Chapter 2
Jake's POV
The day I had told Bella about the job opening here in Forks, my heart had leapt with hope. I remembered letting out a huge sigh of relief as soon as I hung up the phone with her. She didn't't say 'no', I kept thinking. There were so many times in my conversations with Bella that I hoped for a reason for her to come back home to stay.
Five years ago, Bella moved out of Forks so she could attend college in Arizona, while Charlie moved on to a newly reconciled relationship with his ex-wife and Bella's mother, Renee. Charlie had been the police chief in Forks for many years. It seemed like the perfect job for a single divorced man. I recall in my early years of knowing Charlie Swan that he was always either working or fishing. Since my father Billy was Charlie's closest friend, I was often dragged along on fishing excursions with them. When I was younger I would always look forward to summer vacations when Bella would visit and come along fishing with us.
My head swam with hope the day Charlie told my dad and I that Bella was moving to Forks. I was a fourteen year old boy who was excited for a chance to get to know Bella better. The girls I went to school with on the Reservation, in my opinion were plain, ordinary and very un-interesting. Bella was much more interesting. The summer prior to Bella moving here, she had only been able to visit for one week, instead of her usual two weeks. In those seven days I developed a huge crush on her. The way her hair moved in the wind on the boat, her smile as she blushed at a joke I told, all added to my infatuation. This feeling had developed over the four years she lived in Forks. Although we went to different schools and had different friends, I always had hoped for a future with her. In my dreams, all would have been perfect if it hadn't been for him.
I couldn't't even think of his name without my fists clenching in anger. The one person who, in my mind had taken away my chance with the only girl I ever loved. Edward Cullen. There was not other human being on the planet who I detested as much as I did him. The fact that I had a close friendship with Bella had caused a rift between Edward and I. All the time they dated there was animosity between us. We both knew this caused Bella to choose sides, which was painful for her. But neither of us was willing to compromise, even for Bella's sake. The hatred I had for Edward had increased to an entirely new level when he left Bella. I watched her consumed with so much pain, I thought I would die inside. The devastation that nearly killed her also tore my heart out as I watched her suffer.
Bella's POV
I pulled into the driveway and exited my Honda Civic, eager to stretch my legs. I had been on the road for a good part of two days. Stopping only one night in a hotel to rest and eat before continuing on my journey. I walked up the driveway and took a good look at the house. This was the house where I lived with Dad for those four years of high school. Formerly his home and now mine, my eyes scanned the yard. The lawn had been freshly mowed, a "welcome home" present from Jake no doubt. I pulled my cell phone out of my pocket and dialed. He answered on the first ring.
"So, how'd you like to come visit the newest resident of Forks"? I asked him, yawning.
"Oh, you bet! Be right over." Jake replied, barely getting the words out before hanging up the phone.
While I waited the approximately 20 minutes it would take for Jake to arrive, I unlocked the door and went in the house. Everything inside looked the same as always. Modest furniture and outdated décor; it wasn't much different than when I first came to live there. Outside the living room window I could see the antiquated truck parked in the yard. It had been my homecoming present from my dad when I moved to live here. Although I hadn't been quite old enough to drive at that time, the gift gave me something to look forward to. I remember many Saturdays washing and polishing the exterior in anticipation of the day I could drive it. However I didn't have to do too much to the truck, because it had been well taken care of by Jake.
When Jake grew up and learned to work on cars, this truck had been his pet project. He had replaced the engine and had it running like new when I acquired it. Despite it's age, I couldn't bear the thought of parting with it. It still ran like a new vehicle and had great traction, helpful for slippery winter driving. I glanced skeptically at my Honda, wondering how often I would opt to drive the truck due to the horrible road conditions I knew I would have to drive in.
As I continued to look around the house I stopped to peer into the refrigerator and cupboards. I found Jake had modestly stocked them both. I'd have to remember to thank him for all of this. We already owed so many thanks to Jake and Billy for all they had done for us. For the past five years they had been caring for the house in our absence. They would take care of the yard, and any maintenance that needed to be done as a favor to my Dad, who would usually visit several times a year, on a "fishing vacation." Sometimes he would bring Mom along, other times she would stay back in Phoenix preferring to teach her Yoga classes while Dad had some much earned time off with his friends.
I had been ecstatic when my parents had decided to reunite. It came as a shock at first, of course. When my mother flew up to attend my high school graduation she stayed with us in our spare room. At the time, her divorce to Phil had been nearly final…the anxiety of him being on the road constantly had grown too much for their relationship to survive. She and Dad had sat down together to discuss details of me going to college and their romance blossomed. It was over the course of that summer that they decided to try again and when I left for college in Phoenix, Dad came as well, opting to live with mom in her home there. Luckily he was able to get a job on the Phoenix Police Force, and was currently a detective with the department.
A rumble and the sound of tires on the gravel pulled me away from my day-dreaming and I quickly rushed to the front door. As I stepped onto the porch I saw Jake, pulling off a helmet from his head full of long, soft black hair. I ran to him and leapt into his arms, hanging on for dear life. There was nothing like a hug from Jake. His tall, lean body grabbed me tightly, as I clung to him. He was my dearest friend and every time I saw him it was like we had never spent a day apart. We simply picked right up where we had left off.
"My Gosh I missed you," I gasped as he squeezed me so tightly, I almost felt uncomfortable. His muscles were firm and well defined through his dark t-shirt. He definitely had a physique to admire.
"You always say that. Except now there won't be any reason to miss me. You've finally come home." His eyes twinkled as he spoke.
"You didn't tell me you bought a new bike." I changed the subject, wiping happy tears from my eyes.
"Yeah, well I felt I had earned it when I got the new job." Jake had been hired to teach automotive repair at Forks High School the year before and was glad to have a job teaching something he loved.
"It's a Ducati…I'll have to take you for a spin sometime."
"Sounds like fun. I'll get to see you every day now! I can't believe we'll be working together in the same building, " I added.
We walked together into the house. "I was just about to make a pot of coffee. Want to join me for a cup?" I asked him as he sat on the couch and propped his feet up on the coffee table.
"I'll have one with you. I can't stay long, though. I promised Quil and Embry I would take a look at a transmission for them later this afternoon."
Jake's friends Quil and Embry owned the local gas station and repair shop on the Reservation in LaPush. Jake had been business partners with them before taking the job in Forks. Even though Jake had a new job, he still helped them out when he could.
I started the coffee and joined him on the couch. While the coffee brewed we talked about the changes in the town, people who were still around, and those who were not. Jake and I drank our coffee when it was ready and made plans to go for a bike ride the next day and have a picnic at First Beach. Just like old times. I hugged him when he left and walked out to the car to bring in my luggage.
Unpacking the car didn't take very long. I had stored most of my possessions in the garage at my parent's home in Phoenix, opting only to bring my clothing and a few personal items. I took my time unpacking things, making sure to put everything where I wanted. Since I had one more day to get settled in town before I had to report to work on Monday, I wanted to get the house in order right away. As I looked around the house I decided to buy some new furniture and redecorate some of the house in my spare time. I had grown accustomed to the small apartment I had in Phoenix and wanted to start fresh in Forks. I felt redecorating would be a good way to do that.
As soon as I was done putting away the few personal items I had in boxes, I carried the suitcases up to the top of the stairs. I paused outside the door of my old bedroom. It was exactly the same as it had been when I was in high school. If I closed my eyes, I could recall each picture that was on the wall and every flyer I had tacked on my old cork-board. It even smelled the same to me. All of a sudden the memories of him hit me in the chest like a tsunami, causing me to grasp for breath as I remembered the life I had once had with him. The dreams we once had together. The plans we made. He had been the love of my life. My everything and I had let him go. Tears gushed down my cheeks as I began to think of him. I walked over to the bed, collapsed onto the purple bed spread and cried myself to sleep.
Jake's POV
I felt elated that I had so much to look forward to now that Bella was here. It was the first time I had felt that way in a long time. This is the day I had been waiting for. Bella was back in my life. I was hoping for a second chance, hoping for a life with Bella. I knew she only considered me a friend but she knew how deep my feelings for her ran. We loved each other as friends but there had always been the hope of more.
Although I loved Bella, I still tried to date and I even had few relationships over the past five years. Many of them wanted more of a commitment than I was willing or able to give. There were no hard feelings between me and these girls. They just knew I wasn't in the same place as they were, so they opted to move on. I never became too attached, so none of them were difficult break-ups.
I pulled my bike beside the building and walked into the office where Quil was filling out repair orders and Embry was counting cash in the drawer to make the daily deposit. They both immediately stopped what they were doing and glared quizzically at me.
Quil spoke up first..."Oh God, here he comes. I've seen that look a million times…"
"Don't give me that shit!" I began to argue "What in the hell are you talking about?"
"Do you think we were born yesterday Black? I'd recognize that smirk on your face anywhere. You've just come from Swan's house, haven't you?" Embry challenged.
"Oh come on you two. Everyone knows Bella's moving back into town. You can't seriously believe I am still that same obsessed teenager. You know full well that just last week I was hooking up with Laura Kramer after the Roadhouse closed and the week before that it was Jessica Stanley…"
"Spare us your tales of dirty deeds, Black. We're fully aware of your sexual conquests" Quil stated.
"That's good because Bella is not on my list of "sexual conquests" as you so eloquently put it…" I argued
"We are both aware of that. How long have we known you? We also are not fooled by you changing the subject." Embry was getting defensive in his tone. "We were talking about the stupid smirk you get on your face every time you have seen or spoken to Isabella Swan"
With that, I shut my mouth. I had nothing more to add. I quickly walked through the office and into the first bay of the garage and started tearing apart the transmission I was there to repair.
Hope you enjoy chapter 2. Please review as this helps me know where I can improve my writing. I want to send out a big thanks to my Beta: Jenn...I appreciate YOU!
~Dee