I own nothing apart from Amber and Riley and the plot!!!

Chapter Six

"Embry please let me explain…"

"You have a son?" Embry asked his voice hard and deathly quiet.

I paled dramatically but I couldn't find my voice so I simply nodded. He just stared at me, no humour on his face and no trace of a smile. I wondered what was going on through his mind and a few choice words came to mind.

Before I could say anything he stood, abruptly shoving some money into a waiters hand and storming out of the café. I stared at his vacant table before paying the rest of the bill and followed after him. I felt sick as I went outside, searching frantically for his car and spotted it in time to see it fly down the street and around the corner.

He had left me here.

Now I knew why I didn't say anything; Emily had told me they would take it well, that Embry would take it well and he hadn't. He had left me the moment he found out and that said more to me then anything else.

Anger and almost hate rose up in me; it always ended the same for me. The first time I had trusted myself with a guy I had gotten pregnant and the second and last time I trusted myself with a guy he had run the moment he found out about my son.

Slowly I walked around Seattle, trying to figure out where a bus stop was; I didn't even know where I was. He had left me in the middle of nowhere. I get being angry and shocked but did he really need to leave me in a place with no way home? He could've at least pointed to where a bus stop was.

Eventually I found a bus stop but it took me longer to try and find one that went to La Push. At last I settled on a route that would stop between La Push and Forks and I figured I would just walk from there. I hopped on the moment it came, staring out the window, my chest breaking with each beating moment as I continued thinking of what had happened.

Soon I was the only person on the bus and when it terminated I quietly got off. And I instantly regretted not bringing a jacket; rain began to bucket down. I was saturated in icy water instantly and as I walked my tears began to mingle in with rain. I don't think anything could make me feel any worse than I did at this moment.

And then I remembered that I had to work tomorrow. Would Embry have told them by now? Of course he had; they were all practically family. Would they judge me differently because I had a son, that I was a single mother?

Most likely.

My feet were killing me now; I hadn't had the chance to wear these shoes much and I could feel the blisters forming around my ankles and toes. I began limping, wrapping my arms around me as I began shivering.

At last I got to my street, limping down and when I got to the familiar house Emily's car was parked outside. I walked up and knocked on the window. Her shock told me just how bad I must've looked and I saw her glance behind for any sign of Embry. Maybe he hadn't told everyone yet.

She wound down her window, "What happened?" She asked and I heard Riley in the background asking me what was wrong.

I shook my head, "Nothing happened. Thanks for minding Riley; you won't need to do that again on a Sunday." I hope that's enough information for her.

Riley jumped out of the car and thanked Emily and said goodbye to her and Matt. When we got inside he went to his room while I went straight to the shower. The boiling water felt good against my icy skin and I stayed under for about ten minutes. Yet when I got out I was still shivering and I dressed in my warmest pyjamas, even adding a thick jumper over the top.

"Are you hungry sweetie?" I asked as I limped into the kitchen where he was drawing.

He perked up at the idea of food, "Can we have toasted cheese sandwiches?" He asked excitedly.

I smiled, "Two toasted cheese sandwiches coming right up."

He went back to his drawing as I prepared his dinner. I savoured the warmth coming from the frying pan as I toasted the bread just right, sliding it in front of him with a glass of juice. I sat down next to him, chewing absently on my toast as I tried not to think of the horrible day.

A sudden idea popped into my head, "How about we go exploring tomorrow when I finish work?" I suggested as we ate.

"Cool, can we go down to the beach? And we can look for fish and shells." He said excitedly.

I smiled, kissing his head, "Sounds like a good idea. Now I think its time for you to go have a shower and then bed."

He sighed exaggeratedly but did as he told, making a racket in the bathroom to show his displeasure at having to go to bed. I knew he would stay up for a little while, trying to sneak in some reading when he thought I was asleep.

At last the house was silent and I crawled into bed, allowing my tears to finally come loose as I thought of what tomorrow would hold. How would the others act around me now? Would they still accept me? Probably not.

I was a mess the next morning, coughing and sneezing and my throat felt like there were needles stuck inside. Riley looked worried at me but gave me a cuddle when I said I was fine. I waved goodbye as he darted out to Emily's car and I sighed, unable to hold back going to work any longer.

The trip to work tore apart my nerves and I don't know how I survived the journey. As always I was one of the first there besides Sam. The reception area was empty when I got inside and I sighed with relief; I didn't think I could handle anything yet.

I began turning everything on and focused my attention on doing my job instead of who I work with. Yet it was easier said then done. I looked up when the door opened and in walked all of them apart from Sam, who was already out back. I went to smile but almost shrank away from their deadly glares. I had expected some type of reaction but I didn't think it would be this bad.

I felt like I couldn't breathe. I coughed when they had left and for the remainder of the morning I was coughing, sniffing or sneezing. I felt terrible; my head was pounding and I was shivering but I couldn't afford to take any time off. I was in desperate need of a hot drink and I almost considered going out and getting one when it came to lunch break.

And then I remembered the glares I received this morning.

I had gone from loving my job, to fearing those around me. I had never had any problem working any of them. If Embry had just given me the opportunity to explain things to him then maybe things wouldn't have gone like this.

I heard them go into the staff room but I stayed out where I was, leaning back in my chair. I rubbed a hand over my eyes, sighing and then another coughing fit started up again. I grabbed a tissue and coughed into it, leaning forward and rested my head on my desk. The pain medicine for my head ache hadn't helped one bit, but that could've been because it was the cheapest stuff I could get.

"Amber, it is lunch time; are you coming?" Sam called, appearing in the doorway.

I lifted my head up and concern actually entered his gaze before it disappeared; great my boss even hated me.

"I'm sick so I'll just say out here. I wouldn't want to give it to anyone." I said blankly, resting my head on my hand and closing my eyes.

"How exactly did you get sick?" Sam asked, leaning against the doorway.

I don't know why he cared. I glanced over at him, "I walked home in the rain."

"What?" Shock registered in his voice.

"Doesn't matter, I'll be fine." Not that you care.

I didn't hear him leave nor did I care. I looked at the clock and I still had forty five minutes left of lunch. Sighing I rested my head on my desk and closed my eyes, dozing for the rest of the hour. When I woke I began coughing, but covered it when the first afternoon customer came in.

I worked efficiently during the afternoon, ignoring my sickness and smiled pleasantly at the customers when they came in. As usual I saw them all talking to Sam happily and looking in my direction, though I could see concern in all of their gazes.

"Hey Amber?" Sam called from the garage.

I froze, looking up when he indicated for me to come to him. Embry was in there. All of them were in there. They all hated me in there. I sucked it up and nervously walked in wondering if this was him about to fire me.

"Is something wrong?" I asked nut my throat was scratchy and I ended up in another coughing fit.

I really hated coughing.

Sam crossed his arms, the rest of the guys either looking away or watching the scene, "I think it would be best if you went home."

I blinked, expecting to be fired, not sent home, "Excuse me?"

"You're sick. I just think you would be better off recovering at home." He said quietly.

"I'm fine."

Embry snorted darkly, "Just leave. Don't you have someone to go and make happy while you lie to the rest of us?"

I rounded on him in a second, "Screw you Embry. Everything I do is to keep my son happy. Try and figure out now why I never told you before." I shouted, before turning to Sam, "I'll see you tomorrow unless you're going to fire me as well."

I walked away before I could hear another word. Tears were already falling down my face by the time I got to my car. I sat behind the wheel for a moment sobbing; why did things have to go so wrong? I pulled out of the car park before I could reconsider going back in there and sticking the rest of the day out just to spite them.

Instead of going home I went to Emily's. I figured me and Riley could start our little adventure earlier. It would take my mind of things as well and I wouldn't end up analysing everything that happened.

Yet when I got there Emily wasn't there and neither were the kids. Disappointed I went back home, and I ended up crawling into bed. It wasn't until I heard a knock on the door that I got up and found the last person waiting at the door.

"Sam, is something wrong?" I asked groggily.

He shoved his hands into his pockets, "I'm here to ask you to come to a dinner down the beach. Emily's got Riley down there and we'd love it if you could come." He said sincerely. "We're not taking no for an answer." He added.

I sighed, "Alright, I'll be there soon. Where is it?"

He gave me the address and left. I went to change, dressing in jeans, slip on sandals and a V neck three quarter shirt with a black jacket. I didn't want to take my chances with getting even sicker. The drive wasn't long and the path down to the beach was simple enough and I found them quickly.

And they were all there.