Chapter 4: Rachel's Graduation Party

I woke up to the smell of bacon. I felt the hunger pains immediately. I slowly made my way into the kitchen to find Billy and Rachel. Rachel put pancakes and bacon on a plate she set in front of Billy. She smiled as she saw me. "Hungry?" she asked.

I almost answered before Paul stepped in front of me. "Famished," he said as he sat down, grinning widely at me.

"What the hell are you doing in my house Paul?"

"Excuse me-pretty sure it's still my name on the deed," Bill said before he added, "Paul imprinted on Rachel yesterday."

"He did what? How? When? Why?" I glared at him as he grabbed a piece of bacon then skipped over and gave my sister a kiss on the cheek before he said, "You want to tell him?"

The way he looked at her and vice versa made me want to hurl. I seriously feel sick to my stomach just looking at them. This can't be happening. Not my sister. Not Paul. I haven't woken up yet. This is all just a big nightmare.

"I will," she smiled before looking back at me, "I went to the beach like I said I would and read for awhile. Well the waves splashed up and I saved my book but not my towel. Paul came and grabbed it and well…with one look we just knew."

Rachel's smile only grew wider as Paul looked at her. I groaned. Paul. Paul who I never really liked all that much is going to be my brother-in-law. Great. Just great. I wonder if a bullet to the head would actually kill me. A short bout of unconsciousness would be acceptable at this point.

"So you coming tonight?" Paul asked me.

"Coming where? Because I don't think it's back here anymore" I said dryly.

Paul guffawed.

"He means to your sister's belated graduation party. I called Sue and everyone is coming over late," Billy answered.

"Here?" I asked, "We barely have space for the three of us let alone our new houseguest."

Paul just grinned. I'm going to have to beat him. A no holds barred trees crashing fight.

"Yes here, "Billy said, "And maybe you can invite Kelly along."

"Don't start," I warned.

"I don't see what the big deal is," Paul said, "You're going to love her just as much as I love you sister…well less" he smiled before he caught Rachel in his arms and gave her a kiss.

I saw red. I immediately lunged at Paul, ignoring Rachel and Billy's pleas for us to knock it off. I landed a punch square on his nose, spurting blood.

"That's enough!" Rachel cried.

Paul backed off, wiping his nose, "You broke my nose."

"It'll heal..in a minute"

"Jake can you go please? I would prefer you didn't spill any more blood."

"Fine by me," I said, turning to her as she babied him, "I'm sorry Rach—not to you Paul."

I headed out to the garage. I don't even know when Kelly's coming today but god I wish it was right now. I can't believe what just happened. Rachel and Paul. Another imprint. How many of us is that now? 4 out of 10? Seriously! I headed for the tree line. I need to stretch y legs and not think. Maybe by now there's some news and maybe, just maybe now everyone will annoy me with talk about Paul joining my family instead of focusing on me and Kelly.

After a couple hours I headed back. Kelly finally appeared around 3. I heard her come in. "Hey Rachel, Hi Paul…right?" I groaned. I didn't need a reminder Paul wouldn't leave. I heard the creak of my door and looked up to see her smiling at me. She glanced at me then the garage, "So, more work on the car today?"

"For a little bit," I said, "Tonight's Rachel's graduation party. Dad and Sue told her this morning. Everyone in town's coming. You in?"

"Of course," she smiled, "Who am I to turn down a party?"

As we walked over to the garage I said, "I don't know what you really want to do. She's up and running now."

"Well," she said, hands in her pockets, "You could let me kick your butt at a bike race."

"You don't give up do you," I grinned.

"Do you?" she countered with a smile.

We both grabbed a bike. She straddled hers no problem. "Do you know how to"—-I started to say before her starting up the engine cut me off.

"I think I can manage," she grinned. "You ready?"

I revved mine up and we peeled away from the garage. We went to where I first taught Bella how to ride. I hadn't been there in months. Has it really been that long?

"Don't forget the curve," I warned, "Don't want you to get hurt."

"The only thing that's going to get hurt is your feelings when I win," She smiled.

This time I counted down. As soon as I said go, we zipped away. I sped in front, grinning. I almost beat her to the curve when suddenly she took the lead in front of me. Crossing the finish line, she hopped off the bike and did a little dance. I couldn't help but laugh.

"Not bad," I said, dismounting my bike.

"So, on a scale from 1 to 10, how hurt are those feelings of yours?"

I laughed, "Probably about a 5. But we should head back, the party's gonna start soon."

"Do you want to race back or have you lost enough for one day?"

"Don't get too cocky," I said, "you won't always win."

"That's what you think," she grinned, flipping her hair over her shoulder and hopping back on the bike.

When we got back, people already started arriving. They brought chairs and set up outside. Food started to be laid out on tables but I knew the guys would have it gone in 5 minutes. Kelly and I went over to Billy, Sue, Leah, Embry and Kelly's uncle Joe. As we stepped close, we both were greeted by a very happy and grinning Billy.

"Glad you two are here," Joe said, glancing at his niece, "Now if only I could find your brother…and another slice of pizza."

Kelly laughed and shook her head before she turned to my Dad and said, "He really does love pizza. Can't blame him though, it is good."

Dad eyes went from her to me as he said, "So, you're the one keeping him away from the house."

Kelly smiled warmly and as I scoffed, "I think Paul's doing a good enough job of that already."

"Oh he's not that bad," Billy said.

"I feel like I'm missing something," She said, looking at me, "What happened?"

I scowled. I really hate that I have to keep thinking about it. "Paul met Rachel down at the beach the other day," I said, "Now he won't leave the house 'cuz he's crazy about her. She hasn't made him go away—yet."

"He can't be that bad," She offered.

I scoffed again, "You don't know Paul that well."

Billy just smiled, looking at the two of us. Of course he's going to be so happy. He thinks he's looking at his future daughter-in-law. Beaming he said, "I'm glad you two finally met and came here—together."

"Well now that Jake and I are friends I wouldn't miss it," Kelly said, "Besides, Rachel and I get along great too. I guess after being here I never thought I'd meet someone who's been in the same situation as me. I hope her and I could be close. I think she could be like the sister I never had."

I groaned and rolled my eyes. Of course she had to say it like this. My dad smiled wider. He's enjoying every second of it. Suddenly Kelly gave my arm a smack. I had to actually work on noticing since it barely registered. I hope she didn't think that was a hard hit.

"Oh cut it out," She said, "She's cooler than you give her credit for. Don't be that kind of brother," her eyes looked passed us for a moment as she said, "Speaking of, I just saw Eric. You should meet him."

I nodded as she disappeared across the room, calling to her brother.

"You know, you could smile a little more. I know she makes you happy already."

"Not now."

"You have to see how good for you she is Jake. You've already been sulking around the house much less since she's been with you."

"We're just friends, stop looking at us like we're about to get married."

"Not yet, but eventually," he replied, "Can't you at least try to see it?"

"I'll never see it." I grit my teeth, clenching my fists.

"Try," Billy said, before rolling away.

I felt a tap on the shoulder as she whispered in my ear, "You okay? You look kinda pissed."

I shook my head as she stepped back and said, "Jake, this is my brother Eric, Eric this is Jake."

We both muttered 'heys' to each other before I turned to Kelly and said, "I have to go for a sec."

"Okay," She answered and I felt a little guilty leaving her like that. But I had to leave. I pushed the door open hard and shut it, heading for my room. Why can't they stop reminding me? Why can't they understand "just friends"? Now that Paul and Rachel are a thing he'll do nothing but pressure me all the time. God I just want to leave.

I looked outside, scanning the tree line. Why can't there be news yet? The last thing I want is for Bella to be dead but at least I could kill that murdering son of a—there's got to be news soon. It's been almost a week. She wanted it to be done ASAP. Maybe I should get out of here. Of course the minute I phase they'll come out here. Or maybe they won't. Everyone's distracted by the party.

Sometimes I have no idea why I decided to come back. I should just go. Rachel has Paul now so she'll be fine. Billy has Sue. Everyone has someone. Well that's not true. Kelly won't. The ache I felt reminded me how I couldn't go. How could I leave her? It's already been hard enough being a few houses down for crying out loud, how could I deal putting more space between us?

I can't go. I need her and she needs me. As a friend. And I need to be that for her. Maybe even a little for me. She's the only one who's making this bearable. But also making it harder to think of Bella, just Bella. I'm finally sleeping better but instead of dreaming of the woman I love I keep thinking of her, my imprint. The worst part? Now Paul is never going to leave my house and help remind me how stupid I'm being. I should break his damn nose again.

Suddenly, I heard the door open and turned to face Kelly, coming straight at me.

"You ok?" she asked as she shut the door.

"Not really," I replied, "Look I know you want to help but you should go back outside," gritting my teeth I added, "have fun at the party."

Stepping closer to me, I backed up against the window. Thinking about beating up Paul is getting me too close to phase…I can't pull a Sam. I watched as she came closer. "Look," She started, "You're pissed about something, probably something Billy said and I get it, but trust me I have to tell you something that I just saw that you probably won't believe. I'm still kinda in shock."

Crap. Crap crap crap. Did he freaking tell everyone? I'm going to kill him. I knew he'd let my secret out but seriously? Can no one let me do things my way?

"What?" I said, gently placing my hands on her shoulders, "What happened?"

"I just saw Leah not only smile, but laugh too."

Well that's not what I expected."What?"

"It's so weird!" Kelly said as she continued, "I literally just introduced her to Eric and bam! It's like she got electrocuted or something and now they haven't stopped talking and…" she glanced out the window as they walked around the side of the house, "she's still laughing."

I looked outside then back at her and I couldn't help it. I laughed out loud. Hard. This is unbelievable. Leah. Ice queen Leah is in freakin love with Kelly's brother. This is PRICELESS. I picked her up and spun her around laughing before setting her back on her feet. She stared at me like I'm crazy, which I probably am by this point but I don't care, before laughing slightly herself . I gave her a quick hug before setting my hands on her shoulders. "Thank you," I said wholeheartedly, "That just made my day."

I couldn't stop laughing as I walked toward the door. I opened it and stopped in the frame, turning back to look at Kelly. "You comin'?"

"Yeah," She replied, following me as we went back outside. I wish I could tell her why it was so funny but she'll find out eventually. But for now, it'll be great to be the one person everyone isn't focused on and I couldn't be happier.