My entry for the #TwilightPackFanatfics June '22 Short Story Challenge. #Rain. Loosely based on All I Want by Heart - though the Halestorm version inspired this. Mature. Leah/Mystery Man. Enjoy XO. Please Review :)


The squeak of the wiper blades drilled on her nerves as they sped through the rain in the dark. Leah looked into her rear-view mirror to check on her son. He remained sleeping peacefully in the back seat despite the loud music she used to drown out numerous other noises. She prayed like hell that they would arrive safely after the grueling punishment she had put her old car through. She had been to hell and back to get to Washington. To her childhood home. To his father… whoever he was. She would carry her son if she had to.

She never intended to come back to La Push. When her childhood sweetheart dumped her for her cousin, and then her father died, La Push stopped feeling like home. Grief drove a wedge between Leah and her brother. Then, their mother started dating their father's best friend. It was the final blow, making Leah hate the familiar more than ever. She drained her bank account, packed her belongings into her only valuable possession, her car, and fled Washington. Now, she was making the same frantic drive in reverse because her son's life depended on it.

Her anxiety climbed with every passing mile as Leah thought over the actions that had set their fate fourteen years ago. Leah had cut off all contact when she fled on a night like this. Leah had nearly hit a man walking through the rainstorm on the pitch-black highway. She slammed the brakes to avoid him, and fishtailed before coming to a stop. He ran to her car and yanked open the passenger door. He bent down to see inside and blurted out, "Are you okay? I know I don't have reflective clothing. I'm really sorry."

Leah had been instantly lost as their eyes met, and neither spoke a word for at least thirty seconds. The next thing she knew, the beautiful bastard smiled at her. Though he was technically a stranger, she recognized him through Sam. The group was spotted together often, looking like the epitome of traditional warriors with their constantly bare chests, short tempers, and large muscles. Rumors of steroid abuse abounded, but Leah never knew the truth behind their physical changes. When her cousin and brother joined their ranks, she began asking questions. Leah had been met with disinterest, silence, and lies, leaving her feeling like an unwanted nuisance. Technically, this man was part of her ultimate decision to leave everything behind. Oh, the irony.

Unsure of what to say, she asked, "Do you need a ride?"

"That would be cool, but I'm soaked," he said.

"Um, it's not a big deal," Leah said. "Come on, before you get fucking pneumonia." It didn't matter if the seat got damp. It would dry, and she would be sleeping in the back anyway. He scoffed and then climbed into the passenger seat. Leah drove off as he pulled his seatbelt into place. His knees were scrunched against the dash as he looked around the car.

"Leaving town?"

"Uh, yeah," Leah said. "Something like that."

"What's your name?"

Leah barked out a bitter laugh and shook her head no. "Doesn't matter," she said. "You're going to have to tell me where to turn and shit. I don't have a clue where you're going."

"I'll give you plenty of warning," he said. "I appreciate the lift." He was boldly gawking at her, allowing his eyes to trail down her lithe figure and back up to her face. "He is an idiot," he said and shook his head before turning his attention to the windshield.

Leah asked, "Who?" Sam? Did he realize who I am?

Frowning, he said, "Whoever you're running from. Whatever he did? He's a fool."

Leah laughed in both embarrassment and disbelief. "Why would you assume that? You don't even know me."

"I don't need to," he said, turning back to her. Leah swallowed nervously, grateful they sat in the dark as her cheeks flushed with heat. He said, "You are gorgeous, just so you know. You didn't yell at me for being on the road. You offered me a ride, which tells me you have a kind heart, okay? I know my physical appearance is somewhat intimidating, and that tells me you're either very brave or very foolish. Considering your car is packed up to leave town, I'm going with brave."

"Why brave and not foolish? Fools travel alone, too."

Bitterly, he said, "Because only a fool would choose to stick around this town when they could fucking leave. Kudos for escaping. I don't have that option. Leaving everything behind means leaving everyone you love, too. That's not an easy decision. That tells me you have had enough of whoever, or whatever it is."

Leah could only gape in surprise for a moment. It had been five minutes, and he had sized her up already.

"I'm very observant," he said and chuckled. His laugh and wide grin sent a wave of lust through Leah that damn near stunned her.

"Uh, thanks, I guess," she muttered, unsure of what else to say.

"I meant it, though," he said.

"What? That he's a fool?"

He said, "No, but now I know I'm right. I meant it that you're fucking gorgeous."

Leah cackled as she glanced down at herself and said, "Okay, Casanova." Her hoodie had paint splatters on it from painting Sam's living room the previous fall. Her leggings were thinned out inside the thighs from frequent wear and were torn at the knees.

He laughed again, and her insides seemed to melt like butter. He was probably the most beautiful man she had ever seen. After Sam's rejection, it was nice to feel desirable for a change. Even if it was bullshit from a stranger, grateful to get out of the rain. Boy, would it burn Sam's ass that it is his buddy, too, she thought.

Amused, she asked, "Do you just hit on anything that walks?" She couldn't keep from grinning as he laughed again. Apparently, I'm fucking hilarious.

"No, I don't," he said. "I'm not exactly a lady's man."

"I find that hard to believe."

He stared at her suspiciously, deciding whether or not she had insulted him. "My turn is up here on the left," he said and pointed. "Just past that big shed."

Leah slowed down as she looked for the turn through the pounding rain. "How far?"

"About a mile," he said. "It's a little blue house. Can't miss it, even in the dark."

Sure enough, her headlights flashed across a bright blue house as they went around a curve. He pointed out a driveway that wound up to the back of his house. "Come inside with me?"

Leah laughed. "I don't even know your name. I honestly don't want to. I'll likely never see you again."

He asked, "Then what will it hurt?" All humor had fled his features, unveiling an intense look of longing, raw and urgent. "Have you ever felt like you were starving to be touched?"

Leah had to silently remind herself to breathe as he reached out to cup the left side of her jaw and slid his thumb across her bottom lip. It was as if a jolt of electricity enveloped them both. Leah shuddered, trying to push back the butterflies that accompanied the caress. This is a foolish idea. You are a vulnerable, emotional wreck and this perfect, unbelievably handsome stranger just wants to get laid. It slowly dawned on her that he was breathing as hard and seemed just as stunned as she was.

He said, "I'm sorry for being so forward. I just … had to try. I've never had this instant attraction to someone. Not like this." His hand slid down and gently caressed the side of her neck. "Please, tell me you feel it? That I'm not fucking crazy."

The heat of his hand on her skin was both soothing and titillating. Against all of her better judgment and the burning desire to flee town as soon as possible, she nodded. "I feel it."

He leaned over to brush the hair from her face. "I'm going to kiss you now," he said huskily. "Okay?"

Need thrummed through her, pulsing steadily along with the beat of her heart. Do you want to kiss him? She looked down at his full bottom lip, practically begging for her to pull it between her teeth. "Okay," she said, quietly permitting him without consciously deciding.

He leaned closer and ran the tip of his nose up the side of her throat before placing delicate open-mouthed kisses along her jaw. Each time his lips brushed her skin, the need she felt heightened. Her hands slid up his broad chest, inching higher in time with his lips. By the time he kissed the delicate flesh at the corner of her mouth Leah was whimpering. Finally, he pressed his lips to hers. The second he invaded her mouth, any remaining hesitations slipped away, and her arms wrapped around his neck. The intensity of his body heat was almost too much in the compact car, forcing her to pull away.

"Do you have a fever?"

He chuckled, shaking his head no. "I just run hot, beautiful. I'm like this all the time."

"I see," she said carefully.

He said, "You should stay for a few hours. At least until the rain stops" He leaned in to kiss Leah again briefly before pushing his forehead to hers and pleading as if they were long-time lovers. "Please, stay with me?"

It was the please that did her in. He looked so alone and vulnerable. She knew that pain. Leah suddenly wanted to take it away for both of their sakes. At least for a short while. "An hour," she said firmly. He looked up at her hopefully, grinning.

"We'll see," he said and climbed out of the car before she could respond. The next thing she knew, he was opening her door and lifting her into his arms. Leah was astonished by his strength as he ran to the back door of his house, barely jostling her along the way. He stood her up under the protection of the porch roof to unlock the door. She barely glanced around his kitchen before he lifted her again.

He asked, "Do you need anything? A drink? The bathroom? Anything at all?"

"No," she said, reaching up to pull his mouth to hers and closing her eyes. She felt a firm mattress underneath her as he laid her on his bed. His shoes were kicked off as he peeled his soaked shirt away. Leah sucked in a sharp breath, wondering how someone like him wanted her.

He took his time, slowly undressing her as if she were a long-awaited gift. Leah lost all sense of time and place, having the most passionate and fulfilling sexual experience of her life. The memories of that night had provided comfort through the fear of her resulting pregnancy and years of struggling alone. She had always harbored guilt for never searching for her son's father, but the longer she stayed away, the more she feared they would only disrupt his life. She didn't even know his name.

Leah nearly cried with relief as she drove into her hometown. It didn't appear that a great deal had changed in La Push in fourteen years. She passed up her childhood home, nearly whimpering over the cruiser in the driveway, confirming Sue and Charlie still lived there. She needed to find a motel and get her son into a warm bed.

Like a beacon, a familiar motel sign caught her eye, bearing the same missing lightbulb as the day she left. Leah pulled into the lot and sighed as she shut off the car.

Blessed. Fucking. Silence. Her son sat up in the back seat and looked around sleepily.

"Come on, bud," she said. "Let's go get you in bed, huh? We're going to have to run for it."

"Kay," he said and yawned.

They counted together before racing from the car to the office door. Leah was aware of someone behind the counter but paid him no mind as they entered, laughing at each other. She used the sleeve of her hoodie to wipe the rain from her son's forehead before sticking her wrist against it.

"I'm fine, Mom." He ducked away, laughing as he wiped his face and sat down on a bench by the door.

Leah huffed, shaking her head. She turned toward the counter and froze as she looked up into the very eyes she needed to find. His hair was longer, but otherwise, he looked the same. Her laughter was strangled, silenced as her eyes welled with tears.

He looked as shocked as she felt, gaping in confusion as his eyes flitted between her and their son. Suddenly, he sprung into action and rushed out from behind the counter to hug her to him. Leah didn't understand the overwhelming relief she felt as she clung to him. No other embrace had ever felt more like home. Neither spoke until their son cleared his throat, making them slowly pull apart.

My god, she thought. Her memory had not done him justice, although their son looked like him. The boy stood, straightening to his full height as he held his hand out to his father. "Howie," he introduced himself. "Got a name, Mr. Pawing My Mom?"

"Mouth!" Leah snapped before smiling apologetically. "I'm sorry." She had a feeling she would be saying that a lot tonight.

"I'm Paul," his father said.

Leah said, "Honey, Paul is a very old friend of mine. Maybe you should wait in the car for now, hmm? Let us talk for a minute."

Her son narrowed his eyes at her suspiciously. He asked, "Are we in La Push?"

"Yes," she said and sighed.

Howie glanced at Paul and asked, "Is this dude my dad?"

Leah squeezed her eyes shut as she wished the floor would open up and swallow her. She opened them to find Paul staring at her face and waiting for an answer. She forced a smile and said, "He's very observant. Hot-blooded, too."

Paul said, "I'm just about to head home. You guys should come there." Turning to Howie, he said, "I have a spare room with a TV. You can have it all to yourself, so your mom and I can chat. Okay?"

Howie shrugged and complained, "I'm hungry."

Leah chuckled and said, "He's always hungry."

Howie asked Paul, "Are you hungry?"

Paul smirked down at his son before turning pleading eyes on Leah. Holding the door open, he answered, "Starving."