Chapter 3: Secret Base

I pulled into the diner, spotted dad's cruiser, and pulled up right next to it.

"Excited? You're practically bouncing in your seat." Angela giggled as she opened her door and stepped out. I follow after her, swinging my arm around her shoulders as we meet up at the back of my truck.

"The pie here is phenomenal. I absolutely love it. Got it every time I visited my dad." I squeeze her shoulder before releasing her to open the door for her. I gave a mock bow. "After you, my lad- pft! I tried!" We both break into laughter as we stumble inside.

"Beau!"

Spotting my dad, I led Angela towards his table. "Dad, meet Angela. Angela, meet dad. Ooo~ Pie!" I quickly scramble to a chair and sit down, both my father and Angela laughing as I stuff my face.

Dad helps Angela sit before speaking up. "Don't mind, Beau. His mind can't stay focused for long." Dad smiles as he sits back down. "I ordered two veggie burgers for you guys. Hope that's okay."

Angela smiles, nodding her head while I give a thumbs up. Best pie ever.

After dinner, I offered to drive Angela home, but she insisted on walking, since she only lived 10 minutes from the diner, which I only allowed after making her swear to text me once she was home and safe.

As I pulled into the driveway and parked next to my dad's cruiser, I noticed how large the back yard looked. Right. I hadn't got to explore much since I had arrived.

As much as I loved being inside playing video games or watching TV, I also loved to spend time out in nature when the weather was perfect, neither too hot or cold, and today was perfect.

Yanking my bag over my shoulder, I stepped out of my truck and headed towards the front door. I dropped my bag off on the steps and made my way along the right side of the house to the side.

Alright, Beau. Stealth mode time. I peek around the corner of the house, eyes darting around for any movement. Other than a few birds, I saw nothing else.

I creep along the siding, back gliding along it as I dramatically tried to be sneaky. When I was alone, I loved acting like a child. Pft! Okay, I do that even when I'm not alone, who am I kidding?

Giggling to myself, I peak one last time around the corner to the back yard and my mouth drops open. Everything was so green. The forest was about 10-15 yards from the back of the house. Now I wish the kitchen had a door leading out here.

That's it. My new mission.

"Alrighty, Beau. How to make this into my new secret base?" I whispered to myself. Maybe I could find a nice tree a little way into the forest and have a tree house built there. I know, a seventeen-year-old wanting his own tree house.

Growing up mostly with my mom, I had to learn to fend for myself a lot of the time. Mom tried her best but cooking and cleaning were not her forte. She did work a lot before the met Phil, though. She made it very clear she did not want me working until I absolutely needed to. To her, that meant after high school.

Oops, got lost in my own head again. I walk towards the edge of the forest, looking back at the house one last time. Do I even? Giving a shrug, I step through the trees and begin my search.

Around a half hour later, I find the perfect tree. Very large and sturdy looking. I poke the trunk and grin.

"Yes!" I hug the tree. I could just imagine the look on people's faces if they saw this out of context. "You will be mine!" I whisper, patting the tree gently. I pull away and stalk around the trunk, looking it up and down.

"You will make the prefect tree for me to make into a secret base. I wonder if dad knows anyone who can design a house for me. The interior will need some help too. I want it perfect." Tapping my chin, I quickly pull out my cell to text Angela, see if she knew of anyone my dad and I could hire. I see the text she sent me and smile. She kept her promise.

Not long after sending her a text, she replies.

"Huh. Never would have guessed that. How do I get a hold of Mrs. Cullen though?"

And then a gay crisis hits me, and I gasp, clutching the phone to my chest as I have a mini freak out.

"I'll have to ask one of the Cullen kids, and the only one I've spoken to is Edward. Dear god. Nope, uh-uh. He's too gorgeous, I won't be able to speak to him face to face. I gaped like a fish when he introduced himself earlier. Oh god, oh god, oh god."

I quickly give myself a slap to the face. "Calm yourself, Beau. Maybe dad will know Mr. Cullen's number by some miracle. And I gotta ask if dad will be willing to hire them for me. After all, it is his money."

I pause. "I gotta stop thinking out loud. Bad habit."

Turning back towards the tree, I reach into my back pocket for my pocketknife and begin to carve into the tree. The one thing I was good at. I could carve wood like a pro, though I didn't have my good tools with me for that. I'll just do the outline and finish it later. That I could do with my little knife. And so, I began carving out my full first name to mark the tree as mine.

After talking to dad, he told me he'd be willing to pay for my tree house. Apparently, he was really good at storing money in a savings account and not spending it. He said he has enough for a few vacation's worth in his bank. He also managed to give me the Cullen's home phone number. He had it in case he needed to call for Dr. Cullen if someone was hurt badly and an ambulance would be able to arrive for quite a long time, which did happen when Forks is almost 2 hours from the nearest hospital.

And so there I was, sitting on my bed, staring at the number typed into my phone book. Steeling my nerves, I quickly press the call button and hold it up to my ear.

Three rings in, I nearly hang up when a soft, bell-like voice answers. Definitely female.

"Cullen's residence, Esme speaking."

Thank god. Just who I wanted to speak to.

"Um, hello Mrs. Cullen. My name is Beau. I'm Chief Swans son. I'm calling to see if you would be interested in helping me build and design a tree house. I'll be willing to pay you. For, um, all the parts and labor, and stuff."

I quickly smack my forehead. Man, I sounded so dumb.

"Oh! It would be a pleasure, Beau. I've been looking for a new project, and this sounds like just the thing for me." Her voice calms me down. So soft and warm.

"Really?! Thank you, so much." I sigh in relief.

"It's really no problem. My boy Edward has told me nothing but good things about you," I let out what I hope is a silent 'eep!' "And I would love to help you!"

Edward spoke about me? It must have been about how I defended Esme in front of the whole cafeteria. Oh god! The embarrassment!

A soft chuckle meets my ear. Did I say that out loud!?

"How about I come over this weekend? You can show me the tree your thinking about and we can brainstorm together."

With a blush still covering my whole face we make plans for Saturday and we said out goodbyes.

"Holy shit. I can't believe she agreed." With a squeal I bury myself into my covers, a large grin covering my face. Now I just needed to get through the rest of the week.