As always, thank you so much for the reviews. I've been on holiday all week but the idea for this chapter would just not leave me alone so instead of unpacking, I sat down and wrote this straight away. Enjoy...

"Are you sure you're going to be alright?"

Holding back a sigh, I leant against the counter and watched as Angela kissed Ben goodbye outside the shop. She laughed, a hearty laugh, at something Ben said. The way he was looking at her made my heart want to melt. Her cheeks always flushed a rosy pink whenever he was nearby.

I placed my phone in the crook of my neck as I refolded a sweater that someone had returned. The door pinged as Angela walked back into the shop. It was only then that I realised Matt was still talking. It worried me how easily it felt to tune out his voice.

"Sorry," I interrupted him, "What did you say?"

He didn't even bother trying to hold back a sigh. I could hear his brother's easy laughter in the background and the low hum of the radio.

"Are you sure you're going to be alright?" He repeated. Angela smiled at me as she hung her parka up on the hook by the door. Her hair was wet and she had on her regular pair of wellies; she never went anywhere without them.

"I'll be fine," I rolled my eyes in Angela's direction, "I promise not to crash your car. I do know how to drive you know."

"Badly." I could hear the grin in Matt's voice, I couldn't help but smile too. Sometimes, I forgot how well we knew each other. Sometimes, I forgot that we had been friends first.

"Hey! I'm not that bad."

"It's not even a five minute drive," I laughed, "I'll be fine."

"Just don't drive into anything," Matt's brother shouted in the background, "He just spent a fortune on the paint work."

"Don't listen to him," I heard a thud as Matt hit his brother on the arm, "Just be careful, okay? I wish you and Louise weren't still having this stupid argument. I would feel better if she ran you home."

"If anything happens, I'll phone her," I lied. We had barely spoken for a whole week, which for us, was the equivalent of a lifetime. Every time she tried to approach me, I walked in the opposite direction. I knew I was being childish, but the thought of falling back into our normal routine; her talking endlessly about everyone in town and me having to listen, her deciding what parties we went to and where we ate sounded tiresome. I liked making my own decisions. Matt just didn't understand. Louise and I had outgrown each other.

"Good," Matt's voice was quiet, "Give me a text when you get in and leave the door unlocked," I frowned, "I feel like staying tonight, if that's okay? I miss you." We had literally spent the whole day at school together. We had sat beside each other in English and held hands at the lunch table. I had been looking forward to lounging about on the sofa and pigging out on pizza while watching reality television - which Matt despised. I craved some alone time. I was being selfish, as always.

"Of course that's okay," I said instead of voicing my complaints. I didn't have the energy to argue with him. Besides, the extra warmth in bed wouldn't go amiss. I just hoped I was already sleeping by the time he got back from Port Angeles.

"I love you," he murmured. He had taken to pronouncing his love a hell of a lot since I had agreed to marry him. He was always so darn happy. My heart felt heavy in my chest as I watched the rain make intricate patterns on the shop window.

"I love you too."

I stared at my phone for a moment too long when we disconnected. Angela was sitting on the countertop flicking through one of the many classic novels that she carried with her at all times.

"I hear a congratulations is in order?"

Angela and I had been working together for just over a year. We worked in the only clothing store in Forks. She also worked in the library during the day. Everything was so effortless with Angela. It had surprised me how easily we seemed to get along, and as I had drifted away from Louise, Angela had become my source for emotional outlet, despite the small age gap. She was a good friend.

"I guess," I smiled, a small smile. She reached out to squeeze my hand. Everyone was so damn happy about Matt and I's engagement. Everywhere I turned, people would be grinning. It was almost too much to handle. I should have been the one with a smile on my face. I should have been the one with the skip in my step. Nobody else.

"Ang? Why have you and Ben never gotten married?" I recalled the loving moment that they had shared only seconds earlier.

They had been together ever since I could remember. Ben was a constant figure at the shop. He was one of the funniest men I had ever met. And Angela adored him. That much was clear.

"There's no rush," Angela shrugged, "We would rather save and go travelling than get married. We know we love each other."

"Do you not feel pressured?"

"It's no one else's decision apart from mine and Ben's. Sure; my Mum would love to see me in a white dress, but in all likelihood, if we ever do get married, it will be probably be a spur of the moment thing and I'll be wearing jeans."

I smiled. That sounded like my idea of perfection. For a moment I let myself imagine standing on a beach on a tiny island saying my vows. However, I knew Matt would never go for the idea. He adored Forks, it worried me just how much he loved it at times. It meant that I would never escape it.

"Not that marriage isn't a wonderful thing," Angela said hastily, "You and Matt are perfect for each other. And I'm sure it will be a gorgeous wedding." So everyone kept saying. We both flinched as the rain got heavier and slammed against the window.

"You can head home if you want? You stayed late last night."

"No, I-"

"I mean it," Angela interrupted me, "You look like you could use an early night." Angela was smarter than anyone ever gave her credit for. I was continuously amazed by her ability to read people; although, it was slightly annoying when she continued to beat me in sales week after week.

"Thanks Angela. I owe you one."

"Now we're even," she corrected me as I grabbed Matt's hoodie from underneath the counter. They were just so damn cosy.

"If you're plan is to suck up to me so you can be a bridesmaid, then it's working."

"You know me too well."

We both laughed. Secretly, I wished I could be as selfless as Angela. That was the kind of person that Matt deserved. Not me.

xxxxxxxxx

It was only when I was sitting in front of the wheel that the smile slipped off of my face and I took a deep breath. It was exhausting pretending to be happy all of the time. It shouldn't have been so hard. Matt was amazing, yet I had a niggling feeling in the pit of my stomach that refused to go away. Something was wrong.

The rain got heavier as I put the car into gear and pulled away from the kerb without injuring myself or others; Matt would have been proud.

The thought of going home to an empty house made me feel suddenly lonely. I missed the days when I went home to a homemade meal instead of something microwaveable. Sometimes, I thought about selling my childhood home but then I would remember the memories that covered every surface of the house. If I sold the house, I would never be able to look at the stain on the hall carpet and remember the night my Mum laughed so hard that she spilled her red wine - which was so unlike her. I would never be able to look at the painted red walls in her bedroom and remember how we sat in the middle of the room and ate Chinese food after painting all day. At times, I swore I could even still smell her perfume lingering in the air.

It hurt to think about her, but the thought of forgetting everything seemed a whole lot more terrifying. She had been the most important thing in my life.

I let out a scream as something darted in front of the car. My whole body jolted forward as something smashed against the bonnet. The car skidded as I slammed on the breaks, my breathing heavy. I hadn't even been watching where I was going. Shaking, I realised that I had been heading away from Forks and towards La Push without conscious thought. My heart hammered in my chest and I jumped as thunder rumbled in the distance. I had hit something. Something big.

Oh God. Oh God.

Sitting forward in my seat, I tried to see if there was anything on the road but it was just too damn dark. My whole body continued to shake. I couldn't make myself go out into the dark. What the hell was I going to do if there was a body on the road? Pressing my hand over my mouth, I forced myself not to vomit.

Tears blurred my vision as I reached for my phone. I needed help. It was only then that I realised Matt was in Port Angeles. A wolf howled nearby. Frantic, I reached to make sure my door was locked. It dawned on me that I was in the middle of nowhere, with no cars nearby and I may have just killed something.

"Oh god." My voice sounded too loud in the sudden silence of the night. Desperately, I wished that I had just driven straight home like Matt had told me to do. I held my breath as I turned the key in the ignition. And nothing happened. Another sob got caught in my throat. Just typical.

Without thinking, I reached for my bag on the floor. I had tried to throw Brady's number away during the week, but I just couldn't bring myself to do it. Instead, I had hidden the bit of scrap paper inside my Trig textbook, one place Matt definitely would not go near even if I paid him. My hands continued to shake as I dialled the unfamiliar number. Another wolf howled in the distance and I held my breath, too scared to make a noise.

"Jake?" Brady sounded annoyed, "I told you to stop. I'll be there in literally two-"

"It's not Jake." My voice was wobbly. The other end of the line went deadly silent.

"I-I'm sorry, but you said I could call you f-for anything and-"

"Jade?" His voice was instantly softer, another tear escaped from the corner of my eye, "Jade? Is that you? Are you alright?" My eyes instantly swivelled to the darkness in front of the car. No, I definitely wasn't alright. It was suddenly very cold.

"I think I hit something," I whispered, "And the car won't start. I'm so sorry for calling you, I just don't know what to do." My voice cracked at the end. I heard Brady inhale sharply.

"Where are you?"

"I-I don't know."

"Think Jade," he sounded desperate, "Please think."

"Somewhere between Forks and La Push. I think." My head was aching. I couldn't go to prison, I just couldn't. Forks was suffocating enough. I was too claustrophobic to deal with a prison cell.

"Wait there." I choked out another sob as the line went dead. In that moment, I wondered why I hadn't called Louise or Angela. I was drawn to Brady in a way that I couldn't even begin to understand. My plan had been to stay as far away from him as possible. He ignited feelings in me that I had never felt before, dangerous feelings that could hurt Matt.

I let out another strangled scream as someone knocked on the car window. I gripped onto the Trig textbook in my hand and held it like a weapon. My heart skipped a beat.

"Jade? Jade? It's me."

My whole body slumped in relief when I heard Brady's voice. Another wolf howled in the distance and I wiped the tears hastily from my face as I unlocked the door. I was surprised my legs didn't collapse underneath me as I stumbled from the car. Brady stood in the middle of the road, rain falling around him, but he didn't seem to notice it. Instead, his eyes seemed to be scanning me.

"Are you alright?" He went to take a step forward, but then seemed to think better of it, "Are you hurt?"

"N-no," My voice cracked; not physically at least, "D-did I hit-…What did I hit?"

I held onto the car door for balance as Brady walked slowly around to the front of the car. I could of sworn that I heard him growl under his breath.

His eyes were gentle as he turned back to face me. He held a brown hair in his hand.

"I think it was an animal," his eyes flashed briefly, "A wolf by the looks of things. It must be fine, they were probably curious and got too close to the road."

A wolf? A fucking wolf? I didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

"So, I didn't h-hit a person then?" Relief seemed to course through my blood. I felt tired suddenly, as if I had run a marathon.

"No," he shook his head. He was standing entirely too far away. It was probably for the best.

"Thank you," I whispered, my voice still shaking, "I w-was so scared and I-"

My voice faltered as Brady took two steps forward and pulled me into a tight hug. I hid my face in his chest. It was only then that I realised all he had on was a pair of shorts.

"I'm glad you phoned," he sounded almost pained, "I told you that you can call me anytime. I'll always be around. Always."

"Thank you," I repeated. His skin was boiling hot. I hoped he wasn't getting sick because he was standing in the rain. My cheeks flushed as I realised how totally inappropriate it was for me to be hugging a half naked stranger on a dark road instead of being at home in bed with my fiancée. I flinched.

"I should go," I managed to untangle myself from Brady with some difficulty. His eyes widened as I took a step away from him.

"Let me drive you." He didn't give me a chance to say no before he stepped around me and walked towards the drivers seat.

"Shit," I muttered remembering the moments before Brady had arrived, "It didn't start when I tried earlier."

"Really?" Brady's face brightened considerably. It was as if I had just told him that he had won the lottery.

"I'm good with cars. I can take it back to mine and fix it up?"

Matt was going to kill me. He was never going to let me near the car again.

"The car actually belongs to a friend." The words felt wrong in my mouth. I was terrified that Brady would see right through my lies.

"Don't worry, it will be free of charge. I'll try and get it done quickly for your friend. You can come and get it when it's done."

"But I-"

"No arguments." He grinned. His grin seemed to spark something within me and I forgot what I was trying to say.

"I'll need to pay you something-"

"No."

"But I-"

"No," Brady laughed and reached into the car to grab the keys, brushing my arm in the process. I blushed and moved closer to Brady as a car approached in the distance. He put a reassuring hand on my arm as if it was the most natural thing in the world.

"Don't worry," his voice was low, "It's just my friend Colin. I called him so we can take you home." I was about to protest and say that I would phone Louise but the way he was looking down at me, so raw and pleading, all thoughts of my friends from Forks seemed to seep from my head.

"Someone called for a Knight in Shining Armour?" Colin stuck his head out of the truck window and smirked in my direction before raising his eyebrows at Brady. He couldn't seem to sit still, as if he was dying to ask Brady something but couldn't with me around. Colin had a childish way about him that I couldn't help but smile at. It was refreshing.

"Hey!" Brady protested, "I'm the Knight in Shining Armour. I rescued Jade, you just happen to be driving her home." I scoffed.

"No, no, no," Colin shook his head as my eyes darted between the two of them, "I have my trusty stallion. If it wasn't for me, you would both be stranded."

"He has a point." I commented. Colin winked at me and I couldn't help but laugh.

"I would have found a way to get us home," Brady grumbled.

"Stop moaning and get in the car. Unless, you want Jade to catch a cold?" Brady's eyes were instantly upon me again. I shivered.

"He's right," Brady admitted grudgingly. I almost laughed again when he opened the door for me; such a gentleman. There was three seats in the front. I was going to have to squash myself in between Brady and Colin. My eyes flickered to Matt's car one last time.

"What about-"

"Don't worry," It was as if Brady could read my mind, "Colin and I will tow it to my house later. But now you have no choice but to give me your number so I can tell you when I've fixed it." Brady looked entirely too pleased with himself.

I rolled my eyes as Colin waved a pen in front of my face. It was strange how comfortable I felt in their presence. Matt seemed to drift further and further away from my mind as Colin stepped on the gas and I fell sideways into Brady. He smiled softly down at me as he put his arm around my shoulders to keep me steady. I should have pushed him away, but I didn't. I should have phoned Matt to tell him that I had been in an accident, but I didn't. I shouldn't have felt anything other than friendly feelings towards Brady, but I did. Everything was so confusing.

"Wouldn't want you getting hurt," Brady mumbled before fixing his eyes straight ahead. He was entirely too cute. It was messing with my head.

Thoughts?