JACOB'S POV
The entire drive to the pub where Sam and I were meeting was tough. All I wanted to do the entire time was turn around and go back to Nessie.
I pull into the packed parking lot of The Switchyard, the new local pub and restaurant. It is named after what the location originally was. Decades ago a poorly planned railway switchyard was supposed to be built in the location. The plans fell through pretty quickly but one of the structures remained for years; it was abandoned. The owners gutted the building and replaced everything but the facade. It has quickly become the most popular hangout in La Push.
When I enter The Switchyard I nod to Embry who I see is just getting off his shift as a cook here.
Embry stops me, "should I stay?" he asks and nods over to Sam sitting at a lone table and then across the pub at a table for four sat Paul, Brady, Jared and Collin.
"No… This won't get ugly. Have a good night, Embry," I smack him on the shoulder and head over to the table. I make an effort to make eye contact with each member of the Uley pack to let them know that I know that they're here.
"Black," Sam greets me with a grim face, his thumb peeling the label of a beer bottle.
"Is that necessary?" I ask him, motioning to his entire pack as I take a seat across from him. The waitress comes over but I wave her away.
"Wasn't sure how many vampires you'd be bringing," he mumbled.
"I'm gonna make this short and sweet because I really don't want to waste time here debating this. My kid's mother is off-limits. Are you listening?" I ask. Sam glares at me without answering. "Good, I've got your attention. Nessie is sticking around for a while to visit with River. She is not staying on the res so unclench... She rented a beach house near the harbour."
"What?" Sam's face becomes severe, "where near the harbour?"
"Look…" I sigh preparing for a reaction, "It's near Leah's."
"Fuck, Jacob!" Sam growls.
"Misty and Leah don't technically live on the res. We have no business governing outside of La Push. Ness isn't going to hurt Misty. You need to drop it but if you really want to push the issue take it up with Leah. No treaty is being broken by Nessie staying near the harbour," I reply.
"I'm not worried about that bitch. I'm worried about the vampire scum that she surrounds herself with," he snarls.
I growl when Sam calls Nessie a bitch, "her family is not coming."
"I don't like this," Sam says from between clenched teeth.
"I don't care. We're done. Stay away from River. Stay away from Nessie. That goes for your boys over there too," I nod to the other wolves, "you understand?"
Sam's nostrils flare, "very well… Nessie stays off the res and we don't have a problem."
"Fine," I stand and reach my hand out to Sam. He hesitantly takes my hand and shakes it. I look over to the other pack and nod to them. "Goodnight."
I walk away from the table but don't feel great about the interaction. I have a feeling that this isn't over but what more can I do? I'll just have to keep an eye on things. I exit the pub, looking around the packed parking lot. I push my hand into my pocket and retrieve my keys along with a loose paper. I look down. The check Nessie wrote to cover River's hospital bill. The signature line; Renesmee Black. I get into my truck and sit there trying to figure out what to do. Do I go home or back to Nessie?
"Don't…" I whisper to myself. I sigh. These past few days have been confusing. Getting involved with Nessie again without resolving what broke us apart to begin with is not going to be good for either one of us.
"Fuck!" I slam my fists against the steering wheel, "goddammit," I shake my head and start the truck. I drive back to the garage. The entire way there I have to keep talking myself into going home.
When I arrive home I am not prepared for how lonely it is without River. That kid has been my life for the last 16 years. It's late. He'd be sleeping anyhow. The small two-bedroom apartment above my garage feels even smaller than usual. The heatwave has long since passed but it's still muggy inside. I take my shirt off and toss it on the back of the couch then open all the windows. I take a few bites out of a microwave burrito but leave half of it on the table. My eyes wander to the middle of the table where the expensive bottle of tequila that Nessie brought with her still sits. I grab a glass from the counter and pour a small amount in the bottom. It goes down hot. A good kind of burn. The taste reminds me of Nessie. The fumes from the drink were still on our breaths while we made love. I drink a little bit more, just enough to ease my frustration before I make my way to the bedroom.
My bedroom stirs up more feelings. The blankets on the bed are still unmade from the last time I slept in them… with Nessie. I empty my pockets coming across yet another reminder. The velvet box with the moonstone ring. I had shoved it in there on impulse when I tracked Nessie down after I thought I'd never see her again. What was I thinking? That'd she'd put it back on? That somehow everything would be like it was? I take a deep breath and open the bedside table and place the box back inside where it has been for the past 16 years and where it belongs and shall remain.
I just need some sleep. Tomorrow is going to be busy. There is work I have to catch up on. I strip off my jeans and climb into the unmade bed in my boxers. I turn on my side, sliding an arm under the cool pillow when I come across a bunched up ball of fabric. I pull the fabric out from under the pillow and look at it. I have no idea what I am looking at for a moment. Then I realize… it's Nessie's simple white nightgown. The one she had been wearing the night we made love. A longing sigh escapes my lips. I roll over on my back, looking at the delicate garment and then bring it to my face, breathing in her intoxicating scent. My mind swirls with memories from that night. Holding her. Kissing her. Touching her. Making love to her… All the things I had longed for over the years.
Once my mind exhausts every detail from our night together I begin to fantasize about new things... Going to her right now, leading her down the beach, laying with her on the shore; stripping her of all her clothing… burying my face between her thighs.
I open my eyes.
"Fuck. Snap out of it, Black," I scold myself and toss the nightgown across the room. What is wrong with me? It's like I'm a horny teenager again. I rub my face and contemplate taking a cold shower when I am distracted by my phone vibrating on the bedside table.
I pick up the device and see a text message from Nessie… I wonder for a moment if she sensed the string of heated fantasies emanating from my mind.
Nessie: Hey, you up?
You: Yeah, is River okay?
I decide to answer to be safe.
Nessie: River is fine
You: OK, what's up?
I stare at the glowing screen in the darkness of my bedroom waiting for a reply. Just as I set the phone back down on the bedside table it vibrates again. I pick it back up.
Nessie: DTF?
I look at the screen… DTF? I frown. DTF… DTF? What's that mean? After spending about a minute trying to guess what these letters stand for I give up and open the web browser on my phone and search DTF meaning.
DTF (Internet slang, dating, vulgar) Initialism of down to fuck. Willing to engage in casual sex.
I sit up abruptly and nearly fall on the floor as I hurry to put my jeans on. Fuck it. I'm not strong enough to resist the call of my imprint. Whatever resolve I had maintained during these past 16 years to keep away from Nessie was clearly breaking down. I just don't care anymore. I want her. I need her. I have to be with her. I'll just have to figure out a way to reconcile my hatred for Foxworth and the spawn.
My phone lights up again.
Nessie: Hello?
Shit. I grab the device and quickly type out a message.
You: On my way
I rummage through my dresser drawer and locate a t-shirt that isn't completely ruined from years ware. I pull it over my head and am almost out the door when I stop myself and hurry back to the bedroom. I yank open the drawer next to my bed and stuff a fist full of condoms into my pocket.
I jingle my keys in my hand as I hurry down the stairs of the apartment to the garage where I park my truck. I can't help but grin to myself as I imagine Nessie waiting for me. She's thirsty. I'm going to keep her up all night long.
I am about to climb into my truck when I'm caught off guard by the white sedan parked outside. I frown and close the truck door and go to take a look.
"Is everything okay?" I call out but don't get an answer, "I can look at your car tomorrow. I have to be somewhere," I continue as I walk up to the driver's side and look through the window. It's a woman with long dark hair cascading over two folded arms resting on the steering wheel. "Hey," I knock on the window, I try the door handle, it opens, "is everything okay? Do you need me to call someone?" I kneel down next to her.
When she finally leans back and reveals her face I recognize who it is. It's Brielle. The waitress from the diner who I went out with a few times.
"Brielle?" I'm confused, "what's wrong?"
"I need your help," she replies with desperation on her face.
Next chapter soon.
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