HELLO! I KNOW I SAID THE NEXT UPDATE WOULD BE A TEASER OF THE NEXT STORY, AND IT STILL IS! IT'S JUST NOT THE MAIN THING. EVERYTHING BELONGS TO STEPHANIE MEYER- I WOULD HAVE DONE EVERYTHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT. I WOULD HAVE MESSED UP PEOPLE'S MINDS BY MAKING BELLA SUDDENLY BE WITH EMBRY AND MAKE EDWARD FALL OFF A CLIFF AND EMMETT BEING MORE INVOLVED AND MAKE ROSALIE BEING LESS OF A BITCH AND MAKE VICTORIA SUDDENLY BE ALL NICE AND MAKE EVERY BODY GO… WHAT THE H…
SSage(BETA); *COVERS MOUTH* Woah Vicky! She's sorry if she started to go berserk-she has a tendency to get carried away when…
ME; *GROWLS*
BETA; Woah there! Down girl…Don't make me get the duct tape…
ME; *POUTS* I'M JUST SAYING IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A LITTLE MORE ENTERTAINING IF…
SSage; Yeah, I know. If Bella messed Edward up by burning his balls, in addition to many other very graphic things going through that brain of yours. Anyways, back to the subject at hand-Vicky doesn't own anything. They're someone else's toys, she's just playing with them, even though she wishes that they were hers, but then again don't we all?
ME; YEAH, WHAT HE SAID!
February 14
Embry shoved his head deeper into his soft pillow as his phone went off. He didn't get much sleep, because he was thinking of what Paul had said the other night.
Flashback-last night
"I swear! The thing was as big as a baseball!" Paul was telling Embry about a mouse Alice had yelled for him to get at her apartment. They were sitting in a small coffee shop in the back so they could talk without people staring at the way they interacted.
"Paul, they can't get that big." Embry smiled at his friend before he sipped his coffee. Paul swallowed his mouthful of cinnamon flavored latte and flailed his arms. Embry shook his head.
"I bet they can! It scared ME! And I killed a bunch for my mom when I was younger!" Embry picked at his muffin with a grin.
"I know. I helped you a couple times. I remember that one we found in the toaster? The little guy jumped right out when you turned in on!" Embry exclaimed. Paul laughed heartily. It had been a month since he met Alice, two and half months since he got his friend back, and two weeks since he realized he wanted to quit the skating team. He was trying his hardest to find a reason without mentioning Embry. He thought about telling them Alice wanted him to but…he had a feeling that wouldn't work. Paul was known for being stubborn and not letting someone turn him into a pushover.
He mentally sighed. He needed to find some way to get off the team. It just wasn't the same after Embry was kicked off-he saw the guys true colors and didn't want to mix with them anymore. He couldn't handle the headache he was starting to get so he changed the subject.
"So, you got any plans for Valentine's Day?" Embry raised an eyebrow over his Styrofoam cup, showing his confusion for the sudden subject change. Paul bit a large chunk of his egg sandwich. Embry shrugged and leaned back onto the fake leather seats of the booth.
"Not really. Bella's not that into Valentine's Day. I might just rent a movie, get some pizza and that would be it." Embry said nonchalantly. Paul frowned.
"How does she react?" Embry waved a hand dismissively.
"She doesn't react badly; she just doesn't understand the Holiday. I have to say I don't either. If you ask me it doesn't make much sense." He bit into his muffin. Paul smirked.
"I guess she doesn't know a lot of people pop their cherry on Valentine's Day." Embry choked on his muffin and pounded his chest with his fist as a coughing fit ensued. Paul laughed wildly and gave Embry his coffee. When he composed himself he glared at Paul, making him laugh harder.
"After all this time you're still sensitive about sex!" Embry reached over the table to punch his friend in the shoulder. Some people heard the commotion and were craning their necks to see what was going on.
"I'm not sensitive about it! You caught me off guard!" Embry defended. Paul gasped in air, his sides hurting from laughter. He cleared his throat and looked at his now blushing friend.
"On a serious note, have you guys not, you know…err experimented?" Embry slammed his head on the table and groaned. He tried his hardest to avoid this subject. He would admit he let his hands…WANDER a little but it never led to anything that serious.
"Not really, no." Embry mumbled. Paul grunted with embarrassment.
"Okay then." There was awkward silence for a moment before Embry raised his head. He took a gulp of his coffee.
"How's Alice?" He asked.
"She's great, sweet as can be. I see why Bella's always tired after spending time with her. She has so much energy-she keeps me on my toes." Paul chuckled as he thought of the hyper little pixie he had grown fond of. Embry pushed the last of his muffin away-the pastry no longer appetizing. Paul's phone went off. He looked at the caller I.D and rolled his eyes. He turned off his phone with a smirk.
"Sam?" Embry asked as he grinned deviously.
"Yeah. The dick won't leave me alone! God he gets on my nerves." Paul huffed and got up. He patted his friends back shoulder.
"I better get going. I promised Seth I'd stop by to look at his truck. I'll catch you later." They said their goodbyes and Embry's left soon after to get some things done at his place.
End of flashback
Embry's pillow was suddenly too hot, so he forced himself out of bed and into the bathroom-to take a shower. He rolled his shoulders as the warm stream of water massaged his back. For a split second his mind faded to the first time a he took a shower with his scars. The hot water had hit the sensitive wounds and he had let out the most ear piercing scream known to man. The old woman that lived above him was frantically knocking on his door just as he had hurriedly gotten out of the shower. He had to yell that he was okay so she wouldn't see his scars. He shuddered, trying to get rid of the memory. He may be over his fear, but it didn't make it any less disturbing to remember how painful it was.
He rinsed his sudsy hair before he turned off the water and stepped out of the shower. He wrapped a towel around his waist so he could brush his teeth. When he finished his bathroom routine, Embry put on a pair of black jeans and a white flannel shirt. He entered his tiny kitchen and poured himself a bowl crunchy sugar frosted wheats. He let his mind wander off. Bella and him had been together since Christmas…was it time to start thinking of THAT step in the relationship? She and him never talked about it…well, that was a lie. They had talked about it once-they both seemed happy with how things were and were perfectly content on waiting.
He sighed. That was the last time he'd let Paul weasel into that subject! He slurped the last of the milk in his bowl and set it in the sink. He rubbed his face with both of his hand in annoyance. Curse Paul sticking all these thoughts in his head! He banged his head on the wall a few times until he started getting a dull headache. He sighed again. He wasn't' picking Bella up 'til eight, so he had plenty of time to try to forget his conversation with Paul.
He plopped down on his couch and numbed his brain with some show called 'impractical jokers.' His cell phone went off-the vibration making him jump since his phone was in his back pocket.
"Hello?"
"Happy Valentine's Day grumpy ass!" Leah's happy voice filled his ear. Embry chuckled.
"Happy Valentine's Day she-devil." He casually responded as he turned down the volume on the TV. She laughed.
"So tell me, do you have any plans for today?" Leah asked a little too innocently.
"Yeah. I'm going to pick up Bella, order some take out, and she's going to spend the night. Nothing huge." Leah made a sound of distaste. She never understood his simple way of doing things-she always obsessed over the smallest problems.
"You're joking. THAT'S your plan?" Embry waved the hand around that didn't hold the phone out of habit.
"Well-yeah! What am I supposed to do? She already told me she didn't want to do anything big!" He defended. Leah groaned.
"Whatever! I have to get some stuff for Jake. I'll talk to you soon grumpy ass. And tell Bella I said hi!" Embry chuckled.
"I'll be sure to do that. Bye Leah." He hung up with an eye roll. Oh how he loved Leah during the holidays.
Xx
"No way in hell!" a flushed and embarrassed Bella sat on the toilet at Alice's small apartment, the little pixie trying to get her to try on lingerie for Embry. Alice pouted, sticking out her bottom lip.
"No!" Bella moved her body to turn around to show she was serious. Alice huffed and pinched her friends arm, making her flinch and turn around to glare at her. The little pixie held up a blood red bra suggestively. Bella puffed her cheeks in annoyance.
"No, Alice." Alice dropped her arms in frustration.
"Don't you want to make tonight special?" She whined. Bella sighed in aggravation. She hated this subject.
"Alice, the farthest we've gone is him gripping my thigh a little tight. We're both too shy for that kind of stuff!" Alice laughed like a maniac. She could imagine them being so innocent unlike a lot of couples. She pushed the lacy garment in Bella's hands. She grinned.
"So you're going to test his control!" Alice waved a finger in Bella's face as if she was scolding her. Bella bit her lip as a fresh current of heat went to her cheeks. She took a deep breath and stood up.
"I don't want to test his control; I just want to spend a simple day with him like I always do!" Alice knitted her thin eyebrows together in a frown. She pushed Bella back onto the toilet. She affectionately patted her cheek and pulled out a mysterious bag. Bella craned her neck to attempt to see what was inside. She found some courage to say something she never dared.
"And besides…I want him to love me before we do that." She whispered in a voice that was barely audible. Alice froze her movements and slowly turned to her friend with large eyes and a frightening look.
"Are you blind woman?" Alice shrieked, making Bella jump off the toilet seat. "How can you not see the way he looks at you? I swear Paul always has to snap his fingers to get him to stop! What makes you think he doesn't love you!" Bella touched her temple for a minute.
"In all honesty, I don't know." She mumbled. Alice grabbed her shoulders and started to shake her.
"You're insane if you can't see what Paul and I can see in his eyes! It's not crazed lust, it's something meaningful and you NEED to act on it! Valentine's Day is the day to grow some balls and do what you wouldn't dare any other day. Embry makes you happy, so take a risk with him. I know for a fact he's having just as much trouble with this decision as you are!" Bella removed Alice's hands from her shoulder and gave her a frightened look.
"Ali I…" Alice placed a small finger on Bella's lips and looked right in the eye. Her greyish blue eyes held determination and compassion.
"You and Embry click unlike anyone I've ever seen. When he looks at you with a certain look you know exactly what he needs, when you frown he knows just how to get rid of it without any effort. You know each other so well because you built a friendship first and thought through every decision. Tonight Bella, I want you to stop thinking and just let your feelings control you…no matter how cliché that sounds!" Bella couldn't help but giggle at her friends rant ending with such a silly after thought. She sighed and nodded. Alice clapped with glees and whipped out some crazy box from the mystery bag.
"Awesome, because I'm going to make you look fantastic!" Bella paled slightly, but managed not to run. She closed her eyes tightly as her crazed pixie friend stalked towards her with the strange box.
Xx
Paul whistled as he glided across the oval of ice known as the rink, Quil and Tyler acting like the idiots they were in front of him, though Quil seemed to push Tyler away more than in a joking manner.
He was eager to get to Alice so they could go to the movies tonight and get away from Sam's stalkerish gaze. Ever since he turned down the New Year's party offer, the guy has been keeping a hawk eye on him. He didn't seriously understand why; Seth had gotten drunk at some stupid bar with Collin instead of going to the party. The kid wasn't a good drunk-he was an absolute klutz drunk, especially with an already overly hyper Collin dragging him around. Sam didn't pay attention to that fact. No, he acted like he was perfectly fine with Seth not going. But he's a whole other story.
Paul stopped when something caught his eyes. Two guys in work suits were hanging a banner that said 'Welcome To The Colorado Skating Tournament.' He suddenly remembered Bella would be in that. He had gone with Embry one time to pick her up. All he could say that Bella transformed as soon as she stepped on the ice-she wasn't clumsy or shy, she was graceful and confident when she moved. He had a good feeling she would place in the tournament, Second place at the lowest.
He grinned at the thought of the look on Embry's face when he watches her-he gets a completely mesmerized look and just follows her every move until she's in his arms again. Harry came through the door from the bathroom and patted Sam's shoulder before he blew his whistled and shouted for the team to get dressed and ready to leave. Paul glided off the ice and went with the rest of the team into the locker room, talk of Valentine dates everywhere.
"Yo Paul, what are you doing for Valentine's Day?" Quil questioned with less snark than usual. Ever since the incident with Embry, Paul has noticed that Quil was slowly lowering his voice and smiling more than smirking. The slightly taller man smiled.
"Nothing much. Take my girl out for a movie, maybe a nice dinner. You know the usual." Quil nodded. He leaned against the locker next to Paul. His eyes shifted to cautious and looked to make sure no one was lurking around a corner. He leaned in close to Paul, who was a little freaked out by the change in Quil's attitude.
"I know you still talk to Em." He whispered. Paul's heart nearly stopped as he looked into his teammates eyes and saw something he hadn't seen in a long time-Regret. He wasn't talking to the obnoxious Quil. This was the Quil he never met-the one who Tyler always gloated about getting rid of.
"And?" Paul's voice cracked at the fact that someone knew! Quil of all people! Quil shifted a little uncomfortably.
"I…I want to talk to him. I know I wasn't as close as you are to him but…I still trusted him and you more than anyone and I…I didn't realize how drastic my personality had changed until Em grabbed my shirt. I want to apologize and see if I can salvage any scraps of the friendship we had." He bowed his head in regret at his behavior. He wouldn't blame it all on the team. He willingly went into their clutches unlike Em and Paul. Just like Paul he was starting to get his sense back.
He was surprised when Paul slipped something into his hand. He looked to see that it was a phone number. Quil looked at him hopefully yet confused.
"It's Em's phone number. Don't call it until tomorrow though. I was always hoping you would snap out of it Quil." Paul patted his back and left the locker room. Quil collapsed onto the bench and stared at the phone number. He wasn't like Paul, who had practically grown up with Embry. He had been an outcast with huge glasses and no friends…when he joined the team, he had promised to be something else. He realized he went too far.
He propped his head in his hands. He was going to go backwards, back to the days when he was just another nerd in the world. He stood up, now filled with determination. The first thing he did was remove his contacts from his eyes.
Here comes the REAL Quil Atera!" he thought.
Xx later that night…about 7:50 pm
Embry stepped out of his apartment into the icy wind and locked his door. He placed his hood over his head and began a steady tread through the streets towards Bella's house. There was no snow-just ice cold wind that bit right through his thick jacket. Colorado was beautiful, but cold. Embry jogged through the wind to step onto the porch of Bella's home. He knocked on the door and was met with a blushing Bella dressed in dark green sweater and dark jeans that complimented her curves, her eyes popped out thanks to the smoky makeup applied to her eyelids, her hair done into adorable coils of curls.
His jaw dropped. Bella bit her lip. He finally snapped out of his shock and stepped into the house. He looked around.
"No Emmett?" He asked.
"No Emmett. He does have a girlfriend you know." Bella joked. Embry chuckled and wrapped his arms around her waist like every time he saw her.
"Ready to go?" Bella nodded and retrieved her coat before joining Embry at the door. He placed his arm over her shoulders after she locked the door as they started the walk through the cold. They walked in comfortable silence as always; Embry's arm securely around Bella's shoulders.
They stepped into his apartment quickly to revel in the heat. Bella rubbed her upper arms in an attempt to gain some extra heat. Embry called pizza hut and asked Bella to pick a movie while he used the bathroom. Bella knelt in front of his small shelf of movies looking at each title. She grabbed a movie called 'Journey to the Center of Earth.' She set in the DVD player as Embry walked into the room. They dropped themselves on the couch, Bella snuggling right into the crook of his arm. Embry kissed her head and let himself fall into the movie.
About halfway through, the pizza came. Embry heaved himself off the couch and answered the door. The poor kid was only sixteen years old in his job out there in the cold. To pay for his troubles Embry gave him a ten dollar tip and a smile. He dropped the pizza box on the coffee table so they could just help themselves to a slice. Embry bit into his slice of pepperoni as the ending of the movie neared, Bella nibbling on her crust snuggled into his side.
Embry sighed when the movie ended and popped the second one called 'Paranormal Activity.' He hadn't even looked at the box, so when the first scare came he jumped and got it out as fast as he could. He replaced with the comedy 'The Hangover.' Soon the pizza lost its luster and Embry shut the box so he wouldn't stuff himself with another slice.
He lost interest in the movie and started stroking Bella's arm, making steady purrs form. He chuckled. His kitten…
Bella kissed his jaw so gently-it was almost as if it never happened. He tipped his head to press his lips slightly harder against hers, making her gasp and twist her fingers into his hair. Embry ran his tongue against her lip and she gladly gave him entrance. Bella gripped a handful of his shirt in her little fist, trying to get him closer and making a noise that gave Embry chills. He found his hand gripping Bella's thigh possessively, Bella's free hand no longer gripping his shirt- it was tightly wound in his hair just like the other. Their lips moved in the smooth pattern they had grown to in only a month, but even in this haze Embry had some sense. He pulled away panting.
"Bella." He whispered. "I need to know that this is what you want." Bella kissed his bottom lip and made that noise again. Guess that was a yes. Embry inhaled sharply and stood up, taking Bella with him. Her legs wrapped around his waist as he blindly wandered through his apartment, bumping Bella into walls and knocking stuff over until he was sure he reached his door. He fumbled around to find the knob, trying to keep his rhythm of the fervent kisses he was placing on Bella's neck. She was whimpering now.
He finally opened the door and stumbled as the support of the door vanished. Bella gave a little shriek when Embry gently tosses her onto his small but soft bed, only to jump on top of her carefully. She giggled and pulled his head down to kiss him. He set his forehead against hers with a heartbeat as fast as a humming bird. He took a deep breath as Bella's fingers trailed down his back slowly. He looked into her dark chocolate orbs-the ones that started everything…that fateful day of running into the figure skater. It's hard to believe only months ago he was bitter and depressed. Now, he was living.
He lifted a hand to caress Bella's flushed cheek. He swallowed a lump in his throat and whispered something that he wanted to for a long time by then.
"I love you." Bella gasped and dug her fingers into his clothed back.
"I love you too." She whispered. Embry kissed her bottom lip, her nose, and her eyelids. He nipped at her ear, getting a little squeak. He gasped when he felt pressure on his butt. Things blurred as two innocent lovers gave themselves to each other for the first time.
Xx
Embry watched the moonlight leak through his small circular window, his head propped up by one of his hands, and the other rested loosely on Bella's hip-her back snuggly against his chest. Her steady breathing and the hum of the heater was the only noise in the room. Embry shifted his gaze to Bella, her long brown hair splayed all over the pillow. What he could see of her face smooth…free of frown lines. His heart fluttered with a gush of new emotions he couldn't explain.
What he just shared with Bella would forever be in his mind held as a precious memory. Movement under his arm made him snap back to reality and was met with Bella's still sleepy eyes. Her cheeks were still pink and the heat of the blanket was most likely keeping it there.
"Hey." He murmured and pursed his lips. Bella smiled at him in a way that melted his heart.
"Hi." She yawned. Embry pulled her body a little closer to him. Bella's eyes wandered to the prominent scars on his chest that was a few shades darker than the rest of his skin. She hesitantly lifted a hand and trailed one finger down one of the scars, making Embry sigh. He placed his larger hand over hers-her hand had somehow moved itself right over his heart, where the beat was strong and steady.
"Why do you love me?" He whispered helplessly. The question caught Bella off guard and was slightly hurt that he would question her love. She looked at him with loving eyes.
"Because you're you." Bella scooted closer so she could bury her face into his neck. "You're sweet and humble. You know how to sympathize people without pitying them, you smile when everyone is frowning. You're handsome without exaggerating anything about your appearance. You're unique; you're Embry…my Embry." Bella kissed his neck lightly at the end, making him smile. He dropped his head to her level-his uneven eyes shining with happiness. Bella loved him. He was happy. Things just seemed right.
"My kitten." He snaked his arms around her waist and closed that last remaining distance between them and pecked her lips. That one little peck led to a sweet long kiss that made them feel warm and fuzzy. Embry splayed his fingers across Bella lower back, making her whimper. They pulled apart and snuggled together in the warmth of each other along with the blankets, fading into a peaceful sleep.
AWWWWWW! BEFORE I GIVE THE TEASER I HAVE TO SAY I WAS BLUSHING FURIOUSLY WRITING THAT PART. I TRIED TO MAKE THE LEAST GRPAHIC I COULD WHILE ALSO GIVING THE RIGHT VIBE I WANTED. I'M GONNA SHUT UP AND SHOW THE TEASER!
I heard the screeching of tires, and felt Emmett push me into the sidewalk. I heard a horrible crash, more screeching and then silence. I got up and cradled my hand that now had a bad cut. It was disturbingly silent, too silent to be peaceful
"Emmett?" I called. I turned around and screamed. Emmett had gotten hit! I ran to him and held his head; he had a horrible gash on the back of his head, his leg was in an unnatural position and he was out cold. A man stumbled out of the car and hiccupped, and I realized he was drunk! I felt anger sear my insides. I gently rested Emmett head on my jacket, stomping towards the drunken bastard. He sneered down at me, his breath smelled like vodka. Ugh…
"What do you *hiccup* want?" I punched him in the balls and was satisfied when he dropped to his knees with a groan. I jumped on top of him, punching him furiously.
"YOU HIT MY FRIEND YOU SICK, DRUNKEN JERK!" I felt someone pull me off of his groaning body.
"NO! LET ME AT EM' JUST LET ME BEAT HIM TO AN INCH OF HIS LIFE! HE DESERVES IT! LEMME GO! LEMME GO!" I flailed and screamed, the arms carrying me farther from my prey, from the man that most likely took my best friends life. Everything was a blur, I saw people taking Emmett into an ambulance, but in my eyes, they were taking him closer to death, I didn't know tears were streaming down my face. I screamed at the arms to let me go, I beat on their chest, shrieked at shocking volumes, but they cradled me, their heartbeat fast.
"Everything will be okay, Bella, just calm down, breathe, relax, those people are helping Emmett." I recognized the voice. Embry. I gripped his shirt and sobbed, and he willingly held me. I was going to lose my best and only friend, just because some man decided to get drunk at two o'clock in the afternoon.
I heard Jacob's offer to hold me, but I wouldn't let go of Embry, the way he was rocking me, not saying anything unlike my mother, who I knew would try to soothe me with failing promises. I felt myself run out of tears, slipping into unintentional sleep. Embry rubbed my back as I let darkness took me in…
I'M SORRY IF IT'S A SUCKISH TEASER, BUT I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO PUT IN WITHOUT GIVING EVERYTHING AWAY…NOT LIKE THE TITLE KEEPS IT MUCH OF A SECRET. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS MESSAGE ME! PEACE! LOVE! EMBRY!
BETAed by SotheSage