Chapter 6

Love Actually

While Raven got ready to go to the movies with Kristy, her mom asked, "Did you fall for him, Raven?"

"I don't know, Mom," she said, transitioning her surprise at the question to a mask she hoped Abby couldn't read.

"I think I know what it looks like," her mother declared, "and I remember precisely what it feels like."

An air of memory glazed Abby's expression as she shared, falling in love for the first time with Raven's father, Reed. He was an MP in the Army, stationed at Fort Sam Houston in Texas when they met. Abby had lived with her parents in a little town near San Antonio. Reed was twenty-two years old at the time and Abby had just turned eighteen.

"Your grandpa was really strict back in the day, especially because I was an only child. I always obeyed because spankings were more common back then. My father had been a hell raiser when he was growing up, so he intimidated people around our little one-horse town. He kind of had a reputation. There were no boys brave enough to hang around me.

"Then I met your dad, and for the first time in my life, I didn't care if I disobeyed and snuck around. There I was, climbing out my window at eighteen years of age, just to see him. He was such a handsome man. In fact, Jacob reminds me of him in a lot of ways.

"When I was a young girl, I used to watch the old time John Wayne westerns with my grandmother. I always thought the Indians were the best-looking men, riding their horses around bare chest, wearing those leather skins they wore. Then they started using real Native Americans in the movies, and they were so handsome and so regal. I told my grandma someday I would marry one. I was being silly." She laughed. "So, you could imagine my surprise when I met your dad and he ended up truly being the man for me. Reed was about to re-station to Fort Bragg, because they accepted him to Delta Force, as River is now. He came to my house to ask for my hand. My dad was furious I kept Reed a secret from him and my mother for as long as I did, but he wouldn't have allowed me to see Reed even if I hadn't been so secretive. He would have found a reason to dislike your father. Your grandpa was very controlling. He threw Reed out of our house, threatening him to never come back. He forbade me to see your father again, so that night I climbed out my bedroom window, and we eloped to Mexico. Your grandpa never forgave me. Not even when he was dying, so I never returned home."

It hurt Raven to see Abby's sorrowful face. "You never told me that story before, Mom, and why don't I have any pictures of my dad?"

"Well, after I married Mike, I didn't feel it was appropriate to keep pictures of your dad around. I mean, I couldn't have two husbands in one house. But I gave River a box of pictures and old letters we wrote to each other when Reed was in the field. Didn't he ever show them to you?"

"He might have. I don't remember."

"You should ask him. I'm sure he still has them," Abby said. "I suppose that's why I allow you to see Jacob as you'd like. I didn't want you going through what your grandpa put me through, and I'd rather know where you are, what you're doing, and who you're with than force you to sneak around."

When Kristy arrived, it peeved her to find out who else was coming. "I needed to see him," Raven said, thinking about their first kiss and looking forward to more. "Besides, he's bringing a friend."

"Whoop-dee doo," Kristy spouted, irritated. "And you're sitting up front with me!"

"Just be nice, and I promise I'll make it up to you. We're meeting them around the corner where the Sheriff lives."

Kristy pulled up alongside Jacob's parked car.

When Raven slid the front seat forward to let them squeeze into the backseat, Jacob went first then grabbed her arm and tugged her into the back seat with him. She shrugged as Kristy turned around and sneered at her.

Embry plunked himself in the front seat. "Hi, I'm Embry Call. What's up, beautiful?"

Rolling her eyes, Kristy groaned, "Oh, my god." She and Embry bickered all the way to Port Angeles. Embry kept trying to change the radio station. Kristy kept slapping his hand away and changing it back.

Raven and Jacob snickered together at Embry's humorous attempts to flirt and Kristy's irritated and snobbish replies. "Raven, that guy's freakin' annoying," Kristy complained as they walked into the movie theater.

"Sorry," Raven mouthed, trying to ignore the angry daggers in Kristy's eyes.

The movie they were seeing had already been out for a few weeks, so the theater was practically empty. Raven peered around to be sure no one was there that she knew Mike knew. They all sat in a row about halfway down the theater. Kristy and Raven sat between Jacob and Embry.

Not long into the movie, Jacob griped, "This movie is boring. No wonder this place is empty."

It was chick flick that would probably be better if watched alone. Raven leaned her head against Jacob's shoulder and lifted her eyes up at him. He dropped his eyes, meeting her gaze. Letting go of her hand, he put his arm around her and gave her a slow, soft kiss.

"Oh, god!" Kristy groaned in aggravation, standing up. "I'm getting popcorn. Move out of my way!" She huffed, pushing through Embry's long legs.

"I'll go, too," Embry said, hopping to his feet to follow her.

"Ugh," she grumbled.

Jacob and Raven lost themselves in kisses when it occurred to her Kristy and Embry never came back. "I hope nothing's wrong."

"I'll go see what happened to them," Jacob volunteered. "She probably killed him by now, and if she did, that's what he gets. He doesn't always know when to quit." Jacob stood up and stepped into the isle then spun around and sat back down.

"What is it?" Raven asked.

"Maybe she's trying to strangle him with her lips." He tilted his head toward the back of the theater. Raven turned around, catching sight of Kristy and Embry making out in the corner seats.

Jacob cupped his hands around his mouth and crowed, "Get... A... Room!"

Kristy and Embry didn't pay any attention, either unable to hear Jacob or purposely refusing to come up for air.

When Raven elbowed her on the way out, Kristy uncomfortably glanced away. "You blame yourself," she scoffed, "I know I do."

On the way home Raven couldn't help but giggle, comparing Kristy's defeated scowl to Embry's victorious grin. They continued to bicker, but Raven could tell Kristy wasn't as annoyed as she had been during the ride up.

At least they seemed to be having a somewhat good time, Raven told herself. Jacob's attitude did a complete one eighty when they left the theater. His silence during the ride home wore on her. Even though he was holding her hand, she could tell his mind was elsewhere. Chalk it up to another part of the Jacob Black mystery! She tried to not let his aloofness get to her, but she was becoming worried.

Before he got out of the car, he said, "Hey, ah, I'll be busy this week, so I doubt I'll be able to see you. Call me, though."

When she climbed out of the back seat to get in front with Kristy, he pressed his lips against her forehead. "Remember, don't forget to call me."

"I won't."

He smiled his normal smile, but something about his behavior filled her with anxiety. Bothering her the most was, for once, he didn't seem to recognize she was bothered.

I could have sworn I smelled another bloodsucker, Jacob thought to Seth.

I know. More of the other guys have reported that, too. Everyone is getting worried about it. What do you think it means?

Definitely means we need to step up patrols to be safe. Get out and do a lot of hunting. The scent doesn't smell like anyone I know, Jacob thought.

Yeah, I'll stop by Sam's on my way home for another update. Can I take off now?

Sure, I got it from here.

You know, my mom said Bella called again. You never stopped by to get that number.

Staying quiet, he pictured a blank dry erase board—a technique he'd witnessed Leah use occasionally—until Seth phased out. He just can't seem to mind his own business.

Jacob ran his course along the borders of La Push, mulling over how Raven never tensed when he held her hand, and how she never froze when he put his arm around her. She never turned away when he wanted to kiss her. He hadn't let himself see her since the night at the movie theater, and it felt like hell for some reason.

Why can't you just be normal, like all the other imprinted wolves, and leave that girl alone already?

Ugh, it's Leah. He winced, speeding up.

It's not that I want to see you with a leech, but face it, boy... you're a big disgusting leech lover, and that's all there is to it. Leah moved into a sprint.

Not you, too! First Quil, now you... Why can't anyone mind their own damn business?

It's not right, and you know it, Jacob. He sensed her on the same course as him. What will happen when Renesmee calls for you? You may tell yourself you don't want that, but you know you will, and you'll be overjoyed about it. She reminded him of her pain when Sam imprinted on Emily. I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy.

Jacob snarled, incensed. What am I supposed to do then? Just disappear? I've seen what that can do to someone. He pictured the night Sam found Bella and how sick Bella became after Edward left.

Leah countered, remembering how awful Jacob had looked and felt and acted when Bella chose Edward over him.

Jacob growled with rage, feeling the urge to sink his teeth into Leah's interfering brain.

She chuckled, woofing at his ridiculous impulse, while filling her mind with thoughts of Renesmee. She showed him how all his hurt vanished with one chance dip into her chocolate brown eyes. A few minutes later she trotted out of the trees.

Jacob covered up his head with his paws and whimpered.

I'm not here to pester you, Jacob. I'm just here to understand. She sat down beside him, cocked her head, and twitched her ear in a supportive way.

Jacob considered it for a moment then agreed. He focused on Raven, letting his thoughts linger over her entire face and body.

I get it. She's beautiful! Leah snapped. Perve...

Jacob growled, baring his teeth. Pay attention, I'm trying to show you something here.

He concentrated on Raven's face, her lips, her skin, and her eyes. Gradually, Leah began to see Jacob being caught up in her stare. In the next instant, she wasn't seeing Raven anymore. Now, she was seeing Jacob. Jacob was amazing in Raven's eyes, and he was losing himself in her feelings for him. Leah began to understand that it wasn't the way Jacob saw Raven that had him hooked, but it was the way she saw him. Her adoration for Jacob was powerful.

Wow, I did not know. Jacob listened as Leah wondered if that was how Sam hooked Emily. Leah knew Sam had the strong imprint bonds of love drawing him to Emily, but was it the look of Sam's deep adoration for Emily that drew her back to him—causing her to disregard Leah's feelings about her relationship with her so-called favorite cousin's ex? So now what, Jacob?

I guess I'll talk talk to Raven. Tell her how I feel. I know I want to be with her. It even feels like I need to be with her. But there's no way...

You will ever love her!

Jacob pushed Leah's head with his muzzle. I was about to say, there's no way I can, because of reasons she wouldn't understand.

Really though, Jacob, people choose the one they love, not the one who loves them. Based on what you've shown me, those words are going to hurt that poor girl.

He howled in agreement, feeling all the energy drain from his body. He had no choice. He made his mind. He would tell Raven he couldn't be more than a friend to her, and if she wanted to hang out with him after that, it would be her choice.

Next, he would give Bella and Nessie a call. He hadn't done it yet, because he was afraid he would lose his desire to be with Raven. Maybe it was even time for him to go for a visit. It would probably be better for Raven if he wasn't around, probably be better for them both.