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

Chapter Eight

"We have to talk."

I stared up at him blankly; what the hell does he want to talk about? He's already made me feel like shit, left me to walk home in the rain and get sick, scared my son and broken my wrist; that's not exactly someone who I'm likely to talk to.

"No, we don't need to talk. You said enough yesterday." I muttered and tried to get past him again.

He didn't budge, crossing his arms and giving me a great display of his giant muscles, "I'm sorry for what I said." He said quietly.

I stared at him incredulously, "You think that's going to make me forgive you? You called me a cheating slut, Embry. Should I mention the other things that you've done as well?"

"Why the hell didn't you tell me that you had a son?" Embry demanded, moving further into the room.

"Okay I can understand how you might be pissed off that I didn't tell you that I had a son. I might've explained things had you not run off the moment you found out about Riley. And you did exactly what I knew you would do when I had actually planned to tell you."

He looked at me blankly trying to understand what I had said, "Bloody hell Amber, I thought you were married or something."

"And you couldn't have just asked me?" I shouted frustrated, "Gees Embry you're the first guy I've liked in five years. I don't even talk to Riley's father; I haven't spoken to him or my family in five years because I chose having Riley over them." I screamed.

I could feel myself paling and I stepped away from him, shaking my head. What the hell did I just say? I hadn't told anyone my history and I just blurted it out to him. Before he could say anything I finally slipped past him, one hand running through my hair and the other holding the tea cup. With how loud my voice had been I was sure that everyone had heard my sad life story.

How stupid could I be?

I had never let someone get to me like Embry does. I couldn't afford to, what with Riley being so young. He got hurt enough by comments thrown at him from people in other towns he didn't need any more of it.

The guys left me alone for the morning, though I could feel Embry glance at me every now and then worriedly. I ignored his entire presence, smiling politely at the customers and made up a story about how my wrist got broken. I don't think they'd find it very amusing to hear that I had slapped one of the guys that were fixing their car.

Lunch eventually rolled around and I was busy with the phone constantly ringing. When I finally managed to put down the phone long enough to get my lunch out of my bag I noticed Embry leaning against the doorway. He didn't get a chance to speak; the phone rang and I internally cheered. Yet it didn't last forever; the moment I hung up the phone the rest of the world seemed to go on lunch break as well, leaving the office completely silent.

"Aren't you coming in for lunch?" Embry asked, scaring me.

I jumped, whacking my wrist on the edge of the desk, "Shit." I cursed, biting my lip at the pain shooting up my wrist.

"Sorry, I thought you knew I was here." I jumped again when his hand reached out and took mine gently, "The next time you want to hurt one of us use a metal bat or something." He joked lightly but I could tell he was serious.

"I'll keep that in mind." I muttered, putting all my attention into pulling out my lunch and medicine. "Is there something you needed?" I asked as politely as I could manage.

"Yeah, come and have lunch with the rest of us." Embry said firmly, taking my lunch from me.

I looked up at him indignantly, "Give me back my lunch."

"Not until you come and have lunch with us." He said firmly, lifting it up slightly so I couldn't reach it even if I was standing.

"I'm fine here."

"I'm not giving it to you."

"Give it back."

"Come and have lunch."

"Oh for heavens sake both of you shut up and come have lunch. Embry just throw her over your shoulder and get your asses in here." Paul shouted from the staff room.

"Just be careful with her wrist." Sam added.

My eyes widened as Embry grinned and I forced myself to remember that I was pissed off at him, no matter how hot he looked, "Don't you dare." I said warningly.

Apparently it was useless trying to say anything at all because the next thing I knew he had expertly lifted me up with one arm, I might add, and tossed me over his shoulder. I struggled; of course I did but it didn't get me anywhere. My face was burning with embarrassment when he finally dumped me on a chair, all of the guys grinning at me though they tried to hide it.

"Not a word from any of you." I grumbled, glaring at Embry when he finally gave me back my lunch; the ever famous toasted cheese sandwich…cold.

"That's your lunch?" Quil asked incredulously.

I rolled my eyes, "Despite what you guys think not all of us can eat enough food for an entire country."

"Your words wound us." Jacob said exaggeratedly.

I couldn't help but be slightly suspicious of their friendly behaviour towards me. I mean, yesterday they ignored me and now they're acting as though nothing happened? It was extremely suss and I didn't like it. I didn't want them to feel sorry for me just because I was a single parent; plenty of girls were single parents, not that many of them had a kid as young as me but that's not the point.

"Amber, what are you doing this Saturday?" Sam asked suddenly.

I blinked, well aware of all of them watching me, "Um, working until twelve like normal?" I said questioningly.

"After work I mean." He corrected.

I scratched my head, "Um, Emily usually has Riley so nothing. Why?" I asked suspiciously.

"We usually have a bonfire down at the beach when it's good weather. Luckily this Saturday is supposed to be good so we're having one and we were hoping you would like to come. Riley will be there with Emily anyway and there's no reason why you can't join us." He said casually.

I stared at them blankly, "So I can have a repeat of Sunday? Thanks but I'll pass. Just tell Emily I'll pick Riley up after work."

Before he could respond I was up but I didn't get very far; Embry very quickly, and smoothly, rose from his seat, grabbed me around the waist and carried me back to my seat and dumped me on it. I blinked, as he sat back down as if nothing had happened and continued with his lunch. The guys were trying to conceal their grins and some of them were failing miserably.

"Emily really wants you to come." Sam said at last, returning to the previous conversation.

I made a small frustrated noise, "I really don't think it's a good…"

"I'll pick you up at one thirty." Embry cut in, still fixing his lunch.

I stared at him in shock, "You don't…I'm not…"

"You're going." He said firmly, "I'm picking you up at one thirty. It's not often we have these bonfires and usually one of the elders comes and tells stories. Riley would love it."

I had nothing to argue that it wasn't a good idea we went; it was during the day so I couldn't say it was too late for Riley. Weakly I nodded and all of the guys looked satisfied that I wasn't fighting them. When I got up to return to my desk Embry didn't stop me but I didn't miss the smug grin on his face as I left.

Sneaky, hot bastard.

The rest of the day was surprisingly quiet compared to the morning and I almost fell asleep I was so bored. The guys however were busy, multiple cars were waiting to be serviced but they were working quickly and efficiently. It wasn't a surprise that they were the most sought after mechanics around.

"I'll see you guys tomorrow." I called when I was finished for the day.

I got grunts of 'bye' from the lot of them and I walked out shaking my head exasperatedly. I really don't know how they got any customers at all without a decent receptionist; all they did was grunt and mumble half the time.

"Hi mommy." Riley called, jumping out of Emily's car and running to me.

I wrapped an arm around his shoulder, "Hi sweetie. Hello Emily, how are you?"

"I'm good. Are you coming to the bonfire on Saturday?" She asked looking hopeful.

I gave her a grudging look, "Yes. Embry wouldn't let me go anywhere unless I agreed."

"So you two worked things out?"

"Not really but apparently he's picking me up. He thought I was married." I whispered, looking down at Riley to make sure he hadn't heard.

Emily shook her head, "They all thought you were. I tried telling them but they didn't believe me. Well I'll see you tomorrow mister."

We waved goodbye to Emily and Matt before heading inside Riley immediately heading to his bedroom with his notebook already half way out of his bag. I shook my head and began cooking dinner; steak with vegetables. We had too many nights without a proper meal and I was determined to fix our eating habits.

I had finished preparing the vegetables when the doorbell rang. Quickly I stopped what I was doing and washed my hands, drying them on my pants as I headed to the door. When I opened the door I saw the last person I expected to see. Embry gave me a sheepish smile, rocking back and forth on his heels innocently.

"Embry, hi." I said, startled to see him.