Chapter 12

"I can't believe it's still September. Time is going by so freakin slow." I muttered from Emily's couch. This month was taking forever and I hated it.

"Wanna go catch a movie or something?" Brady asked me while I flipped through the channels on Emily's TV for the third time.

"I can't, I'm meeting up with Seth in a bit to go get dinner. Speaking of, can you actually take me home now? Please?" I asked, turning the TV off. He drove us to Emily's earlier cause there was a pack meeting after school and Seth had gone home early to help Jake with something. Brady rolled his eyes and shot up from the couch.

"Yah. Sure." He replied shortly, storming out the house in the process. I looked over at Quil and Embry confused. They were standing in the doorway to the kitchen, their eyes slightly wide with shock at how drastically Brady's mood just changed. I made a face, asking what Brady's problem was and they just shrugged and went into the kitchen.

I got up and followed Brady out to his jeep. "Hey, what was that?" I asked in reference to his exit.

"Nothing. It's fine, let's go." He started walking across the driveway to his car.

"No, somethings clearly wrong and it seems it involves me so just tell me what's wrong." Brady spun around and faced me.

"We literally don't hangout anymore Stevie." His face was a mix between anger and sadness. "You only hangout with Seth in your free time now and like, I get you're his imprint and you guys wanna do everything together but you're not dating. Okay? You literally told him you only wanna be friends right now because of some bullshit about you not wanting to ruin your friendship. But you two are practically acting like you're dating so I don't get why you don't just date already." He turned around and got into his jeep while I stood there with my mouth agape.

"Are you freakin serious right now Brady?" I asked, climbing into the jeep so he could take me home. "You're gonna lecture me on my dating decisions?"

"No, Stevie, I'm not. Because honestly, it has nothing to do with why I'm so angry right now." He gripped the steering wheel a little tighter but took a deep breath to calm down. I wasn't sure if pushing the subject while alone in the car with him was a good idea but my stubbornness didn't care.

"So then why are you so angry right now Brady?" He looked at me with an almost pained expression but it quickly changed back to anger as he turned back to the road.

"We're here." He pulled into my driveway and put the car in park.

"I'm not getting out until you tell me why you're so angry." He didn't answer, he just stared at the steering wheel, as if debating with himself whether he should tell me or not. "Brady?" no answer. "Did I do something wrong? Am I wrong for wanting to be friends with Seth? Am I wrong for hanging out with him? No offense Brady but Seth and I have always been best friends. We've always hung out. We've always- "

"Yea well you and I used to be best friends too Stevie!" Brady yelled at me, cutting me off and making me completely lose my train of thought. "We used to hangout all the time too. We used to go on little movie dates, and get lunch and dinner together, and hangout just us. We did that a lot Stevie. You used to even turn down Seth to hang out with me and you didn't give a second thought about it because you were my best friend… and now…now I don't even know what we are anymore." The pain on his face broke my heart. I broke eye contact because I couldn't believe the amount of hurt that was there. Did he really think I didn't consider him a best friend anymore? Have I really started prioritizing Seth over him? I know the imprint makes it easier to be with Seth but I haven't been neglecting my friends, have I?

I tried to think back over the past few weeks, sure I've hung out with Seth a lot, but I've seen Brady a lot too! And Collin and Kat! And the pack!

"And being forced to hang out with me when you're with the pack doesn't count." He muttered, turning back to his steering wheel. He was right. I can't remember the last time I hung out with just Brady.

"Brady I…." I trailed off, not knowing what to say. I can't believe this hurts him so much. I mean, it's just me. It's not like were dating, or were in love, or were anything more than friends. Hell, I was always closer with Seth! Although, Brady and I shared a different bond. We were close in ways that Seth and I never were. And maybe that's why this is hurting him so much; maybe he misses all the things we used to do and talk about.

"Just forget it." He turned and got out of the car. Brady came around and opened my door, just like he always does. "I just thought if you weren't gonna date Seth, maybe you'd look around for someone else."

"Well every guy at school thinks Seth likes me. So, no one is even interested in me." I told him, slowly getting heated at Brady for making me seem so awful for wanting to spend time with Seth. "I have looked around, and I have tried to find guys who are interested, but surprise surprise, no one is!" I slammed the door and started walking to my house. "But thanks for the reminder Brady."

"Oh yea?" he yelled back, "no one at all is interested in you at school? Are you sure about that?" I stopped walking and turned around.

"Do you know something I don't? Because if you know someone interested, please, tell me now!" I yelled with a sarcastic laugh. I crossed my arms as I waited for a reply. He just stood there staring at me. "Well?"

He lightly shook his head, "Forget it." He mumbled, about to walk to the driver side.

"No, tell me. You brought this all up, you got so aggravated at me hanging out with Seth. Please, tell me who is so freakin interested in me that I should drop everything and go be with them right now." Okay, so I'm being a bit dramatic, sue me.

Brady did a 180 stormed up to me in two steps. He eyes looked pained but filled with hope. "Me." He said, "I'm interested in you."

He said it. There it was just floating in the air between us. Brady Fuller just admitted to having feelings for me. I couldn't believe it. My heart stopped beating and my hands got clammy from the nerves and butterflies in my body. All this time, Brady has liked me but I was so busy focusing on Seth, I couldn't see it.

"And I know how incredibly selfish it is for me to tell you that. And I know how wrong it is. And I know Seth is in love with you and I know deep down you love him back. And I know he's my best friend and practically a brother now and he's going to kill me for telling you this, but I needed you to know. Stevie, I like you. Maybe not as much as Seth loves you and maybe you don't even have any feelings back for me. But I needed you to know because it's been killing me inside to see you with him and knowing I'll never get my chance now." He was so close. His face just mere inches from my face. His body just mere inches mine. I could almost hear his heart racing. I'm sure as hell he hears mine. I couldn't answer. I had no idea what to say. I mean the kid just told me he practically loved me even though his best friend imprinted on me and he knows I can't be with him.

I looked up and met his eyes. They were so close I couldn't breathe. He eyes flickered to my lips for a split second as he licked his lips. It was going to happen. I know Brady well enough to know he was going to try and make a move, and if I didn't stop him, then he was going to kiss me. My heart was beating out of my chest. He slowly leaned in, waiting to see if I was going to follow. I shouldn't. I can't. I'm Seth's imprint, this would be so wrong. It would kill Seth.

"Brady, you can't…" I quietly trailed off as he got closer.

"I know." Was all he said before his lips were on mine. I was so shocked that he actually kissed me, the kid had the nerve to kiss his best friend's imprint… wow.

I thought back to that night when Seth first kissed me. We were sitting on my back patio and he had just told me how in love he was with me and how he had been in love with me since middle school. He had kissed me that night and there were sparks and it was so… magical! We had fit so perfectly together, the way my body fit against his and the way our mouths moved together. Kissing Brady just felt wrong, like nothing was right about this. My moment with Seth was perfect, a moment I wish could have lasted forever.

But it can last forever, there's no reason why you can't be with him. You love him, he loves you, and you don't need to be with anyone else. I argued with myself. It was true, why was I so against being with Seth? He's an amazing guy and I've had a crush on him since forever, why did I say I didn't want to be official? I know I want to experience life but if kissing Brady proved anything, it's that no one else will ever feel right and I only want to kiss Seth. Forever. I love Seth and I want to be with him.

As this realization dawned on me I quickly shoved Brady away and took a step back.

"Brady, you shouldn't have done that…" I mumbled.

"Why not?" he asked, a small smirk playing at his lips.

"Because."

"Because why?"

"You know why Brady."

"I want you to say it out loud though." He said, stepping closer to me.

"Because I'm in love with Seth." I whispered. He gave me a small smile.

"See, I told you you did. You just needed that little bit of…motivation." He gave me a wink and I had to keep myself from smacking him.

"You kissed me to prove a point?" I asked bewildered.

"No, I kissed you because I wanted to. However, I knew it would also make you finally realize your true feelings for Seth so it was kinda a win-win. Now what you really should do is go make sure Seth knows your true feelings now." He said, giving me a kiss on the head and turning to walk towards his jeep. I stood there, frozen in shock. I couldn't believe what he just did and the risk he just took to do it.

I wanted to go find Seth though. I wanted to tell him how I feel, tell him I want to be with him. As I turned to go walk to his house I noticed someone standing on the lawn between mine and the Clearwater's house. Seth.

My breath caught in my throat. What did he see? How much did he see? What did he hear? What did he know? Is he mad? Is he hurt? Should I talk to him? I stood frozen in my driveway, afraid to make any sudden movements. He looked at me with an expression I couldn't quite place, a mix of hurt and… understanding? He turned and started walking to the woods in his yard and I ran after him.

"Seth!" I shouted but he didn't stop walking. I followed him into the woods and eventually caught up to him, grabbing his arm and turning him around. "Seth, stop!"

"What just happened back there?" he asked me quietly. So, he didn't see. I debated lying but I knew he'd find out eventually.

"Brady kissed me." He closed his eyes and his nostrils flared as he took a deep breath. I watched a shudder go through him as he fought the urge to phase. "But I didn't kiss him back!" I added, hoping that might help the situation.

"Why not?" he asked, catching me off guard. His eyes were open now and they were watching me for a response.

"Because…" I trailed off, not really knowing what to say.

"Because why?"

"I didn't want to."

"Why not?" he asked, a small smile playing at his lips. He knew. He knew exactly why I didn't. He DID hear the whole conversation, he was there for all of it!

"You already know why." I said quietly, taking a small step forward. Suddenly I was flush against him, my back pressed hard against a tree. His hands rested on my waist, his fingers lacing through my belt loops and his thumbs rubbing up and down on my stomach.

"I wanna hear you say it." He whispered, leaning in closer. His hands moved from my waist and traced down to my thighs, where he grabbed behind them and shifted me higher so I was resting against his hips, my legs wrapping comfortably around him. I trailed my fingers along his sides, feeling his newly developed stomach and chest. He tensed as I reached the top, cupping my hand around the back of his neck.

I met his gaze and saw the love and admiration in his eyes. He was waiting for me to say it but I was scared. Was I ready to tell him? Was I ready to move past the friend stage and try for something more? Was I ready to date Seth Clearwater? I took a deep breath.

"Because I'm in love with you." I whispered. This was all he needed to hear. He rested his forehead against mine and I closed my eyes, waiting for the contact that I knew was coming next.

"I love you too, Stevie." And then his lips were on mine, colliding once, twice, three times. There was a hunger in his kisses. He wrapped his arms around me more firmly, pulling me higher. I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled him closer. The spark that I had felt that first night was back and I couldn't help but smile as I realized how perfect we fit together.

"What are you smiling about?" Seth asked, pulling back and grazing the side of my face with his hand.

"We fit together perfectly." I said, removing a hand from his neck and holding it up against his. He laced his fingers between mine and smiled.

"You're perfect." He whispered, kissing my nose. He released my hand and grabbed my chin, tilting my head up and pressing his lips against mine again. I giggled under his kisses and placed my arm around his neck. Seth's kisses grew hungry and his teeth grazed my bottom lip, sucking on it oh so slightly. It sent chills down my spine and I knew he could tell by the way I felt him smile against me.

He released my waist and before I could complain, he put his hands on my thighs and pulled me away from the tree. Without breaking contact, Seth somehow maneuvered us out of the woods, across his backyard, into his house and up the stairs to his bedroom. He kicked the door shut and suddenly I was laying on his bed, Seth laying on top of with his arm holding him up from crushing me.

His lips kissed down my jawline to my neck, his teeth nibbling lightly on my earlobe sending pinpricks of pleasure through me. I could feel his kisses straight through my spinal cord, all the way to my toes. I could barely think, all I knew is that I wanted more.

My hands found the bottom of his shirt and I pulled away from his mouth so I could pull his shirt over his head, tossing it on the floor next to us. He smiled down at me while I traced my fingers along his amazing new set of abs. I wanted him, no, I needed him. He leaned down to kiss me again with such passion and desire and I swear my head exploded.

I rolled over to face Seth. His eyes were closed and his breathing was slow, meaning he was still asleep. I pulled the covers higher over me and cuddled up against him, his arms instinctively wrapping tighter around me. I couldn't help but smile at the moment, everything was perfect. It was not at all how I planned my Friday to go but I certainly wouldn't change it for the world.

Seth and I had made out for a bit and things had been getting pretty hot and heavy and even though we both knew what we wanted next, we knew it was a bit too soon for that. So, we just continued to make out instead. After a while of just lying in bed and talking I could hear Seth's voice getting tired and eventually we both dozed off for a little nap.

I looked behind me and saw that the time was almost 8pm.

I was watching Seth while he slept when I heard a wolf howl in the distance. Seth's eyes snapped open and he looked around in a panic.

"What time is it?" he asked, trying to feel for his phone.

"It's almost 8, why?" I asked, becoming concerned with his urgency. He groaned and covered his face with his hands.

"I'm gonna be late for the pack meeting. It starts at 8 and that's Sam reminding us." I laughed at him and he retaliated by tickling me.

"Stop! No Seth stop!" I couldn't help but giggle as he continued to ignore my pleas. He rolled on top of me to hold me down but stopped tickling me. He was so hot. He was shirtless and his body was screaming to be touched. He smiled and leaned down for a kiss, meeting my eager lips.

"I should go…" he trailed off after a few more kisses. He must know that if he didn't get off me soon, we were going to have a repeat of earlier. I pouted but he just kissed them and then got up. He pulled his shirt on and then tossed my shirt at me. "Get dressed, you're coming with." I blushed at the remembrance of me being shirtless but pulled it on quickly.

We ran out to his truck and hopped in, speeding down the road to Emily's house.

"Just in time." Jared mocked as we walked in the door. Paul, Jared, Quil, Embry, and Jake were all in the living room. They looked at our intertwined fingers and all started clapping.

"It's about damn time!" Paul laughed. Seth smirked but ignored them and found a seat on the couch, pulling me onto his lap. Sam walked into the living room just as Collin walked through the front door.

"Where's Brady?" Sam asked.

"Probably in hiding." Paul laughed, bumping fists with Jared. Embry, Quil, and Sam looked at him confused. "He kissed Seth's girl." He clarified for them.

I blushed and looked down. Seth on the other hand tensed and I swear I heard a growl come from him.

"Five bucks says he doesn't even show." Embry joked. "He's more scared of Seth than he is of Sam." Everyone laughed and even Seth looked pleased at the thought of Brady being scared of him. I hit his shoulder.

"Stop it, Brady's your friend." I whispered, trying to defend my other best friend. He just shrugged.

"Hey! Sorry I'm late I got stuck…" Brady ran through the front door but stopped when he saw everyone staring at him. "What?" he looked around confused until he met Seth's eyes. His smile dropped and fear flashed through his eyes for a brief moment. Within a heartbeat Seth was up and chasing after Brady who had run right back out the door he came in. Everyone jumped to follow them.

Seth had Brady in a choke hold when we got outside. The wolves seemed to find it hilarious but I was fearful for Brady; Seth did not look happy or playful at all.

"What the hell is going on?" Sam demanded, not looking amused at his pack fighting.

"He kissed Stevie and needs to pay for it." Seth growled, gripping Brady tighter as if to prove how he's going to pay for it. I stood there in silence because I had never seen Seth so angry before and I certainly never saw him fight with Brady like this before.

"Release him Seth. We don't fight with our brothers." Sam demanded. Paul snickered behind me.

"We also don't kiss our brother's girl but that didn't stop Fuller…" he mumbled, receiving a chuckle from Jared and Embry.

"Seth." Sam warned. Seth released Brady, who rubbed his neck but straightened up and stepped away from Seth.

"Dude, I'm sorry but I had to make her realize her true feelings somehow! She was getting to be annoying by denying it to everyone." I was about to argue with Brady but bit my tongue, realizing it probably wasn't the right time.

"So, you thought kissing her was the right way to do it?!" Seth yelled. The wolves just watched as the two boys yelled and argued over Brady's controversial way of making me see my feelings for Seth. Sam thankfully stepped in before Seth could lunge at Brady again.

"Knock it off you two. We don't fight each other like this. You guys are brothers, not enemies. Start acting like it again." Sam glared at the two boys who just lowered their heads and agreed.

Brady turned to Seth, "I really am sorry dude. I know she's your girl and I wasn't actually planning on moving my way between you two. I just had to give her a little push. And seeing you two sitting on the couch together I'd say my push worked?" Brady said, his voice rising into a question at the end. Seth glared at him but eventually gave a small smile.

"Yea it worked." He answered quietly. "I guess it's all good bro." Brady looked relieved and fist bumped Seth as they started walking back to the house. The guys behind me sounded a bit disappointed but I was relieved there was no big fight between my two best friends. As we all were about to walk inside Seth stopped Brady.

"Oh, but by the way-" He pulled his arm back and punched Brady in the face, throwing Brady back in surprise and making him cover his nose where he was hit. My hands flew up to cover my mouth at the sound of Brady's nose cracking. "Don't ever kiss my girl again." Seth growled, wrapping his arm around my waist and pulling my closer to his side. The wolves cheered and laughed as Brady shook his head and wiped the blood from his face.

"Yea, I deserved that." He mumbled. He chuckled lightly and patted Seth's shoulder as he walked past. "Don't worry, it won't happen again."

Seth smiled and kissed my head while I stood there in shock of what just happened.

"You coming?" he whispered with a light chuckle. I just turned and followed him into the house.