Chapter 3: Things in Common

The next day, I avoided the pack. So far, no word if the bloodsuckers breached the treaty. I tried not to think about it…or them. What that leech did or would do to Bella…I tried to shift focus. I knew of one surefire way: work on the Rabbit. For some reason, tinkering on it always brought me peace. It used to be the only way. Kelly. Now I had her and she'd be here sometime today. Thank god. I need one day away from everyone else. Especially now that they all know.

Yesterday didn't even go as bad as I expected. I didn't even get jabs, just a bunch of disappointed looks. They actually expect me to just drop everything for my imprint? Of course, because the ones who have imprinted know that their imprints will love them. I'm sure Kelly would love me too if I looked at her the way Sam looks at Emily. If I made her feel like the most special girl on the planet and all that lovey-dovey crap, who could resist that? Girls love it. But I'm not going to. I'm just going to be her friend, her best friend like she wants me to be. Guys and girls can be friends without anything else getting in the way. At least that's what I keep telling myself.

I walked into my garage and flipped on the light. Glancing at her, I smiled. The Rabbit. She still needed work but not that much. My eyes ran across the semi-cluttered garage before resting on the bikes. Bella. I don't know why she got it in her head those were a good idea but hey, it got her to spend time with me right? Too bad it was short-lived. I sighed, stepping over to my tool box. I picket out the ones I need then set them next to the Rabbit. As I laid out my tools, I smiled. At least this is normal.

I heard steps about an hour later and glanced up to see Kelly coming in the garage. Smiling at me she said, "Hey."

"Hey."

"Busy?" She asked, glancing back at the door then to me, "I can come back later if you are."

"Nope" I answered, turning back to look at my car, "Just workin' on the Rabbit."

"A-ha, so that's the model sitting before me. What year?"

"'86."

"Nice. It looks in pretty good shape. You had it long?" She smiled more, "I begged my dad for a Bug and he got me one. I had to sell it before I moved out there though."

I groaned. You've got to be kidding me. She likes cars too? And she knows about cars? She likes the Volkswagen brand. This is going to be harder than I thought but maybe not. Friends need things in common right? I looked back at her but I think my mouth was hanging a little open because I watched her raise an eyebrow then say, "What because I'm a girl I can't like cars? Please. I know I'm not what you normally picture and I can't talk car per se but I do appreciate them," She ran her slender hands along the exterior as she asked, "Are you going to touch up the paint too?"

"Eventually."

"It'll look great with a new coat of red."

I gulped. The way she currently caressed my car, treating the Rabbit like she was the best thing she'd ever seen…I can't believe it. I didn't mean to stare, I swear. But she literally couldn't stop touching everything. As much as I hate to admit it, I stood mesmerized by it. It was just…well sexy the way she was handling my car. I'd never seen a girl so fascinated with a large piece of metal before and giving it such attention. As she shut the door I said, "You're right. You look nothing like someone who loves cars."

She sighed and smiled, "I get that a lot. You can thank my dad for that. He took me to endless car shows with him growing up and I just loved looking at them. I never wanted to be a mechanic or anything but I always thought it'd be cool to do something with them."

"Racing?"

She glanced at me for a second and the sparkle disappeared. Then she looked back at the Rabbit, letting her hand drag across it, "Probably not. Luck really isn't on my family's side with cars."

"Sorry," I said, mentally kicking myself. If there was one thing I did learn about her, it was the reason she came home. Both parents dead in a car crash…I instantly wanted to wrap her up in my arms and comfort her but I fought the urge. I knew how she felt Mom dying in the crash long ago really messed up Rachel and Rebecca. I can't really remember.

"It's okay," She sighed, opening the door and sat on the seat, feet hanging out of it, "I love the old ones especially. Back when it wasn't just about getting from A to B but they were works of art too."

No, no way. Kelly loves classic cars too? I know she's supposed to be perfect for me but really? REALLY? I put my head in my hands then groaned. This is getting tougher by the second.

"Corny, I know, but shut up."

Well, wait a second …she might not be that perfect for me after all. It all depends on one thing. I looked at her then asked, "What's your favorite old car?"

This time she groaned then whined slightly, "Not fair. It's so hard to choose. I guess if I had to choose it'd be a 1970 Chevy Chevelle."

"Wow, nice choice." I felt stunned. This girl knew cars and knew them well. I'm so in trouble.

"What about you? I take it you're a Volkswagen kind of guy?"

"I love the Rabbit but I definitely wouldn't mind a Chevelle."

Jumping out, she came closer to me, putting her hands on the edge by the engine right next to mine. "So what exactly needs to be done on the Rabbit?"

"Just need to put the alternator in and hope it works."

"Doesn't it run yet?"

"It will once it gets this part in. The other one crapped out on me."

"Do you uh," She paused for a second, gently biting her lower lip as she said, "mind if I uh…watch?"

Oh man. She's into this, totally into it. I've been waiting my whole life to meet a girl who digs cars as much as me. I swallowed, hoping it was just all in my head. I raised an eyebrow, "Won't you get bored?"

Kelly's lips turned upward, the sparkle in her eyes glittering brightly, "Nope. I'd love to actually help but I don't really know how."

This time I mirrored her smile as I replied, "Well as long as you're careful I could show you."

"Awesome. Let's do it."

As if I needed to feel any manlier, I still showed her some things. I showed her how to check fluids and change some out. I even showed her how to change lights if they burn out. Kelly watched my every move and didn't get bored once, at least not that I saw. I swear I've never seen someone so interested in cars. Her eyes stayed wide with wonder the whole time. She even handed me tools so I could get the alternator in. Before I did, she dropped one of the caps and it fell underneath. Without a second thought she I slid under the car and grabbed it quick. As she handed it back to me, I couldn't help but stare. "What?" Kelly's cheeks turned a rosy pink, "You really think a girl can't do this?"

I chuckled, "No it's just, I've never met one who wanted to."

"Well, Jacob," she emphasized my name as she grinned, "now you do."

"You can call me Jake," I said, setting my tools back in the box, "everyone else does."

"Well you can call me…Kelly because it's already short. Or Kel I guess. Since we're friends now."

I smiled as I wiped my hands on a hand rag. Friends. Good. That's what we can stay. No worries, no problems just stay nothing but friends. She sighed, glancing around the garage before her eyes caught on something else. I followed the direction of her gaze…crap. The bikes.

"What kind you got over there?"

"Don't tell me," I said, mentally groaning this time, "You ride too."

"My dad gave Eric and I dirt bikes as kids. Pretty sure Eric's still pissed I beat him at every race. Bikes tend to be good luck for me."

"You've got to be kidding me," This time I groaned aloud again. This can't be happening. She can't have this much in common with me. It's impossible.

"No, I'm pretty sure he's still mad," She grinned, "Maybe we can race sometime just don't you get mad when you lose."

Well that's just an outright challenge. "Like you said about running huh? Who won that again?"

"Running is different," Kelly countered, "Horsepower? I bet I have more of that."

Before I could answer, she glanced down at her cell phone before her eyes widened. "Oh my god!" she exclaimed, "I didn't know it was so late!"

She laughed as she rushed off to the door. Holding onto it, she paused then peeked back inside at me. "I uh I gotta go," she giggled, "If I don't make dinner my brother and uncle will kill me but um…can I come back tomorrow? So we can…you know…work on the Rabbit some more? Or ride the bikes? I mean, if you want that is?"

Of course I want her back here. Like that was even in question. "Yeah," I chuckled, "See ya tomorrow."

Kelly turned to leave when I remembered why she even came today, "Wait!" I said and she popped back over to the door.

"Yeah?"

"Rachel, I didn't introduce you to her. Do you still wanna…" I asked.

She smiled, "Don't worry; I already met her when I first came. She's great, we have a lot in common too. I'll see you tomorrow."

Without another word she disappeared. Kelly Price. I'm slowly starting to piece more together. She's funny, she loves cars and likes to, for some reason, hang out with me. I'm pretty sure I haven't laughed this much in months. I should've figured that her being my imprint meant we'd have a lot in common…and I've only just skimmed the surface. We're good friends so far and I only know a few things about her. Not gonna lie, I'm kinda worried what else I'm going to find out. Maybe it will get harder not to love her. Damn. I need bloodsucker news and soon.