“Panty-droppers all around girls.” Rose said in a raised drunken voice.
It was Saturday night, and we were officially celebrating our ‘girls night out’, club-hopping in downtown Seattle. Aside from Tara and Joanna, Rose had invited a couple of her sorority sisters and soon-to-be bridesmaids, Caitie and Tami.
Lou was also with us, at Edward’s insistence. If he was bothered by having to baby-sit six drunken females, he never showed it.
“I like panty-droppers” I replied, for some reason my words sounded slurred. “Edward’s a panty-dropper” I noticed a couple of the girls choke on their drinks “Well, at least his smile is” I continued.
I like his smile, and his lips. I wish he was here right now so I could kiss the shit out of those lips.
“Bella, what the fuck are you talking about?” Rose barked. She was really drunk. “You’ve never dropped your panties for Edward or anyone else. I know for a fact that you’re still carrying your v-card.”
Lou choked on his club soda.
That was unexpected.
I snarled back at Rose “Shut up Rose. Someone might hear you, and I don’t need that information all over the tabloids next week!”
The rest of the girls at our table were looking at me with wide eyes and gaping mouths. Tara was the first to recover.
“Bella, you’re still a virgin?” She whispered “Really?”
I nodded. Even with my alcohol buzz, this conversation was embarrassing.
The girls still looked stunned. Tami spoke next, also in a whisper. “You mean to tell me that you’re dating Edward Masen, and you’ve never had sex?”
I continued to nod.
Tami started to fan herself. “Oh my God. Edward Masen, the sexiest man alive, Edward fucking Masen.”
“Girl, you must have amazing will power.” Joanna blurted as they all started chuckling.
I thought about how to explain this without sounding like a perpetual victim.
“Look, I’m sure you all know the events of my past that have been rehashed all over the internet, magazines and television. It left me pretty messed up. I’ve never even had a boyfriend until Edward. He loves me so much, he’s willing to wait until I’m ready.”
I can’t believe I was able to say all that with numb lips.
Their smiles disappeared as I spoke. “Oh Bella, we didn’t mean to be insensitive, I wasn’t even thinking about any of that. I’m so sorry.” Tara whispered.
“No, please don’t be sorry.” I smiled. “You’re mine and Rose’s friends. It’s all good. Anyway, if I get mad at anyone it will be Rose” I shot a glare at my brother’s fiancée, who smiled goofily in response. “She’s the one with a big mouth.”
We were quiet for a while, then Caitie spoke. “Wow, Edward Masen….what a man.” Then the round of giggles started all over again, with me joining in this time.
We were drinking another round.
How many drinks have I had anyway? And when the hell did we arrive at this club?
I thought back and tried to count how many drinks I’d had and how many places I’d been tonight.
“Girls, I may be fucked up.” I said.
At that exact moment, Caitie grabbed my phone “Smile” she shouted as she proceeded to take my photo with Tara.
“Oh, lemme send Eward” I think I was trying to express my wish to send the photo to Edward.
I sent it and a message.
E-
I mis u panty drper. Wait 4 me on skyppe…b4 u leave?
-B
He responded quickly. I blinked my eyes several times to focus on the message.
B-
Of course I will wait beautiful. I have off today. Going sight-seeing later with Ali and Jasper. I love you.
-E
“Why’re you smiling so silly?” Rose couldn’t articulate very well either. Then she grabbed my phone from me in order to read my text.
She smiled. “Aww, Bells, that boy’s sweeeet.”
Before I knew it, my phone was being passed around. “Can we clone him Bella?” Tami asked with a grin.
“No, Eward is mine, no clowns.”
Clowns are scary. What the hell were we talking about anyway?
They all laughed at me, again.
Lou had been fairly quiet all night, from time to time I noticed him reading something on his phone, just like now.
“Text from your girlfriend?” I asked him with a smile.
“No Bella, it was actually from your boyfriend.” He grinned, then turned to everyone. “Ladies, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but it is after one a.m. and Mr. Masen gave me specific instructions to have everyone home by two.”
I didn’t argue, because the sooner I got home, the sooner I saw my Edward.
I chugged my drink and left with Lou and my friends.
I was really glad that Edward had suggested we stay connected to skype while I was gone, because I was still very woozy when I got home.
As soon as I hit my bedroom doorway, I started calling him. “Edwaaarrd, are you there? I’m hooome.” I didn’t see him. “Hello, helloooo.” I said when my face was inches from the screen.
Suddenly, Edward appeared in the room, walking toward the screen. He looked yummy.
“You look pretty good yourself, my beautiful drunken girl.” He grinned.
Oops, I must have said that out loud.
“Oh, Edward, we had so much fun tonight.”
“First, we went out for Mexican food and margaritas. While we ate, the girls said they wanted to go to a karaoke bar. I told them No way Jose, cause we were in a Mexican restaurant…”
I noticed that Edward was chuckling.
“Well, anyway, no more karaoke bars. I have no desire to see any more ‘Bella’ videos on youtube. Sooo we went to a dance club, or several. I don’t really remember how many….”
“The girls got me to dance a lot.” I was babbling on and on, Edward was just smiling. “Oh!” I gasped as I remembered something.
“Edward, I almost forgot the best part of the night! We met this really cool lady. She is from Morocco, or something like that. Anyway, she taught us to belly dance. It was so much fun!”
Edward was smiling from ear to ear as he listened to me.
“Rose wants to have her on the show sometime.” Then I got a brilliant, drunken idea. “I should show you!” I jumped to my feet and started to move the way Adriana had shown me. “I don’t know if I’m doing it right, because I can’t see my belly.”
I was wiggling pretty hard, but couldn’t see anything.
I need to take off this dress.
“You know, I think it would be better without the dress” I said as I unzipped it.
“Bella, what are you doing?” Edward sounded a little startled.
“You’ve got to see my belly Edward. It’s a belly dance Duh!”
“Bella, wait!” Edward yelled as he lunged for the computer, then he disappeared. I couldn’t see him anymore, but I did hear a lot of cussing.
Where did he go?
“Edwaaard are you okay?” I was still tugging at my dress, but the stupid thing was being difficult.
Ah, success
Just then, Edward’s head popped back up into the screen, wide-eyed. “Bella stop.”
Huh?
“Stop what?” I asked, pulling my dress over my shoulders.
“Don’t take off your dress.” He whispered just as my dress hit the floor, pooling at my feet.
“That dress?” I questioned as I pointed down to it.
“Oh dear God.” He croaked out.
Edward sure is nervous.
“Are you okay Edward? You seem a little keyed up.” I sighed. “Maybe my dance will take your mind off of whatever’s troubling you.”
Now, more comfortable in just my bra and panties, I started gyrating my hips the way Adriana had shown us.
Gyrate left, gyrate right, left, right, left and thrust.
When I started thrusting my hips toward Edward, I thought I heard him squeak.
That was fucking weird.
He kept doing all those things he did when he was nervous, like running his hands through his hair or rubbing them on his face.
I noticed, however, that he never took his eyes off of me.
After a few minutes he spoke, “Bella, I think you should stop and put your dress back on.” He rasped out.
I probably should stop, it’s obviously not helping Edward’s nervous state. I feel a little stupid now.
“You’re probably right, but I’m not putting my dress back on to go to sleep silly.” I grinned.
“Okay.“ He winced like he was in pain.
Maybe he’s got a headache.
“Edward, I’m going to get dressed for bed, no peeking.” I sang while waving a finger at him. “I think I’ll wear your shirt.”
I grabbed his shirt from my bed and proceeded to turn my back to him as I unclasped my bra.
There was an audible gasp from the computer, and I peered over my shoulder at him. “Are you sure you’re okay Edward? You’ve been having a lot of trouble breathing tonight."
I got the bra off, still keeping my back to Edward.
It sounds liked he’s muttering to himself.
I peered at him again, “Edward, would you stop smacking yourself in the forehead, you might get brain damage.”
I slipped his shirt over my head and turned around to face him. “I’m sorry my belly dance wasn’t very good.”
He cleared his throat. “It was fine Bella. Truly the best belly dance I’ve ever seen.” He was looking down while he spoke.
“Edward, do you feel okay?”
“Yes, I’m fine.” He still wouldn’t look at me.
“Are you mad at me?” I asked sadly.
“Of course not Bella.” still not looking at me.
“Then why won’t you look at me?” Abruptly, I wanted to cry. So I did. His head suddenly jerked up as soon as he heard me.
“You could do so much better than me.” I said through my drunken sobs.
“Bella, sweetheart, don’t cry. I want only you. You know that.”
“But I don’t understand why Edward.” I answered as my nose started to run.
I wiped it on his shirt.
“I’m not a very good girlfriend.” I said as I hiccoughed.
“You are the best girlfriend. You’re my girl, and I love only you.” He answered sincerely.
“But I can’t even do a proper belly dance.” I whined.
I was officially having a crying jag.
“I’m not beautiful or glamorous like Tanya. I don’t have huge boobs. I’m not blonde with blue eyes.” I was really feeling sorry for myself now.
“You are beautiful and glamorous. I love your brown eyes and your silky brown hair. You don’t need silicone, your body is perfect.” He sighed then. “So perfect in fact that after your little performance tonight, I feel the need for another cold shower.” He chuckled.
My head shot up and I looked at him. “Really?” I asked through my drunken, runny-nosed, bleary-eyed haze.
“Really.” He said quietly. “Now, will you do me a favor?”
“Anything” I whispered.
“I need you to go to the medicine chest and take 2 Tylenol with a glass of water. I’ll wait here.”
I did as he asked and was back in two minutes.
“Now sweetheart, I want you to get in bed and switch off the light.”
Again, I followed his directions.
“Edward?” I mumbled as I settled onto my pillow.
“Yes Bella?”
“Will you sing to me?”
“Of course. I love you Bella.”
“Love you too, Edward.” I said as I yawned. The last thing I heard was Edward’s voice as it lulled me to sleep.
"Long ago and far away, I dreamed a dream one day
And now that dream is here beside me
Long the skies were overcast, But now the clouds have passed
You're here at last..."
--V&V--
After I opened my eyes, I made the mistake of trying to lift my head.
Oh shit. That hurts.
Instead of trying to lift it again, I attempted to roll my head and the rest of me in the direction of my nightstand. There it was, my laptop. It was sitting there taunting me. I scooted close enough to see the time, vaguely aware that I was still connected to skype although Edward was nowhere to be seen.
Nine-thirty.
I tried to remember what time I fell asleep. I tried to remember last night. As soon as I thought about our ‘girls night’, everything that happened came flooding back to me.
Mexican food and margaritas. Dance club number one. Drinking. Dancing with our friends. Turning down dances with frat boys who would not stop asking. Drinking more. Dance club number two. More drinking. Learning to belly dance? Yeah, that was fun, and funny. I really hope footage of that doesn’t end up on youtube. Dance club number whatever…drinking, dancing, sending drunken text to Edward.
Edward.
Coming home and talking to Edward on skype. God, he’s gorgeous. Telling him about my night and my belly dancing. And… taking off my dress…!
Holy shit. Holy shit. Holy shit.
As the memory of every stupid thing I did in front of Edward hit me, I jumped from the bed and slammed my laptop shut, not caring that my head hurt like a motherfucker.
I can never face him again. What the hell came over me last night? Talk about losing your inhibitions…
The more I thought about it, the more confused I became.
Edward’s probably so disgusted with me. By now, he’s probably convinced that I’m a crazy drunken slut.
I want to crawl into a hole and die.
Usually when I drank to excess, I didn’t remember everything from the night before, the memories I did have would be fuzzy at best. This time, unfortunately, I remembered everything.
I can’t show my face to Lou again either. Or any of the girls. Or Rose.
Rose. This is all her fault. She made me drink like it was spring break in Cancun. Ugh.
I was at least thankful that I didn't wear a thong, or anything see-through.
You're still an idiot.
Vowing to avoid Edward for the rest of the day, maybe for the rest of the week, I jumped in the shower. I dressed in a hurry and arrived at Mass late, positive that everyone there knew I was hung-over.
Just another embarrassing moment to add to the list.
Back at home, I changed into casual clothes. Spying my dress of shame and red bra lying on my floor, I grabbed them both and shoved them into the darkest corner of my closet.
Maybe if I didn’t have to look at them, I’d forget what I did.
I looked at my phone and saw two text messages from Edward. I read the first, sent around noon my time.
B-
I guess you went to church. Call me or skype when you get back. I’ll be here all evening.
-E
And the second from about an hour ago.
B-
I hope you had a good morning and your head doesn’t hurt too much. Call me. Love you.
-E
I couldn’t bring myself to call him, or skype. I felt like such a fool.
I spent the rest of the afternoon ignoring phone calls, even from Rose. All my homework for the week was done, so I decided to start reading Lord of The Rings, again. As I told Edward, I read it about once a year and today was as good a time as any to start.
I was curled up on my sofa with a cup of tea. Frodo and friends had just had supper with Farmer Maggot’s family, when the door to my apartment flew open.
“Why the hell aren’t you answering your phone?” Rose barked.
I just shrugged and looked at her apologetically as I set my book on the coffee table.
“Bella, what is going on? I’ve had to field phone calls from Edward, Alice, and now even Charlie is trying to find you.” She said in a softer tone as she studied my face.
I don’t know what came over me, but I started to cry. Then I proceeded to tell Rose what I’d done the night before. After I was finished I glanced at her, only to see a very amused smirk on her beautiful face.
“Rose. Please don’t tell me you think this is funny.” I said.
She cleared her throat. “Bella haven’t I always been truthful with you?” She asked as she quirked one eyebrow at me.
“Yes.” I answered.
“Okay, so I’m going to be completely honest. What you did was not only funny, it was downright hilarious. Don’t freak out! It’s only hilarious because it was you doing it. I told you that Edward had changed you. I didn’t realize how right I was.“
I cringed at the mention of Edward’s name.
Rose shook her head and smiled. “It’s also perfectly normal to share that with your boyfriend, especially considering you were drunk. You know about all the fucked-up things I’ve done while drunk.”
That was true. I could write a book about Rose and Emmett’s exploits, sober or intoxicated.
“Would it help to know that I also reenacted the belly dance on skype for Emmett last night?”
I looked at her. “I guess so.” I said quietly.
“Of course in my case, I was drunk and naked.”
I gasped while Rose laughed.
Why am I not fucking surprised?
“Stop worrying Bella. That guy is head over heels in love with you. You probably made his night with that dance. Correction, you probably made his month with that dance.” She cackled a laugh. “I remember his face during your karaoke performance.” She continued to laugh.
I suddenly remembered Caveward carrying me outside and kissing me against the wall of the karaoke bar.
“Come over soon. I tevo’d the golf game so we could just watch the parts with Emmett in it.” She instructed while walking to my door. She stopped and turned to look at me. “Call Edward first.”
“Okay.” I answered dejectedly.
I sat quietly for a few minutes before retrieving my phone from my bedroom. I sat on the bed, staring at the screen before finally dialing his number. He answered immediately.
“Bella” He whispered, sounding a bit frantic. “Are you alright? Where have you been?”
“Sorry I didn’t call.” I answered quietly.
“Bella what is the matter?” He asked.
“Nothing.”
“Why do I get the feeling that you’re hiding something?” He said.
“Listen Edward, I can’t talk long. Rose wants to watch Emmett’s golf game.” I needed to get off this call.
“Bella” He was on the verge of a panic attack “Don’t hang up.”
“Edward, I’m okay. You need to get some sleep, you’ve got to work tomorrow.” I said quietly.
“Bella! Don’t you dare hang up that phone!” He demanded.
I froze. He’d never spoken to me like that before.
"Now. You need to tell me what the fuck is going on or I’ll be on the next plane to Seattle.” He ordered.
“Um. I don’t know what to say.”
“Start with why you won’t speak to me.” He said in a much softer voice.
I released a frustrated sigh. “Ican’tbelieveIdancedinmyunderwear” I rushed out.
Edward was silent for a minute, then he started to chuckle. “Bella is that all that’s bothering you?”
“All?!” I half-screamed. “Isn’t that enough Edward. I made a fool of myself!”
“Um, Bella, how should I put this? That dance last night was the hottest thing I’ve ever seen. Even hotter than the karaoke, and you know how I reacted to that.” He breathed.
“You’re just saying that to make me feel better.” I argued.
He laughed. “Bella, for God’s sake, if I could have found a way to record that dance on skype I would have done it. In other words, feel free to make a fool of yourself any time.” He chuckled.
“Seriously?”
“I was hoping we were past all this insecurity baby. Can we go on skype now?”
“No, I really promised Rose that I’d be over. I’m sorry.” I said quietly.
“Okay.” He sighed sadly. “Are you better now?”
“Yes” I smiled even though he couldn’t see me.
I don’t know why I avoided him all day. He always knows what to say to make me feel better.
“Good. And remember what I said, you can make a fool out of yourself any time, but Bella.”
“Huh?”
“You’re only allowed to make a fool of yourself in front of me okay?” He chuckled.
I giggled. “Only you Edward. I love you.”
“I love you too baby. We’ll skype before I leave for the studio okay?”
“Okay, bye.”
--V&V--
When I arrived at Rose’s, she tossed a couple tabloids at me before we watched Emmett.
“Have a look at this bullshit, but don’t get upset about it Bella. I actually find these amusing.” She grinned. “At some point, I’m going to do a whole show dedicated to how inaccurate these rags are. Sort of like a TV versioin of ‘Gossip Cop’.”
That’s a really good idea.
The front pages had photos of Edward arriving at Heathrow Airport, and photos of me going to class. The headlines screamed about our ‘breakup’, and also about Lou being my new boyfriend. Although the only photo they had of me and Lou also included Edward.
Morons.
The golf game was quite entertaining. I couldn’t believe they actually allowed Emmett on the course in the kilt. He had explained to Rose that because it was for charity, they relaxed their rules.
I personally think he either bribed someone, or they couldn’t resist his charm. Either way, Emmett got what he wanted.
The crowed adored him. All golf course etiquette was forgotten every time it was his shot, as he was greeted with enthusiastic applause and a few catcalls from the women. Rose and I laughed a lot, especially when he would wiggle his tush before each shot.
Then I remembered he wasn’t wearing underwear and felt a little uncomfortable.
Golf wouldn’t be so boring if they allowed the men to dress like that though. On second thought, they’d have to be built like my brother to pull it off, or like Edward. Mmmm Edward in a kilt.
“Stop picturing Edward in a kilt Bella.”
Damn it. Rose knows me too well.
After the tournament, Emmett was interviewed.
“I really appreciate the opportunity to play here today, and I’m glad we raised a lot of money for a good cause.” Emmett grinned during his interview.
The interviewer went on to ask him a few standard questions, to which he responded in the standard way. Before ending the interview, he made sure to mention us.
“On a personal note I’d like to say hello to my family back home, Pops and Bella, and especially my fiancée Rosie.“ Then he looked straight into the camera “Best dance ever babe, bar none.” He said as he grinned and winked, to which Rose and I began to laugh hysterically.
I wonder how drunk I’d need to be in order to belly dance naked?
That’s a question for another day Bella.
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