Another Fate
by Laura Spudzmom
Chapter 12
“What was that all about?” the red-head female asked her mate while watching their acquaintance—a vampire named Gerard—leave. He sat down behind her, winding his arms around her as she snuggled against him. He brushed her wild curls from her neck and placed a kiss there as he muttered his answer.
“Apparently, the Volturi are looking to employ the services of a tracker.”
Her brows inched up and she glanced back at him. “The Volturi? Wow. Wait, don’t they already have a tracker?”
He shrugged, nuzzling just under her jaw, drawing a giggle from her as he mumbled through kisses, “That’s what I’ve always heard.”
With a sigh, she canted her head and leaned further into his hold as her eyes closed. “Hmm, you gonna contact them?”
He stopped kissing and leaned back against the fallen tree behind him. “I told Gerard I would. He’ll be calling them to let them know I’m willing to do their job, but I told him I have some personal business to take care of first. A little trip to Washington State.”
The red-head frowned. “The psychic,” she stated and he nodded while meeting the eyes of their other coven mate as he entered their little clearing carrying two knocked out humans. “Yes, the little seer who got away,” he growled lowly. It had always grated on him that she’d escaped him in that hospital so long ago and since then, had managed to stay just ahead of him. Of course, to be fair, he hadn’t really put his best efforts into finding her. He had a mate and wasn’t interested in the seer’s boyish physique in the least, but it was a matter of sport and his senses were telling him she was close and static for the time being, something he found too tempting to pass up.
And besides, it was the principle of the thing. He was her sire, it was his venom running through her veins and if that other worthless vampire hadn’t interfered, he would’ve had the benefits of a seer in his little coven all these years.
“Those for us?” he asked his dreadlocked coven member who nodded.
“Yes, I thought you may be thirsty, and the hunting was good, so I brought back some take-out,” he said with a grin as he propped his hand over a bent knee.
“Well damn, aren’t you the thoughtful one,” their leader joked while picking up the male to slap him awake.
As the human groaned and began to stir, the coven leader held out a hand. “Join me my lovely mate, let’s drain these two and get out of here. Washington State awaits.”
With a wicked grin, she lifted the female from the ground and together, they began to feed.
XxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxX
“How could you?” Rosalie hissed, getting in Jasper’s face the minute he stepped in the door.
He eyed her coldly while shouldering past. “Pretty easily, actually.”
She grabbed his arm and yanked him around to face her. “I’m not done with you yet.”
“Rose…” Carlisle warned and she ignored him.
“Who did you kill? You did it right here in Forks, didn’t you?! You haven’t been gone long enough to have done it anywhere else!” She looked at Carlisle. “Are we gonna have to move because of this?!”
He loosed a heavy breath. “I don’t know.” She growled and he raised a hand. “I don't believe so at this point. Edward and Emmett are staging it, however the wolves might be a factor. If they get involved…”
Her eyes bled to black as her anger spiked. “So, he just fucked up everything! I told you! I knew something like this would happen eventually!”
“I’m gonna go shower while Barbie here has her melt down. See you later,” Jasper said while trotting up the stairs. He probably should have felt guilty for leaving Carlisle to deal with that, but he didn’t. Rose was his progeny after all. Yeah, what he’d done may have caused this latest tantrum, but the blonde seemed to be perpetually pissed off at the world and he wasn’t about to take the blame for that. With that thought, he disappeared behind his bedroom door and began to strip for that much needed shower.
Downstairs, however, the storm was just getting started and Carlisle’s jaw clenched as Rosalie continued with her tirade. “I want him gone, Carlisle! He’s been nothing but trouble since he joined us and you know it. He’s still a human drinker, never really gave our diet a chance and yet you allow him to be here, even though he’s such a damn risk!” Her eyes narrowed to slits as her gaze flitted between her sire and his mate. “Why is that? Why is he so damn important that we’ve spent the past five years in seclusion?”
Esme’s gaze dropped as she squeezed her mate’s hand and he sighed as he squeezed back in support. “We have our reasons, Rose, and that answer will have to be good enough for the time being.”
Rose growled. “We took him in because he was supposed to be Alice’s mate. That’s obviously not the case, so why is he still here? I have a right to know!”
Carlisle glanced at Esme, noting the sadness in her eyes before squaring his shoulders. “As I said, Rose, we have our reasons. As for any risk, I am the leader of this family and your Sire. As such, you will just have to trust that I will do everything in my power to protect this family, and that now includes Jasper. Am I clear?”
She tilted her chin defiantly while holding his gaze, a clear challenge that drew an instinctual growl from him as his eyes darkened. “Am I clear, Rosalie?” he ground out, stepping up to her as he did so.
“Yes,” she finally said, her gaze dropping to the floor, “you’re clear,” she muttered.
“Good.” He gently tugged his mate’s hand. “We’re going to talk in my study. Do not interrupt or allow anyone else to.”
“Yes, sir,” she answered as he and Esme mounted the stairs.
When they entered the study and closed the door, Carlisle led her to the sofa and pulled her down with him.
“Are you all right?” she asked and he nodded while resting his head against the cushions.
“Yes. I don’t enjoy asserting my authority, you know that, but…”
She nodded. “Sometimes it’s necessary,” she finished and he smiled.
“Unfortunately, yes.”
She glanced at him. “Why are we here? Did you just need a moment, or…”
He sighed and sat up. “No. We do need to talk, love, and this particular talk is overdue.”
She tensed and angled her body to face him. “Oh Carlisle…please don’t tell me you want to make Jasper leave!”
He took her hands and brought them to his lips for a kiss. “Shh, Esme, no, I would never suggest such a thing.”
She sagged in relief. “Thank god, I thought with what just happened and all that Rose said…”
“No, love,” he said, cutting her short. He looked down for a moment, gathering his thoughts. “There are however, some things that need to be discussed. Things that I probably should’ve discussed with you long ago.”
Her brow creased. “What things?”
“Concerns about Jasper, primarily.”
“What about him?” she murmured as her worry spiked.
“He’s not content here, love, and it’s becoming clear to me that he might never be content with us.” He met her worried gaze. “I tried to speak to him about Alice earlier…you should’ve seen the look in his eyes. I’ve never seen such hatred in someone’s eyes before…”
“Well, we know he’s not Alice’s mate, and if he feels she’s trapped him here, then it’s only natural he’d hate her…”
He nodded. “Yes, but there’s more to it. Much more…”
She tilted her head. “Such as…?”
He rose from his seat to pace as he spoke. “Such as the way he fights. I’ve seen the style before…” He looked at her while pausing his steps. “…in Volterra.”
She waved a hand. “We know he’s a former guard…”
“No,” he insisted, “it’s much more than that, it has to be. He fights like Caius, love.”
“The blond king?”
“The very same.”
“Perhaps he helped train him.”
Carlisle paused again to stare out the window. “Yes, perhaps…” he murmured, his mind’s eye going back to the way Jasper held himself in the Police station earlier. It nagged at him enough that he couldn’t let it go. “Then again, it could be more significant than that.” He looked back at her and she shook her head.
“Speak plainly, Carlisle, please. You have me worried.”
He held her gaze for a moment and the look in his eyes did nothing to appease her worry. “I think I should contact the Volturi.”
“What?! No! You can’t!”
He raised a hand. “Please, hear me out.”
She bit her lip and looked away. “All right,” she finally agreed.
“You must admit, since the beginning, Alice has been less than forthright when it comes to Jasper.”
“That’s true…”
“So what if she’s lied about her visions of him and their eventual relationship? What if we’ve been complicit in keeping him from his mate all this time?”
“No,” she shook her head, “there’s no way Alice would be so cruel! What would she gain? He obviously would never agree to be with her, so why do such a thing?”
He frowned. “I don’t know, but one thing is clear to me now that I’m really looking: He’s trying to provoke a response.” He looked back at her. “That’s why he’s not improving. His behavior is slowly worsening no matter what we do, and we’ve been ignoring the obvious. He wants to draw a response from the Volturi, Esme. He even went so far as to call Charlie a human to his face earlier today, and the way he held himself…it was like looking at a Volturi Royal…”
She sighed and shook her head. “We’ve been over this, several times now. If he was so important to the Volturi, they would’ve sent their tracker long ago.”
He frowned and nodded. He knew her words to be true, and that was the part that just didn’t fit with all he’d seen. It was definitely enough to inject doubt…but the rest nagged at him. “Still,” he murmured, “I think we should contact them, just to be sure, once and for all…”
She shot from her seat, determination in every line of her body. “No! I won’t risk him in such a way! I know he’s strong, Carlisle, but what if Alice is telling the truth, which I might add is backed up by the two letters the Volturi sent searching for a guard. What if his mate’s dead? He’s not strong enough to withstand that. Not yet anyway and I won’t see him lose his mind to grief! Not when I could prevent it! Yes, he’s hurting now and has been for five years, but he’ll eventually get over it! He’ll heal if we just give him enough time!”
“He’s not a child, Esme…”
He looked at her and she tilted her chin, the pain from his gentle reminder shining in her eyes. “I know that…I know he’s fully mature, but I can’t help the way I feel and I won’t lose him, Carlisle, especially not for a ‘maybe’.”
He sank onto the couch and dropped his face into his hands before nodding. “All right, love. You win this one.” He looked up at her. “But should the Volturi ever contact me directly, I won’t lie to them about his presence. I won’t risk the family in such a way.”
She nodded curtly. “All right, but I pray that day never comes.”
XxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxX
He shivered as the tender touch of familiar fingers glided over his ribs and down, the sensation of warm lips and tongue trailing kisses from one hip to the other, drawing a low moan from deep in his throat as the ghost of his physical form arched in pleasure.
‘Caius…’ his soul whispered as his love and longing mingled with that of his mate. He reveled in the connection, soaking up the answering call of his other half as the spectral presence of his beloved wrapped a hand around his straining length and stroked.
‘Please…’ his lips moved, silently begging as his legs fell open, his hips gently undulating as phantom lips engulfed his cock in wet warmth, setting up a slow, torturous rhythm, his mate’s talented tongue stroking and swirling as his pleasure built and built.
He tensed for the barest second as a single finger breached him, quickly pushing back the reticence he felt in favor of surrendering to his mate’s answering reassurance. ‘It’s all right,’ Caius’s comforting emotions told him as the warmth flooded his psyche. ‘You’re safe with me,’ they said, and he relaxed again, slowly writhing as that finger gently stroked into him, striking that special place inside him as a hot tongue swirled around the head of his rigid cock.
His orgasm, when it came, was sudden and shattering, taking his breath away as the pleasure blossomed and spread from the source, causing his whole being to tense and tingle before relaxing into boneless satiation as that warm, phantasmal mouth drew off his softening cock with a final, reverent kiss.
‘Caius…’ his soul whispered silently…
‘I know…’ his mate’s soul whispered back as he felt his silky hard length push into him, completing him in ways that only he ever could, as gentle hands cupped his head, drawing him into a searing kiss as their bodies rocked together.
It was bittersweet, as always—connecting this way, and his heart ached with the beauty and longing of it, his soul wishing all the while that it was real—that they were together again, in truth.
Tender lips placed kisses over his cheeks and closed eyes as Caius’s emotions answered his need once again. “I love you, Tesorino,’ they whispered into his saddened consciousness as one phantom presence made slow love to the other. ‘I’ll never give up,’ they reassured, fierce determination and infinite devotion now predominant as the ghostly rhythm of his mate’s body picked up speed and strength.
He arched, wrapping his legs around the warm body that he could only access here in the misty recesses of his mind, a wan smile curving his lips as he gasped and came again in perfect union with his mate whose presence fairly burst upon his consciousness in pleasure and quiet, yet fragile bliss.
With a heavy heart, Jasper rose to full consciousness, his eyes slowly opening to the reality of his current circumstances as a reluctant member of the Cullen Coven.
Sighing heavily, he rose from the center of his bed and headed for his ensuite, his mind blessedly numb for the moment as he started the shower and stripped out of his sticky silk boxers.
A loud knock sounded on his bedroom door and his jaw tensed in irritation as Rose’s voice called out, “We leave in thirty minutes, Jasper. Don’t make us late.”
His lip curled and he grumbled while stepping under the scalding spray, “We leave the same time every day. Christ…”
He made short work of bathing and dressing, finger combing his hair into stylish disarray before sliding on some dark glasses and hefting his prop of a back pack as he left his room.
“Finally…” Rose groused when he reached the ground floor and he smirked as they all filed into the garage where her car was running.
“Missing me, Rose? I’m touched,” he said with a cheeky grin as they piled into the sleek, red BMW.
As usual, she did her best to ignore him as she backed out, spinning the tires as she cranked the wheel and gunned it down the drive.
He wasn’t fooled though as his gift picked up her rising irritation, belying the cool, indifferent expression on her face. His grin stretched and he gazed out the window, his mind now on what kind of shit he could possibly stir today as he subtly fueled her ire with his gift.
Something to do with Bella Swan, perhaps? When he settled on just the thing, his anticipation spiked and he didn’t bother suppressing it.
“What the hell are you planning?” Rose hissed, her narrowed eyes glaring at him in the mirror as she steered the car onto the main road and gunned it.
Usually, Edward drove, but he and Alice were staying home for a couple more days to finish ‘acclimating’ the mind reader to his human mate’s scent, so here he was, stuck riding along with Rose and Emmett.
“Jesus, what now?” Emmett asked, looking from his scowling mate to the smugly smirking empath.
She ignored Emmett’s question in favor of addressing the positively devious emotions rolling off the smirking empath. “Why can’t you just leave Edward’s human alone?” she snapped, not surprising him at all when she correctly guessed the source currently fueling his less than innocent emotions. Bitter bitch she may be, but she was a sharp one, he’d give her that.
Jasper tapped a rhythm on his thigh as his gaze met hers in the mirror. “She’s fun. She has spirit and I find myself liking her for some odd reason. Then there’s the added bonus that hanging around her pisses off so many of you and I’ll be fucked if I don’t live for that shit.” Emmett snorted and Jasper continued, “It’s the god damned wind beneath my wings, Bitchalee. Fucking gold, I tell you, and I’m not about to pass that up.”
She flipped him off and made the turn at the main intersection in town. “I thought the girl had a brain when she shut you down after the stunt you pulled, but no, she had to go and forgive you after only two days. Fucking idiot…” she finished under her breath.
He grinned, his dimple on prominent display as he tilted his head. “I’m just that good, Barbie. Deal with it.”
Her teeth ground together as waves of anger rolled off her. “God, you’re such an arrogant little prick.”
“High praise from the Queen C. herself. Can this day get any better?” he quipped and Rose swerved onto the shoulder as she threw a swipe at his head, hissing in irritation when Emmett caught her wrist and steadied the wheel with his free hand.
“Calm down, babe,” he muttered, earning a scathing glare from her as she jerked out of his hold and cut the wheel sharply, the tires squealing in protest as she pulled into the school parking lot.
Jasper laughed quietly as she got out, barely avoiding damaging her door as she slammed it closed before storming up to the school entrance. “Dude…” Emmett muttered, slowly shaking his head while shooting him an exasperated glance before quickly following his irate mate.
“Hi Jay!” He glanced over and gave the group of giggling girls a nod as he closed the car door.
“Ladies,” he greeted with a grin.
“Are you going to the dance?” the bold one of the group asked and he sauntered over, trailing her blushing cheek with the tip of his finger.
“Wouldn’t miss it, sweetheart,” he said, smirking as her heart sped. She was a delectable little strawberry blonde with blossoming curves in all the right places and she smelled sweet too. Not as sweet as his Candy Girl, but still, she’d do in a pinch, he thought, his smirk morphing into a grin as the girl damn near swooned.
“Save me a dance?” she asked with a coy tilt of her head.
He leaned down, running the tip of his nose over her racing pulse as he murmured, “Sure thing, sweetness. It’ll be my pleasure.”
Turning on his heel, he strode away as the little group burst into whispers and giggles and he chuckled darkly. ‘If they only knew…’
The whole town was still in an uproar over the ‘missing’ Lauren Mallory, but he couldn’t find it in himself to care. He was a vampire and she was a meal. To feel bad over it would be like Charlie Swan agonizing over the steak he’d had at the diner the night before.
Speaking of the Swans…
“Hello, sweet Candy,” he murmured into her ear as she stood at her open locker.
She gasped and whirled before narrowing her eyes at him. “You scared the shit out of me!”
His brows shot up and he grinned while leaning against the next locker over. “I sincerely hope you’re exaggerating.”
She rolled her eyes and went back to grabbing her books. “Ha, ha, Jay.” She eyed him while she slammed her locker and shouldered her bag and he nearly sighed when he felt her rising curiosity and hesitance.
“Just spit it out, Swan,” he finally prompted as she chewed her lip.
She raised a brow. “How do you do that?”
“Do what?” he asked with a smirk.
Her eyes narrowed to slits. “Know when I wanna ask a question.”
“I could tell you, but I don’t want to piss you off.”
“…” She stared.
“All right,” he said with an exaggerated sigh. “You get this look…”
Her brow creased. “A look? What look?”
His expression morphed into an apologetic one. “Well, you look…” he leaned down and muttered lowly by her ear, “a bit constipated, if you must know,” he finished with a gusty laugh as she took a swipe at him. She missed, of course.
“Asshole.” She side-eyed him as they fell into step together, ignoring his smug smile as she finally broke down and asked, “So, uh…is your brother here today?”
“You got it bad, don’t you, Candy Girl?”
She scowled. “No…I was just…wondering, that’s all. Answer or don’t. I couldn’t care less,” she said with what she hoped was a disinterested tone.
He glanced down at her. “Right.”
She huffed and kept walking toward her first class. When they reached it, she paused and looked at him as he raised a brow. “So, is he?”
He laughed and ran his thumb over the blush on her cheek. “No, sweet Candy. He’s still…sick.” He could feel her skepticism.
“And Alice is sick too.” She watched as the warmth left his eyes, leaving them looking so cold she felt a trickle of fear creep up her spine.
“That bitch is always sick.”
Her curiosity spiked and he ignored it as he turned and walked away with a lazy wave. “Catch you later, Candy.”
She didn’t see him the rest of the day, not even in calculus, so when she walked to her truck, she was a bit surprised to see him leaning against it, waiting. “Where were you all day?” she asked while opening her door. She tossed her bag in the middle and climbed in, reaching over to unlock the passenger door before starting the ancient rust bucket.
He climbed in and closed the door. “I was around.”
She backed out of the space and glanced at him as she waited to pull out of the lot. “They’re gonna fail you.”
He smirked and gave her a lazy glance. “Oh no,” he deadpanned, “and then where will I be?”
She snorted and made a left out of the parking lot. “I’ll be sure to throw in an extra five when you wash my windshield.”
“My cardboard box and I will thank you.” He gave her a lazy smile. “You got plenty of gas in this beast?”
She glanced at the gauge. “Half a tank…why?”
“Don’t make the turn on your street. We’re going somewhere.”
Her brow furrowed. “Where?”
“You’ll see.”
“If Charlie sees us…”
He rolled his eyes. “What? What’s he gonna do? You’re a big girl, aren’t you?”
She scoffed. “He’s reminded me—quite vehemently since we got into it over that shit you pulled, so thanks for that—I’m still a minor. He might be a hands-off parent, but he can still make my life hell for the time being, Jay. I’d rather not go there.”
“You’re a teenager, Bella. Act like one for fuck’s sake.”
“Fine, happy?” she said while passing up her turn. “Where to now?”
“Just drive,” he said with a grin. “I’ll tell you where to turn.”
She followed his directions and wound up parking behind some thick foliage at the head of what looked like a trail. From the looks of it, it didn’t seem to be a popular spot, as the growth had almost taken over, but it was hidden from the road which made her feel better about the whole thing.
Charlie really hated Jay Cullen for some reason, so she knew being caught out anywhere with him would probably burst a blood vessel in the man’s head.
Jay hopped out and lowered the tail gate on the truck before spreading the thick blanket she kept behind the seat in the cab. He hopped up and patted the space next to him and she arched a brow. “I’m not giving up my virginity in the back of a truck, Cullen, so forget it.”
He smirked wickedly. “Okay, we’ll wait until we get back to your place.” She spluttered, blushing hotly, and he went on without missing a beat. “For now, have a seat. I won’t bite, I swear.”
“Why do I get the feeling you’re up to something?” she grumbled while hopping up beside him.
“Live a little, Candy. Loosen up…get your freak on…” he muttered while digging something from his pocket.
Her brows shot up when he unrolled a baggie and took out… “Is that what I think it is?!”
He perched the blunt between his lips and lit it, puffing it to life before squinting at her through the blue hazy smoke. He held it out to her. “Candy Girl, meet Miss Mary Jane.” He nodded toward it. “Go ahead. It’s guaranteed to loosen that stick you got up your ass.”
“No…no way…Charlie’ll…”
“Charlie, Charlie, Charlie…” he mocked in a high tone. “Christ, girl, you gonna invite him to join when you finally get laid too?” She glared as a blush crept up her neck. “Just take the damn thing, Bella. It won’t kill you.”
“You called me Bella.”
“Take it.”
She reached out and pinched it between her thumb and index finger. “See? The sky didn’t fall, now take a drag.”
She locked her gaze with his. “You gonna share your cardboard box with me?”
He smirked. “Only if you wash your share of windshields. Now, quit stalling.”
Keeping her eyes locked on him, she brought it to her lips and took a drag, sucking the smoke into her lungs before doubling over with a cough. “Holy shit,” she rasped.
He chuckled. “It gets easier. Take another and hold it this time.”
She wiped a tear from her eye and took another drag and he was right, it was easier. At least, she wasn’t hacking a lung this time… After a few beats, she blew it out and looked at the blunt. “Is that it?” Her gaze cut to his. “I don’t feel anything.”
He waved hand and laid back, folding an arm under his head. “Keep going, Candy, you will.”
An hour later, that blunt and half of another was gone and Bella was laughing her ass off over…well, Jay wasn’t quite sure what the hell she found so funny, but he was getting a kick out of watching her.
She flopped down next to him with a goofy smile. “This shit’s great.” His brows shot up as her mood did an instant 180 and she frowned. “I’m hungry—I mean, like really fucking hungry. You bring any food?”
He stuck a cigarette between his lips and lit it. “Nope,” he said on a breath out, “but we can go get something.”
“Fuck yeah,” she breathed. “I wanna greasy burger…with cheese…lot’sa fucking cheese…and lettuce…tomato…ooh, and fries…”
He snorted and took one last drag from his cig before flipping it into the trash can. “All right,” he said, sitting up and hauling her up with him. ‘Let’s go get you food.”
He drove, for obvious reasons, having to drag Bella back into the cab when she kept hanging her upper body out the open window yelling “Wooo!”
By the time they pulled into the diner parking lot, she was red-cheeked and wind-swept with a wide grin on her face. “Fuck yeah,” she said as he helped her out of the truck. “Food.”
He chuckled and led her into the warmth of the little diner, where they were greeted by Jessica and Angela. “Jay! Bella! Over here!” They scooted over, making room and he followed Bella to them with a stifled sigh.
“Hi guys,” Bella greeted brightly.
“What are you guys up to?” Jessica asked while eyeing Jay like a prime cut of meat.
“Just hanging out,” Bella chirped, grinning widely at the waitress who’d just walked up.
“Need menus here or you know what you want?”
“I’ll have a double cheese burger with everything, large order of fries, crispy, and a chocolate shake.”
The waitress cocked a brow. “Whipped cream?”
“Yes,” Bella breathed, “with a cherry on top.”
Angela’s brows inched up. “Hungry, Bella?”
“Fucking starved,” she said as the waitress looked at Jay.
“Nothing for me, thanks.”
“Be back in a jiffy,” the waitress said as she walked off. Bella glanced at Jay.
“You’re not eating?”
He shot her a toothy grin. “I filled up a couple days back. I’m good.”
“A couple of days?” Jessica asked with a pinched brow. “You should be starving.”
He leaned back, looking smug. “This body’s very efficient, sweetheart. As long as I get the good stuff every few days, I’m set.”
“Huh,” Jessica said as Bella studied him for a moment before shrugging as the waitress placed her food in front of her.
Jay resisted the urge to curl his lip in disgust as she squirted ketchup all over the fries before scooping up the drippy burger to take a huge bite. She hummed and her eyes damn near rolled back as she chewed. “God, that’s good,” she muttered before taking a long pull of her shake. She glanced at the other three who were watching in horrified fascination. “You guys already eat?”
“We had some fries. We’re gonna eat dinner at home, so…”
“Yeah,” Jessica added, “so you just…keep enjoying that, Bella. We’re fine.”
Bella shrugged and went back to it, while the others did their best to ignore the explicit noises she made.
“So, Jay,” Jessica said, her tone turning breathy. “You going to the dance?”
“Sure,” he said while toying with the glass of ice water in front of him.
She exchanged a loaded look with Angela. “You taking a date?”
He smirked. “Now, why would I limit myself in such a way?”
Jessica giggled while Angela rolled her eyes at her friend’s transparency. “Good…right…well, I guess I’ll see you there?”
He shrugged. “It’s a small school so the possibility exists.” The bell over the door jingled and he glanced up to see Edward walk in. “Here we go…” he muttered too low for the humans to hear.
The mind reader walked half way to them, pausing to swallow hard as his gold eyes darkened a few shades, before finishing his trek to their table with determined strides. “Ladies,” he greeted, “mind if I join you?”
With wide eyes, Jessica scooted over, opening a spot between her and Bella. “Not at all,” she breathed. “Right Bella? Angela?”
Bella blinked as she chewed a particularly massive bite. “Wha…? Oh, yeah, sure,” she finished before taking a huge slurp of milkshake. “The more the merrier.”
Edward slid into the booth next to her, his furious gaze locking with Jay’s amused one. His brows rose and he grinned. “You okay there, brother? You look a mite uncomfortable.”
“I’m fine,” Edward ground out before looking at Bella who was busy polishing off her fries with gusto. “Bella, how are you?”
She froze with a ketchup-laden fry halfway to her mouth. “Uh, I’m good,” she said as a blush crept over her cheeks. “How are you? I heard you were sick.”
He nodded. “I was, but I’m fine now,” he said with another heavy swallow.
Bella popped the last fry into her mouth, chewed and slurped up the last of her shake before sitting back with a sigh. “God, that was good. I don’t think I’ve ever been that hungry.”
Edward narrowed his eyes at his grinning brother. “Yes, well, it’s understandable.”
“Yep,” Jay quipped, “Mary Jane’ll do that to you.”
Meanwhile, Jessica and Angela were watching all this like a tennis match, their mouths open in dawning realization. “You got high?” Jessica finally asked and Bella shrugged.
“Maybe.”
Jessica leaned forward, her eyes narrowed as she really looked at Bella. “You still are! Holy shit. The Police Chief’s daughter…”
Edward’s jaw tightened. “Your discretion would be appreciated.”
“Of course,” Angela readily agreed while Jessica clamped her mouth shut, a decidedly calculating look in her eyes.
“So, uh, Edward,” Bella stuttered while cleaning the grease from her fingers with a napkin. “Will you be at school tomorrow?”
He gave a slow nod and a crooked smile. “Yeah, I will.”
She smiled shyly. “Good…that’s good. I, uh, have the notes from Bio if you want?”
“That would be great, Bella, thanks.”
Her smile brightened, her glazed eyes locked with his as she leaned into him. “Anything you need, Edward.”
Jay snorted and smirked when he heard a low growl rumble in Edward’s chest before he managed to stifle it. “Thank you, Bella. I’ll remember that.”
She leaned in even closer, her nose skimming his shoulder. “God, you smell good.”
“So…so do you,” he choked out and Jay gusted a laugh while muttering, “Fucking gold…”
Loud enough for everyone to hear, he said, “I dunno she kinda reeks like greasy meat and chocolate if you ask me.”
Jessica giggled while Edward and Bella glared. “No one asked you,” Edward grumbled while Jessica batted her lashes.
“I agree with you, Jay. She does sorta smell like the burger. At least, that’s all I can smell at the moment.”
Bella directed her attention back to Edward. “Are you going to the dance?” she asked as her hand found its way to his thigh.
He sucked in a breath at the sensation before nodding. “Only…only if you agree to accompany me. I was going to ask you tomorrow, but…”
She smiled widely while fully leaning against him. “I’m not a very good dancer, but yes, I’ll go with you.”
“Good,” he said with a tense but relieved laugh as Bella’s hand crept farther up his thigh. “And don’t worry about the dancing. It’s all in the leading.”
Jay snorted again and Edward shot him a glare just as the bell on the door jingled again. They all glanced over and Edward groaned quietly as Chief Swan looked around before stalking to their table, looking like he’d smelled something foul. “Bella, what the hell are you doing with these two, especially that one?” he snapped, stabbing a finger at Jay.
“I was hungry.”
The Chief leveled a cold glare at Jay who merely smirked back while raising a brow. “What can I do for you, Chief?”
Charlie grabbed him by the arm and hauled him from the booth before slamming him face first against the wall and kicking his legs apart. “Hands on the wall, pretty boy, and don’t move a muscle,” he said while beginning to pat him down.
“Really? This again? I’m beginning to think you have a thing for me, Chief,” Jay drawled as Charlie dug out the baggie and lighter in his pocket.
“Well, what do we have here?” he said, sounding delighted. He leaned close to Jay’s ear. “I knew I’d catch you with something sooner or later, you little shit. Daddy won’t be able to save you now.”
“If you’d care to have a look in my wallet, you’ll find a valid prescription.”
Charlie’s lip curled as he cuffed Jay’s hands behind his back and turned him around. “Slide down the wall, sit and stay there.” He pointed at Edward. “Do I need to search you too?”
“Charlie!” Bella protested as Edward held up both hands.
“No, sir, Chief. I don’t approve of substance abuse of any kind and never will.”
“Hmm,” Charlie grumbled while searching Jay’s wallet. He found and pulled out a crisply folded paper and glared at it a moment, a muscle in his jaw twitching when he saw the signature of Dr. Carlisle Cullen. He flipped the paper around to Edward. “If I call your father down here, he gonna validate this?”
Edward glanced at it before nodding. “Yes, sir, he will. Jay was injured in football at our prior school and that’s for chronic back pain.”
“Son of a …” the Chief groused before turning back to a smirking Jay. Hauling him to his feet, he turned him and slammed him face first into the wall again before unlocking the cuffs.
“Aw, and here I was looking forward to spending quality time with you,” Jay snarked while rubbing his wrists.
“Our time will come, you little bastard, don’t worry.” He threw Jay’s wallet on the floor and turned to Bella.
“Come on, you're going home, now.”
Edward stood to let her out of the booth. “Goodbye, Bella.”
She smiled wanly while edging toward her father. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Charlie grabbed her arm and stared at her before swearing under his breath at her red-rimmed eyes. “Go,” he said with a gentle shove, “into the cruiser. You’re not driving anywhere…for a good long while.”
“Bye, Candy Girl,” Jay said with a shit-eating grin. “See you tomorrow.”
Charlie growled and shoved her farther toward the door as she waved. “Bye Jay.”
They all watched as Charlie ushered her into his car and tore out of the lot.
Edward jerked his head toward the door. “Let’s go.”
With a put-upon sigh, Jay slid from the booth. “Ladies,” he said with a smirk. “See you later.” He started to the door, his sharp hearing catching the whispered “Oh. My. God.” from Jessica as Edward grabbed his arm and pulled him out of the diner.
“Get in,” Edward growled as he unlocked the Volvo.
“Thanks, but I’ll walk.”
Edward pinned him with a glare over the top of the car. “I’m to take you directly home, so get in.”
Jay rolled his eyes. “Well, when you put it that way…” he slid into the seat barely getting the door closed as Edward gunned it out of the parking lot.
“What were you thinking?” he hissed.
Jay shrugged and rolled the window down before lighting up a cigarette. “I didn't exactly twist her arm.”
“Don’t smoke in my car. And Bella never would’ve done that without you talking her into it!”
Jay’s brows inched up and he blew a stream of smoke at the mind-reader before grinning. “She enjoyed it. What’s wrong with experiencing life’s pleasures while she can?”
He could practically hear Edward’s teeth grind as he gripped the wheel and sped out of town while staring resolutely forward.
“Or…is it that she’s enjoying things with someone other than you?” Jay asked when he felt Edward’s jealousy creeping up through the more prominent anger. He sighed. “Look, I’m just her friend. I’ll never be you and it’s you she wants, okay? So, no worries.”
Edward’s anger ebbed and he glanced over. “Thanks.”
Jay took a deep drag from the cigarette, slowly blowing out the smoke as he gave a single nod. “I get it. Believe me, I do.”
Edward’s brow furrowed as he murmured, “You want to talk about it?”
Jay scoffed. “Can’t,” he spat while flicking the butt from the window with a scowl. “But, thanks anyway.”
“What was that all about?” the red-head female asked her mate while watching their acquaintance—a vampire named Gerard—leave. He sat down behind her, winding his arms around her as she snuggled against him. He brushed her wild curls from her neck and placed a kiss there as he muttered his answer.
“Apparently, the Volturi are looking to employ the services of a tracker.”
Her brows inched up and she glanced back at him. “The Volturi? Wow. Wait, don’t they already have a tracker?”
He shrugged, nuzzling just under her jaw, drawing a giggle from her as he mumbled through kisses, “That’s what I’ve always heard.”
With a sigh, she canted her head and leaned further into his hold as her eyes closed. “Hmm, you gonna contact them?”
He stopped kissing and leaned back against the fallen tree behind him. “I told Gerard I would. He’ll be calling them to let them know I’m willing to do their job, but I told him I have some personal business to take care of first. A little trip to Washington State.”
The red-head frowned. “The psychic,” she stated and he nodded while meeting the eyes of their other coven mate as he entered their little clearing carrying two knocked out humans. “Yes, the little seer who got away,” he growled lowly. It had always grated on him that she’d escaped him in that hospital so long ago and since then, had managed to stay just ahead of him. Of course, to be fair, he hadn’t really put his best efforts into finding her. He had a mate and wasn’t interested in the seer’s boyish physique in the least, but it was a matter of sport and his senses were telling him she was close and static for the time being, something he found too tempting to pass up.
And besides, it was the principle of the thing. He was her sire, it was his venom running through her veins and if that other worthless vampire hadn’t interfered, he would’ve had the benefits of a seer in his little coven all these years.
“Those for us?” he asked his dreadlocked coven member who nodded.
“Yes, I thought you may be thirsty, and the hunting was good, so I brought back some take-out,” he said with a grin as he propped his hand over a bent knee.
“Well damn, aren’t you the thoughtful one,” their leader joked while picking up the male to slap him awake.
As the human groaned and began to stir, the coven leader held out a hand. “Join me my lovely mate, let’s drain these two and get out of here. Washington State awaits.”
With a wicked grin, she lifted the female from the ground and together, they began to feed.
XxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxX
“How could you?” Rosalie hissed, getting in Jasper’s face the minute he stepped in the door.
He eyed her coldly while shouldering past. “Pretty easily, actually.”
She grabbed his arm and yanked him around to face her. “I’m not done with you yet.”
“Rose…” Carlisle warned and she ignored him.
“Who did you kill? You did it right here in Forks, didn’t you?! You haven’t been gone long enough to have done it anywhere else!” She looked at Carlisle. “Are we gonna have to move because of this?!”
He loosed a heavy breath. “I don’t know.” She growled and he raised a hand. “I don't believe so at this point. Edward and Emmett are staging it, however the wolves might be a factor. If they get involved…”
Her eyes bled to black as her anger spiked. “So, he just fucked up everything! I told you! I knew something like this would happen eventually!”
“I’m gonna go shower while Barbie here has her melt down. See you later,” Jasper said while trotting up the stairs. He probably should have felt guilty for leaving Carlisle to deal with that, but he didn’t. Rose was his progeny after all. Yeah, what he’d done may have caused this latest tantrum, but the blonde seemed to be perpetually pissed off at the world and he wasn’t about to take the blame for that. With that thought, he disappeared behind his bedroom door and began to strip for that much needed shower.
Downstairs, however, the storm was just getting started and Carlisle’s jaw clenched as Rosalie continued with her tirade. “I want him gone, Carlisle! He’s been nothing but trouble since he joined us and you know it. He’s still a human drinker, never really gave our diet a chance and yet you allow him to be here, even though he’s such a damn risk!” Her eyes narrowed to slits as her gaze flitted between her sire and his mate. “Why is that? Why is he so damn important that we’ve spent the past five years in seclusion?”
Esme’s gaze dropped as she squeezed her mate’s hand and he sighed as he squeezed back in support. “We have our reasons, Rose, and that answer will have to be good enough for the time being.”
Rose growled. “We took him in because he was supposed to be Alice’s mate. That’s obviously not the case, so why is he still here? I have a right to know!”
Carlisle glanced at Esme, noting the sadness in her eyes before squaring his shoulders. “As I said, Rose, we have our reasons. As for any risk, I am the leader of this family and your Sire. As such, you will just have to trust that I will do everything in my power to protect this family, and that now includes Jasper. Am I clear?”
She tilted her chin defiantly while holding his gaze, a clear challenge that drew an instinctual growl from him as his eyes darkened. “Am I clear, Rosalie?” he ground out, stepping up to her as he did so.
“Yes,” she finally said, her gaze dropping to the floor, “you’re clear,” she muttered.
“Good.” He gently tugged his mate’s hand. “We’re going to talk in my study. Do not interrupt or allow anyone else to.”
“Yes, sir,” she answered as he and Esme mounted the stairs.
When they entered the study and closed the door, Carlisle led her to the sofa and pulled her down with him.
“Are you all right?” she asked and he nodded while resting his head against the cushions.
“Yes. I don’t enjoy asserting my authority, you know that, but…”
She nodded. “Sometimes it’s necessary,” she finished and he smiled.
“Unfortunately, yes.”
She glanced at him. “Why are we here? Did you just need a moment, or…”
He sighed and sat up. “No. We do need to talk, love, and this particular talk is overdue.”
She tensed and angled her body to face him. “Oh Carlisle…please don’t tell me you want to make Jasper leave!”
He took her hands and brought them to his lips for a kiss. “Shh, Esme, no, I would never suggest such a thing.”
She sagged in relief. “Thank god, I thought with what just happened and all that Rose said…”
“No, love,” he said, cutting her short. He looked down for a moment, gathering his thoughts. “There are however, some things that need to be discussed. Things that I probably should’ve discussed with you long ago.”
Her brow creased. “What things?”
“Concerns about Jasper, primarily.”
“What about him?” she murmured as her worry spiked.
“He’s not content here, love, and it’s becoming clear to me that he might never be content with us.” He met her worried gaze. “I tried to speak to him about Alice earlier…you should’ve seen the look in his eyes. I’ve never seen such hatred in someone’s eyes before…”
“Well, we know he’s not Alice’s mate, and if he feels she’s trapped him here, then it’s only natural he’d hate her…”
He nodded. “Yes, but there’s more to it. Much more…”
She tilted her head. “Such as…?”
He rose from his seat to pace as he spoke. “Such as the way he fights. I’ve seen the style before…” He looked at her while pausing his steps. “…in Volterra.”
She waved a hand. “We know he’s a former guard…”
“No,” he insisted, “it’s much more than that, it has to be. He fights like Caius, love.”
“The blond king?”
“The very same.”
“Perhaps he helped train him.”
Carlisle paused again to stare out the window. “Yes, perhaps…” he murmured, his mind’s eye going back to the way Jasper held himself in the Police station earlier. It nagged at him enough that he couldn’t let it go. “Then again, it could be more significant than that.” He looked back at her and she shook her head.
“Speak plainly, Carlisle, please. You have me worried.”
He held her gaze for a moment and the look in his eyes did nothing to appease her worry. “I think I should contact the Volturi.”
“What?! No! You can’t!”
He raised a hand. “Please, hear me out.”
She bit her lip and looked away. “All right,” she finally agreed.
“You must admit, since the beginning, Alice has been less than forthright when it comes to Jasper.”
“That’s true…”
“So what if she’s lied about her visions of him and their eventual relationship? What if we’ve been complicit in keeping him from his mate all this time?”
“No,” she shook her head, “there’s no way Alice would be so cruel! What would she gain? He obviously would never agree to be with her, so why do such a thing?”
He frowned. “I don’t know, but one thing is clear to me now that I’m really looking: He’s trying to provoke a response.” He looked back at her. “That’s why he’s not improving. His behavior is slowly worsening no matter what we do, and we’ve been ignoring the obvious. He wants to draw a response from the Volturi, Esme. He even went so far as to call Charlie a human to his face earlier today, and the way he held himself…it was like looking at a Volturi Royal…”
She sighed and shook her head. “We’ve been over this, several times now. If he was so important to the Volturi, they would’ve sent their tracker long ago.”
He frowned and nodded. He knew her words to be true, and that was the part that just didn’t fit with all he’d seen. It was definitely enough to inject doubt…but the rest nagged at him. “Still,” he murmured, “I think we should contact them, just to be sure, once and for all…”
She shot from her seat, determination in every line of her body. “No! I won’t risk him in such a way! I know he’s strong, Carlisle, but what if Alice is telling the truth, which I might add is backed up by the two letters the Volturi sent searching for a guard. What if his mate’s dead? He’s not strong enough to withstand that. Not yet anyway and I won’t see him lose his mind to grief! Not when I could prevent it! Yes, he’s hurting now and has been for five years, but he’ll eventually get over it! He’ll heal if we just give him enough time!”
“He’s not a child, Esme…”
He looked at her and she tilted her chin, the pain from his gentle reminder shining in her eyes. “I know that…I know he’s fully mature, but I can’t help the way I feel and I won’t lose him, Carlisle, especially not for a ‘maybe’.”
He sank onto the couch and dropped his face into his hands before nodding. “All right, love. You win this one.” He looked up at her. “But should the Volturi ever contact me directly, I won’t lie to them about his presence. I won’t risk the family in such a way.”
She nodded curtly. “All right, but I pray that day never comes.”
XxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxX
He shivered as the tender touch of familiar fingers glided over his ribs and down, the sensation of warm lips and tongue trailing kisses from one hip to the other, drawing a low moan from deep in his throat as the ghost of his physical form arched in pleasure.
‘Caius…’ his soul whispered as his love and longing mingled with that of his mate. He reveled in the connection, soaking up the answering call of his other half as the spectral presence of his beloved wrapped a hand around his straining length and stroked.
‘Please…’ his lips moved, silently begging as his legs fell open, his hips gently undulating as phantom lips engulfed his cock in wet warmth, setting up a slow, torturous rhythm, his mate’s talented tongue stroking and swirling as his pleasure built and built.
He tensed for the barest second as a single finger breached him, quickly pushing back the reticence he felt in favor of surrendering to his mate’s answering reassurance. ‘It’s all right,’ Caius’s comforting emotions told him as the warmth flooded his psyche. ‘You’re safe with me,’ they said, and he relaxed again, slowly writhing as that finger gently stroked into him, striking that special place inside him as a hot tongue swirled around the head of his rigid cock.
His orgasm, when it came, was sudden and shattering, taking his breath away as the pleasure blossomed and spread from the source, causing his whole being to tense and tingle before relaxing into boneless satiation as that warm, phantasmal mouth drew off his softening cock with a final, reverent kiss.
‘Caius…’ his soul whispered silently…
‘I know…’ his mate’s soul whispered back as he felt his silky hard length push into him, completing him in ways that only he ever could, as gentle hands cupped his head, drawing him into a searing kiss as their bodies rocked together.
It was bittersweet, as always—connecting this way, and his heart ached with the beauty and longing of it, his soul wishing all the while that it was real—that they were together again, in truth.
Tender lips placed kisses over his cheeks and closed eyes as Caius’s emotions answered his need once again. “I love you, Tesorino,’ they whispered into his saddened consciousness as one phantom presence made slow love to the other. ‘I’ll never give up,’ they reassured, fierce determination and infinite devotion now predominant as the ghostly rhythm of his mate’s body picked up speed and strength.
He arched, wrapping his legs around the warm body that he could only access here in the misty recesses of his mind, a wan smile curving his lips as he gasped and came again in perfect union with his mate whose presence fairly burst upon his consciousness in pleasure and quiet, yet fragile bliss.
With a heavy heart, Jasper rose to full consciousness, his eyes slowly opening to the reality of his current circumstances as a reluctant member of the Cullen Coven.
Sighing heavily, he rose from the center of his bed and headed for his ensuite, his mind blessedly numb for the moment as he started the shower and stripped out of his sticky silk boxers.
A loud knock sounded on his bedroom door and his jaw tensed in irritation as Rose’s voice called out, “We leave in thirty minutes, Jasper. Don’t make us late.”
His lip curled and he grumbled while stepping under the scalding spray, “We leave the same time every day. Christ…”
He made short work of bathing and dressing, finger combing his hair into stylish disarray before sliding on some dark glasses and hefting his prop of a back pack as he left his room.
“Finally…” Rose groused when he reached the ground floor and he smirked as they all filed into the garage where her car was running.
“Missing me, Rose? I’m touched,” he said with a cheeky grin as they piled into the sleek, red BMW.
As usual, she did her best to ignore him as she backed out, spinning the tires as she cranked the wheel and gunned it down the drive.
He wasn’t fooled though as his gift picked up her rising irritation, belying the cool, indifferent expression on her face. His grin stretched and he gazed out the window, his mind now on what kind of shit he could possibly stir today as he subtly fueled her ire with his gift.
Something to do with Bella Swan, perhaps? When he settled on just the thing, his anticipation spiked and he didn’t bother suppressing it.
“What the hell are you planning?” Rose hissed, her narrowed eyes glaring at him in the mirror as she steered the car onto the main road and gunned it.
Usually, Edward drove, but he and Alice were staying home for a couple more days to finish ‘acclimating’ the mind reader to his human mate’s scent, so here he was, stuck riding along with Rose and Emmett.
“Jesus, what now?” Emmett asked, looking from his scowling mate to the smugly smirking empath.
She ignored Emmett’s question in favor of addressing the positively devious emotions rolling off the smirking empath. “Why can’t you just leave Edward’s human alone?” she snapped, not surprising him at all when she correctly guessed the source currently fueling his less than innocent emotions. Bitter bitch she may be, but she was a sharp one, he’d give her that.
Jasper tapped a rhythm on his thigh as his gaze met hers in the mirror. “She’s fun. She has spirit and I find myself liking her for some odd reason. Then there’s the added bonus that hanging around her pisses off so many of you and I’ll be fucked if I don’t live for that shit.” Emmett snorted and Jasper continued, “It’s the god damned wind beneath my wings, Bitchalee. Fucking gold, I tell you, and I’m not about to pass that up.”
She flipped him off and made the turn at the main intersection in town. “I thought the girl had a brain when she shut you down after the stunt you pulled, but no, she had to go and forgive you after only two days. Fucking idiot…” she finished under her breath.
He grinned, his dimple on prominent display as he tilted his head. “I’m just that good, Barbie. Deal with it.”
Her teeth ground together as waves of anger rolled off her. “God, you’re such an arrogant little prick.”
“High praise from the Queen C. herself. Can this day get any better?” he quipped and Rose swerved onto the shoulder as she threw a swipe at his head, hissing in irritation when Emmett caught her wrist and steadied the wheel with his free hand.
“Calm down, babe,” he muttered, earning a scathing glare from her as she jerked out of his hold and cut the wheel sharply, the tires squealing in protest as she pulled into the school parking lot.
Jasper laughed quietly as she got out, barely avoiding damaging her door as she slammed it closed before storming up to the school entrance. “Dude…” Emmett muttered, slowly shaking his head while shooting him an exasperated glance before quickly following his irate mate.
“Hi Jay!” He glanced over and gave the group of giggling girls a nod as he closed the car door.
“Ladies,” he greeted with a grin.
“Are you going to the dance?” the bold one of the group asked and he sauntered over, trailing her blushing cheek with the tip of his finger.
“Wouldn’t miss it, sweetheart,” he said, smirking as her heart sped. She was a delectable little strawberry blonde with blossoming curves in all the right places and she smelled sweet too. Not as sweet as his Candy Girl, but still, she’d do in a pinch, he thought, his smirk morphing into a grin as the girl damn near swooned.
“Save me a dance?” she asked with a coy tilt of her head.
He leaned down, running the tip of his nose over her racing pulse as he murmured, “Sure thing, sweetness. It’ll be my pleasure.”
Turning on his heel, he strode away as the little group burst into whispers and giggles and he chuckled darkly. ‘If they only knew…’
The whole town was still in an uproar over the ‘missing’ Lauren Mallory, but he couldn’t find it in himself to care. He was a vampire and she was a meal. To feel bad over it would be like Charlie Swan agonizing over the steak he’d had at the diner the night before.
Speaking of the Swans…
“Hello, sweet Candy,” he murmured into her ear as she stood at her open locker.
She gasped and whirled before narrowing her eyes at him. “You scared the shit out of me!”
His brows shot up and he grinned while leaning against the next locker over. “I sincerely hope you’re exaggerating.”
She rolled her eyes and went back to grabbing her books. “Ha, ha, Jay.” She eyed him while she slammed her locker and shouldered her bag and he nearly sighed when he felt her rising curiosity and hesitance.
“Just spit it out, Swan,” he finally prompted as she chewed her lip.
She raised a brow. “How do you do that?”
“Do what?” he asked with a smirk.
Her eyes narrowed to slits. “Know when I wanna ask a question.”
“I could tell you, but I don’t want to piss you off.”
“…” She stared.
“All right,” he said with an exaggerated sigh. “You get this look…”
Her brow creased. “A look? What look?”
His expression morphed into an apologetic one. “Well, you look…” he leaned down and muttered lowly by her ear, “a bit constipated, if you must know,” he finished with a gusty laugh as she took a swipe at him. She missed, of course.
“Asshole.” She side-eyed him as they fell into step together, ignoring his smug smile as she finally broke down and asked, “So, uh…is your brother here today?”
“You got it bad, don’t you, Candy Girl?”
She scowled. “No…I was just…wondering, that’s all. Answer or don’t. I couldn’t care less,” she said with what she hoped was a disinterested tone.
He glanced down at her. “Right.”
She huffed and kept walking toward her first class. When they reached it, she paused and looked at him as he raised a brow. “So, is he?”
He laughed and ran his thumb over the blush on her cheek. “No, sweet Candy. He’s still…sick.” He could feel her skepticism.
“And Alice is sick too.” She watched as the warmth left his eyes, leaving them looking so cold she felt a trickle of fear creep up her spine.
“That bitch is always sick.”
Her curiosity spiked and he ignored it as he turned and walked away with a lazy wave. “Catch you later, Candy.”
She didn’t see him the rest of the day, not even in calculus, so when she walked to her truck, she was a bit surprised to see him leaning against it, waiting. “Where were you all day?” she asked while opening her door. She tossed her bag in the middle and climbed in, reaching over to unlock the passenger door before starting the ancient rust bucket.
He climbed in and closed the door. “I was around.”
She backed out of the space and glanced at him as she waited to pull out of the lot. “They’re gonna fail you.”
He smirked and gave her a lazy glance. “Oh no,” he deadpanned, “and then where will I be?”
She snorted and made a left out of the parking lot. “I’ll be sure to throw in an extra five when you wash my windshield.”
“My cardboard box and I will thank you.” He gave her a lazy smile. “You got plenty of gas in this beast?”
She glanced at the gauge. “Half a tank…why?”
“Don’t make the turn on your street. We’re going somewhere.”
Her brow furrowed. “Where?”
“You’ll see.”
“If Charlie sees us…”
He rolled his eyes. “What? What’s he gonna do? You’re a big girl, aren’t you?”
She scoffed. “He’s reminded me—quite vehemently since we got into it over that shit you pulled, so thanks for that—I’m still a minor. He might be a hands-off parent, but he can still make my life hell for the time being, Jay. I’d rather not go there.”
“You’re a teenager, Bella. Act like one for fuck’s sake.”
“Fine, happy?” she said while passing up her turn. “Where to now?”
“Just drive,” he said with a grin. “I’ll tell you where to turn.”
She followed his directions and wound up parking behind some thick foliage at the head of what looked like a trail. From the looks of it, it didn’t seem to be a popular spot, as the growth had almost taken over, but it was hidden from the road which made her feel better about the whole thing.
Charlie really hated Jay Cullen for some reason, so she knew being caught out anywhere with him would probably burst a blood vessel in the man’s head.
Jay hopped out and lowered the tail gate on the truck before spreading the thick blanket she kept behind the seat in the cab. He hopped up and patted the space next to him and she arched a brow. “I’m not giving up my virginity in the back of a truck, Cullen, so forget it.”
He smirked wickedly. “Okay, we’ll wait until we get back to your place.” She spluttered, blushing hotly, and he went on without missing a beat. “For now, have a seat. I won’t bite, I swear.”
“Why do I get the feeling you’re up to something?” she grumbled while hopping up beside him.
“Live a little, Candy. Loosen up…get your freak on…” he muttered while digging something from his pocket.
Her brows shot up when he unrolled a baggie and took out… “Is that what I think it is?!”
He perched the blunt between his lips and lit it, puffing it to life before squinting at her through the blue hazy smoke. He held it out to her. “Candy Girl, meet Miss Mary Jane.” He nodded toward it. “Go ahead. It’s guaranteed to loosen that stick you got up your ass.”
“No…no way…Charlie’ll…”
“Charlie, Charlie, Charlie…” he mocked in a high tone. “Christ, girl, you gonna invite him to join when you finally get laid too?” She glared as a blush crept up her neck. “Just take the damn thing, Bella. It won’t kill you.”
“You called me Bella.”
“Take it.”
She reached out and pinched it between her thumb and index finger. “See? The sky didn’t fall, now take a drag.”
She locked her gaze with his. “You gonna share your cardboard box with me?”
He smirked. “Only if you wash your share of windshields. Now, quit stalling.”
Keeping her eyes locked on him, she brought it to her lips and took a drag, sucking the smoke into her lungs before doubling over with a cough. “Holy shit,” she rasped.
He chuckled. “It gets easier. Take another and hold it this time.”
She wiped a tear from her eye and took another drag and he was right, it was easier. At least, she wasn’t hacking a lung this time… After a few beats, she blew it out and looked at the blunt. “Is that it?” Her gaze cut to his. “I don’t feel anything.”
He waved hand and laid back, folding an arm under his head. “Keep going, Candy, you will.”
An hour later, that blunt and half of another was gone and Bella was laughing her ass off over…well, Jay wasn’t quite sure what the hell she found so funny, but he was getting a kick out of watching her.
She flopped down next to him with a goofy smile. “This shit’s great.” His brows shot up as her mood did an instant 180 and she frowned. “I’m hungry—I mean, like really fucking hungry. You bring any food?”
He stuck a cigarette between his lips and lit it. “Nope,” he said on a breath out, “but we can go get something.”
“Fuck yeah,” she breathed. “I wanna greasy burger…with cheese…lot’sa fucking cheese…and lettuce…tomato…ooh, and fries…”
He snorted and took one last drag from his cig before flipping it into the trash can. “All right,” he said, sitting up and hauling her up with him. ‘Let’s go get you food.”
He drove, for obvious reasons, having to drag Bella back into the cab when she kept hanging her upper body out the open window yelling “Wooo!”
By the time they pulled into the diner parking lot, she was red-cheeked and wind-swept with a wide grin on her face. “Fuck yeah,” she said as he helped her out of the truck. “Food.”
He chuckled and led her into the warmth of the little diner, where they were greeted by Jessica and Angela. “Jay! Bella! Over here!” They scooted over, making room and he followed Bella to them with a stifled sigh.
“Hi guys,” Bella greeted brightly.
“What are you guys up to?” Jessica asked while eyeing Jay like a prime cut of meat.
“Just hanging out,” Bella chirped, grinning widely at the waitress who’d just walked up.
“Need menus here or you know what you want?”
“I’ll have a double cheese burger with everything, large order of fries, crispy, and a chocolate shake.”
The waitress cocked a brow. “Whipped cream?”
“Yes,” Bella breathed, “with a cherry on top.”
Angela’s brows inched up. “Hungry, Bella?”
“Fucking starved,” she said as the waitress looked at Jay.
“Nothing for me, thanks.”
“Be back in a jiffy,” the waitress said as she walked off. Bella glanced at Jay.
“You’re not eating?”
He shot her a toothy grin. “I filled up a couple days back. I’m good.”
“A couple of days?” Jessica asked with a pinched brow. “You should be starving.”
He leaned back, looking smug. “This body’s very efficient, sweetheart. As long as I get the good stuff every few days, I’m set.”
“Huh,” Jessica said as Bella studied him for a moment before shrugging as the waitress placed her food in front of her.
Jay resisted the urge to curl his lip in disgust as she squirted ketchup all over the fries before scooping up the drippy burger to take a huge bite. She hummed and her eyes damn near rolled back as she chewed. “God, that’s good,” she muttered before taking a long pull of her shake. She glanced at the other three who were watching in horrified fascination. “You guys already eat?”
“We had some fries. We’re gonna eat dinner at home, so…”
“Yeah,” Jessica added, “so you just…keep enjoying that, Bella. We’re fine.”
Bella shrugged and went back to it, while the others did their best to ignore the explicit noises she made.
“So, Jay,” Jessica said, her tone turning breathy. “You going to the dance?”
“Sure,” he said while toying with the glass of ice water in front of him.
She exchanged a loaded look with Angela. “You taking a date?”
He smirked. “Now, why would I limit myself in such a way?”
Jessica giggled while Angela rolled her eyes at her friend’s transparency. “Good…right…well, I guess I’ll see you there?”
He shrugged. “It’s a small school so the possibility exists.” The bell over the door jingled and he glanced up to see Edward walk in. “Here we go…” he muttered too low for the humans to hear.
The mind reader walked half way to them, pausing to swallow hard as his gold eyes darkened a few shades, before finishing his trek to their table with determined strides. “Ladies,” he greeted, “mind if I join you?”
With wide eyes, Jessica scooted over, opening a spot between her and Bella. “Not at all,” she breathed. “Right Bella? Angela?”
Bella blinked as she chewed a particularly massive bite. “Wha…? Oh, yeah, sure,” she finished before taking a huge slurp of milkshake. “The more the merrier.”
Edward slid into the booth next to her, his furious gaze locking with Jay’s amused one. His brows rose and he grinned. “You okay there, brother? You look a mite uncomfortable.”
“I’m fine,” Edward ground out before looking at Bella who was busy polishing off her fries with gusto. “Bella, how are you?”
She froze with a ketchup-laden fry halfway to her mouth. “Uh, I’m good,” she said as a blush crept over her cheeks. “How are you? I heard you were sick.”
He nodded. “I was, but I’m fine now,” he said with another heavy swallow.
Bella popped the last fry into her mouth, chewed and slurped up the last of her shake before sitting back with a sigh. “God, that was good. I don’t think I’ve ever been that hungry.”
Edward narrowed his eyes at his grinning brother. “Yes, well, it’s understandable.”
“Yep,” Jay quipped, “Mary Jane’ll do that to you.”
Meanwhile, Jessica and Angela were watching all this like a tennis match, their mouths open in dawning realization. “You got high?” Jessica finally asked and Bella shrugged.
“Maybe.”
Jessica leaned forward, her eyes narrowed as she really looked at Bella. “You still are! Holy shit. The Police Chief’s daughter…”
Edward’s jaw tightened. “Your discretion would be appreciated.”
“Of course,” Angela readily agreed while Jessica clamped her mouth shut, a decidedly calculating look in her eyes.
“So, uh, Edward,” Bella stuttered while cleaning the grease from her fingers with a napkin. “Will you be at school tomorrow?”
He gave a slow nod and a crooked smile. “Yeah, I will.”
She smiled shyly. “Good…that’s good. I, uh, have the notes from Bio if you want?”
“That would be great, Bella, thanks.”
Her smile brightened, her glazed eyes locked with his as she leaned into him. “Anything you need, Edward.”
Jay snorted and smirked when he heard a low growl rumble in Edward’s chest before he managed to stifle it. “Thank you, Bella. I’ll remember that.”
She leaned in even closer, her nose skimming his shoulder. “God, you smell good.”
“So…so do you,” he choked out and Jay gusted a laugh while muttering, “Fucking gold…”
Loud enough for everyone to hear, he said, “I dunno she kinda reeks like greasy meat and chocolate if you ask me.”
Jessica giggled while Edward and Bella glared. “No one asked you,” Edward grumbled while Jessica batted her lashes.
“I agree with you, Jay. She does sorta smell like the burger. At least, that’s all I can smell at the moment.”
Bella directed her attention back to Edward. “Are you going to the dance?” she asked as her hand found its way to his thigh.
He sucked in a breath at the sensation before nodding. “Only…only if you agree to accompany me. I was going to ask you tomorrow, but…”
She smiled widely while fully leaning against him. “I’m not a very good dancer, but yes, I’ll go with you.”
“Good,” he said with a tense but relieved laugh as Bella’s hand crept farther up his thigh. “And don’t worry about the dancing. It’s all in the leading.”
Jay snorted again and Edward shot him a glare just as the bell on the door jingled again. They all glanced over and Edward groaned quietly as Chief Swan looked around before stalking to their table, looking like he’d smelled something foul. “Bella, what the hell are you doing with these two, especially that one?” he snapped, stabbing a finger at Jay.
“I was hungry.”
The Chief leveled a cold glare at Jay who merely smirked back while raising a brow. “What can I do for you, Chief?”
Charlie grabbed him by the arm and hauled him from the booth before slamming him face first against the wall and kicking his legs apart. “Hands on the wall, pretty boy, and don’t move a muscle,” he said while beginning to pat him down.
“Really? This again? I’m beginning to think you have a thing for me, Chief,” Jay drawled as Charlie dug out the baggie and lighter in his pocket.
“Well, what do we have here?” he said, sounding delighted. He leaned close to Jay’s ear. “I knew I’d catch you with something sooner or later, you little shit. Daddy won’t be able to save you now.”
“If you’d care to have a look in my wallet, you’ll find a valid prescription.”
Charlie’s lip curled as he cuffed Jay’s hands behind his back and turned him around. “Slide down the wall, sit and stay there.” He pointed at Edward. “Do I need to search you too?”
“Charlie!” Bella protested as Edward held up both hands.
“No, sir, Chief. I don’t approve of substance abuse of any kind and never will.”
“Hmm,” Charlie grumbled while searching Jay’s wallet. He found and pulled out a crisply folded paper and glared at it a moment, a muscle in his jaw twitching when he saw the signature of Dr. Carlisle Cullen. He flipped the paper around to Edward. “If I call your father down here, he gonna validate this?”
Edward glanced at it before nodding. “Yes, sir, he will. Jay was injured in football at our prior school and that’s for chronic back pain.”
“Son of a …” the Chief groused before turning back to a smirking Jay. Hauling him to his feet, he turned him and slammed him face first into the wall again before unlocking the cuffs.
“Aw, and here I was looking forward to spending quality time with you,” Jay snarked while rubbing his wrists.
“Our time will come, you little bastard, don’t worry.” He threw Jay’s wallet on the floor and turned to Bella.
“Come on, you're going home, now.”
Edward stood to let her out of the booth. “Goodbye, Bella.”
She smiled wanly while edging toward her father. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Charlie grabbed her arm and stared at her before swearing under his breath at her red-rimmed eyes. “Go,” he said with a gentle shove, “into the cruiser. You’re not driving anywhere…for a good long while.”
“Bye, Candy Girl,” Jay said with a shit-eating grin. “See you tomorrow.”
Charlie growled and shoved her farther toward the door as she waved. “Bye Jay.”
They all watched as Charlie ushered her into his car and tore out of the lot.
Edward jerked his head toward the door. “Let’s go.”
With a put-upon sigh, Jay slid from the booth. “Ladies,” he said with a smirk. “See you later.” He started to the door, his sharp hearing catching the whispered “Oh. My. God.” from Jessica as Edward grabbed his arm and pulled him out of the diner.
“Get in,” Edward growled as he unlocked the Volvo.
“Thanks, but I’ll walk.”
Edward pinned him with a glare over the top of the car. “I’m to take you directly home, so get in.”
Jay rolled his eyes. “Well, when you put it that way…” he slid into the seat barely getting the door closed as Edward gunned it out of the parking lot.
“What were you thinking?” he hissed.
Jay shrugged and rolled the window down before lighting up a cigarette. “I didn't exactly twist her arm.”
“Don’t smoke in my car. And Bella never would’ve done that without you talking her into it!”
Jay’s brows inched up and he blew a stream of smoke at the mind-reader before grinning. “She enjoyed it. What’s wrong with experiencing life’s pleasures while she can?”
He could practically hear Edward’s teeth grind as he gripped the wheel and sped out of town while staring resolutely forward.
“Or…is it that she’s enjoying things with someone other than you?” Jay asked when he felt Edward’s jealousy creeping up through the more prominent anger. He sighed. “Look, I’m just her friend. I’ll never be you and it’s you she wants, okay? So, no worries.”
Edward’s anger ebbed and he glanced over. “Thanks.”
Jay took a deep drag from the cigarette, slowly blowing out the smoke as he gave a single nod. “I get it. Believe me, I do.”
Edward’s brow furrowed as he murmured, “You want to talk about it?”
Jay scoffed. “Can’t,” he spat while flicking the butt from the window with a scowl. “But, thanks anyway.”
DISCLAIMER: Twilight and its inclusive material is copyright to Stephenie Meyer. Original creation, including but not limited to plot and characters, is copyright to the respective authors of each story. No copyright infringement is intended.