Leah's POV
Sam's hand rested lightly on Leah's as they pulled into the parking lot of First Beach, if you could even call it a parking lot. It was more like a concrete slab with faded marks that once served as parking spot perimeters years before. Now people parked in rows side by side, bumper to bumper. There weren't even light-poles to illuminate the area on nights like this where people got together on the beach for a gathering, or in this case, a celebration. This was it, their engagement party. Her and Sam would be married in two weeks. Leah's eyes travelled to Sam's face, his hair was combed back and freshly trimmed and he had shaved for the party. He was wearing a baby-blue button up with a pair of dark washed jeans. He looked like a Quillete version of Ken doll. Sam Uley was the epitome of clean-cut and straight-edged; as a lawyer at the highest ranking firm in Port Angeles, he kind of had to be. It wasn't that Leah didn't find Sam attractive, any girl with a pair of eyes would drool at the sight of him, but everything about his appearance was a direct reflection of his noteworthy reputation. Sam flourished in La Push, he was a natural born leader and everyone admired his drive and influence. But where Sam thrived, Leah felt as though she was diminishing. At twenty-four she didn't have much to show for her life and the things she did have- a beautiful house, a new car, a rock on her left hand- all came from Sam's personal success. Of course, Sam never said anything about Leah's lack of ambition, because she did have dreams, at least she used to. Now she worked at an insurance company in Forks as an agent, a 9-5 desk job landed by her connections with the infamous Sam Uley. They were the town's favorite couple, everyone loved them wherever they went, but Leah knew it wasn't because of her, it was because of him- the people loved Sam. He had an influence over everyone he'd meet, a type of mythical allure that made her proud to be on his arm. She loved Sam for more than just his prestige in town- he was faithful, loyal, kind, loving, thoughtful. He was a "good man" in all regards. His reputation among the people of La Push intimidated her, something she would never admit to Sam or anyone. The way he carried himself, his very demeanor, made her feel like she had to constantly struggle to maintain a certain image that was required as his partner and future spouse.
"Holy shit, that's Jake's Rabbit!"
Leah blanched, her eyes scanning the parking lot. There on the far side of the lot tucked between her mother's old Tahoe and Paul's jacked-up Dodge Ram was the tiny and familiar white Volkswagen. She hadn't been expecting him to be at the party tonight considering he and Bella weren't supposed to arrive for another couple days. She thought she'd had more time.
Sam threw his Jeep in park and yanked the emergency break.
"Are you good with getting the stuff out of the back? I want to go say hi." He looked over at her for approval, but his hand was already on the door. He was like an eager puppy and it made her pale lips pull into a small smile.
"Yeah, yeah. That's fine. I've got it. You go see your friend." Jake. You go see Jake.
"Thanks, baby." He gave her his best smile, flashing her his set of dimples, then he was off, weaving between the parked cars towards the beach.
Leah took her time getting her things together and locking up the Jeep.
What was she going to say when she saw him? How was she going to act? She knew how she should act... No one had known about what had happened between her and Jake, not Sam, not anyone. And no one could. Especially since she was marrying his best friend. So as far as she knew Jake had left unexpectedly one Sunday morning to go prance around the United States with Bella fucking Swan and hasn't come back in the last two years until now.
I have to be civil. I have to act like nothing ever happened.
Every part of her wanted to kick him in the balls, watch him fall to his knees, then rip his heart out with her bare hands. Maybe then he'd know what it felt like being abandoned without a goodbye.
The cooler was filled with ice and beer and was heavy as fuck. She weaved through the cars so she had to pass by Jake's Rabbit. As she walked by, she let the weight slam against the passenger side door leaving a tiny scratch.
"Whoops," she muttered.
She couldn't recall how many times her and Jake had fucked on that peeling pleather, just looking in at it through the window made her ass itch. She banged the cooler against the door again.
As she took the remaining steps to the beach and towards the chatter and laughs of the friends she had known since she was in diapers, she paused, pulling in a deep breath.
He's just a guy. He's just Jacob Black. Your fiance's best friend, the douche-bag who tormented you all throughout junior high and high school.
She didn't think of those months or how it felt in his arms or the mind-blowing orgasms or the way he wasn't that big of a prick when they were alone together or even how his pricky-ness was what drew her in in the first place. Instead, she raised her eyes to the sky and thanked the gods for giving her a curvaceous bod and great sense for fashion because she knew she looked smoking hot and she knew that just one look at her would have Jake rueing the day he left her for the fucking slut, Bella Swan. Glancing down, she pushed aside her dark green cargo jacket to expose her amazing rack. She adjusted her slouchy black t-shirt so just enough boob was showing to not scare off the children, then used her free hand to pull up her snug dark wash skinny jeans that hugged her thighs and ass so perfectly it was impossible not to get lost in the sway of her hips. She flipped her long, black waves over to one shoulder, then put one boot in front of the other.
She heard his voice before she saw him, Jake's deep pitch carrying on the ocean's breeze.
There he was; standing on the other side of the fire, flames licking at his hair that was just long enough to begin curling at the nape of his neck, falling over his ears in thick, dark waves. Smoke billowed around him like a fog, he bloomed like a phoenix, rising up from the ashes of her past.
He was talking with Sam, a smile on his full lips, a half empty beer in his hand.
Had it already been two years since she'd last seen him? The recollection of the last time she'd seen him tugged at the outskirts of her memory.
"Leeeee-ahhhhhh," Bella squealed. Oh Christ. She tried not to cringe as the petite brunette leaped through the crowd of guests over to where Leah was setting down the cooler beside the grill. She took a deep breath, the air smelling of burning wood and charcoal and grilled hot dogs, preparing for the girl to crash against her. Bella leaped into her arms in a bone-crushing hug, she tried to hold back a grimace.
"Hi, Bella," she forced a smile. Leah had never liked Bella Swan, the girl who had almost every guy in a 20 mile radius wrapped around her thin, child-like fingers.
"I'm soooo happyyy for youuuu. I can't believe you're getting married!" She screeched. Her voice made Leah want to plunge knives into her eardrums. She raised a hand to her ear to make sure blood wasn't pouring out.
"Thanks, Bella. It's really... great you could make it."
Now get off me before I catch herpes or something.
She attempted to pull away from the embrace, but the girl was like a leech, clinging to her with a deceiving ferocity when compared to her tiny frame. Fucking skinny bitch.
She wondered how long could she go without making eye contact with Jake. Warily, she glanced over his girlfriend's head and caught his piercing gaze. A flood of heat flushed her cheeks.
Christ, how old are you, Clearwater? Twelve?!
Finally, Bella relinquished Leah from the hug. Then, apparently bored with Leah and her lack of excitement, Bella pranced over to where Paul was sitting beside the fire in a lawn chair talking with Embry and Quil.
A battle raged within Leah- be polite and civil and say hi to Jake or run away and avoid him for the next two weeks? She eyed Rachel standing beside a couple of the local girls and made to take a step toward them then stopped. She glanced over at Jake again, watching his facial expression as he seemed to struggle about whether or not to come over and talk to her. Or maybe that was just her imagination? Maybe seeing her wasn't as hard for him as it was for her. The thought sent her heart plummeting into her stomach. What the fuck? Who cares what Jacob Black thinks? He's just the average douche who thinks with his dick and once he's done with a girl, he leaves her for the next. Or for Bella Swan. Leah cringed. Obviously that girl's pussy was laced with something... LSD, maybe? Vodka? Something that intoxicated the dicks that plunged into it to forget that they were fucking Isabella Swan the Slut. Maybe that's why Jake seemed to fall into her traps time and time again. He was Jacob Black the Whore, after all. They were perfect for each other.
Leah hoped she wasn't losing her mind or transforming into a bitter, cynical bitch. Of course if she was turning into either of those things it would be because of the return of Jacob Black. He was the only one on this planet who could push her into a psychotic break.
As if on queue, Jake stepped away from the circle, the guys momentarily glancing their way.
"Hey, Leah."
His voice sent shivers through her body. She reluctantly looked at him, really looked at him. He stood towering over her in a red checkered flannel, perfectly fitting jeans, and boots that looked as though they'd been around the block a few times. His hair was getting longer and it curled at the tips of his ears, he had a simply scrumptious five-o'clock shadow and if Leah didn't hate his guts, she would have needed a new pair of underwear.
"Hi, asshole." Be tough, Leah. Don't let him know how badly he fucked you up. And push your tits out. Show him what he gave up.
His brows were furrowed as though he couldn't tell if she were being serious or not, but then he broke into a grin.
What the fuck. That wasn't the reaction she was hoping for.
"I don't know why you're smiling, you obviously haven't grown any smarter over the last couple years."
"And you've obviously adjusted into whats soon to be married life quite easily. It looks like you've already turned into a bitter old crone."
"Yeah, well you look like a low-life, dead beat. Now your outwards matches your inwards."
Jake lifted a hand to his chest in mock suffering.
"Ouch, Leah Clearwater thinks I'm a dead-beat. Whatever shall I do? I don't know how I'm going to live my life when Miss Clearwater thinks so poorly of me."
"Come now, children." Billy rolled over in his motorized wheelchair. "It warms my heart seeing my favorite girl and my favorite son reunited at last." He had a grin on his aging face.
"Billy, I don't know how Jacob here turned into such an ego-maniac when he had a kind, gentle-hearted father like you." Leah bent down and gave Billy an affectionate kiss on his cheek, softly squeezing his shoulder.
"Ha. Billy kind and gentle-hearted? Who do you think I got my good-looks and devilish charm from, Clearwater? Billy's taught me everything I know." It was as though nothing had happened between them and for a second Leah almost believed nothing did, maybe it was all a nightmare she had long ago.
"Good-looks? Maybe before Rach dropped you on your face as a baby... Now you've got this smashed and grotesque Hunchback of Notre Dame thing going for you. Maybe some girls like that though. Obviously Bella does, but God knows that girl's never really been picky."
"Leah Clearwater!" Billy scolded, but he let out a deep chuckle. Jake was standing there looking at Leah through the smoke and the breeze. She found it unnerving that she couldn't read his expression so she glanced back at his father. "Are you going to tell one of your tales about the origins of the Quileutes tonight, Billy?"
"You mean the werewolf and vampire legends? I don't know. None of the children are here. I don't think anyone would be interested in that."
"I would be. And it's my engagement party so..." Leah raised her voice and looked over the crowd of almost thirty people lounging around the fire eating hot dogs, drinking beer, and enjoying each others company. "Story time, folks! Billy's going to tell us all a story!"
The buzzing subsided and everyone found a seat as Billy cleared his throat.
"A long time ago there was a great chief named Taha Aki..."
Leah sat beside Sam, her head leaning against his shoulder as she nursed a beer. She loved the legends Billy told about their tribe's heritage. She knew none of it was true, obviously, unless Sam had a secret life he was keeping from her which he highly doubted. The thought was so absurd, it caused her to laugh. Sam looked over at her with a furrowed brow and shushed her. Listening to Billy's deep voice lured her into her land of memories, it made her remember being a child and dreaming about transforming into a great white wolf.
Oh, to be so free.
There was movement on the opposite side of the bonfire, it caused her to glance over at the commotion. Jake was wrapping his arm around Bella's shoulders as she swayed from side to side, giggling into his chest. He was whispering into her ear and something about it, something about the way he held her, his arm laying so comfortably around her shoulders, as though he had been doing it his whole life, as though he would be doing it his whole life, made Leah feel like the world was spinning around her.
She stood up, whispering in Sam's ear. "I left something in the Jeep, I'll be right back."
Sam glanced at her and nodded, staring transfixed into the fire listening to Billy.
The area outside of the bonfire's glow was so devoid of light that it forced Leah to stop her advance towards the parking lot to allow her eyes to adjust. After a few moments she pushed forward, confident enough in her memory of the path between the beach and concrete slab that she had walked hundreds of times over the years. When she reached the lot, she sat on a curb and reached into her jacket for a crumpled pack of cigarettes. Pulling one from the package, she placed it between her lips and fumbled for a lighter only to realize that she didn't have one on her. "Fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck," she breathed.
Please God. I just want one cigarette. I promise I'll stop. I just... I just... She thought of Jake and Bella and her throat thickened. What is wrong with me?
"You're still a closet smoker, I see." She jumped. How long had he been there, standing watch over her as she turned her pockets inside out like a pauper searching for spare change (or in her case a flame to light her cancer stick)?
"Do you always creep up on people or do have a stalker-like fetish for me?"
"Don't flatter yourself, Clearwater. I took a chance, I figured you still smoked and I'd kill for a cig right about now."
"Well if you have a lighter on you I will give all my cigarettes then some." She was desperate.
"It must be my lucky day 'cause guess who helped light the bonfire tonight and has a pack of matches in his pocket?" Jake pulled out the matches and held them between his fingers.
"Bless you," Leah breathed. Waves of relief washed over her. All she needed was a drag of nicotine to bring her back down to planet earth and forget all about Jake and these feelings she had bubbling inside of her.
I'm getting married in two weeks, for Christ's sake. I love Sam. She'd said it to herself about twenty times every day for the last week or so. Hearing Sam say Jake's name had sent her into a spiraling pit of confusion, not like she hadn't already been confused, but before she had blamed it on a classic case of cold feet, now here she was confronted with her past- a mere three months of her past- that seemed to cling to her every breath and thought, no matter how hard she fought against it.
Jake stepped closer to her and struck the match. "Here, let me." He cupped his big hand over her cigarette and Leah instinctively covered his hands with hers, her palms hovering over his like a tent. The match's flame glowed bright, illuminating Jake's face as it loomed over her.
The air between them was charged. Don't look into his eyes. Don't do it. But she couldn't stop herself, it was like there was a magnetic energy pulsing between them and she couldn't NOT be drawn towards him in all his long-hair-scruffy-greek-god-like-glory. His eyes were so dark they looked black and they were boring into her like she was the only girl on the beach. His lips parted and his mouth was so sensual she wanted to... What? What do I want to do? Shaking her head to clear the fog of lust that Jake and his demonic sex-god ways seemed to induce, she pulled in a deep breath, lowering her eyes to the glowing tip of her cigarette. She took a step back. Goddamn Jacob Black and that five o'clock shadow, it had her all flustered. Jake let the match's flame go out with a flick and they were once again engulfed in darkness.
"You really should shave," she choked. Her eyes began to adjust and the light of the pregnant moon cast just enough soft rays to make out the outline of the man beside her.
"Yeah, well you should stop smoking 'cause you're starting to get wrinkles." His fingers brushed against the skin between her eyebrows.
"Wow, you really are a prick."
"I'm just kidding." His voice softened. "You look good."
Her heart soared. Damn right I do.
But she kept her tone hard.
"Yeah well you look like a fucking werewolf. They don't have razors in Denver?"
"Actually, I've been in a fucking car for the last three days trying to get up here in time for your wedding."
He had lost lost his joking tone and a silent tension settled between them. No matter how hard they seemed to try and keep things light, their conversations turned abrupt and sharp.
"So you took Bella with you across the states." It slipped out, it sounded like an accusation and her cheeks flushed. She mentally scolded herself for being so weak as to bring up the past. Where the fuck did that come from?
Jake didn't answer right away. The air tightened around them, as though all the wind and energy froze between their bodies and the parking lot was holding its breath, waiting for his answer.
"I didn't take her with me. She joined me." His voice was hard and there was an undertone of something that Leah couldn't grasp, she wished she could see his face. "It was about five months after I'd left and she got my number from my dad. She had just completed the winter term of her junior year at UW and she didn't want that life anymore. She asked if I wanted company."
"And you said yes." LEAH. WHAT THE FUCK.
"Look, Leah-" His hand grazed hers in the dark. Goosebumps blossomed along her forearms even though she was covered in layers and layers of clothes.
What was he going to say? What could he possibly say? The rational side of her wanted to slap him and saw his hand off with her Swiss Army pocket knife, but the other side of her- the side that had fallen for Jake and all his animal magnetism- wanted to clutch his hand and listen to what he had to say.
Think of Sam, you slut. You're no better than Bella.
Just then there was a ruffling in the bushes and a loud curse filled the air.
"Jake! Are you out there, man? Fuck, I can't see shit."
Jake pulled his hand from Leah's and walked a couple of steps, suddenly a light shone over the bramble and Quil was illuminated as he arose from the sandy grass. Jake had a flashlight in his hands and was pointing in his friend's direction.
"Dude, Bella is puking. I think you need to take her home."
"Fuck, I'll be right there."
Quil turned away and began stumbling back to the bonfire. Jake glanced back at Leah, opened his mouth to say something, but then shut it and turned to walk away.
"Hey, Black." Her voice came out choked and she hoped the breeze masked the sound of desperation.
He glanced back at her, his face covered in darkness, the outline of his body glowing against the moonlight and glowing embers of the far away fire. "Yeah."
"Thanks for coming." Why did you come? The words lay silent on her lips.
Jake tilted his head. He paused and in the darkness she could make out the slight nod of his head, but just as quickly as it happened he was gone, turning away from Leah and towards the vomiting Bella Swan. She stayed in the darkness with the cigarette burning brightly between her fingers. It wasn't until she stomped out the butt's glowing embers that realized she hadn't even given him one.