Forty-Eight

B

Edward and I have been cohabitating for a couple weeks and things are going well for the most part. We're dealing with a few minor growing pains, but that's to be expected. Now that the living arrangement is permanent, true colors are coming out.

It annoys Edward that I leave the cap off the toothpaste when I'm finished. It drives me insane when I catch him drinking straight from the gallon or carton. These issues aren't a big deal, and they're easily remedied. I buy an automatic toothpaste dispenser, and a stack of small paper cups that I put in the fridge. That way he has no excuse.

It's Friday night and the area is under a tornado watch, so naturally, Rebar is full of customers either waiting for or waiting out the storm.

People are dumb, but the threat isn't being taken very seriously by the local weather station, so Ben was able to convince Edward into throwing a tornado party. We have a great turnout, and it's all because of Ben.

He's been working for Edward for about two months now with no hints that he has any plans to move on. Alice told me that it's strange, seeing as Ben has lived a nomadic lifestyle up until recently. She thinks he has a girlfriend keeping him in Seattle.

I'm pretty sure that's somewhat true. Ben obviously has someone here who means a great deal if he's changing his lifestyle for them.

I've known his secret since that Friday night, and I've kept it to myself. I haven't even talked to Edward about what I saw. There's a reason Ben is in the closet, and I can support that. Now that I know, I can see obvious signs.

"Bella." He sashays over with a lei and puts it over my head before taking a step back. "Now you fit right in."

Did I mention the tornado party has a Hawaiian theme?

"The warning didn't come through until this morning. How were you able to put all of this"—I wave my hand around—"together in just a couple hours?"

Ben smiles like a Cheshire cat. "I know a guy who owns a party supply store."

It's clear this guy is significant. Another clue.

"I'm sure you do," I mumble and pour a couple drafts.

"What was that?" he asks.

"Nothing. Can you replace the Corona Light keg? If not, I can ask Edward."

Speak of the devil in the gaudy tropical shirt and khaki pants that Ben forced him to change into when we got here. "Ask Edward what?"

"To replace a keg. We're slammed, and the people are thirsty."

He pulls on my lei and flicks the hibiscus pin in my hair. "You look beautiful, and that's why I'm here, baby." He winks and heads for the kitchen, stopping at the door "To help pick up the slack."

"You guys stop flirting and go grab the keg, man," Ben teases from the other end of the bar.

"You're just jealous," I call, poking my tongue out at him.

He rolls his eyes. "So jealous. You have no idea."

I find myself fighting the urge to question who exactly he's in envy of. Me or Edward.

Instead, I take an order for six Blow Jobs from a small bachelorette party braving the possible storm for one last hurrah. I decide to use some of the tricks Ben has taught me. I've been practicing at the bar as well as home, and it's paid off.

The girls are impressed, and I pass off the tray, earning applause from both Angela and Ben.

"Good work, Kemosabe." He chuckles, hip checking me, almost knocking me on my ass.

Edward returns while I'm wiping down the bar, carrying a giant keg. His forearm muscles are tight and entirely lickable.

I want him. So much.

He jokes that we're in our honeymoon phase because neither of us can keep our hands to ourselves. I, for one, hope it's not just a phase.

"Simmer down now, baby," he says when he's finished replacing the keg.

He's still bent over, and I should thank Ben for buying Edward a pair of pants a size too small. They hug his ass just right, and I just want to take a bite.

"Bella." He growls, his voice full of gravel as he stands and looks at me with dark, lust-filled eyes.

I pretend to wipe drool off my mouth and answer him with an innocent smile. "Yes, sir?"

He closes the distance between us, and I turn to pop a couple beers open, gasping and nearly dropping the bottle l'm opening.

"Did you just spank me?" I ask after I hand off the beers, turning around, rubbing my sore cheek.

Edward nods. "You know what those jeans do to me."

Fuck, yeah, I do.

"They were my only clean pair," I lie weakly.

"I'm sure."

"Go help Angela bus tables or Lauren wash dishes. We're good here but running low on glasses. Specifically, shot glasses."

He tries to come across as annoyed, but his smile is fighting too hard. "You do remember that I'm still the boss, right?"

"Of course, Mr. Cullen."

"Yo." Ben interrupts. "I'm drowning over here. Can I get some help, or are you two going to go at it right here, right now?" He chuckles.

Edward and I work quickly, catching up on orders before I offer to help Angela. I gotta put some space between us before we indeed give the customers a show.

I know I'll receive my punishment later when we get home. There's a reason I wore these specific pants tonight.

I can't wait to close the doors.

Angela is grateful for the help, and Lauren is swamped in the kitchen.

Grabbing an apron, I ask her how I can help and get to work, drying glasses.

"You'd think people would be freaking out and loading up on canned food, toilet paper, and bottled water.'' She laughs and thanks me for the assistance.

"Of course. I got you, girl." I grab a tray of clean shot glasses and take them out front, finding the crowd three people deep.

"Why didn't you come get me?" I ask, whipping off my damp apron and jumping right in.

"No time." Edward rushes out, pouring a slew of shots all at once. "You weren't kidding when you said we were short on glasses."

I take at least twenty orders before I finally get the chance to breathe.

In all my time at Rebar, I don't recall a time when we were ever this slammed before. Ben is so busy he's abandoned his tricks and just starts slinging drinks at a rapid pace. We're so busy, Angela has had to run back to the storage room multiple times to replace the more popular liquor customers are ordering. When she's not constantly bussing tables, that is. Lauren is working like a maniac in the kitchen.

We finally put a dent in the crowd when phones start going off. A message from the Emergency Alert System. A tornado has touched down nearby. It's time to send everyone home.

Luckily, the threat is taken seriously, and people slam their drinks and close their tabs before making a quick exit.

Edward tries to get Angela, Lauren, and Ben to go, but they all insist on helping so we can all get out and home safely.

When we finally get home, Edward sets up the generator that will run the whole house should the power go out.

Punishment for wearing his favorite jeans is forgotten, and we try to get some sleep after the busy night, but the windows shake and rattle, the house creaking from the blowing wind.

He spends the night holding me close and convincing me that we're going to be fine.