Under Construction

Chapter Twenty

Our journey is continuing with Edward, Bella and Garrett. I do have a blog for this story. It's a continuation of the Renovations blog. A link for the blog is on my profile. On the blog, there will be picture teasers, teasers and pervy picture teasers. This story is going to be quite steamy and it's pre-written. It will be updated on Wednesdays and Saturdays with teasers on Sundays and Thursdays.

Also, thank you to Christina Downs for her help with planning out the story and wielding her red pen (cursor). You rock, girlie! Mwah!

I'm warning you ... there's some heart-fail in this chapter. But there is a light at the end of the tunnel. The third installment will start posting NEXT WEEK! So, don't hate me.

*Tissue Warning*
*Angst Warning*

Chapter Twenty

Edward and Garrett were finally starting on the Banner's renovation for their kitchen. They needed the distraction of a new project. They hadn't heard from Bella in over a week. No phone calls. No texts. No sexy emails. Nothing. Edward naively believed that she was swamped with work from that adoption. Garrett had an inkling that she was back but avoiding them. Something happened after they left. Something bad. Something very bad that obviously caused her to rethink their relationship.

"Stop looking at your phone, douche," Garrett snapped. "We've got to take these measurements."

"I thought I felt it vibrate," Edward said, smiling sadly at his friend. "It did, but it was just an email."

"From Bella?" Garrett asked.

"No. Mrs. Cope. She's wondering when we're coming back," Edward shrugged, shoving the phone back into his pocket. "Daniel is handling her well, but the Banner's house is a bigger project." They worked quietly, only speaking to bark out measurements. "Do you think that Bella doesn't want us?"

"I don't know, Ed," Garrett muttered. "Something must have happened that totally spooked her."

Edward bit back tears. "I miss her so much, Garrett," he said thickly. "What if she ..."

"We're better off without her," Garrett said coldly. "We were her playthings and if she can drop us like that than she's not worth our trouble."

"You don't mean that," Edward growled. "We were not her playthings. We shared something very special."

Garrett turned and swallowed back his own tears. They had shared something very special. It no longer existed, though. "Look, I don't know anything more than you do, Edward. If she calls, then she calls. If she doesn't, than we need to move on. Let's finish these measurements and then work on the demo. It'll be a great way to work off some of our frustrations."

They worked through the afternoon. Once they were done with the demo for the day, Garrett sent a text to Mrs. Banner explaining that they would be back the next day to finish up with the demolition and start reframing the kitchen. They locked up the house and walked out to the front yard, seeing a familiar black Range Rover. Bella was leaning against it, her posture defeated and her face impossibly sad.

"Bella!" Edward smiled, running to her and giving her a hug. She didn't respond. Her eyes were clamped shut and her hands were in stiff fists by her sides. "What is it? What's wrong?" he asked, looking at her.

"I, um," she began, twisting the bracelet that they gave her in her hands. "I can't do this anymore."

"Why?" Edward asked, his voice breaking.

"Were we just a passing fancy?" Garrett asked, his voice filled with contempt.

"No. Nothing like that," she cried. She wiped her face and looked up at them. She looked skyward, trying to gather her thoughts. "Something happened in New York. After you left."

"What?" Garrett asked, feeling bad for snapping at her.

"My ex-husband had somehow gained access to the corporate apartment. He put tiny video cameras all around and he taped me. Taped us. It's bad enough that he taped us making love, invading our privacy. But, he sent it to my client. My reputation was on the line," she cried, tugging at her limp hair. "Aro thankfully calmed them down and it all worked out, but the fact that what should have been between us was out there in the web. Nothing ever goes away once it's out there."

"Are you ashamed of us?" Edward asked, his voice small.

"I'm not ashamed, but I can't have my career ruined because I'm perceived to be a sexual deviant," she spat. "A whore." She cried, her face screwed up in pain. "Mrs. D'Amato called me a whore." She looked up at them. "My job is based on my reputation. If that's tainted, I don't have a job. I don't have a career." She handed the bracelet to Edward and turned away. "I never meant to hurt either one of you. I care for you more than words can say, but I just can't do this." She got into her car and started it.

Garrett banged on her window. She lowered it, looking absolutely wrecked. "Don't give up on us, Bella. We love you."

"I love you both, too. But, love really isn't enough. I'm sorry," she sobbed. "I have to get away. I'm going to visit Essie. If you could, please leave the keys you have in the lockbox in the garage. I'm so, so sorry."

Bella hated to do it. Her heart was shattering as she drove away from Edward and Garrett. She loved Garrett. His goofy sense of humor and his dominating personality made her clench with anticipation. He made her laugh and brought out her silly side. Edward, her sweet and wonderful Edward. She was in love with him. Her heart belonged to him and based off his reaction, his heart was hers. Edward made her feel like a woman. He showed her every day, with every sweet smile, romantic gesture and adoring kiss, how much he loved her.

But, she couldn't let her heart run her life. She did for five months and it almost ruined her career. Her personal life was encroaching on her professional life. She couldn't have that. She worked too hard to let one indiscretion ruin her stellar reputation.

But what about your heart? Who will mend that? You finally found true love and you're throwing it away? Bella's subconscious snarked.

Wiping her face, her walls went back up and she knew she was destined to be alone.

Forever.

Fin

needed ʹ<_U