AN: Pretty much all the vampires and a bit of the wolf-pack belong to SM.
I don't even own Trisha, Ethan, David, Taylor, or any of the other wolf kids. They belong to yay4shanghai. She's just letting me borrow them for a little while because she's cool like that!
I do, however, own the following statement made by one of my students regarding a certain GQ magazine with a hunkified Robert Pattinson on the cover:
*Raul: "Miss B, you need to get that magazine outta here. It's increasing global warming it's so hot!"
Thank you to all of you who continue to read and review! You guys are awesome! It literally makes my day to see reviews!
Don't forget to show some love to yay4shanghai, as well as another of my faves KupKakes09!
************************************************************************
Chapter 10: "Giving In, Well Sorta"
DAVID'S POV
I was really confused. Really confused.
"I thought the boy was s'pose to make the girl wait for the phone call?" I asked Momma.
I was waiting for my Trisha to call. I had called her house three times on Saturday, but my little genius was at the library. I couldn't sit still. I knew I should have followed her. But, no, Dad talked me out of it. "You have to learn to trust her or she'll never trust you," he said. Now I was in a pissy mood and felt like I was going to furplode.
"David, honey, you need to relax. You said she was working on a project, right? I'm sure she's just busy with it, okay?" Momma said.
I hated when she was right but I also didn't want to worry about my precious Trisha either. I couldn't not worry. I mean the girl just finally agreed to go out with me. What if she had lied and she didn't have a good time?
Mark came in and sat next to me. "How goes it big brother?"
"She still hasn't called. Why hasn't she called?" I said, the panic evident in my voice.
Mark laughed, flipping on the television and turning it to the Discovery Channel.
"She'll call when she's ready. She said she had a good time, right? Acknowledged that you were a great guy?" he asked.
I nodded.
"Then there's nothing to worry about. Just take a few deep breaths and relax," he said, patting me on the back.
I sat back, trying to take in the show on the boob tube.
"What the hell are you watching? The Discovery Channel sucks!" I stated.
Again, my thinker for a brother, "It's really interesting. It's about the changes the city of Paris is making to become more earth-friendly, more green. It's fascinating the new policies they've implemented, Ethan would love it. We could learn something from the French."
I scoffed, "The only thing I've learned from the French is French fries and French kissing, both of which I would marry, if I wasn't going to marry Trisha."
"You are too presumptuous," Mark groaned.
"Is that a good thing?" I had to ask.
"Not really. Why do you think you will marry Trisha?"
"Because she's my imprint. Because I love her."
"A feeling I'm not so sure she reciprocates as of now."
"Okay, dude! Can you quit with the really fucking big words? Just say it, in plain English!"
Mark shook his head, "She doesn't like you like that."
Could he have crushed my heart anymore?
"Gee, thanks, asshole," I said.
"You didn't let me finish. She doesn't like you like that, yet. You're a great catch, David. She'll figure that out," he smiled at me.
Other than the fact that we looked so much alike, my little brother and I didn't have a lot in common, especially recently. I had imprinted on the most perfect being in the world, a perfect being that hated me, no less, and he had come to the realization that he was gay. I have to say that it didn't really bother me all that much. Not like I'm sure some people thought it would. A lot of times people assume I'm just a blundering idiot but I do actually have a heart and I love my brother. We've been together since being in Momma's tummy and nothing could change my love for him.
"Trisha's not like other girls, you know?" I wanted a little advice from him.
"I know. She's smart and caring. She could be perfect for you, David."
It was nice to hear someone else say it. I had said and thought it a gabillion times, but that meant little.
"Thanks," I said. "Now can we watch something with a ball?"
That sounded way dirtier than I meant it to, but Mark just laughed.
"Not what I meant. Try to find some sort of sport for us to watch."
We settled for a college basketball game. I knew it wasn't something that Mark really liked but he'd watch it with me anyway. It was almost half-time when the phone finally rang.
"David, phone!" Momma said from the kitchen.
I picked myself off of the couch and did a little victory dance. Of course, I didn't know if it was her, but it probably was, right?
Okay, now, I have to be cool about this. Don't want her to think I'm a nutjob.
I cleared my throat. "Hello," I said using the sexiest most seductive voice I could.
"Hey, David," the sweet voice said on the other end. It was her. My Trisha, my reason for existence. My everything.
I sound like such a girl.
TRISHA'S POV
I had to muster all my courage to call David. I had to put the plan into action and the best way to do that was to just get it over with. Mom had suggested David come over for dinner and that she would keep my Dad from prodding too much. Since the plan was for my Dad to see things going well with David, it actually seemed like a great idea. I timidly dialed the Uley house and listened as the phone rang a total of two times before I heard Emily's sweet voice on the other end.
"Hello," she said.
"Umh, hi Emily. Is David there?" This is me, trying to play it cool.
"Yes he is. Is this Trisha?"
"Yes. May I speak to him please?"
"Definitely. Hold on just a second."
I heard her tell David he had a phone call and listened as I heard his footsteps on the other end. He cleared his throat before taking the phone. "Hello."
His voice was deep and velvety.
"Hey David," I said.
"Oh, hey Trisha. How are you? I was just about to call you," he said.
"I'm good. My mom wanted me to call and see if you wanted to come over tonight. For dinner. If you want," I semi-stuttered.
He didn't even stop to think before he said, "Of course. That sounds delightful."
Delightful? He must be hanging out with Mark too much. Only Mark was smart enough to use the term "delightful."
"Mom said dinner will be ready at six."
"Shall I bring anything?" Again, must have been Mark's influence. David would have said, "What do you want me to bring?"
"Just yourself," I said. Wow that sounded like a come on.
"Okay. I look forward to a pleasant evening. I shall see you then." Then the phone clicked.
What have I gotten myself into?
I spent the afternoon helping Mom in the kitchen. It was nice to spend some alone time with her, while Dad went over to the Uley house for "pack business." (Nowadays, "pack business" usually meant watching some sporting event complete with beer and no women.)
"What should we make for dessert?" Mom asked.
I looked at the big basket of apples David had brought me for my birthday and smiled. "Why don't we make apple pie?" I asked.
"With David's apples?" she giggled like a school girl.
"I just thought it might be a nice gesture." I really did. I wasn't going to purposely be mean about this whole arrangement. I was going to be myself.
"I think apple pie would be nice," Mom said as she smiled. She turned to the basket of apples and pushed a few towards me with the potato peeler. "You peel."
"Of course!" I said.
Mom shook her head while getting out the flour and butter to make the pie crust. "Ever since you were a little girl, you've love apples. You always used to say they were important to you. I never quite knew why. Do you know why?"
I didn't. I did love apples though. I ate them everyday and even used apple scented shampoo. I didn't know a specific reason why, I just knew I loved them.
"When you were about four, I think, some of the wolf-girls went to this day spa in Seattle and left you kids with your Dads. It was actually hilarious when we told them, because most had never actually spent time alone with their children without the moms around," she said, cutting the cold butter into the flour, while I listened and peeled. "When we got back, I was worried that all of you would have either drowned or all learned to use the word 'fuck.' But, actually, when I got home, you were snug in your bed. The next morning, I asked how your day was and you smiled so big. You said the Daddies had taken you all apple picking and that you spent most of the time on your Daddy's shoulders. He lifted you up to pick apples and told you you were the apple of his eye. You told me that everytime you ate an apple that you would remember that day and how very much he loved you. You have eaten at least one apple a day since then. I guess it must have lost its sentiment for you. But your Dad never forgot exactly why you eat apples."
Her story helped me remember why I was doing this, why I wasn't completely crushing David. It was my Dad's love that kept me from breaking down entirely. If for nothing else, it was worth it to make him happy.
Mom stopped what she was doing and looked me in the eyes. "Even though he has said hurtful things to you, things that no parent should ever say to their child, he did it because he felt like a failure in those moments. Thinking he had done something wrong in raising you. Your father is notorious for his temper, but before the night he found you and Ethan, he had not once ever not calmed just by seeing your face."
I couldn't do anything but smile and peel.
"I know part of why you have decided to see David is because you know it will make your Dad happy. I respect that. But you need to know, Trisha, that your father has loved you more than any mystical force could allow. You are still the apple of his eye."
My Mom is a genius. She saw right through me. I think, in a way, she has an idea what's going on. I don't think she knows the full extent, that I'm seeing Ethan too, but she knows I'm only giving in to David to save my relationship with my Dad. She's reassuring me and helping me know that it is worth fighting for.
"Thanks, Mom. For everything," I said, giving her a smile and putting the apple peelings in the compost bin.
"Goddamn, son-of-a-bitch!" I heard from the front door.
"Daddy's home!" I said.
"What's wrong, Paul?" Mom yelled from the kitchen.
"I lost $20 to Jared on that damn basketball game. I should never have picked the Longhorns to beat the Sooners! Never!" Dad walked into the kitchen with a perplexed look on his face.
I grabbed a whole apple from the basket and put it behind my back. I walked up to him and he smiled down at me.
"Put your hand out and close your eyes, Daddy." I said. He did as I asked and I placed the apple gently in his hand. Then I kissed his cheek. "You can open your eyes now."
He looked down at the apple, then to me, and I could see the misty veil form over his eyes. He leaned down and kissed my forehead. He didn't need to say anything and I didn't need to say anything. We both knew the symbolism that simple apple held, a reminder of simpler times without worry of imprinting, when the only thing that mattered was that I was his little girl and the apple of his eye.
"I guess I should go fire up that grill before David gets here, huh?" Dad said, wiping at his eyes.
I ran to my room to get ready, browsing my closet, trying to find something appropriate to wear. Where was Aunt Nessie when you needed her? I settled on a graphic tee I had with a wolf howling on it, jeans, and my trustee Converse.
DAVID'S POV
This cannot be happening! My damn truck won't start! Are you kidding me?! I'm supposed to be to Trisha's in ten minutes and the damn truck won't fucking start!
"Dad!" I yell, running through the front door.
"God, David, turn the volume down. What's wrong?" Dad asked.
I started pacing. That's what I do when I get nervous. I pace. Now, I wasn't only nervous, I was pissed and trying my damnedest not to phase. "My damn truck won't start!"
"Son, calm down," Dad said. "Emily, where's the keys to the station wagon?"
No fucking way! "The station wagon?! You can't be serious, Dad?"
"What other choice do you have? It's the station wagon or you walk?"
The walking didn't sound so bad, but knowing my luck, it would start pouring down rain about half-way to the Wise house. "Fine. I'll take the damn wagon!"
"David Uley! You need to watch your mouth and your attitude!" Momma said, handing me the keys. "I didn't raise a heathen!"
"Sorry, Momma," I grumbled as I headed for the wagon.
I was at the Wise house in three minutes, remembering the advice Mark gave me about being a little early for my date, as well as suggesting I take flowers for Trisha and her Mom. He was a dating god!
I glanced at myself in the mirror and trotted to the door. From the front window, I could see Trisha setting the table with a smile on her face. For a second, I forgot everything that was going on around me, feeling the steel cables pull my heart to her. I wondered what she would be like as a wife and mother. She would be awesome, I just knew it.
TRISHA'S POV
I bounced around the dining room, setting the table, and helping with any last minute things that needed to be done. I heard the doorbell ring and walked swiftly to answer it.
David stood on the front porch, his back turned to me, looking out at the driveway.
"Stupid ass car," he mumbled. I giggled at him, causing him to turn around. "It's the wagon," he said, shaking his head.
He turned and flashed his signature "David-smile," his pearly whites lighting up the porch. I was a little mesmerized with him for a second, taking in his appearance. He always looked to me a little like a copper-skinned James Deanish-type, with his black leather jacket, white t-shirt, and jeans. The black Converse were all him, though.
He handed me one of the bouquets of flowers in his hands. "Thank you. Gerber Daisies are my favorite," I said taking them and scooting him inside the house.
"David, how are you, son?" Dad asked. Great, I thought, He's already calling him son!
"Good, Paul. How are you?"
"Better, now that you're here." Dad said.
"Ew, Dad. That's creepy!" I said.
"You are a sick girl. That's not at all what I meant and you know it," Dad said making me blush a little. I knew he was referring to the fact that I had agreed to date David and not that he wanted to date David.
We walked to the kitchen, where he gave Mom the other bouquet of flowers.
"That was so sweet of you, David. You didn't have to do that."
"My Momma didn't raise a fool, Mrs. Wise." Again with the formality.
We sat to dinner and I couldn't help but laugh at watching Dad and David eat. It literally was like watching wolves or lions tear into their prey, very animalistic. I think I might have actually heard David growl once or twice. Even though I had been around the pack my whole life, watching any of them eat, was like a new experience.
After dinner, Mom pulled Dad into the kitchen to get dessert, leaving David and I alone.
"So…" I started.
"You look really nice tonight. I like your shirt. The wolf kind of reminds me of your Uncle Jacob," he said.
"Hmh, I hadn't realized that. Thanks. You look very nice tonight, as well," I said back.
"Did you get that project done?" He asked, as I looked at him a little confused. "For History?"
"Oh, yeah. Yes, I did," I said.
"What was it about?" It was not like David Uley to want to talk about school and I'm sure he could have cared less about women's voting rights in the West. But he seemed genuinely interested so I spilled.
"Women's voting rights. It's about how the western states gave women the right to vote before others."
"Why did they?" Okay, had he serious lost his marbles? Why the hell did he care? Then it hit me. I'm his imprint. He's interested in whatever I'm interested in. It was sweet in a very David-way. I knew he hated school and learning in general, but his eyes lit up when I started in on the reasons why.
"Well, two main reasons. One was that the population in western states was lower and they needed the women to be counted to semi-even it out," I started, watching as his lips pursed and his forehead crinkled. He was thinking about what I was saying. Actually thinking about it, not just nodding in agreement, but taking it in. "Secondly, women in the West had kind of proven themselves, for lack of a better way of saying it. They had gone through the same trials and tribulations that the men had, usually with kids at their feet or babies on their backs." I was really getting fired up about it. I loved this topic and could have gone on for hours. Next to PE, History was always my favorite class.
"That's really interesting," he said. "I think all the social studies teachers must have the same idea. I have to write a paper about a Supreme Court case for Government class."
"You should do Worcester v. the State of Georgia. It has to do with tribal sovereignty and the Cherokee Nation," I said. And then I did it. I took it one more step. "I would help you, if you wanted."
His small grin turned into the "David-smile." Hell, I might as well have just told him to fuck me there on the dining room table with my parents in the other room. For him, at this point, with the way I had treated him, it was about the equivalent. I almost ran in the kitchen to tell Mom not to bring out the apple pie. If David knew I had used his apples, that would have set him over the top.
"You really wouldn't mind? I don't really get into the whole research stuff. Mark usually helps me, but if you're volunteering…"
Shit! "Of course, I'll help. I wouldn't ask if I didn't want to." Yes, I would, I thought.
"That would be freakin' awesome!"
"Now, I will only help! You have to write the damn thing yourself, but I'll be glad to help research and edit."
I could tell he was about to come unglued. He got out of his chair and ran to my side. My eyes got really big, as he looked like he was about to pounce on me. He did, in a way, pulling me from my chair and giving me a bone-crushing hug. He pulled away and looked at me with his dark eyes.
"Thanks, Trisha. Other than Mark, no one really ever wants to help me with school stuff, ya know. Ethan used to, but, well ya know."
He said his name. Ethan's name. And the sadness in his voice when he said it made this task so much harder.
DAVID'S POV
"So, David, how was your date?" Momma asked. She, Dad, and Mark were lounging around the den watching an old movie.
"Great!" I practically yelled. Deep inside I wanted to twirl around the room, humming like a little girl.
"What'd you guys do?" Dad asked.
"Had dinner and talked."
"What'd you talk about?" Dad, again.
"Women's voting rights."
" Huh?" That would be Dad. "What?" That's Mom, and to complete the trifecta, "Seriously?" Mark says.
"Yes, seriously. She just wrote a paper about women's voting rights in the West. I learned a lot actually. Like, did you know that women were allowed to vote in the West before in other states? And do you know why?"
"Do you?" Mark asked with a hint of doubt in his voice. Sometimes, he could be a real smartass.
To prove that I was not the dummy most people thought I was, I ran through the exact answers that Trisha had given me. I'm pretty sure they were shocked. Hell, I was shocked I remembered them. "And she offered to help me write that paper for Government, about the Supreme Court case thingy. We're doing some case that has to do with Cherokee something or other. OH! I almost forgot! She made apple pie with the apples we bought her. It was beyond yummy! The apples were a big hit, Mom. Thanks for suggesting it."
I say Mom grab Dad's hand and squeeze with a twinkle in her eyes. She was excited. Fuck, I was excited! But I refused to get ahead of myself, like Mark said. I would be patient with her. Wait until the time was right. I knew she was still getting over Ethan and I needed to be the guy to show her the reasons why she should move on. Even if that meant spending hours in the library, if I got to spend them with her, that's all that mattered.
TRISHA'S POV
Before David left, we agreed to meet at the library the next day after school to work on his paper. I waited for Mom and Dad to drift off before I shimmied out the window, on my way to meet Ethan at the beach. It was cold and windy. But Ethan was already there, blanket in hand, wrapping it around me, and pulling me into his warm embrace.
"How'd it go?" He asked. I could tell he really didn't want to know the specifics. He didn't want to think about his girlfriend dating another guy, but he asked and I kept the answer short.
"Good, I guess. I'm helping him with a school project tomorrow. He misses you," I said it all quickly.
"Yeah, well he should have thought about that before he imprinted on my girlfriend," Ethan said. "I know, supposedly, he couldn't help the imprint thing, but he could've left you the hell alone."
I didn't say anything, just snuggled closer to Ethan's bare chest, tracing down with my soft fingertips.
"You okay?" He asked.
"Yeah. I just missed you today," I said, leaning up to kiss his chin.
"I missed you too," he said as he leaned down to softly kiss my lips. "I love you so much." He moved his lips to my neck, then down to my collarbone. He moved his lips back to mine and start to kiss softly, then letting the kisses become hungry. Ethan's lips were officially my favorite thing in the world. Every time my lips touched his, I felt the earth move a little. We stayed together like that on the beach for awhile before Ethan decided I needed my rest for school the next day.
"I'll walk you home," Ethan said.
"Don't Dad smell you?" I asked.
"He already knows I patrol out there every so often. He probably won't think it's any different than that."
We walked hand in hand to the house. When we were close, I stopped him. I had been thinking all evening about what this "giving in to David" would entail. I knew David would never push me. He made it clear the night he imprinted on me that everything would be up to me. He would be patient. I wasn't going to ask Ethan's permission, but I wanted him to know, at some point, there would have to be something physical happen for David to believe I was giving in.
"I need to ask you something, Ethan."
"Anything, Ray."
"It's about this whole arrangement. The dating David, sneaking around with you thing."
"Okay. What's on your mind?"
"You know, eventually, he's going to want to get physical."
Ethan nodded. "Here were my thoughts on it. It's up to you."
"What? What do you mean, it's up to me?"
"Exactly that. You have to decide. If you want to kiss him or let him kiss you, I'm not going to be mad."
What the fuck was that supposed to mean? He wasn't going to be mad. He was lying and I could hear it in his voice. He was going to be furious if and when it happened.
"I know you love me. That's all I need to know. If you have to fuck David Uley to make your parents happy, then by all means, have at it," Ethan said, his voice a little sarcastic. "I'm not going to like it or enjoy thinking about it, but it's a necessary evil, right?"
"I suppose," I answered. "Well, no fucking David Uley. What kind of girl do you think I am? You know I love you, only you."
"It was just an example," Ethan said.
Ethan and I said our goodbyes at my window before I crawled in and let sleep come over me.
School was quick the next day and I had a date with David at the library afterwards. David walked up to me while I was putting my books in my locker at the end of the day.
"Hey Trisha!" He said, as I smiled at him. "Umh, do you just want to ride to library with me today?"
"Do you mind?" I asked. I was actually relieved, otherwise my plan was to walk.
"Not at all. As long as you don't mind us dropping Marky-Mark off at home first," David said.
"Why do you have to use such immature nicknames?" Mark asked standing next to his brother.
The Uley boys were quite the pair. They had grown into their wolf bodies well. Both wide and strong and very protective of the other. Imagine my insecurity sitting between the two of them in David's truck on the way to the Uley house. Not only was I sweating from the heat, I feared I might be crushed to death should David make a sharp turn.
"You kids have fun," Mark snickered as he hopped out of the truck.
David shook his head. I debated whether to scoot to the other seat but decided to stay in the middle.
"Are you cold? I can turn the heat up," David asked.
"I'm good. You're kinda warm enough," I said, watching him blush a little. "How has it been since Mark's outing?"
He looked a little confused and then said, "Oh…umh, not really all that different."
I knew that couldn't be so. David was a "man's man." For him, it was all steak, football, and beer (even though he technically was underage). Mark was never completely like that. But he wasn't completely not like that either. He watched intellectual things and thought philosophically about things, but he was strong and almost beautiful to watch when the wolves played a game of pickup-football. I knew a lot of the girls had huge crushes on him and the fact that he was gay was hush-hush among anyone outside of the pack. To hear David say that his brother's sexuality didn't bother him actually kind of made my heart swell a little.
I smiled at him as he said, "I mean, I could get all uptight about it, but he's my bro, you know. I love him and what he chooses to do on his own time doesn't bother me."
"You and your brother have a special bond, don't you?" I knew they did, but I enjoyed listening to David talk about his family so I pushed for more.
David smiled at me, turning into the library, "Other than the twin telepathy thing?"
I looked at him a little confused.
"I'm joking!" He said, giving off a boisterous laugh. I laughed, too.
Helen was waiting for us in the library. I called to let her know we were coming and she had already pulled several reference books for us.
"These are all Supreme Court cases. Those are all specific to Worcester v. Georgia. And this one I threw in for you guys, just for fun." Helen had quiet the sense of humor, picking up all the books, including the one she threw in for fun, the Kama Sutra.
Both David and I blushed, as I tried to avoid eye contact with him. "Very funny, Aunt Helen," David finally said.
Helen giggled as she walked back to her office. David picked up the Kama Sutra and set on the table next to us. "We'll just put that there for now," he said.
We'll put that there for-like-ever, I thought.
We spent the afternoon rummaging through books. I showed him what information he should take notes on. He showed me how to bend a paperclip into a heart, which he told me I could keep. I wasn't totally weirded out by it, either. I put it in my bag and smiled at him. We had Helen make a few copies and agreed we'd meet after school tomorrow at the Uley house to start writing.
He dropped me off at home, hugging me and thanking me for all my help. It wasn't uncomfortable spending time with him, not like I thought it would be. Then, after Mom and Dad went to bed, I snuck out to meet Ethan.
We decided the best meeting place was Grandpa Billy's garage. It sat mostly unused now that Uncle Jake was elsewhere. Grandpa never went out there and he never heard us sneaking around.
"How was your day?" Ethan asked, snuggling me into his chest.
"Good. You?" I asked.
"Well, it just got a hell of a lot better," he said, kissing me softly on the lips.
I literally melted, as we kissed throughout the night, discussing our days and plans for tomorrow. He didn't mention David anymore than necessary, and I didn't really offer any additional information. Then, about three in the morning, he walked me home.
"I love you, Ray. See you tomorrow," Ethan sat, pushing me into the window.
"I love you, too, Ethan." I kissed him one more time before cuddling into my bed.
For the next week, I spent everyday after school at the Uleys' working with David on the project. It was actually pretty fun, and I felt like I was getting practice in for my future career as a teacher. He was always polite, always thanked me. Then, the nights belonged to Ethan.
I felt myself getting closer to David, and actually began thinking of him as a close friend. When the paper was finished and turned in for grading, I kept going over to the Uleys' everyday. I rode to school with him everyday. He listened to me talk about silly things (though never about Ethan), and I listened to him talk about what he had in mind for the future of the pack. David and I ended our days together the same way everyday, him hugging me as I got out of the truck.
One day, in mid-April, I did something very strange, something very unlike me. When he hugged me, I sniffed him. I inhaled his scent. I knew how Ethan smelled and I knew how Ethan said I smelled. All of the wolves I was close to had their own unique scent, something I would smell and then feel them with me. I could smell a Christmas tree and feel Ethan, I could smell autumn leaves and feel Uncle Jake, and the smell of smoldering logs brought the feeling of Dad. I wanted that memory of David. He was my friend. The boy I had hated became probably my closest friend, next to Ethan. And the friendship developed quickly, so I wanted his scent, I selfishly wanted to feel him when he wasn't there, like with the other wolves that were special to me.
"Uh, what are you doing?" David asked, as I sniffed into his chest and he pulled me away.
"Sorry," I said, shyly.
"Were you sniffing me?" he smirked.
"Umh, maybe," I tried to avert his eyes.
"Okay. Why?"
Shit! I was stuck now! How do I respond without sounding like a total psycho?
"All my wolves have special scents. I wanted to know what your's was," I kept looking down.
He pulled me into his chest again. "Go ahead."
So, like a dog, I inhaled his scent. It was so different from the others but I liked it. It was like the sea water and made me think of summer days at the La Push cliffs.
"So, tell me what I smell like."
I pursed my lips trying to think of how to say it. "You smell like the sea."
"I smell like fish? Geez, thanks!"
"No! No! You smell like saltwater. It's a good smell. It's very calming."
"Good to know." Then, he kissed my forehead. I could tell that it was involuntary reaction but he immediately apologized. "I'm so sorry! I don't know what that was about. I'm so so sorry!"
It wasn't really that serious. It wasn't like he groped me but I could tell it bothered him. He tried to be strong and confident most of the time, but this, this was vulnerable David.
"David, it's fine. You're my friend. It doesn't bother me."
"No! I told you I wouldn't push you. I would be patient. That was out of line. Please, please forgive me."
"There's nothing to forgive. I'll see you tomorrow, okay?" I tried to ease his tension.
He only nodded and drove off. This wasn't good. Change was in the air. The forehead kiss only the beginning and I knew it.
The next day David and I drove to Port Angeles. We had dinner and then walked through town. It wasn't a date, just two friends hanging out. David offered me his hand and I took it, intertwining our fingers. It should have felt wrong. It did to some extent. But I didn't pull away. Our hands stayed together until we got to my house and he let go, pulling a sack from under his seat.
"I got you something. It's a Thank You present for helping me with my paper. I got it from the bookstore in Port Angeles." He handed me the package with a smile on his face. "I got an A by the way, on the paper."
"Congrats, David! Why didn't you tell me sooner?" I was thrilled!
"I was afraid you wouldn't want to hang out with me anymore." He said, looking down.
His voice sounded a little sad, and in turn, I felt guilty.
"Why would you think that?" I asked.
He shook his head. "I thought maybe I was like your special project and when the paper was done and finished, you'd move on."
I moved closer to him. "David, you're my friend. I wouldn't ever do that."
More guilt. Only this time, guilt about everything. Guilt about what this was going to do to David, guilt about what this was doing to Ethan. Guilt that I was using my Grandpa's garage as my own personal love shack.
"Open your gift," David said, bringing me out of my daze.
I pulled the book out of the sack and looked at the cover: Women Who Dared: Early Suffragettes in America.
"I thought of you as soon as I saw it," he said sweetly. "It reminded me of that night we had dinner at your house."
My emotions went into overdrive. I was so touched first that he even got me a gift, then that it was such a personal one. The guilt still there, as my eyes welled with tears.
I looked up at David, who was right beside me. He had the typical "David-smile" that melted my heart. "Thank you, David. This is so sweet. You have no idea…I love it."
I don't think either of us meant for it to happen but it did. He pulled me in for a hug but his eyes said he wanted more. Me, being Trisha, not wanting to hurt him, gave it to him. He leaned down, wrapping his arms around me, and instead of putting my head in his chest like I normally do, I kept eye contact. He moved very slowly, continuing to lean in, until his lips very delicately touched mine. I was amazed at how soft and sweet this huge, bear of a man's kiss was. Well, or at least as soft and sweet as it started out. The kiss became a little more intense, as he turned more towards me. He pressed his tongue to my lips, licking slightly. Damn, I couldn't help myself. I let him slip his tongue in, and quite honestly, it was delectable. He pushed me into the passenger side door, kissing me deeply, moving his hands up my sides, reaching for my breasts.
HONK! HONK! HONK!
He pulled off of me quickly to see my Dad, Collin, and Embry pulling into the driveway in Dad's car.
"Oh, fuck!" David said.
"Uh…uh…" Now I was the one with tongue paralysis.
"Oh, God, Trisha! Shit! What've I done?" David stroked my hair.
I still couldn't say anything. He heard the Dad and the wolves coming up to the truck window.
"What are you two doing in there?" Dad asked, chuckling.
I couldn't look at David. I couldn't move. Dad pulled open the truck door, spilling me out onto the ground, Dad and the wolves laughing harder.
Now, not only did I just makeout with my friend, my Dad caught us. And, while at the time, it seemed like a good idea, I shouldn't have done it. Fuck! I was leading David on.
"Trisha, wait," David said, sounding like I had just told him his puppy died.
I picked up my bag and my book, not looking David, running to the front door.
This was bad…this was really, really bad…and it was only going to get worse.
*NEXT CHAPTER: "Summer in the Wolves' Den"
Another AN: I know, you hate the AN's but sometimes they're a necessary evil, like Ethan says, right? So the Longhorns=University of Texas and the Sooner=University of Oklahoma.