The Next day
Sam watches the team joke around like the idiots they were. A cold bitter day, another day of him wincing every time he moved his head too fast; Godamn, Leah could hit hard. He hears the door open and close to see Paul marching down the stairs, passing him like it was just another day. He pivots up and stalks after the strangely happier skater.
"Where were you?" he demands. The man shrugs and looks at him over his shoulder.
"Out." Sam growls, frustration building.
"That isn't an answer."
"Yes it is."
"Quit playing with me."
"Why, is it pissing you off?" the younger man smirks and crosses his arms. Sam clenched his fists, trying so hard to stay composed-he liked zombie Paul better.
"Yes, as a matter of fact it does, so why don't you stop and do your drills like everybody else?" he rolled his eyes and slips on his skates, looking at the bruised Sam one more time before he went onto the ice. His behavior set Sam off; he was expecting more of a fight. If Paul wasn't a zombie, he was dangerous-easily angered, but he was neither-he was composed, but seemed to enjoy screwing with Sam. He huffs as Paul obeys and does his drill just like the others. Where he had gone was still lingering in his mind, where could he have gone? To a bar? The park? He would never know.
Xx
"Embry! Put me down!" Bella giggled as Embry carried her through the streets on his shoulder surprisingly easily. She squirms in his grip trying her hardest to gently escape, but Embry just readjusted her and continued. She heard some people snicker. She huffed and slapped his ass, making him laugh.
Embry felt better, and had even taken a huge risk in considering to keep his hood off, but the amount of paranoia he still held won and he kept it on just like every time he was out. Having Paul back made him feel like he was back in the days when he and Paul would run away from an upset Jacob or Seth-pissed off from their idiotic pranks. He didn't have his old life; he was building a better one. They finally stopped and Embry set Bella on her own feet. They were in front of a cozy looking bistro that had the homey scent of stew wafting through the air. It was noon, and Embry said they were meeting Paul here in twenty minutes.
"I'm sure you'll like him-he's practically my brother." Bella smiled at his eagerness, but it faded as she thought of something.
"Embry, how come you're mentioning him now, instead of earlier?" Embry stopped as he realized what she ment. He licked his lip-a habit that he had grown over time, so he could think.
"Paul is…part of the skating team that kicked me off, but we've known each other for so long, the guilt got to him and…well, I'm sure you can figure out the rest." Bella frowned, but snuggled closer to Embry to show she wasn't going to go crazy. This time. Embry grinned and rested his head on top of hers. Their different heights made the gesture comfortable for both of them. They walked into the small business and sat at a table. Here you just walked up told them what you wanted and took a number, leaving the space good for reading or working. They sat next to each other, not ready to eat, and just talked; lately conversation had come easier than it had before-worries of saying the wrong thing gone; only knowing each other less than two months.
Paul jogged through the cold air, relieved that he escaped Sam. The man seemingly wanted to get under his skin, constantly watching him through practice, scowling every time he made a joke, the guy definitely knew something was up. That was why he irritated him on purpose, getting under his skin was fun. He walked into the bistro where he was meeting Embry and saw a familiar gray hood. He smirked as he saw the young man make a girl giggle and blush; she looked nice, her dark brown hair damp from the snow outside, her brown eyes gleaming when Embry cracked a joke. He was willing to befriend her. He slapped his friend's back and sat across from them. Embry took the message and started introductions.
"Uhhh, Bella this is Paul, Paul this is Bella." Bella smiled. She wasn't expecting Paul to look so…SCARY! He was the same size as Emmett, but something about him seemed more threatening, yet at the same time she felt completely comfortable around him.
"Nice to meet you." Even though Bella was comfortable, out of habit she spoke quietly, still feeling shy. Paul chuckled.
"Nice to meet you too. Embry's told me a lot about you." If you count saying you were crazy about that girl and not knowing how she felt. Bella smiled.
"So, who's hungry?" Paul childishly raised his hand high in the air, Embry rolled his eyes.
"What do you guys want?" they both just said a cheese burger with bacon, with a side of fries. Bella gets up to tell the cashier the order. Paul leans across the table to talk to Embry.
"She's pretty, dude." Embry nodded and looked at Bella as she walked away, feeling the now familiar fluttering in his chest.
"So you never told me, what's your plan to tell her?" the scarred man frowned, biting his lip, not sure himself what he was going to do. Bella came back holding the ticket, so the two men acted as if they never left their spots.
"The food will be ready in ten minutes." Paul grinned.
"So, Bella, mind if I ask how you met Embry?" Bella bit her lip as heat goes through her face.
"I ran into him at the ice rink?"
"Literally." Embry said jokingly. Paul laughed.
"Why does that not surprise me?" he pointed to Embry, still talking to Bella. "This guy gets so out of it-one time in high school, he ran into the lockers." Bella giggled as Embry reached across the table to punch Paul's shoulder.
"You should talk; you hit yourself with a basketball ten times in one P.E class! All you had to do was shoot a basket!"
"Shut up!" Bella leaned into her seat as she watched the two good friends bicker playfully. She could tell that what happened had hurt Paul-the way he had now healing bags under his eyes, or how he seemed so relaxed with Embry. They truly were like brothers-emotionally closer than other friends.
"Number 12." Bella got up when the number was called. She paid the elderly man, thanking him. He leaned in, his thick glasses making his eyes huge.
"Which ones your boyfriend honey?" she drops her jaw.
"I-I." he chuckled as she quickly walked away, trying to get composed.
She set a bag in front of both boys before she opened her container of beef and potato soup, watching Embry and Paul dig into their burgers. The food was consumed quickly, Paul making very funny jokes, and telling Bella about embarrassing moments of him and Embry's younger years. The trio decided to take a walk to burn off the meals. But the peaceful walk didn't last long when they passed a little field and Paul pushes Embry into a pile of snow, making an 'oof ' sound as he fell. He rocketed up to chase him, leaving Bella to watch with an amused grin, trails of snow falling off of him.
Embry jumped onto his friend, knocking them both to the snowy ground. Paul got him in a head lock and gave him a noogie. They both laughed, Embry wiggling out of his grip like he always managed. He sat on the slightly bigger man's back, making him flail.
"Ugh! Embry, you weigh a ton!"
"Do not!"
"Ha-ha, you sound like a girl!" Embry threw his head back and laughed, it was such an elementary joke, and he had to laugh. He's thrown onto his stomach as Paul takes advantage of his distraction to get his friend back into a headlock. Bella's cell phone rang.
"Hello?" the person on the other line must've heard the grunting in the background, because they laughed.
"Damn girl, what's going on over there?" she recognized James' voice.
"Embry and a friend of his are wrestling." James chuckled.
"Well as entertaining that sounds, I hate to say you have practice." Bella's eyes widened as she realized she completely forgot about practice! She squealed and hung up on James, running over to Embry to tell him, but found herself being lifted in the air, and gasped when she saw Embry. How did he…? He smirked a completely new smirk she's never seen that makes her entire face heat up.
"Where you goin?" is this the other side of Embry? The one that didn't care about other's opinions? It had to be; the way he seemed completely un-aware of his hood being down or the huge chunk of snow on his head. She carefully lifted her hand and flicks the snow off.
"I was getting you." She squeaked.
"What for?" he adjusted her so he was carrying her bridal style. She can't stop a whole new amount of heat going to her face; he was acting SO bold! She always saw him stuttering and blushing.
"I have practice." She mumbled, playing with his jacket zipper. He chuckled and adjusted her again, so he had a good grip on her shoulder and leg.
"Then let's go. Paul's heading out anyway." She waved to Paul as he headed their way, also having a smirk on his face.
"I gotta get ready for my family coming over for Christmas. I'll see you guys Christmas eve." He left and Embry went the opposite way, still carrying Bella.
"I can walk, you know." Embry grinned at her.
"Yeah, but I like doing this." Bella looked down feeling completely shy, biting her lip. They enter the rink, Embry using his back to open the door. James laughed when he saw how embarrassed Bella was. He shook his head. Embry set Bella back on her feet with a smirk, watching her put on her skates. She playfully slapped his forearm before she glided onto the ice and began her routine, fixing small details James had pointed out at the last practice.
Embry sat, memorized how graceful she moved on the ice-her body moving in tune with the melodic music coming from the juke-box set on one of the benches. His heart skipped a beat when Bella jumped off the ground, spinning through a double twirl and landing on one skate just as the music ended.
He whistled, not being able to hold it in. She looked down, humbled by his applause. James chuckled.
"One more time, and then you and I are going to the office to make sure you have a spot in the competition in February." Bella bit her lip at the thought of going against so many other skaters; she had never been in something so big! She swallowed her thoughts and repeated her routine. She sighed as the music stops after her perfect landing once again. James clapped and sent her to the locker room.
"So, you seem rather cozy with Bella." Embry stumbled where he was unconsciously pacing.
"Wha…?"
"I'm not dumb; there's more than you just being playful. Isn't there?"
"No-"
"Don't lie."
"I'm not-"
"Don't test me." He blushed, his hood suddenly too hot. There was no point to try to deny it. Besides, James was scary when he wanted to be.
"Yes." He sighed. The coach laughs and patted his back, surprisingly hard.
"Take good care of her, and watch out, she tends to get catty when things are involved with her family." Bella walked back into the rink back in her clothes, carrying her skates. She clasped Embry's hand.
"Ready to go?" he nodded, saying goodbye to the coach, who winked at him when Bella wasn't looking. What was with the people she hung out with making him blush!
"Do you want to go to my place? Emmett's at his girlfriend's." Bella asked. They carelessly walked to Bella's small house in a comfortable silence. She unlocked the door and walked in, Embry following her. The warmth of the furnace made Embry remove his hood, in fact, the sudden heat made him remove his jacket entirely, revealing a short sleeved white shirt that was out of character for him for him. The neck rim dipping low to his collar bone, the shirt sleeves gripping his arms, showing off the large, but not gigantic muscles he held.
Bella turned around, hoping it hadn't been obvious she was looking at him. She left him in the living room to get them some coffee, so he sat on the couch. She came back with two steaming cups of coffee, each differently mixed with chocolate, sugar and cream. They sipped their warm beverages, Bella blushing as she tried her hardest to get her heart rate down, the image of Embry in his fitting shirt somehow permanently burnt into her mind. She fidgeted, feeling guilty how her thoughts are slowly fading into more-than-friends category.
She jumped when Embry wrapped an arm around her shoulders, pulling her closer until her head was buried in his neck-his natural scent making her warm and fuzzy, the steady rise and fall of his chest lulling her into some kind of trance. She started her strange purring again when Embry stroked her arm. He chuckled. Her purring thing was so strange, but it was something that made her unique, in another way.
"How do you do that?"
"What?"
"Purr!" Bella blushed and adjusted herself so she could look Embry in the eyes.
"Does it bother you…?" he shook his head.
"I think it's cute." He covered his mouth when he thought of what he said, but Bella just giggled.
"Cute? No one's ever called my purring cute…" he rested his head against the back of the couch.
"What do they call it?" she shrugged.
"Weird, funny, not right, things like that." His eyebrows furrowed. He thought it was cute; how she seemed to just do it naturally, unintentionally. He grinned, getting a sudden idea.
"Well I like it, and it gives me a nickname idea for you."
"What?" his eyes flashed with amusement.
"Kitten." She giggled and buried her face deeper in his neck.
"I like it, but you're the only one who can call me that." He chuckled. Bella raised her head and looked into his uneven eyes. He was handsome; he wasn't drop dead gorgeous, which was nice. He had a slight stubble that day, showing he hadn't shaved. She rested her head over his heart, the steady beat comforting. Thump, thump, thump…she started purring again. Embry sunk down deeper, watching Bella close her eyes, steady purrs coming from her. His fingers slowly glided up and down her back, unknowingly sending shudders of something through her. A bubble formed around them, drifting away from the outside world into their own personal place.
The both jumped when someone knocked solidly on the door, the noise reverberating through the small house. Bella huffed and regretfully pulled herself from Embry's chest to answer the door. Charlie stood there, his chief jacket covered in snow.
"Dad; this is a surprise." He smiled, his mustache moving with his face. He hugged his youngest child, making her shudder from the cold of his leather jacket. She kissed his cheek.
"What can I do for you?" he stepped into the house, sighing when the warmth hits his face.
"I was just in the neighborhood and thought I'd check to see if you're coming for dinner Christmas." She nodded.
"Of course." Her father gives her a look.
"Emmett said you would be out Christmas Eve; what are you doing? I already know what he's doing. He's spending time with that Victoria girl's family…there moving awfully fast…"
"Dad, you're rambling." He puffed air out of his cheek.
"You know what I'm asking. Are you spending time with Embry?" she adjusted her footing.
"Yeah."
"What are you two doing?" she bit her lip, feeling her father's protective habits coming out.
"We're going to the tree lighting down town." He craned his neck to look into the living room.
"He's here right now isn't he?" she crossed her arms.
"We were having coffee; I just got back from practice." The police chief grunted. He kissed his daughters head and turned to leave.
"I'll see you Christmas Eve at six Bells. I love you. Be safe, in both ways" she banged her head against the door frame. Someone kill her, kill her now!
"I love you too, dad." She turned around and jumped when she saw Embry standing there with a small smile. She looked down at her black socks and his sneakers, feeling a blush coming for the fact that he heard every word. He pulled her towards him so he could wrap her up in a hug. She unconsciously snuggled into his embrace, not meaning to purr again. He shook slightly with silent laughter of what Mr. Swan meant by be safe in 'both ways.'
"I need to go. I got a text from Leah and…let's just say I feel my life depends on going." She chuckled.
"Okay. I'll see you in a couple days." She walked him to the door. He took her hand and pulled it close to his mouth, barely brushing her knuckles. She felt her heart rate pick up when he pressed his warm lips gently against her hand. He replaced his hood over his head.
"See you then." His voice seemed slightly lower, making her hand tingle even worse. He jogged down the stairs and down the sidewalk. Bella robotically walked into the house, sliding down the door after she shut it. She giggled, feeling like she was in high school; now she was nervous to be with Embry on Christmas Eve.
Embry clutched at his chest, trying to get his heartbeat back to normal; he had used every ounce of confidence to kiss Bella's hand, acting as if he had done it before, but now his heart was going mad. He was NOT going to survive the tree lighting if just a simple sweet gesture nearly made him have heart failure! Leah skipped toward him in front of the shops that lined up in downtown, her shoulder length hair decorated with snowflakes. Jacob patted his back in a way that said 'good luck.' Leah grabbed his hand, jumping up and down.
"Ready?" he shook his head. This was going to be an even longer day. Leah pouted, but started to drag him towards a store that specialized in men's wear.
"Tough luck!" she laughed like a maniac, her fiancée trailing behind them, shaking his head with a smile. The poor guy was going to have to deal with a lot of crazy things though that woman's mind. Leah had too much fun with this kind of stuff!
TADAAAA! SOMEONE SAID THEY WANTED A MORE ROMANIC MOMENT WITH BELLA AND EMBRY. WELL, THAT'S THE BEST I COULD DO WITHOUT SPOILING MY PLANS! AND ONE MORE THING, THE POLL WILL BE UP UNTIL THURSADY, SO PLEASE, I WOULD LOVE A FEW MORE VOTES TO SOLIDIFY THE CHOICE. GOODBYEEEEEEE! I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO THANK MY NEW BETA SOTHSAGE, POITING OUT SOME THINGS I NEVER NOTICED.