Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot and any original characters therein. No copyright infringement intended.

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Note: I've had some questions about the pairing of this story and all I will say is, it is a Jasper/Bella story. And no worries, I'm not going to kill Jason or break his heart. LOL

Chapter 3

When the alarm on my phone went off at 4:00 am, Friday, I groaned and hugged my pillow before finally reaching to shut the damn thing off. It seemed like I had just gotten to sleep.

The day prior, I had pretty much kept to myself. Master of avoidance, remember? I ate my meals in the diner during off hours to keep from running into anyone, and spent a good chunk of the rest of my day washing the clothes from my second duffel and making a trip to the bank to stash my five grand in cash. I felt a lot better now that it was safe. The evening was spent reading and that's probably why I was so tired — because I had to finish just one. more. chapter. and I think we all know how that works out.

With a yawn and a stretch, I sat up and struggled to shake the cobwebs of sleep away. I was pretty damn sure that not even roosters got up this early. Apparently though, life in small Texas farm towns was of the old-fashioned, early-to-bed and early-to-rise variety, which meant the biscuits, gravy, and grits had to be ready for all those early risers.

Thankfully, I didn't wear much make-up, so I didn't need a lot of time to get ready. Thirty minutes was plenty, so at 4:25 am, I locked my room and jogged down stairs to the kitchen entrance.

"Mornin' sugar," Barb greeted with a grin while browning sausage for the gravy. "Ya look pretty good for the first day of gettin' up so early."

"It's all an illusion," I said before yawning widely.

She chuckled then jerked her chin toward an industrial mixer. "Ya know how to make biscuits?"

"I do."

"Perfect. Everything ya need's right there on the shelves and in the walk-in. Get to it."

"Yes, Ma'am."

After getting the dough ready, I floured the huge butcher-block table and rolled it out, then started cutting and lining them up in the pans. The diner had two huge ovens so I slid the pans in and started cleaning up while they baked.

By that time, Barb was done with the massive pot of gravy and was almost done with the grits. That's when the cook showed up.

He was hispanic, probably 5'9", kinda stocky and his hair was short and spikey on top. If I had to describe him in one word though, it would be chipper. Even at 5:00 am, he exuded positive energy. I liked him immediately.

"Bella, this is Esteban, our cook. He's been with us for five years now, straight outta high school, but I've known him since he was just a lil'bitty thing. Esteban, this is Bella."

He grinned and shook my hand, his grip firm and hand warm and dry. "Welcome to Bailey, Bella," he leaned closer and stage-whispered, "and call me Steve. Only my mother and Barb call me Esteban."

I snickered. "Got it. Good to meet you."

With a parting grin, he went right to work melting a small pot of butter and whipping up the pancake batter while I took the biscuits out of the ovens. Barb inspected them and plucked one from the middle of a batch. I held my breath as she split it open, poked the center, then took a bite.

She nodded and I breathed in relief. "These are good, sugar, perfect. Now, get cleaned up and have some breakfast. We open the doors in fifteen."

About an hour later, I had just served a table of four and was headed back to the pick-up window when I spotted Frank as he walked in.

After serving two of the old-timers at the counter, I grabbed the coffee pot and a menu and headed to Frank's booth by the window. He saw me coming and turned the clean cup over so I could fill it. "Mornin' sunshine," he greeted.

I set down the menu and filled his cup. "Good morning."

He slid the menu to the edge of the table. "Don't need it, hun. I'll have a number 10, bacon and wheat toast."

"Denver omelette man, eh?" I asked while noting his choice on his ticket.

He grinned. "Can't go wrong with a classic."

"Anything else?"

"Jason always gets a number 12, scrambled with a side biscuit and gravy."

"Should I box that to go, or…?"

His eyes sparkled with amusement as he took a sip of coffee and set the cup down. "Nah, he'll be along directly. He had to feed the horses this mornin'. My wife usually does it, but she was feelin' poorly."

"Oh man, I'm sorry to hear that. I hope it's nothing serious."

He wrapped his hands around his cup. "It's just a headache, hun, she'll be fine."

"Good, glad to hear it. Be back in a bit."

I went to the pick-up window and clipped his ticket on the rack. "Order, Steve."

He looked up from plating pancakes with a wink and grin. "Got it, Bella-Bee."

I snorted a laugh and started pouring coffee refills when Jason finally walked in looking wind-swept and — 'damn it all' — absolutely delicious as he shrugged out of his riding jacket and took the seat across from his uncle. He smiled and turned his cup over when I walked over with the pot of brew. "Mornin', Bella," he greeted as I filled his cup and topped off Frank's.

Frank … whose lips were twitching with what looked suspiciously like a stifled grin as he kept his eyes on the napkin he was messing with.

"Good morning, Jason." I smiled then glanced out the window at the royal-blue and black Kawasaki Ninja parked out front and nodded toward it. "Is that your bike?"

He glanced out and nodded while stirring his coffee. "Yep, that's it. You like it?"

"It's gorgeous."

He grinned widely. "You ever wanna go for a ride, just say the word."

My mind conjured an image at that, and let's just say there wasn't a bike involved, and it was enough to make it tough to breathe.

Frank raised a brow and hid a chuckle with a sip from his cup.

Then I felt my face heat and knew it was time to bail. "I'll, uh, keep that in mind," I said weakly as I rushed off.

Another group walked in and I grabbed menus and went to take care of them.

It got really busy with the second morning rush then, so after serving Jason and Frank's food, I was too occupied to spend any time talking.

The place was packed, and to be honest, I was sort-of relieved by that.

Maybe it was my imagination, but the whole time I was rushing around taking orders and serving food, I could feel Jason's eyes on me. At least they were every time I stole glances at him. It was thrilling and disquieting at the same time because I liked him — a lot, and I didn't really want to, damn it.

At the end of my shift, Barb sat me down at the counter and smirked. "Ya kicked ass today, hun. You're a go-getter. I'm impressed," she said as she slid my cut of the tips to me.

I smiled and pocketed the cash. "Thanks, Barb."

"Yep, I'm glad I took a chance on ya." She tapped her fingers on the counter and nodded. "Ya got the rest a' the day free, sugar. Go do somethin' fun and I'll see ya later."

I chuckled ruefully. "Not a lot of options, but yeah, I'll figure something out." I got up and took off my apron before heading upstairs to shower and change. I didn't relish the thought of spending the rest of the day smelling like greasy diner food.

After leaving my room, I slung my backpack over a shoulder but just as I got to the front door, Steve stopped me. "Bella! Hey, some of us were gonna meet up at the Death Star at about 9:00. You wanna join? You can meet Lena, my wife. I think you two'd like each other, plus some other friends'll be there."

My brows shot up and I questioned with a laugh, "The Death Star?"

His grin brightened. "Yeah, owner's kind-of a Star Wars geek. So, whaddya say?"

"Uh," I bit my lip and considered it. What else was I gonna do? I hadn't heard from Peter and Char yet, so didn't know when they might hit town, so… "Yeah, sure, that'd be great. Thanks," I said with a smile.

"Sweet! See ya at 9:00!"

"I'll be there," I said, then pushed the door open and walked out. I'd only taken a few steps when a familiar pair stepped out from the corner of the building.

"You settle in quick, sugar," he teased, smirking while tipping his dark glasses down to peer at me. Char pulled me into a hug and I returned it gladly. It really was nice to see them again.

Then I settled my hands on my hips with a frown. "You sure took your sweet time getting here. Something happen?"

I watched as the pair shared a loaded look and my eyes narrowed. "What? What is it?"

Char crossed her arms and glared off to the side as Peter schooled his face into innocence. Yeah, he was the King of BS, but that didn't mean he was good at it. "Nothing happened," he said, his tone high and light.

Yep, utter bullshit…

At my silently arched brow, he continued, "Just, ya know, had to stop off and see some folks is all. Nothin' to concern yourself over." He slung an arm over my shoulders and the three of us started walking.

"Who did you have to see?"

He flapped a hand. "Awe, you know, just some … you know. No biggie, now tell me what's goin' on here, Busy-Bee. Uncle Petey's all ears."

"All ass, more like…" Char grumbled, the look she shot her mate scathing.

His answering grin was toothy. "Don't listen to her, sugar." He leaned down to my ear and stage whispered, "She's in a mood."

"Oh, I'm in a mood, all right. The mood to kick your…"

"Yeah, okay! So Bell-z-bub, my little demon, tell me about this person you mentioned on the phone," Peter cut in, earning another glare from Charlotte. Which he steadfastly ignored…

Deciding to shelve my suspicion for the time being, I told them all about Frank and Jason including their family name.

"Huh," was all he said for a good stretch of time. Then he shrugged. "It's not uncommon for strangers to have the same last name, Belly-button. I mean, look at all the Smiths in the world."

By now, we were at the park, sitting on the grass under the deep shade of a massive Magnolia tree.

I eyed the deceptively innocent look on his face. I'll give him this: he didn't crack under the scrutiny. "How do you explain Jason being Jasper's twin? I mean, I know Jasper's a Hale, and blond but still…it's weird.

"Do you think Frank and Jason might be a descendent of yours, Pete?"

He laughed. "I damn sure didn't have any curtain climbers! And I don't recall havin' any siblings either." He took his glasses off and chucked me under the chin, his tone now soft and serious. "There's no doubt he's human, right?"

"Nope, there's no doubt. He's got a pulse. I checked."

He canted his head, his gaze searching. "Then, what's the problem, sugar? Why not just let yourself go with it?"

My brow pinched as I took in what he'd said while studying my clasped hands in my lap.

"I agree, hun," Charlotte finally spoke up. She took my hand and stroked the back of it softly. "It's been long enough, sweet girl. You're young and it's not right, the way ya been keeping yourself closed off and always on the move, never gettin' close to anyone." She cupped my cheek, her smile gentle. "Ya need to let yourself live, sugar, and love is a big part a' that." She tucked some hair behind my ear as she said with a saucy grin, "'Sides, from what ya say about this boy, he sounds like a dream. Good lookin', sweet, and a gentleman to boot … hell, if you don't snap him up, I just may!"

"I'm gonna forget ya said that, Lotty," Pete pouted. "Damn women, always hurtin' my feelin's." Then he bumped my shoulder with his. "But I agree with the rest a' what she said, sugar. You're a beautiful girl with a lotta love to give. Ya deserve to be loved by someone who's gonna know just what he's got and have the good sense to keep ya.

"And your Uncle Petey," he continued with a playful nudge, "will be right here to kick his ass back into shape if need be, so no worries there."

My eyes went wide. "You guys are gonna stay?"

Charlotte's smile was warm as she nodded. "Sure 'nuff, if you'll have us, that is."

With a laugh, I grabbed her into a hug which she gladly returned with a whispered, "I love ya, Bells."

"I love you too, Char."

"Oh sure, what am I? Chopped liver?"

Char snorted a laugh and shook her head but I threw my arms around him next, because, yeah … I loved him too, damn it. I couldn't help it. "Oh hush, you. I'd be dead if not for you. You'll always have a piece of my heart."

I sat back down and wiped a tear from my cheek and in true Peter Whitlock fashion, he grinned and said, "Well, shucks, sugar. Now I'm all warm and tingly inside."

Yep, still the King of BS…

I threw a handful of grass at him.

He dodged.

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A/N: Up next, a night at the Death Star to meet new people. Maybe a few more revelations. Certainly more time between Bella and Jason...

Thank all of you for following along and leaving such wonderful comments! You're the fuel to my fire, so if it's not too much trouble, keep 'em coming. I love reading them!

~Spudz