Bo called me before coming home for summer vacation, saying she was bringing a boy with her to stay for the first week. She'd been in school for almost two years, and I was honestly shocked she hadn't mentioned any boys till now. I had expected her to say that she and Chris had worked things out; even though they went to different schools and were no longer dating, they were still on speaking terms and emailed each other at least twice a month. Chris also surprised me by mowing my lawn when he was home from school or stopping by just to chat.
I didn't mention that Bo was bringing someone home with her the last time I saw him. He had admitted that he wasn't interested in any of the girls he had been introduced to at school, though he went on a few casual dates. I didn't want to rub it in his face in case he still harbored feelings for Bo, which I thought was a strong probability.
I had gone through the house for a third time, still leaving Bo's sneakers where they laid the last time she used them, her bed made just this morning. I didn't like to move things after she left, choosing to leave them as is. It was something I had done for so long after Bella passed; it was hard to break the habit now. There were still clothes hung by Bella that no one has touched since. Shoes lined up according to the outfit above them. Bo had never held much interest in the clothes that had belonged to her mother, so everything remained untouched and my unsaid holy grail. The jewelry case was fair game, as was the dresser, but the closet remained mine alone.
I was ecstatic she was coming home for the summer, though a little bitter that I was going to have to share our time someone other than Charlie, Emmett, and Rose. I'm selfish and wanted to take up as much of her time as I was allowed to when she returned home from school.
I sipped coffee while pacing in front of the windows in the living room, my heart pausing each time a car passed, hoping it was her. Finally, right before lunch, her car pulled into the driveway, and a boy stepping from the drivers side instead of her. He was tall and dark, stretching as Bo got out of the passenger side. He went to the trunk and pulled out bags, leaving a couple for her to carry. I thought that his load was light enough to carry them all, but I bit my tongue and walked outside to greet them.
"Dad!" She ran to me, greeting me with a tight hug. "I'm so glad to be home." She sighed, ignoring her companion till he cleared his throat, irritating me unreasonably. "This is Jacob."
"Hello, Jacob." I stuck my hand out in greeting.
He eyed it before shaking my hand, not meeting my eyes.
"Jacob Black." He stated awkwardly.
I labeled his discomfort to nerves.
"Good to meet you," I greeted, grabbing Bo's bags since it was obvious he wasn't going to.
We walked into the house, and I went up the stairs to place Bo's bags in her room as Jacob followed.
"I set up the room down the hall for you," I informed him, trying not to sound disapproving.
"Another room?" He muttered, narrowing his eyes and looking at Bo.
She gave him a look and pointed the way, turning on the light in the guest room that was his to use.
Jacob said he was tired and wanted to nap, eyeing Bo to see what she would do. She shrugged him off and went downstairs with me to catch up. We were at the table for several hours talking and had ordered pizza before Jacob made an appearance. The pizza arrived just as he sat beside her at the table, and I went to retrieve it.
When I got back, they were lip-locked, and Bo pulled away shyly when she saw me, him looking at me smugly. I didn't say anything as I passed plates around, and he helped himself, opening a box and taking several slices before offering Bo a piece. I narrowed my eyes and placed a couple of slices on her plate before filling my own.
"What are you in school for, Jacob?"
"I haven't decided on a major yet. I'm going to see where things take me." He shrugged, getting up and walking to the fridge, pulling out a beer.
"Bo, would you like a soda?" I asked, disliking this boy immensely already.
"I got it, what would you like, Dad?"
"I'll take a beer, thanks."
She smiled, winking at me when she placed the bottle in front of me before sitting once more.
Dinner continued awkwardly, despite Bo trying to keep things smooth and normal between us all. She looked nervously around the table, frowning slightly when she left to go to bed.
The next morning, Bo and I were making breakfast before Jacob came down the stairs. He was shirtless, only wearing a pair of shorts and running shoes.
Doesn't he own a shirt?
"Breakfast will be ready in a few minutes; what kind of eggs would you like?" Bo asked him, pouring the last of the pancake batter onto the griddle.
He walked over and looked over his shoulder, pinching up his face.
"I'll make a smoothie after my run."
"Jake, it's Sunday morning. Surely you can break your routine this once."
"Later, baby." He kissed her neck, gave me a nod, and left out the back door.
"He doesn't say much, does he?"
"He is more the tall, dark, and silent type."
"I see."
"Dad. Give him a chance… for me."
"How long have you been dating?"
"A few months."
We ended the topic of Jacob and I told her stories about Emmett and Rose's little boy and funny Charlie stories. She couldn't wait for this evening to have dinner with her grandfather this evening and to have Jacob meet him.
Charlie was going to love him; I snickered to myself.
After breakfast and the dishes were done, there was a knock at the door, and Bo left the kitchen to answer it.
"Chris!" She squealed a few seconds later.
I smiled over her excitement and him knowing she would be home this morning to visit.
"Good morning, Chris." I smiled, reaching out my hand.
He returned my smile and slapped his hand into mine happily. "Morning Mr. Cullen, how have you been?"
"Great, how's school going?"
"Well, I am ready for a short break!" He laughed. "I'll be leaving early to get a start on classes before fall."
"Wonderful, I'll leave you two to it." Going back into the kitchen to pour another cup of coffee.
A few minutes later, Jacob came in and went wordlessly to the fridge, grabbing a water bottle out and gulping it while wiping sweat from his face with my hand towel.
I grimaced but held onto my resolve to not cause any conflict during Bo's visit and took solace that he would be leaving in six more days.
"Where's Bo?" He asked, finally.
"Front porch."
He walked across the kitchen and through the living room, opening the front door.
Bo and Chris were sitting on the porch swing with cups of coffee, catching up.
"Jacob, this is Chris. Chris, Jacob." I heard Bo introduce as I made my way to them. I wasn't sure if Jacob would cause a scene or not.
"What's up, man?" Chris smiled, rising from the swing to greet him.
Jacob once again narrowed his eyes, which seems to be his signature move, and bent to give Bo a long lingering kiss. Chris shifted his feet and eyed me, both of us uncomfortable.
"I'm going up to shower," Jacob said when they finally broke apart.
"He isn't that bad," Bo repeated to us before leaving to put their cups to put in the sink.
"Doesn't he own a shirt?" Chris muttered to me humorously.
"I was wondering the same thing. Maybe I should buy a five-pack of T-shirt for him when I go to the store later." I chuckled.
The rest of Jacob's visit was unexciting, besides Charlie making several comments I had to cough over.
After He left, I was able to enjoy Bo for the rest of the summer. Jacob had barely called, Bo making most of them, till they dwindled, and his name wasn't mentioned again. She saw Chris a few times, going to dinner with him the last night before he returning to school.
I saw the gleam in her eye when she spoke his name, the way she seemed to walk on air after their date. My heart was happy.
I could see the pieces falling into place along her path of life. Sure there would be some hiccups, but when I thought of her future, I doubted it would be anything but pure.
Thank you Fran, I must apologize for my love of the word THAT this chapter, haha! Thanks for having patience and waiting for the chapter, three kids with schooling is taking up more time than I had anticipated!