4. The Third Wheel
It was just wishful thinking that we would get out of Port Townsend without some extra baggage. Embry had stopped by the local Reservation, a little Island out in the Ocean. I remembered to sneak back into my house, knowing my mother would be at her early workout sessions with her girlfriends, celebrating with twenty-five kilometer runs and a gigantic cake at the end to gorge. I grabbed everything I practically owned. Photo albums of my best friends who have forgotten me, my journal that I had abandoned, clothing that I needed—bras, underwear, my slacks and jeans that I loved—I left the fancy clothing at home, knowing I would never need them ever again. Well I took a strapless summer dress just in case. I left the teddy bear Riley had got me last year and never regretted it. Amongst all my stuff was mother. She saw Embry's truck and hopped in without a word; apparently she also had packed all her stuff and decided to tag along. I could see Embry fidgeting in his seat as he glanced several times in the rear-view mirror. I guess he was checking if my mom was going to sprout horns.
"Mom, I don't need a chaperone." I said between clenched teeth as I slammed the door shut.
Mother looked at me with narrowed eyes, her arms still firmly crossed over her chest.
I stared at her, I wasn't budging and it was perfectly clear that she wouldn't budge either. We could sit here for a decade or more still glaring with each other if Embry didn't clear his throat nervously. I watched as my mom flicked her eyes towards my lean, tall, tanned, and perfectly sculpted man.
"Emma, maybe…well…maybe she should come…"
My jaw dropped in shock. Embry knew how much I disliked my mother. I've been through hell and she had just pushed me down further. Not bothering to help, to bother, to care.
"Embry!" I hissed.
Embry looked at me with those sweet, chocolate eyes, a hypnotic cheat that he always used.
"Come one sweetheart, what could be the harm?"
I shuddered to wonder such thoughts.
We arrived at La Push two days later. It took longer than usual due to my mother's irritating protests on Embry's "maniac" driving and her obsessions with stopping at every rest stop we passed.
I could see it on Embry's face that inviting my mother back home with us WAS worse than he thought. I kissed his brow when my mother shouted again about him hitting an imaginary bird. Embry would never do that…well he was nervous…and who could blame him.
"EMMA CASSELL. What do you think you're doing?"
I turned around in my seat as Embry began to park on Sam's drive-way and changed gears, relief that he was finally home, worried that the devil was in the back seat.
"I'm kissing my boyfriend mom. It's what people in relationships do. They show each other they love them. Unlike most people who ignore their own blood and let them fend for themselves for 4 years."
I tensed as I watched the hand fly up. I squared my shoulders but bowed my head, the coward that I was.
Embry wrapped his arms around me and looked at my mother with such wrath it was out of place on his usually kind face.
"You don't have seniority here." Was all he said.
My mother gulped. Embry was shaking and his muscles were flexed, each tendon like wrapped metal. Hard, and lethal. My mother didn't have to know everything to know Embry is not someone to be provoked.
We got out of the truck silently, only to be greeted by Quil, leaping forwards in only cut off shorts.
One arm was wrapped tightly around my waist the other around Embry.
"Holy cow this place has been boring without you guys. Jacob looked like he was attending a funeral, I think I caught him crying one time 'Oh Embry, my lovely Embry!'" He snickered.
I laughed out loud as Embry tackled Quil to the ground.
It was a relief to see Quil. He made everything seem carefree and light hearted. Actually, most of the pack here are like that. Well, except for Paul.
"Who are you?"
My laugh hung in the air, cut half way with my mother's snobbish voice.
"Me?" Laughed Quil under Embry's headlock. "I'm Quil, who's the old lady Emma?"
"I happen to be her mother!" She slammed the truck door behind her as she approached Quil.
The boys stood up tall, towering over her. They really didn't have to try. Quil alone, with his beefy, broad structure was enough to raise the hairs on the back of your neck when he's in a bad mood.
"Whoa lady, take a chill pill." He frowned.
I gulped as I glanced from my mother to Quil. I could see the colour change from her usual pale powdered complexion to a vibrant shade of pink.
"Excuse me but—."
"Uh mom! Why don't I help you unpack? I bet you'll like Emily, she's an amazing cook. And she's expecting!" I said, trying to break the tension.
My mother looked at me stubbornly and barked "expecting what?"
I rolled my eyes out of habit, knowing that she hated it. "She's pregnant mom."
"Well, of course. I knew what you meant. I'm not an idiot Emma. Now how old is this Emily?" She asked as she began to unpack her luggage.
"She's twenty." I said freely.
It seemed so normal for me, but for my mother it seemed like something to be embarrassed about.
"Twenty? She's expecting a child at twenty?! Do these people know anything? Do they—."
"MOM!" I shouted. She was something to be embarrassed about. "You have no right to judge my friend when you had me at a young age too. Emily was much older than you." I growled.
"Emma? Is that you?" I could hear Emily's labored walking towards us. Her belly swollen and as round as the moon. "I thought I heard your voice. Oh and who is this? Is this your mother, why you look just like her."
God I hope not.
Mother scrutinized Emily with wide eyes. I had no doubt that she was looking at Emily's scars. I tugged on her wrist to pull her attention away. Why did my mom have to be so rude?
"Let's get your stuff inside, mother." I bit off each word with a forced smile.
The other wolf boys came out to greet and help with our luggage. Mother scrutinized each in turn. Each looking so alike and so different. I knew she hated them the first time she laid eyes on them. Shirtless, tall, muscular. I bit my lip as Embry steered me away from the commotion of unloading things from the truck into the woods.
"Phew…I did NOT expect that."
"I told you so; you should have just kicked her out at the curb." I mumbled.
"Aw come on, you don't mean that. I mean, she's not THAT bad, right?"
Oh, my dear, dear Embry. Boy do I have a lot in store for you.
A/N: Again! Sorry for the delay. It has been more than half a year and I'm SO sorry. If you even read this chapter all the way you are amazing truly. If you even GLANCED at this chapter you're amazing. But even if you did you wouldn't be reading this…okay time for me to shut up…