Hey, folks. I promise you, there is much more Paul and less Jacob heading your way - Just building a background in the first few chapters. I hope you enjoy this one - I present to you, Terrible Date #1.
(Paul POV)
Within a week of the storm mishap, Billy asked Paul to repair the wall in the back entryway. Paul and Sam spent a couple of days around the Black's house, working in spurts. Sam's warm, friendly personality was always welcome, and he spent as much time talking to Bella as he did working. Twice, Paul had to go outside and pretend to make a call as he fought back his jealousy over Sam's easy connection with his girl.
Because, whether she realized it or not, and imprint be damned, Bella Swan was his girl. Every second he spent in her presence further confirmed it in his mind.
Eventually, Sam had to pull Paul aside and explain that if Paul wanted to know Bella better, he had to put in real effort. To gain her attention, he needed to earn it - and blatantly drooling over the girl wasn't getting him anywhere.
Paul made more effort to reach out to her after that. One text quickly led to another, and to his delight, texting Bella became a daily habit. Paul caught himself obsessing over checking his phone and lighting up like Christmas when she would laugh at his jokes and occasionally flirt back.
Bella had finally gained the courage to ask when he had left the night of the storm and inquired what he might have overheard. Paul had chuckled as he admitted she had talked in her sleep. He assured her that she had said nothing inappropriate, and he had found the whole thing rather adorable. His admission led to a selfie of her sticking her tongue out at him like a petulant child. He made it his screensaver.
Paul had been surprised at how well he and Jacob had gotten along lately. Jacob was turning out to be a damn good wingman. He had been well aware of the storms that night and had warned Paul to keep his phone close.
Leaving Bella home alone before a storm had made Jake feel shitty but also allowed Paul the opportunity to swoop in and save the day. The damage and injury had never been part of their plan. They had only expected her to ask Paul to keep her company. Either way, it had been accomplished, and the imprint effect had her nicely healed within a few days.
Paul had been surprised when Jacob approached him during patrol one morning and asked him to phase out to speak privately. Bella had finally decided to face her fears and accept a date with someone. The news had struck Paul like a shot to the gut, making him grateful Jacob hadn't brought it up in wolf form. The guys were used to Paul's thoughts and comments about other women, but his thoughts about Bella were private. Bella, or rather his intimate thoughts of her, had been a well-kept secret for Jacob, and it had only strengthened their connection. Paul did not doubt that it would do the same for his friendship with Bella if nothing else.
His thoughts of her were, in fact, mushy and out of character for Paul. He did not doubt that a slip-up would earn him plenty of teasing from his pack. He was having a hard enough time dealing with actually falling for someone for the first time. He didn't need the others crawling around in his worries and putting their two cents in. As her cousin, Quil was sure to have some comments ready. Sam had only interfered once and had dutifully kept his thoughts elsewhere when phased.
Thinking about Bella going on a date instantly ruined Paul's good mood. There was no way Paul could risk letting her go out with and possibly fall head over heels for some random, hopeless douchebag.
"When is this date, Jake?"
"Wednesday," Jacob said. "It's Dude's day off. They are meeting for lunch."
Suddenly a brilliant idea struck Paul.
"Where are they meeting for lunch?" Please say local. Please say local!
"I don't know, but I'm going to needle her about it. I'm worried about her going alone to meet some creepy catfish, serial killer," Jacob grumbled. "I mean, I trust her to think for herself and be safe, but she's so goddamn little."
Paul said, "She's pretty average, dude. We're just huge, is all." Jacob snickered and nodded. Jacob opened his mouth as if he was going to say something and thought better of it.
Paul snapped, "What?"
Jacob laughed and said, "Nothing." The uncontainable grin on his face said otherwise, and Paul could only grin back at his future Alpha.
Paul asked, "What, bro? You finally bang blondie?"
Jacob groaned as he attempted to scowl and failed miserably. The idiotic look on Jacob's face had Paul cackling as he playfully elbowed him. "You did," Paul teased him. "How was it?"
"Different," Jacob scoffed.
Paul asked, "What was so different about it?"
Jacob clapped his hand on Paul's shoulder and said, "Please trust me that you don't want to hear my thoughts on this. You know I've only been with one other person."
Oh, yeah. Bella. Paul scowled and said, "Yeah. Maybe not." Jacob laughed as Paul perked back up immediately and added, "But, you can tell me about Blondie."
Jacob shook his head and rolled his eyes. He sighed and said, "It was different because it is two people learning what the other likes and doesn't like. Reagan has a good fifty pounds on ... well, anyway, it's mostly in her chest. Makes her kind of top-heavy. I like it, though. A fucking lot."
Paul laughed and said, "Congrats, kid." Paul was a bit of an ass man, personally. Thinking of Bella's wide hips made his dick twitch in a way that would be embarrassing as hell if the pack weren't so used to seeing each other naked. It didn't help that they accidentally shared some of their most intimate memories sometimes.
"Man," Paul said. "I gotta figure out how to fuck this date up." Jacob laughed, nodding. Paul said, "First, you gotta find out where she's meeting this guy."
Jacob said, "You have a plan, huh?"
Paul nodded and rubbed his palms together. Bella would have a date, alright, but it wouldn't be good.
There was one hurdle to cross if Paul had the balls to accomplish his current plan. He would be crossing a line, but he and Charlie were already on good terms. It would be a good thing, to be honest, to have a chick's father on his side for … well, the first time ever.
Jacob went back on patrol, leaving Paul to his plan making as he fished his phone from the rolled-up bundle at his ankle. Paul sighed, dialing the now familiar number. I can't believe you're doing this shit, Lahote.
After the third ring, Charlie's deep, cheerful voice answered, "What's up, Paul?"
"Hey, Charlie? Can we get together and have a chat? Also … I might need your help."
(BPOV)
Bella contemplated the last couple of weeks as she drove to Forks. The friendship between her and Paul was building quickly, genuinely, and Paul had begun behaving more like himself as time went on. The more comfortable Bella became, so did Paul. Neither attempted to ask whether the other had gone out with anyone else. Bella had yet to see or hear about Paul pursuing anyone else despite his previously active reputation. Bella could tell that Paul was still very drawn to her and would be a liar if she claimed to not be equally fascinated. Still, fear won out where her head was concerned. Bella skillfully dodged his flirting and more intimate quips as she laughed along with him or smoothly changed the topic.
Jacob was increasingly absent from home as he spent his free time with Reagan. Bella wasn't jealous, either. Truly, she wasn't. She did, however, miss him much more than she let on. This was what they had wanted for each other, and if Jacob was happy, she was too. She knew how much of his joy depended on her state of mind, and Bella refused to spoil things for him. Friends always spent less time together when a new lover came into the picture, and despite the imprint, that was all Bella and Jacob were in the end. Friends.
While they had slept beside each other more nights than not, they had not had sex in weeks. Horny and Lonely were two of Bella's least favorite companions, and unfortunately, her buddy BOB had kicked the bucket. She actively tried to escape Jacob's bed lately when the need became too much. She worried the imprint connection would lead to more. So far, she liked Reagan and didn't want cheating on her conscience any more than Jacob did.
Bella began putting more effort into the dating site and had been steadily conversing with a few different people. Two of them happened to be old classmates from the short time she had lived in Forks. Mike and Tyler had both been incredibly kind and supportive when she first moved to the area, and Bella remembered them fondly.
One person, in particular, had been rather persistent in asking her out. After many conversations, Bella finally relented. Pushing past her anxiety, she agreed to meet Riley halfway by having lunch with him at the diner in Forks. She had never met anyone online this way, and the setting seemed safe enough.
Bella pulled up to the diner on her motorcycle and carefully removed her helmet, letting her long, soft curls spill out of it down her back. Her leather jacket came next, revealing the soft blue peasant top she had paired with her favorite jeans. Bella stuffed her jacket and helmet into the saddlebags on her motorcycle, locking them before pocketing her keys and going inside.
At first glance, Bella could not see the man she knew only by photos. One customer sat alone in the rear booth with his back to the wall. He removed his black baseball cap and sunglasses when he spotted Bella, and shaggy blonde hair spilled out. Riley ran his hand through it nervously and gave her a wide smile. Bella smiled back at her date and made her way to his table.
He stood as she approached and was immediately unsure of himself. It seemed he might hug her and thought better of it, holding his hand out to shake hers. Now that he stood in front of her, Bella could see he had filtered out his severe acne scarring in his photos. Her smile never faltered as she also noted he seemed somewhat thinner than in his pictures. His pristinely white and too-large t-shirt was a stark contrast to his sun-tanned skin. Lovely, large blue eyes set perfectly apart from a somewhat large nose. His smile reminded her of Jacob, wide and white behind full, pouty lips.
Attempting to start a conversation, Bella asked, "How was the drive here?"
"Uh, fine. Yeah. I used to live here. In Forks, I mean."
"Oh?" Bella said, "Me too. Not for long, though."
Riley grinned and said, "Yeah, I remember."
Bella blanched in surprise, leaning back in her seat. "You remember me?"
"Yeah, I do," he said, nodding. "I mean. We never met, but I was a senior when you started here."
"Really?" Bella racked her brain for a moment, trying to place him in her memories somewhere - anywhere. Of course, I had my head so far up Edwa… Ugh. Bella scowled at the thought of her ex.
"That doesn't seem like a good reaction," Riley said and chuckled nervously.
"Huh?" Shit. "I - no! That face wasn't for you," Bella said and laughed. "I honestly don't remember you from school. I'm sorry for that. I dated someone then, and he was a little bit…" Bella huffed and shook her head.
"Intense?"
Her head whipped up to look at him. "Yeah. You could say that. So why didn't you ever introduce yourself?"
"You were always surrounded," he admitted shyly. "I wasn't brave enough to approach you back then."
"Well, you should have," Bella said. "I'm not that unapproachable."
"I don't know," Riley said. "Looked like you were snatched up pretty quickly. I swear Cullen could read my mind. He shot me dirty looks any time I even glanced in your direction."
Bella flinched at the name and chuckled anxiously. "Yeah, let's not talk about him."
"Yeah, sorry," he said, appearing somewhat chastised. His eyes went wide as Riley looked up behind her and cleared his throat nervously. Bella turned to see what he was staring at, only to find Sam Uley grinning down at her.
"Hey, B," Sam said affectionately. He held his fist out for her to bump it and turned to help seat Billy two booths away. Bella groaned and flushed beet red as Paul walked toward them with none other than her father directly behind him.
"Uh, hey, Bells," Charlie called out happily before turning a suspicious eye on Riley.
Horrified, Bella turned back toward Riley and cringed as she called out, "Hey, Dad."
Riley coughed in surprise and took a drink from his glass of water. She pulled out her phone and smirked at Riley as she typed out a text message to Paul.
What the hell are you guys doing here? Since when do you hang out with my DAD? WTF? Stuffing her phone in her pocket, she said, "I'm sorry. I had no idea my family would show up here. They didn't know I had a date. Just… ignore them?"
Ignoring them was impossible, however, as Paul's phone chimed loudly. He yanked it out and snickered, holding it out to Charlie. Charlie burst out laughing, and Bella hissed, "Paul!"
Paul cackled and said, "What? I just showed him that picture of you sticking your tongue out at me."
Watching him for a moment, Bella could see Paul open her message and chuckle again. Her phone vibrated in her pocket, and she ignored it as the waitress approached them with menus. Bella vaguely recognized the older woman from her numerous summertime visits to the diner with Charlie. Suddenly it felt like the beginning of her junior year again, with her school chums outside making a racket and Charlie badgering her about boys.
Bella, you're an idiot for choosing this location. Lesson learned. Bella turned to Riley and quietly asked, "How about we get this stuff to go and walk to the park up the street?"
Riley looked like he was on the verge of panicking and glanced toward her father. He closed his menu and said, "You know what? This is like … deja vu for me. I gotta... I gotta go." Riley stood and attempted to step around the waitress, knocking his glass of water over in his haste. Bella moved quickly to avoid the spill as it poured off the corner of the table and onto the floor. "I'm sorry," he stammered and jogged toward the door.
"Well, that was just awkward as fuck," Bella grumbled. She was unsurprised as the men nearby snickered at her predicament. The waitress had sped away to grab a mop, and Bella checked her phone.
Paul: I told you I'm well acquainted with Charlie, fool. Who is the toolbag at your table?
Bella glared up at Paul and asked, "What did you do? You weren't all mean-mugging the guy, were you?"
Paul winced, offended as he said, "Hey, I just came to have lunch with these guys. Don't blame me if your date was a flake."
Sam and Charlie both cackled as Billy gave Bella an affectionate grin. Billy said, "There's another seat open here by Sammy if you wanna join us."
"Thanks, Dad, but something tells me I will just spend the whole time getting picked on by Casanova there," Bella grumbled. Paul frowned, all humor gone from his expression.
As she stood, Paul said, "Hey, Bella, wait. Seriously, I didn't even give the guy a second glance, I swear. That shit was all just a coincidence."
Incredulously Bella asked them, "And none of you knew I had a lunch date today?"
Sam admitted, "I did, but I didn't know it was here, B. I promise."
"He probably skedaddled because of me, kiddo," Charlie grumbled as his radio squelched, and he shut it off. He grinned at the guys and said, "I'm on fucking lunch. I don't wanna hear that shit right now." They laughed as he gestured to the seat next to Sam.
"Come here, B," Sam said, holding his arm out for her to slide in next to him. She stepped around Billy's chair and bent to kiss his cheek before sliding under Sam's arm.
Paul leaned close to Charlie and grumbled, "Guess I see how we rate." Bella could only smile as Charlie chuckled.
He actually likes Paul. That's just too damn weird.
"So I heard Paul had to rescue you a couple of weeks ago, huh?" Charlie grinned as the waitress returned with drinks for them and placed a coke in front of Bella.
"You remembered?" Bella smiled up at their waitress gratefully. She had not been to the diner in nearly a year, barely remembering the waitress herself. Bella glanced at her nametag and damn near groaned. Glenda. How the hell could I forget that?
The older woman grinned and said, "I've seen you every summer your whole life, child. How do you know that fool you were sitting with?"
Bella cringed as the men around her roared with laughter. She admitted, "Uh, we matched up on a dating app."
Charlie guffawed and shook his head as if it had made complete sense. "That guy's name is Riley Biers, Bella."
"So you know him, too?" Bella rolled her eyes at her question. Charlie knew everyone.
Seemingly sensing the sudden tension from Charlie, Glenda gathered their orders and hightailed it to the kitchen.
After looking behind him to see if anyone else was nearby, Charlie said, "After you moved back to Renee's, Riley disappeared for a while. He was living in Port Angeles when it happened. His parents still live in Forks, and I papered all over the damn place looking for the guy." Charlie shot Sam a rueful grin. Bella nudged Sam with her elbow, remembering how Charlie had once done the same for him. Charlie said, "He finally showed up one day to report that he was safe and not a missing person. He looked strung out and was terrified as if someone was after him." Charlie's voice was barely audible as he whispered, "He kept talking about vampires and got sent up to the state hospital."
Bella glanced toward Billy as her heart sank in sympathy for Riley, and he met her with a similar expression. He whispered, "It was not the Cullens that terrified the boy. They were long gone by then."
Bella thought about her mental break and how hard she fought Charlie about getting therapy. Bella said, "That's exactly why I kept what they were to myself, you know?"
Charlie nodded glumly. He said, "There wasn't a damn thing I could do to help the kid. What was I supposed to do? Get sent off, deemed insane, and lose my job? I hated that shit. I still do… but it made me really fucking glad that I didn't ship you off when that shithead left, Bells. I'm glad you finally told me the truth about everything."
"You were pissed, though," Bella said, grinning.
"Well, yeah, I was pissed. I didn't believe the shit was real, and you dated one knowing what the guy was. It was pretty nuts, Bells."
To her surprise, Bella cackled. If the wrong person overheard this, we would all be sent to a mental hospital. "I mean, I did have a breakdown over it all, you know?"
Charlie said, "Yeah, and I thank God for Jacob every day."
Bella grinned at her father affectionately and said, "Me too, Dad." She sighed and said, "I guess that's what he meant about the Deja Vu thing."
The others all met her with the same blank stare, and she laughed. "Riley? He said it was like Deja Vu. He knew who I was back then. He knows you, Dad, and if he knows what vampires are, he probably has suspicions about Turner and Hooch here."
Sam grumbled, "I better be Turner, little B."
Paul cackled and said, "Hooch is cooler anyway. And he never stops eating, like me."
Sam let out a booming laugh and said, "That's for damn sure. And he likes to tear shit up."
Bella was glad Charlie focused on Sam rather than the lecherous grin Paul wore as he said, "I do like to tear shit up. Plus, Turner is always bitching. Like you, Sammy boy." Sam cackled and, without leaning whatsoever, reached across the table to flick Paul on the forehead. Bella snorted as Paul smirked, entirely unfazed.
Charlie asked, "By the way, is there enough room at this damn table? I think you boys ordered half the menu."
"It'll be alright," Paul said. "Most of it will be gone so fast we'll be able to just stack the plates."
Bella could only shake her head at the four men around her. This is a trip. Moments like this were the quality time she loved spending with Charlie and Billy. Usually, Jacob provided the entertainment, but even he couldn't make Charlie this jovial. He's got a soft spot for Paul, she realized. Watching Paul sitting at her father's side as they laughed together stirred something in her. It was a warm, welcoming feeling. Like home.
So, why did it scare the hell out of her?
Bella pulled out her phone and texted Paul, forgetting about the loud chime that would sound. Does he know we went on a date?
Paul gave her an evil smirk and snickered as he pulled out his phone when it went off.
"You need to turn your sound off," Bella said as she felt the heat blooming across her cheeks.
Charlie asked, "What's so important you gotta text him at the table, Bells?" Bella turned to Charlie and felt the blush spread down her cheeks as she laughed.
"Wasn't me," she fibbed.
Charlie's eyes were filled with mischief as he nodded. "Oh, I see," he teased back. "Must have been some other girl as his screensaver, then."
Bella glanced over at Paul, and he shrugged. He asked, "What? You're cute when you're mad. Your dad agrees with me." Paul gestured between himself and Charlie. "We're pals. It's cool."
Bella shook her head in disbelief as Charlie and Sam both laughed. Only Billy managed a semi-straight face as he observed Bella.
Bella swung her leg, intentionally connecting with Paul's shin. He yelped in surprise, sending the rest of the table into hysterical laughter. They only grew louder as Paul grumbled, "You're a mean little girl. I'm not gonna let you play in my sandbox, now."
Two waitresses appeared next to them with multiple trays of dishes. Bella sighed in relief, knowing the teasing would die down now that the food had arrived. Sure enough, all four men went silent as they dug into their steaks, burgers, and numerous sides.
"Man," Paul mumbled around a mouthful, "this is good, but it's not a triple bacon cheeseburger good." He winked at Bella and swallowed before shoveling in another forkful.
Charlie gaped up at Bella in surprise. He asked, "You went up there without me, huh?"
Bella grinned and said, "First time ever. Paul ate the other half of mine."
Charlie snorted as Paul nodded in agreement. Charlie turned to Paul with a shit-eating grin as he asked, "Now, Bella, I want you to know that I'm glad you two are pals, but I gotta ask. What are your intentions with Paul?" Charlie turned toward her, wearing his best interrogation face.
For a moment, she was unsure if he was serious or not. The smile on Paul's face only made her more embarrassed. Bella felt like a fish out of water as she gaped in surprise and finally said, "Uh? Friends?" Her anxious response sent them into another fit of laughter.
"I'm sorry, Bells. I'm just fucking with ya," Charlie said through his laughter. "It's just too easy sometimes."
"Thanks. Thanks, Dad," Bella grumbled.
Finished with her food long before the others, Bella checked her phone.
Paul: Does it matter?
Did it matter? Charlie obviously knew they had hung out, at least. He doesn't seem to mind. Not for the first time, Bella thought about how she had straddled Paul's lap to kiss him and bit back a groan, remembering the heat of his hands and the soft fullness of his bottom lip between her teeth. She was willing to bet (and thankful) that Daddy dearest didn't know about that. Twenty-two or not, she was her Daddy's baby girl. And Paul was... well, Paul. God, why does he have to be so hot?
Bella shifted slightly in her seat, self-conscious about her sudden arousal and hoping the wolves didn't notice. Sam peeked over at her slyly and smirked, silently telling her he knew what she was feeling.
Damn wolf senses. He chuckled as she glared back at him and rammed him ineffectively with her shoulder. He grunted and threw his arm back around her, hugging her to his side. His heat was soothing, and Bella leaned into his side.
Sam asked, "You okay, B?"
"I'm good, Sammy boy," she teased him. She remained there in silence as Sam and Paul finished eating. Charlie stood to leave first, needing to get back to work. He pulled his wallet out, and Paul reached out to stop him.
"Hey," Paul said and swallowed before continuing, "No way, Chief. My treat."
"Are you sure about that?" Charlie stared down at Paul skeptically.
"Totally. I got this," Paul said. "Go bust some drug dealers or something."
Charlie snickered as he put his wallet back and patted Billy's shoulder. Bella stood to hug and kiss her father. He patted the top of her head and warned, "Be careful on that fucking death trap out there."
"I always am," Bella said. "I'll get another truck someday."
"Yeah," Charlie said, "Next time, no one but Jake is touching it. Hey, Newton's got a good truck for sale. You kids were school chums. Ask him about it, and I will meet ya halfway if you want it."
It was a generous but unnecessary offer. Bella was well paid, but Billy and Jacob refused her rent money. Bella saved the bulk of her funds, and at the rate that things were going, she would be able to save up quickly. Jacob was not yet aware that Bella had called his electric company, and his bill was paid at least six months in advance. Bella looked forward to the butt-chewing she knew she would receive. Aside from that, her insurances, phone, and groceries were her only bills. If she continued staying at Billy's much longer, she planned on buying a new bed for her bedroom.
"I can afford it, Dad. I'm just picky. I'll know it when I find it," Bella insisted. "Besides, I love my bike."
"Fucking weirdo," Charlie teased and leaned in to kiss her forehead. "Just like your mom. Thanks again, Paul. See all of ya later!" Charlie waved as he headed toward the door.
Paul asked her, "What does he mean by that? Like your mom?"
"Uh, my mom is kind of wild," Bella said. "Her marriage was the reason I moved here the first time. Her husband is only like six years older than me. He rides a motorcycle, too. He travels a lot and says it saves him on travel costs."
Sam asked, "Wouldn't that suck? Being on the bike cross country, and in any weather?"
Bella said, "I drove mine here from Florida. It's a two-day ride if you only stop for gas, but I took about five so that I could sleep and see some places on the way."
Billy grinned proudly as Paul and Sam gaped at Bella in surprise. Paul asked, "You did that by yourself on a motorcycle?" Bella nodded sheepishly.
Sam praised, "That's awesome, B. Way cooler than the little imp I met in a yellow raincoat." Bella grinned, despite her embarrassment at the reference. The last time she had brought it up to anyone, she had nearly cried in front of Paul. He watched her now carefully as if straining to size her up.
"But you …" Paul hesitated and stared at her skeptically.
Assuming more teasing was coming at her expense, Bella immediately bristled. "What? Can't walk straight without injuring myself? Yeah. I know!"
Paul scoffed and said, "I didn't say that, Bella. Why are you assuming I had something bad to say?"
Bella didn't know how to answer that. Preconceived ideas? Years of insecurities? So far, Paul was nothing like all the stories she had been told. "I … I don't know," she confessed. "I guess I just expect you to fuck with me like you do everyone else?"
"Well, quit," Paul said softly. "I actually like your mean little ass. I just put up with these fuckers because I have to." Billy chuckled softly and patted her hand on his shoulder as Sam roared.
Bella laughed despite herself. She said, "I gotta go, guys. It will be dark soon, and my headlight sucks." She kissed Billy on the cheek, said she would see him at home, and told the boys she would talk to them later. Bella slid Glenda cash for her portion of the ticket, told her to keep the change, and stepped outside. She squatted down to unlock her saddlebag, and the sound of squealing tires nearby alerted her. Bella stood up just as a sun-faded red Camaro jumped the curb, speeding straight toward her.
So, what do you think is coming next? How are you all liking the story so far? Feel free to leave your comments and critiques - remember, you don't have to have an account to leave reviews! XO.
