A/N: I'm sorry this took so long to get to everyone! After all the great reviews I got to contunie this story, I tried to write this as soon as I could. It's a bit of a filler in a way, but it sends the storyline with Anthony so I can start on new things. I have a beta now to, Skye Evans and she fixed this chapter up for me(:
Melody's POV
I knew this was going to be bad. I had this gut wrenching feeling that this conversation I was going to have with Anthony was not going to go smoothly. I had to do this though. I was the one that got myself into this insane situation, and now, I had to figure a way out of it. At this point, I only knew a few things. I knew that La Push was the only place I could ever belong and that I wanted to be with Embry, not anyone else. I loved Anthony, as a friend. These last three months had been some of my worst, and Anthony had been the only one able to bring me out of my self-pity and depression. I owed him, immensely so, but I could not be with him. He was a vampire and I was a human girl with the intentions on staying that way. Besides that issue, I didn't think it was possible for me to love anyone like I loved Embry. Taking him back was probably the most illogical thing I'd ever done in my nineteen years, but it felt right.
I knew taking Anthony out of my life wasn't going to be easy. I'd been with him almost every day for the last three weeks. I considered staying friends with Anthony, but I didn't know if that would be such a good idea. I despised Bella for a long time for stringing Jake along with her after she made the decision to be with Edward. I couldn't do that. I wouldn't hurt Anthony by dragging him along with me, while Embry sat at home, worried excessively over me. I cared about them both too much to do that. I had to do this and try not to think back on the past three weeks. Anthony would always hold a place in my heart, but because of the situation, he couldn't hold a place in my life. Anthony would move away from Port Angeles in a few years. He would travel the world and have eternity to find and spend with his mate. I felt less guilty when I thought about it like that, because more than anything, I didn't want to hurt someone who had helped me so much.
I'd been up for about a half hour doing nothing but pace and clean-up Embry's already tidy apartment. It was only 10:30 and I felt too bad to wake up Embry, who loves sleep almost as much as he loves food. It was a weird looking around this apartment I used to call home. All my stuff was missing, but besides that, everything was pretty much the same. The pictures Claire drew for us were still taped to the fridge, and pictures of Embry and I were still scattered all over his apartment.
I finished doing the dishes and glanced over at the extra bedroom on the left side of the kitchen. In my time living here, that extra bedroom was a place to crash for most of the younger wolves who didn't want to stumble into their homes at three or four in the morning. I realized painfully that the extra room would now be Leah and Embry's child's room and I'm ashamed to say that I was jealous. That room should have been our baby's room one day, but now, it wouldn't be.
"You're pacing and cleaning, what's wrong?" Embry's husky voice startled me as I felt his warm hands on my waist.
"You scared me. I thought you were sleeping," I said purposely avoiding the question.
I felt his warm lips on the side of my neck and smiled slightly, "You're avoiding the question, Mel," he reminded me and I sighed.
"I'm nervous about today," I said honestly, because there was no point in lying to him; he'd know I was lying if I tried to keep the truth from him.
"What's today?" he asked confused.
"The day Anthony comes back," I said, and his name made me nervous. Anthony went on a two days hunting trip with Alex and Anna Marie, and he was suppose to be back today around noon. I couldn't believe how much has changed in the last two days.
"Maybe he won't call you," Embry said hopefully, but I knew Anthony was most definitely going to call me.
Embry's dark eyes held more worry then I ever remembering seeing in them. I knew he was worried about my physical well-being, since I was meeting up with a full-fledged vampire alone, but it was more than that. He was worried- more like terrified- that something Anthony was going to say was going to change my mind. I had tried to tell him countless times last night that I knew what I wanted and no one was going to change my mind, but he wasn't convinced. He was positive that this was going to be a repeat of the Edward/Bella/ Jacob disaster.
"Embry, I love you. I'm doing this for you, and I know what I want. Nothing anyone says is going to change my mind," I said firmly before reaching up on my tiptoes and kissing his full warm lips. He deepened our kiss as his hot tongue began exploring my mouth, and then my phone rang. I knew exactly who was calling by the stupid Michael Myer's ring tone that Anthony set on my phone for when he called. He said he thought it was fitting for scary music to go off when a vampire was calling your cell.
Embry looked at me oddly, "Since when have you liked scary movies?" he asked skeptically as I went to grab my phone off the counter.
"I don't; it's Anthony's ring tone," I said before I answered the phone, "Hello?" I answered, running my hand nervously through my straightened hair.
"Hey babe, I'm home now," Anthony's velvet voice said, and the pet name did not go unnoticed by Embry, who was growling next to me. Stupid overprotective werewolf.
"How did your trip go?" I asked, because I honestly didn't know what else to say. I had a lot to tell him, but none of it could be said over the phone.
"Same as usual, but I doubt you're interested in the details. Are you coming over?" he asked.
For the last time, I thought. "Yeah, I'll be over in like an hour. Is that okay?" I asked, already knowing it would be fine with him.
"Yep. See you in an hour, Mel, bye."
"Bye, Anthony," I said as I hung up and looked at the very jealous eyes of Embry Call.
"He called you babe and Mel," Embry said, while his eyes held an emotion I could decipher.
"So? Everyone calls me Mel," I retorted which was half-way true. I let the people I like call me Mel, but if I didn't like you, Mel was off limits. I was sure Embry was going to remember that too.
"Non-uh! You almost punched me for calling you Mel one time at school when you first moved here. You said you that only people you liked could call you Mel," he said remembering the exact situation I was thinking of.
"You're really paranoid, baby," I said and laughed softly. I wrapped my arms around his neck and kissed him loudly on his lips.
"You're going to meet a vampire that wants you by yourself; I think I have the right," he said and snaked his arms around my waist.
"I'll make it quick; try not to die of anxiety."
He pulled me into his warm arms and kissed the top of my head lovingly, "I love you Mel; don't do anything stupid, please."
"Ew, don't call me Mel," I teased before grabbing my keys and cell phone off the counter, "Love you too."
~*~
Maybe he knew this was coming. Maybe he assumed when he first met me that the imprint force would get the better of me, sooner or later. I hoped so, because it was the only thing making my nerves calm down. Anthony and I weren't in love; we were just having fun and building up to something more serious. We never even called each other boyfriend or girlfriend, but we were close enough that telling him I couldn't see him anymore was necessary. I couldn't just put him on ignore like Embry would have liked me to.
Anthony and I would always share a special bond, even though after this, I didn't think I would see him ever again. Anthony helped me in way that I thought no one could, and according to him, I was the first person he could connect to since he'd been changed. I hoped one day of his eternity that he'd be happy. He deserved better, someone that could be fully his, and I knew he'd find that.
I parked my car in the empty driveway, and I planned out what I was going to say in my head quickly. I was going to blunt, honest, and not beat around the bush.
I realized as I stepped out of the car that, even though I showered and changed clothes, Anthony would smell werewolf on me. He'd know before I even opened my mouth to explain.
I walked up to the mansion door, knocked softly, and sucked in my breath. Anthony opened the door and my heart fell into my stomach as my eyes connected with his golden ones. He looked at me and I knew in that moment that he knew what I was going to say to him.
"Why did I have a feeling this conversation was coming?" Anthony asked before moving over to let me walk in. "Come inside, we can talk at least," he said, and I walked in, shoving my hands into my jean pockets.
"I'm sorry Anthony. I just can't..." I began, but he cut me off quickly.
"Don't apologize, Melody. Is he what you want?" he asked, and I nodded, keeping my eyes glued to the cream-colored carpet.
"Melody, look at me," he commanded, and I looked up. "I've been in your mind. I've seen every horrible thing that has happened to you, and more than anyone, you deserve to be happy. If Embry makes you happy, I won't stand in your way," he said sincerely, and I had the sudden urge to hug him.
"I probably won't be able to see you a lot anymore. I have to start rebuilding what I have with Embry and-and we don't need any more strain on our relationship," I said, choking back the tears. I had to be strong; I did not grow up to be the weak girl that cried every time something got difficult.
He nodded in understanding, "I get it, Melody. I take it you're not going to San Diego?" he asked and the words burned to process. I wanted to take the job in San Diego so badly that it physically hurt to think about. The sun, the city, new faces, exploring something new with Embry were all things that I desired so badly, but I knew it was out of the questions. Embry was tied to La Push with the responsibilities of a protector and a father.
"No," I replied slowly, "It's not possible; he can't leave La Push."
"Ever heard of long distance relationships Melody?" Anthony asked, with his velvety laugh.
"Fuck that! Not with all the rez whores and Leah Clearwater. I'll stay in Washington for awhile," I said, and Anthony smiled at me.
"What does she-wolf think of you guys getting back together?" he asked, as he sat down on the couch and I followed.
"She's pissed, but she's always pissed," I responded with a shrug, "Thank you… for being so understanding."
"What? You thought I would start screaming and bite you or something?" Anthony said and put his hand over his heart in mock hurt. "I had a feeling this would come one day, but I care about you, Melody, more than I have for anyone in a long time. If I can't be with you, even though I wish I could be, I want you to be happy," he said, and I felt tears well up in my eyes at his selflessness.
"Thank you for everything," I paused, "Can we keep in touch?" I asked quietly.
He smiled. A big bright smile that I knew was going to melt some lucky girl's heart one day. "Of course, Blondie," he replied and I glared.
"I'll let it slide this one time," I threatened teasingly, "But, I need to go. Embry's going to think you killed me if I don't get home soon," I said seriously. I could already picture Embry pacing around the apartment and annoying Quil with his worries.
"You seem happy," Anthony evaluated, as he rubbed the back of his neck with his large pale hand and I head for the door.
"Yep, got a long way to go, though," I said with a smile.
A/N: Thanks for reading, review! I have a new story "Against all Odds", check it out!