A/N thanks to everyone who keeps reading and reviewing...you are LOVE! So, this next chapter wasn't supposed to go on and on like it did but I was having too much fun so I hope you enjoy. The next chapter I promise will reveal some shit...no really I mean it....lol. Oh and I did in fact work at a country club in college so that's where this stuff comes from in case you were wondering if I was making this funk up or not lol. READ ON

thanks to Neutron Phantom for being a lovely Beta. I own no characters but would love a Jake Manillow...you know what I'm talkin' about lol

Table for Two

Chapter 8

I stood still in the middle of the country club entryway, waiting and wondering what the hell was going on. Bella was upset and she just walked away, and just went when she was called. I couldn't tell if she was happy to go or just trying to escape the scene.

"So," Doc's wife walked over to me like a drunk cat, "you and Bella huh? That's cute. She's cute. A little quiet for me, but she seems so sad all the time..." The glassy faraway look in her eyes made me feel sorry for her briefly. If she was unhappy, which clearly she was, then she should just leave Doucheward and go on about her life.

"No, ma'am, I mean, Bella and I are just friends." There was a loud annoying snort behind Tanya and I clenched my fists together. Mr. Whitlock seemed to sense my frustration and anger and slapped me on the back to pull my attention to him.

"Well Jacob, how about we get us seated in the dining room then." I just blinked at him; I'll never understand rich people.

"You two go ahead," Tanya slurred, "I'm just going to have Eddie check my coat. Come on dear." I almost burst out laughing hearing her call him Eddie; that is, until he started yelling at her for calling him that. I bet the dick even made his own wife call him Dr. Cullen.

"Do you think you should wait for Mrs. Whitlock, sir?" I suggested to Jasper, hoping he would stick around and I would be able to figure out why the hell Bella took off with Alice.

"I'm sure she wants her privacy Jacob. Don't worry, Bella is in good hands."

"I'm not," I shouted a little too defensively. "I mean, I didn't mean to say she wasn't, I just… how do Mrs. Whitlock and Bella know each other? Outside of here I mean."

"Jacob, I know you care about Bella, that is obvious. She is a lovely woman, but I think perhaps you should ask her that and she'll tell you once she's ready."

I nodded, but that wasn't enough, I kept looking back and Jasper chuckled lightly at me mumbling something about lovesick fools. Lovesick, I wasn't lovesick. Bella wasn't even my girlfriend; how could I be…

"Jacob!" I jumped out of my skin and shook the thoughts out of my head, not ready to go down that path yet. I looked around to see that Jasper had left me and headed to the hostess to be seated. "Sorry Jacob, didn't mean to scare you. You find Bella? She's okay?"

"Yeah Mike, she's fine now, just taking a few minutes to freshen up." I wasn't sure if talking to the members like she was would be frowned upon, so I covered for her. He nodded lightly and told me I would be in the main dining room, but to help Seth out in the grill if he needed it and walked away.

~~**~~

Bella came back into the dining room with Alice a few minutes later, but we were already busy so I didn't have a chance to talk to her about anything. I caught her eye when she first came into the dining room and I know she read my concern, but she gave me a small smile and a wink and I knew she was okay.

I spent the whole night bouncing between the main dining room and the grill, so around 8 PM when I got my first slow down I went to look for Bella. I walked through the dining room and noticed that the Whitlocks and Cullens were still here sipping on coffee and eating dessert. Yeah, I guess if I could have afforded a five-course meal at this place it would have taken me nearly three hours to eat too. Plus, I'm sure the good doctor tried to draw the stay out as long as possible seeing as how he insisted Bella be their waitress. But I noticed he wasn't sitting at the table with the others and was immediately concerned about where he was.

I looked around for Bella, not quite sure why I needed to make sure she was okay. Why did I feel so damn protective? I'm sure he just went to the john and she's in the kitchen. I swung through the doors of the kitchen and didn't see her, so I went into the break room. Nothing. I headed back out and into the grill, thinking maybe I missed her and she was with Seth.

"Hey man," Seth looked up from the bar with a drink in his hand.

"Hey, have you seen Bella?"

"Naw, not in a while actually. Why, what's up?" He grinned at me and I resisted the urge to cuff him in the back of the head.

"Nothing, just curious." I cut through the grill to go back into the kitchen from the second entrance and I saw the door to the men's locker room open. That usually wasn't a big deal, it was always open during the day; the golfers would come in and change then take the hallway into the grill for their drinks after golf. But this was odd because the last round of golf finished hours ago.

I started down the dark hallway and as I got closer to the actual locker room I noticed a soft light. Someone was in there. I quietly leaned into the locker room without stepping off the carpet and onto the loud tile floor.

"Oh god…" What. The. Fuck? "Yes… Mmmm… yes." Holy Shit!

My eyes had to be big as saucers and I shook my head to make sure I wasn't hearing things. This was the distinct sound of someone getting fucked.

"Yeah baby, do you like that?" Oh god I'm going to blow chunks, who the hell was making a porno is there? Then it registered. Dr. Eddie wasn't at his table, but Tanya was. Is the doc in there getting it on with someone else? But that couldn't be, I turned on my heels and jetted back down the hallway. I stopped dead in my tracks when the panic hit me. Jessica. Bella. No, no I had to trust Bella, I mean, I did trust Bella… but…

Okay Black, just calm the fuck down; you don't know what was going on back there. I ran out of the hallway and shut the door so no one else would go back. I sighed heavily and leaned against the door with my eyes closed, trying to remind myself I was just jumping to wrong conclusions, but I couldn't help them and that made me want to kick my own ass.

"Hey whatcha doin' back here?" I jumped, literally like jumped off the ground, space between my feet and the floor. I turned to look down and see big, brown doe eyes staring at me like I had two heads.

"Bella," I barely breathed out. I pulled her to me and hugged her. I wasn't thinking, I just did it. I was so relieved that it wasn't her I heard back there with him. If I hadn't immediately started feeling guilty for even having the slightest doubt, I may have been able to register the feeling of her in my arms, the way she fit perfectly into my chest, her shoulders resting comfortably below my arms.

"Jacob," she giggled, "I missed you too, but really we just talked like a few hours ago."

I laughed into her hair and set the lightest of kisses on her head, so light I'm sure she didn't even feel it. "I'm sorry honey, I just…I mean…people are having sex back there." I whispered and hitched my thumb over my shoulder, pointing to the long hallway.

"Really?" she grinned wickedly, "Do you know who?" she asked, trying to dart around me.

"Um, no not really I… maybe… but eww, lets not go there. But I just heard things. You know," and I watched Bella turn a light pink but that mischievous look still danced in her eyes. I technically didn't really know who was having sex, and I really didn't want to go down that path since Bella seemed to be in a better mood now.

"I know. You know, I caught Tyler and Lauren in the supply closet once."

"What?"

"And you don't even want to know about what goes on in the women's locker room. I swear there is more sex in this place than a brothel." I stood there shocked; one, because my angel was talking about sex like it was nothing, and two, because damn if I didn't work around a bunch of freaks in the sheets!

"Well dang," was all I could come up with. "You'd think they'd be worried about getting fired."

"Ha, half the people having sex here aren't employees," she watched me carefully as it dawned on me that the members fucked like rabbits here too, even though they probably had some four poster designer beds with 800 count sheets and shit. I formed an "O" with my mouth and Bella nodded knowingly.

"So listen, Beevis, Mike said I could go since I worked a swing but he wanted me to get all my tables done. The only ones left are the Cullens, would you mind finishing them up for me?"

I looked at her in disbelief, "Bella, seriously?"

"I know but everyone is swamped and I know you're our floater and…" she looked up at me and gave me her best pout which sucked by the way, but did it really matter? I rolled my eyes and nodded.

"Thanks babe, you're the best," she jumped up on the balls of her feet.

"Yeah yeah, just remember this Swan, I want my paybacks."

"Psh, haven't you heard of doing something out of the kindness of your heart Black?"

"Of course, I just don't see how it applies to us." Bella quickly elbowed me in the side and waved me off dismissively.

I walked back through the kitchen with her until we got to the break room so she could grab her things. "Thanks again Jacob, I'll see you tomorrow. I'm going home, I'm beat."

"Well, I have off tomorrow so I'm going to see my dad, but I'll be back by dinner shift on Saturday."

"Okay then, have fun with your dad!"

"Right, talk to you later." We both waved goodbye and I walked back out to the dining room and noticed Doc had made it back to his table looking smug as ever. I made my way over and sneered at him as I cleared their dessert.

"Where's Bella?" the good doctor asked. This guy was fucking unbelievable.

"She went home, I'll be finishing up for her," I gritted out. Surprisingly, or not so much, they were quickly done with their meal after that and I was rid of him for the evening.

~~**~~

Being at home with my dad was a roller coaster. I took him to run his errands that he'd been neglecting and listened to him gossip and fill me in on everything I had missed. Being Billy Black, he gossips like a 12-year-old girl. But while that part was fun, there were times when it was really depressing. He tries to put on a good front, but anyone can see that his health is failing. We ended up spending half my visit home fighting.

I said I was going to try and cut hours and come home more or go to school part time; that pissed him off to no end. I felt like I was abandoning him when he needed me most. We talked to Sue about getting a nurse to stop by once every day or every other day just to make sure he was okay, but financially that wasn't a real option for us. He told me it would hurt him more to see me come back because of him than to stay and live my life, it was so confusing.

Sue assured me that dad was handling his meds well and hadn't had any bouts or symptoms that usually came with diabetes at his stage, like seizures or insulin shock or whatever the medical terms were for that shit. All I knew is that every time I was home I felt guiltier for leaving, but dad felt more and more proud of me for going out and living life.

I left him with the promise to come back more; I only lived an hour away and now that school was starting I would be working less and could come home more often. He teased me relentlessly about bringing my 'girlfriend' with me and I sighed because what could I say? Dad knew about Bella and no matter how many times I told him she was just a friend he would just give me that look like he didn't believe a word I said. In reality I would want nothing more than to bring her with me.

Around 3 PM, I pulled into my apartment parking lot just as Mike was calling me to tell me I didn't need to worry about coming in. I guess Friday had been pretty slow with all the Memorial Day weekend crap going on across town at the yacht club and he expected tonight to be even slower. So I finally had my first Saturday off in I don't know how long and I had nothing to do. Seth was working a double shift and Bella was working dinner; I had to work Sunday dinner shift so I wasn't about to drive back home either.

Two hours later I had made a few phone calls, went to the store and ordered pizzas. The guys were planning on coming from Seattle tomorrow afternoon for our Labor Day party, but with very little convincing on my part, I managed to talk them into coming a day early to spend their Saturday night with me. I was getting ready hop in the shower before the guys showed up and my phone buzzed.

So, night off…must be nice :) ~B.

I grinned stupidly at my phone, even though we'd called each other and texted to set up plans for our 'non-dates,' she'd never just contacted me for no reason. I coughed and mentally chastised myself for going all squealing-girl over a text message.

Not complaining…so work's dead huh?

Pretty much, what are you doing?

Friends from Seattle coming in early…

I waited a few minutes and didn't hear back so I assumed she had to start work. I took a quick shower and changed into a t-shirt and gym shorts. I was walking around the apartment brushing my teeth and I heard my phone again.

Ah boy time…

I think you mean MAN time.

Whatever, have fun though. Mike gave me off tomorrow. Payoff for Monday I think.

I was bummed a little myself that I wouldn't see Bella for two more days, but she deserved the day off after that shit Jessica pulled. Plus seeing her outside of work at my party would be ten times better.

NICE! You should stop by with Seth then after work.

I hit send just as the door to my apartment flew open and two of the most obnoxious boys (yep, still boys) flew into my living room. I got up and greeted them with a manly chest bump. Quil Ateara and Embry Call had been my best friends since before elementary school. I hadn't seen them a whole lot since high school, both opting to move to Seattle right after graduation.

"Dude, this place is killer, did you see the chicks out by the pool?" Ah Quil, how I've missed you.

"Ten seconds," I said looking at my wrist even though there was no watch on it, "that's a new scoping record for you. Wonder what Claire would say about that."

"Psh, guys weekend… looky, no touchy, my friend," Quil wiggled his eyebrows at me and I suddenly felt sorry for little Claire Young back at the rez finishing high school. She really did put up with a lot with this guy. I smiled though; they had a weird relationship but it was real, they were perfect for each other.

"Yo, Shitface," Embry smacked me upside the head then thrust a case of beer at me, "what's with the stupid smirk? Ohhhh… it's the old lady that's got you all jacked up; never thought I'd see the day."

I was already in the kitchen putting the beer in the fridge and rolled my eyes. "I didn't have a stupid look on my face, and fuck off, she's not my old lady… yet."

"Give it up man, Seth filled us in, you're toast over this chick dude," Embry stole one of the beers from my hand and headed back into the living room.

"Besides," Quil chimed in, "we hear she really is your 'old lady'," he said with air quotes and all. "What'd you do, move to a new town full of hot college babes and run to the one cougar you could find?"

I turned the corner in the hall and saw him fiddling with my phone. He looked up at me and smirked but that fell quickly when he saw how pissed I was. I leapt on him from 10 feet away and pulled him into a headlock. This was our way of handling things. I knew he was joking, but he knew that shit wasn't kosher either.

"Okay, okay man, fuck," Quil was fighting me off him while Embry just chuckled and turned the baseball game on. "Let go dude, I'm sorry," I released him with one last slap to the back of the head.

"She's not old, asshole, just because you prefer the illegal kind, you fucking pedo." I glared at him and he glared back. Our head to head lasted all of 10 seconds before we were both laughing again and clinking our beer cans together.

"You know I was playin' though right? I can't wait to meet the little missy that's got your balls in a vise."

"Whatever man," was all I could say because well, he was right. That girl, no, that woman had me wrapped around her cute little finger and she had no idea. I was never one for dating much like Seth and Embry, but I also didn't latch on to the first girl in high school to show me some attention like Quil. No, I was biding my time until I found her, I knew I would, I knew somewhere something would pull the two of us together, me and the girl I was meant to be with, and damn if I didn't think that person was Bella.

My phone beeped again and I quickly grabbed it as the name "Bella" appeared on the screen as if to answer my previous thoughts with confirmation. I smiled widely even though I could hear Embry's snorts of disapproval.

Um, WTF Jacob Black…you better be drunk.

What? I scratched my head as I read the text from Bella. The last one I sent her was to tell her she should come over after work. I'm not quite sure…

"QUIL!" I shot my head up, shouting his name as he got up off the couch and ran to the bathroom slamming the door.

"Quil-mother-fucking-Ateara, what the fuck did you do?"

"Hey man, privacy…please."

I growled loudly and kicked the door of the bathroom before I stomped back into the living room. Embry was still sitting in the chair, drinking his beer with that damn smirk he wears all the damn time. I flopped down on the couch and started scrolling through my messages.

NICE! You should stop by with Seth then after work.

What and interrupt man time? Isn't there a no girls allowed rule? Okay, so didn't get that message from her…

Usually but for you I'll make an exception. Every man's night needs one girl, how do you feel about pole dancing?

I blinked my eyes over and over assuming that maybe they were out of focus because there was no way in hell one of my best friends just texted my girl to ask her to pole dance for us. Right? I mean, in what sick universe…I was so beyond fucked now, no wonder she asked if I was drunk, fucking pervert.

Bella, OMG that wasn't me, I swear to god, Quil…he's just not right in the head.

Nothing.

Bella please believe me, it was his sick idea of a joke, I think he ate paint as a kid.

Nothing; it had been nearly three hours and a case of beer later and still no response from her. I looked at the clock and it read 8:30 PM. I had tried Seth, but he wasn't answering either. I probably pissed him off too. Quil apologized for the first hour, then he groveled for the second; by the third we were all too drunk to care. It was an innocent mistake; Bella would get over it…eventually.

By 9 PM we had eaten all the pizza, drank all the beer and were now sitting around watching The Bad Girls Club because who doesn't love a crazy bitch catfight every now and then? We talked every once in a while, filling each other in on shit. Then while we were arguing over who was sober enough to walk to the nearest carry out for more beer the front door swung open.

"Lucy, I'm HOME," Seth shouted in his best Ricky impersonation, which was lame even by 1950s TV standards. We all started laughing at him as he strolled in with what looked like carryout boxes in one hand and a case of beer wrapped up in his other arm.

"Hells yeah!" Quil said jumping up taking both the food and beer from him and camping out on the futon with it.

"Well nice to see you too, Fuckface," Seth said with a grin as he nodded to me and Embry stood to give him a bro-hug.

"Hey man, you look good kid," Embry sized up Seth and patted him on the back. "How'd you score the grub and the beer?"

"The food, just leftovers, but the booze, that would be me," a small voice that I would recognize anywhere stated as she rounded the corner and slammed the front door shut. I sat there stunned as I watched Bella walk into the living room with more carryout in her left hand and a bottle of tequila in her right.

She looked over to me with a shit-eating grin on her face before looking at Seth who knowingly pointed to Quil. Bella moved past me, handing me the carryout on the way, I was still fish facing it, wondering what the hell was going on, as she stood in front of Quil still holding onto the bottle of alcohol.

"Quil," Bella stated more than asked and he looked up from his container of chicken wings and nodded like a scared child. "Well," she said handing him the half empty bottle, "best go get some shot glasses, if I'm going to dance for you I need to get drunk first."

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