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Thank you to my pre-readers, my co-writer and BohemianRituals!
Chapter 5: I Hate You And I Mean It
Tanya
I hate Edward Cullen, I have since the moment I met him and probably always will.
I couldn't think of one damn thing that I liked about him.
He's arrogant and cocky.
Smug, self-absorbed, and we can't forget he thinks he's god's gift to women, all women to be exact.
He's just… ugh.
He's like the tire that suddenly goes flat on your way to an important job interview, the heel that breaks while you're trying to look cute in front of your crush, the pop can that explodes in your face as soon as you open it. He's like… allergy season.
Yes, he is exactly like allergy season.
Clogs you up and makes you miserable.
My point is, I don't like him, and I don't try to hide it.
And before you ask, or misconstrue anything, the answer is no and will always be no. I don't have some secret crush, obsession, or unrequited love for him.
I want everyone, anyone, to hear me and hear me clear in no way, shape or form do I want Edward Cullen, for myself, for Bella, for any woman.
I find him, literally, repulsive.
And to me, he's so fucked up internally, he's less appealing then hunch back of Notre Dame, I sincerely mean he is less alluring than Quasimodo.
But what's so fucked up is it seems I'm one of a few, and at times feel like the only one, who sees he's just on bullshit! Like the shittiest, scummiest shit is just inside him.
Unfortunately, Bella wasn't one of the few to see him for what he was, is, and now...
Look, I'm not the type of "friend" who does the whole I told you so thing because, just to be clear, people who do that aren't your friend. They are assholes. And I would never do that to Bella, especially now.
I will be her shoulder to cry on, her support system, and anything else she may need.
But…
When she's ready to get out there again, date, I will be more vocal, helpful.
She should be with a good, kind, faithful, respectful man.
Kinda like my boyfriend.
Garrett.
I met him on the first day of our freshman year of high school while Bella and I were in the registrar's office getting our schedules. I noticed him immediately, or I guess I should say his voice and accent. He had a strong British accent, and his voice was raspy yet smooth.
When he turned around, that's when I saw his face. Oh my god. He was beautiful, tall, dark, bushy eyebrows and those rich, magnetic brown eyes, that drew me in, I couldn't turn away, even if I wanted to. I was unabashedly staring at him.
I was mesmerized but the croaky voice of the registrar calling my name pulled me out of my trance, before he walked away.
I can admit, without any shame I stumbled through getting my schedule. And I can also admit that as the day went on, he didn't leave my mind.
And as it turned out luck was on my side.
The mystery office guy was in the same honors Biology class as me and Bella.
And it got better.
Mr. White, the biology teacher, assigned seats and partners for the whole school year and my seat and partner was, you guessed it, Garrett. Till this day Mr. White still has a special place in my heart.
When Garrett first introduced himself to me, I had to fight not to do one of those girly squeals. He had the sexiest English accent… and then he smiled at me, with the deepest dimples I had ever seen. I had already thought he was cute when I saw him earlier, but damn… I was hooked day one.
With the rigorous course load, we spent a lot of time together because of homework assignments and group projects and when we no longer had that anymore we hung out because we wanted to. Then we started dating, exclusively, and we've been a couple since then.
While I was wrapped up in the middle of my relationship, yes, I was that girl, others were also being wrapped up as well.
It was the middle of my sophomore year that I first heard the name Edward Cullen.
I had overheard Naomi, a girl in the same gym class as me, talking with her friend, Maya, at the lunch table behind me.
My morning started out a little rough because I was late for my first class, Economics. I was pissed when they handed me my schedule and Econ was scheduled for my 8 a.m. class. Who wants to analyze, and problem solve that time of the morning?
I had to go to the school office to get a student pass so Mr. Ford, my Econ teacher, would even let me in, which he promptly shook his head and pointed me to my seat when I tried to hand him the pass.
The rest of my day went by without any fanfare. I saw Garrett and Bella in Geometry and Chemistry, then I headed to lunch, alone. Garrett didn't have the same lunch period I did, and Bella skipped lunch so she could work on her art project, that was due the next day.
I was unusually tired that day because I went to bed late the night before, between hanging out with Garrett and finishing my homework.
I was up out of my seat, and out the door as soon as the bell rang. I headed straight to the lunchroom, not even going to my locker to exchange my morning books for my afternoon books.
The line was short, so, I easily grabbed a grilled cheese, tomato soup and a bottle of water. With the tray in my hand, I stood there, as the yellow rays of the sun beamed through the windows, I looked at the round tables and chairs, scattered, some filled with students talking and eating and others empty.
I just wanted to chill and enjoy my food, so I walked towards an empty table near the corner, and there was only one table near where one of my classmates, Naomi sat with another girl.
I sat down in the chair, setting the tray on the table and putting my backpack on the chair beside me. I rubbed sanitizer on my hands and took a bite from my sandwich, when I overheard the girl I didn't know, sounding like she was trying to keep her cool with Naomi.
Mmmm, this might be an interesting conversation. Maybe I was a little nosey, but I wasn't going to tell nobody.
Flashback
"Naomi, don't you dare cry over that asshole." Maya sighed. "I know it hurts, but you knew what you were getting into when you approached him."
"He had a reputation, but I thought it was all talk." Naomi sniffled. "I didn't think he would use me like that. I found out he's been with me and three other girls."
"Three other girls? Are you serious?"
"Yeah, just so happen all four of us showed up at that house party Landon had Friday night, and found Edward in the corner with some bitch with black hair. They were so close they looked like they were fucking." She paused. "And when I confronted him about it, he told me we were never in a committed relationship and he was free to fuck whoever he wanted to."
"Wow, Naomi, I don't even know what to say."
"I was so messed up from what he said to me, I just sat on the couch trying to collect myself, and that's when I saw the other three girls confront him, one by one. While they were going off, making a scene, Edward and that chick were still all over each other. I'm not sure what he said to them, but he never moved from that corner, but the three girls walked away looking pissed.
"You all shoulda ganged up on him and kicked his ass, that's what you shoulda did."
"Maya, I feel so stupid. I was dumb enough to sleep with him on our first date."
"You what?" Maya coughed hard, like she choked on whatever she was drinking.
"I know." She hiccupped. "One of the dumbest things I've ever done."
"You're right, that was dumb, really dumb." Maya said.
"I know, you know I don't do shit like that. But he was just so smooth, and you know how he looks with the sex hair, the crooked smile and those green eyes." She paused for a second. "He said he really liked me, he said I was special. How could I say no to that?"
"He's not that cute." Maya exhaled, heavy. "Here take some tissue and wipe your face."
It was silent for a moment.
"Naomi, please tell me you used protection with his nasty ass."
"Yeah, every time."
"Every time? How many times?"
Naomi cleared her throat. "Um, four."
"In less than two weeks?" Maya screeched.
"Shh, be quite." Naomi whispered-yelled. "You're too loud."
"How was that even possible, you only went on one date." Maya said lower.
"He would text me late, after my Mom was asleep and asked if he could come over." Her voice shook. "I told him yeah and we did it in his car." She said before she started crying again.
I heard a chair scrap the floor. "It's okay, we'll get through this, together, but leave that sonofabitch alone. Don't respond to anymore of his text messages."
"I won't." Naomi sobbed.
Flashback ended.
That was the first time I'd ever heard about the green-eyed plague but sadly, it wasn't the last. As he bounced from girl to girl the stories got worse and worse but somehow that didn't deter anyone from messing with him.
I mean it got so bad two girls who were friends, best friends supposedly, had a fight at school because they found out that he had slept with both of him. I hoped, that after they finished screaming and pulling each other's hair in the hallway, they confronted him but that was something I never knew. But what I did know was they consoled each other and rallied together to be spiteful and bitter to another girl he was entertaining. And yes, that girl eventually went crying to her friends when he screwed her over too.
Now, I'll be honest, I wouldn't say I found these stories funny or humorous, but it did make me raise an eyebrow. Like what made this guy so special that all of them just lost their minds?
It all seemed messy and some of those stories sounded so outrageous, it made me wonder if some of them were exaggerating.
To be fair, this could've just all been rumors. I didn't put too much thought into it, at the time, because I didn't know anything for sure, and they were all willing participates. Now, I wasn't diminishing anyone's feelings, but I felt that there were two sides to every story.
So, I guess, yeah, even I was naïve.
But as it turns out, it was a vicious cycle that kept repeating itself.
And I kid you not, over half the female student body at Glenbrook Tech had some type of interaction with him. I swear it was so many, they needed to have a support group.
The slogan could have been, if you fucked him, get in line so have we.
And what was almost comical was he didn't go to our school he went to Libertyville College Prep. I didn't personally know him, and I only vaguely knew what he looked like from how the girls would describe him. Essentially, I knew nothing about him, but his reputation certainly proceeded him.
It was at the end of my senior year that I'd seen the germ in the flesh. I knew it was him because of his odd colored hair, the girls always mentioned his reddish-brown hair and the green eyes. There weren't that many guys around here that had coppered-colored hair, it had to be him.
Mike had a pool party shortly after summer break began. It was only Garrett and I, since Bella was out of town with her parents to go see her grandmother.
I saw him in action with my own eyes. The fucker worked the backyard like a shady car salesman, and those girls ate that shit up, too. He went from female to female all smiles rubbing up on them, whispering in their ear. He looked pretty slick.
At one point it looked like he had his hand down one chick's bikini bottom.
Garrett was inside of the house talking to his friends, when the douchebag approached me.
Garrett handed me a bottle of water he got out of the cooler and kissed me on the cheek. "Baby, I'm gonna go inside and talk to Jonathan and Tim, for a little bit."
"Okay, Sweetie, I'll be out here." I smiled at him, before he walked away.
When I looked again, Edward wasn't with the girl I'd last seen him with. I pulled my phone out and decided to play a game.
"Damn, you wear'n the hell outta that, baby." His hot breath whispered in my ear, and his hand was on the small of my back.
I whipped around, my private space invaded. "What the hell?"
"I'm E, Sweetheart. What's your name?" He stood there with an overconfident grin on his face.
"Ew." I scrunched up my nose and stepped back.
"Ew?" He raised an eyebrow.
"Yeah, ew."
"What's ew?"
"You."
"Me?" His mouth fell open, slightly. "No one's ever said that to me before."
"I bet." I rolled my eyes. "What do you want?"
"What's with the attitude, baby?" He inched toward me. "I just wanna know your name."
"For what?"
"Cause your hot and me and you could have some fun together." He smirked looking me up and down.
Was this the bullshit, I mean charm that worked on everyone?
"Wow." I slowly nodded. "That was corny."
"I could al—"
"Look." I put my hand up. "I have a boyfriend and I'm not inte—"
"I don't care."
I frowned. "You don't care about what?"
"That you have a boyfriend." He shrugged his shoulders. "What does that mean to me? I won't tell if you won't."
"You got me fucked up." I pointed at him. "Your nasty ass has been up on just about every female in this yard. What the hell would make you think I'd be interested in you?"
"Look, I saw you from over there." He thumbed behind himself. "And I saw you check'n me out so I—"
"I wasn't checking nothing out." I said with a sharp tone.
"Call it whatever you want you we're look'n hard, so I thought I'd come over and introduce myself, ya know see if you wanted to get out of here."
I shook my head.
The audacity.
"No, I don't want to get out of here and there's no introduction needed Edward." I sneered.
He jerked his head back. "How do you know my name and I don't know yours?"
"I—"
"Wait." He looked around himself. "Have we… ya know…" He trailed off as he waved a finger between us.
"No, never." I scoffed.
"Phew." He placed his hand on his chest and chuckled. "Okay, cool cause that would have made this awkward.
"Right." I forced a laugh. "That would have made this awkward."
"So, are you going to tell me your name since you know mine?"
"No."
"You're feisty, I like that." He smiled. "A challenge."
A challenge? What the fuck does that mean? Who does he think I am? What does he think I'm a difficult math problem? Like if he figures me out my legs will just magically open.
"You're deplorable and I just threw up in my mouth a little." I smiled.
He laughed. "You're funny."
"And yet you're the joke." I deadpanned.
"Ouch." He placed his hand over his heart. "You wound me."
"If I don't an STD will." I muttered.
"Ed." Mike yelled. "Come here." He waved him over with a PlayStation game in his hand.
"Give me a sec." Edward turned back to me. "I like talking to you, we should do this again sometime, but maybe alone?"
"The very thought makes me nauseous."
He chuckled and stepped back. "I'll see you soon."
"God, I hope not."
And that was my first encounter with….the friendly neighborhood fuck boy.
I had seen Edward a few times after that in restaurants mostly, which I ignored him, but never had another up-close encounter with him again, thankfully.
Fall semester had finally ended and I was excited! We had taken all of our final exams, and Bella and I headed home for our winter break. We had a little over a month off and we were looking forward to not going to class.
We were both carrying a fifteen-credit hour load, we were burned out, and our brains were fried. A break was definitely needed.
After Bella dropped me off at home, we didn't do anything but bum around the house, in our PJ's, for the first three days, and our parents loved it. They found all kinda stuff for us to do with them or around the house. Basically, they thought we were on vacation from doing nothing at school.
By the fourth day, Bella had gotten 'cabin fever' and had to get out to some party at Howl at the Moon. She wanted me to go but Garrett and I had other plans tonight.
I'm still pissed with myself for not talking her out of going to that party with some old classmates from high school, who were also home on winter break, Reese and Sienna.
Since it was a little after one o'clock in the afternoon, the next day, and I hadn't heard from Bella yet, I called her. Funny enough she didn't answer, and I had to leave a message. I didn't think much of it, just figured she was out later than expected and decided to sleep in a little longer.
I made myself some popcorn and watched The Family Man, one of my favorite Christmas movies.
Oddly enough, even after my movie went off, I still hadn't heard from Bella. I sent her a text, but we didn't talk until she called me later that evening. There was nothing out of the ordinary, we chatted for a little while and then hung up to spend time with our families.
The next day my mother tricked me into going with her to do some last-minute Christmas shopping with her. We had been out all day and the mall had been so over-crowded and loud I didn't know Bella called until we got back home because my phone was in the bottom of my purse.
She'd left a message asking if Garrett and I could meet her at River Roast at eight o'clock later that evening.
Unbeknownst to the doom that I was about to face, I shot a text to Garrett, he replied saying he would meet us there, but he would be a little late because he was in was in Bloomington visiting his cousins.
I got bored with the TV, turning it off and curled up with one of my favorite books, Rough Justice, by Lisa Scottoline, on the couch.
When I noticed it was almost seven, I got up to get ready. I'd put my hair in a ponytail because I wasn't washing it again and hopped in the shower.
I put on some stone-washed jeans with a simple long-sleeved black shirt and boots, and my knitted coat.
I arrived at the restaurant about ten minutes late, Christmas traffic was a headache.
After I parked the car, I noticed Bella sent a text.
"We're already at the table, tell the hostess you're with the Swan party."
We?
I was curious to see who the "we"was with her, so I quickly got out the car and went inside. A few moments later, I walked closely on the heels of, Clara, the hostess.
I squinted my eyes as we got closer to the table because I knew I couldn't have seen right.
Clara stopped in front of the table where Bella and Edward sat, quite comfortably next to each other.
I pride myself on having a good poker face. Now, I get you may be asking why I felt the need to mention that right now, what relevance does this have. Well, let me tell you.
On the outside I looked cool as ice, cool as a cucumber some would even say, but on the inside…completely different story.
I didn't know whether I wanted to vomit or choose violence.
Ruin every person's dinner or smack Edward and maybe even Bella.
"Excuse me for interrupting, but another guest in your party has arrived." Clara smiled.
Bella slowly turned from facing Edward. "Thank you." Bella smiled and nodded at Clara before she walked away.
"Hey, T. I'm glad you made it; I was getting worried." She craned her neck. "Where's Garrett?"
It took him a few minutes, but I guess recognition kicked him because Edward's smile fell, and his eyes were as big as saucers.
I decided to let him suffer a for a bit, worrying if I would tell Bella about our skirmish at Mike's pool party two and half years ago. I never told her about it because it meant absolutely nothing to me and thought he and I would never cross paths, this close, again.
"I'm sorry I'm late, the traffic was terrible." I looked at my watch. "Garrett should be here soon; he's driving from Bloomington."
Edward leaned back in the booth with a playful grin on his face.
"Oh, okay well I'd like you to meet someone." Bella turned to Sir Nasty. "Edward, this is my best friend, Tanya, Tanya this is Edward." Bella smiled watching the both of us
Edward extended his hand towards me. "Nice to meet you, Tanya."
Obviously, he decided to act like we'd never met.
Ugh.
I know I've said this so many times by now but touching him…. ugh.
I took his hand in mine. "Nice to meet you too, Edwin."
"I said Edward." Bella whispered as she lightly pinched my arm.
"That's what I said, Edwin."
"It's Edward." He said while he shook my hand.
"Oh right, Edward." I pulled my hand away quickly, rubbing it down my sweater without Bella noticing. "My hearing can be a little spotty."
"Okay, sit, sit Tanya." Bella pointed to the other side of the booth. "Let's get our waiter over here so you can order you and Garrett's drinks."
While Bella turned away getting the waiter's attention, the sneaky bastard smirked at me.
No, he didn't.
Bella turned back around, and the waiter came over to the table. "Hi, I'm Todd." He smiled. "What can I get for ya."
I ordered both Garrett and I two rose ciders and Todd left the table.
Edward took a sip of his beer. "So, Tanya, nice name by the way, how long have you and Bella been friends?"
That was bold.
"Since kindergarten." I chuckled. "How about you?"
"We met at the party I went to with Reese and Sienna." Bella said.
"I knew I didn't like them." I mumbled as I took my coat off.
"Huh?" Bella frowned.
"What?" I looked back at her.
"I thought you said something."
"Oh no." I looked between the two of them. "So, you guys met at a party, that's great. Bella was there with her friends having fun, what about you?" I looked at Edward. "Were you there with friends, having fun?" I smiled and blinked at him.
His eyebrows shot up.
I could be bold too.
"What kind of question is that?" Bella chuckled.
"Oh, you know how I am." I leaned back into the booth. "I wanna know every little detail that brought us…." I trailed off trying to find the right word for this situation. "Here."
That would work.
"Actually, I wasn't having much fun, at all." Edward set his glass down. "It was a pretty boring night for me until I saw Bella across the room." He turned to her. "Once we locked eyes there was no one else in the room."
What is this a bad, cheesy Hallmark romance movie?
"Awww, how sweet." I saw Bella literally melt.
Edward kissed her forehead and lingered there.
God, universe, whoever is out there I know we don't talk much, but if you can hear me, take him now. Please.
"Alright, here are your drinks." Todd sat them down on the table.
You didn't take him, but you did send a distraction.
"Remind me to double your tip." I picked up my Angry Orchard bottle and took a rather large gulp.
"Sure?" Todd smiled. "Let me know when you're ready to order." He said before walked away.
Bella shifted her seat. "Hey, T, I'm headed to the restroom, wanna come with?"
Oh great, stay here with him or go to the bathroom with her where she asks me what I think about him.
Decisions, decisions.
"Nah, I'm good. You go ahead."
I'll tough it out with the fornicator.
She leaned in and kissed Edward on the cheek, scooted out of the booth and walked towards the bathroom.
As soon as she was out of earshot I pounced.
"What kind of shit are you slinging, asshole?"
"I have no idea what you're talking about." He sighed.
"Why are you acting like you don't know me?"
"I could ask you the same thing." He jerked his chin towards me.
"Don't play with me. I'm not the trollop trying to fuck with your best friend."
"I'm not fucking with anyone, besides, nothing happened between us anyway." Edward gave a dismissive wave of his hand.
"You're damn right it didn't, but not because you didn't want it to happen." I looked him up and down. "Leopards don't change their spots, Dickward. I know you're the same low-down dog you were two and half years ago and if you think I'm gonna stand by and let you fuck over my best friend, you gotta another thing coming."
Edward scooted closer to me with a pinched expression. "Look, Tanya, you don't know shit about me, only what you've heard. Despite what you think you know, Bella's not like the rest of them, she's different, special, to me."
"You're right, she is special." I raised a single brow. "But you've only known her a few days. You expect me to believe you're a changed person. From what I've heard and seen you think every girl is special, huh?" I maintained eye contact with him. "You throw that word around a lot, to get what you want, you told Naomi she was special too."
"I don't give a fuck what you think, I don't have to prove shit to you."
I laughed without humor. "Hmm, well just know, I'll be watching you like a hawk, and the minute you step outta line, messing around with one of your little challenges, I'll be the first one to make sure Bella knows."
"You'll be wasting your time."
"Why? You think I won't catch you?"
"It won't happen."
"I don't believe you."
"Ask me if I care what you believe." He clenched his jaw.
That was the beginning of months of hell for me.
With us being down-state for school and Edward going local, he wanted to spend as much times as possible with Bella. So, he surprised her several times throughout the year by showing up at the dorm hanging around several hours or he would get a hotel room over the weekend.
When we came home for breaks, I didn't spend as much time with her as we did in the past, which was perfectly fine. I would've felt better about it if Bella wasn't with a philanderer.
But eventually, Bella got used to it, the bickering between Prickward and I. I knew it would have made her happy if we got along, maybe even go on double dates, hell even be cordial, but somethings just done mix.
Tom and Jerry.
Oil and water.
Tanya and Edward.
You see, its practically science.
But Bella wasn't the only one who had to get used to things. I became less vocal about my disdain for him. Don't get me wrong, my dislike grew for him every time he opened his mouth, but I leaned that I didn't have to say everything I thought of him…no matter how much I wanted to, because I'm a good friend, damnit!
And because of that, I was there for her when the inevitable happened.
The shit hit the fan.
According to Bella, Edward's phone was always ringing, or text messages were coming through from one of them.
When Bella told me that, I figured there was no way in hell they were blowing him up like that, and he hadn't cheated. But I played it cool, what's done in the dark always comes to light.
Our old high school classmate, Reese, the one that was at the party when Bella met the scum bucket, was in the tattoo shop with her sister, and overheard Piper talking about how she'd bedded Edward the night before, but coincidentally, Edward wasn't in the shop when she was bumping her gums.
The girl must've forgot she was at work because according to Reese, Piper talked about the motel he took her to… yeah, you heard me, motel…not even a hotel. Anyway, from how Reese explained it, Piper made it sound like straight up porn video.
She got so out of hand, Jimmy called her to his office and when she came out, her face was red, and Reese said you could tell she had been crying.
Bella and I went to North Bridge mall that day and ran into Reese in the food court, eating some Chinese food.
Reese ordered herself some food and sat at the table with us. We talked about unimportant stuff for the most part, until Reese swallowed hard and asked Bella if her and Edward were still dating.
Once Bella confirmed they were still dating, Reese recounted the whole sorted story, and Bella's color drained from her face, as she blinked quickly so she wouldn't lose it in front of Reese.
Bella and I knew Reese since we were in the fifth grade, she wasn't a gossiper, and we knew she had Bella's best interest at heart. She said she truly felt bad for Bella and didn't want to see her taken advantage of.
I wanted to find him and beat him until he turned black and blue.
While his behavior did not surprise me, I was still hurt because my best friend was hurting.
The carefree mood Bella was in before, was completely gone. She stopped eating, pushing her food around her plate and although her body was at the table, her mind was a thousand miles away.
On the ride home, Bella was just as quiet. I knew she didn't want to talk about it, she needed to process everything.
When I dropped her off that afternoon, I didn't call or text. I figured I'd drop by her house and check on her the next day.
Before I went over to Bella's house the following day, I stopped by the mall to pick up some of Bella's favorite cheese and caramel popcorn, but to my surprise, she didn't need it. I saw her and Smutward, hugged up in the popcorn shop, feeding each other the same popcorn I was about to buy.
I couldn't believe my fuckn eyes.
I stood there debating if I wanted to go break up their cute moment or if I should get the hell outta there. I decided on the latter. What the hell was I going to do? Bella heard the same story I did yesterday, but yet she's with him today.
It took everything in me to walk away, but I did.
I was pissed.
Pissed with Bella…
I needed to calm down, so I called Garrett and went over his house.
After I explained everything to Garrett, he shook his head in disbelief.
The whole situation was draining, and I wasn't about to let it ruin my whole day. Garrett and I went to a live music festival in Millennium Park.
The festival and Garrett were exactly what I need.
I was no longer angry; I was totally relaxed, by the time I went home that evening.
When I got home, I took a hot shower, put on my PJ's and snuggled on the couch, with my favorite blanket, watching Hitch, when I heard someone clear their throat.
I held my blanket up and motioned for her to join me. When the movie went off, that's when Bella told me what Edward said.
Supposedly, Edward was with his father and brothers and there was no way he could've been with her, since he was at the auto racetrack in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Bella said he showed her the ticket and everything, but what Edward didn't know was, my father and I go to that same racetrack and the first run wasn't until the following week, so his ticket may have been real, but he still lied about where he was.
I asked Bella if she really looked at his ticket and she said she believed him and felt like Piper came in the tat shop, purposely spreading lies out of jealousy and to get back at him for ignoring her calls and text messages.
There was nothing more I could do, she had to see it for herself.
I knew it wasn't simple as Bella thought it was, Piper Collin, the lovely cum bucket that she was, wasn't going to stop… she was just getting started.
She isn't as dumb as many make her out to be, Piper has seen Bella and I with Reese many times, so she knew exactly what she was doing. The way she broadcasted that, she knew it would get back to Bella one way or another, people talk.
So, Piper's plan failed and dirtbag talked his way out of it, that time.
But the sonofabitch got sloppy and the chickens came home to roost.
There was no talking his way out of it this time, there was no denying it.
Bella had to face the reality that he had not changed.
While I took pure joy in the, 'I told you so' attitude in his face, what he wasn't my friend. I said I didn't do that to friends. My heart broke for Bella. She genuinely loved him, and now I'm the one that has to help her pick up the pieces, so she can heal and move on.
The day Bella broke up with Edward, I stayed the night with her, comforting her the best I could. But after that, I gave her some space, time to process everything.
It's been two weeks now and… enough was enough.
He doesn't deserve another goddamn tear of hers.
He's wasn't worth it.
She holed herself up in the house, only going to work and nowhere else. Bella's excuses had run out, and she was getting out tonight.
There was no way in hell she would continue to sit in the house and wallow over him.
I pulled up in the driveway, quickly exited the car and rang the doorbell.
The door sung open. "Hey, Tan." Renee smiled. "She's in her bedroom, said she's not going."
I stepped inside and we hugged. "Oh, she's going. She forgot I'm just as stubborn as her."
"Good, she could use some fresh air." She squeezed me. "Just don't tear up the house."
"I can't promise that." I pulled back from our embrace. "But I will get her out of this house one way or another, don't worry Mama Re, I'll help her through this."
"I know you will, but I wanna find him and tear him from limb to limb, for what he did to my daughter."
"How about we team up and do it together?" I teased.
"Sounds like a plan to me." We both laughed. "I'll be in my office if you need me." Renee said before she walked away.
I looked at the staircase, inhaled, preparing for battle, and walked up the stairs.
I knocked on the door but entered without waiting for Bella to respond. "Hey Bee."
Bella was sitting on her bed with her PJ's on playing a game on her phone.
She briefly looked up. "Hey, T."
Okay, this is progress, she looks better than the last time I saw her.
I plopped down on the bed. "So… you gonna get dressed?"
"Nope." She popped the p, still looking at her game.
I wasn't taking 'no' for an answer tonight.
I snatched the phone from her hand. "Oh, you're going."
"Give it back Tanya."
"No." I stood up.
She rolled her eyes. "I don't feel like going."
"I don't give a fuck, you're going." I walked over to her closet and slide the door back.
"Stop being a bitch, I'm not going."
"I'll stop being a bitch when you stop sulking over Cousin It"
"I'm not sulking… I just don't feel like being social right now."
"You haven't' been social for two weeks. You can't go to work and then hole up in the house for the rest of the summer." I turned around with a pair of jeans in my hand, trying to decide if she should put them on or something else. "I won't let you."
"Between you and Grayson, I can't grieve in peace. He's been bugging me about the camping trip and you're bugging the hell outta me tonight."
"Grayson?" I smiled.
"Get that smile off your face, T. We're just friends, I'm not ready for anything like that."
"Yet, you're not ready yet." I threw the jeans on the bed deciding against them, before I walked back in the closet.
Bella chuckled. "You're impossible."
"And you love me for it." I wiggled my eyebrows. "Now get up and get dressed."
She sighed. "Will you get off my ass if I go out with you tonight?"
"For the next couple of days…maybe."
"I'll take what I can get." Bella said.
"Perfect!" I knew exactly what she was going to wear tonight.
"What's perfect?"
"This." I swung a hanger with a white dress on it. "Chop-chop, get ready so we can leave in the next thirty-minutes."
"Alright-alright." Bella rolled off the bed and ran into the bathroom, shutting the door behind her.
I busied myself pulling out her shoes, makeup, and the curling irons.
Eliana's Boutique, the place I've worked at since my junior year in high school, was celebrating their thirty-fifth anniversary, at Navy Pier on a city cruise.
All of her long-standing customers, staff, along with other guests were invited, but since Bella and I have known her most of our lives, we were expected to be there.
Forty-five minutes later we were in my car headed to Lake Shore Drive.
It was a beautiful clear night, the wind blew sightly, just enough to enjoy, with the cool lake affect. I heard the quiet whoosh of the other ships moving through the water, and music from afar off.
The clack of our heels on the wood deck got the security guard's attention, where we were warmly greeted and instructed which vessel to board.
As we approached the ship, it was bigger than I thought it would be. It had four levels, with a roof-top deck, where the live band was playing, and I could hear the chatter of varies conversations.
Trinity, the event planner that worked vehemently with Eliana, from the beginning, stood at the top of the ramp with a huge smile on her face. "Good evening, ladies. Welcome aboard the Spirit of Chicago." She looked down at her clipboard in her hand. "Tanya, I know your name is on the list, but may I ask who is your guest?"
"Good evening, Trinity, this is Isabella Swan, who is also on the list."
Trinity flipped through a few pages, before she looked up again. "Excellent! You ladies enjoy yourselves."
"Thank you." Bella and I said in unison, as we walked past her.
It looked like everyone Eliana invited came out. There were people standing around with different drinks in their hands, others were sitting on the couches in separate conversations.
Severs were moving through the crowds with appetizer trays of fresh fruit, stuffed mushrooms, sushi, and varies types of drinks.
I saw some faces I recognized, but some I didn't before we finally spotted Eliana surrounded by some of her closest friends with her husband, Hugo.
I bumped Bella's elbow with mine. "I think we should go over and say something to Aunt Eli and Unc before we grab something to eat."
"Okay, cool." Bella nodded.
After speaking to a various people along the way, Eliana spotted us walking towards her. "My girls!" She squealed with her arms open wide.
She stepped out of the circle of people around her and grasped Bella in a tight hug, peppering her face with kisses. "I've missed you so much my Bella. Where have you been hiding?"
"Eliana, Darling, I'm sure Isabella can't breathe." Hugo chuckled in his Castilian accent.
"Oh hush, Hugo." She waved a dismissive hand. "How come I haven't seen you this summer my sweet girl?" She looked at her expectantly.
"Uh, well." Bella glanced at me.
I shrugged my shoulders.
Here's the thing, Eliana wasn't going to let Bella move from that spot until she got a sufficient answer, no matter how evasive she tried to be.
Hugo and Eliana couldn't have children, so they considered us their adopted nieces since our mother's started coming to her boutique when we were six years old. Aunt Eli and Uncle Hugo, as they're affectionally known to us, were more like family than my employers.
Uncle Hugo is more laid back, he'll wait for you to tell him whatever is going on with you, however, Aunt Eli, is on the other end of the pendulum, the moment she sense's something is wrong, she's grabbing the bull by its horns.
Better Bella than me.
"I've been busy with work…" Bella trailed off.
Wrong answer.
"My Dear, you're done with work at four, yes?" Eliana blinked.
"Yeah… but…um."
"So, what has kept you from coming to visit with me?" She tucked Bella's hair behind her ear. "Or should I be asking, who kept you from coming to visit me?"
Bella's eyes cut over to me, as if asking if I told Eliana anything about Edward. I shook my head once, no, trying not to bring attention to myself.
Hugo glanced over at me and chuckled, running his hand down his jaw.
"There was this guy I've was dating, but we're not anymore and I've been laying low."
"Do I know him?"
"You might know him or know of him." Bella fiddled with the charm on her necklace.
"Oh, well who—"
Hugo interrupted Eliana. "Sweetheart, this is neither the time nor place for this conversation with all the listening ears to hear." He stepped closer to Eliana. "Why don't' you all have lunch or something and pick up this conversation later?"
I let out a breath I didn't realize I'd been holding.
Too many times to count, intuitive Hugo saved the day throughout the years.
Eliana searched Bella's eyes, for a moment. "Okay, but we're having lunch soon, very soon. I'll check my schedule and text you when and where, Isabella."
She used her full first name, Eliana meant business, meaning Bella couldn't try to flake out.
"Looking forward to it." Bella smiled and pulled Eliana in for a hug, silently mouthing thank you to Hugo who stood behind them.
Hugo winked at Bella.
"Now, give your Uncle a hug since your Aunt started interrogating you before I had a chance to." Hugo pulled Bella towards him.
Eliana rolled her eyes and pulled me into a hug. "Where is my sweet Garrett, tonight?"
"He couldn't make it; he was having a boy's night out with his dad and cousins."
"Let him know I missed him tonight and send my love to your parents. I'm aware they had a previous engagement tonight."
My parents, Francesco and Talulla Marchetti had to attend a business dinner, hosted by my father's company, Sterling Technologies, where he's a senior consultant manager.
Consultant of what? Don't even ask me. All I can tell you is he goes in and tells companies what they're doing wrong, and he gets paid a lot of money for it.
Now, I can tell you more about my mother's job than my father's. She is a seasoned freelance floral designer, with many clients throughout Chicago, setting up, taking down, designing and styling everything from weddings to different events. She has also been featured in Florists' Review, Modern Wedding Flowers, and Flower School Magazine.
I love both of my parents, dearly. There isn't anything within their power they wouldn't do for me. We're the normal every day, middle-class, family that watched movies, played board games and went bike riding and bowling together.
But I hung out with my father a little bit more than my mother. I'll never forget the time I helped him build a robot, or when we went to the car shows every year, and even when we'd shoot hoops together.
However, quality time with my mother was just as special. We played dress up, polishing our nails and toes, for spa night at home, and had make overs.
Where my Dad and I had the typical Italian temper, a little rough around the edges, being straight-forward when we spoke, Mom knew how to put things delicately, so it didn't come off as too harsh.
All in all, I have the best parents in the world. By no stretch of the imagination are we perfect, we've had our disagreements, but we've always worked it out by talking it out.
"I'll definitely let them know and I'll tell Mom how beautiful the flowers looked tonight."
"Talulla has always done a stellar job." Eliana smiled.
"And Isabella my Sweet, let Charlie know I'll meet him on the green Tuesday, at noon." Hugo said.
"Will do." Bella smiled.
"We've held you beautiful ladies up long enough, go, enjoy yourselves." Eliana said, as she slid her arm around Hugo's waist.
We waved them off while we walked in the opposite direction.
"Phew, that was close." I said to Bella relieved.
"Who you are telling?" She let out a shaky laugh.
"Don't worry about it Bee, we came here to enjoy ourselves and that's exactly what we're gonna do… no drama and no talking about what's his name."
"Right." Bella nodded. "Yeah, don't talk about what's his name."
I saw a server walking up behind Bella with a tray of drinks. "Let's toast to that."
Bella turned around and we both grabbed mocktails, especially me since I was driving, and sipped in silence while we bobbed our heads to Brown Eyed Girl, as the band played.
The drink was cute, but I was hungry, since I hadn't really eaten much earlier. "You wanna eat on the lower deck or do you wanna eat on the top deck.
Bella finished off the last of her drink. "Let's eat on the lower deck and then go to the top deck afterwards, to check out the band."
"Okay, let's go." I tucked my clutch bag under my arm and led the way towards the winding stairs to the lower deck.
"Whoa." Bella and I said once we walked in the room.
There was food everywhere, along the walls. There were hot and cold soups, varieties of salads and sides, duck a l' orange, grilled lobster tail, beef wellington, roasted turkey, filet mignon, quail with berry sauce; every type of pasta you would have name, and tables of different desserts.
"Where do we even start?" Bella looked around the room.
"I don't know about you but I'm having some steak and lobster with a baked potato, and a side salad."
"I think I'll have the beef wellington with some mashed potatoes and salad."
Moments later we walked up to the buffet and selected our choices, that the severs plated for us, and sat at a table in the middle of the room.
We ate in a comfortable silence until Samantha, and Tiffany, regular customers from the boutique, walked up to our table.
"Hey, Tanya and Bella." Both girls greeted.
We looked up from our plates. "Hey, Tiff and Sam." I smiled.
Bella wiped her mouth, with her napkin, before she spoke. "Hey, how are you all doing?"
"We're good." Tiffany chuckled. "Summer school is just kicking our asses, but other than that, it's all good."
Samantha nodded. "I don't know what the hell I was thinking taking Anatomy during the summer." She rolled her eyes. "I hate my instructor, he's so damn monotone. I'm always ready to go to sleep in his class."
"Girl, I would've never taken Anatomy during the summer, especially since the classes are shorter." Bella said.
"I know, but I didn't have a choice since the class was full before summer break. I'll get through it." Samantha sipped the water in her hand.
"Have you all eaten yet?" I asked.
"No, that's why we came down here." Tiffany said.
"Oh, I thought there was food on the other decks too." Bella said.
"We were on the top deck listening to the band, and there is food up there, but we didn't care for some of the atmosphere up there." Tiffany said with a clipped tone.
"Um, well, you're welcome to join us, unless you want to sit at your own table." I said.
"Sure." Samantha smiled. "Let's go grab some food." She said to Tiffany.
"We'll leave our purses here." Tiffany said as she sat them on the empty chairs.
Bella set her fork down on her plate. "What do you think that was about?"
I shrugged my shoulders. "I don't know, but whoever it was, they must've said some crazy shit because Tiffany is chill."
"I know." Bella agreed.
Tiffany and Samantha were a few years younger than us, when we were juniors in high school, they were freshmen. But they were mature for their age, so we kinda took them under our wing and hung out with them.
They had just completed their first year of college at Roosevelt University, they decided not to go away for school; Samantha for nursing and Tiffany Radiation Therapy.
Tiffany and Samantha usually got a long with everyone; easy to talk to, friendly, never a part of the typical female gossip, so I was surprised a bit with her comment.
Before Bella and I could comment any further, Sam and Tiff came back to the table.
Tiffany came back to the table with a flushed face. "Y'all I'm sorry, Samantha told me I sounded kinda harsh, and that wasn't my intent." She sat down in the chair. "I wasn't trying to mess up your evening."
"You didn't mess up anything, but are you okay, though?" I asked.
"I'm better now."
"What happened, if you don't mind me asking." Bella asked.
"Piper. Collins." Tiffany said through clenched teeth.
My eyes immediately went to Bella to see what her reaction would be, but she only nodded, seeming unbothered.
Bella didn't seem as irritated as I thought she would've been… but she might be hiding in front of Tiffany and Samantha.
What the fuck was she doing here? I don't' recall her name being on the list, she doesn't even shop at the boutique.
She had to be somebody's plus one, but who's?
The bitch only wears Fashion Nova.
She wouldn't know style if it smacked her in the face.
Tiffany sat on the edge of her seat, with her hands folded on the table. "We were at a party a few weeks ago; Piper was there with all her tits hanging out and a dress up her ass, as usual." She tucked a stray hair behind her ear. "Okay, so, there was this cute guy there named, Cedrick. He's kinda new to the area but was there with some of his friends. I guess Piper wanted to sink her teeth into the fresh meat since it's been going around that whoever was dumb enough to fuck her nasty ass, had kicked her to the curb." She picked up her fork. "At least that's what I heard some of the guys talking about at the party."
Between the staff at one of my regular lunch spots telling me and one of the tat artists, at Kode of Konduct, Bryan, I heard Piper has been following Edward around trying to get him to talk to her, but he's giving her the cold shoulder.
I could only hope Bella was finally done with Edward, no matter what was going on with the jackass.
Tiffany paused and sipped on her drink. "We knew some of the guys that came with Cedrick to the party and they started talking to us. But when his friends went to get drinks Cedrick stayed back and we continued to talk, but eventually, he asked me to dance; so, we did."
Samantha continued where Tiffany left off. "Okay, so, Tiffany and Cedrick danced for about three songs, and the fourth one had just started. I saw Piper out the corner of my eye dancing with a guy not too far from them, with her back to Cedrick." She put a piece of chicken in her mouth and chewed it.
"Piper "danced…" Samantha air-quoted. "…her way to being right behind Cedrick, but of course, Cedrick was unaware. I looked away for a moment to get me a drink, and when I looked up again, Piper was on him like a cheap suit." We all laughed.
"He looked horrified." Tiffany giggled. "It wasn't funny at the time, but y'all shoulda seen his face. Anyway, once he got her off of him, he turned around and told the desperate cow he wasn't fucking with somebody that everybody already had." She took a sip of wine. "Everybody didn't hear what he said, but those that were closer to us, heard him. I knew she was embarrassed because her face was two shades of red. It took him saying that for her to finally get the hint and walk away."
"Welp, can't nobody say she's not persistent." Samantha smirked.
"Yeah, but about the wrong thing." Bella said.
"True. The sad thing is I guess she hasn't figured it out that guys run their mouths just as much, if not more than we do. They're the main reason why some women have messed up reputations… cause they go run and tell." I shook my head.
"But girls like her don't make it any better either. She needs to stop making it easy for them, jumping in the bed with them on the first date, just because they bought her some dinner, if they do that." Tiffany rolled her eyes. "Then these guys have the gall to think every girl is like that, like you owe them something. Then they're looking at you crossed-eyed at the door because you didn't invite them in for a quick fuck."
"Okay, hold on Tiffany, Imma play devil's advocate for a minute." I interrupted. "We're not gone pin everything on Piper or women, period. These guys do what they want to do, too."
"But it's females like that, that add to it." Tiffany leaned back in the chair.
"Come on now, Tiff, we're not gonna go there calling woman females, with that negative connotation, it's offensive, and we're better than that." I held my hands out with my palms up.
"Yeah, yeah, okay." Tiffany waved her hand.
"Look, my point is this, we can't put all the blame on Piper or any other woman, because no on forced any of those guys to have sex with her, just like no one forced her to have sex with them. They both wanted it, that's why it happened."
"So, you're saying you can't blame one more than the other?" Samantha said.
"That's exactly what I'm saying. Everyone has a choice; some choose to play games and other choose to be upfront and honest." I wipe my hands on the napkin. "Like Garrett, we met in our freshmen year of high school and we've been together since. We didn't and don't play games, we both knew we wanted a monogamous relationship."
"Garrett is a sweetheart; you got a good one." Samantha smiled.
She was right, Garrett has been honest with me from the beginning. He was the first boy I loved and my first with everything else, and based upon our conversations, he's going to be my only.
I smiled remembering the first day we met. "Yeah, he had me at hello."
Bella brought me out of my miniature love-sick haze.
"Now, that's some pathetic shit when you think about it." Bella pushed her plate away, placing her hands on the table. "It's all about the chase, it ain't nothing but a game to some of them."
Samantha pointed at Bella. "Mmmm, that part right there."
Tiffany and Samantha shook their heads in agreement, while I stared at Bella, with raised eyebrows. Don't get me wrong, Bella is long way from dumb, but she was blind. He showed her who he really was, but she didn't believe him.
I feel like that proud mama, with her chest stuck out, when their child scored the winning basket right when the buzzier rang.
Even though, Tiffany and Samantha were totally oblivious to Bella's "Ah-ha" moment, I couldn't hide the shit-eating grin across my face.
I'm no fool, I know she still needs time to heal, but maybe, just maybe, she's seeing things clearer now.
Bella's eyes connected with mine, and she knew I knew she had an epiphany. But I knew we'd save that conversation for another time, in private.
We slightly nodded at each other with that understanding.
The clink of the fork hitting the glass plate made me turn my head to Tiffany. "Tanya, I understood everything you said, it's even given me something to think about, but it doesn't change the fact that I don't like Piper, and probably never will." She smirked.
You can lead a horse to water… but you can't make him drink…
I shook my head and snorted out a laugh, which lead to everyone else laughing.
The conversation shifted to lighter things, about how Tiffany and Cedrick's relationship was moving along, school and us getting together again before Bella and I went back to school at the end of the summer.
Tiffany and Samantha left shortly after, they said they were exhausted from their long day.
We passed up on dessert, for now at least, and decided to go on the rooftop deck.
The crowd was in full swing dancing and, enjoying the band, Hypnotic, as they were ending the song, Move Like Jagger.
The lead singer ducked his head in thanks as everyone clapped and whistled. "Thank you everyone. We'll be right back after our break." He waved as him and the rest of the band exited the platform.
"Do you wanna grab a seat while we wait or do you want to stand." Bella asked.
I noticed an empty table on the end. "Let's go sit down there" I jerked my head in the direction of the table.
Before we sat down, we stopped at the minibar and got some water with a twist of lemon.
I started, "Hey, what do you think about us having a double date, to meet Tiffany's new beau, and you can bring Grayson?" Bella furrowed her brows, and I cleared my throat. "As a friend, I mean."
Bella rolled her eyes at me. "T, you're not fooling anyone, I already see those wheels spinning in that head of yours, but it's not gonna—"
"Well would you look at this." Alice Cullen sneered, as her and her lacky walked towards our table. "Your meddling ass finally decided to show your face."
This bitch is the only one I may hate more than Edward Cullen.
"The poor girl did find out she wasn't woman enough to keep her man." Piper smirked.
Bella and I looked at each other.
You know that look…the one no one else knows except your best friend…you've had a whole conversation with your eyes and no one else is the wiser?
Yeah, that one…
I wanted to know which way she wanted to handle this.
Either way, I had her back.
Bella leaned back in the chair, crossed one leg over the other, flipped her hair over her shoulder, and winked.
That meant Bee wasn't about to be punked.
I took a deep breath.
Universe, god, whoever is out there, I thought we agreed no drama tonight. I see you still aren't hearing me.
Okay, okay, fine.
I guess I'll have to handle it myself, but you can't hold me responsible for what happens, though.
And I'm not turning no other cheek.
I picked up my glass and took a quick sip. "Well, if it isn't Dicks-R-Us" I raised an eyebrow at Piper. "And the girl who eats her cake and others too." I grinned at Alice.
A/N: Sorry for the delay, I didn't intend for it to be this long. I'm currently working on chapter 6, so this won't happen again.
I will start posting teasers in our private FB group, The Moon Writers. So, if you'd like to keep up with the teasers or you would like to meet the cast, you're welcome to join the group.
So, now you've heard from Tanya… gotten to know her a little bit better. Do you still dislike her or think she still wants Edward for herself?
What do you think about Eliana and Hugo?
And of course, the brief interaction between Tanya, Bella, Piper and Alice?
Please share your thoughts…
Also, a HUGE thank you for all of your reviews, follows, and favorites. A lot of you seem to like the angst… I have to admit, I'm liking it too.