APOV
I didn't purposely tell Jake about Collin wanting to meet my parents. I mean, it wasn't my fault he happened to be out there when I was going home. I wasn't trying to get Collin in trouble.
Though I was still confused as to why Collin would be in trouble in the first place. Jacob had obviously seen something different in Collin's request than I had.
He had turned immediately to Collin's place. I followed still trying to figure out what was going on. It was when Jake was two feet from Collin's doorstep that I realized I could have just looked through his head for the answer...
It was too late by then of course. Jake had already phased back and stormed through the door.
I phased too, and winced when I heard James wake up.
I slowly walked up the steps, Jake wasn't yelling yet, which was usually a good sign. Unless he'd taken to violence first.
The first voice I heard wasn't one I was expecting. My hand froze around the doorknob as I listened in.
"Jacob Black, long time no see, you're not avoiding me are you?" No answer, James continued anyway.
"Well, nice of you to finally come over and straighten my brother out. He's been looking at your cousin pretty weirdly lately," I tensed. James laughed like he knew I was out there listening.
Jacob growled. I opened the door.
"Jake," He turned to glare at me. I took a deep breath.
"Alexys, you just made this a whole lot more interesting," James grinned at me. I scowled back.
"Jacob, what's wrong," I ignored James' piercing gaze.
"What's wrong? What's wrong," I winced. "He's gone to far, that's what's wrong," Jacob jabbed a shaky finger at Collin. I watched his hand tremble for a second before answering.
"First of all, I think you need to calm down Jakey," Jacob sneered. "Second of all, you're taking this way too seriously. I don't know what you think Collin was thinking," I paused to make sure my sentence made sense then I shrugged and hoped he would understand. "But, I bet you're wrong,"
"If I'm wrong, then why does he want to meet them, huh?" I didn't say anything, "I guess he didn't tell you then," I bit my lip. Of course Jake was right, he was always right.
"Well then Jake, what was he thinking?" Jacob snorted, his eyes returning to Collin.
Collin stood perfectly still, his face blank, waiting for what Jake would say.
"You think you could keep your thoughts a secret? I know everything that goes on in your head buddy, no secrets from me," Collin winced. I hissed. Jacob had obviously seen something in Collin's head; which meant Collin was keeping something from me.
"Did you have a nice conversation with Mrs. Clarke, Collin? Did you get back on her good side before you popped the question," My eyes widened.
Why would Collin be speaking to my mom? Especially of his own accord too... And what question?
Collin glanced at me then James, and finally back at Jacob.
"Could we talk about this somewhere else?" he said quietly. James probably couldn't hear him, but I could.
"No, no you can't. Time to air your dirty laundry Collin, I'm waiting," I said, sneering. If Collin was talking to my mother, this was obviously about me. I'd never seen Jacob as angry about anything other then my safety either.
Collin sighed.
"I don't have anything to hide, it was just supposed to be a secret," Collin didn't look at me as he said this. He didn't look at anyone.
"Don't you think she's a little young? Age wise and wolf wise?" Jacob and Collin's conversation was beginning to make less and less sense.
Too young for what?
Only one thing came to mind, but if this was about what I was I thinking it was about, then Collin would have already lost a limb.
Besides, Collin didn't seem like the type of person that would do - that before marriage...
My mind and throat clogged up at the word.
Marriage? This was what Jake was freaking out about? Of course, I was freaking out too, it made sense.
Jake was right, I was too young to even think about...
"Collin," I said softly my voice cracking. He looked at me, and my expression must have said it all, because his face fell immediately.
Jacob turned too, and smirked.
"Told you so," I ignored my cousin and focused on Collin. He looked so ... heartbroken. But I couldn't get married because I felt guilty...Collin would understand that, right?
"Collin," I said again, taking a step forward.
"This isn't gonna be like those chick flicks, is it? You're not gonna run into his arms and profess your love for him, are you?" My eyes narrowed as I turned to glare at James.
"Why don't you go have some eggs James," He looked at me like I was crazy for a few seconds, before realization brightened his eyes.
He grimaced, turned and stomped up the stairs like the stubborn ten year old he was.
I took a deep breath and turned back to Collin.
He was staring at me, his eyes full of pain, and rejection.
"I-" I paused to frown at him, "I don't think I'm ready for that Collin. I just can't..." I frowned again, and looked down.
"It's okay, I wasn't really...that serious or anything, I guess I was rushing..." Collin's sentence led into an awkward silence.
"Collin," I looked up again, he was looking down. "I'm not saying I don't want to...marry you, but not right now, maybe in a few years, when I'm more prepared. When I know what I want to do with my life," Collin looked up sharply, so I backtracked. "I mean I know I want to spend my life with you, obviously, but I don't want to become one of those house mom types," I glanced quickly at Jacob, who was in the living room, smirking at Collin's school photos.
I moved closer to Collin, just in case.
He took me into his arms once I was close enough. He was still bare-chested, which made my head more than a little dizzy.
"I want to learn how to control my anger," I whispered, "I want to get a job, have a career," Collin sighed.
"I had a feeling it was something like that," I smiled.
"I love you, but I don't think I'd make a good wife, not yet,"
"I understand," he pulled away from me, he seemed a little happier. He smiled mischievously, "Well, at least I can look forward to coming home to you everyday...one day, and don't worry, there's one thing you've already perfected,"
"And what would that be?"
"Welcome home kisses," he murmured. I giggled and got on my toes to kiss him. He put my arms around his neck, and bent over so I wouldn't have to reach so high.
He moaned, and that's when Jacob had had enough.
"Get a room," he muttered, before turning and storming out.
Collin stared at me for a long time after Jake left. I forgot where we were, I forgot James was still upstairs moping. I even sorta forgot Collin had just - indirectly - asked for my hand in marriage.
All I could remember was that I was Collin's, and Collin was mine. I tried not to get too happy, because Collin had an annoying tendency to ruin my good moods.
"I was thinking," he started hesitantly. I sighed, here it comes. "Well, remember yesterday? Right before you forgave Jasper?" Collin waited. I nodded, of course I remembered.
"You said you would explain something to me, later," I blinked. Hadn't I already explained to Collin why I had forgiven Jasper?
"No," I said slowly, still thinking.
"About being happier," he reminded, helpfully.
"Oh, that," I muttered.
"Yes, that," I bit my lip. See what I meant about ruining my good moods?
"Well, there are really only three reasons. One, I have an excuse to stay away from my mom for as long as possible,"
"She's not that bad," Collin interrupted. Was that a defensive tone I heard?
My eyes narrowed.
"Two," I continued, ignoring him, "It made controlling my feelings way easier," Collin raised an eyebrow at me. "Wait, it's connected to number three," I stopped.
"Continue," I smiled at Collin's impatient expression.
"Before I became...one of you," I finished my sentence with some difficulty then I turned my eyes away from Collin's, "I was happy to be with you, but sometimes, I was sort of mad that you always had to be so careful around me. You always had to think before you did or said something. I made life for you so complicated, before you did anything, you'd have to think about me first, and I didn't like that. I wanted to find a way to make you and I equal, so you would have to worry less," I took a deep breath.
"I didn't have to think that much, besides, I made a lot of mistakes," I shook my head, scowling.
"Exactly, I didn't think it was fair that you went through so much, and then you would beat yourself up when you made the smallest mistake," I shook my head again, frowning this time.
"You're done explaining," Collin reminded me after a short silence.
I continued without complaining.
"Now that I'm a werewolf, you don't have to worry about hurting me, physically at least, because I'm just as indestructible as you are," Collin smirked.
"I'm still stronger than you," I rolled my eyes.
"Nu uh, I know for a fact that you are not stronger than me,"
"Wanna bet?" I felt the muscles in Collin's arms flex around me. I bit my lip, instantly regretting my stubbornness. I didn't answer. "That's what I thought,"
"I'm not giving in,"
Collin grinned. "Didn't think so, arm wrestling match?"
"You're on," He let go of me before taking my hand and pulling me into the living room. Collin pulled the coffee table into the middle of the room. I heard James stomp down the stairs just as I sat down on one side of the table.
James stopped, I looked up and smiled. He scowled, but didn't move.
"Okay, let's say best out of three, just to give you a fair chance," My eyes narrowed at Collin, and I put my elbow on the table, waiting.
He grinned and put his hand in mine.
"One," I barred my teeth. "Two, three!" I gasped slightly when Collin pushed back on my hand. I could have sworn I heard a crack.
Mercifully, I was expecting as much, and I managed to gather my bearings before my hand smashed into the table.
I pushed back, not really expecting much of myself. It surprised me when Collin hand moved back up three inches. We were back where we started, and Collin seemed more surprised than I was.
James scoffed from behind Collin. Collin looked up for a fraction of a second, losing focus.
That was all I needed. I shoved with all my might, and Collin's hand cracked against the wood. My eyes widened in surprise, I hadn't meant to put that much force in.
"Shit!" Collin pulled his hand away from mine and cradled it to his chest; James came barreling down the stairs.
"What the hell are you taking," James yelled, standing helplessly behind his brother.
I shook my head and crawled over to Collin. I ignored James when he tried to block my path. I simply went around him, and then stopped a few inches from Collin's face. I could hear James grumbling from behind me, I ignored that too.
"I am so, so sorry Collin," I whispered. Collin looked up, his face contorted in pain. He was trying to be a man by hiding his pain from me. I pouted. "Let me see," he shook his head. "Collin," He sighed and put his injured hand in mine. It didn't look hurt, but Collinlooked like he was in real pain.
"Sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry," I apologized for every finger I unclenched. With each finger, Collin would wince; for every other finger, he'd let out a low hiss. His pinkie finger actually made him cry (well not cry, cry, but I did catch a tear rolling down his cheek before he quickly swiped it away)which naturally made me even more worried.
"It'll be fine in an hour, just give it some time," Collin's voice was low, and cracked at least twice. I frowned, my eyes welling with tears.
"I was so stupid, I'm sorry,"
"It's okay, you didn't mean too," Colin used his good hand to wipe the tears that I hadn't even noticed were streaking down my face.
"Why in the hell are you comforting her," James seemed more exasperated than angry at his brothers' actions.
"Go away," James grumbled some more, but eventually left the room.
"Sorry," I said again.
"Don't be sorry, I'm fine now, see," Collin wriggled his fingers, and only managed to wince once. I smiled slightly.
"I'm still sorry,"
Collin groaned, and rolled away from me so he was now under the table. Both my eyebrows rose, and my mouth popped open in shock.
"Stop being sorry already," I wasn't really sure how to approach the situation. Here I was apologizing for something I did, while my fully grown boyfriend hid under his mother's coffee table telling me I didn't have to be sorry.
I decided to stop apologizing, maybe then he would come out.
"Collin," I called softly. I couldn't shake the feeling of dealing with a five year old. "Collin," I said again - more sternly this time - when he didn't move.
"Yes," He peered up at me then grinned at my flustered expression. I frowned and crossed my arms.
"What are you doing?" He shrugged. "Okay then," I got up, pretending to brush myself off.
"Where're you going," I glanced back at him, still under the table, but starting to edge away from it.
"I'm going to go find your brother, and ask him if this is your usual behavior when I'm not around," I shook my head.
"You're always around," Collin reminded me. I paused, and smiled. "Please don't get my brother," Collin had obviously decided to leave his coffee table fortress, his arms were wrapped around my waist from behind. I sighed.
"Looks like your hand's feeling better," I accused. Collin laughed, and spun me around so I was facing him.
"I told you I would be fine, you need to stop worrying so much," I bit my lip. "Come on, I don't get into trouble that much," I looked up skeptically. Collin backtracked. "Well, maybe, but not enough that you have to give yourself a heart attack every time I break something," I pouted.
"I can't help but worry, and anyway, I have no choice, you're always so careless with your own safety,"
"Hey, that's only cause I'm kinda busy looking after you," He snapped, an automatic reaction by the look on his face.
I took a step back, more shocked by Collin's tone, than his words.
"I can take care of myself," I snapped back. Collin and I stood- half in the hallway, half in the living room- glaring at each other. I saw James emerge from the kitchen in my peripheral vision, clutching two bags of chips, and a 2L bottle of Root Beer. James paused outside the kitchen door; he glanced from his brother's angry glare to my furious gaze, before backing back into the kitchen.
My lips twitched, fighting a smile.
"What," Collin's voice was still angry, but his eyes were lit up with curiosity. My eyes narrowed, I was still mad at him, but James' quick departure had lessened my anger.
"Your brother is hiding in the kitchen trying to avoid a fight," I whispered, half apologizing, half telling him what was going on.
"I see," The anger drained from Collin's voice, and face, so I felt that I was forgiven.
"Should we tell him to come out of hiding, or...?" Collin seemed to think for a while, and then he very deliberately put his hand in mine and walked us out the door.
"He should figure it out soon enough, but just to make sure," Collin paused, and turned. He pulled his keys out of his pocket and threw them against the front window with enough force to make the glass shudder violently.
I stared, wide eyed, at the shivering glass.
"Don't worry, it won't break, but listen," I turned away from the window and listen like Collin told be too. I could hear James using every single profanity he knew - multiple times - in the kitchen.
It was pretty entertaining, if the words weren't directed at you.
"Wow," I muttered.
"Yup, he won't be out of there for a while," Collin looked at me, his half smile wreaking havoc on my heart. "You'll get used to him one day," he assured me. I wrinkled my nose. I wasn't really sure I wanted to get used to him. Looking at Collin's hopeful face made me think twice though, I guess I could give James a second chance...maybe.
"Now what?"
"Now, I get you home," I tried to protest, I didn't want to go home. Jacob would be waiting to say I told you so over, and over again.
Collin shook his head, smiling. "Jake's already on my case, better to get you home early, right?" I frowned. He was right.
"Fine,"
"You don't want to go home," Collin stated, grinning now.
"No," I decided to tell the truth. Collin could probably see the reluctance in my eyes.
"Yes, yes, I know how hard it is to leave my hotness behind," He winked, and I rolled my eyes.
"Are you going to take me home or not?" Collin laughed, and swept me up in his arms.
"Okay, let's go," I struggled, trying to loosen his grip, so I could get down.
"Do you really want Jake to see you carrying me like this?" Collin pulled me tighter to his chest before leaning down his face was less than an inch from mine.
"Sure," Collin smiled. "I'll just tell him I'm practicing,"