Chapter Three.

When I finally got home, after saying a quiet and totally awkward goodbye to Jacob when he walked me to the door, I passed out on the large, sectional cream colored couch set up in my living room. It was surprising how well off we looked, considering how in debt we were. Nice large flat screen TVs, a queen sized bed in my room and a king sized one in my parents, the marble fireplace in my father's den. I'd never gone without, no matter how broke we actually were. I guess that had to be my mother's work, since she had always had two jobs.

After a good hour of napping and a few minutes of stretching and popping, I started on dinner, chopping carrots and potatoes for the beef stew I'd be making. After cutting up and seasoning the meat, I sat it in the large pan on top of the stove. Next, I added the onions, garlic, etc. and soon, I was well on my way to making it.

"Hey sweetie!" Mom exclaimed as she opened the door, a large smile appearing on her lips as she took in the smell. "Smell's great, sis!"

"Thanks, mom. How was your day of touching random people's bodies without washing your hands?" She tutted at me as she sat her purse down, swatting my arm playfully.

"I always wash my hands after I massage somebody, sis. What kind of person do you think I am?"

"Do you really want me to answer that?" We both fell into a fit of laughter, tears peppering the corners of our eyes as we fought to catch our breath. Contrary to popular belief, a teenage girl can be best friends and very close to her mom. That wasn't the case with Lauren, though.

"So, how was your day at work? Meet anybody new?" Oh, here we go. Gossip time. I sly grin rose to my face, my round cheeks reddening. My favorite.

"Well, this morning my car wouldn't start, and it was freezing outside. And then out of no where, Jacob Black pulls up."

"Billy Black's son?"

"I don't know. Most likely. But, anyway, he tells me he can probably fix it, and gives me a ride to work. I didn't really expect him to come back for me when I got off, but he did. He's going to take me to see my car after my shift tomorrow." Mom nodded, eyes round with curiosity.

"Wasn't he the one that was always trying to get Charlie's daughter's attention while she was dating Carlisle's boy?" I nodded and rolled my eyes. Stupid, fucking, Bella Swan. Oh, wait, Cullen. Excuse me while I gag. "He is a cutie! Just like his dad when he was his age."

"Ew, mom! TMI." She giggled and waved a hand at me, brushing some of her hair back from her face. It matched my own, in color and durability. I could barely get a brush to go through it half of the time.

"I bet you thought he was cute."

"Of course! He's a total hunk, mom. But I can't even think of him that way."

"Why not?" I slowly poured a couple scoops of beef stew into a bowl, handing it to mom as I put down the ladle. "Is it because of the age difference?" She took a timid bite from the meat, before chewing with strong vigor. "This taste fabulous, by the way."

"Thanks. And nope, we're only two years apart. And I did go on a couple dates with that kid Embry a while ago."

"Then what's the problem?"

"He's still in love with Bella. And I hate Bella." I grunted and layed my head on the counter, sighing. "She and I are totally different, and he wouldn't be interested."

"The only difference between you and that girl, is that you have the guts to not fall apart when one dumps you, Jess. She is a fine girl, but no self-esteem." She took another spoonful of stew as she spoke, which slightly slurred her words. "Always worried me why Charlie never got her any professional help for her problems." I nodded numbly. No one understood. She was such an idiot. Edward just leaves her to die in the woods and she takes him back when he suddenly moves back. Who does that?

The door slammed shut from behind us, and we both jumped. Mom eyed me warily as set her bowl down, poker face appearing before I could blink. Playtime is over, I thought to myself grimly as my father appeared with an angry expression. Daddy's home.