ConSeQuences Chapter 7, a twilight fanfic

Thank you to my pre-readers, my co-writer and BohemianRituals!

Chapter 7: Nobody Wins When The Family Feuds

Edward

"Humph." She squinted with a hard smile, from the couch. "Look who finally decided to show up weeks later."

Damn, this was my fault. I forgot to make sure she wasn't home before I dropped by.

Mom has been calling me since the night I flaked, but I've been avoiding her.

I started to feel bad for ignoring her for almost four weeks.

I had no idea what the fuck to say, and there was no way I would show up without Bella.

That would've created a whole line of questions I wasn't ready to answer.

Hell, I'm still not ready to answer.

It aggravated the shit out of me that she has been totally disregarding me.

Her phone wouldn't even ring whenever I called, it went straight to voicemail.

Blocked.

She fuckn' blocked me.

And it didn't help that when I finally broke down to go see Mom, the first person I see is Alice, the interrogator.

She tossed the magazine in her hand to the side and crossed one leg over the other. "No, my dear little brother, the real question is why did you and Bella fake out?"

Normally she didn't give two shits about what I did, unless I was doing one of her friends. But when it came to anything concerning Bella, she was a goddamn bloodhound.

I pinched the bridge of my nose. "Alice, where is Mom?"

She ignored my question. "When I saw your little bitch at Navy Pier a few weeks ago I was throwing your relationship with Piper in her face but…"

I glared at her, baring my teeth. "First of all, when was this?" She smirked refusing to respond.

I continued. "Secondly, I told you over and over to stop calling her that. You know I don't like it and it pisses me off. Thirdly, and most importantly, you need to get it through your thick ass head, I do not, nor will I ever be in a relationship with Piper."

I had a sour taste in my mouth just mentioning her.

Alice crossed her arms over chest. "Why do you keep screwing her then?"

"You know the answer to that question. She was willing to give, I was willing to take. But I told her in the beginning how it would go, it's not like she didn't know."

"You're such a dick." She shook her head in disgust. "Maybe she wants more now."

"I know she wants more, but it's not going to happen. Not in this lifetime or the fuckn next." I stepped closer and leaned down, so I was face to face with Alice. "You can play your bullshit games with Piper and Bella all you want, but you and I both know you could care less about Piper."

"Piper is my friend." She jutted her chin.

She turned away, looking at everything in the room, except me.

Alice really didn't have too many friends in the first place, and the ones she considered friends just about bowed down and worshipped her like she was queen bee.

Piper Collins is a lot of things but a kiss ass to my sister isn't one of them.

I nodded slowly, understanding. "You're up to some shit, admit it, Alice."

"I don't' know what you're talking about."

"Ally, you forgot, I've heard you and your little groupies planning and scheming shit against other females that got in your way. You're trying to get back at Bella because of Chris."

"So, what if I am? She shrugged one shoulder.

"But I'm the dick and you're the one using Piper." I stood up, wrinkling my nose. "I knew you did some dirty shit, but this is a new low, even for you."

"Fuck you, Edward." She pointed. "You know what she did to my relationship with Chris."

"No, what you did to your relationship." I pointed back.

"I hate you. You always take her side." She threw the magazine at my chest. "I'm your sister, you're supposed to have my back."

"I'll have your back when you stop shifting the blame on everyone else but where it belongs."

She sucked in her cheeks. "How hypocritical of you."

"Fuck off, I own my shit."

"Oh, really?" She arched one eyebrow.

When Alice was in one of her bitchy moods, I could only take small doses of her and I had hit my limit.

I was already tired from school and work but after talking with her I was just exhausted.

"Look, is Mom here or what?"

"Yeah, she's here." She nodded once. "Don't think it slipped past me that you avoided my question."

I blew out a noisy breath. "And what question would that be."

"What happened to you and Bella coming to dinner."

I narrowed my eyes and shook my head, before I walked away.

"Edward!"

I didn't even bother to turn around. "I don't have to explain anything to you."

"Why are you so defensive?" She tried to sound nonchalant. "I just asked you a simple question. Is there trouble in paradise with you little—"

I spun around. "Why are you such a bitch?"

She jerked her head sharply. "Who the hell are you talking to, you little fuck boy?"

"Says the bitter bitch that's had more nuts in her mouth than squirrels!"

Alice flew off the couch and looked up in my eyes, with her shoulders squared.

I would've been amused if I wasn't pissed off.

We stood there having a stare off, neither one of us willing to budge.

Hey, Ally what's going on—" Mom cut off herself off when she walked in the room and saw me.

It was not the first time she had walked in the room breaking up an argument or a staring match between the two of us.

"Edward, Sweetheart." Mom looked between us, touching my arm.

I finally looked away from Alice and leaned down to kiss my mother on the cheek.

When I pulled back from kissing her and met her gaze, she gave me a knowing look.

You know that motherly look that makes you shrink no matter how old you are.

Esme Cullen was no taller than 5'4 but she was not to be trifled with.

"Hey, Mom." I said sheepishly

"Hello, Son. Good to see you."

"Finally." Alice mumbled.

"That's enough Ally." Mom put her hands on her hips. "I don't know what was going on between you two before I came up here, but it ends now."

Alice and I nodded.

Mom smiled. "Okay, Ally, will you please go and set the table, before everyone gets here."

Everyone?

Alice started to walk away but turned around before she left the room. "Should I set a place for Edward." She smirked.

A roiling heat set in my stomach.

Mom's face lit up, waiting on my response.

Even though I knew it was in my best interest to leave, there was no way I could do that to Mom again.

I ran my hand through my hair, as I let out a low sigh and nodded.

Seconds later Mom was latched to my side hugging me, squealing. "It's not often I have all of my children, in the house at one time, for dinner."

Alice rolled her eyes before she walked away.

She was still hugging me. "I have to go finish dinner. Relax, watch a movie, everyone will be here soon."

Her bright smile was so contagious, I had to smile back. "Okay."

Mom reached up, placed her hands on both sides of my face and pulled me down and kissed me on the forehead before she walked away humming.

I walked across the room and flopped down on the couch, exhaling, rubbing the back of neck, looking at the door, wondering if I should sneak out before everyone gets here.

Before I could make my decision, I heard the door close and Dad walked in. "Edward! What a pleasant surprise." He smiled.

Welp, that answers that.

This was about to be a shit ton of fun.

CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC

"So, how have you been doing little bro?" Emmett asked me from the other side of the table.

"Okay." I grabbed the glass of water and drank, hoping to stall the line of questioning I knew was coming.

"I guess between school and work you've been busy because I can't seem to catch up with you." Emmett watched me waiting on an answer.

"My clientele has picked up." I lied. "So, I don't really have time for much else."

Emmett nodded but he knew I was full of shit.

"How is Bella doing?" Rosalie asked as she rubbed circles on her baby bump. "I'm surprised she's not here now.

Although, I knew Rosalie's question came from a genuine place, it still felt like I was gut punched.

The last time I ran into her, it didn't end so great.

I know I've done some messed up shit, but I really fucked up this time.

Flashback

I watched how they laughed and joked with each other.

The way she smiled at him.

Fuck, I thought I was the only that made her smile like that.

He seemed to be nervous about something, trying to gather the courage for whatever he was going to say.

I wasn't close enough to hear what he said but based upon the way he looked at Bella, it looked serious.

My feet moved before my brain had time to register what I did, when he laid his hand on hers.

Why was she letting him touch her?

What the hell is going on?

She's been avoiding me for weeks.

She hasn't responded to any of my calls and not one text.

But she's sitting her with this motherfucker, holding hands.

I couldn't believe what I saw.

"Bella, I'm here for you—"

What the hell does he mean, he's here for her?

I couldn't hold it in any longer, I was about to lose my shit.

"So." They both flinched, obviously, they didn't know I was standing there.

There was a time when Bella felt my presence before she saw me.

But now…

I stared at her, coldly.

"This is why you've been avoiding me." My jaw clenched.

She chuckled and looked away before looking at me again. "And you think I owe you an explanation because…" Bella trailed off.

The Gray fucker smirked, watching me.

Pain shot through my jaw from clenching my teeth so hard.

I wanted to beat this shit outta the sonofabitch, but now wasn't the time or place.

"Dude."

"Edward."

Bella and I spoke at the same time.

"You need to go." Bella said.

"No, we need to talk." I looked at Gray. "Alone."

"No, we don't." She chuckled. "We said all we needed to say."

He was rubbing circles on the back of her hand with his thumb.

Heat flushed through my body.

"I didn't." I sounded like a defiant child.

"It doesn't matter, we're done." She said dismissively.

So, she thought.

I wasn't taking no for an answer… not today.

"We're not done." I stepped closer to her.

Gray stood up but I ignored him. "Come on Bee, let's go, so we can talk, privately."

"You should just go because I'm not going anywhere with you." She laughed.

I pinched the bridge of my nose, squeezing my eyes tight.

I was trying to figure out where she saw the humor in this shit.

If I could get her alone, away from him, from touching her, I could fix this.

But she was being stubborn as hell.

I took another step closer.

Gray moved when I moved. "Look, Edison, Edwin, whatever the fuck your name is, she's not going with you, so you need to bounce."

My hands clenched and unclenched, ready to fight.

We stood nose to nose. "I suggest you get the hell outta my way. This has nothing to do with you!" I growled.

I heard the chair scrap on the pavement. "Stop it." Bella seethed. "Don't you get it. I'm done, we're done." She titled her head to the side. "Besides, Piper was all too happy to inform me of your latest sexapades."

"Wha—how—" I stammered.

"Save it, Edward." She gave a disgusted snort. "You're calling and texting me every day while you're still fucking her."

It was a moment of weakness.

I hadn't had sex in weeks, which was rare for me, but I was really trying to hold out for Bella.

Some of the guys from the tat shop wanted to grab drinks at Eclipse. Bella continuing to ignore my calls had started stressing me out, so I went to relieve some stress.

We were having a good time, throwing back Patron shots and flirting with half-naked females.

Eventually, I stepped away to alleviate myself in the men's room. After washing my hands and stepping out, Piper damn near attacked me.

It wasn't planned. I didn't' even know she was there. But she begged me as she fell on her knees, quickly unbuttoning my jeans.

It was like I had an outer body experience; I saw myself doing it, but I didn't know how to stop it.

Although, the momentary release felt good, I felt like pure shit afterwards.

"Nothing to say, no quick come back, Edward?" I grimaced, biting my lip but she wouldn't let up. "Where's the cocky sonofabitch now, huh?"

A prickling sensation shot up my spine.

I was busted, again.

Why the hell did I keep putting myself in these situations?

I was almost speechless, but I had to at least try.

"Baby—" I tried to reach for her.

"Fuck you!" She spat.

My body became impossibly still.

"And stay the hell away from me." Her words dripped with resent.

Waves of acid welled up from my stomach.

My chest grew so tight it became hard to breath.

I wondered if we could come back from this.

Had really blown it?

Gray cleared his throat and lightly touched Bella's arm. "You wanna go?"

She nodded and softly answered. "Yeah."

They gathered their unfinished food and threw it away.

Bella didn't even bother to give me a second glance before they walked out of the restaurant.

I wanted to stop her from leaving with him, say something so she would leave with me instead.

But I stood there feeling powerless, helpless, as I watched them hug before she drove away in her car.

End flashback

Alice perked up. "Yeah, Edward, where is Bella." Her tone oozed of sarcasm.

Rosalie rolled her eyes.

"Alice, stop, now." Dad said from the head of the table.

I smirked around my glass at the small victory.

Maybe it wasn't going to be as bad as I thought it was.

The only ones that could shut her down when she was petty like that was Mom or Dad.

Eleazar wiped his mouth with the napkin. "Ally, have you decided on a major yet?"

Her face paled. "Um, no."

"Don't you think it would be wise to make a decision, especially since you waited to go to college two years after you graduated from high school."

Her lips twisted. "I'm taking my prerequisites first."

"Prerequisites to what, exactly?" Eleazar raised his brows.

Eleazar was the eldest of the Cullen children. He was a thirty-five-year-old Psychologist, with his own private practice. He and Carmen, his wife, were doing damn good for themselves. She was a forensic psychologist for the city of Chicago.

They met in their freshmen year at the University of Michigan in Ann Harbor and have been inseparable since. They dated all through college and got married while they were both in graduate school.

Eleazar has always been smart. He's excelled in school from kindergarten through completing his doctorates. He has the awards to prove it. His social life sucked but he got the American dream; the big house, a beautiful wife and identical twins, Everett and Everleigh.

Too bad my niece and nephew were with Carmen's parents tonight.

They would have been a nice distraction.

Alice pushed her food around the plate. "I'm not exactly sure yet."

Eleazar set his fork down and leaned forward. "Sweetie, I'm not trying to be hard on you purposely, but I thought you would be more focused now. Especially since that thing…" He hesitated, looking to Carmen to help him find the right words.

Alice sighed heavily. "Influencer, a YouTube influencer, Eleazar. How many times do I have to remind you?"

"…yeah, that." He waved his hand. "It didn't work out."

"Why don't you ask Edward about his classes?" Alice tried to take the focus off of her.

"I'm not talking about Edward right now; I'm talking about you."

Alice flopped back in the chair. "Daddy, will you get your son off my back, please."

Dad chuckled. "Alright El, leave your sister alone."

"Dad, you and Mom have mellowed out in your old age…"

"Old?" Mom raised one eyebrow.

Emmett laughed and shook his head. "You just dug a hole for yourself El."

"Excuse me, old?" Mom gave Eleazer a pointed look.

Carmen and Rosalie muffled their laughter behind their napkins.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean old." Eleazar held his palms up in surrender. "You get my point, Mom. There is no way Emmett, or I could have gotten away with that. You've loosened up, a lot."

"That's true." Emmett agreed.

"El, you and Em knew what you wanted to go to college for by the end freshmen year of high school." Mom shrugged her shoulder. "Alice didn't."

"And she should get a pass? Seriously? Two years of doing what? Playing on the internet."

Normally, I wouldn't agree with Eleazar, but he has a point. I'm the youngest and there is no way I could've gotten away with that.

Sometimes I wonder if she's gotten away with some of the things she has because she's the only girl.

"It wasn't playing. I had followers." Alice hissed.

"Did you make any money?" Eleazar calmly asked, blinking.

Alice sucked her cheeks in, looking everywhere but at him.

Crickets.

I guess that would be a no.

Dad rescued Alice. "Okay, El, you've interrogated her enough."

This was funny, the interrogator was being interrogated.

"Am I missing something here, Dad? You and Mom are paying for her tuition and she still hasn't declared a major. That's not fair to you all."

"No, you're not missing anything, you're right." Dad nodded. "Although, money isn't an issue for us, your mother and I had the same conversation with Alice a few nights ago and she has until the end of the summer to decide and if she doesn't, she's going to get a job and help with tuition."

I'm sure Alice loved that.

Her actually working a job.

That would be a sight to see.

But seriously, money was not an issue.

Dad was one of the top senior software engineers at the Volturi Group, in downtown Chicago and Mom was an optometrist with her own practice. But my parents worked their asses off for everything they had.

We didn't come from old money; we would be considered new money.

Things took a turn for the better in my senior year of high school, when Dad sold software, he designed that had something to do with Central Intelligence.

That's the only thing we were allowed to know.

"Actually, Shrimp, I think that's more than fair. You got anything in mind? Emmett said.

"I don't know yet but what I do know is I don't want to spend four years in college only to work in some stuffy office, for eight hours a day." Alice pouted.

"You don't have to Ali." Rosalie interjected. "What's your dream job?"

Her eyebrows rose along with her smile. "Having my own cosmetics brand."

"Okay, that's a good start." Carmen smiled. "Perhaps going to the traditional college isn't what you need."

"What do you mean?" Alice asked.

"Maybe you should look into cosmetology school, take some business classes, along with doing your research on competitors and manufacturers and finding your niche." Carmen said.

"All of that sound great, but Mom and Dad would never go for that. It's not prestige enough." Alice deflated in the chair.

"Why wouldn't we, Ali?" Mom furrowed her brow. "We asked you what you wanted to do, to be, but you didn't have a plan. Your father and I have never tried to influence make any you go to school for something you didn't want to."

"So, you're telling me, you and Dad would let me do what Carmen said?" Alice looked between Mom and Dad.

"I don't have a problem with it. What about you, Honey?" Mom asked Dad.

"That sounds good to me, Sweetie." Dad responded.

Alice squealed and bounced in the chair.

"Hold on Ali." Dad held one hand up. "Go visit some schools and figure out which one you'd like to attend, do the research Carmen mentioned and then bring a written proposal to me and your mother, in three weeks."

An enormous smiled spread across Alice's face. "Consider it done. I'll start checking out school's tomorrow."

"That's fine." Mom nodded. "Let me know if you need help or if you want me to tag along for your visits."

"Okay. I will." Alice shook her head.

I guess Eleazar butting in this time, actually helped.

Rosalie poured some lemonade in her glass. "Did you know Bobbi Brown teaches makeup on a platform called, Master Class?

Alice shook her head. "No."

"I heard some of the high school seniors talking about it while I was at one of the schools a few weeks ago. You may want to check into that too."

"Thanks Rosie. I'll look that up tonight." She smirked at Eleazar and raised one eyebrow.

He rolled his eyes. "Now, you have a plan. That's all I was saying, Baby Sis."

"Yeah, yeah." She playfully waved him off.

To be honest, that's all our parents required. It didn't matter if we went to four-year college, went to vocational school or decided to work after we graduated from high school. Their only requirement was to have a plan.

"Eddie." Emmett started.

Here we fucking go.

Alice leaned in, keenly paying attention.

I guess it was my turn now.

He cleared his throat. "Do you think you could carve out some time for your big bother. It's been a minute."

Before I could respond, Eleazar spoke up. "Me too. I can't remember the last time the three of us hung out together."

He knew damn well why it had been months since the three of us went out together.

"As long as you don't try to psychoanalyze me, we're good." I narrowed my eyes at Eleazar.

"What are you talking about." His eyebrows squished together, confused.

"Don't you play dumb, El. You wanted to talk about my so-called behavior."

Carmen furrowed her eyebrows and Rosalie set her fork down.

"What behavior?" Mom titled her head and made eye contact with Eleazar.

"It's nothing, Mom." I rushed out. "Just him treating me like I'm one of his patients."

Eleazar pushed his plate away from him and folded his hands in front of him on the table. "I was not treating you like one of my patients. I was treating you like my little brother and I wanted to know what was going on with you."

"Nothing was or is going on with me. It was supposed to be us chilling at the bar, watching the game… that's it." I pointed at him. "You were the one that wanted to have deep conversation in a da—" I caught myself. "…in a bar."

"What else can I do, Edward? You barely talk to me." He snorted. "You won't take my calls and god forbid I come to your apartment."

"You heard me tell Em, I've been busy with work and school." I waved dismissively.

"I have a full-time job, a wife, and two children but you're still busier than me." He shook his head and scoffed.

"Dude." Emmett interrupted. "We just want to spend time with our little brother, that's all." He held his palms up.

"Em, I'm not opposed to that, but that psychobabble bullshit…" Both my parents' eyebrows were in their hairlines. "Sorry." I looked sheepishly at Mom and Dad. "But I don't want to hear it."

"We were and are concerned, Ed." Emmett said.

"Exactly." Eleazar confirmed.

"Concerned about what? What's going on?" Dad demanded.

"Nothing is—"

"Edward, I'm not talking to you." His tone was chilly as he looked between Eleazar and Emmett.

My stomach clenched with the force of restraint.

I wanted to scream. They were treating me like I was child, as if I wasn't sitting at the same table.

I knew this was a bad idea.

It's my fault. I should've called instead of coming over here.

Lesson learned.

Alice poured herself some water and crossed her arms being overly observant.

Since the spotlight was off of her now, she was ready to enjoy the show, but Mom caught it.

"Alice, go upstairs. This doesn't concern you."

"He wasn't dismissed when El was down my throat." Alice whined.

"I don't care. Go." Mom pointed towards the door.

The chair scraped on the floor, standing up. "Don't worry about it, Ali, I'll go." I said.

Everyone looked at me.

"Edward." My parents said in unison.

I pushed the chair under the table and laid my hands top of it. "Mom and Dad, I don't mean any disrespect but I'm an adult. I'm twenty-two years old, living in my own place, while going to school and working."

"Son, that's not the point."

"It is the point. I'm not a child and just because Eleazar thinks I have certain behaviors doesn't mean he's right."

"I'm a licensed psychologist." Carmen squeezed his shoulder. "I know what I'm talking about." Eleazar glared.

I clenched the chair until my knuckles turned white.

He always threw this shit in my face.

"Fuck you!" I shouted.

Alice, Rosalie and Carmen gawked in disbelief.

"Stop it!" Dad yelled but I wasn't done.

"Why don't you stop trying to diagnose me and be my brother?" I spewed.

Mom stood up walking towards me, with a wrinkled brow.

Emmett stood up. "Why don't we all calm down and talk about this rationally."

"I am being your brother. That's why I'm bringing it up." Eleazar pointed.

I ignored him. "You all can talk all you want. Have at it. I'm out."

I turned to walk away but Mom grabbed my arm.

"Edward, please don't go. At least stay for dessert."

I didn't want to disappointment Mom, but I couldn't do it.

I leaned down and kissed the top of her head. "Sorry, Mom. Maybe we can do a raincheck or something. Meet up for dessert and coffee on my next off day."

Her hand dropped to the side, seemingly at a loss of words.

She knew we wouldn't meet.

She knew it would be a while before we talked again.

This wasn't the first time family dinner ended like this.

When I finally looked at Dad, I was met with piercing blue eyes, darting between Eleazar and I.

I lifted my hands up and let them fall. "I'm sorry, Dad. I didn't mean to ruin dinner."

He nodded with a pinched expression.

I kissed Mom on the forehead. "Love you."

She put her hands on both sides of face, holding in, with a pained expression. "I love you, too, Son."

I shook my head and swallowed.

I stepped around Mom to leave.

"You're for real? You're really leaving?" Emmett asked.

"That's what he always does… run." Eleazer forced a laugh. "At least he's consistent."

I briefly stopped, nodding and chuckled, before I walked out the door without another word.

Yep, just like I said, a shit load of fun.