The rest of the day went slow after lunch, all I wanted to do was get home and take a long shower and spend some time with dad, as I walked towards my truck I saw Emmett leaned against it,
"hey you" I said smiling as I reached him,
"hey Lil how was the afternoon" Emmett asked pushing himself off the truck,
"slow, very slow I'm ready for home and to veg out in front of the tv with dad" I said smiling,
"how did you find lunch?" he asked, I smiled,
"it was good I'm still a little curious though" I said honestly,
"And you still want to know why you can't see me hunt?" He seemed solemn, but I thought I saw a trace of humour deep in his eyes, I smiled a little,
"Well, I was mostly wondering about yours and everyone's reaction" I clarified, he looked a little apprehensive,
"Did I frighten you?" he asked seriously,
"No" I lied a little, He clearly didn't buy it,
"I apologize for scaring you" he persisted with a slight smile,
"It was just the very thought of you being there… while we hunted." His jaw tightened, I reached out for his hand which he gladly took,
"That would be bad?" I concluded,
"Extremely" He spoke from between clenched teeth,
"Because… ?" I expanded, He took a deep breath and stared at me for a moment,
"When we hunt, we give ourselves over to our senses… govern less with our minds. Especially our sense of smell. If you were anywhere near me when I lost control that way…" He shook his head, still gazing morosely at the heavy clouds that were rolling across the sky, I kept my expression firmly under control, expecting the swift flash of his eyes to judge my reaction that soon followed. My face gave nothing away,
"can I ask why it would be so bad if Edward was there?" I asked tentatively, Emmett sighed,
"your Edwards cantante" Emmett said finally looking straight into my eyes, I looked confused, Emmett glanced around before turning back to me,
"a what?" I asked confused,
"it's what vampires refer to as a blood singer, blood calls to every vampire but a vampires cantante is like their own personal addiction. . . a sort of heroin, their bloods sort of sings to them more than any other person" Emmett explained,
"what about Bella?" I asked panicked, Emmett frowned even more,
"she is but not to extent yours does. . . that's why he left after seeing you the first day, he was struggling to control the thirst" Emmett explained again, I nodded slowly,
"what normally happens if someone meets their can…blood singer" I asked quietly, Emmett looked away, I took a deep breathe,
"just tell me Em, I can handle it" I whispered,
"it doesn't end well" was Emmett's only comment, I felt my face pale at the comment, Emmett turned and stared straight into my eyes,
"I won't let that happen" he said firmly, I nodded,
"I trust you" I said whole hearted, Emmett gave me a slight smile,
"Em? Have you ever met your blood singer?" I asked not sure if I really wanted to know the answer, he frowned and that was all the clarification I needed,
"it's fine Em" I said giving him a small smile,
"that's why I get angry when you put yourself in danger for Bella, Edward would protect Bella with his life but it you were there and got hurt. . ." he said in a pained expression,
"hey Em, I'm fine, I will be fine" I said trying to comfort him although I knew this was simply a promise I couldn't keep, I would always protect Bella and we both knew this.
"Lil, I think you should head home," His low voice was rough, his eyes on the clouds again, I frowned but unlocked the door,
I stepped carefully into the truck and rolled down the window, Emmett stood looking at me still,
"Oh and Lil?" he said, his voice more even, now leaning on the open window with a faint smile on his lips,
"Yes?" I said smiling a little
"Tomorrow it's my turn" Emmett said grinning,
"Your turn to what?" I asked now grinning, He smiled wider, flashing his gleaming teeth.
"Ask the questions." He said grinning and then he was gone, I smiled as I turned on the engine and headed out of the parking lot, It was clear he was planning to see me tomorrow, if nothing else.
I arrived home just as darkness fell, Bella was stood talking to Edward by his car, I wondered if she knew about me being Edwards blood singer, I sat in the truck for a moment until I saw a pair of unfamiliar headlights turn onto the drive, I quickly got out and tried to make out the shapes in the front seat of the other car that was now parked beside the truck, but it was too dark. Edwards car drove off and Bella came and stood beside me,
"Hey, Bella, Liliana" called a familiar, husky voice from the driver's side of the little black car,
"Jacob?" I asked, squinting through the rain. Just then, Charlie's cruiser swung around the corner, his lights shining on the occupants of the car in front of me.
Jacob was already climbing out, his wide grin visible even through the darkness. In the passenger seat was a much older man, a heavyset man with a memorable face, a face that overflowed, the cheeks resting against his shoulders, with creases running through the russet skin like an old leather jacket, the surprisingly familiar eyes, black eyes that seemed at the same time both too young and too ancient for the broad face they were set in. Jacob's father, Billy Black. I knew him immediately, though in the more than five years since I'd seen him, He was staring at me, scrutinizing my face, so I smiled tentatively at him. His eyes were wide, as if in shock or fear, his nostrils flared. My smile faded.
Billy still stared at us with intense, anxious eyes. I groaned internally. Had Billy recognized Edward so easily? Could he really believe the impossible legends his son had scoffed at? As I studied his eyes there was only one answer, the answer was clear in Billy's eyes. Yes. Yes, he could.
"Billy!" Charlie called as soon as he got out of the car.
I turned toward the house, beckoning to Jacob as me and Bella ducked under the porch. I heard Charlie greeting them loudly behind me.
"I'm going to pretend I didn't see you behind the wheel, Jake," he said disapprovingly, I laughed knowing my dad was only joking in his heart,
"We get permits early on the rez," Jacob said while Bella unlocked the door and flicked on the porch light.
"Sure you do," Charlie laughed.
"I have to get around somehow." I recognized Billy's resonant voice easily, despite the years. The sound of it made me feel suddenly younger, a child. Bella went inside, leaving the door open behind her and turning on lights, I walked inside and hung up my jacket. Then I stood in the door, watching anxiously as Charlie and Jacob helped Billy out of the car and into his
wheelchair. I backed out of the way as the three of them hurried in, shaking off the rain.
"This is a surprise," dad was saying to them both,
"It's been too long," Billy answered. "I hope it's not a bad time." His dark eyes flashed up to me Bella again, their expression unreadable.
"No, it's great. I hope you can stay for the game." Dad answered them oblivious to the looks happening between Bella and Billy,
"I think that's the plan — our TV broke last week" Jacob grinned and Billy made a face at his son
"And, of course, Jacob was anxious to see Bella again," he added. Jacob
scowled and ducked his head while I fought back a surge of laughter.
"Are you hungry?" Bella asked, turning toward the kitchen. I'm guessing she was eager to escape Billy's searching gaze.
"Naw, we ate just before we came," Jacob answered.
"How about you, Charlie?" Bella called over her shoulder as she fled around the corner, I frowned a little at the name,
"Sure," he replied, his voice moving in the direction of the front room and the TV. I could hear Billy's chair follow, I followed Bella into the kitchen and sat on the side.
The grilled cheese sandwiches were in the frying pan and I was helping Bella to slice up a tomato when I sensed someone behind me.
"So, how are things?" Jacob asked.
"Pretty good" I smiled. His enthusiasm was hard to resist. "How about you? Did you finish your car?" I asked smiling
"No." He frowned. "I still need parts. We borrowed that one." He pointed with his thumb in the direction of the front yard.
"Sorry. I haven't seen any… what was it you were looking for?" Bella added, I gave a little laugh she hated cars,
"Master cylinder." He grinned. "Is something wrong with the truck?" he added suddenly. I looked confused,
"No" Bella answered,
"Oh. I just wondered because you weren't driving it" Jacob answered, I froze chopping,
"I got a ride with a friend" Bella answered, I hoped this was enough to satisfy him,
"Nice ride" Jacob's voice was admiring. "I didn't recognize the driver, though. I thought I knew most of the kids around here" he admitted, I sighed in relief a little, Bella nodded noncommittally, keeping her eyes down as she flipped sandwiches,
"My dad seemed to know him from somewhere" Jacob added,
"Jacob, could you hand me some plates? They're in the cupboard over the sink" I quickly said trying to get off the topic,
"Sure" he answered me and got the plates in silence. I hoped he would let it drop now.
"So who was it?" he asked, setting two plates on the counter next to me.
"Edward Cullen" Bella said as she sighed in defeat, I braced myself, to my surprise, he laughed. I glanced up at him. He looked a little embarrassed.
"Guess that explains it, then," he said. "I wondered why my dad was acting so strange." He explained,
"That's right." I faked an innocent expression. "He doesn't like the Cullens."
"Superstitious old man," Jacob muttered under his breath.
"You don't think he'd say anything to Charlie?" Bella couldn't help but ask, the words coming out in a low rush, I sighed, Jacob stared at her for a moment, and I couldn't read the expression in his dark eyes.
"I doubt it, I think Charlie chewed him out pretty good last time. They haven't spoken much since, tonight is sort of a reunion, I think. I don't think he'd bring it up again." he finally answered
"Oh," Bella said, trying to sound indifferent, although she failed miserably, Bella and myself stayed in the front room after we carried the food out to dad, pretending to watch the game while Jacob chattered to us. I was really listening to the men's conversation, watching for any sign that Billy was about to rat Bella out, trying to think of ways to stop him if he began.
It was a long night. I had a lot of homework that was going undone, but I was afraid to leave Billy alone with Charlie. Scared Bella would be left in a sticky situation, Finally, the game ended.
"Are you and your friends coming back to the beach soon?" Jacob asked as he pushed his father over the lip of the threshold.
"I'm not sure," I hedged.
"That was fun, Charlie," Billy said.
"Come up for the next game," Charlie encouraged.
"Sure, sure," Billy said. "We'll be here. Have a good night." His eyes shifted to mine, and his smile disappeared. "You take care, Bella," he added seriously, I stood in front of Bella a bit,
"see you later Billy, drive safe back okay?" I distracted him,
"sure will Liliana great to see you again" he replied, we waved them off before all returning to our own rooms, I fell to my bed with a huge sigh of relief, this day had definitely being tiring.
