Chapter 7: Concrete Bitch Slap

Brady

In all my years as a self-aware asshole, I had learned my most important lesson in my life, albeit in the hard way.

I learned that there was only one thing worse than being angry.

What is it, you ask?

Being angry with yourself.

Knowing that you and you alone had caused yourself whatever trouble you were in was like punishment from Satan himself.

I had found my imprint. I was falling in love with her – okay, maybe just the idea of her – and she hated me. She had turned me down repeatedly and reminded me exactly why she wouldn't have anything to do with me.

And that, my friends, was because of my own actions.

It had been ten days since Lexi had spoken to me.

Ten.

I was in complete misery, and every time I saw or felt my imprint ignoring me, it only served to make it worse, not better. The fact that I had to go to her house every few days to work didn't make things much easier.

Each day, I would go to work and ignore my father, then after work, weather permitting, I would go to Lexi's house and be ignored by her. On the nights I had patrol, I would have to constantly watch my pack mates thoughts replay like a video recorder, as they tried hard not to think about the fact that I was finally getting what I deserved.

I guess it really wasn't so good to be me anymore. Not at all.

It wasn't long before I found myself on my parents' doorstep. I had checked to make sure my dad wasn't home, of course, before knocking on the front door. My mom answered and immediately flung her arms around me in a tight hug on the front porch. I could feel the longing in her hug as her thin arms embraced me tightly.

"I miss my baby boy. You need to come see your old mother more than once a month," she murmured into my shoulder. I bit my lip and hugged her tighter. A mixture of loneliness and desperation had driven me to her doorstep, but I wasn't about to admit that within the first five minutes of being there.

"Everything going alright?" I asked.

She shrugged, pulling me inside. "So so. Your father misses you."

"No, he really doesn't," I answered honestly, following her into the house. She set to work opening the fridge, pulling out everything she could think of. "You don't have to feed me, Ma."

She gave me a tight smile and opened a cabinet, pulling out a plate. "You're my son; of course I need to feed you."

I noticed the half-full glass of wine and her shaky smile and chose not to argue with her. "Fine. What's on the menu?"

"I'm making eggplant parmesan for dinner."

"Mom, I'm not staying for dinner. Dad will be home. You and I both know that's not a good thing. It's never going to end well whenever we meet," I answered shortly.

She sighed, her shoulders slumping as I made my decision known. I wasn't about to hang around and let my father show up and tell me how things should be again. My father was one person I'd rather not deal with, especially right now. I had avoided him for months now, and that wasn't a trend I was willing to give up just yet.

But I had come here. I couldn't leave without giving her something. I wouldn't give her peace with my father, but I would at least give her one thing. One good thing.

"I met a girl."

She looked up in surprise, her wine glass halfway up to her lips, one of her dark eyebrows quirked in question. "You...you met a girl?"

"Yeah, well..."

"Don't you...meet a lot of girls?"

I tried unsuccessfully to hide my smirk. My mother loved me unconditionally with my flaws and all, and despite her spending most afternoons and nights in a wine-induced stupor, she was far from stupid.

"Yeah, well...this girl is different."

"How?"

"She wants nothing to do with me actually."

My mother's eyes studied me carefully for a few seconds before giving me a concluding look. "This girl must not know you well enough then."

I shifted in my seat, staring down at the empty white plate. "She knows me pretty well, I think. She just gets me without any effort. I think that's why she wants nothing to do with me."

Both her eyebrows quirked. "So you met a girl...and you're already giving up on her? Doesn't seem like she's important. Well, any more important than any of the others."

"No, mom, this one is different. Very different. She uh...she's made for me. And me for her."

The words sounded rehearsed and ridiculous as I said them, the tips of my ears burning as I avoided my mother's gaze. She nodded, sipping her wine.

"Does this have to do with—"

"—yes," I answered quickly, not wanting her to say 'wolf thing'. "If I don't get this girl then...there won't be any girl for me."

She kept her gaze controlled as she stared at me, her brown eyes searching. "Well, that's it then," she said with an air of finality.

"What's it?"

"You'd better get this girl, no matter what. She's made for you, just like you are for her."

I felt myself fight a smile. Bless my calm, reassuring mother. I didn't get my fire from her. No, my fire came from somewhere else. And I was reminded of that as I listened to my father's fancy truck pull into the driveway. My eyes flashed up to meet hers as she gripped the counter top and looked away, her free hand gripping her wine glass so hard, I almost thought it would break. Silence settled over us as my father sauntered in, his arrogant gaze dark before he even walked into the room.

"I see our son found his way back to us," he commented, pressing his lips to my mother's temple. She nodded, giving him a weak smile. I shouldn't be there; I only caused my mother stress and triggered my father's rage.

"I just came to see mom."

His lips moved, fighting a smirk. "And not your father? You had no wish to see me, I presume."

"I don't think we have much to say to each other." I answered defiantly.

He sighed. "Brady, you've always been bull headed. It's a gift and a curse."

"What's your point?" I challenged.

"I just want you to see your potential. You could be a powerful leader, an inspiring one...you could do so much with your drive."

"Like you did?" I implied rudely, feeling my temper flaring.

He glared at me across the counter. "Is that a sarcastic question?"

I stood, pushing the chair back from the counter. "No, Dad, it's not. I want to be just like you when I grow up. I want to have a big fancy house, fill it with meaningless shit...I want a wife who cowers when I walk through the door and plenty of little kids to bully. Yeah Dad, I want to be just like you."

The truth hung in the air as I walked out, my skin already crawling. Not wanting to deny the inevitable, I jogged down the street until I was far enough away before darting into the woods. I stripped and phased, my thoughts a blur as I made my way into the wilderness. I realized, with a pang of pain, that phasing no longer had a feeling of instant relief tied to it. I was still just as on edge and agitated as I was before, and now, I had no way to calm it. I tore through the forest, my paws shredding the mossy ground beneath my feet as I made my way towards whoever was on patrol. Maybe they could help.

Sean, one of our younger and feistier wolves sensed me coming. He laughed to himself with his irritating cocky demeanor as he tested the mental flavor of my mind as I neared.

Yeah, I'll fight ya, he chuckled. Best out of three?

You're on, I thought, drawing nearer. Jake didn't like it when we fought for fun, but he wasn't the type of Alpha Sam was back in the day. Jake put more emphasis on free will and rarely Alpha commanded us to obey him. Sam, well...he used to stop a fight before it even got good. Jake would at least let us hash it out to take out some stress. Sean met me head on in a clearing not far from the river, teeth bared and claws sinking into the rocky shore. I flew at him a lot harder than he had expected, and it caught him a bit off guard.

Fuck! He yelled mentally, shuddering as I sank my teeth into his shoulder. I didn't bite him hard enough to break the skin, just enough to give him a pinch.

Don't be a little bitch, I laughed manically, grabbing him by the scruff. He yelped out loud and braced himself as we began to roll down a ravine. Saplings snapped, leaves flew into the air, and ferns were shredded as we rolled down the hill, barking and snapping at each other. We hit the bottom and took a second to stand, lunging at each other again. This continued for a few minutes until suddenly the air changed. He paused and so did I.

What the hell—

Sean barely finished his thought before the smell hit my nostrils.

Vampire.

And...one I didn't know.

Game on, I thought to him. He gave me a nod before we quickly devised a game plan. Trotting over to some bushes, he quickly ducked down and let his sandy colored coat blend him in with the bark and dried leaves. I stood in the middle of the small clearing where we had landed, waiting. My nostrils burned, but I tried to look nonchalant as the smell came closer. Within seconds, he was there, standing not twenty yards away. I played it cool, pretending not to notice as I twitched my tail and waited. He took the bait.

He was fast.

Before I could execute my plan, his body was careening into mine. I bit back a yelp as the force of his steely body made my ribs crack as he slammed past me quickly. Baring my teeth and snarling, I was prepared for him the second time as he came back for me. I snarled and reeled, only to be hit squarely in the jaw. I heard him laugh menacingly as he flew by, his laugh grating against my last nerve. I jumped up and shook my head, trying to get it on straight before he struck again.

This was...different.

Most vampires figured out that I was not just a freakishly over-sized wolf and ran for their lives once they realized I was there to destroy them.

But this one was...playing with me.

Sean leaped out before he could strike me again, his jaws barely missing the bloodsucker's head. The vampire laughed again, cackling to himself before jumping over me, letting one of his steely feet crack me in the jaw. I snarled and ran after him, my body screaming in protest. It was as if he knew staying put for combat was a mistake; he was dancing around and fucking taunting me.

Holy shit…did you see that?

I did, I groaned, sliding to a halt. I was in too much pain to chase him just yet, and I figured he would be back soon anyway. He didn't seem like he had gotten his fill of thrill yet.

He's teasing you. He wants to fight. Weird, Sean thought.

But he didn't come back.

I tried to ignore the pain of my recovering body as we worked together mentally to catalogue the scent. No, this one was new. I couldn't place it, and I certainly hadn't seen enough of the vamp to see if he was someone I already knew. We waited for almost an hour, patrolling the perimeter of the clearing and sniffing around, but he didn't come back. Sean howled for Jake, and within seconds, our Alpha was joining us with Quil in tow. They took over, summoning some of the younger wolves to come and help track the scent. I ignored Jake's internal eye rolling as we replayed our play fight, but he said nothing. Anyone that patrolled with me these days knew I was not in the best emotional shape over Lexi, so he let it slide without comment.

I was now free to mope.

I turned and ran home, keeping my senses sharp before finally phasing back into human form in the empty front yard. I walked inside, grateful the house was quiet and empty. Sometimes, I just wasn't in the mood for my roommates, and today was one of those times. After a hot shower, I opened the freezer and was elated to find an ice pack, which I promptly held against my face. Collapsing on the couch, I held the ice to my aching jaw and let myself wallow.

I sighed. All I wanted to do right now was to go see Lexi, to feel her presence and hear her heartbeat. That would be like an extra band aid, especially in times such as these.

But she didn't want to see me, and that was that. The finality of her words hit me as I sat moping on my couch. Fate was cruel. My imprint turned out to be someone who hated me for my past actions. Talk about bad karma. It certainly isn't good to be me, especially right now.

I debated showing up on her doorstep, but how would I explain that? Her fathers would want to know what the hell I was doing there after dark, and there certainly wasn't anything I could even make up to do at her house after dark. I lay there on the couch, pressing the ice against my jaw as I fought to think of something pleasant. My mind immediately went to Lexi.

What was she doing right now?

I let my mind wander as I thought about her and tried to think of what she was doing. Maybe hanging out with her dad? Or Regan and Claire? I growled to myself. If she was with those two, then it definitely wasn't going to end up in my favor if my name came up. Not that I thought Regan was badmouthing me – she wouldn't have to make anything up if she wanted to do that. All she would have to do was tell the truth. Pushing the thought from my mind, I tried instead to think of Lexi.

Lexi.

Her soft blonde hair, falling in pretty layers just below her shoulders...her skin, smooth and still slightly tan from California. Her bright, expressive blue eyes that reminded me of the sky on a clear day. Her voice – smooth at times, scratchy when she got excited or heated about something. Her teeth, straight and white except for one on her top row that stuck out a little bit when she smiled really big.

I pictured her smiling, the few times I had seen it.

And why had I only seen her smiling so little?

I was a shitty imprint, that was why.

When Claire saw Quil, her cheeks would turn pink without her even knowing. When Regan saw Seth? My wolf hearing had to listen to her heart take off like a hummingbird. When Lexi saw me? Her guard went up. And rightfully so. I was bad news, and she should never want me even if I selfishly pined for her to. Even if Lexi could learn to love me, could she stand to be seen with me? Could she allow herself to stoop to the level that dating the pack man-slut would drop her to?

I shook my aching face.

No.

She deserved better than me.

Her face haunted me each time I closed my eyes. I could remember every detail about her that I had never known about any girl, and we had barely even touched. I could still taste the grapes she had tossed me that day in the yard. The electric shock I felt when I grabbed her arm, her skin on mine.

Fuck, it was wonderful.

I wanted more. I wanted to know what it was like to have her fingers in my hair, her hands linked through mine, her lips reaching for a kiss. I didn't even want to sleep with her.

Well...okay, that's a lie. I definitely wanted to eventually sleep with her.

But that wasn't important to me right now – right now, I just wanted her attention. A chance. Friendship, trust, and all the other mushy things that came with an imprint. I wanted my other half. I wanted her next to me at night, greeting me in the morning, and calming me when I thought about my father. I wanted to be there for her too. I wanted to punch guys for staring at her ass, eat dinner with her fathers, and take her for rides in my truck. I wanted to kiss her, hold her, touch her, fight with her, make up with her. I wanted her to feel the fire of my touch and tremble until I gave it to her, all the while knowing it was me and me alone who could make her feel that way. I wanted a chance.

I guess you could say I wanted a lot of things.

Things I couldn't have.

Things I didn't deserve.

My face throbbed as it healed, the blow from the rogue vampire still aching. My blood boiled to think that I had gotten a concrete bitch slap from a fucking bloodsucker. I had never felt like a bigger pussy in my life. Getting an ass kicking from a vampire and being ignored by my girl – could it get any worse?

I found out the next day when I went to the jobsite at Lexi's house. In case you're wondering, yes. It could get worse. Much worse.

Upon arriving at Lexi's house, I let my supernatural hearing pick up what was going on in the kitchen. Her real dad was at work; his partner was in his study. Lexi was in the kitchen, pacing around as she talked on the phone, sniffling to herself.

"I'll be there this summer, I promise. I'm coming home then. Just please...please...I know, I know. It'll just be a few weeks, I..."

My thoughts went to the flowers I had sent her a few weeks ago. I had hoped she would blurt out the name of the guy she was talking to on the phone, mistakenly giving me a clue. She had to be talking to a guy from home – she kept promising to come back. My chest tightened as I thought about her leaving Forks. If she moved back to California, what would I do with myself? I've already imprinted, so I know I can't go far from her. The questionable magic that drew and bound me to her would punish me forever should I do that. If she did leave, would I retire?

I gulped to myself as I thought about it. I went through the motions of preparing for a day of work on the carriage house, trying to look inconspicuous. I hadn't thought about that yet.

Retiring.

I had been phasing since I was fourteen. I had just technically turned twenty four, although I wasn't sure I looked that old. My body was frozen looking twenty three or four – no sign of grey hairs, wrinkles, or anything else that would be a sign of aging. I thought of Sam, my former Alpha. His temples were greying, his face had slight wrinkle lines, and his joints ached. He retired to age with Emily.

Would I retire in a few more years to age with Lexi?

I wasn't sure. Like I said, I hadn't thought about it much. The thought of living until I found my imprint had been fine. I would stay young. What was that quote? "I get older but the girls stay the same age" That's how I thought of myself. I would stay the same age, able to pursue and sleep with girls of the same age, physically. However, that was before Lexi. She was a junior in high school. How old had I been then? Maybe seventeen, soon to be eighteen? I had a few years before she caught up to me in appearance, but time flies by pretty quickly. I had already known her for two months, and my progress was at level zero. I began to panic as I went to my truck and unloaded some tools.

Eventually, Lexi hung up the phone and grabbed her purse, flying out the side door. I looked up, but she refused to meet my gaze. It was now or never, I thought with a gulp.

"Hey, Lexi. Lexi!" I called.

She ignored me, racing to her car. She fumbled with her keys for a few seconds before unlocking it.

"Hey, can we talk?" I asked, jogging over to the car.

She thought a moment, struggling with her answer. "Um...no, Regan and Claire are waiting for me to go prom dress shopping in Port Angeles, and...besides...I don't think we should talk, Brady."

I gaped at her as she opened her car door and slipped inside. Her gaze was apologetic but cold as she closed the door and backed out of the driveway. I stood there for a few moments, unable to believe it. She really wasn't even going to give me a chance. Agony consumed me, and I was barely able to walk back to my tools as I replayed her words over and over in my head. I had failed before I had even begun.

My jaw clenched as I tried to think of something, anything that would change her mind. I drew a blank as I worked. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't think of anything I could do to get her to give me a chance. I had tried – she didn't even want to be friends. I was so consumed by my misery and immersed myself in work, to numb the throbbing ache in my heart, that I barely heard her car return several hours later. It was nearly dark out, but I didn't have the heart to leave. I knew I must look strange out here, working with nearly no light, but my supernatural eyes were helping me along. I had to have an excuse to be here when she arrived.

I heard her car door slam and her shoes against the concrete driveway as she approached. I looked up, noticing a garment bag in her hands as she stared at me. "You're still here?"

I nodded. "Yup."

She sighed, twisting the bag in her hands. "Brady, look, I—"

"You got a dress," I cut her off. I nodded towards the bag, and she shrugged. "So, you're going?"

Lexi shifted her weight, avoiding my eyes as she sighed. "Yeah, Prom is next weekend. I had to get something."

Silence.

I knew I was making an ass of myself, but I couldn't stop the words from coming out.

"Do you have a date?"

"No, I'm...I'm going stag. Just with friends," she said softly, biting her lip. We stood a good twenty feet apart, but I could still smell her apple scented hair. I wanted to run to her, hug her, and beg her to take me instead. But I stood still.

"Take me."

She balked at me. "You're joking."

"No, please...just take me as your date. You won't have to go alone, and—"

"Brady, no. Look, I...we can't be friends. Or anything else," she said, holding up her hand. She opened her mouth to speak again, but no sound came out as we stared at one another. She stopped, pressing her lips together as she waited for me to reply.

I felt myself quake. It was as if my body was rejecting her words, not just my mind. I felt my heart break as she stared at me, her eyes guarded. "But...just give me a chance, I...I want to—"

"No!" she yelled suddenly, closing her eyes momentarily. She opened them, the bright blue orbs staring at me in the light of dusk. "Just...no. Brady, I've told you that I can't...I just can't."

"Lexi, please!" I called, racing over to her. I grabbed her arm gently and turned her around to face me. "Just please, listen!"

"Brady—"

"Please!" I groaned, gripping her harder.

She fought it, twisting away in protest. "No, I won't. Now leave me alone, you psycho stalker!"

I dropped her arm like it was a white hot poker that had burned me. Her words rang out in the driveway, and I panicked as I saw one of her fathers glance at me from the kitchen window. My eyes were wide as I stared at her, the term 'psycho stalker' sinking in.

"Fine...fine...I'll never bother you again," I muttered, suddenly unable to look at her. I barely heard her whimper and duck into the house as I jumped into my truck. I sped out of the driveway, the engine barely a soft purr against the throbbing in my ears.

Hot tears burned against my eyes as I drove, threatening to spill over. As I parked in my driveway, I finally let them fall. Freely.

Thank you to NinkyBaby for beta-ing! I hope you feel better! : )

So, are we feeling bad for Brady yet, or...? Up next is Prom! I think you all remember what happens in this chapter - many of you are wondering how things match up between the two fics, and I think this chapter and the next will answer hopefully all of your questions. Remember, if you have a question about the story or the characters, please Tweet me! TwilightCakes.

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