CHAPTER ELEVEN
A few minutes later the door burst open and Seth staggered in sideways with a drum under each arm. I let go of Jasper reluctantly and took one of the drums before Seth dropped it.
"Sorry to interrupt," he grinned and put down the other drum. He immediately stuck his hand out towards Jasper. "Hey, I'm Seth. You must be Jasper."
Jasper's eyes widened in momentary surprise and then he smiled back and shook Seth's hand, quite gently I noticed.
"Nice to meet you, Seth," he said.
"Thanks. You know, you should just ignore Paul and Jared - Paul especially. He's always been a bad-tempered jerk and he seems to forget Emmett saved his life in battle once. Any friend of Jake's is a friend of mine - he was like my hero when I was a kid." He glanced at me a touch sheepishly now and blushed. "You two look pretty cool together actually."
Jasper smiled and I grinned. "Where are the others?" I asked Seth.
"Still entertaining the groupies. Looks like it's going to be a long night. I better finish up." He opened the door again.
"We'll leave when you're done," I said decidedly. "Let the others squeeze in Jared's truck when they're ready."
Quil came in just as we were getting ready to leave. He hesitated in the doorway when he saw Jasper. I hadn't had much opportunity to talk to Quil about Jasper; not alone anyway although I guessed he and Embry had probably been gossiping. I knew he was of a similar opinion to Embry although I didn't know quite what to expect now he was face to face with my vampire.
"Quil, come in and meet Jasper," Seth urged.
"Yeah. Sure." Quil jammed his hands into his pockets, making it apparent that he didn't intend to shake hands, although he did meet Jasper's eyes and nod. "Hey," he said.
"Hey, Quil." Jasper gave him a hint of a smile and he responded with a slight twitch of his lips, which I supposed was better than nothing. I reached out and took Jasper's hand in mine.
"We're going to head back, Quil. Do you want to get a ride with us or are you waiting for the others?"
"I'll hang around," Quil said and grinned then. "There'll be plenty of room in the other truck, Paul just left with some chick."
We left Quil in the dressing room and I drove back to La Push, Seth and Jasper talking throughout the twenty minute journey. I smiled to myself as I listened to them. Seth had never been one to beat around the bush and asked Jasper how long he had been a vampire, how it happened and what it was like living with the Cullens and creepy Bella. I chuckled at that - Seth was sitting next to a vampire chattering as if to his best friend, but it was Bella who was the creepy one.
I dropped Seth off at the Clearwaters' house first and then drove back to mine. I had no need to ask if Jasper wanted to come back with me. The minute Seth was gone he scooted along the seat and snuggled against my side, one hand on my thigh as he kissed and nibbled my ear. By the time we reached the house I was hard and aching as Jasper's hand teased me and I remembered we still had to get the drumkit out of the truck and into the house.
"I need a shower too," I grimaced. I always sweated like a pig when I performed.
"You shower, I'll unload the truck," Jasper said, getting out of the vehicle.
"I can't let you do that," I protested.
"It'll take me less than five minutes. Do you really want to shift it all first and then shower? Seems like an awful waste of time that could be better spent doing...something else."
He smirked now and began untying one of the ropes that held the tarp over the equipment. I went to him and slid my arms around him, pressing myself against his back and kissing his cheek.
"I love you," I whispered.
He stopped what he was doing and leaned against me for a moment. "I'll never get tired of hearing that. I keep thinking I'm dreaming."
"You can't be, you don't sleep," I said. "But I'll keep on telling you every day just in case. Can't you feel it, though, with your patho...thing?"
"Pathokinesis," Jasper giggled. "It's not automatic, I have to want to use it and after the way I fucked up at the beginning, it's staying well out of it where you're concerned." He pulled himself free of my arms and began unfastening another rope. "Let's get this done or we're going to end up giving your neighbours an eyeful."
I moved away reluctantly and went to unlock the door. By the time I pulled the key out, Jasper was waiting beside me with two drums. I left him to it and ran upstairs to the bathroom. I scrubbed myself vigorously, dried off as quickly as I could manage and cleaned my teeth. By the time I came out of the bathroom, Jasper was flying - literally - up my stairs. His arms slid around me faster than the eye could see and I found myself propelled through my bedroom door, my feet actually leaving the ground for a second before I landed on my back in the middle of the bed with Jasper's still clothed body resting on mine.
"Woah, you're pretty keen," I gasped.
"Are you complaining?"
"No. Get these clothes off."
The few days apart had only served to fuel our desire and we fell upon each other like starving animals, beginning with vigorous sex which made the end of the bed bang against the wall as if it meant to break through, and ended with slow and gentle love-making, another shower and then me sinking rapidly into a deep sleep with Jasper lying in my arms. When I woke in the morning to the sound of a fist hammering on my front door, Jasper was already out of the bed wearing his pants and fastening one of my shirts which was several sizes too big for him. His own had been ruined in our over-enthusiastic attempts to remove it the previous night.
"Who the hell is that?" I groaned, glancing at my wristwatch. It was eight-thirty.
"Paul," Jasper said. "He's pissed."
"He's always pissed," I sighed, hauling myself up, the erection I had woken with rapidly subsiding. I pulled on a pair of jeans and went downstairs, leaving Jasper in the bedroom. When I opened the door, Paul thrust a newspaper under my nose, its pages folded in such a way that the entertainment section was on the front.
"What the fuck is this?" he demanded.
"Good morning to you too," I grunted, snatching the paper out of his hand. He glowered, fists clenched, while I looked at the article.
'Wolfpack Singer Gay?' was the heading and I groaned inwardly and glanced at the accompanying picture. It showed Jasper's hands resting on my chest, an anxious look on his face while I held onto his waist. He had been protesting at the time that a photographer was nearby.
"Well?" prompted Paul.
"Shut up and let me read it."
"Isn't the title enough?" he growled. "What's wrong with you? You have to fuck a guy, can't you at least keep it behind closed doors? Now the whole fucking town's going to know we've got a fag for a singer!"
"I thought you didn't care that I'm gay," I bristled.
"I don't. But some of our fans will."
"Yeah, it really sounds like you don't care, Paul. What if this was you, huh? Would you want your life and your partner to be a secret?"
"It's not me, is it? Anyhow, no one cares if the guitar player is a fag so long as they can all fantasise about the singer."
"I never heard such a load of crap in my life!" I snapped. "And to be honest, I don't give a shit what people think. I'm sick to death of the whole fucking scene! You might like having a dozen girls throwing themselves at you the whole time, but I don't and it wouldn't make a difference if I was straight."
"Then what the fuck are you doing fronting a band?" snarled Paul. "We could really make a go of this, you know. Maybe get a record deal, tour the rest of the country, even abroad. Are you saying you don't want that?"
"No, I don't," I said firmly. "When we started this, it was just a bit of fun. I didn't even mind the club shows at first, but now...I just don't want it any more. It's not me."
"It's that fucking leech, isn't it?" Paul sneered suddenly. "It's all you can think about. You must be pretty deranged if you want to give up what we have to be with a walking corpse!"
I opened my mouth to shout something back at him, but the words stuck in my throat as Jasper appeared suddenly. One moment it was only Paul and I facing each other and the next, Jasper was there with his hand gripping Paul by the throat and pinning him to the house wall. His eyes were black and furious and Paul tried fruitlessly to pry the icy fingers off of him.
"Didn't your mother ever tell you that if you can't think of anything nice to say you should keep your mouth shut?" Jasper said quietly and I stared at him in astonishment. This was a side to him I hadn't seen before. Paul choked and gasped and tried again to get himself free. Jasper let go of him and moved to my side, slipping his hand into mine.
"I think it's time you left," I said to Paul. "It's a shame we can't actually talk about things and figure out a way to get along, but that's your choice. I'll talk to the other guys about what we're going to do about the band, but from where I'm standing, either you leave or I do. It makes more sense for me to quit, since I'm not enjoying it anyway. Jared will let you know my decision."
"Sure, but take some time to think about it, don't throw it all away in the heat of the moment," Paul said more calmly. "Better you talk to Quil and Embry about this, they don't get worked up over stuff like me."
I didn't answer, the angry retort I had ready for whatever he might say forgotten in my surprise. I simply watched as he turned away slowly and walked off, then I drew Jasper back inside and closed the door.
"What the hell happened there?"
"I can't imagine. Maybe he thought he was going over the top," Jasper snickered.
"You altered his feelings?"
"He was being a jerk. He wanted to punch you and kill me."
I grinned. "He must be wondering why he suddenly backed down."
"So will you really leave the band?" Jasper asked me.
"Probably. I've been thinking about it for a while actually. I hate being in the limelight. Pretty weird for a singer, I know. I don't want to give up music though. Maybe I'll just do some solo stuff and keep it to the Reservation. We'll see. I need to talk to the other guys."
"May I see the newspaper article?" Jasper asked. "I'm just curious."
"Yeah, me too, actually." I led the way into the kitchen and spread the newspaper out on the counter. Jasper began to read and then laughed after a moment.
"...pale and interesting companion...?" he read out loud.
I grinned and looked at the column myself.
"Following local band Wolfpack's performance in the Capital Club last night, singer Jacob Black was seen in the arms of a guy. Coupled with the words of Wolfpack fan, Jasmine Taylor, who stated Jacob brushed her off earlier and advised he was 'gay and had a boyfriend', the picture above indicates that the La Push Reservation's singer does in fact bat for the other team. But who is his pale and interesting companion? The pair apparently left the premises shortly after being snapped by our photographer and other members of the band declined to comment."
"I bet they didn't dare ask Paul," I grinned. "His fists would have answered the question." I couldn't be bothered to read the rest of the article, it was just garbage intended to sell copies.
"Does it bother you?" Jasper asked me.
"No. Let them say what they like. I did tell that girl I'm gay, you saw how persistent she was." I went to the refrigerator to find food and began making coffee, my stomach suddenly beginning to protest that it was too long since I filled it. It felt wrong not to offer Jasper anything and I still had to consciously remind myself that even asking if he wanted a coffee was ridiculous. I poured my own and turned to look at him, noticing his eyes hadn't returned to their usual colour after his altercation with Paul.
"You're thirsty," I said.
"I'm ok."
"Do you want a...um...a snack?" I suggested, wondering if that was the right thing to say or not.
Jasper licked his upper lip, but shook his head. "I should go home, I need to get some fresh clothes anyway. Besides, your friends are here."
"What? You can hear their thoughts or something?" I frowned.
"No, I can see them out the window," Jasper giggled, pointing. Embry and Quil could be seen turning off the street onto my driveway. "I'll get out of your way, you need to talk about the band anyway," he added.
"Will I see you later?" I grabbed his hand and tugged him towards me, sliding my arms around his waist.
"I hope so. Will you come over to the Cullens'? Carlisle said you can whenever you want."
"What about the others?" I asked.
"They're cool, it's only Rosalie who says anything; I guess she's our version of Paul. Shame she's with Emmett really, we could have tried hooking them up together." He giggled again.
"Yeah, Paul would love that. They'd fight like...vampire and dog," I smirked.
"Hey!" Embry appeared outside the window and knocked on the glass.
I let go of Jasper reluctantly and beckoned him and Quil to come in. Both of them spoke to Jasper briefly before he left and I was relieved that at least some of my friends were making an effort to accept him. I made them both some coffee and Embry began helping himself to my food as usual while the three of us talked about the article in the newspaper and the band.
"You know, I'm not sure that parading Jasper around in front of our fans is too smart," Quil said.
"That wasn't intentional, I was pissed at that girl, she wouldn't leave me alone," I told him. "But I wouldn't take back what I said, this is who I am and if people don't like it, it's too bad."
"I didn't say we cared that you said you're gay," Embry put in. "It's only Paul that went off."
"Yeah, he was here a few minutes ago," I grinned. "He calmed down pretty quick though, I think Jasper intimidated him."
Both their eyes widened and Embry laughed. I finished making breakfast and the three of us sat down to talk for a while. In the end I agreed to stick with the band at least for a few more weeks while enquiries were made for a new guy, rather than just leave them in the lurch, but my mind was made up and I didn't want to progress any further. Quil and Em were bitterly disappointed, but didn't try to change my mind when I explained how being on stage and being fawned over made me feel. As soon as we had decided what we were going to do, I felt like a huge weight had been lifted off of me and I realised that the whole thing with Wolfpack had been bugging me a lot more than I realised and for a long time.
When the pair left I went to see Dad and told him of my decision. He was as supportive as always and told me I was right to leave the band if it was causing me stress and unhappiness. He had also seen the article in the paper and told me he was proud of me for being true to myself rather than go along with things for the sake of appearances, even though I had outed myself to the whole of Forks and La Push while doing so. He asked me to bring Jasper over to meet him too and actually joked about the writer's comment that he was 'pale and interesting'.
I went over to the Cullens' place in the afternoon. Rather than go over there in my customary t-shirt, I put on a proper shirt tucked into my black jeans, albeit it with a couple buttons undone and the sleeves rolled up to the elbows. The Cullens always looked so damned immaculate and I hated feeling out of place. I drove over in the Rabbit and parked in front of the house. I didn't see anyone looking out at me and I ran up the steps and rang the doorbell. The door opened in a second to reveal a smiling Alice wearing a curious outfit like an artist's smock over leggings.
"Jacob! How nice! Do come in," she chirped and stood back to let me pass.
"Hello, Alice. Jasper asked me to come over," I said needlessly.
"I know, they're out, but they won't be long," she told me.
"They?"
"Jasper, Emmett, Edward and Carlisle. They went hunting earlier, it's just us girls here. Would you like coffee?"
"Don't go to any trouble," I protested as she led me towards the kitchen.
"Of course it's no trouble, we catered for Bella before she became one of us so you get the same treatment." She wrinkled her nose delicately. "Are you going to be one of us? You should, you know, then you wouldn't smell like dog any more."
"Well, thanks, Alice," I said with a grin. Even when she was being vaguely insulting she sounded friendly. "And no, I'm not turning vamp, I'm happy as a wolf, thanks all the same."
"Oh, well I guess it was worth a try. Don't you think Jasper will be disappointed?" She turned on the coffee percolator and took some fancy china mug out of a cupboard.
"Disappointed about what?" Jasper appeared suddenly and came to my side.
"That he won't change like Bella did," Alice finished.
"No, I love my wolf," Jasper smiled.
"Aww, it's love, is it? You know, you two are so sweet. Somehow you are perfect for each other." She clapped her hands together and I laughed softly.
"Ugh, I thought I could smell mutt," Rosalie sneered at that moment as she halted in the doorway. "I hope you're not staying long."
"Jeez, Rose, don't be so damned rude!" Emmett protested, moving her aside so he could get into the room. "Hey, Jacob."
"Hey." I nodded at him and accepted the coffee Alice passed to me. Rosalie left us and went upstairs and Alice led us into the lounge where Esme, Carlisle, Bella and Edward were all sitting. Edward was playing the piano and nodded at me briefly over his shoulder. I wouldn't have said the hour I spent with them was the most comfortable of my life, but at least all of them made an effort to make me welcome and I guessed it was the same for them as it was for me and my friends with Jasper. They were welcoming someone who was essentially the enemy for the sake of one of their family and it made me all the more grateful to Dad, Embry, Quil and Seth for their attitude towards Jasper.
Eventually some of the Cullens began to drift off to do their own things and Jasper took me up to his room. It was the first time I had been in any of the bedrooms and I was surprised there was no bed, even though I knew he didn't sleep. There was a sofa, however, a huge collection of music and books and a guitar standing in one corner.
"You play guitar?" I said in surprise.
"A little. I started learning when I was sixteen. I happened to mention it one day when I first arrived here and the next thing I knew there was a guitar in my room. Esme got it for me." He smiled happily. "It's almost like having a real mother again. A whole family."
"I'm glad I brought you here," I told him. "Even if I hadn't ended up being with you."
"Me too. You don't know how grateful I am." He plucked one of the guitar strings. "Do you play?"
"Yeah. I started off wanting to be a guitarist, but before we got Paul the others wanted me to sing. They thought I had the right image for a frontman. I'm not so sure about that though," I shrugged.
"Will you play me something?" Jasper asked, picking up the guitar.
"Sure." I took it from him and sat down on the sofa, wondering what to play. A cover or something of mine?
Jasper sat down at the other end of the sofa, cross-legged and facing me and I automatically checked the guitar was tuned, which it was, perfectly. Then I began playing a ballady type piece I had written one day that no one else had heard. It was something that didn't really suit Wolfpack and I had kept it to myself up to now. Jasper watched with a dreamy look on his face until I finished and put the instrument down and then he shuffled closer to me and kissed my cheek.
"That was amazing. You should write lyrics for it."
"I don't know that it was all that good," I said modestly. I always thought things I wrote were no better than average, no matter what anyone said to me.
"Well, then, you don't know your own talent," Jasper said. "I loved it and other people would too if you ever decided to let them hear it. If you're leaving the band and thinking of playing solo, maybe you could do this type of music."
"Yeah, I had considered it," I told him. "But on a very small scale; the last thing I want is even more attention."
"So long as you don't mind me heaping my attention on you," Jasper teased, his golden eyes sparkling. I slid my arms around him.
"If you didn't I'd want to know why." I gave him a light kiss and then after a second's hesitation deepened it. His cool lips on mine stirred me as usual and my heart began to race. His lips parted to admit my tongue and his arms slid around my neck. As my pants grew tight I had to tell myself that nothing was going to happen with seven other people in the house, but it didn't stop me devouring him and running my hands over his upper body. He moaned into my mouth and slid one hand inside my shirt and my previous thoughts were replaced by wondering if his door had a lock on it. But then a rather large passion killer in the form of Rosalie's piercing voice through the partly open door put paid to the images in my mind.
"Ugh, there's nothing worse than the smell of a horny dog!"