A/N: Mrs. Meyer has yet to confirm my acquisition for Twilight, so as of now, she's still raking in the big bucks, not me :(

PSA: Bella is crazy and Jacob is beautiful (as if you didn't already know this)

Rated M for language, future chapters, and for the citrus sitting on my counter waiting to be used. What better way to quench your thirst in the south, than with a nice tall cold glass of sweet sweet lemonade!

Psst...I do not have a beta, so all mistakes are mine. If you want to be my beta (I'm begging here!) PM me! Oh, and REVIEW!

Smoldering the Ashes

The drive to La Push was shorter than I remembered. The dreaded fishing trips must have made it seem longer when I was a child. I wondered what Jacob would want to do today. Hopefully fishing wasn't on the agenda. Parking my truck in the drive, I stepped out, the sun warming my skin. No longer needing my jacket, I shrugged out of it, and lay it across the seat of the truck. No sooner had I turned toward the house, I saw Jacob crossing lawn, practically running toward me.

"Hey Bella," Jacob said, stopping just inches away from me. Jacob was taller than I remembered. His long black hair, shining in the noonday sun, had fallen across one shoulder. His smile stretched across his face, his white teeth gleaming. Even his eyes glistened when he smiled. Jacob's whole being screamed HAPPY. I had never met someone so joyous. His smile was contagious. Before I knew it, I was grinning back at him.

"Hey, Jacob. It's good to see you. Man, you've gotten big." I couldn't get over his sudden growth spurt. The last time I'd seen Jacob was the night of prom. His dad had sent him to warn me about Edward, promising a part for his car in return for doing so. That reminded me, "Did you ever get that part you needed for the—what was it…the rabbit?"

"Yeah, it got it," he said looking down at his feet. Jacob didn't seem too thrilled about being at prom that night. Maybe it embarrassed him.

"Well, have you finished it, or are you still working on it?" I asked, trying to break the awkwardness of the situation.

"It's finished. Wanna see?" This seemed to perk him up, because he was pulling me toward an outbuilding before I could answer.

"Wait, slow down. My legs aren't as long as yours." He was already several steps ahead of me.

When I finally made it to the door of the make-shift-garage, Jacob was practically bouncing up and down.

"Close your eyes," he said.

"Jacob, if I close my eyes I can't see. Apparently you don't know how clumsy I am." As much as I hated it, I was the clumsiest person on the face of the planet. I was the one who tripped over nothing.

"Please, Bella. I promise I won't let you fall," Jacob pleaded, holding his hand out to me.

"Fine," I sighed, taking his hand. The connection caused a forceful shock and I pulled back immediately. I looked up to see if he noticed it too. The only acknowledgement I received from Jacob was a sheepish grin.

I slowly reached for his hand. His rough calloused hands were warmer than any I'd ever felt (not that I'd held many hands). Looking down at his fingers intertwined with mine, I laughed.

"What's so funny?" he scowled.

"Look," I said. "I definitely look like an albino compared to you." It was true. Compared to Jacob, the color of my skin could have passed for a vam—

My head fell. I would not of them. That was no longer an option for me. He didn't want me forever as I'd wanted him. I wasn't good for him. I sniffed back a tear, as Jacob's free hand lifted my chin to look at him.

"I know what happened, and I won't talk about it. When and if you're ready, I'm here. Until then, it's just Bella and Jacob having fun. Will you let me do that for you? Show you how to have fun?" His eyes were serious as he asked, his fingers tightening around mine.

"I don't think broken fingers are very fun," I smirked, trying to lighten the mood.

Jacob sighed a little too dramatically. "Please forgive me Miss Bella, but I can't help you're so puny. When's the last time you ate?" He asked poking my side. "I can practically see your ribs."

"You stop that right now Jacob Black, or I'll go home. I'm a grown woman, I'll eat what I want, when I want. Are you going to show me the damn car or not?" I huffed, pulling my hand from his, and crossed my arms over my chest.

"Geez, women," he muttered. "Come on, I'll show you. But you have to close your eyes."

I closed my eyes and waited, tapping my toe on the concrete. The screech of metal on metal filled my ears. Jacob took my right hand into his left, his right hand on the small of my back, and guided me into the garage.

"Wait right here. Don't move. I need to turn on the light," he said releasing from his hold. I immediately missed his touch. He was so warm, so tall and muscular, his bronze skin was beautiful. Jacob was yummy.

Whoa, where the hell did that thought come from? I knew I was blushing, because I felt the heat rise to my cheeks. Jacob? Yummy? Those are two words I'd never pictured in the same sentence. It was official, I was crazy. I thought the younger son of my father's best friend was yummy.

Note to self: Have Charlie commit you when you get home.

"Why are you blushing," Jacob asked, his rough fingers like butter as the brushed my reddening cheeks.

Like I'm telling you. Keep that up and my cheeks with be red permanently.

"Nothing, just excited about see the car," I lied.

"Well, open you eyes. It's not much, but it's mine," he said proudly.

It took a minute for my eyes to adjust to the brighter lights inside his garage, but when they did, I caught a glimpse of a beautiful site. Jacob was standing by his car, his smile wide across his face, revealing a beautiful set of white teeth. His eyes sparkled, and his ebony hair shone beneath the fluorescent bulb. He suddenly looked broader and more muscular than he did when we were outside. I couldn't bring myself to stop staring.

"Like what you see?" he asked, wagging his eyebrows.

"Uh-huh," I squeaked. I was thankful my mouth didn't betray me, because my mind was screaming 'Uh….huh. I very much like what I see.'

Get a grip Bella. Stop this line of thinking before you start drooling and, you embarrass yourself. Jacob is still a child. What are you thinking? Edward, think of what Edward would say.

For the first time in a long time, I had a logical thought.

Edward? EDWARD! Edward left me. HE left ME. He didn't want me any more. And I don't know that Jacob is a child. Hell, I'm eighteen. I don't have to run my thoughts by you before I think them.

A/N: I'm sooooo proud of Bella. My crazy little vamp obsessed girl is growing up. And daydreaming about younger men! Way to go. If you enjoyed this chapter or any others, cwick da wittle button. Yep, THAT one!