Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, items, products etc. are the property of their respective owners. I am in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise, products or locations (They ARE NOT MINE). No copyright infringement is intended. The original character and plot are the only things that are mine.

Chapter Nine

I grabbed the laundry basket out of the hall and gave Embry a brief wave before turning and heading toward my room. The laundry soap over powered Jacob's scent that still lightly clung to his shirt I was wearing. My stomach ached for him; it still hadn't gotten any easier to be a part.

With my free hand, I gathered the hem of my shirt and brought it to my nose and inhaled deeply. The rush of him instantly calmed my nerves and grounded me back to reality. I'd taken to wearing his shirts to bed over the last few days. Granted, it was a temporary fix, but they seemed to help. I hadn't had a single nightmare since I'd started wearing them.

I heard the front door click behind Embry as he left for work, and I had just managed to dump my clean laundry into a pile on my bed when I heard the front door open again.

"What did you forget this time, twin?" I called out smiling to myself; Embry just wasn't a morning person. When he didn't immediately answer my interest was piqued, and I cocked my head to the side listening to the movement coming down the hall but not turning. The stealthy footfalls weren't Embry's; what was Jake doing here?

Jacob's delicious smell melted my insides seconds before his warm arms snaked around my waist. I leaned backward into him. With my head still tilted to one side, Jacob's tongue wasted no time in finding and dragged a slow circle underneath my ear, which sent tremors down my body.

I sighed. "Good morning to you too," my voice was low as I turned to face him, so I could wrap my own arms around his neck. He didn't answer me immediately, but stared intently into my face. I pulled back just slightly. "What is it?" Something was bothering him.

Jacob opened his mouth, but didn't speak right away. I ran my hands up and down his back trying to comfort him in the best way I could now.

"Carlisle called last night…Sam and I are going over there in about an hour to discuss treaty stuff…Bella will be there." His voice was quiet and his thoughts were already a long ways away.

"Oh…" I dragged my nails along his back and then down his arms, successfully bringing his attention back to me before I continued, "I will be here when you get back." Jacob gave me a small forced smile. "Do you want me to go with you and hold your hand?" I smirked at him, finally earning a true smile from him.

"Naw…I think I can handle it, being the big strong Alpha that I am and all." His eyes twinkled.

"Uh-huh. I know you can handle it. Don't worry about her, right now. Just be here with me, okay?" I traced my finger over his bottom lip. He sucked my finger in between his lips as his eyes significantly darkened. My heartbeat sped up in my chest. Jacob pulled my body completely flush against his. His attention was definitely completely focused on me now.

"You look really good in my shirt, you know…" His low husky growl reverberated in my chest as he lifted me up allowing me to wrap my legs around his waist as our lips met.

His kisses were urgent and heated as his lips devoured mine. My body temperature soared as his hands roughly roamed over my exposed skin and tangled into my hair. He growled as he tossed me onto the bed, so he could yank his shirt up and over his head. His gaze dragged heatedly up my body before he crawled onto the bed and parted my legs with his knee. My body shuddered and I growled as Jacob lowered his head and dragged his teeth along my neck and down along my collarbone.

An hour wasn't going to be nearly enough time.

Patrol had been rather uneventful. Jared normally wasn't overly chatty, but the ring he bought for Kim had been burning a hole in his shorts for a full day. Going over all of his various proposal schemes for the last few hours had left me drained. Kim didn't strike me as someone who would be all that picky about what flowers he gave her or where they would eat dinner. Whatever. He hadn't actually wanted my opinion anyway; he just wanted a sounding board.

Maybe I'd have a message from Jake on my phone. He should have finished up his meeting with the Cullen's hours ago. Maybe I'd just swing by the garage in a bit. I wasn't going to be able to wait until dinner to see him. If I could squeeze in some more lovingly affectionate time then the bomb I planned to drop on him and Embry tonight maybe wouldn't sting so much.

I could hear Seth speaking as I ran my fingers through my hair checking for leaves or twigs before walking out of the trees bordering my backyard. Whoever Seth was talking to he was really excited to see. Just as he asked them for an autograph the visitor's scent hit me square in the face. He was here.

I hissed out a breath as my whole body tensed, and I paused mid step. I'd have to get better control before I faced him; I couldn't afford to lose control and phase in front of him.

What the hell was Brent doing here? Did he want to die!

There could have been no doubt in his mind that I hadn't wanted to see him again after what he had done to me. I'm a pretty clear communicator, and the last time we had spoken I straight up told him I didn't want to see him. Ever again. If our phone conversation had been too complicated for him, the last time we had seen each other should have been a big clue. Even through all my obscenities and tears I had communicated quite clearly that I was leaving him then.

He sure as hell better have a damn good reason for showing up now. It had been six months since I had come home to find him buried in some naked blonde's cleavage in our kitchen, six months since I had moved out of our condo, and six months since I had seen him. Through everything he hadn't even been the least bit apologetic to me. Typical, self-centered jerk.

Life had always been one big joke to him, and I should have known better. My puppy love and unadulterated infatuation had blinded me from the beginning, and kept me from seeing his glaring faults. Maybe in some way I had gotten what I deserved, but even so I had definitely learned from my mistakes and moved on. He wasn't going to screw up my life again. After several calming breaths I resumed my trek toward Seth and my ex.

Seth's words choked off mid-sentence as soon as I was visible from the driveway. Smart boy. My fists were clenched at my sides as I rapidly strode toward them; my body language would have been a good indication to even the densest of people that Brent was no friend of mine.

Physically, Brent hadn't changed. His flawlessly highlighted blonde hair had been styled to perfection, idolizing the windblown-and-just-had-sex look. His dark washed jeans were creased down the front and his white Armani polo was immaculate. I almost threw-up in my mouth as I scanned his face. His features were too perfect, his shaped eyebrows framed his deep green eyes, and his lips were formed into the ultimate bad-boy smirk. He had even straightened his nose, so he now looked like he had been cut straight out of some fashion magazine editorial. How on Earth had I ever found him attractive? My stomach seemed just as confused as my brain as it lurched and soured as my steps brought me closer to him and his expensive pheromone infused cologne. Disgusting.

Seth's gazed jerked between my angry flushed face and Brent's stupid slack-jawed perusal of my form. As Brent leisurely dragged his gaze back up my body, his eyes narrowed as he took in what I was wearing, Jake's oversized shirt hung far enough down my thighs that it almost covered the pair of shorts I had on. Had he been expecting me to dress up for this occasion? Brent mistakenly opened his mouth to speak as I stopped several steps in front of him.

"Obviously, Cas, you do at least realize you don't have to dress to impress anyone that lives around here. What does your brother think of you wearing his shirt around as a dress?" His question hung heavy in the air.

My eyes narrowed, and my teeth ground together before replying. "This isn't Embry's shirt. It belongs to my new boyfriend, Jacob." Brent's jaw tightened as my words sunk in.

"Well gee, Cassie, I'm so glad to see you spared no time in going on the rebound. Tell me, does your new found fuck buddy have anything to actually offer you? Or is he as well off as your brother?" His eyes flicked disdainfully to Embry's double wide trailer.

My fist connected with Brent's face before he could even move his eyes back to me. There was a nice resounding thwack as my ex's head snapped backward before he crumpled to the ground - knocked completely unconscious.

The bones in my hand didn't even ache as I glared down as his still form and carefully shook my right hand out. Had I still been human I probably would have broken my knuckles with the force behind my blow.

Seth's eyes were wide as he leaped to get between me and Brent's pathetically-prostrate body. His hands were on my shoulders in an instant, restraining me from continuing my forward movement. Apparently he didn't want me to commit murder on his watch.

My eyes flashed to Seth's deep brown ones.

"Holy Shit, Cassie!" Seth's eyes were still as wide as saucers, and his voice came out several octaves higher than normal. "Breathe! Oh my God…shit…" His eyes flicked over his shoulder to Brent's still form. Even though I was positive his command to breathe was directed at me, I'm pretty sure he could have used a few calming breaths of his own.

I forced myself to inhale deeply and close my eyes, which helped calm my flash of anger further. Several seconds passed before I looked back at Seth and with a small smirk I dramatically rolled my eyes. Seth was more worked up and upset over this than I was.

"Crap. I'm not going to phase, Seth. I promise. He just needed to shut the hell up, and you can't tell me he didn't deserve that. He totally had that coming…" I trailed off, looking around Seth's broad shoulders to the sprawled and motionless Brent. The damp mud had already begun to seep into his designer clothes. Perfect; served him right, dumbass.

"Cassie! You just punched Brent McCullin in the face! Brent McCullin, who just won the AMA Superbike world championships! He's the first rookie ever to get signed straight over from privateer to Ducati's racing team. Fuck…I should just be thankful I already got his autograph, I guess." Even though Seth was still glowing from meeting a world class motorcycle racer, I could have sworn he looked a bit pale. You would think I had just punched Gandhi or something. I rolled my eyes him.

"I know who he is. Brent and I are old friends." The words rolled bitterly off of my tongue; I thought I had been on my way to completely bleaching all memories of Brent out of my brain.

"Friends, huh? Yeah, right, Cassie. Before you knocked him out, he said he came to pay you back and apologize for what happened between the two of you that made you leave him. You know, Brent had nothing but really nice things to say about you." Seth raised one of his eyebrows questioningly at me. He was looking for a far more detailed explanation than I was going to give him.

"Yeah, I'll bet he did. Ass." I spit in Brent's general direction, and the projection of my saliva drew my attention to the ostentatious vehicle parked in our driveway. My eyes widened, as I took in his gleaming-carbon-black limited edition Aston Martin DBS. Wow. Brent was apparently doing quite well for himself now.

Seth followed my gaze to the car, a huge goofy smile back on his face. "Nice ride, huh?"

I nodded, stepping over Brent to make my way to his car so I could run my fingers gingerly along the perfectly sculpted body panels.

Stroking the hood lovingly, I spoke out loud, "This baby's V12 engine can accelerate from 0-60 in 4.3 seconds, has 420 foot pounds of torque and has a top speed of 191 miles per hour. It's just…gorgeous…" I was practically panting as I tried to reign in my worshipful thoughts of Brent's Aston. Forcing myself to step back, I glanced at Seth who was nodding, agreeing with the insane power and class of the car in front of us. The car was threatening to cloud my judgment, which is probably exactly why he had brought the damn thing. I growled at that thought, turning to scowl at my still unconscious ex-boyfriend.

"How much do you think he paid for that car?" Seth's question redirected my brain back to the damn car.

"No idea, but several years ago the baseline models were going for about $270,000."

"Damn," Seth whistled out. "And he owes you money?"

I snorted in response. "Brent wasn't always so well off."

A low groan emanated from my ex before I could elaborate on his history. Crap. What was I supposed to do with him now? Seth's cell phone vibrated in his pocket.

"Hello?"

I knew the voice on the other end. Awesome. If he were to show up, the situation would definitely get much better.

"Yeah, I know! It's totally him, and I just got his autograph!" Seth excitedly bantered into his phone. I had to resist the sudden urge to punch Seth in the throat. Gah.

"No…he's not going anywhere for a bit…Yeah…Naw…Cassie knocked him out cold." Seth snickered, but managed to duck as the rock I threw at him sailed harmlessly over his head.

I inched over to Brent, who had gone suspiciously silent, as Seth continued his conversation.

"Yeah…She has a mean right hook. They used to date apparently, and I guess it didn't end well." There was silence on the other end before I heard the dial tone, and Seth cleared his throat before snapping his phone closed.

"Jake's on his way."

This time it was my turn to groan. Could this get any worse?

Seth laughed. "Jake is a bigger fan of Brent than I am. He's the one who got me hooked watching the races on TV a few years ago. You know, I'm not sure the term 'fan' even covers it. Jake more like idolizes him."

I stared wide-eyed and open mouthed at Seth. "You're kidding, right? Please tell me you're kidding?"

"Nope." Seth popped his "P" before a huge smile bloomed on his face. "This could get really good. I think I'll stick around."

This time the rock I threw hit him square between the eyes.

After Seth and I dragged Brent to the porch step and had him somewhat upright, he started to come to. He moaned and groaned for what seemed like an eternity before he finally opened his eyes.

"Ugh…What the hell happened and where…am I?" Brent managed to ask without slurring his words together, which was a very good sign; I hadn't caused any permanent brain damage. I squatted down so we were at eye level with one another.

"You showed up unannounced at my door and were an asshole. You're now sitting on my brother's porch because I punched you in the face and knocked you out." My tone was even and cold. Brent had long since lost his right to my empathy. He glared at me; his pupils appeared to be the same size, which was perfect. It meant no long term head injuries. Good, he could drive his happy ass back to California or where ever it was he came from.

Brent gingerly ran his hand along his jaw, which was already starting to redden and swell.

His eyes narrowed further at me. "You didn't use to be a bitch, Cassie." Seth planted his hand firmly on Brent's shoulder locking him in place as he attempted to stand up.

"Easy, tiger. I wouldn't want you to get hurt, again." Seth chuckled quietly.

I smiled sweetly at my ex, as he closed his eyes and took a deep breath. The crunch of tires on the gravel carried up the street as Embry's truck turned off the main road.

Seth's head cocked slightly to the side as seconds later the truck came sliding into the driveway behind me. Jake had his door open before he had even shut off the engine. Brent's eyes widened at Jacob's form entered into his view, and I couldn't help my smile.

Brent's eyes cut back to mine as Jake walked up behind me and wrapped me in his arms.

"Who's the fucking grease monkey?" Brent spit out. Jake stiffened behind me and my gaze hardened. It was one thing to insult me, but an entirely different thing to insult my imprint.

"Jacob meet Brent McCullin. Brent this is Jacob. The term you used earlier, Brent…'fuck buddy,' I think it was…Yeah? This would be him." Brent gave Jacob the once-over with his nose scrunched as if he smelled something vile.

"Cassie, seriously? This is the best you could come up with, a wrench head? C'mon, babe! Forget this loser." His mocking tone didn't escape Jacob's attention.

Jacob let go of my waist and stepped around me before Brent could comprehend the movement. He grabbed a fistful of Brent's Armani shirt and yanked him upwards until his feet dangled about a foot the ground. The shocked look on Brent's face was priceless, and so was witnessing his Prada boots kicking futilely at Jacob. Jacob face had darkened considerably, and I'm not even sure he was aware that Brent was kicking him at all.

Oh, damn, he might just kill him, and as much as I hated to interfere, I probably needed to. Snaking my arms around Jake's torso, I snuggled into his back.

"Please, put him down, Jake. He was just leaving anyway."

Jake slightly inclined his head toward me. "You sure?" I nodded against him. "Fine." He turned back to Brent; his voice was low and menacing, "If you say one more thing I don't approve of I'll beat your skull in."

"I'm not afraid of you, you steroid taking piece of shit." Brent glared at Jacob, as he continued to struggle and lash out against him.

"Enough, Brent." I scowled at him as I moved around Jacob, and tugged lightly on the unyielding arm that held Brent suspended. "Jake, please…"

An instant later Brent was dropped unceremoniously to the ground at our feet. It took him about a second to scramble to his feet and put some distance between himself and Jacob, but not before he had caught my arm.

"Cassie, we need to talk."

I glanced down at his fingers wrapped around my wrist; Jacob growled and moved forward. Brent immediately let go of me and took several quick step backwards.

"I have nothing to say to you, Brent," I replied, interlacing my fingers with Jacob's and giving them a gently squeeze.

"Just give me a few minutes, c'mon, love…please? I came all this way..." Brent's term of endearment earned him another menacing growl from Jacob, and he paused slightly before continuing, "Just talk to me…I just need a second. Please."

I turned back to look at Jacob, who was glaring daggers at my ex. "Please let me take care of this, Jake. Can you just give us a few minutes?" After ripping his eyes off Brent, he looked at me long and hard. As his jaw clenched and unclenched his grip on my hand tightened.

Bringing our joined hands up to my mouth, I gently kissed every one of his knuckles. "Please, Jake. I'm not going anywhere, I promise."

Brent scoffed from behind me and Jake eyes flashed back to him. I moved myself back into his line of sight. "Just a few minutes that's all I'm asking."

"Why do you need any time with him, Cassie?" Jake growled at me, just low enough so Brent couldn't hear.

"Jake…he was a big part of my life for a long time. Let me hear him out and then he'll be gone, okay?" I found myself crushed against Jacob's warm body in an instant, and his soft lips found my left earlobe.

"Fine. But you have exactly two minutes until I'll be forcibly removing him and his expensive damn car off of my reservation." His low growl in my ear sent shivers down my spine.

"Okay." I managed to coherently mumble out before Jacob released me and stepped back to stand next to Seth with his arms crossed tightly over his chest. I could feel both of their eyes on my back as I approached Brent.

Next to his passenger side door there were several boxes of what was apparently the stuff I had left in our condo. I stood silently watching him as he pulled my old motorcycle helmet and jacket and laid them on top of the pile. He gently closed the door before casually leaning against his Aston and glaring at Jacob.

"What do you want?" Brent turned back to me and his eyes softened. I don't think he had ever looked at me with that much affection before, even when we were together. What game was he playing at? I managed to keep my face void of emotion; whatever he was trying to do wasn't genuine, but his act wouldn't work on me the second time around.

Brent cleared his throat and dropped his eyes to the ground in front of my feet. "I came to apologize…and well…pay you back."

His voice was low; he probably thought he was out of Jacob and Seth's hearing range. Oh how little he knew.

"Listen, Cassie…I know you're still upset, but I never meant to hurt you...When you left I lost everything. We were so perfect together, and I by no means did intentionally act…"

I held up my finger to stop him from continuing. "The only thing you regret is getting caught." Brent clenched his jaw and he twitched from the pain. "Brent, I don't care about you anymore, and I don't care who you spend your life with. Thank you for bringing my stuff up, but you need to leave - now."

He took a step forward as if to take my hands in his, but he thought better of it, and his arms dropped heavily to his sides.

"Please, don't be like that! I need you back; life sucks without you there!" His eyes pleaded with mine. "Just give me one more chance, love, please! I'll get you out of this god-forsaken area, and we can just go back to the way things were. The cars and bikes, the shop, the sun and beach…Don't you miss it? You have too…I know you do." Brent's voice became quieter as he continued with no response from me.

I kept his gaze evenly. "I'm not the person I was then. I've changed, and I've decided to live my life here. My family and my future are here. Brent, I wish you the best of luck; I know you'll do great things. I told you that from the beginning. You're not a part of who I am anymore."

"Cassie…you can't mean that…You'd give up everything? For what? Some brother that never cared about you before, and some reservation mechanic who probably makes minimum wage! There is nothing here for you! You have to see that!" Jacob's rumble caught his attention and he dropped his voice back down to a begging whisper. "Cassie, I can give you everything you ever wanted. Come back with me. This is your one chance to pick the life you should have."

His time was up. "I am sorry, Brent, I really am. I couldn't go back…I'm truly happy here, nothing you have and nothing you could say will convince me to leave. This is where I'm supposed to be. Good bye, Brent, I do wish you the best." My voice didn't even tremble, I thought it would be harder somehow, but I literally felt nothing for the man in front of me. His faced clouded over with emotion, before it hardened in anger.

Brent glared over my shoulder at the other two guys. "Fine." He ripped a crumpled piece of paper out of his front pocket and threw it on the ground at my feet. "We're done then. Don't come crying to me when your life falls apart." He stomped around to the driver's side of his Aston and opened the driver's door to get in.

"You're making a very big mistake, Cassie," Brent spit out, getting in and slamming his door.

The Aston's engine purred to life, and the passenger window rolled down. "You're being really stupid, you know. The only reason any of them," he angrily gestured to Seth and Jake, "pretend to care about you is for your money. You deserve what you're going to get living in this shit-hole. Good luck with your dead-end life, Cassie!" His engine roared as he dumped the clutch and the tires spun as he pealed out of the driveway, showering me in gravel.

"Asshole." I said, glaring at the retreating dust cloud.

Seconds seem to turn into minutes before I heard the gravel crunch behind me.

"What the hell was that about, Cas?" Jacob asked bending down to pick up the paper Brent had tossed on the ground.

The check crinkled as he slowly unfolded it. It was now or never; I hadn't wanted him to find out like this. Damn it all to hell. How was I going to fix this? God. I should have seen this coming; I had known something like this would happen if I didn't tell them. Brent was right; I did deserve whatever happened here.

"Jake...there are a few things you should probably know…I've been meaning to tell you…" His sharp intake of breath cut me off.

"Cassie, this is fucking check for a hundred-thousand dollars! What the fuck aren't you telling me!"

AN:

Sorry, for the slightly longer wait for an update…I was having uh…technical difficulties and communication break downs…yeah...

Thanks to everyone who reads, and wolfy kisses to those of you who review! I really love knowing what you think, or what you'd wish I did or didn't do. Love, love, love it!

I have attempted a lemon *gasp* It's a OS involving Embry, but if there's an interest I might post it. Let me know –thumbs up or down- if you have any thoughts about this new can-of-worms I'm opening!

-wolfy kisses and much love-