CHAPTER NINE

Zora and Jacob sat in his car in silence. The drive to her house was short; she didn't live far from Emily, and could have easily made it in less time had she ran. She didn't usually mind silence with another person—as long as it was someone she was comfortable with—but Jacob made her stomach flutter with nerves. He'd played music to fill the air with a noise other than the sound of their breathing; however, now they remained in front of her house, unmoving and anxiously waiting for the other person to speak.

"Thanks for taking me home," Zora finally said, idly playing with her fingernails.

"No problem," Jacob said. He looked to be deep in thought about something, his brow furrowed.

Maybe, Zora thought, he was contemplating professing his love to her and his decision to leave Bella behind forever. And then they would run off into the sunset holding hands and start a new life in another state with their five adopted cats.

"Yeah, right," she muttered to herself.

"What was that?" Jacob asked.

"Oh, um…nothing," she said quickly. Thank you universe that we're not in wolf form. She noticed that he was still frowning, his hands now gripping the steering wheel tightly. It was obvious he was bothered by something, and she guessed he probably wanted to address whatever it was, but didn't have the desire to initiate the conversation. His behavior must have been the manlier version of sighing in a repeated, exaggerated manner until asked what was wrong.

Zora almost rolled her eyes. Men and their fragile masculinity.

"Is something wrong?" she asked.

At the same time, though, Jacob blurted, "Is something going on with you and Embry?"

They blinked at each other, both not expecting those words to leave his mouth. Jacob cursed at himself as soon as the sentence left him; he was supposed to ease into the topic, but he was so irritated that he spoke before he meant to.

Zora sat with a wide-eyed expression, her mouth agape. The question was so random that she couldn't formulate a response. Was something going on between Embry and her? Of course not. She liked him, but she liked him in a strictly platonic way. He was becoming a close friend of hers, and that was it.

Jacob watched her mouth open to say something and then close abruptly. Was she trying to think of a good way to tell him that there was something going on, some feelings shared between them? He could feel his irritation rising and began rambling. "He chose to sit next to you today, and I saw the way you looked at each other. Plus, he's even been helping you train outside of group practice, and he's a pretty nice, good-looking guy…so if you like each other, then—"

"Jacob," Zora interrupted. She placed a hand on his tensed arm which relaxed as soon as she touched him. She was smiling softly, but her smile was hiding the wide grin she wanted to wear.

He was jealous. Jacob Black was actually jealous. If he was unhappy about a possible romance blooming between Embry and her, that had to mean he did feel something for her. They could have been the smallest of feelings, but they were feelings nonetheless. She was so giddy that she wanted to laugh, though she kept her enthusiasm hidden.

"We're just friends," she continued. "He offered to give me some extra help because we're basically training partners with Sam always pairing us together, and he sat next to me because…we're friends. We're comfortable around each other."

Jacob's face grew hot with embarrassment. He was angry for no reason. He knew that Embry would never intentionally hurt or upset him, and Zora – well, she was staring at him as if he were the only person in the world.

"Sorry…about that," he said, rubbing the back of his neck.

"It's okay," Zora said, still smiling. "I get it."

"Are you uncomfortable around me?" he blurted again, though the words were so rushed it sounded like an unintelligible noise.

"What was that?"

"I said…are you uncomfortable around me?"

"Oh…" Zora breathed. She was surprised he wanted to have this conversation. "Why do you ask?"

"You said you were comfortable around Embry…and I wanted to know if you felt that way…about me."

She pushed a lock of hair behind her ear. "Honestly, Jacob, you make it hard for me to feel at ease."

He was expecting her to say no, but wasn't prepared for the strong feelings of regret and disappointment in himself. He knew he'd made it difficult for her—giving her the cold shoulder, pretending she didn't exist. His behavior was childish and unwarranted. She hadn't done anything wrong, yet he'd punished her for no reason.

He sighed and shook his head. "Zora, I…I just want to apologize…for everything. I'm sorry about the way I've been treating you. I'm pretty embarrassed, actually. I was being ridiculous and dumb and you didn't deserve any of it."

Zora couldn't help the smile that spread across her lips. She'd never felt so much happiness from an apology before. More importantly, it seemed that she and Jacob could head in the right direction from here.

"Thanks for apologizing," she said.

Jacob was smiling, too, and now they were both staring at each other with soft grins, and Zora had suddenly realized that the hand she placed on his arm was sitting on his thigh. Her eyes widened and she almost choked on her own saliva. Quickly, she retracted her hand, but before she could move it away completely, Jacob grabbed her wrist.

"Wait," he said, his voice low.

He was looking at her the way boys in romantic movies looked at girls while sitting in a car, as if time stood still so they could relish in the moment forever. He wore an expression of amazement, and Zora wasn't sure what she'd done to deserve such a look. Then he was leaning towards her – slowly, cautiously, brown eyes smoldering, lips parted. And taking a cue from all of the girls kissed by boys in romantic movies, she closed her eyes.

His breath was warm against her mouth, and just before their lips could touch, he murmured, "Bella."

Her eyes flew open. She moved away so quickly that her back hit the passenger door with a loud 'thud'. Why would he say her name so suddenly? What did she have to do with anything?

Jacob, whose stomach felt as if it were sinking, noticed her curling fists; he tried to save face and stammered, "I-I invited her to the council bonfire this weekend. I think it would be cool…if you two met." He watched as her body began to tremor, as if she were a geyser ready to burst. He knew very well what would happen if he made her angrier.

"What's…happening to me?" she shouted, stuttering with every shake. She felt like she was going to explode and hadn't felt that way since she first shifted.

"You're furious," he said, his hands raised to show he was no threat. "If you turn, you'll tear me, and this car, apart."

"You deserve it," she growled. The wolf within was fighting for dominance – and winning. She knew she needed to leave before she lost total control. Gripping the handle so tightly she left finger indents, Zora pushed the door open and threw herself from the car. As soon as her feet touched the ground, her body shed its skin. She headed for the trees, leaving a trail of ripped clothing behind her.

Still sitting in the driver's seat, Jacob desperately stared after her. "Fuck."

AN:

Fuck, indeed, dear Jacob.

Apologies for the long wait! I was really excited to get this chapter published because they're finally getting somewhere - even though he clearly messed up. I hope you all enjoy. I'm looking forward to continuing this story! :)