a/n: look! another update! don't you love me? :D i have to say that i've been planning this chapter for a while, but when I actually started writing it, it took on a wild mind of it's own! it's definitely one of my longest yet. last chapter didn't get as many reviews, but then again it hasn't taken me as long to update, so hopefully i well get a lot for this chapter since it's long and i'm still striving for my 200 reviews goal :). thank you so much for the great reviews. Special shout-out to Moonlight-Wolfe for the always long reviews. I love knowing your favorite part of each chapter! THANKS! hope you all enjoy!
"What are you so happy about?" Mom asked me when I walked through the door, still smiling insanely.
"Oh, I'm just excited about softball practice tonight," I played off nicely, even though my heart was still threatening to burst out of my chest any second. "It'll be fun, I think."
I walked into the kitchen and started making a sandwich. "I'm just going to eat something light that way I don't get sick during practice. I'm sure we'll be running a lot."
"That's probably a good idea, I guess," Mom answered absentmindedly as she continued to read a magazine.
I leaned against the counter and watched my mom as I ate. She seemed so different, yet exactly the same. I thought back to how things were when I was little and wondered how they had gone so downhill. We used to be the picture of perfection in the societal eye. The prestigious doctor and esteemed nurse with their little girl that had her father's blue eyes and her mother's brown hair. We'd do family outings like we were one of those fake families put together for pictures to go into new picture frames at the store. I enjoyed it at the time because I was little and thought that was how we were supposed to be. As I got older, though, it seemed as if my mother and I had less and less in common. I didn't dress appropriately enough for the family, or my tom-boyish tendencies were not attractive. I didn't care. I liked who I was, who I am.
My father was never around much as I got older, so I didn't have a connection with either of my parents. He was always working, making money to keep up with our "demanding lifestyle." I never wanted anything materialistic because it would always be presented to me before I had a chance to want it. I got a new car when I turned 16, new equipment for when I wanted to play softball, new cameras and computers. Anything. He didn't know that what I really wanted was something he couldn't buy me. I wanted for him to want to go for a drive with me in the new car, for him to show up at my games and cheer for me, to act like I was his daughter at all...for either of them to do that.
Soon their fighting was unbearable, and I drifted into the background for them. White noise that could be heard but tuned out effectively. No one, in the house anyway, was surprised when the divorce was final. I was to live with Mom because Dad's job was too demanding. I marveled at the excuse considering I was normally left with the in-house staff anyway or a nanny while my parents were at conferences or parties. It didn't matter to me much. I didn't expect my relationship with either of them to become magically repaired. I hadn't even heard much from my dad since I left besides the occasion short phone call or email.
My mother did try in the very beginning when she realized I was what she had in life. It didn't last long though. I knew she was hurt by my father's adultery. I could see it when she looked in my eyes and saw him staring back at her and not her teenage daughter. She started dating to cover up the pain. I knew it was still there, but it seemed I was the last person that she wanted to try to open up with. Even though I was probably the only one that could truly help her. Instead she thought she would find solace in men and alcohol. It started getting out of hand,and soon enough my uncle, her brother, had to step in and take action. She claimed she wasn't an alcoholic, and I believed that. She didn't constantly have to have a drink and could have a drink without having to have 'just one more', but she sometimes didn't know when to stop.
I came back from my musings with a quiet sigh. Mom and I didn't fight all the time, but when we did, they could be explosive. I was, after all, a part of both of them, and they could fight well.
"Do you need anything before I go?" I asked her as I put my plate in the sink.
"No," she answered simply.
"Ok," I said, heading upstairs to change. I put on some athletic shorts, an old t-shirt, and my tennis shoes. I dug through my closet and found my bat bag. I made sure my glove, helmet, cleats, and bat were inside before heading back downstairs.
"See you later, Mom. Practice is at 7 and probably won't be over until 9 or after, so you'll probably be gone before I get back."
"Alright. Have fun," she said, waving me out the door.
When I arrived at the recreation department, I parked near the softball fields and walked to where I could make out Jill and Samantha.
"Hey, guys," I said, throwing my bag down and sitting on the ground beside them where they were stretching.
"Hey, Mollipop," Jillie greeted as I pulled on my cleats before stretching out my legs with them.
"So what are we in for today?" I asked, glancing around at the other girls on the team. I recognized most of the faces from school, but scattered about were a few I didn't recognize.
"Well, we're waiting for Jason. He's the coach with Tanner as his assistant coach," Sam answered, while rolling her eyes at the Tanner part.
"Not to mention that Jason is 20 and absolutely gorgeous!" Jill inserted. Even Samantha let out a breathy sigh.
"Excuse me, but don't you both have boyfriends?" I questioned with raised eyebrows.
"Hey, that doesn't mean we can't look and appreciate God's work," Jill said with a grin. "Speaking of God's work..." She nodded over my shoulder.
I turned and saw a lean, but muscular guy that could pass as 20 but looked slightly younger. He had tousled sandy blond hair and popping green eyes. I had to be honest with myself: he was not difficult to look at. But, to also be honest with myself: his wouldn't be the face constantly on my mind. That face belonged to a tall, strong Quileute with short black hair, russet skin, deep, dark eyes, and a smile that could kill when he let it out.
I watched as he pulled a large black bag out of the back of his truck and flung it over his shoulder as he walked onto the field. I also noticed Tanner not far behind, carrying a clipboard.
"Let's gather up!" Jason yelled. We all made our way to the pitcher's mound where he was standing and waited for him to give us instructions. "Alright, I see we have most of the old crowd back, but for those of you that might not know," he looked at me quickly before continuing,"My name is Jason Hicks and I'll be your coach. Call me Jason, Coach, Hicks, whatever, it doesn't matter. We're gonna have a lot of fun, and if we work hard, we're gonna beat the Panthers this year, right?"
Everyone started cheering and clapping. I assumed that the Panthers was the rival team Samantha had mentioned that had beaten them every year.
"That's what I thought," Jason continued with an easy smile. "Well, we're just gonna start off with some conditioning for the first few practices. Our first game is in two weeks, and we've got to make sure we're in shape. Line up in front of Tanner here, and he'll take your name, requested number, and jersey size. As soon as you give him your information start making laps around the field. Ready?" Jason yelled, clapping his hands, and received another cheer from his team.
It was easy to like Jason. You could tell his pep talk was actually sincere, and he got everyone fired up to work.
We all formed a line in front of Tanner as Jason stood beside him with Jill, Sam, and me near the front-middle. Things were going smoothly, and my legs were already itching to start laps after Jason's speech. Jill and Sam stepped up and Tanner quickly wrote down their names having already known them, then their number and sizes.
"Molly Bridges," I said when I stepped up as Tanner had his head down finishing up scribbling something down.
He looked up when I said my name. "Molly," he said almost coldly.
"Tanner," I said lightly. He stared at me for a minute with a raised eyebrow.
"Is there a problem here?" Jason asked uncertainly.
"Nope," I said evenly, earning a hard look from Tanner.
"I think we might need some extra work on this one, Jason," he said mockingly.
"Well, we'll just see how things go, alright?" Jason decided, effectively ending anything else Tanner might have had up his sleeve.
"Number 25 and a small jersey," I stated, then took off running to catch up with Jillie and Sam, who were already halfway around the field. I caught up with them in no time.
"Tanner causing trouble?" Samantha asked observantly.
"Yeah. Trying to get a rise out of me, I guess. Telling Jason that I 'might need some extra work,'" I scoffed.
"Gosh, he has gotten so jerky. I guess we just forgot how he really is, and now that he's someone new to try to look like a badass in front of, it's coming out again," Jill stated.
"Well, I wish he would get over himself."
We finished running three complete laps around the entire field when Jason called everyone in again."OK, now we're gonna work on some base running. I'll be at home plate and Tanner will be on second. Each of you will start at first base, then I will hit the ball towards Tanner and you have to try to avoid the out. Got it?" We all gave him the affirmative. "Who's up first?"
We all made another line, but this time at first base. I was closer to the front this time around. The first girl was up.
"Out!" Jason yelled from home plate, making a fist in the air as the 'out' sign. Tanner had stepped on the base before she got there. "Pick up the pace a little, Bridget, and you could have had it."
The next girl got into position on first as Jason tossed the ball in the air and hit it towards Tanner. She took off running, but tripped on her untied shoelace, causing her to stumble a bit.
"Out! Come on, Lindsay, make sure those cleats are tied. We don't need you getting hurt before we even start," he admonished with a friendly smile.
Girl number three was another out as well. "Ladies! What are we doing?" Jason asked slightly exasperated.
It was my turn next. I put my back foot on the edge of the base as I positioned myself to run. I hear the slight crack of Jason's bat as he hit a grounder towards second base and took off running. Tanner scooped up the ball in his glove and was about to step on the base. I bent my leg and fell into an easy slide, touching the base and knocking Tanner's foot just in time. He fell to the ground beside me amongst the dust. We both turned our heads toward Jason to catch his verdict.
He cut both his hands through the air horizontally, "Safe!"
I smiled widely and jumped up. I dusted off my legs and shorts, then offered Tanner my hand. He stared at it for split second before ignoring it and pushing himself up. I shrugged, and made my way back to the group, giving Jill a high-five as I passed her with a smirk.
"Good hustle, Molly," Jason praised.
The rest of practice went by swiftly with all of us having a good time and getting dirty. "Let's huddle up, team!" Jason called. "That was a great practice. I can see we've got a few things we need to work on, but that's what practice is for. You are all doing really great. Next practice will be next weekend. We'll have practices closer together once school is out. Alright, hands in and Falcons on three."
We all placed a hand on top of Jason's outstretched one. "1,2,3..."
"Falcons!" We all yelled and threw our hand in the air.
We all started to migrate back toward our things when I heard Jason call out,"Molly! Can you hang back a sec?"
"Sure," I replied before turning back toward Jill and Sam. "I'll see you guys on Monday."
"Later," they said, giving a small wave in return.
"What's up, Coach?" I questioned when most of the others had moved toward their cars.
"Well, I just wanted to ask you something, and you don't have to answer if you'd rather not," Jason started amiably. I nodded for him to continue. "Is there a problem between you and Tanner?"
"Oh. Let's just say that Tanner and I don't exactly have the same feelings toward each other," I supplied.
"Ah. Unrequited love?" he joked.
"Hardly. I tried to let him know that I wasn't interested. He didn't want to listen. Some things happened that probably could have been avoided, but long story short, we aren't exactly on the best of terms," I stated formally.
"Is it going to be a problem?" Jason asked seriously.
"It really shouldn't be. I'll be sure to let you know if it's going to be an issue. I don't want the team to suffer because of me."
"I'd appreciate that. I don't think the team will be suffering because of you, however. You've really got some talent. I can see that already."
"Thanks. I try my best."
"Well, keep it up. Good practice. See you next week," he said in dismissal, clapping me on the shoulder.
"See ya," I said and made my way back to my Jeep, throwing my bag in the back, as Jason went to turn off the lights to the field.
It was after 9:30 when I got home, just as I had thought, but I was surprised to see my mom's car still in the driveway. I grabbed my stuff and entered the house, deciding to take a quick shower before letting Boomer inside. First, however, I went to the dining room and kitchen to see if my mom was there.
"Mom?" I called as I came in. She wasn't there. I ventured on down the hall and saw her bedroom door shut, but a strip of light coming out from underneath. I decided not to bother her, assuming she was running late for work, and headed up to take a shower.
It felt nice to get out of those dusty and dirty clothes and wash my sweaty hair. The water running down to the drain was a reddish-brown as the field dirt was coming off. I stepped out of the shower when I was finished and quickly toweled off. After rubbing on some body lotion, I slid on another pair of black athletic shorts to sleep in and a plain white, form-fitting t-shirt. Afterward, I towel dried my hair, and went to my room. I stepped back into my tennis shoes so my feet wouldn't get dirty when I went to get Boomer.
As I descended the stairs, I heard the door to my mother's room open. I turned and saw her coming out dressed in her bathrobe, a half-empty glass and a bottle of brownish liquid in her hands.
"Oh, you're back," she said listlessly.
I took in her appearance. Her eyes were bloodshot and puffy. She shuffled toward the kitchen while running a hand through her matted hair. She was drunk. "Mom?" I ventured. "Are you ok?" I wondered what could have happened while I was gone to make her do this.
"No, Molly," she snapped my name harshly, while setting her glass and the bottle on the table. "I am not ok."
"What happened?" I asked, bewildered. She had gotten so much better about the drinking.
"Your father called," she spat out. "He's getting married."
"You're joking!" I said before I could stop myself.
My mother whirled around, and I barely had time to register her hand flying towards me before it connected with my face, catching me on the side of the mouth. My head snapped to the side and the coppery taste of blood filled my mouth.
"Do I look like I'm joking?!" she shrieked at me. "He's going off and marrying that bitch, and he wants you to be there!" She raised her hand again, but I quickly sidestepped her, causing her to stumble. "Get out! Just get out!"
"But, Mom-" I tried, backing up a few steps and rapidly blinking my stinging eyes.
"OUT!" She tried to lunge at me, but I swiftly turned and my feet pounded toward the door. I heard a chair crash to the floor as the door slammed behind me.
I didn't stop running until I reached the road and could no longer see the house. My heart was pounding, and my breath was heavy. Adrenaline was pumping through my veins, making me shaky. I took a deep breath and the cool night air stung my lungs. It was much colder out than it had been, and I wasn't able to get a jacket in my haste to get out.
My mouth and cheek were throbbing, and my chin felt sticky. I reached up to wipe at it with the back of my hand, and it came away red with blood. I spit trying to get rid of any excess blood and the coppery taste in my mouth. It didn't help much at all. I prodded my lip gingerly and winced. It was already swelling.
I swallowed hard around the lump in my throat, and stood in the road for a moment deliberating on what I could do. The air was causing me to shiver as I stood in my shorts and t-shirt. The moon was blocked by the ever cloudy sky, making it even darker. I had to decide quickly. I couldn't go home, and there was only one other place that I could reach in minimal time without my Jeep.
I took a deep, shaky breath and started toward La Push. I wiped at my mouth again, but it didn't do any good because it was still bleeding. The back of my hand was covered in blood. I heard what sounded like a wolf howl in the distance, and quickened my pace around the bend toward Sam and Emily's.
When their house came into sight, I could make out two people sitting on the swing under the porch light. I knew it was Sam and Emily, and they looked quite content. I had almost decided to keep walking when Sam's head turned in my direction.
"Molly? Is that you?" he called.
Damn. How was I going to explain this? "Uh, yeah. It's me." I entered there yard, stopping just beyond the pool of light cast by the porch bulb.
"What are you doing out this late? And with no jacket! You must be freezing," Emily's motherly side kicked in.
"It's fine. I didn't mean to bother you," I mumbled.
"Don't be silly," she said, beckoning me forward. "The boys should be back any- Molly!" I had just stepped forward into the light at her beckoning. "What happened?" She stood up quickly, hastening me onto the porch.
Sam stood as well. "Is that a hand print?" he asked, moving my face slightly toward the light. I didn't answer him. "Em, they others will be here soon. Will you take her inside?"
Emily steered me inside to the bathroom, where I looked at myself in the mirror. My lip was swollen and bloody, and there was still some blood on my chin. There was only a small, but noticeable, cut on my lip, but I knew most of the blood was coming from a larger cut inside my mouth. I turned my head and there was indeed a mean red hand print across my cheek, and a bruise was forming from the corner of my mouth toward my cheek. The blood on my hand also looked worse under the bathroom lights. I groaned at my reflection. I looked terrible.
"Here," Emily caught my attention. She was holding some rubbing alcohol and a wash cloth.
"I can do it, if you don't mind," I told her politely.
She looked at me for a long moment, then nodded her head. "I'll get you some ice." She set the supplies on the counter and moved toward the door. "Molly, you might not want to tell us what happened, but Paul will-" She was interrupted by the slam of the front door causing us both to jump. She gave me a pointed look then shut the door behind her.
I quickly ran some water on the wash cloth and put a little alcohol on it before wiping at my chin. The rubbing alcohol made the dried blood come off easier. When I finished my face, I spit into the sink, and it came out bloody. I quickly washed it down.
Soon I heard several pairs of feet thundering toward the bathroom. "Molly?!" It was Paul. I froze. Then he was banging on the door, making the hinges rattle. "Molly! Open the door!" I could vaguely hear someone telling him he needed to calm down. I thought it would be a good idea too, remembering his temper.
"Please calm down, Paul," I said. I was about to have a nervous breakdown as it was.
"Sam said you were hurt! Open the door now!" he was still yelling. I didn't say anything for a moment, and it became quiet outside the door, then I heard a very soft, "Please?"
I slowly reached over and barely opened the door. "Just give me a minute, please," I said, my voice shaking, as he pushed the door open. I turned back to the sink and out of the corner of my eye, I could see him taking in the bloody wash cloth, my blood covered hand, and the pink-tinged water going down the sink. I used my hair to shield my face.
"It's just a cut," I said thickly, unevenly.
"Oh dear God," he said as he took in all the viewable blood stains. I couldn't even imagine what was running through his head.
My shaky hands scrubbed the blood from the back of my hand and washed it all down the sink. I was proud of myself for staying as composed as I had with all things considered.
I turned off the sink when I finished and dried my hands on a nearby towel. I took a deep breath, gripping the edge of the sink tightly before turning to fully look at Paul.
"Oh my God," he said again as he looked at me. A million emotions were flashing across his face. He looked as if he wanted to hug me, but there were also angry flames burning in his eyes. I turned my head away from him slightly, and I heard him gasp, "Someone hit you?!" he shouted. He had seen the hand print. "Molly, what happened? Tell me!"
I looked up when a heard the door rattling. Paul's entire body was visibly shaking, and his hand on the doorknob was causing the door to shake with him. My eyes widen. "Paul?" I said meekly. It was scary.
"Sam! Get Paul!" Jacob yelled from the hallway.
"Paul!" Sam yelling running back down the hall. They grabbed Paul and started pulling him down the hallway away from me. I could hear various voices telling him he needed to calm down, saying my name, and then I heard the backdoor shut. I stood there for a moment, stunned.
"Molly?" I heard Emily's worried voice. "Are you alright?"
What the hell just happened? I wanted to ask. Instead I just nodded my head.
"Come into the kitchen. I've gotten you some ice," she put her arm on my shoulders and we walked into the kitchen.
"Is Paul ok?" I asked quietly as I leaned against the counter.
"He'll be fine," she said wrapping some ice in a towel for me. "It's you we're worried about. Are you sure you're alright?" she asked again. Again I nodded, then gently put the ice on my swollen mouth and cheek.
"Thank you, Emily," I said sincerely, blinking away more tears.
"Oh, it's not problem, sweetheart," she said pulling me into a hug. I laid the ice on the counter and hugged her back.
Another few minutes passed, and the backdoor opened once again. Jacob, Quil, and Embry came in first, looking serious. Their eyes softened when they looked at me, but I could see a flash of anger in their eyes as well. Finally Sam came in followed by a sullen looking Paul.
Sam motioned to Emily to follow him, but Emily stayed and gave him a pointed look. He nodded his head and they apparently finished their silent conversation because she left the room with him. Now it was just me and Paul.
He stood by the door looking at the floor for a moment, then slowly looked up at me. "Oh my God," he said for the third time. This time, though, his face just looked pained and concerned. He crossed the room in just a couple long strides and pulled me into his arms. He wrapped one arm around my waist and the other hand held my head to his chest, softly stroking my hair and carefully minding my cheek.
He held me tightly for an unmeasurable amount of time before pulling away but keeping his hands on my arms. "What happened?" he asked, his brows furrowed and eyes full of pain. "Who hit you?" he asked that question with slightly more difficulty.
I looked away for a moment and took a deep breath. "My mother," I whispered thickly.
"What?!" he exploded, but quickly quieted when he noticed me flinch away from him. "Sorry," he apologized, pulling me into another hug. "Why would she do that?"
"She was upset because my dad called and said he was getting remarried. He wants me to be there," I explained.
"I understand that that would upset her, but to hit you-"
"She was drunk," I sniffed, and felt a tear escape. Paul raised his large hand and softly wiped it away. He was extremely gentle for someone so huge. "She screamed at me to get out, and I came here. You...you make me feel safe," I added quietly, blushing lightly.
"Oh, Molly," he hugged me tightly and dropped a kiss on top of my head. "Let's go sit down." I knew he knew there was nothing he could say.
He picked up the slightly melted ice from the counter top and handed it back to me, before taking my hand and leading me to the living room where everyone else was seated watching tv. Although, it seemed to me that they were all sitting too stiffly to actually be watching it. Paul sat down on the sofa and pulled me down sideways on his lap. I was surprised by this action, but wasn't about to complain. I slid off my shoes so I wouldn't get the sofa dirty, and Paul wrapped his arms around me. I shivered violently against his sudden warmth, realizing how cold I truly was.
"Lord, you're freezing," Paul said, chaffing my legs with his hand before pulling me tighter against him. I graciously snuggled in closer.
After a while, I took the ice from my lip and gently touched it again.
"Let me see?" Paul asked. I turned my face toward him. His face turned hard, and I felt his chest vibrate, then he guided my hand to put the ice back on.
"That bad, huh?" I asked, setting the ice against my face. He just tightened his hold on me in response.
We all sat quietly through a few half-hour shows, the ice long melted, before Sam and Emily decided to turn in. "Stay as long as you like, Molly," Emily offered.
"Thanks, Emily," I said gratefully. "Good night, Sam."
"Good night, Moll," Sam returned before looking at Paul who nodded. More silent conversations, I thought.
Jacob, Quil and Embry had all drifted out as well, and not long after they left, I turned to look at Paul. He looked back at me expectantly. "I need to go home."
a/n: well wasn't that just drama, drama, drama. i must say though that i think this is my favorite chapter. i've been wanting to write it for so long and i think it actually lived up to my hopes and expectations. still please let me know what you think and whether it lived up to your expectations or not. we also finally got some more back story on Molly. At first i had wanted it to be something she revealed to Paul, but I realized i hadn't really set it up that way and it wasn't like she was keeping her dark past from him completely or something. I still may have her divulge some more about herself directly to him next chapter or so. review!! much love!!