AN: Thank you for all my lovely reviews. Things will get fluffier I promise, but where would the fun be if I didn't drag the torture out a little? ;) And enter Jacob...
Chapter Two
"Never forget me, because if I thought you would, I'd never leave."- Winnie the Pooh
"This is the last of them," Charlie grunted, dropping the box on the floor and wiping his hand across his forehead. "Three storeys and no elevator. You sure you made the right choice with this place?"
I paused what I was doing and looked out the window, taking in the view of treetops and water I could see from my 3rd floor apartment.
"Yes," I said with a smile. "Definitely." The apartment was very small but it had modern fixtures and appliances. The carpet was new and a fresh coat of paint had been put on the walls a few days before I moved in.
Charlie hitched up his pants and cleared his throat. "Alright Bels, well, I'll leave you to get settled in. Oh and here," he fished around in his pocket and pulled out a business card. "So you can get that whining fixed in your new car."
I took the card from him and raised an eyebrow as I read the company name: Jake and Jack's Mechanic Repairs.
"Dad," I started, unsure of whether or not I was being paranoid. He somehow seemed to know what I was thinking and scratched his head uncomfortably.
"Listen Bella, he'll give you a good deal ok? And it's about time you stopped avoiding Jacob Black."
I re-examined the card. "He's in Seattle now?" I asked, surprised he would leave La Push and his pack behind.
"Been up here for a couple years now," Charlie said. "After Rachel moved home to look after Billy, he didn't need to stick around anymore. You know Rach got married to that Paul kid, don't you?"
I nodded, vaguely remembering Charlie telling me this a few years back.
"You shouldn't be driving that car round too much 'til you get it checked. I can let him know you'll be stopping by."
"No!" I cut in quickly. "No, really Dad, that's ok. I'll give them a call."
He shrugged and I knew he was keen to get back home to catch the end of the game on television – not much had changed in that respect.
"I'll be fine, Charlie. You head home. I'll come down to visit soon, ok?"
"Well alright then." He pecked me on the cheek and patted my head awkwardly before he left, closing the door softly behind him.
Butterflies filled my stomach as I realised how alone I suddenly was in this big city. It was only Saturday and I wouldn't be starting my new job until Monday. Although I knew it made sense to use the weekend to unpack, I now wished I'd stayed down in Forks an extra night. The apartment was very quiet.
I looked down again at the card I still held in my hand. What was I so afraid of? I was pretty sure that Jacob had been ok with me leaving – he'd seen that it was the best thing for me and he'd been over the moon when I told him I was leaving Edward. After high school had ended and after Victoria had attacked with her newborn army, I spent a lot of time down in La Push with Jacob as he'd recovered. That was when I'd accepted the offer for London University.
In many ways, Edward had been happy that I was moving on and leaving him behind. We'd begun to grate on each other anyway, and eternity suddenly had seemed like a very long time. Things he did began to irritate me and I'd roll my eyes when he spoke. On the whole, both of us sighed in relief when I decided to leave.
Jacob was naturally upset that I was leaving when he was (and always would be) tied to La Push, but he was so happy that Edward and I were no longer in a relationship, and that I hadn't turned into a zombie again because of the break up, that he didn't seem to mind my going.
Sighing, I went over to my newly purchased kettle and filled it with water before flipping the switch and leaning against the cool kitchen counter as it boiled.
I'd go and see him, I decided. It couldn't hurt, and it would be nice to have a friend in Seattle. If he wanted to be my friend…
ooo
I drove slowly down the street, squinting through the late afternoon drizzle as I tried to read the street numbers. 32…34… There it was. Number 36. The sign that hung over the doorway to an old garage read Jake and Jack's Mechanic Repairs.
My stomach squirmed and I suddenly wished I hadn't had that cup of tea before I left home – I needed to pee badly. I indicated and pulled into the driveway, cutting the engine and rummaging for my umbrella before I stepped out of the car.
The inside of the garage was brightly lit and noisy as men worked on a number of cars jacked up high inside the shop. I took another step inside, trying to identify the men under their caps and safety goggles before a small tinkling chime sounded from above the door to the office and a tall man stepped out, glanced at me and then did an almost comical double take.
Jacob hadn't changed much. His black, shiny hair was ever so slightly longer then I remembered and it fell into his deep brown eyes. He was wearing a white singlet and very grubby blue work pants, and was wiping his greasy hands on an old rag. I still had to crane my head to look into his face. He seemed to be staring at me, drinking me in the same way I was with him.
"Bella?" he asked, his voice husky. "What…I mean, when…"
I smiled in spite of myself at his inability to string a sentence together.
"I moved back last week. Charlie gave me your card. I just bought a new car, and…well to be honest, I wanted to see you."
"That's um, that's great," he said, nodding his head. "I'm really glad you came."
He's older, I realised. He's grown up since I've been away.
"Yeah, me too. It's so good to see you Jake." I looked around at this shop. "I had no idea that you worked as a mechanic."
"Don't just work here actually, I'm part-owner." He glanced past me at my new bright yellow car and winced. "What happened to the truck?"
"Passed away."
"My condolences." He grinned. "You replaced it with that though?"
I didn't like him being rude about my Getz. "It's a happy car, " I shrugged. "The engine's whining though."
"Leave it with me, I'll have a look at it. No charge."
"Jake!" I protested. "Don't be ridiculous of course I'll pay."
"Nah, I still owe you for the parts for my Rabbit. And those bikes." He grinned.
I just rolled my eyes. "I don't want to keep you from work. You guys look busy."
"That's ok. We'll pull your car in and I'll give you a lift home." He looked worried for a second. "Are you living with Charlie again in Forks?"
"No!" I exclaimed. "No way. I'm renting a small apartment just over the bridge. I can get the ferry back though; it's no big deal. "
He just shook his head. "Hey Jack," he called over his shoulder. "I'm just going to drop this customer back home. Bring her car in ok?" He took the car keys from me and chucked them to an older man who was sitting at a desk inside the office. It was strange being referred to as a 'customer' but our relationship status hadn't exactly been addressed yet. Were we friends? Acquaintances?
I followed Jacob outside to a pick up truck that was stencilled with the mechanic's name and logo, and hopped inside, grateful when he cranked up the heating.
"Cold today," he muttered as we pulled down the street.
"Yeah," I agreed. "Glad my new place has central heating."
I couldn't believe we were talking about the weather. Conversation had always flowed so easily between us when I lived in Forks. There had never been an uncomfortable moment between us. We sat in an awkward silence as he drove down the road towards the bridge.
"You know your way around here fairly well," I commented, trying to get conversation going again.
"Been here for a few years now," he said.
"I'm actually just up here on the right." I said, pointing to the block of units I now lived in.
He slowed outside my apartment then stopped, putting the car into park. We both sat in silence for a moment then abruptly he asked, "Do you want to get dinner tonight?"
I looked at him surprised. "Sure," I replied. "That would be great."
"There's a good Thai place on the next corner," he gestured ahead of us. "See you there at seven?"
"Sure!" I said again, still startled by the sudden invitation. "And Jake, thanks for the ride. And for my car."
He smiled at me, and warmth flooded through my body. I leaned over and kissed his cheek then let myself out and dashed through the rain back to my building.
ooo
"Crap," I mumbled, rummaging through the inside of a box, which looked like it had just vomited its contents all over the floor. Clothes were strewn across the bedroom - draped over the bed and the new squashy armchair that stood in one corner. All of the drawers had been pulled out of the armoire and clothes spilled from these as well. "Crap." I repeated.
I checked my watch and then reached for the wine glass, taking a sip before I placed it back on the bedside table. I needed to calm down – my nerves were frayed from the afternoon spent trying to unpack and find something decent to wear for dinner with Jacob that evening. I knew when Karin had been helping me pack my belongings that I would regret not being more organised and I cursed her now. As if reading my mind, my phone suddenly buzzed and 'Karin' flashed on the screen. I answered it and tapped speakerphone.
"Hey Bella!" came the familiar voice, and I could have sworn she was standing next to me, not on the other side of the world.
"Do you have any idea how difficult unpacking is when I am pulling kitchen appliances out of my clothes boxes?"
She laughed and ignored me. "I saw the pictures of your new place you sent me. It looks great!"
I looked around the room then, glad I'd sent those pictures to Renee and my friends before it looked like a bombsite.
"It's quiet though," I replied. "I don't know what to do with all of this space to myself."
"I'll just have to come and visit then," she said.
"You have no idea how much I would love that. I'm supposed to be going out for dinner tonight and desperately need to raid your wardrobe."
"Wear that white top you have with the dark skinny jeans. Oh, unless it's a hot date! Then wear that navy blue dress with your black boots."
"It's not a hot date," I replied, digging through the final box, searching for the white floaty top she had been referring to. "It's just an old family friend – Jacob."
I had forgotten Karin had seen Jacob's Facebook profile and she let out a low whistle. "Are you kidding, Bels? Do you have any idea how hot that kid is? I think this calls for your black dress."
"It certainly doesn't," I said. "Shit, I can't find that top anywhere, and I have to be there in 15 minutes." I spotted my blue dress lying in a pile of clothes near my foot, and remembered that I had carefully put my black boots away in the closet earlier this afternoon when I'd been unpacking in a more organised fashion. "Hang on a sec, I'm just going to get dressed."
"Henry's pining," she said, as I pulled off my clothes and hopped around on one leg trying to get my stockings on. "He was moping around our place the day you left looking incredibly sorry for himself. Has he been in touch?"
I blushed as I remembered the missed calls that I hadn't got around to replying to yet.
"I missed his call," I muttered. "I'll give him a call back later. What are you doing up anyway, isn't it like 3 in the morning there?"
"Yeah," she sighed. "Thesis. Due next week. What was I thinking doing Honours?"
"You get back to writing," I told her sternly. "I'll talk to you later, okay?"
We both said goodbye and hung up. I checked the time again. Five minutes; I needed to get going. Glancing at the mess on the floor, I decided I could wait until the morning before I attempted to clean it up. I added coat hangers to the mental shopping list I had been compiling in my head all day and finished the last swallow of wine in my glass.
I pulled on my boots and did one last check in the mirror before grabbing my keys and closing the door to my lovely new apartment.
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