Chapter – 15
Those little punks were bugging the hell outta Jake just like she knew they would. That's why Lily hated hickeys, they were evidence, you can't deny them and you could only get them one way. She could hear Paul laughing his stupid ass off and was surprised Jake hadn't punched Paul in the nose. She figured if a fight broke out they'd automatically phase and he didn't want her around that.
"Little Jake got laid" Paul laughed "So, did you figure out what to do?'
It was then that Lily felt a rush of heat throughout her body and everything inside of her screamed 'Go!' She ran out the door and had a serious case of déjà vu. Paul crouching, Jake in mid-air and Sam smack in the middle of it. STOP! Just like at Emily's house, Paul straightened up and Jake landed, sandwiching Sam in the middle.
"Thank you" Sam turned to say to Lily
"Seriously?" Lily snapped as she crossed her arms across her chest. Idiots!
"Whoa!" Embry laughed "Look at her neck" he yelled, breaking the tension and causing everyone to look at her.
"You guys really went at it, considering it was your first time" Paul laughed
"Can it Paul!" Sam ordered as Jake began to tremble
"Who told you last night was our first time?" Lily asked
"It wasn't?" Paul asked looking at Jake with wide eyes
"I believe I had already told you that yesterday, didn't I Paul?" she smiled
"You weren't fucking lying" he said in shock
"I don't lie" she smiled
Lily walked over to Jake, who was still standing in the same spot, staring at her in awe. She pulled him back and wrapped her arms around his waist, tiptoeing to kiss the hollow of his neck.
"I love you" he smiled
"You should get dressed" she laughed looking at his boxers
"Oh yeah" he said kissing her head before heading to his room.
Lily turned to see the guys looking at her with the same look of awe Jake had just a minute before, probably surprised she wasn't blushing or embarrassed. Growing up with boys, sex was an everyday topic; she'd heard a lot more than she'd ever wanted to. It was not something she was embarrassed to talk about, and she was very capable of handing out trash talk as well as she could take it.
"What?' she asked, breaking the silence.
"Ok, I gotta admit it" Paul said "You're hot, you can cook and you put out, you've earned my approval"
"Oh, cause that means so much to me" she answered sarcastically
"I need a girlfriend" Embry whispered causing Lily to laugh
"Hey, I just want you guys to know I've only been Jake's. He's my one and only"
"You don't have to explain anything to us" Sam answered
"Oh, I know I don't" she answered "But I want you to know I lost my virginity to him"
"Really?" Paul smiled
"Like I said, I don't lie" she answered "Ask him"
"Ask me what?" Jakes asked wrapping his arms around Lily's waist
"Nothing" Sam answered giving Paul a look that meant a lot of things
"Paul just wants to know if I really lost my virginity to you" she smiled
"But that's none of our business" Quil said
"No, but I want him to know" Lily added smiling "Answer him, Jake"
"I was her first, and I'm gonna be her last" Jake answered with that cocky smile Lily loved "You wanna see the bloody sheets, bro?"
"I was just fucking with her man" Paul smiled
"You wish" she laughed causing everyone to start laughing
"Your dad said to wait for him here" Sam said to Jake "Mind if we watch tv?"
"Nah, go ahead" Jake shrugged his shoulders, it's not like they were gonna leave.
"It's safe to sit on the couch, right?' Embry laughed
"Yes" Jake answered annoyed
"Well it's not like we can ever eat at your kitchen counter again" Quil laughed
"Couch is safe" Lily joked "Shower, not safe, and don't go anywhere near Jake's room"
Paul turned to look at her with awe, causing everyone to laugh as Jake kissed the top of Lily's head.
"Want breakfast?" Jake whispered in her ear
"Not hungry" she answered "I usually skip it"
"You didn't eat dinner, Lil"
"Fine I'll have some cereal"
Lily walked into the kitchen and grabbed a bowl of recess puffs, Jake's favorite and the only cereal he had. She ate at the kitchen table as Jake argued with the guys over what to watch. She was washing her bowl and spoon when Billy wheeled himself through the door. Lily quickly pulled her hair forward, trying to cover up her neck.
"Morning kids" Billy greeted
"Morning Billy" Lily answered as the guys chorused "Morning"
"I hope Jake behaved last night" Billy said to her
"Oh, Jake was a very good boy to Lil last night" Paul laughed
"Can it Paul!" Sam ordered, once again.
Billy looked at Jake who seemed to be blushing, and all she managed to do was smile when he turned to look at her. Billy gave Sam a very meaningful look, Sam nodded and with a silent order had the guys follow him out the door.
"Ok you two, sit" Billy said pointing to the couch
Jake and Lily sat on the couch, Jake took her hand, looking at her apologetically, and she smiled shrugging her shoulders. Her brother already knew, it was time for his dad to know, problem was, how was he gonna take it? Billy's eye popped wide open as her saw Jake's neck, he turned to look at Lily's, she wasn't sure if her hair was covering it up.
"So?" Billy asked "What happened last night?"
"Dad!"
"Don't even try to say nothing happened, look at your necks"
Jake and Lily looked at each other and the guilt was evident. Billy shook his head.
"You're only sixteen!" Billy complained
"Only in years dad" Jake grunted
"Ok" Billy nodded "Even if I give you that one, that only applies to you, Jake. What about Lily?"
"I'm 16, Billy" she said "I have the body and hormones of a 16 year old girl who has an extremely hot and sexy boyfriend she's in love with"
"Hey, you said not to do anything with you in the house" Jake smiled "And you weren't in the house"
"Please tell me you guys were careful" Billy blushed "Or Jess will neuter you Jacob"
"Come on, dad" Jake complained "Do we have to talk about this?"
"Jacob, Jess trusted you with his sister and now she's not going back the way she got here"
"Dad, we can talk about this later" Jake grunted
"Come on, Jake, let's just get this all in the open" she stated "Billy, last night was not our first time" she confessed "And my brother knows everything"
"Is he getting her scissors sharpened?" Billy asked making her laugh
"Jess's ok with it" she answered "Billy, I love Jake just as much as he loves me, this was not a random decision, we made love, I'm on the pill so I can't get pregnant and we were both virgins so we don't have to worry about any diseases or anything like that so we've been safe and protected"
"Well I'm glad one of you has their head screwed on straight" Billy smiled "This is still a little awkward for me" he added "Whatever you do when you're alone that's up to you but not while I'm around. No hanky panky in my house, no sleepovers and I'll continue to be on hand patrol"
"Of course" she smiled "I would never disrespect you or your house that way"
"Last night was just a random thing dad" Jake added "You understand, right?"
"Yeah I understand" He smirked "I knew you too would never be able to resist each other. I remember what it's like to be 16"
"So are we cool, Billy?" she asked
"Yes honey, we're cool" he laughed
"I should get going" she said getting up "Jess is probably dying with curiosity"
"You want me to take you?" Jake asked
"Got my car, remember?" she smiled "I'll be fine, get your dad breakfast"
Lily gave Billy a hug goodbye as Jake held his shirt she wore as pjs in one hand and her hand in the other as they walked to his driveway. She waited in the front while he got her car from his garage. He stepped out leaving the door open so she stood on in it to be even with Jake, wrapping her arms around his neck and he wrapped his around her waist.
"Call me when you get home"
"Sure will" she promised
"I'll come over to your house after my rounds"
"I'll leave my window open" she smiled
They kissed for a few minutes before Billy started yelling threats about hosing them down.
"Drive careful" Jake said as Lily began to back up
"Yes, cause I have to drive a whole 5 minutes" she laughed "Jake?"
"Yeah"
"Look under your pillow" she smiled
*****
Look under my pillow? I would do that later, after the pack that was there again, left.
"How'd it go?" Sam asked
"Did Billy go all paternal on you?" Embry asked
"Nah" he answered "Lil was straight out with him and he kept it cool"
"She's something else, isn't she?" Quil laughed
"She's one of a kind" Jake smiled
"She said something about under your pillow" Paul smiled that obnoxious smile of his
"Oh hell no!" Jake yelled
He ran for it, but Sam and Jared blocked his way, allowing the rest to beat Jake to his room. He walked in to see Paul spinning Lil's white lace panties on his index finger. He yanked them away from him and threw them in his drawer.
"Get the hell out of my room!"
"The scene of the crime" Sam laughed walking in
"Your room smells sweet" Quil noticed
"Lily smells sweet" Embry noted
Jake turned to look at Embry burying his brow.
"It's not like we can't smell her, bro" he answered "she always smells sweet"
"How the hell did you get a handprint on your ceiling?" Jared asked "Never mind, I don't wanna know"
"I do" Paul laughed "If you can think of that next time we phase, I would appreciate it"
"I understand the wobbly bed" Quil said bouncing on it "But what's with the hole on your wall?"
Jake smiled, remembering what did happen to his wall as they all looked at him confused.
"I don't think we wanna know" Sam laughed
"Make sure to remember that too" Paul laughed "And please don't forget the shower"
"Fuck you Paul" Jake growled "You need to get laid"
"Hell yeah I do" he laughed "Ask Lily if she has any friends"
"The only way they'll get near you is if you don't talk" Jake laughed
"Hell, as long as they put out I'll pretend to be mute" he laughed
"That's probably the only way you'll get laid" Jared laughed
"Ok, now get the hell outta my room" Jake said pushing them out
"Can we see your bathroom?" Embry laughed "Ow!"
"OUT!!!" Jake yelled, smacking Embry in the back of the head
"Come on, man" Paul laughed "I bet Lily would give us a tour and details"
"If she does that's on her" Jake said pushing "I aint giving you shit"
"Language!" his dad yelled from the living room
"Then tell them to get the hell out" Jake yelled back
"You might look like men, but you sure act like little boys" hisdad laughed "Sam, shouldn't you guys get going?" he added
"You're right Billy" Sam got serious
"What's up?" Jake asked
"Storm brought down a lot of trees and big branches" Sam answered "We should clear all that up to avoid any accidents"
Great! An excuse to get their asses outta my house. Jake knew it was gonna be a long time before they left him alone. Not till someone let something embarrassing or personal slip and they became the new target. Until then or until it got old, he was screwed.
"Go!" dad said shooing us out the door
*****
Buzz…buzz…buzz
Lily flipped her phone open to see Alice's text.
Meet me my house in 20. Gots lots to plan :D
Jess was out with Seth and the boys and Jake was with Sam and the pack so Lily sent them the same message.
Going to Alice's. Be home by dark.
About halfway to the Cullen house, Lily was startled by a loud bang as her as her mini began to wobble. She pulled off the road and onto the grass to see she'd blown a tire; Lily looked in her trunk, no spare, damn! She looked through her bag, and outta of all the days to forget her cell, it had to be today. Without any other options, Lily grabbed her bag, pulled her hoodie on, turned on her ipod, pulled the hood over her head and started walking. It was only a few miles, she could handle it, as long as it didn't rain, she would be fine. Besides, she was sure to run into someday. Lily was enjoying her walk, the crisp, chilly air, the scenery, and the music which brought it all together. Her witch senses still not strong enough, alarm didn't hit her until it was too late. She was airborne. She had the feeling like of falling sideways right before her body crashed against a tree. Her head bounced off the trunk, leaving her dazed for a second, unaware of what was going on. She was finally able to focus, only to realize a vampire was kneeling over her. As out of it as she was, there was no way she couldn't tell what the woman was. She was pale, fiery red eyes; long hair that looked liked flames in the wind and ice cold, even through the clothes. The vampire looked at Lily full of confusion that quickly turned to rage.
"You're not Bella" she hissed "This can't be"
Lily's didn't move or even scream as the vampire sniffed her hair and clothes, she needed to channel her energy and then come out swinging.
"Their scent is all over you" she stated "Who are you? A new mate perhaps?"
Lily automatically knew the vampire was referring to the Cullen's, from what she could tell, she had been mistaken for Bella. This had to be the vamp that the pack and the Cullen's had been searching for, the one that was hunting Bella.
"I'm a friend of the Cullen's" Lily whispered
"A friend?" she smiled "Close friend, I smell. It seems little Bella's proven to be harder to kill than I expected. But her time will come soon enough, hers and anyone else's who gets in my way"
The vampire studied Lily thoroughly, like a buyer checks out a car they're about to buy.
"Too bad you're their friend" she said disappointed "You could've been a good vampire, very useful to me, but now you'll just be my lunch"
Lily closed her eyes, prepared to attack at the right moment. To Lily's surprise, the vamp suddenly stopped and inhaled her deeper. Lily opened her eyes to see a wide eyed vampire whose face was of confusion once again.
"Why do you have the wolf's scent all over you?"
"Friends" Lily whispered
"No, not friends" she smiled "You're a mate, I can smell it"
"That doesn't matter" Lily answered
"Oh but it does" she smiled "This changes everything. I'm sure my friend Irina will love this. She's been after the wolves for some time, but she'll have much more pleasure killing you. Mate for a mate"
Lily had had enough. With an explosion of energy, she sent the vampire flying against a tree that ended up as scattered splinters. The look of confusion on the vampire's face soon turned to horror.
"You are Lily"
"How do you know my name?" Lily demanded
Just like that, Lily's hoodie was gone and so was the vampire. It took Lily a minute for everything to set in, as soon as it did she ran home as fast as her legs could take her. She ran inside her house and locked all the doors and windows. She knew it wouldn't make a difference to a vampire, but she had to do something.
Lily had a text message from Jake, stating he'd be busy with pack stuff all afternoon and would be calling her as soon as he could. All alone, she took a hot bath trying to calm herself. It didn't work. She laid on her bed, trying to figure out what to do. She needed to tell Sam, the pack needed to know, but she didn't want Jake to know someone had obviously been watching her. He'd go crazy trying to protect her, not to mention he might be too distracted to focus on his own safety, she couldn't have that. Jake's life meant more to her than her own. She also needed to tell Edward and the Cullen's what had happened. She had so many things going through her head that she needed to shut off her mind for a minute. That turned out not a good idea, sleeping only gave her weird, scary dreams. Dreams she was brought out of when Jess woke her up. Lily tried to analyze the dreams while somewhat having a conversation with her brother.
"Where's your car?" he asked "I thought you weren't home"
"Tire blew out" she answered "I'll have Jake get it later"
"Probably have to wait till tomorrow" he smiled "It's too dark now, it's almost seven" seven?
"Oh yeah" Lily answered, trying to sound indifferent as she looked at the dark outside her window
"I brought Chinese" he stated "You hungry?"
"Not really" she mumbled "Maybe later"
"Ok" he said walking out the door
Lily laid back and closed her eyes, going over every detail of that afternoon's incident and her dreams. Suddenly a light bulb tuned on in her head, everything was clear. She quickly got dressed, grabbed her cell, something she'd never leave the house without again, and ran downstairs where Jess was eating at the kitchen table.
"Jess, I need to borrow your car"
"Going to the Cullen's?" he asked
"Yeah" Lily answered as Jess tossed the keys
Jess was used to her hanging out with them; it wasn't out of the normal. In fact she was going to the Cullen's, but for reasons her brother should never know.
"Thanks little bro" Lily yelled as she ran out the door
"Be careful" he yelled back
Lily hauled ass on her way to the Cullen house. She ran up the stairs, but before she could knock, Edward opened the door with a worried look on his face. He had obviously caught the thoughts she was mentally screaming at him as she was getting close. Jasper was right behind him.
"Jazz, get everyone" Edward said as he towed Lily inside.
Chapter – 16
Lily was towed into the Cullen's living room, were she was sat on the couch and soon surrounded by seven vampires whose expressions turned to worry the moment they saw hers. Esme sat beside her, putting her arm around Lily's waist.
"What's going on, son?" Carlisle asked Edward
Edward answered, dictating to them she had been attacked by a vampire, Victoria. He told them all the details of the encounter and their reactions varied from worry to anger.
"Irina?" Carlisle asked with disbelief
"I'm sorry, Lily" Alice whispered "I didn't see anything"
"I know" Lily answered as they all turned to her a bit confused
"Irina knows the best way to keep you in the dark" Edward hissed "She and Victoria have obviously been avoiding any decisions"
"But it wasn't Victoria or Irina in Bella's room" Jasper stated
"And I bet it wasn't either of them in my room either" Lily answered
"There's more" Edward stated reading the thoughts Lily was sending his way "You want to tell them?" Lily nodded
"I had a dream" she started "Victoria was talking with Irina; she was giving her my sweatshirt. Irina swore to kill me, mate for a mate she said. Then they discussed how Irina would help Victoria find and kill Bella in exchange for her help killing me and the pack. They're planning attacks, two separate attacks"
"Attacks?" Emmett asked "A fight?"
"They say you'll be outnumbered" Lily answered
"Outnumbered?" Jasper asked "They must have others then, there are seven of us"
"And eight in the pack"
"Eight, really?" Carlisle asked a bit amused
"Before Victoria picked up the pack's scent on me, she said it was a shame I was a friend of yours, claimed I would've made a good vampire, of much use to her"
"She's recruiting vampires" Rosalie hissed "That's who's creating the newborns in Seattle"
"Exactly" Lily nodded
"We have to look for them" Emmett yelled
"We need to stay calm" Carlisle stated "We need to get all the information first; we can't just run out there blind"
"They plan attacks" Alice said "As much as they want to avoid it; they eventually have to make the decision when to come. That I won't miss"
"In the meantime, we stay put and we stay calm" Carlisle decided
"Don't worry honey" Esme hugged Lily tighter "We won't let anything happen to you"
"It's not me I'm worried about" Lily answered
"The dogs can take care of themselves" Rosalie stated "You in the other hand will be watched at all times"
"I already have been" Lily whispered "She knew about me, my name and what I was, but not what I looked like which could only mean she got the info from someone else"
Another reason to make sure that when you're not with the pack, you're here, ok?" Alice ordered, not asked
"You forget I'm not just an ordinary human" Lily argued "I can take or myself. I was able throw the redhead off"
"A year from now, you won't get any arguments from me" Alice answered, placing her hands on her tiny waist "But until you turn 18 and have your full powers, it is so not happening"
"Fine. But Jake knows nothing of me being involved in this" Lily declared "I want your word, all of you"
"Do you really think that's the best, honey?" Esme hesitated
"He'll go crazy trying to protect me, he'll be distracted, vulnerable, I can't have that" Lily cried "I'll tell Sam everything, but I'll get his word to keep Jake in the dark about my involvement as well. Please?"
"You have our word" Carlisle promised
"I'll talk to Sam tonight and fill him in on everything"
"Call him to meet you at the treaty line" Edward requested "We'll take you there"
"I have my brother's car" Lily pointed
"Jasper and I will ride with you anyways" Alice insisted "We'll run back"
Lily called hoping and praying Sam picked up and not Emily. She didn't want to explain why she needed to talk to him. It was a relief to hear his voice at the other end.
"Hello" Sam answered
"Sam, it's Lily but please don't let anyone know it's me" she blurred out in high speed
"Is everything ok?"
"No. I need you to please meet me at the road's treaty line. Alone, right now"
"I'll be there in 5 minutes"
"Thank you" click
Alice and Jasper rode with Lily till they saw Sam, she didn't see him, but they assured her he was there. Alice pointed out where the line was and Lily stopped a few feet away to let them out.
"Grace yourself, Lily" Jasper warned "He's in wolf form"
"He smelled us" Alice added "Unlike Jake, he doesn't trust us"
"Thank you guys" Lily said to the air because they were gone
Lily drove a bit past the point where Alice said the line was and pulled over onto the grass. A second later, back in human form, Sam emerged from the forest and got in the car.
"I take it this involves the vampires" Sam said
"It involves all of us, Sam"
She told Sam, everything, Victoria's attack, the dream, what the Cullen's knew and what they'd figured out so far. She also begged him not to tell Jake her involvement in the situation.
"We won't let anything happen to you" Sam assured her
"Why does everyone say that!" she complained "I'm worried about all of you, not me"
"We were made for this, we'll be fine" Sam said with confidence "You however will be watched at all times, you're family and we protect family at all costs" Why does everyone wanna watch me?
"Thanks Sam, the Cullen's promised to babysit me whenever I'm not with one of you. Thing is, Jake can't know I might be in danger. We need to figure out how to do this without him knowing my involvement"
"I don't think you should hide this from Jake" Sam advised "He should know"
"We both know what a hothead Jake is, Sam. If we tell him, do you really think he will be able to stay calm? Do you think he'll be focused? Right now more than ever you need him to keep his head in the game, lives depend on it"
"You're right" Sam agreed "They're planning attacks, which means we need an older, stronger fighter to be with you, a kid couldn't hold off an attack alone"
"Quil and Embry are Jake's best friends, his wingmen" she pointed "They'll never be able to keep such a secret from him"
"Quil can't keep a secret, period" Sam smiled "That leaves Jared and Paul"
"I don't want Jared to have any problems with Kim, so I guess it'll have to be Paul"
"Think you can handle Paul?" Sam laughed
"Yeah, he'll behave. After I smack him a few times" Lily smiled "Now we need to come up with an excuse as to why Paul is with me so much. Jake will get suspicious"
"You got me" Sam shook his head
"Did Paul graduate high school?"
"No, he needed a few credits" Sam answered "Elders have been on him to get his GED"
"Perfect! We'll say the elders got tired of waiting and ordered him to get on it. We'll tell Jake you asked me to tutor him and get him ready for the exam"
"That's good" Sam smiled "That's the public story, then"
"I really hope this is all over soon" Lily whispered
"Lily, I need to ask you for a favor"
"Of course" she answered "Ask away"
"We're gonna need to work with the Cullen's on this one, but it's really hard for us to do so" He explained "Can you be the spoke's person for us, you know take messages back and forth? Fill everyone in on both sides?"
"I think I already am" she laughed
"Thanks, it means a lot to us"
"Well, you're gonna keep me alive" she smiled "I think it's the least I can do"
"I saw your car on the way" Sam laughed "If Jess has a spare, I can change it"
"Oh, thank you!" she exclaimed "Would you drive my car home too, please?"
"No problem" he smiled
Lily took the extra key to her car from Jess's keychain and gave it to Sam. She drove to her car and pulled over, as he was getting off, her back pocket began to buzz. It was a text from Jake:
Hey luv, Im ur house. Where r u?
On my way. B there in 5 – Luv u
"That was Jake" she told Sam as he changed the tire in a heartbeat "He's at my house"
"I'll follow you" he answered "We'll tell him I helped you with your car"
*****
As Jake walked up to Lil's house, he noticed both cars were missing. He texted her and answered she was on her way. He sat on the porch steps and could hear Jess was home, upstairs watching tv. So why are both cars gone? What happened? Soon after, Lil drove up in Jess's car with Sam right behind in her mini. What is going on? Lil got off the car with her usual big smile, the one that still took his breath away and caused an even bigger smile out of him. She ran over, threw her arms around his neck as she kissed him. Sam walked over and handed Lil the keys.
"Thanks Sam" Lil smiled "I appreciate it"
"Don't worry about it" Sam answered "I'll call you later and let you know what time Paul's coming over tomorrow"
"Ok" Lil answered
What the hell is going on? Jake looked at them confused, but neither one of them looked at him.
"I'll leave you two alone" Sam smiled "See you later, bro"
Jake nodded as Sam walked away, Lil turned to wrap her arms around his waist.
"What was all that about?" he asked
"I blew a tire on my way home from Alice's" Lil explained "I didn't have a spare and had to walk home. Jess and I were gonna get it, Sam passed by, stopped, asked about my car, then offered to help. He went with me, changed the tire and drove it home"
"Why didn't you call me?" he asked "I don't like you walking alone, specially now. I would've gotten you and fixed your car"
Jake hated the thought of Lil walking around the forest alone, he knew all too well how many things were lurking out there, and none of them were up to any good.
"I forgot my cell at home" she smiled "When I got home I saw the text you were busy so I was gonna do it myself"
"Oh" he answered "So what's that about Paul coming over tomorrow?"
"Seems the elders are tired of waiting for Paul to get his GED" she smiled "They ordered him to get it, now. Sam asked me to please tutor him and get him ready for the exam"
"Why you?"
"Cause I'm the smartest person he knows" she smiled "And I'm more than capable to deal with him if he acts up"
"I don't know" he answered thoughtfully
Jake didn't like the idea of Lil hanging out with Paul. Or any other guy for that matter, but he knew what an ass Paul could be. No one would ever touch another brother's imprintee, but Paul was not exactly the poster child for self control or following rules. If the request came from anybody else, Jake would've objected to it, but if Sam went as far as to ask Lil for help, it must be important.
"Paul will behave" she assured him "You know he acts the way he does to get a rise outta you. It's fun provoking you"
"Is that right?" he smiled
"Yup, you get all worked up, and makes this cute little faces" she laughed "And you're always so ready to pounce on someone"
Jake laughed kissing the top of her head. He inhaled the scent of her hair, as he always loved to do. Her intoxicating scent was so powerful to him, but from time to time he would catch a faint smell of the bloodsuckers on her, consequence of her hanging out with them so much. This time was different; the scent was not one he was familiar with.
"You have a bloodsucker's smell on you" he exclaimed
"I always do" she smiled "They hug me all the time"
"No, I know their scent. This is one I don't know"
"Jasper was hanging with us" she answered "Probably his"
He had to admit Jasper's was a scent he was not familiar with; he always kept his distance from everyone other than his family. He was still not too comfortable around humans, he didn't trust himself. He was always so quiet, serious and distanced from everyone, Jake couldn't see him hanging with Lil, but then again who would have foreseen Blondie caring so much for a human as she did for Lil. All of them saw her as a sister; they would never hurt her, Jasper he was not too sure about.
"Yeah, probably" he answered
-----
Jake was exhausted. First they had that mystery leech in Lil's room that went undetected, another one in Bella's room, and then another trail had been caught about two weeks later. Whether it was the bloodsucker that'd been hunting for Bella or a different one, it was also hunting and they couldn't let their guard down. They'd been on rounds day and night and wouldn't stop until they killed whatever was out there. Between rounds and pack meetings, Jake hadn't been able to spend much time with Lil. She was really understanding about it and enjoyed every minute they shared together, but he didn't like how close she and Paul had gotten.
She was still tutoring him for his GED exam and even though she complained about his attitude at first, they seemed to getting along just fine. Jake had gone to Lil's house many times to find them talking and laughing and he didn't like it. Jealousy was a feeling he couldn't control. Of course Lil's comment "once you get past Paul's bullshit, he's a really sweet guy" didn't help at all. It was evident to everyone how much Jake disliked the situation and everyone said he had nothing to worry about but Lil didn't say anything, she acted same as usual and surprisingly, instead of taunting Jake like he usually would, Paul acted nice. Dad said Lil was probably rubbing off on him but Jake couldn't help but wonder if it was due to guilt. Edward caught his thoughts once and assured him Lil thought of Paul as family, to let go of those thoughts but he couldn't. Edward didn't know what Lil or Paul was thinking.
Jake spent all day with Lil; he didn't have rounds so he also spent the night, without Jess knowing of course. He jumped out the window in the morning, and then walked in the front door to join Lil for breakfast. They did that about once or twice a week, when Jake didn't have rounds. They didn't do anything, well they'd make-out and sleep in each other's arms but that was it, they did it all when they were all alone, they were not exactly quiet, no way they could be sneaky about it. Afterschool Jake ran to Lil's house and they'd been hanging out all day.
Lil was happy she was done with final exams. After talking it over, they worked out the whole college thing. She would continue her sophomore year courses online and then go to Washington State University for her junior and senior years. She gave him a deadline of 1 year to get his GED. If he didn't have it by the end of her sophomore year, she would leave to live on the Seattle campus. Information she ambushed him with, one day.
*** Flashback ***
Dad and Jake were watching ESPN when Lil came over.
"Morning" she greeted as she came in the door
"Morning honey" his dad answered as she gave him a hug
"Very good morning now" Jake smiled as she gave him a quick kiss
"I need to talk to both of you" she said sitting next to Jake on the couch.
"We're all ears" his dad smiled
"I took my acceptance to Washington State" she announced
Jake felt like he got kicked in the stomach. He was proud of her, he was happy for her, but he couldn't stand the idea of her leaving. He remembered the anxiety he'd felt the weekend she went to Seattle, he'd only been away from her for 18 hours and it was unbearable, he would never survive being away from her months at a time.
"Congratulation honey, I'm so happy for you" his dad cheered
"Congratulations" Jake said hugging her, but his face gave him away
"I'm staying home and taking all of my sophomore classes online" she explained "I only have to go to Seattle once a month to take my exams"
Jake felt like a ton weighing rock had been lifted off him.
"I'm all set" she said to Jake "Now we have to work on you"
"Me???"
"I have no intention on marrying a high school dropout with no plans for his future"
"Told ya" his dad laughed
"Jake I'm giving you a year to get your diploma and get ready for college" she announced
"What's that supposed to mean?" he asked
"It means that you can get your diploma, get ready for college, leave with me next year, we get and apartment in Seattle, I attend WSU and you attend ITT Tech or , you do nothing, stay here, I leave alone, and I see ya when I see ya. Your call"
"Atta girl" his dad patted Lil's knee "bet that gets your butt on check" he laughed at Jake
"You mean that?" Jake asked Lily
"100%" she answered seriously
"Then we leave next year" he smiled
She gave him her glorious smile and kissed his cheek.
"And that's why behind every good man, is a great woman" his dad laughed
*** Over ***
"What are you thinking about?" Lil smiled
Jake realized he'd been absent-mindedly playing with her hair; she'd been looking at me for who knows how long. They were supposed to be watching a movie.
"Nothing just zoned out" he smiled
"Sam's really working you guys, pobrecito" she kissed the tip of his nose
"Yeah, we've found nothing in weeks" he complained "But he don't let up"
"Well last thing you want is to get comfortable and end up slipping"
"You're starting to sound like Sam and my dad" he mumbled
Jake felt Lil's phone buzz on his thigh, she hesitated, but looked at the text message, she replied and then quickly put her phone away.
"Alice wants me to know if I wanna hang out tomorrow night" she said
"Do you?"
"I told her I'll get back to her" she answered before kissing him.
Jake completely lost his train of thought as he pulled her into his lap. They continued kissing until they heard Jess clearing his throat as he walked into the kitchen. Lil giggled as she moved to sit on the couch.
"I should get going" Jake said standing up "I have rounds in a bit"
Lil stood up and jumped into his arms. As usual they began to kiss, losing all touch with reality in the process. Again, her brother cleared his throat, laughing as he walked up the stairs. Lil laughed as he placed her down.
"You coming afterwards?" she asked
"No" he said pouting "Dad's been complaining. I'll see you in the morning though"
"Jake, when was the last time you had more than 4 hours of sleep?" he shrugged his shoulders "I want you to get your rest, don't worry about me"
"I don't want you anywhere near the forest alone"
"Ok" she smiled giving him a kiss goodbye
Jake ran into the trees phasing in the process, he was running to meet up with Quil when he heard Embry.
"Hey Jake, can you do me a favor?" Embry asked
"What's up?"
"It's Kim's birthday tomorrow, think you can switch off nights with me? I'll do your rounds tonight and you do mine tomorrow?"
"Yeah, that's cool" Jake answered"I'll go home to have dinner with dad then"
"Yeah, Billy will like that" he answered "He's been complaining how he never sees you"
"Alright then man, I'll see you later"
Jake ran home and phased, pulling on his sweats before running in the house. Dad was glad to see him home; and it was cool to have dinner with him and hang out a bit, watching ESPN. When his dad headed for bed, Jake took a shower and headed to Lil's house to surprise her.
*****
Lily hated sneaking around and lying to Jake. She almost got caught when Paul texted her, asking if Jake was still there. She texted him back that she'd call him as soon as he was gone. She had to make up a lie about Alice so Jake wouldn't suspect anything, Alice texted her all the time, so he had no reason to doubt it. Paul must've been waiting outside because after kissing Jake goodbye, she ran upstairs to her room and found Paul lying on her bed.
"Ah!" she whispered in shock "Don't do that!"
"Sorry" Paul whispered "It's not like I can walk in your front door"
"I know, but just give me a heads up next time"
"Will do" he smiled "Hey, do you and Jake always make out so much?"
"Hey, are you always so nosey?"
"Yeah" he smiled
"Then yeah" she smiled
"So what are we doing tonight, movie, game or just hang?" he asked
"Let me get a quick shower then we can watch a movie, watch tv meanwhile"
Paul lay in her bed watching tv as she took a quick shower. She put on boxers and a t-shirt and brushed her hair before exiting her bathroom to see him munching on cheetos. Lily had a mini-fridge in her room filled with water and sprite, but no food, so ever since Paul started staying over on the nights Jake had rounds; he kept a stash of junk food under her bed.
"What do you wanna watch?" she asked looking through her DVDs
"No chick flicks"
"You know when you have a girlfriend you have to watch chick flicks, right?"
"That's why I don't have a girlfriend" he smiled
"I highly doubt that's the reason why" she laughed
"Hey" he complained
"Wanna watch Kill Bill?"
"Yeah, sure"
Lily turned off the lights and sat next to him on the bed. At first having him in her room was very uncomfortable, but then it was like hanging out with her brother. They usually watched tv, or a movie, sometimes played games and then sometimes they just hung out talking. She was laughing at the movie, but Paul was quiet and serious, totally not like him.
"Are you ok?" she asked
"What did you mean earlier?"
"I was just playing with you Paul" she smiled
"I hook up a lot" he said without the cockiness you would expect from him "But I've never had a real, serious girlfriend"
"You want me to be honest with you?"
"Yeah" he rolled his eyes "Why do you think I'm asking you?"
"I've gotten to know you, I now see past your tantrums and your bullshit, I've gotten to see the softer, sweeter side of you, most people don't"
"It's not like I'm gonna be all nice and sweet with the guys"
"No, you can be like that with your boys, but not when you're with a girl. Girls will come to you that you don't have to worry about; you just have to work on the rest"
"What do you mean?"
"You and the pack have awesome bodies, you definitely catch a girls attention, trust me, I know. And you're very handsome lots of girls drool over you. Problem is, they can see you're a bad boy a mile away. There is 'trouble' written all over you. To a girl that means all you are is a hook up cause if they get attached, they'll get their heart broken"
"I aint like that though"
"I see that now, but you come on too strong. When you're talking with a girl, tone it down a little. A girl needs to feel safe and comfortable around you to get to know you" she told him "The way you act, girls automatically put their guards up, and they think you're only after one thing. You might be, but don't let them know that"
"Girls are so damn complicated" he complained
"Never try to figure us out, it's impossible" she laughed "But know this, all girls love a bad boy, we might not admit it, but we do. Rather than pouncing on a girl, you need to have some game, keep things mysterious, and always leave them wanting more, girls can't resist that"
"You know, it's cool to have a little sister that tell you things straight out like that"
He laughed putting Lily in a headlock to mess up her hair. She laughed, pushing him off her when they heard a growl. They looked up to see Jake had come in through her window and was teeth bared, fists tightened and trembling from head to toe.