Chapter 9: Starting Over

Lexi

Things between us were cordial after that. Another week passed where we would smile and say 'hey' to one another as we came and went. He would come inside and eat lunch on days I was home and not hanging out with Regan or Claire. As he packed up his tools one Saturday afternoon, I walked out to say goodbye.

"Finished?" I asked, digging my hands into the sleeves of my shirt. It was summer in Forks, but on rainy days, it still got down to the sixties. He nodded and wiped the sweat off his brow.

"Yeah, outta materials 'til Monday. Tell your dad, okay?"

"Sure."

I watched as he tucked a pencil behind his ear after scribbling something down in the binder he always carried. He was always jammed with samples, receipts, and bits of paper, and it all looked like an unholy mess.

"What?" he chuckled, noticing my stare. I curled my toes against the bottom step where I stood barefoot, the cold wood making my legs pebble with goose bumps.

"Just wondering...I bet your house is a mess."

"Is that a statement or a question?" he quipped, flashing his white teeth. I tried not to visibly shudder as his smile did things to me that I wasn't fully ready to acknowledge. I looked at my feet before I looked back at him.

"Just a statement," I laughed, "Why?"

"Care to see it for yourself?" he flirted.

I rolled my eyes and gave him a look that showed how disgusted I was at his blatant invitation.

"What? Friends get to see their friend's houses!"

"Brady, get a life," I quipped.

He howled with laughter at getting a rise out of me as he packed up the rest of his tools. I caught myself grinning at the sound of his laugh – I had heard it so rarely and it was a nice sound. I also found myself hoping to hear it more.

"What are you up to for the rest of the day?"

"Me? Oh...um...the theater in Forks is playing 'The Notebook'. Might go see it."

"Wasn't that in theaters like fifteen years ago?"

"Yeah, but the theater in Forks plays classic old movies if nothing new is out."

Brady guffawed loudly, loading his saw into his toolbox. "Classic? A classic is 'The Godfather' or 'Shawshank Redemption'. A classic is not Nicholas Sparks and whatever drabble he cranks out every fifteen minutes."

My jaw dropped. "'The Notebook' is one of the best love stories of all time!"

"Girly drabble," he sang, rooting around in the chest for something. He winked at me over his shoulder, which only infuriated me more.

"You wouldn't know a good movie if it slapped you in the face. That's a great love story; I don't care what you say."

"Are we really arguing over a movie?"

"The best movie of all time," I insisted.

He snorted. "Lame."

I laughed and cocked an eyebrow at him. "Oh, and like you're so cool? What are you going to do? Drink beer and play video games?"

He slammed the toolbox on the back of his truck shut and laughed. "That's a perfectly acceptable way to spend an afternoon. In fact," he quipped, looking at me with a bright eyed smile, "that's exactly what I'm going to go do. Have fun with your girly movie."

I was about to say something sarcastic that bordered on mean when my phone buzzed in my pocket. Whipping it out, I frowned when I saw my mother's number on the caller ID. Brady watched me as I answered and I turned away.

"You know friends also have each other's phone numbers!" he called out as he jumped into his truck. I angrily waved him away and darted into the side door.

"Mom?"

"Who was that?"

"Erm...no one. Just...nothing. What's up?" I asked, glancing nervously around the kitchen. I'm not sure why I felt that way – my dad was out and Patrick was at work. I always wanted to be alone to have a conversation with my mother as I knew they never went well.

"Tired of the rain yet?"

I sighed, holding my thumb and pointer finger to my temple and pulling the imaginary trigger before using it to rub the spot. I could already feel a headache coming on. "No, mom, I'm not."

She sighed. "Well, I'm tired of not having my baby here."

"You've got other things to keep you occupied, I thought."

"I know, but...we miss you. You have two little brothers that wonder where you are."

"Then you should tell them to Skype with me and gently remind them their sister has gone to live with their dad. Simple mom, don't make it...not simple."

"You promised them you would visit this summer, Lexi. You promised me. Is it so wrong for us to want you to visit once in a while?"

"No. I know I promised. It's just that things here got..." I trailed off, pulling the kitchen curtain back long enough to see Brady's taillights as he left the driveway. "Complicated," I spat.

My mother inhaled. "Is this about a boy?"

"No, mom, no. I just got settled in here and didn't want to leave. Forks is nice."

"But its Washington," she said with her voice laced in disgust. "How can you ever be happy there? It's dull, rainy and dank."

"I'm happy," I insisted, "I have great friends, I went to prom, and I'm one of five blonde girls in my grade. I'm not just another kid here, alright? The school is tiny, and the teachers are nice and...I like it. I miss home in California, but...this is my home now too."

She sighed. "Will you at least consider...a short visit?"

I nodded, knowing she had me there. I had promised my little brothers I would come home to visit sooner rather than later and now was as good a time as any. After she asked how my father and his 'friend' were doing, I asked her to purchase me a round trip ticket to California. After the mental anguish I've been through, blowing hot and cold, with Brady, this visit might be a good chance to finally clear my head.

Several hours later, I was halfway through a box of popcorn, and Noah was hanging by one hand off the Ferris wheel. I sighed and leaned my head back against the seat of the Forks theatre. I had paid my dollar to see 'The Notebook' for the fiftieth time, and it was still worth every penny. The place was practically deserted, save for a few couples in the back, and I doubt they were doing much watching anyway. I kind of had the place to myself.

That was, until the seat next to me moved. I was about to give an annoyed look to the person who would sit right next to me in an empty theater, until I realized who it was.

Brady grinned sheepishly at me, flashing his white teeth in the dark theatre.

"I thought you hated this movie," I whispered as my stomach did a nervous flop. He reached over, grabbing a handful of my popcorn and grinned again.

"I do hate this movie," he replied in a loud voice, earning him several urgent sounding "sshhhs". He just laughed and leaned back in the seat beside me.

"Why are you here?" I asked quietly. I wasn't whining or being mean – I really wanted to know. "I know you think this is cinema graphic garbage."

He shrugged. "You're here. Can't be that bad," and turned his attention back to the screen. And that was it. He watched the movie in silence, only snorting when Allie was a bitch.

"Looks familiar," he grumbled as they fought.

I gaped at him. "You're serious right now?"

He chuckled. "Sure. The similarities are uncanny! You even look like her when you scream at me and your voice gets all pitchy."

"I do not get pitchy. This isn't about me, so...Allie is a teenage girl, she can't always help who she yells at. Look at her, she's just...she wears her heart on her sleeve and Noah stomps on it," I whispered.

"He just wants to show the rich girl a good time. Who can blame the guy?"

"They fight like cats and dogs."

"Well yeah, but look at them...she's all hot and bothered when she runs into her house," he chuckled, glancing at the screen.

I grinned. "You have seen this movie then?"

Brady nods. "A few times."

"You like lovey dovey movies?" I whispered.

He snorts. "No. Just like a story where the scruffy guy gets the good girl."

"Right."

"He needs to not be such a puss and give in. Just let her yell and move on with it."

"He yells right back at her! At the end where they...I can't even talk about this," I giggle.

"Poor guy. Just wants to show her a good time, and she goes and gets her parents involved. Like he wants to go to this stuffy dinner..."

We laugh and whisper through the movie, arguing about Noah and Allie, and for the first time, I am completely relaxed around Brady.

"Well, Noah deserves it sometimes. He's such an ass to her!" I hiss.

"Well yeah, but she eggs him on and flips his triggers. She likes to get him angry," he says, turning to face me. Our faces are inches apart, and I can feel his warm breath on my cheeks. I take a deep breath and suddenly realize we're not talking about the movie anymore.

Or how lame it is.

He stares at me, his dark eyes blazing into mine. Every time the screen changes and the light flickers, I see more or less of the beautiful angles of his jawline and strong nose. Oh, get a grip of yourself, Lexi, I thought. I gulped and fired back, "But maybe she's just not sure how to take him. She's never...been in love before, and Noah seems like he's been around the block a few times. That's very intimidating."

Brady stared at me. "But he's never met anyone like Allie before. Maybe he's rough around the edges because he didn't have the best life, and...he's been looking in all the wrong places for the right girl."

"Then...then I guess it isn't his fault. But...he should be more patient with her. She's just a lot younger than him and...scared."

Brady swallowed, his Adam's apple bobbing in the darkness. "Well, that's not his fault or hers. They just...met at the right time, and it was love at first sight. How can you argue about that?"

I stared at him again, trying to gauge what we were actually talking about. I wasn't even sure anymore. Goose bumps rose up on my skin as he stared back at me, my tongue caught in knots.

"I...I guess I can't," I whisper back, turning back to the screen. I slowly exhale, still shaking slightly. My heart is pounding against my ribcage, and I'm strangely afraid he can hear it. Brady leans back in his chair, chuckling to himself as it creaks. We sit in silence for the rest of the movie, the sappy love fest playing out on the screen. Brady snorts at the cheesy parts, and I elbow him, trying not to laugh.

Then the rain filled and the steamy sex scene at the end of the movie starts. I feel my eyes widen as I'm suddenly hyper aware of Brady's presence right next to me as the smut unfolds. Trying not to fidget, I bit my lip and stared straight forward, an awkward feeling settling over me. Brady is still as well, his breathing slow and even as he watches. The tension between us is tangible as Noah and Allie roll around on the bed together, moaning and ravishing one another.

I was actually relieved to get to the end of the movie this time, which I'm sure no one ever was.

The lights came on as the credits roll, and I exhale heavily, sneaking a glance at him. He's looking right at me, an expectant grin on his face. "You didn't cry."

I shrugged and stretched. Truth be told, I was too preoccupied with Brady to even think about crying – as bad as I felt watching Noah and Allie die as old people, I had barely been aware of what was going on. I was too worried about what Brady was doing or thinking to even pay much attention.

"Where to now?"

I snorted. "Um, home?"

"You do realize it's like seven, right?"

"Oh, um...no?" I squeaked. He followed me out into the lobby of the tiny theater, his eyes bright and his gaze hopeful. The electricity between us was practically tangible. I gulped back my fear.

"We could go down to the beach if you want. We'll have sun for another hour or so. It's not California, but..."

"It's okay. I left California, remember? I wasn't dragged by my ankles out of the state, I left willingly," I reminded him. He nods and claps his hands together excitedly.

"So you'll go? To the beach? With...me?"

I nod. "You're driving. I'll get my dad's car later. Deal?"

He laughed and motioned me to the parking lot.

We drive along the coastline in his big, rumbling truck, the wind racing through the open windows. I chew my lip and stare at the trees as the green whips by, trying to figure out what all of this means.

I like him. I'm giving him a chance.

I clench my hands in my lap and sigh. Oh hell. I'm falling for him and I have been since day one. That's why I've been such an asshole and I know it. Peering at his profile as he drives, I press my lips together and observe him as he speeds along. For the first time, Brady looks content. I can't help but hope I have something to do with that.

He pulls off on a dirt road that I instantly recognize – it's the same place we met. He watches my face to see if I remember, and I smile at him in response.

"Giving this place a second go, eh?"

He bobs his head as the truck bounces along the narrow dirt road. "Maybe this time you won't call me….what was it? A dog? How fitting," he chuckled under his breath.

He pulls through the trees and the air in the truck changes. Up until now it smelled like woods; cedar, leaves, rain. The smell of salt greets me and I'm already remembering that night. The first night I met him I knew he was something, someone important. I just didn't know how. I swallowed the lump of chagrin in my throat and hopped out when he parked. The air was salty and warm, the summer humidity cloaking around us.

"You're not a dog," I insist, giving his shoulder a light shove. He laughs and gives me a wide grin, showing off his white teeth and defined jawline. "You just….act like one sometimes."

"I definitely do," he admitted, "but at least I'm cute, right?"

"And so modest."

"Well of course."

I follow him to the familiar place where the bonfire had been that fateful night. I can still see the remains of where the fire had been. The ashes had been blown and scattered with the wind, but I could still remember the way the beach wood had burned bright blues and greens from the salt. I sat on a large fallen log that had been drug up to the spot and watched as Brady straddled it beside me. He was close; too close.

I sat there self consciously as he studied my side profile. "You're really beautiful. You know that though, don't you?" he stated.

I turned my head to frown at him. "You usually don't tell friends they're really beautiful."

Brady unsuccessfully bit back a grin. "Girls love to hear that shit."

"I'm not most girls," I teased. "But thank you. I mean….thanks."

He chuckled to himself. "Learn to take a compliment, shit….I'm being nice here."

"I know, I know. I…uh…now that we're here I guess I should apologize."

"Well don't do anything for my benefit," he laughed.

"No, I….I was mean before. I didn't have to be. I don't have a lot of…guys don't…erm…" I trailed off, unsure of my words. I wanted to say 'I don't have a ton of experience with aggressive guys', but I couldn't seem to find the right way to say it without sounding like such a virgin. Most of my experience with guys had been crushing after them relentlessly for months and hanging on their every word. Then when they inevitably asked out a girl that wasn't me, I would spend weeks on end beating myself up about it. It was a never-ending cycle. The fact that Brady was still around and interested in my quirky little self was still a mystery.

"Why do you like me?" I asked finally.

He balked, his eyebrows shooting up his forehead. "Um….what? I thought we were friends now. 'Just friends', as you put it."

"Right, but….."

"I get what you're saying. Um…I guess that's why I brought you down here. You don't have a curfew or anything, do you?"

I glanced at him skeptically. "Why? What are you doing to tell me? Must be one hell of a story."

He gave me a wry smile and nodded. "Yeah, something like that."

Important! ALL OF THE VOTES FOR THE JACOB BLACK AND THE PACK AWARDS WERE LOST! If you voted before July 18th, your vote has been lost.

The survey wiki they were using crashed and lot all of the votes. While I feel awful asking, please go re-vote (pretty please?) if you voted after the 18th. I believe if you already voted it will let you know (By looking at your IP Address) so never fear, it will still be fair and you will not be allowed to vote twice. The link to vote is on my profile, and I have also tweeted it today. Please go re-vote if you haven't already. That is the reason for the short chapter - I was just going to post a note asking people to re-vote, however, I figured a little half-chapter might be some added incentive : )

BIG thank you goes out to Ninky Baby for turning this chapter back to me so quickly! I heart that girl! : )