"Bring Me to Life" Chapter 9~Games You Don't Wanna Play
Title: Bring Me to Life
Author: Lindseyfair
Characters/Pairings: Edward/Bella mostly, some Alice/Jasper, some Emmett/Rosalie
Rating: Overall M for Mature. This chapter contains adult themes. NOT LEMON. Please read with caution!
Category: Hurt/Comfort, Romance
Spoilers: None really, would be nice if you've at least read “Twilight” to get the basic character content.
This is Alternate Universe and is All Human.
Summary: 17 year old Edward has returned to Forks after spending six years at an exclusive boarding school. He's not the same Edward that his childhood best friend, Bella, remembers. He's changed and closed himself to almost everyone. Can Bella bring him back to life?
Disclaimer: I don't own any of these characters. They all belong to Stephenie Meyer. She is the goddess, so thank her.
Or read it HERE at ff.net.
Chapter 9-Games You Don't Wanna Play
EPOV
Before all hell broke loose, I just needed to get lost in myself for awhile. James and I went up to my room while Bella went to gather the rest of the family. I sat down at the piano while James decided to stretch out on the couch.
I eased back into the song that I had written for Bella. Each note, each stroke of the keys filled me with an overwhelming sensation. Simply put, love. I poured my soul into making each note perfect in succession. I needed to strip myself of all the pain, purge all the anger and guilt and just play. I needed to remember the joy and excitement of each chord until it came to the most astounding conclusion.
As soon as I had finished, another sound filled the room. James had pulled out his guitar and started playing a song called “Hurt”. It was a beautifully sad song, but always made me feel better somehow. He didn't sing like he usually did. He just closed his eyes and let his fingers do all the work. When he was done, he put his hand over the strings and gave me a quick smile.
“If I didn't have Jasper... wow.”
It was at that moment, I noticed we weren't alone. Alice made her way into the room in a fog as she sat next to James. “That was, like... incredible.”
“Thanks. I know it's one of Edward's favorites.” He got up to put his guitar back in it's case.
“Alice!” I pulled her eyes away from James' backside. “Where are the others?”
“They're on their way. Emmett hadn't gotten here yet. I decided to go ahead and come up. Everyone seems really upset.”
“Come here.” I held out my hand motioning for her to come sit next to me on the piano bench. I took her hand as she sat down. “You and I have always been really close. Much closer than I've ever been with Rose or Jasper. Not because we're blood, but because you get me. Kinda like Bella does, but in a sisterly sort of way.”
She grasped my hand tighter. “Edward, you're starting to scare me.”
I had been dreading this moment for almost six years. I looked into her bright blue eyes now glistening with unspilt tears. She had prepared herself for the worst. James was prepared for the dam breaking with a box of tissues.
“I left Masen because of a rumor that spread around the school about me being gay.”
She gasped. “That's just not possible. You and Bella are so close. I know you haven't yet, but...” She dipped her head as she tried to shake the thought from her mind. “No, it's not possible.”
“You're right. I'm am completely, one hundred percent, a heterosexual male. Victoria...”
She cut me off. “That skank that James was dating?”
James and I shook our heads in agreement. “She saw a picture of me and got the wrong idea. She told the entire student body she saw this picture of me having sex with another man.”
She looked up at me as one tear fell from the corner her eye. “But it wasn't true, was it?”
“It wasn't consensual. I was being raped.”
“Oh my god.” Her arms surrounded me in an almost vice like grip. I could feel her tears on my shoulder. Surprisingly, I had no tears left. The words had lost their sting. Even though I knew the pain Alice was going through at the moment, I was finally coming to terms with everything I'd hidden for so many years.
“Who did this? Is that why Charlie was here? What is he going to do? Is mom and dad okay? What about Bella? Did she know?”
“Slow down, Alice.” She was panting after the rapid fire of questions. I took her over to the couch and set her in between James and I. She still clung to me, seemingly afraid to let go.
“Yes, Bella knows. No one is okay with it. And, yes Charlie is getting a hold of the FBI to see about making an arrest.”
“Now I know why she always got so angry when I'd bring up you two being... together.”
“She was angry?”
“Jasper told me about that night on the beach. I was sure that you two would hook up after that. Bella said you had tried, but it didn't work out. So, you decided to wait.”
“That's basically what happened. When we tried the night we all got back from spring break, everything came back to me. I told Bella the next morning. It wasn't until last night that I told both James and Bella who it was.”
“Tell me who's blood is going to be on my hands once I find him.”
I don't think she noticed that she was almost crushing my fingers between her own. I slipped my hand out of her grasp and put both her hands in her lap. “It was Demetri.”
I could see the shiver run down her spine as I heard Bella and the rest enter the room.
“I think I'm gonna be sick.” Alice got up and ran to the bathroom.
I nodded to Bella and she went in after her. The rest of the group piled in the room.
Jasper looked at the bathroom door as Bella closed it behind her. “Is she okay?”
“She's just very upset. You guys might want to have a seat. I've got something important to tell you.”
/&/
BPOV
Alice was sobbing and throwing up at the same time. I wet down a towel and sat down beside her. I put the cool towel on the back of her neck as she started heaving again.
When she was finished and had flushed the toilet, she took the towel from me and met my eyes.
“How could you know and not tell me?”
“I couldn't. He barely admitted it to me and James found out by accident. He was just coming to terms with who he is and was about to talk to the family. Then, Demetri showed up last night.”
She shuddered at the sound of his name. “I danced with him. So did mom. Jasper was dancing with the girls. Oh god. The girls.”
I shook my head vigorously from side to side. “Edward doesn't think he would hurt them.”
“But he's not sure?”
“No, not sure.” I remembered how he caressed his daughter's cheek. The vision sent a chill down my spine. “My dad is getting a hold of the FBI and they're planning something.” I tried to shake the vision of Demetri's sick smile at Edward.
“What are they planing?”
“I don't know, but I don't think were gonna like it.”
“How are you with all this? God, you've known for awhile now.”
I wiped my hand across my cheek, tucking a few stray hairs behind my ear. “I just won't let him take any more away from Edward. I'm being patient and supportive, but there is no way in hell I will let that monster ruin our future. Not now when everything is coming together.”
“What's coming together?”
“I had promised you'd be the second to know about anything like this, but James was already there, so we told him first. Then your parents.”
“You told my parents?”
I rolled my eyes. “No, not about sex, even though they had their assumptions too.” I stroked her tear streaked cheek. “Edward proposed last night. Here, on this very floor.”
“He did? Really?”
“Yep. No ring. No bended knee. Just the overwhelming desire for us to be together forever.” I took in a breath then let out a sweet sigh. “He even promised to take me to Rome.”
“Then, we're really going to be sisters?”
“Looks that way.”
Alice stared screaming as she brought me into a hug. Seconds later, Jasper was barreling through the door.
“What the hell?” He looked completely confused.
“They're happy screams.” I assured him.
“What the hell does she have to be happy about? God, Bella. I can't believe you!” Jasper spit the words filled with anger. “Edward just told us everything about Masen and Demetri and you two are in here rejoicing?”
“I hadn't got to the good news yet.” Edward was standing in the doorway. He patted Jasper on the back. “You okay to come back out?”
“Yes, now I can.” Jasper helped her up as Edward helped me.
Rose was enveloped in Emmett's arms, sobbing, when we got back into the bedroom.
Edward and I settled on the piano bench as the others looked to us for another explanation.
“After everything that has happened, the one thing I know with absolute certainty is that I love this woman more than my own life. That is why I have asked her to marry me.” He kissed my left hand. “And she has accepted.”
“That's what the scream was about, Jazzie. Don't be mad at Bella.”
Jasper shook his head. “I'm sorry, Bella.”
“It's fine. You didn't know.” Edward wrapped his arm around me as the bedroom door opened.
My father's eyes surveyed the room. “Everything all... we'll... you all... getting along okay?”
“Yes.” We had already broken the news to my father about the plans Edward and I were making. He didn't seem happy, but so many things had happened that day. I would learn later of his true feelings on the subject of my commitment to Edward.
“I'm afraid I'm gonna have to ask you kids to leave for awhile. The FBI will be here to interview Edward and they really want him alone. Just Esme and Carlisle. You understand?”
I did understand, it didn't make it any easier though. I had barely left Edward's side in over a day. Now, they wouldn't let me hold his hand when they would be asking the most intimate details of his life.
Edward stood up and brought my arms around his neck. “Whenever I start feeling like I can't handle it, if it gets too much. I'll remember you, in this moment, with your arms around me and your breath on my neck. Safe.”
I brought my lips to his then we rested our foreheads against each other. “I'll be waiting. I'm sure Alice is already itching to find me a wedding dresses. We'll probably be looking online the whole time.”
“No toilet paper, right?”
I smiled. “Right.” I pulled back to look into his eyes. His whole face was smiling, eyes sparkling and everything. Whatever he had to do that day, at that moment, I realized he was finally strong enough to do it.
/&/
EPOV
Every minute felt like an hour. I waited and waited and waited. I felt like I really needed the rum and coke I was pretending to drink. I wanted to be drunk for the first time in a long time. I didn't want to face what was coming next. I just needed to remember Bella, her arms, her skin. I could do it. One more night, everything would be alright. Then the door finally creaked open. It closed and heard it lock before I turned to see who I knew it would be.
Demetri came into view and I began the most important performance of my life.
“What the hell are you doing here?” I knew why he was there, but I was interested in what he would say.
“Your father tells me he wants you to come back to Masen. He's afraid you and that girl are getting to close. From what I saw last night, I'd have to agree.”
“You're just jealous.” I slurred my words as I pretended having trouble standing up. I fell back on the couch as he sat next to me. I already felt my skin crawling and he hadn't even touched me.
“I can't say that I wasn't surprised. Your father said the two of you have been friends for years yet you never mentioned her to me.”
He was jealous. He wanted to know that she meant nothing to me. Like she was my toy, like I was his. I wouldn't give him that satisfaction. “I won't violate the beauty of even her name by uttering it in your presence.”
He sat back and put one arm on the back of the couch. “Come on, Edward. Don't be that way. We have always been so close.”
That's when I felt his finger caress my forearm. I jerked it away and stood up, successfully making it over to my desk. I had a bottle of Rum and a two liter of Coke sitting there. I poured myself a drink. “You want a drink?”
“Your favorite if I recall.”
“Ya, funny. Me making you drinks. Usually the other way around. Mine don't come with that something extra though.” I handed him the drink, sloshing it a little against the sides. I sat back down on the couch and threw my drink down my throat in one gulp. “Ahhhh. That really hit the spot.”
“How many of those have you had?”
He needed to know when I was weakest. He always knew my limit. He was right there before I would black out or pass out completely.
“I lost count around ten.”
“This is just because of this Bella?”
“Don't dare say her name.” My voice was low and husky as I turned and pointed my finger at him. He sat back and took a sip off his drink. I had put the real stuff in his.
“Is it because of her or me?”
“I love her and I want to be here with her, my sisters and brother. We've all gotten really close since I got back. I do miss James though.”
“I know, things haven't been the same since you left.” He dragged his finger across his lips.
“Anne not doing it for you these days?”
His finger dropped to his chin, making it's way across his Adam's apple. “She's no you.”
I just dropped my head back against the couch and closed my eyes. I decided to be brave. I pretended to laugh as I ran my fingers through my hair. “Ya, I have a dick.” I heard him adjust his position. I lifted my head and saw he had moved closer. He always made me say certain things to him. I must have been turning him on by the look of lust in his eyes. His hand rested on my forearm. It felt like it was on fire, but I didn't move. I had to see how far he would take this.
“You know, you're the only boy for me.”
I swallowed hard as I blinked my eyes slowly. I felt his fingers trailing up my arm. My ears started to burn in that all too familiar way. I knew what he was planning. I knew even in my own room, knowing my father was in the house, he would try something.
“I can't do this anymore. I can't take being so far away from you.” His hand cupped my cheek.
I couldn't help the tear from escaping out the side of my eye. “You know you're ruining my life. Is that what you really want?”
“I love you, Edward.” He stroked his finger through my hair, terrifying each one on the back of my neck to stand on end. “Come back for one more year. You don't even have to live in the dorms. We can be together.”
“Ya, like that'll happen.”
“I still have our room all set up. It's just waiting for you. It's so lonely being down there without you. I only have your pictures to entertain me.”
“Thanks for that. Victoria saw one and told the whole school I was gay.”
“You can't deny yourself, Edward.”
He was so close I could feel his breath against my neck. I pushed him off of me. “No matter how much you might want it, I'm not yours anymore. I never was. I'm hers.”
I got up to pour myself another drink. I heard him laugh. “I never said I wouldn't share. That Bella is a beautiful woman. Those breasts, that tight little ass. I bet you had fun with that.”
I turned and was going to lunge at him, ripping his throat out, but there was a knock at the door.
“Edward? Can I come in?” I had never been so happy to hear my father's voice in my entire life.
I unlocked the door and let him in, with the drink in my hand. “Come in. Join the party.” I turned back to making my drink.
“Edward, my god. You're drinking again? After what happened, you promised.”
Demetri perked up. “What happened?”
“He almost got himself killed. A few nights after he got home we had to take him to the emergency room. We thought he had alcohol poisoning. He swore it was a one time thing.”
“I lied.” I hadn't lied. I did get drunk when I came home before Christmas, but not as bad as my father had described. I swore I wouldn't take another drink. I was even a little uncomfortable about pretending to drink.
My father grabbed the drink out of my hand. He slammed it down on the desk before turning to Demetri. “I'm sorry for dragging you away from Anne and the girls. I guess we need more help here than we thought. Maybe going back to Masen isn't the best idea.”
“Don't count it out just yet, Carlisle. Edward could come to live with Anne and I. We'd be sure to keep an eye on him.”
I couldn't believe he was still trying. This guy was truly sick.
“I'll call you next week. We can talk then. Right now, I think Edward has more than a little explaining to do.” My father grabbed the bottle of Rum from my desk. “We are going to talk after I show Demetri out.”
Demetri came over and patted me on the shoulder. “I hope we'll be seeing you soon.”
I shrugged his hand off. My father pulled him by the shoulder and out the door.
I went to the couch and collapsed. I turned to my bookcase. “Please tell me you guys got that.”
Charlie slowly opened the door and at first I was afraid Demetri hadn't left. “It's just me.”
I got up and walked over to him. “Did they get it?”
“Almost all of it. That's why we had Carlisle come in. The feed from the video camera went down.”
“Fuck.” I turned around and threw my fist through the wall.
“Calm down, Edward.” Charlie grabbed me by both of my shoulders and led me over to the couch. He threw me down as I clutched at my pulsating hand. “They think we have enough with what we got and the pictures to get a judge sign a search warrant. If we find the pictures anywhere in his house or in his office, we've got him.”
“I just... shit!” My hand was really hurting. I could feel it start to swell. The cuts bled as I held it to my chest.
My dad came back in and noticed the hole in the wall then my hand. “Edward.” He shook his head as he examined it. “I don't think it's broken, but it's gonna swell. We should get those cuts cleaned up.”
“I need Bella. Just go find her for me.”
/&/
BPOV
I'd spent most of the day chewing my fingernails off waiting for news of Edward. The rest of us had headed back to my house to wait out the day. Alice tried to distract me with hundreds of different dresses and china patterns, but I couldn't stop wondering if Edward was alright. If he was imagining his arms around me. Every once in awhile, Emmett would call dad for updates. All he say was that they weren't done yet.
I almost jumped out of my skin when I saw dad's number on my caller id.
“He needs you.”
“I'll be there as soon as I can.”
We got back to the house as soon as possible. I ran up to his room past my father, past Carlisle, past the FBI agents. He wasn't on the couch. I noticed the bathroom door open and the water running.
I walked into the bathroom. “Edward?”
He was in the shower, scrubbing at his skin. I pulled back the curtain. I saw the blood pouring from his hand. He had scrubbed the skin on his forearm raw.
“I can't get it clean.”
I didn't care that I was fully clothed. I stepped into the shower and pulled him into my arms. I knew he had been there. It was the only possible explanation.
I tried to clean his hand, but he winched with pain. “I promise, I'll be gentle.”
He gave me his hand and I held it under the water. I let the warm water run through the cuts until the water ran clear. He brought his good hand up to my cheek. He brought it around my neck and brought my lips to his. His arms surrounded me as mine crossed their way around his bare torso. Wait, he's naked, kissing me, in his shower. I could feel him tugging at the hem of my t-shirt, wanting me to pull it over my head.
“Edward.” I pulled back. “We can't.”
“I don't want to. I just need to feel you, all of you.”
I could never deny him anything, especially not now.
/&/
A/N: Another especially hard chapter to write. That is why it took a little bit longer than usual to get it out. I really wanted Alice to find out without everyone else around. What did you think of her reaction? I thought going through everything with Jasper, Rose, and Emmett would get pretty repetitive, so that's why I did it while Alice and Bella were in the bathroom.
I know the whole scene with Demetri was a little disturbing. Especially the things he said about Bella. That will all come back into play later in the story.
Please comment and review. I really appreciate all your thoughts.
Leaving you wanting more, Lindsey
Author: Lindseyfair
Characters/Pairings: Edward/Bella mostly, some Alice/Jasper, some Emmett/Rosalie
Rating: Overall M for Mature. This chapter contains adult themes. NOT LEMON. Please read with caution!
Category: Hurt/Comfort, Romance
Spoilers: None really, would be nice if you've at least read “Twilight” to get the basic character content.
This is Alternate Universe and is All Human.
Summary: 17 year old Edward has returned to Forks after spending six years at an exclusive boarding school. He's not the same Edward that his childhood best friend, Bella, remembers. He's changed and closed himself to almost everyone. Can Bella bring him back to life?
Disclaimer: I don't own any of these characters. They all belong to Stephenie Meyer. She is the goddess, so thank her.
Or read it HERE at ff.net.
Chapter 9-Games You Don't Wanna Play
EPOV
Before all hell broke loose, I just needed to get lost in myself for awhile. James and I went up to my room while Bella went to gather the rest of the family. I sat down at the piano while James decided to stretch out on the couch.
I eased back into the song that I had written for Bella. Each note, each stroke of the keys filled me with an overwhelming sensation. Simply put, love. I poured my soul into making each note perfect in succession. I needed to strip myself of all the pain, purge all the anger and guilt and just play. I needed to remember the joy and excitement of each chord until it came to the most astounding conclusion.
As soon as I had finished, another sound filled the room. James had pulled out his guitar and started playing a song called “Hurt”. It was a beautifully sad song, but always made me feel better somehow. He didn't sing like he usually did. He just closed his eyes and let his fingers do all the work. When he was done, he put his hand over the strings and gave me a quick smile.
“If I didn't have Jasper... wow.”
It was at that moment, I noticed we weren't alone. Alice made her way into the room in a fog as she sat next to James. “That was, like... incredible.”
“Thanks. I know it's one of Edward's favorites.” He got up to put his guitar back in it's case.
“Alice!” I pulled her eyes away from James' backside. “Where are the others?”
“They're on their way. Emmett hadn't gotten here yet. I decided to go ahead and come up. Everyone seems really upset.”
“Come here.” I held out my hand motioning for her to come sit next to me on the piano bench. I took her hand as she sat down. “You and I have always been really close. Much closer than I've ever been with Rose or Jasper. Not because we're blood, but because you get me. Kinda like Bella does, but in a sisterly sort of way.”
She grasped my hand tighter. “Edward, you're starting to scare me.”
I had been dreading this moment for almost six years. I looked into her bright blue eyes now glistening with unspilt tears. She had prepared herself for the worst. James was prepared for the dam breaking with a box of tissues.
“I left Masen because of a rumor that spread around the school about me being gay.”
She gasped. “That's just not possible. You and Bella are so close. I know you haven't yet, but...” She dipped her head as she tried to shake the thought from her mind. “No, it's not possible.”
“You're right. I'm am completely, one hundred percent, a heterosexual male. Victoria...”
She cut me off. “That skank that James was dating?”
James and I shook our heads in agreement. “She saw a picture of me and got the wrong idea. She told the entire student body she saw this picture of me having sex with another man.”
She looked up at me as one tear fell from the corner her eye. “But it wasn't true, was it?”
“It wasn't consensual. I was being raped.”
“Oh my god.” Her arms surrounded me in an almost vice like grip. I could feel her tears on my shoulder. Surprisingly, I had no tears left. The words had lost their sting. Even though I knew the pain Alice was going through at the moment, I was finally coming to terms with everything I'd hidden for so many years.
“Who did this? Is that why Charlie was here? What is he going to do? Is mom and dad okay? What about Bella? Did she know?”
“Slow down, Alice.” She was panting after the rapid fire of questions. I took her over to the couch and set her in between James and I. She still clung to me, seemingly afraid to let go.
“Yes, Bella knows. No one is okay with it. And, yes Charlie is getting a hold of the FBI to see about making an arrest.”
“Now I know why she always got so angry when I'd bring up you two being... together.”
“She was angry?”
“Jasper told me about that night on the beach. I was sure that you two would hook up after that. Bella said you had tried, but it didn't work out. So, you decided to wait.”
“That's basically what happened. When we tried the night we all got back from spring break, everything came back to me. I told Bella the next morning. It wasn't until last night that I told both James and Bella who it was.”
“Tell me who's blood is going to be on my hands once I find him.”
I don't think she noticed that she was almost crushing my fingers between her own. I slipped my hand out of her grasp and put both her hands in her lap. “It was Demetri.”
I could see the shiver run down her spine as I heard Bella and the rest enter the room.
“I think I'm gonna be sick.” Alice got up and ran to the bathroom.
I nodded to Bella and she went in after her. The rest of the group piled in the room.
Jasper looked at the bathroom door as Bella closed it behind her. “Is she okay?”
“She's just very upset. You guys might want to have a seat. I've got something important to tell you.”
/&/
BPOV
Alice was sobbing and throwing up at the same time. I wet down a towel and sat down beside her. I put the cool towel on the back of her neck as she started heaving again.
When she was finished and had flushed the toilet, she took the towel from me and met my eyes.
“How could you know and not tell me?”
“I couldn't. He barely admitted it to me and James found out by accident. He was just coming to terms with who he is and was about to talk to the family. Then, Demetri showed up last night.”
She shuddered at the sound of his name. “I danced with him. So did mom. Jasper was dancing with the girls. Oh god. The girls.”
I shook my head vigorously from side to side. “Edward doesn't think he would hurt them.”
“But he's not sure?”
“No, not sure.” I remembered how he caressed his daughter's cheek. The vision sent a chill down my spine. “My dad is getting a hold of the FBI and they're planning something.” I tried to shake the vision of Demetri's sick smile at Edward.
“What are they planing?”
“I don't know, but I don't think were gonna like it.”
“How are you with all this? God, you've known for awhile now.”
I wiped my hand across my cheek, tucking a few stray hairs behind my ear. “I just won't let him take any more away from Edward. I'm being patient and supportive, but there is no way in hell I will let that monster ruin our future. Not now when everything is coming together.”
“What's coming together?”
“I had promised you'd be the second to know about anything like this, but James was already there, so we told him first. Then your parents.”
“You told my parents?”
I rolled my eyes. “No, not about sex, even though they had their assumptions too.” I stroked her tear streaked cheek. “Edward proposed last night. Here, on this very floor.”
“He did? Really?”
“Yep. No ring. No bended knee. Just the overwhelming desire for us to be together forever.” I took in a breath then let out a sweet sigh. “He even promised to take me to Rome.”
“Then, we're really going to be sisters?”
“Looks that way.”
Alice stared screaming as she brought me into a hug. Seconds later, Jasper was barreling through the door.
“What the hell?” He looked completely confused.
“They're happy screams.” I assured him.
“What the hell does she have to be happy about? God, Bella. I can't believe you!” Jasper spit the words filled with anger. “Edward just told us everything about Masen and Demetri and you two are in here rejoicing?”
“I hadn't got to the good news yet.” Edward was standing in the doorway. He patted Jasper on the back. “You okay to come back out?”
“Yes, now I can.” Jasper helped her up as Edward helped me.
Rose was enveloped in Emmett's arms, sobbing, when we got back into the bedroom.
Edward and I settled on the piano bench as the others looked to us for another explanation.
“After everything that has happened, the one thing I know with absolute certainty is that I love this woman more than my own life. That is why I have asked her to marry me.” He kissed my left hand. “And she has accepted.”
“That's what the scream was about, Jazzie. Don't be mad at Bella.”
Jasper shook his head. “I'm sorry, Bella.”
“It's fine. You didn't know.” Edward wrapped his arm around me as the bedroom door opened.
My father's eyes surveyed the room. “Everything all... we'll... you all... getting along okay?”
“Yes.” We had already broken the news to my father about the plans Edward and I were making. He didn't seem happy, but so many things had happened that day. I would learn later of his true feelings on the subject of my commitment to Edward.
“I'm afraid I'm gonna have to ask you kids to leave for awhile. The FBI will be here to interview Edward and they really want him alone. Just Esme and Carlisle. You understand?”
I did understand, it didn't make it any easier though. I had barely left Edward's side in over a day. Now, they wouldn't let me hold his hand when they would be asking the most intimate details of his life.
Edward stood up and brought my arms around his neck. “Whenever I start feeling like I can't handle it, if it gets too much. I'll remember you, in this moment, with your arms around me and your breath on my neck. Safe.”
I brought my lips to his then we rested our foreheads against each other. “I'll be waiting. I'm sure Alice is already itching to find me a wedding dresses. We'll probably be looking online the whole time.”
“No toilet paper, right?”
I smiled. “Right.” I pulled back to look into his eyes. His whole face was smiling, eyes sparkling and everything. Whatever he had to do that day, at that moment, I realized he was finally strong enough to do it.
/&/
EPOV
Every minute felt like an hour. I waited and waited and waited. I felt like I really needed the rum and coke I was pretending to drink. I wanted to be drunk for the first time in a long time. I didn't want to face what was coming next. I just needed to remember Bella, her arms, her skin. I could do it. One more night, everything would be alright. Then the door finally creaked open. It closed and heard it lock before I turned to see who I knew it would be.
Demetri came into view and I began the most important performance of my life.
“What the hell are you doing here?” I knew why he was there, but I was interested in what he would say.
“Your father tells me he wants you to come back to Masen. He's afraid you and that girl are getting to close. From what I saw last night, I'd have to agree.”
“You're just jealous.” I slurred my words as I pretended having trouble standing up. I fell back on the couch as he sat next to me. I already felt my skin crawling and he hadn't even touched me.
“I can't say that I wasn't surprised. Your father said the two of you have been friends for years yet you never mentioned her to me.”
He was jealous. He wanted to know that she meant nothing to me. Like she was my toy, like I was his. I wouldn't give him that satisfaction. “I won't violate the beauty of even her name by uttering it in your presence.”
He sat back and put one arm on the back of the couch. “Come on, Edward. Don't be that way. We have always been so close.”
That's when I felt his finger caress my forearm. I jerked it away and stood up, successfully making it over to my desk. I had a bottle of Rum and a two liter of Coke sitting there. I poured myself a drink. “You want a drink?”
“Your favorite if I recall.”
“Ya, funny. Me making you drinks. Usually the other way around. Mine don't come with that something extra though.” I handed him the drink, sloshing it a little against the sides. I sat back down on the couch and threw my drink down my throat in one gulp. “Ahhhh. That really hit the spot.”
“How many of those have you had?”
He needed to know when I was weakest. He always knew my limit. He was right there before I would black out or pass out completely.
“I lost count around ten.”
“This is just because of this Bella?”
“Don't dare say her name.” My voice was low and husky as I turned and pointed my finger at him. He sat back and took a sip off his drink. I had put the real stuff in his.
“Is it because of her or me?”
“I love her and I want to be here with her, my sisters and brother. We've all gotten really close since I got back. I do miss James though.”
“I know, things haven't been the same since you left.” He dragged his finger across his lips.
“Anne not doing it for you these days?”
His finger dropped to his chin, making it's way across his Adam's apple. “She's no you.”
I just dropped my head back against the couch and closed my eyes. I decided to be brave. I pretended to laugh as I ran my fingers through my hair. “Ya, I have a dick.” I heard him adjust his position. I lifted my head and saw he had moved closer. He always made me say certain things to him. I must have been turning him on by the look of lust in his eyes. His hand rested on my forearm. It felt like it was on fire, but I didn't move. I had to see how far he would take this.
“You know, you're the only boy for me.”
I swallowed hard as I blinked my eyes slowly. I felt his fingers trailing up my arm. My ears started to burn in that all too familiar way. I knew what he was planning. I knew even in my own room, knowing my father was in the house, he would try something.
“I can't do this anymore. I can't take being so far away from you.” His hand cupped my cheek.
I couldn't help the tear from escaping out the side of my eye. “You know you're ruining my life. Is that what you really want?”
“I love you, Edward.” He stroked his finger through my hair, terrifying each one on the back of my neck to stand on end. “Come back for one more year. You don't even have to live in the dorms. We can be together.”
“Ya, like that'll happen.”
“I still have our room all set up. It's just waiting for you. It's so lonely being down there without you. I only have your pictures to entertain me.”
“Thanks for that. Victoria saw one and told the whole school I was gay.”
“You can't deny yourself, Edward.”
He was so close I could feel his breath against my neck. I pushed him off of me. “No matter how much you might want it, I'm not yours anymore. I never was. I'm hers.”
I got up to pour myself another drink. I heard him laugh. “I never said I wouldn't share. That Bella is a beautiful woman. Those breasts, that tight little ass. I bet you had fun with that.”
I turned and was going to lunge at him, ripping his throat out, but there was a knock at the door.
“Edward? Can I come in?” I had never been so happy to hear my father's voice in my entire life.
I unlocked the door and let him in, with the drink in my hand. “Come in. Join the party.” I turned back to making my drink.
“Edward, my god. You're drinking again? After what happened, you promised.”
Demetri perked up. “What happened?”
“He almost got himself killed. A few nights after he got home we had to take him to the emergency room. We thought he had alcohol poisoning. He swore it was a one time thing.”
“I lied.” I hadn't lied. I did get drunk when I came home before Christmas, but not as bad as my father had described. I swore I wouldn't take another drink. I was even a little uncomfortable about pretending to drink.
My father grabbed the drink out of my hand. He slammed it down on the desk before turning to Demetri. “I'm sorry for dragging you away from Anne and the girls. I guess we need more help here than we thought. Maybe going back to Masen isn't the best idea.”
“Don't count it out just yet, Carlisle. Edward could come to live with Anne and I. We'd be sure to keep an eye on him.”
I couldn't believe he was still trying. This guy was truly sick.
“I'll call you next week. We can talk then. Right now, I think Edward has more than a little explaining to do.” My father grabbed the bottle of Rum from my desk. “We are going to talk after I show Demetri out.”
Demetri came over and patted me on the shoulder. “I hope we'll be seeing you soon.”
I shrugged his hand off. My father pulled him by the shoulder and out the door.
I went to the couch and collapsed. I turned to my bookcase. “Please tell me you guys got that.”
Charlie slowly opened the door and at first I was afraid Demetri hadn't left. “It's just me.”
I got up and walked over to him. “Did they get it?”
“Almost all of it. That's why we had Carlisle come in. The feed from the video camera went down.”
“Fuck.” I turned around and threw my fist through the wall.
“Calm down, Edward.” Charlie grabbed me by both of my shoulders and led me over to the couch. He threw me down as I clutched at my pulsating hand. “They think we have enough with what we got and the pictures to get a judge sign a search warrant. If we find the pictures anywhere in his house or in his office, we've got him.”
“I just... shit!” My hand was really hurting. I could feel it start to swell. The cuts bled as I held it to my chest.
My dad came back in and noticed the hole in the wall then my hand. “Edward.” He shook his head as he examined it. “I don't think it's broken, but it's gonna swell. We should get those cuts cleaned up.”
“I need Bella. Just go find her for me.”
/&/
BPOV
I'd spent most of the day chewing my fingernails off waiting for news of Edward. The rest of us had headed back to my house to wait out the day. Alice tried to distract me with hundreds of different dresses and china patterns, but I couldn't stop wondering if Edward was alright. If he was imagining his arms around me. Every once in awhile, Emmett would call dad for updates. All he say was that they weren't done yet.
I almost jumped out of my skin when I saw dad's number on my caller id.
“He needs you.”
“I'll be there as soon as I can.”
We got back to the house as soon as possible. I ran up to his room past my father, past Carlisle, past the FBI agents. He wasn't on the couch. I noticed the bathroom door open and the water running.
I walked into the bathroom. “Edward?”
He was in the shower, scrubbing at his skin. I pulled back the curtain. I saw the blood pouring from his hand. He had scrubbed the skin on his forearm raw.
“I can't get it clean.”
I didn't care that I was fully clothed. I stepped into the shower and pulled him into my arms. I knew he had been there. It was the only possible explanation.
I tried to clean his hand, but he winched with pain. “I promise, I'll be gentle.”
He gave me his hand and I held it under the water. I let the warm water run through the cuts until the water ran clear. He brought his good hand up to my cheek. He brought it around my neck and brought my lips to his. His arms surrounded me as mine crossed their way around his bare torso. Wait, he's naked, kissing me, in his shower. I could feel him tugging at the hem of my t-shirt, wanting me to pull it over my head.
“Edward.” I pulled back. “We can't.”
“I don't want to. I just need to feel you, all of you.”
I could never deny him anything, especially not now.
/&/
A/N: Another especially hard chapter to write. That is why it took a little bit longer than usual to get it out. I really wanted Alice to find out without everyone else around. What did you think of her reaction? I thought going through everything with Jasper, Rose, and Emmett would get pretty repetitive, so that's why I did it while Alice and Bella were in the bathroom.
I know the whole scene with Demetri was a little disturbing. Especially the things he said about Bella. That will all come back into play later in the story.
Please comment and review. I really appreciate all your thoughts.
Leaving you wanting more, Lindsey