Disclaimer: I own nothing but the original plot points and any original characters therein. No copyright infringement intended.
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A/N: Hope you enjoy it. Let me know via review, yeah?
Light and love,
~Spudz
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Chapter 2
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"I still can't believe the asshole called the cops on you," Jake grumbled as he teetered back and forth on the back legs of my desk chair.
"Why? Because he's such a nice guy?" I sneered as I finished up the essay I was writing, while ignoring the pang in my chest that said it was somehow wrong to dislike Lahote. I should be able to hate the jerk in peace, right?
This newly acquired sense of guilt, or whatever it was, could go suck it.
He stopped tipping the chair for a beat then inclined his head as he resumed and admitted, "Okay, I see your point."
I snorted as I closed my notebook and set it beside me on the bed. "I'm surprised Charlie let you up here," I said. And I really was because the man had been like some kind of hard-core prison warden since bailing me out four days ago. I mean…geez, it was just…just…a little misunderstanding! It wasn't as though I was really out to steal the guy's truck…
Unfortunately, the WSP officer who stopped me didn't see it that way.
And neither did Charlie, apparently.
Jake grinned. "You shouldn't be surprised, Bells. Even Super-max allows visitors. It keeps the population's morale up."
I shot him my best death glare. "Oh, ha, ha, that was hilarious. But really, with the way he's been acting, be glad he didn't insist on a cavity search before letting you up here."
Jake cringed. "Yeah, could'a done without that mental picture, thanks," he said with a shiver of revulsion. "So, when do you go to court?"
I rubbed my aching temples. "Tomorrow at one o'clock."
"What are the charges?"
I pinned him with a glare and his eyes went wide. "What? I'm just curious!"
I sighed and grumbled, "Taking a motor vehicle without permission in the 2nd degree and driving without a license 'cause mine was left in your car."
He whistled lowly. "Shit, that's kinda serious."
My stomach rolled and I nodded. "Yep, it can be, but Charlie thinks the judge might go easy since I don't have any kind of a record. Not even a speeding ticket or an unexcused absence at school, so there's that."
My phone buzzed on my nightstand and I grabbed it to read the incoming text. Then my temper instantly spiked and I had to grit my teeth. "Gah! He is such a raging douchebag!"
Jake looked startled. "What? Who's it from?"
I tossed him my phone and threw myself back on my pillows. "See for yourself."
He caught it and seconds later, burst into laughter, cementing my opinion that teen guys are all insensitive pricks. "I'm so glad you're amused," I seethed as he wiped tears of laughter from his eyes.
He spoke through lingering chuckles, "I'm sorry Bells, but that shit's kinda funny." He grinned at me. "Did you read them?"
"Only the first one," I grumbled with a scowl.
He held my phone at eye level and cleared his throat, preparing to read aloud.
Dear Isabella, he recited with a quick smirk in my direction,
In the spirit of being helpful,' he continued reading in his most formal voice, "I thought I would send along a reading list tailored to your potential change in circumstances.
No need to thank me,
-Lahote.
Shiv Crafting For Dummies
Advanced Shiv Making (It's not just a toothbrush anymore)
Rocking The Orange (Accessorizing the suit)
Prison Economics (Trade value of Ramen and cigarettes)
Yard Time (Making the most of that 1 hour a day)
When he finished reading, he collapsed into laughter again, nearly tipping the chair over backwards in the process, and I found myself wishing I could kill with my eyes alone. 'Laser eyes… Yeah, that would be awesome right about now.'
"You're being a jerk, Jake," I deadpanned.
His lips twitched as he pressed them together but he broke seconds later, grinning widely. Then he held up a hand, palm out and used his most placating tone, "I'm sorry, you're right, I shouldn't laugh."
"No, you shouldn't," I groused. "I mean, I could be in serious trouble here!"
He sighed, then nodded. "Well, whatever happens, I'm here for you. You'll get through this, and Bells, keep in mind your dad's the freakin' Chief of Police, so I really don't think you need to worry."
I sat up and scrubbed my face with both hands then nodded. "God, I really hope you're right."
He got up and sat on the edge of my bed then pulled me into a tight hug. "I am. You'll see."
I pulled away and leaned back against my headboard because as much as I loved Jake as a friend, it felt weird being that close to him. It just suddenly felt…wrong. "Thanks, Jake."
"Anytime," he said as he stood. "I need to go patrol now though so I'll see you tomorrow when you get back?"
I frowned. "You mean, if I get back."
"Bella…" he drew out my name like an admonishment and I waved him off.
"Fine, fine, I'll see you when I get back.
When he left, I picked up a book to read but put it down five minutes later when Charlie poked his head in the door. "Bells, I was planning to drive you to Port Angeles for court tomorrow, but I'm too swamped with all the recent missing persons cases and animal attacks. I have to meet with Clallam County Sheriff's Department and Seattle PD, and I can't just cancel or postpone."
My eyes were wide as I stared at him. I was going to have to face this ... alone?!
He must've read the panic in my expression because he held up a placating hand. "You won't be alone. I called Billy. He agreed to go with you, and he spoke to Sam so someone reliable will be driving. They'll be here at 8:00 am to pick you up."
I frowned. "Who exactly? And why so early? My case isn't until 1:00."
He rubbed his eyes with his thumb and forefinger, then gusted out a heavy, tired sigh as he answered, "Not exactly sure who, Bella, but Billy said it would be someone trustworthy, and I trust him. Besides, you're eighteen, old enough to face the consequences of your actions without someone holding your hand, and I'm just too swamped and tired to argue.
"As for the pick-up time, you need to get there early to go through security and check in with the registrar. It's a felony charge, Isabella. Not exactly traffic court," he grumbled.
I swallowed hard and nodded, knowing I wasn't exactly in any position to argue. Besides, if Billy — my godfather — said they'd be trustworthy, then they would be. "Okay, Dad," I quietly agreed.
"All right," He patted the frame of the door, "Get some sleep and be sure to call me as soon as you finish up tomorrow."
"O—Okay, Dad," I said while swallowing back my nerves and nausea. "Good night."
"Night, Bells," he said and closed the door.
I scooted down under the covers, switched off my lamp and stared into the dark. It was going to be a long, long night.
The next morning, I got up, got ready, choked down one piece of toast, and perched on the edge of the couch to await Billy and my ride.
I'll admit, I was nervous, almost to the point of tears, so I kinda jumped when the knock on the front door finally came. But when I opened it…
'Oh, hell no…'
"What are you doing here?" I growled with my eyes narrowed to slits. I mean, the text last night was bad enough, but to show his face here, on this day especially?!
His perfect, white-toothed grin was wolfish as he lazily leaned against the post of my front porch, well-defined arms crossed over his chest. "Good morning to you too, Isabella."
Something fluttered in my stomach and I grudgingly admitted, he looked good. Really good. He was dressed in snug, dark-washed jeans, black Dr. Marten boots, and a dark green button down shirt, untucked, with the sleeves rolled to the elbows.
My heart sped and I swallowed … hard.
'God, if only he wasn't such a jerk…'
I tore my gaze away and gave myself a mental slap as I looked toward the driveway, hoping against all hope… But sure enough, there was that shiny, red Dodge with Billy Black waiting in the front passenger seat.
Eyes wide, I looked back at a smirking Paul Lahote. "You're my ride?!"
That wolfish grin flashed and he drawled, "That's me, sweetheart." He glanced at his wristwatch and tsk'ed as he tapped it with one long finger. "Time's ticking, young lady, chop, chop. We need to get going." Arresting hazel eyes met mine and he smirked. "Don't wanna piss off the Judge by running late, now do we?"
Yep, it's official ladies and gents: The universe hates me.
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A/N: Again, if you're enjoying it, or have any comments or questions, let me know in a review!
~Spudz