Chapter Eight
Bruised Arms And Fishing Trips
"Azalea, what's that on your arm?" Briarwood asked, standing over me as I sat reading on the sofa. I looked up at him whilst pulling my sleeves down quickly.
I got in late last night and managed to sneak past Briarwood without being noticed.
I had woken up this morning with a bruise on my arm in the shape of a hand print. I felt so guilty for it. If anyone saw it I knew what they would of thought, but it wasn't like that at all! Jacob was just trying to stop me from hurting myself. I did the damage to myself, I struggled and made the bruising happen.
I looked up at Briarwood, pulling down my sleeve quickly. I knew that it was too late, but I had to try. I pushed myself up off the sofa and onto my feet.
"It's nothing," I murmured, striding past him to the kitchen.
"No?" He asked, following me easily. Two of my strides were one of his. He might of been an old man but he certainly was in shape. "Then you won't mind showing me."
I turned to face him, he was looking at me cautiously as if he didn't know what to expect.
"It's nothing," I pleaded, praying that he wouldn't ask me again.
"Show me." He repeated, firmly.
I hung my head, and lifted my right arm out still covered with the sleeve. He looked at it cautiously before gently pulling back my sleeve to reveal an angry purple and blue bruise in the shape of a large hand print. I heard a growl from deep in his throat.
"Did Jacob Black do this to you?"
I scowled at him, how could he think it was Jacob? I could of easily of hurt it myself, I am clumsy after all. Jacob was hardly an angry person... Briarwood WAS right though. But how could he have guessed that? He took my silence as an answer.
"What were you doing with Jacob Black?" Growled Briarwood, looking thunderous.
"I...I..." I stammered, wondering how to explain myself. "...I bumped into him at the beach yesterday." I shrugged, trying not to make a big deal out of it.
"At the beach!" He roared, his eyes flashing with anger. His hands balled into fists.
"It was a total accident." I pleaded. "I swear I didn't know he would be there."
"Let's see what his father says about what he's done to your arm!" He roared stomping out the house and grabbing his car keys. I darted after him begging him to stop.
-xxxxx-
Briarwood hammered on Jacob's front door angrily, the whole house seemed to shake.
Mr. Black answered the door looking quite startled to see me and Briarwood standing there.
"Anything I can help you with Briarwood?" Asked Mr. Black. Briarwood pushed him out of the way easily, ignoring him, and strode into his house like he owned the place. My face was heating up, this was so embarrassing. I prayed Jacob wasn't in.
"Please Briarwood." I begged, throwing and apologetic look at astonished Mr. Black before following my grandfather into his house.
"Please!" I cried as Briarwood grabbed a pile of books stacked on a dresser in front of him and launched them across the room.
"Briarwood what're you doing?" Shouted Mr. Black, watching as Briarwood stomped around his house searching for Jacob. I felt so embarrassed, this was all my fault!
"Dad what's..." Murmured a voice close to me. I looked to see Jacob standing in a doorframe staring at me. He looked like he had just woken up his hair ruffled and his jogging shorts sitting low on his hips. My cheeks flushed as I noticed the muscles on his stomach led down in a defining v shape before disappearing beneath his shorts.
"YOU!" Roared Briarwood hurling himself across the dining table separating us.
"No!" I cried, stepping in front of Jacob, "it's not his fault. Please Briarwood."
"What's going on?" Asked Mr. Black, I prayed he would calm the situation down like he normally did. So far I was doing a rubbish job, I just seemed to make it worse.
"Step away from him Azalea!" Ordered Briarwood, looking thunderous. I stepped back slightly, feeling my knees weaken. I felt Jacob brush up gently behind me, his warmth reminding me who he is.
"Your arm," murmured Jacob, I turned slightly to see his face. He was looking down horrified at the bruise. His face paled, and his eyes opened up. He looked mortified, didn't he realise it was my fault?
"It's my fault," I repeated, looking at him, but trying not to take my eyes off Briarwood. "Please, Jacob was trying to stop me from running off."
"You tried to RESTRAIN HER?" Bellowed Briarwood. Jacob hung his head, he looked like he was in pain, slowly being tortured.
"No, I didn't say that!" I shouted, everything was getting out of proportion. That wasn't what happened. "LISTEN TO ME!" Briarwood stopped suddenly and stared at me. "THAT is not what happened. Jacob was protecting me! I was scared and wanted to run away. I don't know why but I did. I struggled, I did this! Jacob just happened to be there." Briarwood didn't look convinced, "look at me Briarwood," I took a deep breath and stepped forward forcing him to meet my eye. "HE DID NOT HURT ME!"
Silence filled the room, a long moment of silence. Briarwood's eyes just darted from mine to Jacob's behind me.
"I did," murmured Jacob from behind me. I turned to look at him, he was stepping backwards, away from me. Didn't he realise he was just making it all worse? "You're right Briarwood, I did hurt her."
"No Jacob..." I started, he couldn't actually think that, could he? He looked so ashamed.
"Jacob," started Mr. Black, speaking for the first time in what felt like forever. "No one thinks that you did this on purpose..."
"I still did it..." Muttered Jacob, his eyes hooded.
"It wasn't your fault." I repeated, Jacob was looking down, "Jacob," I said, trying to get him to look up at me. "Jacob." He looked up finally, his eyes watering, he looked so vulnerable. I just wanted to go over and hug him. "Jacob, you didn't do this. You know you didn't." He scrunched up his face slightly, "Jacob it was an accident."
He let out a big sigh, "I would never hurt you Azalea," he said, his voice so soft and gentle.
"I know that." I said, meaning it.
How could he hurt someone? He was such a gentle guy. I know he was a shape shifter but I couldn't imagine him hurting me. Even if he did look like a monster. A moment of clarity washed over me as I realised even though I was panicking about him yesterday. Even if he did change into a terrifying wolf, I would always know he wouldn't hurt me. He might look like a monster but that didn't mean he actually was one.
"You do?" He asked, his face looking hopeful, his brown eyes glistening.
"Of course," I smiled, causing Jacob to smile lightly back. Did he really think so little of himself? How could he? He was so gorgeous, how can you think badly of yourself when you look like that? My eyes lingered on his arm muscles, they were so defined. Had his muscles grown since I saw him last? He looked bigger, was he taller?
"I don't want you seeing him again Azalea." Said Briarwood, interrupting my thoughts. I had forgotten he was there. That Mr. Black was there too.
"What?" I cried, feeling distraught. I tried to pretend that I didn't care but the thought of not being anywhere near Jacob made me feel sick.
"I think it's time we all had a chat." Said Mr. Black, I prayed he was going to talk Briarwood round. I was hardly close to Jacob but these last few days had meant so much to me. Jacob meant so much to me.
"Briarwood, you know about imprinting." Said Mr. Black, who was staring at my grandfather knowingly. "You understand what it's about. And it's already happened, there's nothing you can do about that now. But keeping these two kids apart is not the answer. You know that, it'll hurt them both. You or anyone..." his eyes flicked to Jaocb's momentarily "...can't deny the imprint."
"It's true," said Jacob, his eyes not leaving my face.
I could feel him watching me as I looked everywhere but at him. He had tried to deny it, he had tried to fight it. He didn't want me, he wanted that Bella girl. My insides squirmed to think of them together.
"It hurts to try and deny it. Please Briarwood. At the beach..." Briarwood growled, but Jacob continued, "...at the beach, Azalea and I agreed to be friends."
"Friends?" Repeated Briarwood, as if this was some unknown concept to him. "Is this true Azalea?"
I nodded eagerly. I DID want to be Jacob's friend. I DID want to be near him...I didn't trust myself with anything more. I knew too little about him, about imprinting and most of all his relationship with the other girl; Bella. I didn't blame Jacob for wanting to be with her. I didn't blame him for his feelings for her, but it hurt me. It hurt me more than I ever thought possible.
"Yes," I replied as Briarwood stared at me, "Embry and Quil were there the whole time."
I heard a strange noise from Jacob, he knew I was lying. We were only alone together in the water for a few moments, a few long moments. I was surprised at myself for lying to Briarwood, but I needed to see Jacob. I needed to be his friend. I needed some sort of contact. He was becoming some sort of addiction, an addiction I couldn't go long without.
I couldn't stop myself from looking over to him. He was watching me closely, his eyes boring into mine. My heart fluttered, his eyes were so big and brown. It was like they were calling out to me, urging me to come closer, to get closer to him. His eyes had so much emotion but his face was blank. He was always so impossible to read, yet he always seemed to know what I was thinking. Maybe this imprinting was a one way thing?...he read my mind and in exchange I was hopelessly flawlessly in love with him. My eyes widened at my last thought. Was I?...in love with him? Oh god, I was.
Every moment of the day I loved him. Chunks rose in my throat and I felt like crying suddenly...
"Friends," repeated Briarwood, bringing me back down to earth. I was glad Briarwood had no idea what I was thinking. He'd probably have me arrested or send me to a convent. "Well, if it's for her health... How old are you Black?"
"18 sir." Said Jacob, standing up straighter.
"And Azalea is 17, which would make her in the year below you at school, is that correct?" Briarwood commanded the room. Only I seemed to notice Mr. Black was watching him with mild amusement on his face. Mr. Black always seemed so calm and happy. I wish Briarwood would lighten up a bit.
"Yes," said Jacob, his eyes twinkling like he knew where this was going. My stomach sunk. I hadn't even thought about school...it started in only a few weeks.
"Well you'll be able to tutor Azalea then." Stated Briarwood, like it was some sort of fact. Jacob's blank face spread into a broad smile. He looked delighted at the idea of it... I couldn't stop myself from smiling either. Was Briarwood actually letting us spend some time together? "Under my supervision of course. You'll come over to our house once a week."
"Once a week?" Cried Jacob, looking like he'd been slapped. "Come on!"
"Don't raise your voice at me boy." Snapped Briarwood, looking enraged.
"I think what Jake is trying to say is that school starts in a few short weeks. If you wanted Azalea to get a head start on things then perhaps it would be wise to have more than one tutoring session?" Said Mr. Black choosing his words carefully. I almost dropped my jaw to the floor when I saw Briarwood considering it.
"Yeah," said Jacob, looking excited. "It'll be good for her to get a head start on her studies." I was watching as all of this was happening in front of me...Don't I get a say in this?
"Hmm..." said Briarwood, calming down quickly. "Twice a week then."
"Three times perhaps?" Asked Mr. Black, watching me. He had big brown eyes just like Jacob.
"Alright," stated Briarwood, eyeing me suspiciously, "but they will all be at my house under my supervision."
"But..." Started Jacob, but his father interrupted him.
"That's very wise of you Briarwood." Said Mr. Black, "shall we say Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays?"
"That sounds acceptable." Stated Briarwood. I couldn't believe he was agreeing with Mr. Black. How on earth had that happened?
"And what about next weekend?" asked Mr. Black, "I believe it's your annual fishing trip?"
Annual fishing trip? I looked over at Briarwood. That was the anniversary of my mothers death. He must of told everyone he was away on a fishing trip...Maybe he didn't want any visitors. I didn't blame him. Sometimes I needed to be alone when I was in pain.
"Azalea is coming with me." He replied, like it was obvious. Anger rushed through me, he couldn't order me about. Not on that day.
"I'm not." I stated, similarly to the way he had been dictating to me earlier. All three men turned to stare at me. They seemed to have forgotten I was there. I felt the blood surge through my veins. How dare he tell me what to do the day my mother died. I started breathing heavier.
"Yes. you. are." Snapped Briarwood, his eyes darkening, stating every word with purpose.
"There is NO WAY you'll get me on that fishing trip." I said firmly, ignoring the eyes on me.
"While you're living under my roof you'll do as I say!" Snapped Briarwood, towering over me.
"I appreciate that." I sighed, attempting to get a hold of my temper. "But you seem to be forgetting something."
"Oh and what's that?" He said, watching me.
I took a step closer to him, I didn't feel sheepish or shy. I felt more myself than I ever had here. He could push me around with a lot of things. But that is the one day of the year I always had to myself. My dad always made sure of that. So much had changed in my life. But I knew for damn certain that this wouldn't. I needed that time to myself.
"I'm related to YOU." I shrugged, I wasn't doing that his way. That was my day, I had to deal with it the only way I knew how. "I'm not backing down. You have your ways of dealing and I have mine..."
"I'm not leaving you alone in my house." He stated.
"She can stay here!" Cried Jacob, excitedly. He was staring at me like he hadn't seen me before, he was grinning, his eyes twinkling.
"Over my dead body!" Roared Briarwood.
"Briarwood!" I shouted, he looked shocked to see me raising my voice. "I'll be fine. You know me! I would never disrespect you or your house rules." His eyes narrowed at me. "I'll be fine. I promise, but if you don't want me to be alone I can ask Leah to stay over...don't decide now. Just have a think about it."
Briarwood stared at me, he seemed to be considering what I had said. I was shocked; I thought he would of gone mad at me for arguing back. Maybe he appreciated me talking it through with him?...
"The voice of reason." Said Mr. Black, "what a smart young lady." I felt my cheeks heat up, I looked down avoiding Jacob's brown eyes again.
"Tomorrow?" Asked Jacob, causing me to look up. He was talking to me, "we could start tutoring tomorrow? After lunch?" He asked.
"Shouldn't you ask Sam first?" Said Briarwood, before I could open my mouth to answer.
"I don't answer to Sam." Snapped Jacob, I was surprised to see his cheeks turning slightly red under his olive skin.
"He's your alpha." Smirked Briarwood. He suddenly looked victorious over Jacob. Alpha? Did that mean he was Jacob's boss? I thought he was the grandson of the chief. Why would he answer to anyone? "Of course you answer to him."
Jacob looked very annoyed suddenly, his jaw becoming more defined as he clenched it. Briarwood was making him loose his temper. "I don't..."
"He'll be there tomorrow." Said Mr. Black putting a hand on Jacob's shaking arm try and calm him.
"See you then," I replied, copying Mr. Black and putting a hand on Briarwood's shaking arm. Briarwood looked at me, "come on, let's go."
I pulled Briarwood out of their house quickly, taking a few deep breaths to steady my fast beating heart.
Briarwood didn't say anything as we walked to the car. He was processing what had just happened. Mr Black had this habit of calming Briarwood that I wasn't aware of. He could change his mood in seconds. I couldn't understand it...it was like magic.
I tried to clear the air between us as we walked one the the car. I loved Briarwood, he was the only family I had left and I didn't want him to be mad with me.
"If I'm going to be friends with him you're going to have to get used to having him around." I murmured. He looked at me surprised, I hadn't really spoken to him so bluntly before.
"I don't have to like him." Said Briarwood, getting into the drivers seat as I got in the passenger side of the car.
"No," I sighed, "but you mean a lot to me Briarwood." He looked surprised to hear me say that. "You do. I know we don't talk about this stuff but you took me in and...saved me. I know you changed your life for me. And I appreciate it, I really do." He watched me, his face hidden of any emotion. He was so guarded, I didn't know what he was thinking. "I can't keep pretending that this stuff with Jacob isn't a big deal. Why...why don't you like the Black's? Mr. Black has been nothing but nice to me."
"He..." Started Briarwood, but he cut off, "I don't want to talk about it." I put my hand on his arm to stop him starting the ignition.
"Please," I pleaded, "I want to know. I need to understand."
"Billy Black, he was...he was my alpha." Sighed Briarwood. What...he was a wolf? Briarwood was a wolf?
"You were a wolf?" I asked, it kind of made sense. He was hot headed and that seemed to be common trait in shape-shifters.
"Yes," he sighed, watching me carefully.
"Have you ever imprinted?" I blurted out, desperate to know what it was like for the other side.
"Yes." He replied, "your grandmother." I nodded, I was pleased it was her, but he never spoke about her. There were no pictures in the house of her, I didn't even know when she had died. I knew nothing about her. My father hadn't even mentioned Briarwood to me let alone a grandmother.
"What was it like? Imprinting I mean." I asked, wondering if that was an inappropriate question to ask. Briarwood just looked at me, he didn't look like it was.
"I don't want to talk about it." He murmured, turning on the ignition. "But I'll tell you one thing. Jacob Black does NOT want to be your friend."
-xxxxxxx-
A/n: Just wanted to say THANK YOU all so much for your follows and reviews. They really do mean so much to me!
Thank you for being patient with my writing. I know I'm not great at it but I love it so! It's addictive! Kind of like Jacob Black!
Sorry about this chapter. I wish I could spend more time on it but I've already moved on to more chapters and am keen to get more posted.
Any advice or suggestions or favourite bits please review and let me know!
Be patient with Azalea too, believe me when I say Jacob is NOT off the hook about the Bella thing. She is confused about imprinting and Jacob hasn't been given time to explain it to her...yet!
Stay tuned for more Jacob/azalea...
