens are supposed to 'hate' the opposite sex that sat across from one another. But we were cordial to one another - or at least regarded one another coolly.
Dinner ended peacefully and before I could try and retreat back to my room, the girls had nabbed me and told me they demanded that I come up to their room and exchange Christmas gifts. I had brought their gifts with me on the trip and knew that they would not easily give up on pestering me now seeing as the whole day I had been tactfully dodging them to try and get some alone time for myself - and in this case with Edward without them knowing. But I gave in and after running up to my room to get their gifts, I hurried back to their room. We huddled around on our beds and passed around the gifts we had for one another. Alice and Rosalie had gotten us cute winter based items; Alice got us warm but stylish heavy winter coats that she said would be perfect for us to wear tomorrow while we're out, while Rosalie had gotten us thick but cute wool scarves. Jessica had gotten us wool caps that were just as cute as ever, done with intricate cable knitting designs and corresponding colors that we tend to stick with. Angela was sheepish when she gave us smaller gifts that weren't clothing related - some gift cards to our favorite stores, along with cute little manicure and pedicure DIY kits she had worked on herself. We still love it as it was so Angela to do something simple for gifts for us. I had gotten some small trinkets for the girls that fit each of them so well; Alice received pastel pink high heeled boots, Rosalie got a new special and slightly high end curling iron, Angela got a set of special edition books from her favorite series that were signed by the author, and Jessica got a pair of Ray Band sunglasses that I had seen her eying ages ago. Each of them loved the gifts that I had gotten them.
I stayed in their room for awhile to chat with them as they told me about their eventful day out at the activity area of the Lodge. I laughed in the right spots when they told me of the teasing and jeering they had done at the guys who were trying to ruin their afternoon while they were out, as well as laughing when I heard them tell me about them flirting with some of the 'available' teenage boy Lodge workers. We spent at least another hour just joking and having a good time together but I knew I'd have to slip away back to my room. So I left using the reason that I wanted to get comfy for the night and get some sleep since there was a whole day out at the activity area planned as a group - and I knew I couldn't weasel out of this. I had left the girls and hurried up to my room where there I found Edward waiting for me; he was dressed out from his dinner attire and looked just as handsome in his warm pajamas for the evening. He had hot chocolate waiting for me, along with some wrapped presents. I had told him to let me get cleaned up and dressed up in pajamas which I hastily did before I joined him on the bed. He gestured to the hot chocolate first and we drank together while flirting with one another but chatting about nothing.
When the hot chocolate had been finished off, Edward finally nudged the presents in front of me. They were small, and only three in quantity which I was happy about. I had only really brought one extra gift for him that wasn't underwear, and I had gotten up to get it out of my bag before I gave it to him. But Edward insisted I go first to which I gave in. I opened the smallest box first and smiled at the sight. It was two charms - a crystal heart and then half of a heart that had a simple 'E' stamped into it. I knew then that likely Edward had chatted with my dad in finding out about the charm bracelet that I had received from him on Christmas and wanted me to add more charms to it. I leant over to kiss his cheek in thanks for the first gift. Then I had grabbed the next box, opening them to only gasp at what was inside. It was a pair of earrings; they were simple tear-drop styled earring that was rimmed with diamonds and in the center of both were emeralds. I had felt my eyes become glassy when I stared at them
Edward had smiled at me and then murmured to me, "They were my birth mother's. Esme and I talked to which she revealed to me that in the process of me being adopted over by her and Carlisle, she had received some things that were written in my parents' wills to be given to me. And this was one of them; along with it is her engagement ring but uh... we're too young for anything like that of course." When mentioned that they were a family heirloom, I had launched myself over the bed to pepper his face with kisses and happy tears fell from my eyes. He held me to his chest for awhile while I cried in his, but once I had calmed down, he let me go to nudge the last gift to me. When opening it, I found staring back at me was a simple necklace with a tall dog tag and a simple pendant that was done up in an intricate design that held two gemstones - my birthstone and his. On the dog tag was the day we met when we started school, along with the day we got together. There was a lot of space left over on the tag. "I hope that we can keep adding more dates to that tag with the more we're together, love." Edward murmured to me when he saw me looking over the necklace. Again that earned more kisses and tears.
When I had calmed down, I had reached down and handed him his one last gift that I had gotten him. He opened it and I could see his eyes turn glassy. I had worked on this gift with Esme and Carlisle since I felt like they could've found information about it better than I could, even though Edward had told me some details of his birth parents when we were starting to date. The gift I had gotten him was a necklace; it chain was a thin but high quality leather strap that on its pendant was a tall dog tag much like what he had gotten for me. On it was stamped the dates of his parents' birthdates, as well as his, with his parents' birthstones embedded into the metal. I had worried that it would appear too girly for him to wear as really Edward never seem to have worn anything in terms of accessories - except maybe for the occasional watch. But I felt like this way if it came out the way I had envisioned it when I ordered this from a special seller that did these handmade necklaces for men, I felt that he could have a piece of his parents with him at all times around his neck. Edward had looked up at me when he finished tracing over the dates and I could see tears coming down his eyes then. He leaned down to capture my lips in a searing kiss and whispered his thanks.
After we had exchanged the last of our gifts that night, I gave him a treat to just dolling myself up in another lingerie ensemble from the many pieces I had brought over and he was delighted to rip it away before we gave ourselves over to one another for a few hours. But we had fell asleep after a point since we had indeed a rigorous workout earlier that day.
And so that leads us back to where we're at now. After we shared a romp in the bed, I scurried out of bed with him chasing after me to the shower and we had a quickie once again under the hot streams of water in our spacious shower. Before long I was getting dressed in a pair of thick jeans, a long sleeved warm sweater and heavy wool socks, while Edward was dressed in a sweater and jeans on the bed. He brushed my hair out for me and was entreating me to a massage on my scalp that left me feeling tingling sensations running throughout my body. "You are just teasing me the more you do that." I told him with a smirk on my face.
Edward hummed behind me and chuckled. "Good, maybe this will entice you to stay in the room with me." he murmured and leant down to kiss my cheek.
"You know I'd love to but you also know that's not possible." I reminded him, knowing good and well that Alice would make do on her promise; if she wanted something, she was going to have it and without a doubt she would definitely storm this room to drag me to her room even if its by my legs.
"I know." Edward sighed. "The damnable pixie that is our Alice would for certain be busting that door down if I held you captive." Edward added and I snickered at his pouting tone.
"We still have the night as usual, love. We have several days here that we can keep putting this bed to good use." I told him cheekily turning in his arms to wink at him. Edward barked out a laugh at me and kissed my nose. I checked the time on my phone and pouted now; I had about ten minutes before I'd have to be down in her room. "I should get going. Maybe I'll score brownie points if I show up early." I muttered and Edward groaned in defiance. I stood up from the bed and Edward followed.
"I'm sure that more than likely the guys will want to go out today too so you'll likely spot us while you ladies are out." Edward told me while he watched me through together a small bag that had my phone, a change of socks and my digital camera that I have brought along for the trip. I planned to take some photos so that I could add to the scrapbook that my mom wanted. Then I found the hat, scarf and coat that I had gotten last night from the girls, putting on the hat and dangling the scarf over my neck while draping the coat over my arm. Edward walked me over to the door and just before I could pull it open, he pushed me up against the door and trapped me in place by putting his arms on either side of my head. "It's going to be so hard watching you be cute in the snow today." Edward purred and leant down to place kisses by my ear.
I gasped at the sensation he created but I realized what he had said and snorted at him. "Oh shut up! I know I'm uncoordinated but who knows - maybe I'll find out snow is my domain!" I joked, humming when he began his trail down my neck.
"Unlikely but we'll see, Miss Swan." Edward murmured against my skin with a smirk. "Just do promise me that you'll try to be careful out there in the snow. The guys and I are likely to be snowboarding and I won't be able to see you ski too much." Edward continued, lowering his mouth the more he talked.
"Okay..." I trailed off, groaning when he lightly sucked on the skin under the collar of my sweater. He lifted his lips back up and then captured my lips into a searing kiss that made my toes curl in my boots. His tongue darted out to lick my bottom lip and I immediately opened up to tangle his tongue with mine. We stood there against the door, making out for a few more minutes; but then our need to breathe caused us to pull away with shuddering gasps escaping us. He then leant down to have his forehead touching mine and we just stood there working to steady our breathing.
It had only been a few minutes but then I heard a beeping from my phone. Edward eased away from me to let me dig through my pockets and I pulled it out to see I had a new text - it was about five minutes until the deadline that Alice had put in. I read the text, finding it was from Angela who was telling me that I had a few minutes before the terror that was Alice would be leaving to get me. I sighed again and showed him the text and the time with a sad smile. Edward nodded his head and then giving me one last peck, he fully stepped back and smiled down at me. "Best to let my prisoner go free then. I love you, Bella. Do be safe out there on the snow today." he murmured to me sweetly. I nodded to him and gave him one quick peck on the cheek before I pulled the door open and with a wave to him, I hurried out of the room towards the elevators. It brought me down to their level and I sent a quick text to my dad saying I was awake, hoping he'd wish me luck out on the snow today. I had reached their door when I hit send and gave two quick raps on the door to let them I was here.
Alice was there in two seconds pulling the door open. "Not a moment too soon, Belly!" Alice chirped with a smirk and side-stepped to let me into their hotel room. I snickered at her and entered the hotel room the girls were in, greeting them when they greeted me. Angela and Jessica were sitting on their bed, pulling on second thicker sweater over their first one, while I could hear Rosalie was in the bathroom blow drying her hair. "I've got an extra sweater for you Bella, as well as a pair of snow pants you can put on top of your jeans. It's all about layering when you're out in snow, especially deep snow." Alice told me after she closed the door to the room.
"I have been in snow before Alice."
"Yes but you grew up in Arizona before moving to Seattle with your mom, Belly." Alice reminded me while she set about digging through her enormous amounts of luggage.
"I didn't know you grew up in Arizona." Jessica said out loud to me when she heard this bit of news. I shrugged my shoulders with a wry smile to her.
"Yeah well... I had moved there with my mom after my parents got divorced so I was often times just shuffled back and forth growing up. Then my mom got a better job offer for her work as a lawyer in Seattle so we moved there when I was a freshman." I told her briefly, feeling only just a bit uncomfortable relaying the information. I hope they could understand truthfully in part why the move was important for me in regards to the whole Joshua situation everyone was in the know of. But I also didn't see how much of this mattered when we should be focusing on our snow day. "I mean I didn't grow up much in the snow down in Arizona but I remember growing up at times my mom would try taking me up north to Flagstaff when it was starting to get cold there. She tried and failed in getting me to learn how to ice skate from those indoor rinks that were around Phoenix." I added, shrugging again.
"Thus why it's important we teach you to dress up in layers now since you've never seen deep Washington snow." Rosalie said then and I turned to see her strolling out of the bathroom. I nodded to her and sat down on what I could assume was Alice and Rosalie's bed, and saw that Alice had jumped up then with her findings.
"Here you are Bella, an extra sweater," she held up a thicker looking wool sweater; it matched in color to my current sweater - a royal blue. She handed it over to me and then held up a pair of thick pants that looked part of a snow suit get up. "And here's the snow pants. You did also put on some wool tights under your jeans, right?"
"Yes I did."
"Good! Then with those extra additions, you're ready for the snow. If we're all ready to go ladies, lets get some breakfast in the Lodge's restaurant and then head out."
An Hour and a Half Later...
"Hello there everyone, I'm Ian and I'll be one of your skiing instructors today. I have my partners here - Amanda, Collin, Wendy and Olivia - who will also be helping out in teaching you all how to ski." I shifted awkwardly on my skis while trying to listen to Ian shout out to the small group.
Once we had finished getting ready for the morning, us ladies headed down towards the restaurant to get some breakfast in us which was quick and easy, but a nice hot meal. Then we stepped out into the crisp winter air and trudged over to the activity area. The sun was just peaking up by the time we made it to the shop which was just opening. The activity area was moderately empty when we entered the shop and we took some time just wandering around looking at everything in. The shop operated as a rental shop between snowboards, sleds, skis and for those more daring, there was even a sign up for snow mobiles that people could rent to ride around on. I took pictures on my camera of the girls holding up various souvenirs as well as pictures of them in front of some hand-carved woodwork that was similar to the bear statue in the Lodge's Lobby.
Then we finally moved our butts over to the counter to sign up for some activities for the day. Alice, Rosalie, Angela and Jessica were more well versed with snow activities than I was so they mostly signed up in pairs for skiing - both on the ground and reserving a slot on the ski lift. I however signed up for some skiing lessons of which would take awhile as the course was extensive; the employee on deck when we were signing up took time to explain to me that the instructors would be spending a good while on the ground with students in teaching them about how to work themselves on the skis until they were fully comfortable on the ground and go about a simple little course. And then the instructors would be accompanying them on a simple small ski lift ride. It was going to be a few hours worth of work essentially - and basically all of that time I would be by myself. I wasn't feeling really resentful of my friends who left me behind on the lessons; I didn't want to spoil their winter vacation due to my handicap in the snow. But I will admit I felt like I would be really lonely as I'd be in a ski class with strangers.
But imagine my surprise when I had spotted Ian. He took some time at the start of the lesson working one on one with some people, while I stood and waited for any one of the instructors to come by to start teaching me how to ski. Ian spotted me standing around and gave me a quick smile; then he said a few words to the person he was teaching before he called over one of his coworkers. Then, he skied over to me. "Well, we just seem to keep running into each other." Ian joked once he stood in front of me. I laughed.
"It's bound to happen since I'm vacationing here and you're working - you at least did forewarn me." I told him with a smirk. He nodded his head to that statement.
"Fair enough." He paused while giving a cursory look around. "Are you here at this lesson by yourself?"
"Uh... yeah." I muttered feeling my cheeks heat up in embarrassment.
"I'm surprised. Where are your girlfriends? I saw them hanging around you earlier." he paused and pursed his lips before speaking up a bit more quietly. "Or more importantly... where's your boyfriend?"
"My friends all know how to handle themselves in the snow and I pushed them to go on and have some fun. I'm not an able bodied athlete in snow - or much on anything for that matter - and I didn't want to hold them bad. So I signed up for lessons by myself." I told him with a wave of my hand to show him I was fine by myself here. And then biting my bottom lip, I replied to his second question. "As for him, he's probably out snowboarding with his friends; we do have to still keep our relationship a secret after all so rather risk him being seen hanging around me, we've separated for the day."
"Ah." Ian hummed. "Well if it helps I can keep you company today? I am after all supposed to be teaching you how to ski." Ian teased in a lighthearted tone, smirking when I laughed.
"That you are, and I'd be a bad student if I didn't try and learn. So teach away."
"Alright. So, you probably know the whole cheesy pizza and fry technique. It's really simple and it does help. So how about you at least start off with gently pushing yourself forward and just going down the slope here using those methods? If you feel like you need to stop you might have to dig your skis a little into the snow or jam your rods into the snow." Ian explained to me and stepped aside just a bit to allow me to try out his instructions. I took a deep breath, before I put the method into practice. I pushed myself forward by putting my rods into the snow and used it to pull myself forward. I jerked forward roughly at first and teetered on the spot, sputtering. "Okay okay, calm down." Ian immediately rushed into steady me. I thanked him with a timid smile and felt my cheeks were alight from the embarrassment, but he chuckled. "Well, you had the method right but a lot of gusto is probably what sent you sprawling there. Just try to ease yourself at first okay?"
I nodded to him again and once I was righted, I tried again the same thing I had done before but with not as much force. This time I was able to push myself forward some more and wasn't almost sent falling to my ass. It felt better with just a slow push and I smiled. Once I had slid forward some, I jammed the rods back into the snow to stop myself and Ian nodded his head. "Better!"
"If I just could only do this for the day, I feel like I'd be fine." I told him with a laugh, shaking my head.
"All it takes is just some practice and just don't panic. I need to go make some rounds to other students but I'll be back in awhile so you just keep practicing with this and then we can move onto the pizza slice and French fry techniques." Ian told me with a smirk. I waved him off so he wasn't going to get in trouble with is job, and set about just for a few minutes of getting the hang of how much strength I needed to put into pushing myself off in order to move at a steady pace. I felt like I had gotten the hang of it relatively well by the time Ian came back to me. "Seems like you're taking off well now."
"Slow process but I got step one down." I joked with him and he laughed with me. "So is it time now to break out the food methods?"
For another round of teaching, Ian demonstrated the silly pizza and French fry technique that I've heard so many times in TV shows. But he made it easy for me to try out and kept me going even when I was teetering more and more while on the skis. I was laughing at myself while I felt like I was floundering and he laughed with me but stayed patient. It took a bit longer worth of practicing but soon I got the hang of it too. "You're doing great Bella." Ian praised me when I demonstrated the techniques to him. "You feeling ready to try out the beginner ski lift?"
"Uh... To be honest no." I admitted and he looked at me with raised eyebrows.
"Why not? You're doing great!"
"I think honestly the momentum of having to be dropped and then go down a steeper hill might make me lose what little luck I've had so far when it comes to skiing. Plus... heights are not really a friend of mine." I told him truthfully, frowning. I didn't really like the idea of a ski lift the more I thought about it - I wouldn't say I had a huge phobia of heights when it came to being lifted in the air or like say on rides that do such a thing. But I would say that it wasn't also a welcomed feeling when I can look down and see just how far off I am from stable ground - it does make me feel a bit dizzy, and causes my nerves to be shot.
"Oh... I'm sorry, I didn't know you had a fear of heights."
"It's alright, not many really do. It's not a huge phobia since I can go on some roller coaster rides for example - but I still would rather avoid situations of being high up in the air if I can help it."
"Well if anything we can head back to the shop and I can refund your lesson since can't take you up on the lift. I just feel bad since most of the time you booked was behind that and now I don't want you being bored waiting around for your friends." Ian tried to explain to me, where he stood beside me awkwardly.
"Don't feel bad - and really I don't need a refund on the lesson. I want you to get your money out of your work since you did an awesome job teaching a walking hazard how to ski." I tried to lighten the mood by joking on my behalf as I felt bad that I was cutting our lesson time short. I'll admit that the fact I was now going to be sitting out after this part of the lesson with nothing else do to, I was beside myself. My friends were still out in the snow having fun at least, and I knew Edward had to be enjoying himself out there snowboarding. But pretty much this left me just having nothing else to do other than heading back to the Lodge to relax. Part of me was excited with that notion, but I also felt like I should be doing more than just staying inside while I'm up here.
"Come on, let me take you back."
"Won't you get in trouble for leaving your station?"
"Nah, I can phone in another employee - part of being a family member of the owner of the Lodge, I can hop between jobs when I want to while letting other employees get their hours so it works out for everyone." Ian explain breezily while he pulled out a walkie talkie from his pockets. I waited off to the side while he phoned into a desk asking for a new employee to come out as he had plans to switch to another job soon here. Once he was off of it, he smiled at me. "Done and done, now I can escort you back."
"Thanks, I still feel bad though." I muttered to him while we began to ski back to the gift shop area at a steady, slow pace.
"Really, don't feel bad about it Bella. I feel bad about cutting your lessons short. I had hopes I could get you comfortable with skiing so you could catch up to your friends since you're by yourself over here." Ian admitted with a shrug of his shoulders.
"It's fine really, I'm not used to the snow like they are so while I appreciate the lessons, I don't think I'd ever be up to their level anytime soon." I told him quietly and a sad smile on my face.
"Really? Not native to Washington?"
"Yes and no." I told him with a laugh. "You see, my parents divorced when I was about three or four. I was born here but once they split, my mom took me with her to Arizona and I was raised there for most of my life. I came back here to have visits with my dad, but I'd always go back to Arizona to live with her. And she'd tried to get me used to some snow stuff - she'd take me up north to Flagstaff to see the snow in the winter, or tried getting me to ice skate when I was younger but it was in those indoor rinks. I was a mess on the ice so she stopped trying after a point with that, and Flagstaff trips dwindled when she saw I was bored out of my mind. Then when she was offered a better job in Seattle after my freshman year of high school, we moved back here."
"I see then." Ian surmised with a chuckle after hearing my brief retelling.
"Sorry, I know probably too much word vomit on something that's so uninteresting."
"Please, it's not uninteresting. I did inquire or was curious about you not being used to the snow - and you were explaining it." Ian was quick to reassure me he wasn't put off by the fact I was telling him so much about myself. "I've grown up in a lot of the cold environments; my family's more from the upper parts of New York and that's where I lived most of my life - but we branched off to come here to Washington to help out with the Lodge since it's been in my family for a few generations." Ian added in then, smiling while looking off in the distance. "I'm technically supposed to be focusing on my own high school education since I'm about to graduate but I wanted to put myself to work here since my brother is busy back in New York with his own schooling, while my cousins are also in between their own school years - both high school and college. So my family here at the Lodge needed all the help they could get during their busiest season."
"That's really great then, the fact you came here to help with something that's been in your family for years - and taking time out of your need for studying." I told him honestly, feeling some form of admiration for him.
"Yeah I see it as much."
"Do you miss your brother?"
"Not really to be perfectly honest!" Ian guffawed with a harsh laugh.
"Don't get along well?"
"More or less no. We're two split personalities is how I see it - he's pompous and thinks of himself as gift to the females of his college." Ian admitted wryly, shaking his head.
"Ouch, sorry to hear that. Frankly speaking, a lot of the guys at my school view themselves to be that. But really they're just desperate for a girl to pay attention to them since it used to be an all boys school."
"Wait really?"
"Yeah. But... I don't want to sound like I'm tooting my own horn here but I fought that rule by taking the case to court with my mom. The school I go to was touted to be the best in its education and courses compared to the other schools around, and I wanted a fair shot at that over the previous school I was going to. So after taking it to court, the 'all boys' mandate was lifted and it became a co-ed school." I shyly told him feeling my cheeks heat up when he looked down at me wide-eyed.
"Wow! That's... honestly amazing Bella. Don't take offense but I wouldn't have pegged you as that type of person."
"None taken - first glance I know I look like some shy fool who can't walk straight."
"Not a fool nor do I know your walking habits - but really that's an amazing feat."
I laughed at his praise but nodded to him.
"So all the guys then at your school are like my brother." Ian mused with a snicker.
"More or less. Again I think the fact they've not been around chicks during their coming of age years, they've lacked the skills to learn just how to talk to the opposite sex without sounding like they got their tips from a playboy magazine."
Ian laughed loudly at this ribbing. "Sounds real bad then. So... does your boyfriend fall into that category?"
"No." I told him quickly, feeling my cheeks heat up once again when he snickered at my hasty reply. "We told you that between us it's... complicated with our relationship and what's going on." Ian nodded to show he remembered. "You see our first meeting was well... yeah he was an asshole to me as were his friends and brother. But, we had met each other in private after a stupid mixup and there we got to know each other a bit better. Before long, one little date led to us realizing we had feelings for each other."
"So why are you hiding it? Because your friends still don't like the rest of the guys at the school?" he paused when I nodded to him. "And I'm guessing if they see you dating a dude that they saw you hate and declare as much on the first day, then you're what... fearing they're going to hate you?"
"Are you a mind reader?"
"No but I can only assume as much as that's why you two are just dating in secret. I mean, yesterday I got that as much when your two friends - uh... the blond one and the short chick with spiky black hair, were sending him murderous looks just because he was snapping at me." Ian told me with a chuckle.
"I'm still sorry about that. He's... well he's protective of me but he's also just as easily jealous."
"Nah, don't worry about it. If I had a pretty girlfriend that I couldn't be openly affectionat with, I'd react the same way."
I blushed at his 'pretty' comment but nodded to him anyways. "But yeah we're honestly fearing that if we come out of the blue to our friends that we've been dating behind their backs this whole time, we think they'll hate us - and more or less the whole school would turn against us."
"But why is that stopping you? You two care more about each other than what others think, right?"
"We do. But we love our friends too and we don't want them to hate us just because we lied to them." I told him quietly. By this time, we finally made it back to the shop after we had carefully weaved our way around several other guests; the activity area was filling more as the time went back in the morning hours. There were more guests coming in and out of the shop and it looked a bit more packed inside than it had this morning when we first arrived here. "Look what we're hoping for is that as time goes on, things become less strained between the boys and girls at our school that eventually they'll realize this whole feud that we put into place was just stupid nonsense. And at that point they'll stop hating on each other to which we can come out then and tell the truth about us. We don't want to be dating in secret for forever but we feel like if we do so now, it'd just be a bad time."
"I mean, I can see it from that point of view." Ian admitted, shrugging his shoulders. "I just feel like sooner or later something's going to burst between you two or at the school. I don't think there will ever be a right time to do so - the longer you hold off on it, I think the worse that'd be since you're just continuing to lie to your best friends on it. And the longer you hold off on telling them the truth, the more hurt I think they'll be." Ian tried to reason with me, pursing his lips.
Well when he put it from that perspective he definitely had a point. I know that Edward and I considered this on and off whenever we'd talk about our situation. It wasn't ever going to be easy if we were trying to figure out just when would be the right time to come out and tell our friends about our relationship. We were still too nervous to come out right now about it but we both knew that the longer we put it off, the more hurt our friends are likely to be. But we never knew or could come up with a deadline for ourselves of when we should tell them. And frankly on a winter vacation I didn't think that'd be the right time, but we couldn't keep ourselves a secret all the way until we graduate from high school. That'd definitely be too long for us to really try and sneak around them day in and day out, and I know it'd kill the both of us to try and keep up the ruse. As Ian had said, there most likely was no right time to wait before telling them about us, much less try to wait and see if things would blow over calmly between the other female students in regards to the male students.
I pursed my lips while thinking over his words, and Ian could see that. "I know, probably gave you a lot to think about - and at the same time I shouldn't really try to give you advice on this when this zone's not my forte."
"Huh?" I blinked while looking up at him surprised. "No girlfriend?"
"Nah. I haven't had one for about half a year."
"Oh... I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked."
"Bella stop apologizing." Ian teased with a laugh. "It's no big deal, it was a mutual agreement on both of our parts to split since she was transferring to another school."
"I see then but still, I shouldn't have been nosey or assumed things. I mean..." I blushed while stuttering over my words. "I just thought you did have a girlfriend since you're so easy to talk to, and friendly."
"I appreciate the compliments." Ian laughed out, winking at me. I chuckled behind my hand, shaking my head. "So what you going to do now?"
"I honestly don't know. I was probably going to go back to the Lodge and just relax in my room for the day." I told him, shrugging my shoulders.
"How about I entertain you a bit more?"
"Uh... depends on what you mean by entertain?"
"Here, lets get our skis in and then I can proposition you the entertainment. Don't worry, it's nothing bad or anything. And I'm not going to pressure you into it if you're not keen on the idea." Ian eased my nerves when he could see the apprehension on my face. I nodded my head to his suggestion and after we took some time unbuckling ourselves from the skis on our feet, he led me back to the counter to turn mine in and get my money back - even though I refused profusely in taking it back. But Ian worked it out with the employee behind the register and told him that the money can be paid back since so many guests always sign up for their lessons on stuff. Then after Ian had given me my money, he smirked. "So, how about I take you out on a ride on one of our snow mobiles?"
I stared up at him with wide eyes and raised eyebrows. "Really?"
"Yes really."
"I thought those were only meant for one person to be on?"
"Ours can come in one seater or the bigger models that allow for an extra rider." Ian told me, smiling down at me kindly. "You'd be safe on it as I wouldn't go on any of the courses or especially the extreme jumps we have built here. You'd be surprised but we have a lot of extreme sports guests that often take these snow mobiles out on ramps like they would with snowboards - but they can handle two riders easily. We'd be wearing helmets as well for more precautions so you don't need to worry about potentially getting hurt on one of these if you're riding with me."
I mulled over the option, realizing deep down I was getting excited behind the idea of riding it. I knew that really I would've loved it more if I could experience this with Edward - but of course with our situation it wasn't likely to happen. But I did have faith in Ian that he would keep me safe while we're out there on the snow mobile so I thought it wouldn't hurt. I bit my bottom lip, but nodded my head excitedly to Ian. "I'm up for trying it out. You just better hope I don't have a stroke of bad luck and I don't fall off the thing."
"As long as you're holding onto me the whole time we're out, or holding onto the tail end of it since there will be grips in the back, you should be able to stay on." Ian reassured me with a smile. I nodded to him again to show him that I was still okay in trying it out with him and he whooped. He told me he was going to work on getting everything situated and that I could wait around in the shop. He said he'd tell me that he call me over when everything's all ready to go. So I walked off to the side of the shop and pulled out my phone to check things, which I was a bit surprised to see that I had several texts. One of the first ones I noticed was from Edward - a few from him actually. I began to read them over, smiling as I went through them. The first one he had sent me was a text saying he already missed me (it was sent around the time I had left the room). Then the next one was a picture of himself all dolled up in his snowboarding attire; a thick coat, a beanie on top of his head, thick snow pants and snow boots, topped off with thick goggles over his eyes while he gave a thumbs-up in thick gloves from a reflection of the bathroom mirror from our room. Finally, he sent me a video that likely one of the guys took of him where it showed him riding a half pipe, soaring and sliding on the snow effortlessly while he was on his snowboard. I was in awe at just what he was capable of doing - but this was Edward after all. My man had many hidden talents, lot of which was coming to light each day.
The next set of texts were from the girls. The first one was just them saying they hoped my skiing lessons were going well. And another one from them was just a picture of Alice and Rosalie riding the lift together, waving to the camera on the phone that Angela or Jessica took of them. I sent them a text back about my predicament, saying the lessons went well and that I was about to go ride a snow mobile with Ian. I know this would have them all chomping at the bit expecting gossip and details, but I ignored the feeling as in reality I still wished that it was Edward that I was riding with over Ian. I quickly sent a text to Edward, which was just a simple, "You look amazing out on the snow while snowboarding babe! So happy for you! I had fun with my ski lessons but I chickened out from riding the ski lift. I'm going to be out on the snow mobile soon so maybe we'll spot each other. Hope you're having fun and I can't wait to see you later!" before I went about checking my last message.
It was from Charlie. I smirked when I read what he sent.
"Hey squirt, hope you're having fun up there with your friends. I also hope you're staying warm so please keep doing that and keep being safe! I'm having a good time out here on the reservation with Billy and Jacob - they wish you a belated Merry Christmas but they're excited since we're coming back down here on New Year's to hang out with them. I love you Sweetpea and I miss you!" and attached to his text was a simple little picture of him with a cheesy smile on his face while behind him I could see Jacob and Jacob's dad, Billy Black, squished into frame with equally big grins. I laughed to myself at seeing their goofy grins, feeling a bit homesick while looking at my dad's crinkly smile. I was reminded of how he had acted when I left yesterday when I came up here; seeing just how forlorned he looked while I was leaving, as if he would never see me again sat in the back of my mind. It gnawed at my very being thinking there was still something wrong underneath the surface. Yet seeing his goofy smile now, I had hopes that whatever he was feeling yesterday had passed and that now he was better since he was in good companion with Billy and Jacob.
I sent him a text back detailing the trip so far, joking on my behalf that I had taken ski lessons but chickened out about halfway from going on the lift. I also told him that I was about to ride a snow mobile with an employee and told him to wish me luck that I make it out alive in one piece on it, but assured him that I would be safe while on it. Just as I had hit send, Ian called my name. I looked up to see him waving me back over to the counter. I hurried over to see his toothy grin while he dangled a key in front of me. On the countertops of the register behind him, there were two bright red helmets. "All ready to go out, how about you?"
"I'm ready as I'll ever be." I told him while pocketing my phone in my coat pocket, grateful now that the pockets were zipper pockets.
"I want to get a picture of you on a snow mobile since you're not used to these snow activities - and it'd be your first time on one of these." Ian joked with me while he led me back outside. I followed him and listened to him as he was giving me instructions on what I should do and expect while riding. "So I'm going to give you hand signals since we won't be able to talk to one another when we're riding and when we have helmets on. If I hold up a thumbs up to you and jut it upwards, I'm telling you that it's safe for you stand up in the back of the mobile so long as you hold onto my waist or my shoulders - think like if you're on a bike with those back spokes, you can stand on those while holding onto the driver's shoulders. If I have my hand flat and I push it down, I'm telling you to sit back down. I want you to remember to keep a grip on me as I feel that'd be better versus gripping onto the back of the snow mobile - but it's your choice." he explained while we walked around to the front and side of the shop. When we stopped, I could see in a overhang section like an open garage, there before me were several snow mobiles. I could see some smaller ones, and then I could see the bigger ones that were meant for being two-seaters. Ian led me over to one of the bigger ones that was had red and white designs.
"Got it then." I stated, letting the information sink in.
"I'll pull this out first before we'll get going out onto the snow. You hold onto this, and once I get it set up for us to head out, I want to take a picture of you on the mobile before we ride." Ian told me before he handed me a helmet. I held it under my arm and side-stepped away from the mobiles while Ian straddled the vehicle and jammed the key into the ignition. He turned it and the snow mobile roared loudly to life, causing me to jump. Ian smirked at me before he eased it forward and easily turned it to have it ride out of the overhang. It was a sled-type vehicle while worked to move easily on the snow covered ground. I followed a distance behind with my helmet and Ian's in my hand, and watched as he pulled it up to a point that would dip down the hill. He left the motor running while he motioned me over. I scuttled over to him as quickly as I could while trudging through the snow, before I was standing next to him. He stood and motioned for me to sit while he asked over the humming noise, "Let me see your phone so I can take a picture?"
I fished out my phone again and after straddling the back of the vehicle, I posed in front of him while he worked the camera. I saw him press on the screen a few times, and then he gave it back to me. I pocketed it again, zipped the pocket and after adjusting my scarf to have it securely wrapped around my neck, I shoved the helmet over my head and strapped my head up in it. Ian set about sticking his own helmet on before he straddled the front seat to the snow mobile and grabbed onto the handlebars. I wrapped my arms around his waist and he nodded to me before he twisted one handle which caused the snow mobile to jerk forward. I squeaked from the sudden movement but held on tightly while he shot off.
I was already feeling the adrenaline while we rode through the activity area past other patrons of the Lodge. Some stopped to see us shooting by, some cheered and whooped at the sight of the snow mobile. I laughed to myself while seeing the reactions, and just looked around at everything we were passing. Ian grabbed my attention when he gave me the signal that it was okay for me to stand up if I wanted to. I adjusted myself to a semi standing position behind him where I put my hands firmly on his shoulders while he drove. Once I was standing, I let out a whooping call of my own with a laugh, and I could see Ian slightly shaking his head at me; I could only guess that he was laughing at my behavior. Just then, I looked over and could see the girls who were skiing down the hill. I saw them stop and Alice had pulled out her phone and was pointing it at us. I gave a wave to them, seeing Rosalie, Angela and Jessica jumping and waving back excitedly. I giggled, but knew deep down that with Alice taking a video of driving by as well as them seeing me on the back of this snow mobile with an employee (they couldn't tell that it was Ian, or at least I hoped they couldn't), I was going to be grilled by them whenever we'd meet up again.
We continued driving down the hill for another minute and with even more 'luck' on my side, I could spot the guys coming up the hill. They were carrying their boards as it looked like they were already finished snowboarding for the day. I knew it was them since I could spot Edward's coat as it was a bright red from what I had seen in the pictures he sent me. They all heard the roar of the snow mobile and they looked up when they saw us driving by. I gave them a little flirtatious wave, wondering if they knew that it was me. I could only hope Edward didn't have an issue with me riding with Ian (or at least just riding in general) as I didn't have a chance to see if he texted me back after I had sent him the initial text about it. Just as we passed them, Ian signaled to me that I should sit back down and tighten my grip on him; I hastily did so when I realized he was driving us towards a small bump of a ramp. I could see there wasn't anyone near it at least so Ian gunned for it. I kept a death grip on his waist and braced myself for us to hit the ramp.
Ian did so in the next few seconds and the snow mobile was airborne. I squealed inside my helmet as soon as we were up in the air, feeling my stomach drop ever so slightly at the feeling of weightlessness. I heard Ian give a cheer when we were in the air, and just as quickly as we had gone up, we quickly landed back down on the ground with a jarring thud. I was jostled on the backseat and grunted from the rough landing, but then laughed as Ian cheered loudly again. Ian then turned the snow mobile around via a wide u-turn and he began to push the mobile uphill where we made a roundtrip back from where we came. I was fine with the short ride since we did make good distance from the rental shop and had gone pretty far down the hill of the activity area. We made it back to the shop in a few minutes and Ian pulled the snow mobile back into the original spot he had pulled it out from. He killed the engine and I stepped off the snow mobile, pulling my helmet off.
"That was fucking amazing!" I gushed to him, still feeling jittery with the excitement from the ride. Ian pulled his helmet off and shook his hair out, looking a bit like a model when he did that. Dude definitely is not that bad to look at, but still not on par with Edward. He gave me a boyish smile.
"Riding on these things is always something I have to do multiple times while working here. It's always a rush." he told me and stood up from the snow mobile. "I'm sorry it was such a short ride."
"Don't be sorry, I had a lot of fun on it." I told him with a smile, shaking my head. He chuckled at me and motioned for me to follow him back to the shop. When we got to the door, I could see from the corner of my eye that the girls were marking their way over to the shop. But I escaped them before they were anywhere near me, thanks to heading inside quickly following behind Ian. He took my helmet from me then.
"I'll get these things turned back in. I'm betting you're about to be captured by your girlfriends any minute now since I saw them nearby." Ian teased me and I snickered.
"Leaving me to the wolves I see."
"Yes I am." he laughed and winked. "I'll probably have to head back into a shift; I requested a break but honestly we're swamped so I don't like leaving the staff short handed for too long. But I had fun hanging out with you Bella. I also wish you luck still with everything. Uh... mind if we exchange numbers before you get whisked away? I like chatting with you and want to get to know you more." Ian then asked in the next second, biting his own bottom lip while he stood before me.
"Uh, sure. I don't mind that. I like talking to you too so I'd love to chat more." I told him honestly, laughing as he looked like he sighed with visible relief. I pulled out my phone just as he had done so and he gave me his number while I gave him mine. He sent me a quick text to just make sure everything was right, and I received it quickly from him (hooray for great reception even while we're near the mountains). I nodded to him to show him it went through fine and he smiled.
"Maybe I'll see you around again before you have to leave but until then, we always have texting. See ya around then, Bella."
"You too Ian - and thanks again for hanging out with me."
He waved to me before he disappeared towards the cashier counter. I turned and grunted when I all but stumbled right into Alice and Rosalie. Jessica and Angela were behind them, and I pulled back to see all four of them smirking deviously at me. "Oh no ladies, I know those looks." I grumbled, giving each of them the stink eye.
"Spill bitch!" Rosalie hissed while Alice, Angela and Jessica walked around me to turn their skis back into the shop; Angela was holding an extra pair that no doubt Rosalie had all but shoved towards her.
"There's nothing to spill."
"Bella please! We saw you ride by." Alice countered with a giggle before the three of them disappeared. I shook my head at them and ignored Rosalie's probing questions, replying to my dad's texts which registered bafflement at what I was doing. I sent him the picture that Ian had took of me and told him of my experience. I could see that Edward had texted me but I didn't dare open it right now while I was with the girls, so I ignored it for now. The other three rejoined us and we left the shop, while I endured their questions.
"So how buff was he?"
"Did he woo you into going on that snow mobile with him?"
"How tight is he when you held onto him?"
"My god, I have to admit I'd soooo be creaming while I'm riding on the back of that thing if he was my driver."
"I could see how lean and thick his thighs were while he drove in the front."
"B, that man is such a hunk - if you don't take him I will."
"Back off, Rose the skank - I called dibs on him first if Bella doesn't want him."
"GUYS!" I all but screeched which led us to a grinding halt. The four of them stopped and stared at me in shock from my outburst, while I rubbed my temples with my thick gloved hands. Angela and Jessica looked worried; they weren't the ones bombarding me with questions and they were concerned that I would blow my lid on Alice and Rosalie for how bad their prying was getting when they tried to grill me for details on my ride with Ian. What didn't even help the situation further is the fact I could see the guys; they had caught up to where we were in seemingly record time from the last I saw them when they were at the point that Ian and I had driven by them. Either they were quick in hustling up the hill, or Ian and I had taken a lot longer talking and coming back up to the shop, as well as it had taken a lot longer than I realized in the girls coming back to the shop and returning their skis. I could see out of the corner of my eye that the five of them - Emmett, Jasper, Edward, Mike and Ben - had stopped when they heard my shouting and were looking over at me weirdly. I don't know if they exactly heard when Alice and Rosalie were babbling about, aka them demanding I give them details about my ride with Ian, but I really didn't want to be having this conversation with the girls when the five of them were nearby, much less while we're out in the open.
"Well? You aren't exactly giving us anything Belly." Alice whined in breaking the awkward silence that fell over us after my outburst. I groaned and began trudging through the snow again back up the hill, scowling in front of me. I could hear the girls following after me.
"I'm not giving you anything because nothing happened while I was out riding. I don't view Ian like that, he's an employee who is trying to be friendly with me and is wanting to make sure that I'm having fun."
"As if he's just a friend. That guy seriously has got a crush on you, B." Rosalie countered with a snort, and I rolled my eyes.
"No he doesn't Rosalie. He literally is just a friendly, nice guy. Nothing more - it's strictly platonic." I grumbled to her.
"Bullshit!" Alice retorted; these two were never going to shut up about this unless I give them something to chew on.
"So, little Swan's got an admirer?" UGH! And this is why I didn't want to have this conversation going on while the five of them were near. I glared murderously over at the behemoth that was Emmett Cullen and saw that the five guys were moving over towards us. Emmett and Jasper looked smug as they started their usual tormenting routine, while Mike and Ben helplessly followed behind them and put on their masks to look like they'd be joining in but I knew better.
The only one who wasn't as near as them was Edward. He hung in the back, hands in his pockets and was looking down at the snow. Oh boy, here we go again; that boy just doesn't understand when I mean it that I don't view Ian as anything else. I'll have to remind him again in our room.
"Who gave you the fucking right to come over and butt into our private conversation?" Rosalie spat out at Emmett and looked at him scathingly.
"I wouldn't say it's private since you ladies are shouting it out for all to hear." Jasper retorted with snicker.
"It's private since it doesn't involve you monkeys." Alice bit back, scowling.
"Ouch! I think we're a bit more evolved than monkeys, sis." Emmett teased back with a sneer; the other three exchanged similar expressions.
"Really? I'd say it's an accurate depiction for you fuckers since you just love to keep up with this stupid game of 'How annoying can I be to these girls and further prove my idiocy?' since that's all you know how to do." I growled back, crossing my arms.
"Puh-lease! Someone is just literally throwing a fucking hissy fit at being caught out that she's panting after some Lodge employee. You little Swan, you're just a hussy and try to act all high and mighty like you're above such shit - but we all really know you've got the hots for the dude." Emmett retorted cruelly, continuing to sneer while I felt a spark of utter rage build within me.
"Oh you just did not call my best friend a hussy you asshole." Alice snarled out, just as equally displeased as I was by the insult.
"I did, and frankly I'm speaking the truth. But of course, skanks will defend skanks."
"Shut the fuck up with your hypocrisy, you fucking shithead. As I recall, you're friends with an equally trashy human being - want to try calling me out like this when you're defending and buddy-buddy with some low life scum? I guess trash has to stick together right?" I bit back haughtily, sneering when his smirking faltered.
"Now you listen here you mousy little -"
"Emmett shut the fuck up!" I gasped and jumped when I heard his steely, velvety voice. The girls were just as shocked, and gasped behind me. Emmett, Jasper, Mike and Ben all jumped when they heard him, and whirled around to stare at him wide eyed. Edward was stalking over to our group, his green eyes looking like they had darkened in his seething rage while he leveled a cold scowl at his adoptive brother.
"What the shit? Edward what the hell? You defending her or some shit?"
"Just shut the fuck up for once in your goddamn life, you fucking idiot. I'm so sick of this nonsense you want to keep pulling - do you always have to go out of your fucking way to bother the hell out of the girls? Could you just act like a fucking decent human being and go about your business for once? Or is that too damn hard for you since you want to be a fucking nuisance?" Edward growled out, standing some distance from Emmett. I could feel my heart pounding while I watched this exchange flabbergasted. What the hell brought out this rage? This was seriously out of left field for Edward to be having this outburst when he does so well any other time in keeping his anger under control when it came to Emmett's insults that he directs at me every time we have these encounters.
"Bro, what the actual fuck?" Emmett asked him still in shock, now leveling a glare with him. "I can't believe this, my own goddamn brother is wanting to stick up for some broad. What, you got some feelings for this bitch?"
"You are such a fucking asshole it's not even funny anymore. I'm sick of this day in and day out bickering that you want to keep up with them when you could just be a fucking smart shithead and oh I don't know - fucking leave them be and act as if they don't exist?" Edward snapped back, his eyes narrowing. "I don't have feelings for her but Jesus Christ Emmett - if mom and dad heard some of the fucking demented shit that spews out of your mouth, you realize they'd probably be sending you to military school in a heartbeat or fucking worse, disown you? Why can't you just learn to not stick your foot in your mouth for once and fucking just be quiet?"
"Fuck you you fucking prick, I can't believe this! You of all people want to fucking step in and act like you're better than this? It's fucking entertainment for us - it has been as much since the start of the school year! But now you want to call it quits just because the bitches are gossiping about some other dude's stick?!" Emmett snarled out at him, stomping towards him with his fists clenched. My heart constricted, fearing the worst that the two of them were about to start brawling in the snow in front of us. Edward stood his ground, not looking the least bit shaken when his hulking adoptive brother stalked towards him and stood toe-to-toe with him. Emmett looked downright murderous while he stared down at him.
"Fucking stop, both of you." Jasper tried to intervene and raced forward to the two of them, shoving his arms between the two of them. Mike and Ben voiced their agreement in wanting them to end this, rushing over to back up Jasper if the need were to arise.
"You're such a fucking pansy, Edward. Can't believe you're actually trying to stick up for these girls."
"Shove it up your ass, you asshole. Your insults are just telling me that you know I'm fucking right but your head is too far up your own ass that you refuse to acknowledge it. Face it, you're a fucking pig for constantly bothering them and are so sad in your own confidence that this is what you rationalize with to feel better about yourself - by bringing them down with degrading nonsense." Edward spat out, lifting his chin defiantly.
"Enough! Fucking both of you separate." Jasper growled out when Emmett jerked forward as if he was going to release a sucker punch.
"Boys!" I jumped once again when I heard the harsh shrieking of Esme's voice; I whipped my gaze to my left and saw that Carlisle and Esme were walking towards us. Both of them had disapproving glares on while they stared down at their sons. Emmett and Edward refused to break their gazes even when they knew now that their parents were here.
"Enough, I'm putting my foot down on this fighting. It's a good thing Alice texted me and we were on our way already to come find you all." Carlisle snapped out while stalking forward to his sons. I glanced behind me and saw that all the girls were still standing behind me frozen in shock while we watched helplessly on the sidelines to the whole ordeal before us. Alice had her phone in her hands while she was shifting awkwardly on the spot. I don't know honestly if she had been worried for what would've happened if they hadn't shown up when they did; my heart was still racing while this went on as I fear that Edward would've been taking Emmett's fist any second now the more the two of them exchanged unpleasantries. I don't know if I could've handled seeing the two of them getting physical. I was just baffled at the fact this had escalated when it did - all over fucking gossiping with the girls before it suddenly led to Emmett inserting himself and the guys into the exchange. Edward's snapping at his own brother when he should've been following along with the façade was not something I was expecting. I knew that when I would be alone with him again I needed to talk to him and see what was going on with him - first he had snapped at Alice, then Ian and now Emmett?
I don't know now if Ian's words were really holding weight and this is the culminating example that I knew that would be starting to bite us in the ass the more we let this go on. I don't know if now Edward was starting to reach his breaking point in the fact he was getting tired of the verbal beatings I had to endure from his brother and Jasper. I knew that Edward hated it when Emmett would really lay it on thick in his specific bullying of me since Emmett really liked putting me down about myself be it my physical appearance, or my inability to walk straight half the time. And Edward had wanting nothing more than to be able to sock him in the jaw each time he took time out of his own day to start these bickering sessions. Normally though Edward's great at keeping his true feelings under wraps so he can keep up with the façade that we're supposed to hate each other but now it seems he was coming undone while we were on this trip. Was he really reaching his limits of wanting to keep this whole situation a secret? Did he want to now start stepping out of his "asshole" persona that he had to keep up with in order to keep his friends at bay and start standing up to Emmett? I honestly don't know what the real answer could be or if he was losing it in the fact the girls were pushing me to 'shoot my shot' with Ian just because the girls think there's something between us.
I thought I had done what I could last night to prove to him that Ian was nothing more than a possible friend. I thought I had shown him well and good enough that I only had eyes for him and that he could only make me feel this way, not some other guy. But maybe I was wrong and he was still feeling jealous, insecure about himself in fearing that he couldn't hold my attention enough. Whatever the answer may be, I didn't have time right now to really ask him - not when he was going to be getting chewed out by Carlisle and Esme.
Carlisle had motioned for Jasper to step aside and with a tight grip, Carlisle grasped his two adoptive sons by the scruff of their necks and shoved them both down some. I heard Emmett grunt in pain while Edward hissed under his breath. Both boys bowed to their father's strong handling. "I'm disappointed in the two of you for acting like idiots out here while we're on vacation - and in front of the girls no less! You two should be ashamed of yourselves. Your mother and I taught you to behave better than this." Carlisle chastised them in a growl. "Both of your are going to go to your rooms and you're not to interact with each other for the rest of the trip. I am going to be having a stern discussion with both of you as well but you two need to cool off." he continued before he steered them in the direction of the Lodge. We all watched the three of them leave, where Carlisle refused to let either of them go from his strong grip. It was a weird sight seeing as Emmett easily beat Carlisle out in height yet was being hauled off by his neck by his dad like a petulant child having thrown a tantrum. Edward didn't bother fighting back either in his father's grip.
"Alright. I'm sorry ladies that you had to witness those two silly boys fight like that - are you alright? You seem so scared from the exchange." Esme worriedly asked us, breaking the tense silence that followed after the boys had been pulled away. I shook myself from my stunned stupor at what had happened just now and looked around taking in everyone's reactions. Jasper was watching his friends being pulled back to the Lodge, a worried look in his eyes. Mike and Ben were no better than him. I looked at the girls, seeing them thaw out from their frozen states to look at each other with wary glances. They were completely confused as to what the hell brought out Edward's snapping at Emmett, but none of them knew what to say.
"Uh, we're fine mom. Thank you for coming out with dad to stop them fighting."
"No problem sweetie, thank you for texting us about it." Esme reassured Alice with a small smile. "How about you all head inside now and get some lunch in? It's cold out here and I'm sure after you all had been out in the snow, you're a bit peckish no?"
"Um... yeah I am for sure hungry." Angela spoke up then in a small voice, nodding her head.
"Same." Jasper said suddenly, shaking his head and looking over at us girls with a confused look. His eyes focused on me for a bit longer and I shifted uncomfortably under his scrutinizing gaze. Was he trying to figure out what had happened - and somehow deducing that it was because of of me? Sure it basically boiled down to it being about me; Emmett was the one that had started laying it on thick towards me and his bullying, before Edward had suddenly jumped in. The timing of it certainly looked about as much as Emmett had tried to connect the dots on.
Edward had came to my defense, standing up against Emmett's insults towards me. I knew that it did not look so good now for us.
I looked away from him and nodded to Esme's suggestion.
"Alright, let's head inside then." she announced to us and turned to lead us back towards the Lodge. I followed right after her, hearing the girls close behind me. And the same said for the boys.
I can only hope that things work out after that sudden weird turn of events.
A/N: And there's the end to the chapter - I apologize if things seemed like it went through a whiplash of events between different small plot points here and there. I wanted to mix in some drama and tried to weave that with the fact that the girls think Ian may have the hots for our Bella - all the while now the boys (namely Emmett) was going to use that as ammo to mess with her. But it seems our Edward is done listening to the word vomit from his brother and now the secrecy of his relationship with Bella is starting to crack - is it or is it not? That's the question of course.
We will have to see where this turn of events for our characters will take us!
Any feedback is greatly appreciated.
Until next time,
~Lady Eleanora~