Pulling up outside Jake's I felt far less apprehensive than I had yesterday. I shoved my leather jacket on and jumped out of the truck, practically running up the steps of his porch to knock on the door. I liked Jacob. I had been genuinely surprised at how happy I was to see him yesterday. There was something so soothing about his presence; he was like a balm to my wounds. Maybe it was because he was naturally such a calm, happy person.
After a second the door swung open, and I felt the smile fade from my face as I was met with not Jacob, but Sam Uley. Thankfully he was too busy giving me a once over to notice me staring at his shirtless chest. His abs were far more spectacular than I had imagined. Quickly I raised my eyes, stopping myself from getting distracted.
"Are you here to talk to Billy, Bella?" he asked, standing in the doorway awkwardly.
"No, I'm here to see Jacob," I told him, and I swear I heard him growl under his breath. In that moment I could truly understand why Jacob thought he was so strange. I waited a moment to be let in, but Sam just stood there unmoving, his focus on something else.
"Are you going to let me in, or keep standing there like a lemon?" I asked, slightly snappy. Sam stepped back slightly, and muttered "sorry" as I brushed past him, into the living room where Billy Black was sat.
"Bella Swan, aren't you a sight for sore eyes! Get over here and give an old man a hug!" Billy crowed with a smile
"You're not old yet Billy," I told him as I hugged him, "You've still got a lot of fight left in you," I smirked, in my own way thanking him for fighting for me when I was losing myself to Edward.
"That I do," he grinned, the look of approval in his eyes telling me that he understood, that all was forgiven, "Take a seat Bella, Jacob will be back in a few minutes." As they only had one couch, I was forced to sit next to Sam, who had been watching my interaction with Billy intently.
"It's been a while since you came down to visit. What's kept you so busy you couldn't come see a lonely old man once in a while? Got a new boyfriend?" he asked with a wink.
"No," I snorted. As if I would even consider a relationship so soon after what happened, "I've been keeping to myself, focusing on my studies," and trying not to get anyone else killed by Victoria, the vampire who wants to kill me I mentally added.
"Well don't be such a stranger. It'd be nice to see your face around here more often," he teased, but I knew he meant it seriously.
"I think you'll be seeing me around more often Billy," I told him with a slight smile. I knew I'd be spending time with Jacob, at least until my truck was fixed and ready to leave. It was close to a lie, but it was worth it to see Billy smile.
"Have you finished high school Bella?" Sam asked, speaking properly for the first time since I'd arrived.
"No, I'm a senior at forks high. Only a few months left though," I told him, almost gleefully. I could not wait to finally graduate and stop being forced to spend time with the likes of Lauren.
"And what are your plans after that?" Billy asked, quickly glancing at Sam.
"I haven't decided yet. I don't know if I want to go to college, or what I'd study if I did. I might take a year off and work while I decide," I realised that I really hadn't put much thought into my future plans. After Edward left the whole course of my future changed, and with Victoria after me there was little point in planning too far into the future.
"Bella, did you know Sam is in training to become the future Chief of our tribe?" Billy asked with a proud smile.
"No, I didn't," I replied in shock, "Isn't Jacob supposed to be next in line as chief though?" Granted, I knew very little about this sort of thing, but it made logical sense that Jacob, as the son of the current Chief would be the next Chief.
"Jacob had turned down the chiefhood, but if he wishes to take it on in future I will step down and allow him to do so," Sam told me earnestly.
"Not only has Sam been representing his family on the elder's counsel since he was sixteen, but he Taha Aki's chosen Chief. It is a great honour," Billy informed me.
"You've been on the elder's counsel since you were sixteen? Why?" I asked, curious. I couldn't imagine any other sixteen year old attending a meeting of elders, but Sam seemed to have a maturity that made me think he took it equally as seriously as Billy.
"My father wasn't around. Last I heard he was living in Hoquiam," Sam explained, his expression unreadable.
"Oh. I'm sorry," I told him, feeling slightly guilty for bringing it up. I knew how it felt to have grown up without a father around, and although I didn't blame Charlie for it I still felt hurt, like he hadn't loved me enough to fight for me.
"It's alright, I was probably better off without him anyway," Sam shrugged it off, "Billy and Harry Clearwater have been good to me though. They've treated me like a son, and taught me how to be a man. I'm grateful to them," he said with a smile to Billy. Billy just smiled back, not saying anything. They were typical men, not brilliant at verbalising their emotions.
"So, do you have any other family? Brothers or sisters?" I asked, partially to break the semi-awkward silence, and partially because I was curious; Sam seemed to be different than my perceptions of him.
"Nope. It's just me and my Mom. Do you have any siblings?" he asked.
"No. Renee can hardly care for herself, so I don't know how she'd have coped with another child. She dated a lot, and only really grew up and settled down about a year and a half ago, and that was with a man almost half her age," I told Sam, rolling my eyes at Billy, who had known Renee. He shook his head in sympathy.
"Is that why you moved back here?" Sam asked.
"It was part of the reason," I shrugged, not wanting to go into details about it.
"Are you happy here?" Sam queried, watching me intensly. I squirmed a little under his gaze before answering.
"I have been. I miss the sun though," I joked, distracting them from the fact that I hadn't been happy for a while.
"It's quite different from sunny Phoenix, but I'd have thought you'd be used to it by now," Billy chuckled.
"You'd think so, but can you ever get used to the weather in forks," I sighed melodramatically.
"It hasn't rained for nearly a week now, that the equivalent of a drought in these parts," Billy joked, and both Sam and I chuckled, those his sounded much more real than mine.
"A week on Friday there's going to be a bonfire Bella. Sam's going to be telling the legends for the first time. Would you be interested in coming and learning more about our tribe?" he inquired, though I had a sense there was more to it that a simple question, I just couldn't tell what.
"I don't know. Wouldn't I be intruding?" I asked, shifting uncomfortably in my seat. I didn't want to make any commitments when I knew I had no intentions of being here by then, if I could get the truck fixed up.
"There would be food and a bonfire. You should come, you'd enjoy it," Sam told me, carefully gauging my reaction before continuing, "It would make me happy if you'd come."
"Fine. But I'll have to check my diary and get back to you," I agreed, creating myself a loophole I could use to get out of it when they weren't both there to talk me into it.
Thankfully the door opened and Jacob walked in then, saving me from being pressured into anything else.
"Hey Bella," he smiled, his jaw tense as he took in Sam Uley sat on his couch, looking equally as tense.
"Hey Jake," I grinned, jumping up to give him a reassuring hug. He hugged me back tighter, lifting me off my feet. I could still feel him glaring at Sam over my shoulder though.
"When did you get so strong?" I asked him as a distraction.
"Maybe I've always been this strong," Jake grinned, placing me back on my feet, "Or maybe it's because you're a tiny little pale face," he told me, patting me on the head patronisingly.
"Shut up Jake, not all of us get to be giants," I told him, rolling my eyes.
"Do you want to get started on the oil change? I've got everything ready in the garage," he motioned towards the door, pleading with his eyes for us to get out of this now crowded room.
"Sure, I'll grab my bag," I hurried over to the sofa, picking up my stuff from where I'd left it on the floor.
"Bye Sam. Thanks for changing my tyre the other day," I told him, smiling apologetically on the behalf of Jacob.
"It was a pleasure. I'll see you next Friday Bella," he smiled sweetly at me, then turned to Jacob looking smug. I frowned. Why was he purposefully aggravating Jacob?
"See you later Billy," I kissed him on the cheek, before grabbing Jacob's hand and pulling him out the front door.
"You're seeing Sam Uley next Friday?" Jacob asked tensely, pulling his hand out of mine.
"Your Dad invited me to a bonfire, and apparently Sam's going to be there. Are you going too? I wouldn't want to be alone all night," I said innocently. There was no way I was going to be the cause of any more animosity between Sam and Jake.
"I wasn't going to, but if you'll be there I might just make an appearance," he half grinned, then glanced back at the house.
"Come on, let's get a start on this oil change," he finally decided, leading me over to his garage.
(Sam's POV)
"Well that was interesting," Billy chuckled, watching me clench and unclench my fists in a weak attempt at calming myself after seeing his son's hands on my imprint.
"Why can't she be like that with me?" I half growled, half whined, "You saw her, she practically ignored me as soon as Jacob arrived.
"Do you want my best guess?" Billy offered. I nodded, the shaking slowly subsiding.
"She was distracting him. Bella knows how Jacob feels about you. When he came in did you see her glance at you?" he raised an eyebrow, "Of course you didn't. You were too busy glaring at Jacob. I bet she didn't even realise that she checked you were alright before comforting Jacob. Trust me, if she was ignoring you she wouldn't have thanked you for changing her tyre."
"That doesn't explain why she's so comfortable around Jacob and not me though," I complained, still feeling dejected.
"Jacob has been in love with Bella since they were kids. However Bella's two and a half years older than him, their relationship has always been completely on her terms. Now I'm guessing she's already tried to get her own way with you and failed," Billy postured, looking to me for a response.
"She has. She is not as stubborn as I am though," I grinned, remembering her trying to pay for her own food in the diner.
"Exactly," he smirked, "Consciously she'll try to fight it because she can't control it. But subconsciously knowing you have boundaries and will say no makes her feel safe around you."
"What do you mean?" I asked confused. I didn't see how she felt safe with me when she ran away at the first chance.
"You heard Bella earlier. Renee was never much of a mother. I happen to know that Bella has probably had to play the grown up and take care of her mother since she was a child. Renee let her do whatever she wanted all the time. Bella just wants someone to stand up to her and say no once in a while. And she does feel comfortable around you because of it. The Bella I knew would never have sat so long for a conversation. Sure she'd talk, but she'd be up and doing something else too. The girl could hardly sit still. You calm her," Billy smiled, "But don't think you'll get away with bossing her around all the time. If she's anything like her father she'll call you out when you mess up, fight you over small decisions, and be right 9 out of 10 times. She'll make you a good mate Alpha, but just you watch, she'll have your whole pack wrapped around her finger in weeks," he chuckled.
"You've been watching too much Dr. Phil old man?" I quipped, processing that information.
"What else is there for me to do when I'm stuck in this house all day?" he shook his head, feigning sadness but obviously hiding a smile.
"So what do I do now?" I asked, not sure how to proceed. It was ridiculous. I was a man, not a child. Bella was not to first woman I'd ever pursued, and she was my imprint. It should have been easier than this.
"Bump into her in town. Get her talking. Let her get to know the real Sam Uley, not the Alpha, or the police officer, but the man. I've got a little ace up my sleeve which I'll try and we'll see where it leads," Billy instructed, a twinkle in his eye. He was planning something.
"And what about Jacob?" I asked, pretending that I didn't have to try not to growl his name.
"Surely the big, bad Alpha can compete with a sixteen year old boy," Billy teased, "Besides, you know what happened the last time I told one of my kids not to see someone. Rebecca married that surfer and is living in Hawaii. I'm not getting involved," he smirked.
(Bella's POV)
Jake's garage, I was amazed to find, was big enough to fit the Rabbit he was rebuilding and my truck in it with space left over. It was nice and quiet, the kind of place you could hide in just to think.
"So how did you get so good with cars?" I asked Jake, who was currently half under the truck so all I could see of him was his legs.
"Mostly by practicing," he explained, "I started off fixing smaller things for people, appliances, then lawnmowers, and the occasional bike. Then I started doing maintenance on the truck for my dad. I have a few books on it, but the rest is just trial and error. All done!" he said, sliding out from under the truck.
"I wish I was that good with my hands," I sighed wistfully.
"I'm sure you're just excellent with your hands," Jacob smirked, stepping closer to me. But before I could respond appropriately he lazily ran a finger down my nose, leaving behind a trail of black grease.
"Jake! That's gross!" I whined, futilely trying to wipe it off with the back of my hand, but only succeeding in smudging more.
"A little bit of grease never hurt anyone Bells," he laughed.
"Is that so?" I asked coyly, walking over the bench were the almost empty can of motor oil was sat. Before Jacob could protest I shook the contents of the can at him, covering him in splotches of black. I laughed so hard at his surprised expression that tears ran down my cheeks, and I watched the shock turn into determination.
"I'm going to get you back Swan. You're going down," Jake told me darkly. He then proceeded to chase me around the garage trying to get as much grease off of him and onto me as possible. It was such a childish activity; it was silly, it was pointless, it was fun. It had been so long since I had allowed myself to simply have fun that the relief was almost painful. I fully participated, running, ducking, and dodging to escape the grasps of Jake's dirty fingers, the whole tim giggling like a stereotypical teenage girl.
Much to my surprise I managed to stay pretty clean except for a few smudges on my arms. That is until I ran towards the open door of the garage and Jacob caught me from behind with both hands around my waist, pulling me back from freedom.
"There we go," he murmured as he ran his filthy hands across my cheeks, down my neck and the length of my arms, against my protests. He then spun me around to face him, inspecting his handiwork.
"It's a good look on you Bells," he chuckled, amused by my filthy state.
"I guess this is now my garage t-shirt," I sighed, inspecting the damage. I'd definitely never wear it in public again, not with two greasy handprints around the waist and finger marks all over it.
"Sorry," he grinned sheepishly.
"You're just lucky this isn't one of my favourite shirts, else I'd have to retaliate," I teased.
"Oh really? And just how would you do that?" Jake asked, raising an eyebrow in a blatant attempt at flirting.
"I'm not sure," I told him, holding back a grin, "but I'd start by turning the hose on you."
"But Bella, the hose is freezing!" Jacob whined.
"Need a cold shower does he?" a voice asked from the doorway, where I realised to of the other Rez kids were stood looking amused. One was tall and lean and looked a bit embarrassed at interrupting us. The other was a little shorter and broader across the shoulders with a cocky posture that just screamed 'ladies man'. Neither of them were as muscular as Jake, but both looked to be well on their way. What was in the water down here?
"Bella, these are my friends Quill and Embry," Jake informed me, giving them a not so friendly glare.
"Quil Ateara at your service," the shorter one stepped forward, taking my hand and kissing the back of it, "It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance madam," Quil told me sleazily. I had to strongly resist rolling my eyes at that; it was exactly the kind of move Mike Newton would make on a girl. When he backed off the other stepped forward.
"Embry Call," he introduced himself, with a far more traditional hand shake, "Ignore Quil, he thinks he's a hit with the ladies," Embry told me with, rolling his eyes in mock exasperation, at which I had to stifle a giggle.
"Hey! I have far more luck with the ladies than you and Jake combined!" Quil protested.
"Luck is exactly what it is. Luck and pity," Jake quipped, eliciting a laugh from both me and Embry.
"Those are fighting words Black," Quil announced, loudly cracking his knuckles trying to make himself look threatening. Needless to say it didn't have the desired effect.
"You think you could take me? Go ahead and fight me Ateara," Jake challenged. In response Quil tackled him and they quickly began 'fighting'.
"Are they always like this?" I asked Embry, who nodded sadly.
"It's awful. It always starts with one of Quil's bad ideas. Today's was to come over here. He didn't believe Jacob when he told us he was having a girl round to his garage so he decided we should come over here and see if it was true ourselves," Embry explained.
"I think my exact words were 'Don't come round tomorrow, Bella's coming round for an oil change'" Jake punched Quil in the shoulder and they came and joined Embry and I, clearly finished with their fight though I had no idea who was supposed to have won.
"How do you survive with the two of them?" I asked Embry jokingly.
"I don't know. It's a miracle that I've turned out so normal considering I've known them since birth," he grinned, and I laughed at Jake and Quil's various protests.
"I think we're going to be good friends," I told him. In truth I liked Embry. He was funny, clearly smart and really laid back. The strangest thing was that he reminded me of Sam, though I chose not to dwell on it. I'd be a monkey's uncle if I could understand why the resemblance comforted me, but it was true.
"Good, I could use some sensible conversation around here," Embry smiled. Before I could respond the cry of a wolf rang out loud and clear. It didn't sound far from here.
"Was that a wolf?" I asked, shocked. I didn't think wolves lived in such close proximity to people, or were so active during the day.
"Wolves have lived here for hundreds of years, but they love deep in the woods and never come out," Jake reassured me.
"And if they did I would lay down my life to save you my lady," Quil announced dramatically in a corny British accent.
"That's nice, but I don't think you'd have to worry. The wolf would clearly go for Jacob because he has the most meat on his bones, and the rest of use would have time to escape whilst he was being eaten," I explained.
"What?" Jake asked in shock.
"Thanks for taking one for the team buddy," Quil grinned, "Don't worry, I'll take good care of Bella for you."
"It's always the pretty one's who get eaten first," Jake sighed, putting his hand to his forehead melodramatically like he might faint.
"In that case Bella would definitely get eaten first, sorry Jake," Embry winked at me cheekily.
"Haven't you two got any better place to be?" Jake asked, sounding mildly irritated.
"Nope," Quil and Embry replied in unison.
"It's fine Jake, they can stay. I'm going to have to get back to Charlie in a minute anyway," I sighed, realising I was going to have to shower and get all the grease off before my father saw me.
"Bella, do you want to hang out with us tomorrow?" Embry asked, his cheeks stained slightly pink.
"Sure," I smiled, in stark contrast with the glare Jake shot at Embry. I was just glad to be coming back so soon.
"Meet us here at 4:00 pm then," Embry told me, a sly smile on his face.
"Oh, and bring a swimsuit," Quil added with a wink.
"Jake, what are we doing tomorrow?" I asked, feeling uneasy; I didn't like the way they were hiding an activity they were clearly amused about.
"You'll have to find out tomorrow won't you?" Jake replied smugly.
"Fine. See you tomorrow," I snapped, storming out of the garage. I hated surprises.
"Bye Bella!" they chorused behind me, and I could hear their laughter echoing. It was then I realised I had left my truck parked inside the garage.
Dignifiedly I marched back inside with my head held high and jumped in the truck, ignoring them rolling around with laughter. I made my way home both looking forward to and dreading tomorrow; I was living proof that surprises didn't always end well.
AN: There are some interesting developments going on here, review and let me know what you think!