BPOV
My phone's incessant ringing in my ear wakes me up. With my eyelids heavy with sleep, I blindly search around for it with my hand, grunting when I find it.
I open one eye seeing that it's Charlie.
"Ello?" I answer roughly into my phone.
"You're not up yet?" he asks in my ear.
It's only eight here, which it's five back home.
"My alarm was set for eight, thirty," I mumble.
"Why am I hearing from Billy that you got a job?"
"Because Emmett and Jake are gossips," I sigh, sitting up to rub my hand over my face.
He actually laughs at that.
"What's the job?"
"It's not really waitressing, I'm a food runner and possibly a bartender at a restaurant in Chelsea," I explain before adding. "I made two hundred in tips last night."
"New York's expensive though," he points out.
I roll my eyes.
"I think I'll be able to manage."
"I thought the plan was to find a real job, Bella," he says bluntly.
"Dad, I just got here. I plan to write while I work at the restaurant. I need to pay my share of the rent and bills, so this job will help with that. You had no qualms when I worked at the diner over the summer," I argue.
"The diner is two miles from the house, Bella," he huffs.
"I lived in Seattle for four years, New York really isn't much different."
"I didn't call to argue with you, I just would like for you to keep me in the loop." He sighs.
"I'm sorry that you heard it from Billy and not me," I apologize.
Part of me understands that I'm all he has, and the other part of me wants to scream that I'm an adult.
I wonder if I'll always feel torn about becoming my own person.
"I'll let you go since your alarm is about to go off," he tells me.
"Thanks," I say dryly.
"I love you, kid."
"Love you too," I say before hanging up.
I fall back onto my pillows.
My head hurts slightly, and I'm not sure if it's from the bump or my hangover. I heave myself up from the comfort of my bed.
I slip on a pair of sweatpants that were on the floor.
Grab a pair of gray skinny jeans, a white t-shirt, a bra, and boy shorts carrying them with me to the bathroom I share with Em.
That was the only downside to our building. It was a converted warehouse with a pretty open floor plan and our bedrooms were built-on additions. The walls were all exposed brick which gave it character.
The bathroom situation only sucked when we both needed to use it or if Emmett had a lady friend visiting him which has happened twice so far.
I breathe out a sigh of relief when it appears he is still sleeping.
He tried to drag out the story of my head injury from me, but I remained tight-lipped.
Edward didn't set out to hit me with his bike, but I walked into him. I was also curious as to how often he rode it in and left it behind like he did last night.
Thinking of Edward, my mind drifts to his hands on my body. Maybe the scotch he drank made him flirty. The whiskey for sure made his touch welcome, very welcome.
I shake my head.
He was an ass. I needed to steer clear of anything physical with him because that was all that could happen. We were total opposites, I don't even think he is attracted to me. He seems to despise me.
His hands only knew how to get me worked up.
I would know because I had to work off the edge when I made it to my room last night.
I groan under the spray remembering the Edward my imagination made up.
"Why can't you dream up Jazz or even Mike, brain?" I mumble to myself.
If they're available, maybe I should pursue one of them.
I finish my shower while I'm alone battling my thoughts.
I quickly dry my hair before I get dressed.
The only thing I need is my jacket and Docs.
On my way out I grab a Pop-Tart, shoving it in my mouth while I lock the door. I chew a mouthful running down the stairs of our stoop, but then I stop short when I see Edward waiting for me.
He's wearing the same clothes from last night, even the beanie.
I notice he's holding two cups of coffee.
I assume one is for me when he's shoving it at me.
The Pop-Tart hanging between my teeth drops to the ground.
I groan.
"Sorry," he says softly, rubbing the back of his neck now that I have my coffee.
"For my Pop-Tart becoming a casualty or for yesterday?" I ask curiously.
"Everything."
I nod. I expected as much.
I take the second Pop-Tart out of the wrapper and take a bite. I'm the first one to start moving toward the subway station. Edward falls into step with me.
"How's your head?"
"Sore," I mumble around a mouthful of my breakfast.
"You know they feed us before brunch service, right?"
"I prefer trash food when I'm hungover," I tell him with a shrug.
"It's definitely trash, I don't even let my—" he stops abruptly.
He looks uncomfortable so I move us back to the topic of brunch.
"I'll still eat the brunch service meal, that can be my second breakfast," I say, taking another bite of the sugary garbage I love so much.
He eyes me like I'm weird before he finishes off his coffee.
I take a sip of mine noticing it has oat milk in it, I assumed it would have been black.
I tilt my head staring at him.
I didn't tell him I drink oat milk… I told Jazz at the bar while Edward was huffing around us.
"Thanks for this," I say, holding my cup up to give it a little shake before I take another sip.
"Least I can do," he mumbles.
We walk in silence until we stop on the platform to wait for our train.
"Your head looks better," he comments without looking at me.
"Make-up goes a long way," I mutter thankful I had brought concealer I never use with me.
He frowns.
Our train stops in front of us, like always it is packed. I hoped that with this being the weekend people would be sleeping and I'd have a place to sit.
Edward grabs my hand navigating us through the train car to an open pole near the back doors. He motions for me to take hold and when I do he settles in to stand behind me, ensuring I'm not jerked around too much.
"What's your game?" I finally ask.
"What?" he asks as his brows furrow.
"You were a straight-up dick to me yesterday, then showed up to my building with coffee for me. I'm sorry, but your moods have given me whiplash over the past week," I tell him honestly.
I only worked with him yesterday but even at my interview, he was less than welcoming.
"I know you don't deserve an excuse but sometimes life deals us a shitty hand and when that happens there are lasting effects from that. Again, that's not an excuse for my behavior but my week wasn't great," he says softly.
I wonder if this is his normal tone when he's not a snarling beast.
"I am very sorry that you got hurt by my bike."
I turn to get a good look at his face. He looks sincere but I know better than to fully trust it so I only nod.
We're quiet until our stop is called.
Edward wraps an arm around me while he maneuvers us through the packed car. I was even surprised when I hear his polite 'excuse me' multiple times.
Once we're on the platform, I walk out of his hold but he keeps up with me on the short walk to the restaurant.
Edward takes my hand tugging me over to the service entrance. "We enter through here," he explains.
I nod making a mental note to come in through this way going forward.
He holds the door open for me, I enter but halt when I see Rose changing at her locker. Edward bumps into me causing me to tip forward and he grabs my hips to stop me from falling.
Rose's head turns to us when the door closes behind us.
At first, she looks surprised, but then her expression quickly turns into a glare.
She doesn't speak and the air becomes awkward.
I move to my locker, unlock it, and grab my uniforms out of my bag to keep here.
I feel Rose's eyes on me but I don't dare look at her.
I ignore her.
A feeling of shame washes over me, like Edward and I just did something she thought we shouldn't. Even though our journey to work was innocent.
I start to change, Edward is beside me at his locker.
I feel his eyes on me too, but like with Rose, I won't look.
"Esme was looking for you, Eddie," Rose tells him.
"I'm right here," he snaps.
"You're late," she says before she leaves the lounge.
I want to ask if he was supposed to be here earlier but with Rose possibly setting him back to his asshole persona I won't chance it.
I pull my work shirt over my head before pulling my hair up into a high pony.
"Bella—" Edward manages until the back door opens with Jazz striding through. His hair is down while his shades remain on.
"Hell Bells, you came back," he says, widening his arms.
"I thought I made it pretty clear last night that I wasn't scared off," I tease, giving Edward a quick glance.
Jazz opens his locker shoving his stuff in before grabbing his work shirt. He changes quickly and pulls his hair up just as quick.
"Let's get you fed," he says, wrapping his arm around my shoulders. "Aro makes some pretty killer crepes."
We leave Edward behind, but he's also not quick to follow.
We must be the first ones to arrive because it's only Rose, Jazz, and I with a few of the kitchen staff mixed in line for the food.
The assortment varies making it hard to choose what I would like. Pop-Tart be damned, my second breakfast will be well worth it.
"Damn Darlin' where do you pack that away?" Jazz asks after I add a sticky bun to my crepes, pile of scrambled eggs, and bacon.
"I had a Pop-Tart on the way here too," I tell him proudly.
Rose glares daggers at her fruit bowl when I say this.
I shovel some eggs into my mouth while Jazz digs into his food.
Edward must have found Esme since they both approach us with their plates. Edward slightly smirks when he sees my full plate and takes a seat beside me.
A few more people trickle in until we have a full table.
Some of the girls and guys working brunch didn't have shifts last night. I meet Seth, Leah, and Jane who all seem perfectly nice.
I notice they steer clear of niceties with Rose and Edward, which isn't surprising. Rose is the first to leave after Edward steals some bacon from my plate.
It bothers me that I can't pinpoint their relationship dynamic. I'd ask Jazz but I don't want him to question why I want to know. So, my hope is someone offers up that information freely.
I finish up when Jazz gets up with his plate.
Edward watches me but still hasn't said a word to me since the lounge.
I follow Jazz to the table where a tub filled with dirty dishes sits. He turns, giving me a smile, "Want to learn the POS system?" he asks.
"You mean the registers?"
He nods.
"Yeah."
I follow him and just when I thought I was free of Mike for today he pops out from the kitchen.
"Hey Bella," he chirps cheerfully.
I wave with a tight-lipped smile.
"It's too early for you, Newton," Edward says, moving past me.
Mike ignores him.
"How was the ride home?" he asks me instead.
"Pretty uneventful," I say truthfully.
Edward's head is down while he takes inventory, but I just know he's listening.
"Hey Mike, I need to open up and want to show Bella our opening process," Jazz explains politely.
"Oh sure, sorry," Mike says before he reluctantly leaves.
Jazz pulls out a book filled with numbers. We had one like this at Starbucks where we had to fill out things like volume and KPI at the start and end of the day.
We lean over the book working out the percentages for the year to date. Edward is mostly doing all the prep work for the bar's brunch service while Esme is moving over the floor with the restaurant staff.
Carlisle is the one to unlock the doors when what seems like a line of people filter in.
Jazz quickly goes over a stack of laminated coffee drink options and recipes with me. They look easy enough to make. Some of the options even have alcohol.
"The espresso martini is a favorite," he warns.
I nod.
My first five orders were just that.
Edward is quiet, making sure to move around me if I'm in his way, which I try not to be. His hand goes to my waist a few times when he needs to grab something next to me.
It's close to noon when the group of girls from last night enter the bar. The girl who asked about Edward seems to be the ringleader. They opt out of sitting at the high-top and own the bar.
They look like all the cliched fall Instagram memes with their riding boots, hats and flannel wraps, and ponchos. All I saw was gold jewelry and makeup everywhere.
Jazz tries to take their drink orders but they personally request Edward. I'm standing next to him when Jazz informs him of this.
He sighs but turns on a megawatt smile for them, I swear they swoon and honestly I'm a little dazed by it too.
"He would have made a great escort," Rose says from beside me at the end of the bar, she must have come from the kitchen.
I look away from the show Edward is giving but won't direct my attention to her.
A guy sits down so I ask what he would like.
"What's good here?" he asks, glancing over the menu.
"The crepes are very good," I suggest.
He looks up, seeing me for the first time. A smile graces his face, he's attractive with dirty blonde hair and clear blue eyes. He looks very coiffed.
He introduces himself as Riley.
So I gave him my name as well.
Rose makes a noise but leaves the bar.
I take his order before bringing it down to Jasper, he lets me enter it into the system. I bring Riley a bottle of Stella, he leans in still smiling.
I get bumped into seeing that Edward has moved to my end of the bar, he's loudly rustling ice around in glasses, the shaker, you name it he's clanging ice.
Jazz calls me over and I excuse myself from Riley.
"Watch out for that one, he's a regular who has hooked up with most of our female staff," Jazz warns in a whisper.
I frown looking back at him over my shoulder.
I suddenly feel uncomfortable that patrons were like this, between Riley and the girls from last night making an appearance with an agenda to seduce the staff. I wasn't naïve to the world and knew some people weren't genuinely decent human beings, I'd dealt with and witnessed it in college.
"Thanks," I murmur. "Do you think you can wait on him?"
"Sure, can you take the high-top and table one for me?" he asks.
I nod.
Table one and table four were tables occupied by seniors, which made me feel relieved in some way. The couple I had were too distracted by one another to really notice me and the group of ladies were a rowdy bunch curious about our espresso martinis.
I come around the bar to enter their orders and to start their drinks. Riley tries to wave me down but I see Edward watching.
"Sorry we're busy," I tell him simply.
Edward is making Bloody Marys for his gaggle of ladies, but I see his upturned lips while I work around him.
I bring my rowdy ladies their martinis. Once they all take a sip they rave over their drinks. I smile going back over to my couple.
The man's shaky hand reaches out to squeeze his wife's forearm. "What do you think about the crepes?" he asks her.
She turns her head to look at me. "What do you recommend, dear?" she asks me.
"The crepes are pretty tasty," I tell them.
They nod with smiles ordering my recommendation.
The couple is quick in their dining experience, leaving after they eat their food, but my ladies settle on three espresso martinis each.
As brunch starts to wind down Riley's presence at the bar doesn't go unnoticed. Edward's girls were already long gone, but I made it my mission to ignore his interactions with patrons.
Esme comes to tell me to take a fifteen-minute break. When I walk into the lounge, Rose is sitting on the couch.
She looks up at me with her indifference.
"Did you and Edward come to work together this morning?"
"He stopped by my place with an apology coffee," I say honestly.
"He knows where you live, then," she states, raising an eyebrow.
"I don't know why I need to explain myself to you, but he and Jazz walked me home after the bar," I say, feeling my defenses rise.
She eyes me, raising an eyebrow.
"He's not worth the trouble," she says cryptically before she stands leaving the lounge.
I sigh while sitting to check my texts.
I see one from Emmett apologizing about my dad finding out about my new job, which meant Charlie talked to Billy who told Jacob I knew they were talking about me.
I groan because for grown men, they gossip like teenage girls.
"That doesn't sound good," Edward says, moving to lean against the table.
I'm weary after Rose's cryptic warning.
"My roommate was roommates in college with a family friend, and the family friend told his dad who told my dad that I got a job," I explain.
"And that's a bad thing? Your dad knowing you got a job?" he asks confused.
"My dad didn't want me moving here, he wanted me to— uh, take a teaching position at my old high school."
He looks down probably remembering his pompous words from yesterday, when he looks back up I see what looks like remorse.
"Anyway, I wanted to be here a little longer, pass my trails before I said anything to him. I want to prove him wrong that I can stand on my own two feet and make it here," I finish.
"I really am sorry about yesterday," he says softly.
I shrug, looking at my phone seeing it's time for me to get back out there.
"Enjoy your break," I tell him with a tight smile.
When I get back out to the bar Rose and Esme are standing at the end looking at Rose's phone. The smile on Esme's face is warm as she swipes through it.
"She is his clone," I hear Esme murmur.
I'm curious but I don't want to blatantly look as I pass.
I make my way over to Jazz. I'm relieved that Riley is gone.
"He left his number for you," Jazz tells me.
"No, thank you," I grumble, earning a laugh from him.
"You are the only girl to heed the warning about him or well some of the other girls didn't care," he explains.
"I'm not into players, especially in a city this big."
He nods.
I get back to work by busing a few of my tables and the bar. A few more customers enter the bar when Edward arrives back from his break to relieve Jazz.
He's all easy smiles and charm, I wonder how he can just turn it on and off within his wavering moods.
We get one last rush before the brunch shift ends, the restaurant closes for a few hours and there is a staff change when it opens for dinner service.
A few of us are changing at the end of our shift when yelling can be heard from the hallway. The voices rising out in the hall are distinctly Edward and Rose's, I quickly try to lace up my boots so I can leave out the back.
I'm just about done when Rose storms in first, her chest heaving while Edward is hot on her heels.
"You are a fucking hypocrite," she turns yelling at him and pushing at his chest.
Edward stops when he sees me.
I grab my bag making a break for it through the back exit. I wasn't sure what was going on between those two but I didn't want to be in the middle of it.
I wanted to lay low and get my footing.
A/N: Thoughts are very welcome.