~Seriously guys, you make me blush with your comments. It makes me smile and also my muse has been returning slowly but surely for everything else.

Copyright disclaimer: Twilight and all recognizable characters are sole property of Stephenie Meyer.

Chapter 6: The Payback

"Sorry, 10 o'clock. That's crazy. I can't believe I slept so long. I'm usually more of a morning person, but I was up and down last night."

Sarah surprised me, "It's fine. I assumed your schedule was awry when I heard you and Jacob in the kitchen in the middle of the night. I'm happy you two are getting along. He was a little weird at dinner. He's usually much more relaxed and easy to talk to. I guess he was worried about the shop."

I apologized if we woke her, but then I told her how I scared him. She thought my milk story was amusing, but was glad he didn't break her glass.

"I doubt you scared him. Have you seen my son?"

Boy, had I ever. I memorized every last inch of him last night, but I just laughed with her.

Sarah said Jacob thought he was much more stealth than he really was. "Mom's know. I wake up several times until I hear him safely indoors. I don't care how old he is or how big and strong he is, I worry."

She said she was getting a few housework things accomplished and Charlie forgot his lunch as usual. She needed to get that to him, but then maybe around two or three we'd go do a little back to school shopping. I was finishing registration at school Monday morning and then I'd have one more week before classes started. I offered to help but she insisted I rest as I continued to adjust to the time change.

"Relax, honey. Watch TV, read... anything you want." I thought the day looked promising. After breakfast and straightening up a little more in my room, I planned on grabbing a book and soaking up the last bit of sunshine I might see according to Charlie.

I made up my bed first. I can't believe I'd invited Jake to my room like that. I had him on this very bed. My request to hang out was the complete opposite of my first instinct. I thought I'd give it a try since I'd studied that chapter about making the most of your initial impression with the opposite sex. Everyone likes a sincere compliment, so I took my chance when he saved the milk and I let him know I was impressed. At the top of the stairs, I gave it a shot by inviting him to talk. I thought he was going to say no at first but he seemed pretty happy to hang out.

Everything was going great at first. I thought we had easy conversation. Of course, I had to go and screw it all up by touching his face like a weirdo. I wasn't sure, but I thought we were getting a little flirty when he was talking about exchanging bites of his cake and my apple. I literally have no idea what possessed me to wipe milk off his chin. It ruined everything. I know it would probably be the last time he'd ever come back and talk to me at night or anytime now that I think about it.

I couldn't figure him out. He was still young, but seemed almost too serious. He was much more relaxed when it was just us. Sarah and Dad kept talking about how much he worked. He couldn't even go out casually with his friends because he was worried about work. Although, I admired his dedication. He had way more going for him than most guys his age. He was about to have his own house and he had a business. Dad said it was very successful despite it being fairly new under his management. I wondered if he was trying to plan ahead for a family. Maybe that was his ultimate goal. He was probably thinking about future stuff like that and I'm still trying to figure out which college I want to attend. Of course, Mom wants us both back in Miami after her year overseas, but I wasn't sure. I hadn't admitted to anyone, I'd looked at a design program fairly close to Charlie's. Renee would flip and if I told Dad, he'd get his hopes up. It was just a what if so far.

I had just turned the page, ready to begin a new chapter when a shadow blocked out my sun. I thought maybe one of those Washington storms was rolling in but when my eyes adjusted, a large man stood in front of me. For a split second, I thought he was naked. I screamed.

"Easy there, sweetheart. It's only me."

"Me who?" I sat the book down and looked around to figure out where he might of come from. I think he strolled out of the woods and he did have shorts on. That was a relief.

"Bella, right?"

"Am I supposed to know you?"

"Paul, I'm sure Charlie talks about me... all good, I assume. I'm one of the... the group, you know. Charlie's a already bit of a mentor for some of us."

I thought about it and I had heard the name.

"Oh yes, I remember. You just startled me. Hi Paul, I'm Bella." I reached up to shake his hand, but he dropped down on my towel with me. We shook hands then. He felt warm from the sun, much warmer than I did and I had been out for a little while. In fact, it was probably time to quit. I didn't want too much sun.

Paul was bold and cocky but he had nice eyes and a friendly smile. I liked him immediately. He must work out with Jacob, because they had the same type of body. He pried my book out of my hand. He held it up and squinted, "Dusk, what the hell is this about?"

I promptly snatched it back and held it close to my chest. I knew it was popular but I was still touchy that I read it, maybe embarrassed was more accurate.

"Uh oh, it's dirty, isn't it?" He raised his eyebrows a couple of times and looked positively devilish at me. I knew my cheeks were on fire.

"No, it's not dirty."

"Then why'd you get so protective? Don't worry, Bella. Your secret's safe with me."

"There's no big secret. It's a just a book. It's the most popular series out there. I guess you don't read much."

"Actually, I don't. I do real work all day, so I don't have time for trashy romance novels."

"For the last damn time, it's not dirty."

We were taking tiny digs at each other I supposed, but it was all in jest.

He leaned into my personal space, "Then why bother?"

I shoved him slightly. "Because, I like it. It's a good escape read."

"Escape? What's a pretty little thing like you need to escape from?"

My stupid blush fired back up.

"Wouldn't you like to know," I teased back.

He grabbed the book again and started to pretend to skim the pages. "Okay, I give up. What's so great about this story if it doesn't have sex in it?"

"It's a love story and I never said, no sex. I just said it wasn't dirty." He started looking a little closer. The more pages he browsed, the more serious he became. He wasn't playful, flirty Paul anymore.

"This is a book about fucking vamps? Are you shitting me?"

I jerked it back for a final time. "Yeah, so... it's a supernatural series on the New York Times bestseller list."

"You're serious, you like vampires?"

"Well, seeing how vampires are mythical creatures, I can't exactly like them but I like the fictional character in my novel. He's quite romantic and sweet to the heroine. They are star-crossed lovers."

He said he could pretty much tell what I was about from the get-go, but this was the first unexpected find. Then he asked was everyone in Florida down with necrophilia.

"Ew, that's gross. No."

"They're dead, sweetheart. Vampires are dead. What don't you get?"

"They're not real, so what don't you get? You're taking a work of fiction far too serious." Paul seemed peculiarly miffed about what I was reading and I was stumped. I stood up to gather my things. He started to fold up my towel for me. "Are you going inside too?"

"Yeah, Sarah called me over. I'm taking the chief his lunch."

"Oh, that's really nice of you, but I could've of gone for her."

"Do you know where to go?"

"No, but it's Forks. I doubt it'll be too difficult to locate a police station."

"Well, she called over at the garage and asked if any of us were free. I had just found out I was blessed with a day off, so I volunteered, but hey, I'd love to give you a tour. You can come too."

"Okay, I need to change first. Nice of Jacob to give you a day off. Was that for covering yesterday?"

He threw his head back with laughter. I didn't think what I said was funny at all. "That and other reasons you don't want to know about and you look fine in that as far as I'm concerned."

I rolled my eyes. Paul had a really dark gaze and suddenly, I felt a little exposed since we were walking across the yard. I wished I'd brought a cover-up. I hadn't thought about being in my bikini as long as I was laying out on my towel.

We were about to step up on the back porch when we both heard Jacob had made it home.

"What the hell, Lahote? I give you a paid day off and this is how you chose to waste it... fucking around at my house?"

"Chill, Boss. Momma called. I'm taking Charlie his lunch then I'll be on my way making the most of my paycheck."

I wanted to escape inside away from both of them. Jacob was rude and a little scary. I was also burning all over knowing that he was seeing me barely wearing anything.

"Get this, your new sister has a thing for bloodsuckers." The alternative name didn't register at first until he tried to pull my book out from under my arm. I held tight. He could have taken it but Jake shook his head.

"You're a drama queen. I told you, it's just a book."

"What's he mean, Bells?"

"I'm reading. It's just a stupid book. Paul's nosy."

Jacob looked at him again. Paul defended himself. "I swear, I'm not bothering her. We were just getting acquainted."

I think those two had some unwritten form of communication, because Paul went around me and indoors with just a look from Jacob. I was following, anxious to get upstairs and change. Paul was an ass but I still wanted to take the Forks tour with him. That reminded me, he didn't have real clothing on. Surely, he wouldn't walk in my father's office barefoot, but who knew. He wanted me to go in a swimsuit.

"Wait a sec, please." I turned around and held my novel over the middle of my chest for some type of covering.

"Yeah." He was staring but not saying what he needed to say. I tried to lighten the mood, "Are all your employees so charming?"

His hardened gaze soften and he chuckled. "Congrats, you survived the worst first, so you should be good."

"I'm teasing. I like him."

"Like him?" It came out like annoyance.

I shrugged. What was wrong with liking his buddy, especially since he was obviously close to Dad and Sarah?

Jacob barely brushed my shoulder. "Should you be out here in the sun? You're pretty fair."

"I use protection."

Complete awkward silence followed, so I shimmied in the back door and got the heck outta there.

I stood in front of my mirror. I was red, but I wasn't sure if it was from the sun or embarrassment. I had an aha moment. Why did I say protection instead of sunscreen? Ugh, he must think I'm so weird. I pulled open my drawer. It was sitting there mocking me. Mom insisted I visit the doctor. She thought I was going to start them immediately but I hadn't seen the point. I had a six month supply. Maybe I'd start this cycle just to be safe. I looked at my body. It's getting there. Physically, I could pass as a woman, but mentally, I was a dumb kid sometimes. I'm sure that's what Jake thought, so I'm not sure why I'm considering starting those pills.

I quickly changed. I found a fully dressed Paul eating a slice of delicious chocolate cake. Maybe he borrowed clothes from Jacob. That was good, I wanted that cake gone as soon as possible, so I wouldn't be tempted. Jacob was another issue, I didn't know how to escape his temptations.

"Ready, Darling?"

"Ready."

"Why are you going?" Jacob stepped away from the kitchen to give us an inquiry. He could certainly switch back and forth between personalities. I wasn't sure if he was serious or not.

Paul answered for me, "I'm giving Bella the Forks tour and showing her Charlie's office."

Jacob volunteered instead and I felt the butterflies start up again.

"Forget it. Momma says he's starved and you smell like oil and grease. Bella doesn't want to ride with that."

"She's not your Momma and I doubt Bella is interested in your tour."

Sarah slapped Jacob with the end of a towel. "Go get a shower and clean up, sourpuss. I wouldn't want to ride around with you like that either and all these boys call me 'Momma.' You know I don't mind." She told me I had over an hour to kill and to have fun. We were going shopping when I got back. The guys were on their own for the night, so we could go until the stores closed.

I was right. Paul was hysterical. He was slightly inappropriate but also sweet. My father did like him, that was obvious. Charlie insisted on introducing me to any and everyone in the building. I was humiliated. I asked if he had some inmates I should be acquainted with and he said that was nonsense. Even after all the intros, we still had almost 45 minutes to kill. I asked what was next.

Paul said we should wrap it up, but I wasn't sure why he was suddenly making the tour so brief. Surely, it didn't have to do with the talk he and Jacob had on the porch while I waited in the car. He drove around on maybe three streets and claimed he showed me everything. I saw the grocery store, the library, the hospital and the school. I asked for a rain check on the reservation tour as we were heading back.

"Jake's taking you tomorrow."

"He is?" came out in a high pitched squeal so I lowered my voice back to normal. I asked again casually, "He is?"

"Yeah, that's what he said."

I couldn't imagine why it was slated to happen tomorrow and why it was secret. I wondered if we were all going or just Jacob and I.

I asked Paul how he got around normally, since he wandered through the woods and we were borrowing Sarah's car. He said he had his own truck but today he was winging it. "Um, Jake will give me a ride back to the res when you go shopping."

"Oh."

We walked in. Sarah was getting her bag. Jacob was sitting in the recliner watching TV. I said I needed to run upstairs real quick. He didn't say anything to me. He kept watching his show and acted like I was invisible. I felt a little flustered and didn't want to take a chance, so I walked slowly. As I was ascending the stairs, Paul yelled up. "Nice meeting you, kid. Don't forget what I told you."

Yeah, I remembered. I wasn't sure I was going to ask Jacob about what we discussed though. I said, "Bye, thanks, Paul." Before, he called me 'pretty, darling, sweetheart' and other things. Now I was 'kid.' It wasn't a big deal. He was only a friend, but I guess that's what they would all think about me. I needed to face the facts.

Sarah was waiting in the car, Jacob hadn't moved and Paul was gone.

"Um, bye I guess. Where's Paul?"

"He found another mode of transportation. Have fun. Mom's excited."

"Oh okay, thanks. Sarah's great," I said sincerely.

He replied, "Yeah, she's the best." I walked to the door with my backpack on my shoulder. I heard the leg rest thud loudly when he stood up. "One more thing, would you like to go see my house tomorrow?"

"Sure, that'd be great."

He looked a little sheepish for once, "And I have a surprise for you." I didn't really care for surprises but I was willing to chance one from him. I just smiled like a dork. "Also, we need to talk about the job. I hear Paul might of jumped the gun. Don't worry. I'm sure it's not your thing. My feelings won't be hurt if you aren't interested."

"No, not at all. I think I'd really enjoy working for you."

"Word of warning: all the guys say I'm a mean boss."

He kept coming closer, so I tried again to be bold. I poked his chest firmly with my finger. "Maybe we'll have to see about changing that. I might be able to convince you to be a little nicer. Bye Jake."

~Thanks for reading.

The heat is slowly being cranked up, so if you want it full throttle, reviews would be nice.