Chapter 5 The North Wind doth Blow
A/N: No, no, no … I don't own these characters … that would be Stephenie Meyer, God Bless her!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EmPOV
So. Very. High. Don't look down!
Fuck, I'm a big guy. I've got to keep the muscles on and the stamina up for school related as well as extra curricular activities, if you know what I mean.
I'm not too picky, don't have many pet peeves, I even think spiders and snakes and shit are cool. Dirt and sharing a water bottle don't really faze me. No one would ever think to call me Monk – hell, I do like a good mystery though.
But heights, those are this warrior's Achilles heel.
If I found myself at the top of a cliff it would only take one look down before I'd shit myself and my balls would shrivel up into walnuts. Basically, I'd be a mess and I'd have serious sack issues.
Yet, here I stand, on a fucking huge ass bridge - the highway to my back, a lagoon straight ahead - trying to hold myself together for the itty-bitty girl beside me.
It may seem obvious to say so now, but I had NO clue what I was driving Alice and I towards this morning. I did know, though, that I'd only seen Shorty that calm a handful of times. Why did E have to go all British and leave me as her only resort?
The more logical side of my brain knew that being "saved" didn't involve anything kinky, or at least that's what I'd told myself. Edward and Alice were like siblings, so sexy shit would have really thrown me for a loop.
But, god how I wished I was getting off with this hot, ball of fire instead of helping her "wash" all her troubles away.
Plus her words weren't making any sense. On five? Who jumps on five?
Apparently cognizant enough to question insignificant details, I almost missed the five that, horrifyingly enough, would be the last word I heard in this lifetime.
And then we were falling, hand in hand, towards what I assumed was water.
Don't look down. Don't let go. Don't spread your legs!!!! I was pretty sure I screamed like a girl the entire way down.
And then, impact. HOLY FUCK. This shit is fucking cold. Oooooh, motherfucker.
We seemed to hit at the same time, but I had to fight not to let go of Alice's hand, while also not pulling her down deeper as my 230-pounds acted like an anchor to her 95-pound body.
Kicking and pulling up frantically with my left arm, I brought us to the surface.
Still holding on tight, she used her free hand to wipe the water off her face and drag the streaming mascara away from the bottoms of her lashes. I was personally hyperventilating and surely about to throw up. Disoriented, I pulled her onto my back and swam us to the expanse of bushes and dirty sand that was waiting quite a ways off from our death defying launch and landing point.
"Whooooh." Alice exhaled as I set her down and fled for the most discreet place to puke.
I tried to hurry, but really how's a dude supposed to rush vomiting his fear and guts out? When I'd finished, I found Alice laying back, eyes closed, sun hitting her just enough to begin drying her drowned figure. I rinsed my mouth and joined her.
"Thank you."
"Ummhmm," was all I could muster.
"I didn't know you were afraid of heights. I wouldn't have asked." I wonder what tipped her off? Was it the shaking or maybe the violent hurling?
I somehow found my voice. "No problem, really," - gasp- "Don't sweat it, Shorty."
We could have laid there for hours, but I lost track after we fell asleep. When we woke up the sun was on the other side of us but still beating down pretty intensely. I didn't mind the quiet that had settled over us, but it eventually had to end thanks to social decorum.
"Today is gorgeous. Bet it's our last." Alice's little hands we palming each other as her cheek rested on them and they in turn rested on the ground.
"Fall is sure to swoop in any day now. Which only means I'll be freezing my ass off everyday now after practice."
"Oh, but it's worth it Em. You guys'll take the Pacific Northwest League title no problem, and then it's on to Nationals. Last year was a tough break but you're the Captain this year. You'll make it happen." A suck up's smile teased her lips as she flattered me. She'll have to do better than that to make up for almost getting me killed.
"We are Water Polo gods. We'll take this year's title no problem." I stretched my arms as I sat up. "You better bring a whole cheering section to the next home match. I've defiantly earned it."
"I'm at all of your matches, Emmett." Some emotion flashed across Alice's face that looked like a cross between bashfulness and uncertainty.
"Yeah, but you don't come for me."
"What are you saying? I don't come for anyone else if that's what you're implying." She seriously went from conflicting emotions to all out defensive in less than a second. I was confused. Her words were also making me a little horny, but I tried to suppress that most basic of urges.
"Whoa. Hold on. All I meant was, all of Fremont comes out for Polo … it's the thing to do. I was just pointing out that you don't show up for me specifically, but that for this next one you should sport my number as well as bring a VW van full of hottie friends. Why so defensive, crazy girl? You really are off your nut today."
Alice didn't answer; instead she looked out over Lake Washington from the strained sitting stance that was the only remnant of her mini freak out moment.
"Alice." Please, don't ignore me.
"Hey…" I pulled at the shoulder of her flowey top and put my hand on her neck using my fingertips to gently press her farthest cheek so she'd face me. Once her eyes met mine, I continued. "What has this been all about today? First the unnatural calm, then needing to be saved and now going on the defensive about match attendance."
I took a breath, hoping she'd explain. She didn't.
"I'm guessing there's more to your and Edward's pact than the jump. If you two didn't talk about your issues afterwards there'd be no point in coming together every time. Okay, and obviously I'm not Edward, but I am Emmett, and I'm here."
It was Alice's turn to take a deep breath.
"We do talk." She began hesitantly. "Edward's great at listening and often helps me find answers or a way out of whatever is going on. This time, there just isn't a solution."
"Isn't there always a solution?"
"Ha. No. You get too many perks as a polo player, Em. You've been sheltered from the difficulties of teenage life."
That's probably true.
"So, what do you do when there is no solution?" This feels like backwards math.
"You get saved and then you suck it up. No matter if the saving doesn't keep your insides from dying."
"Shit, Alice, you don't sound good. Insides dying? God. Okay, let's do this." Don't be angry. I couldn't look directly at her while I pried into her personal life, so I joined her in looking at the water. "Girl issues seem to involve guys a lot of the time, is that what's going on? Is there some jackass I need to annihilate?"
Her little tinkling laugh rang out. "How do you know about 'girl issues' Emmett?" She's seriously laughing at me … and she's deflecting.
"So, it is a guy."
I replayed the earlier defensive mini freak out …
"I don't come for anyone else if that's what you're implying"
"When you said you didn't come to my matches for anyone else you were being defensive. I think you were lying. So," I eased the last bit out, carefully, kindly, "Which one of the guys do you come to every match to see, Alice?" I felt like I was pushing and promised myself if she didn't answer I would let it drop.
"He has someone else, and may or may not be mixed up in some really discussing shit, so I'd rather not say." I promised myself I wouldn't continue to pry but then she had to go and imply one of my teammates was on the sly.
"Those guys are my responsibility, Alice. If they're screwing around in any way that could effect the League title I need to know!"
"They don't test for degrading sexual practices before matches, Emmett, so I think you're in the clear." She sounds so sad, but seriously the guys aren't that bad. She shouldn't be hurting like this over a little amped up testosterone.
"Aw, come on Alice, the guys are perverts, I'll give you that. But that's it, we're not such bad guys." I don't know how I ended up defending rather than listening here, but it seemed she had something wrong.
"I have my sources." In this she sounded confident. Who knows those fools better than me?
It was like she heard my inaudible question. "His sister told me. So, yeah. And he was standing right there and he didn't deny it. I thought I had a good read on him, I actually feel like I've known him for years." She shook her head. "I think I was just really wrong. Anyway, thanks again for jumping with me and listening to my rambling. You're good at saving." She said the last part with a wink and her signature smile, but then her eyes dimmed slightly. "And you weren't completely right. We don't always talk out our issues. This, the jump, is mostly a recharge. It restarts the battery, but that doesn't mean you're ready to run at full power right away."
My mind was charging ahead a mile a minute over Alice's words. Only one of my six guys - our three subs hardly ever saw pool time – had a sister at Fremont. Alice of course didn't know this, but by letting that insignificant detail slip she told me exactly what guy she was messed over. And it happened to be the teammate I knew the least, mainly because he hardly spoke. The sister mentioned was of course Rosalie, goddess of all that is holy, so the guy in turn was Jasper. Besides his twin status, his abilities in the pool and a few random things here and there, the only thing of consequence I knew about Jasper Hale was that he had someone named Bella up north that would come to our away matches in Port Angeles. I'd never seen her, only heard she'd been in the audience. Poor Alice.
Alice didn't realize my silence was filled with dawning realization, so she didn't clue in to the fact that I'd been clued in.
And so, unaware, she stood up signaling that question and answer time was over.
"I feel gross. Let's head back to the Jeep."
I hopped up in compliance. I wasn't good with the whole heart-to-heart thing and I hoped I didn't upset her. It just seemed appropriate I continue to try and fill whatever shoes Edward left for me. Stupid aqua sock wearing bastard.
She was right though; there wasn't a solution. There was only sucking up and moving on. But from insides dying? That shit sucked.
We made good time up the bank and onto the highway, and next thing I knew I was fishing around trying to find my hide-a-key.
"So, what's the bag for anyway?" I threw open my door and tossed the Trek towards Alice's seat, reaching through to unlock her side.
"There are towels, some clothes, even a little trail mix and ... water bottles." She unzipped it and threw me a water bottle. After our nap we were both dry from the sun, although our clothes were matted and gunked with dirt. I knew nothing of Edward's would fit me. I am a little hungry, though. We missed lunch, which is something I just didn't do.
"I'd go for some trail mix." She laughed.
"What?" She just laughed again.
Shoes on, trail mix in hand, smiling Shorty. Checkity check. And then we were off, away from the bridge, away from the fading summer sun, back to fucking Fremont and everything that was hurting Alice.
Pulling past the gates I prayed her battery was charged for full impact, because as I approached the circular drive I noticed a certain BMW M3 cherry red convertible parked haphazardly, and next to it stood a particular tall, blond teammate of mine with his arm around one of the sexiest girls I'd ever seen.
At that moment two cells trilled once, signaling a received text.
--I'm flying into Vancouver, BC tomorrow with a connection to SeaTac. Emmett, pick me up at 10PM, Bitch. Ali, can't wait to see you! E--
Alice looked my way, "Next weekend huh, Em? Looks like he changed his plans." At this point the convertible scene was to my left and as Alice finished her sentence she looked past me.
"Stop! Emmett, please, I want to get out here!" She'd already flung the Jeep door open and was hopping out, even though I'd barely pumped the breaks.
"Alice!" I called out after her retreating form.
"Love you, Em. Thanks for the swim." She hardly turned as she flashed her brilliant teeth at me, flirtatiously, and continued her escape.
I realized Jasper had witnessed the entire exchange, as did the girl I presumed to be Bella. It was obvious someone was moving in, what with all the boxes and suitcases overflowing from the car onto the parking drive, and since Jasper sure as hell wasn't leaving Bella must have been staying.
Good way to save face, Ali Sweetie. Use Emmett all you need.
It really didn't bother me being there for Alice, and I was even a little sad our connection was sure to be short lived with Edward coming back tomorrow. Mostly, I couldn't help but feel badly for Alice - not so much pity, just empathy. Even though I didn't understand, I did.
Pulling my Jeep into my spot, I remembered to text Edward back.
--Fucker, you left me to the wolves here. See you at 10.--
I hopped out of the Jeep and was almost knocked over by a hearty gust of wind that hadn't been in the air earlier. Fuck, I spoke too soon. Fall decided today was the day after all. Damn, this shit is strong. I had to put my head down and push through to even move away from the Jeep.
With my scandalous brother heading in from BC and Bella coming down from fucking god-knows-where on the Peninsula it was like the North wind was literally dragging every excuse for drama it could muster right to Fremont's door step. Not like that's new... But, I guess it's new for Alice.
And really, I didn't want to get any more involved than I already was. Life was kind to me and I didn't need issues. Plus after the day I'd endured - and that delirious nap in the dirt - I felt tired and heavy. All I wanted to think about now was food. So I made up my mind to take a quick shower and then head to the Refectory 'cause dinner was up in twenty. Shit, I could eat a cow.
And, with that, I left all the rest behind me.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A/N: A little bit longer chapter from Emmett, which I find to be ironic – that he'd have the most to say at this point - but whatever, I just type. I'd like to know if those of you reading are enjoying this thus far, and what I can do to draw you in more. Really, I've hardly begun, and I'm still feeling out my momentum, so I can take this pretty much anywhere. Thanks again for taking the time to read!