Title: Heat Wave
Prompt: Truth or dare and trapped together
Word Count: 4845
Pairing: Bella/Jared
Beta: GoOasis726
Summary: Heat waves, a party, staying out all night long… Bella has an interesting night followed by a traumatic morning. Possible trigger warning for abuse. Written as my entry for the June/July 2023 TPF short story challenge.
Sweat dripped down her chin, rolling down her body. The heat wave made her feel delusional, but she couldn't go home. She'd take the overwhelming heat over that any day.
As she plodded along the hot asphalt, she felt desperate for some shade. Blinking sweat out of her eyes, she pushed herself forward still. The barren treetops overhead offered no respite. The high temperatures had scorched them, leaving nothing behind to provide a cool reprieve from the blistering sun.
No one else dared to be out. The constant hum of overworked air conditioning units disturbed the otherwise stagnant air. Even the animals were hiding somewhere, escaping into the small brush that had yet to wilt.
When the grocery store loomed ahead, she could have cried with relief. The promise of air conditioning and a cold drink of water from the fountain near the bathroom gave her the extra spurt of energy she needed to keep going.
Pushing the door open, the bell overhead tinkling, she sighed deeply in relief. The cold air was almost shocking against her sweat-slicked skin, goosebumps appearing almost instantly. Her head fell back, and her long ponytail tickled the bare skin between her crop top and shorts. Inhaling deeply once again, she ignored the stare of the cashier at the register. It was the guy from school with the huge glasses and bowl-cut hairstyle. She could feel his eyes on her as she moved to the back of the store.
Once inside the bathroom, she bolted the door shut behind her and turned the water on, splashing the cold liquid on her burning face. Rubbing some of it across the back of her neck, she decided to wet a paper towel and wipe her arms and legs down.
Once finished, she stepped out into the store and drank from the fountain. She felt like a dying man in the desert that had found an oasis, lapping at it until her stomach hurt.
Standing back up, she stretched before delving into her pockets to see if she had any money left. Feeling the thin wisp of paper, she pulled it out and smiled. She still had enough for a soda or an ice cream. Both sounded good, especially that day.
Standing over the ice cream case while deciding between a chocolate eclair popsicle or a drumstick, the sound of the bell pulled her attention to the front of the store.
Her breath caught in her throat as she looked at the newcomer. Standing over six feet tall, with dark shaggy hair curling over his ears and at the nape of his neck, his t-shirt with the cut-off sleeves was just as soaked as hers. She couldn't help but watch as he lifted the hem to wipe his brow, revealing chiseled abs underneath. His square jaw flexed as he opened his mouth to suck in a deep breath of cold air. His full lips sat over a prominent chin. His eyes, though, were what captured her attention the most. Stormy gray stared back at her and his mouth quirked up in a smirk. "Want me to pose? You can take a picture and drool over that later, too."
Her cheeks heated impossibly more with a blush at having been caught. "Sorry. I was trying to figure out if you were a local or a tourist. And I don't need a picture. Thanks, though."
She kicked herself mentally, disgusted at her less-than-stellar reply. She was usually sarcastic and witty. Apparently, the heat wave had fried what remained of her brain.
Scoffing loudly, he replied, "Sure, we can go with that. But, I'll be here indefinitely… unless y'all kick me out. You can see me any old time." He sent a wink her way when he finished talking, and she couldn't help but roll her eyes.
Reaching into the ice cream case, she pulled out whatever her hand closed on and walked up to pay for it. Once she'd pocketed her change, she stepped close to the door, trying to work up to walking back outside once again. She'd hesitated too long, having opened her popsicle and taken the first two bites out of it, afraid it would melt into a puddle as soon as she stepped through the door.
Body heat invaded her space, and she looked over her shoulder finding the new guy standing too close.
Taking another lick and swallowing it down, she asked, "Can I help you? You're in my bubble."
His response was barely more than a murmur, "You just look good enough to eat. I thought I'd see if you'd be my treat today."
Her eyes widened in disbelief. Pulling herself away from him, she icily replied, "Good luck finding someone who will let you get close enough to make that a reality."
Even though she found him attractive, she wasn't about to let him know that. So, with a roll of her eyes, she shoved through the door and back into the summer day.
Her feet slapped against the pavement, the rubber sole flinging up to smack her heel with every step. She walked along the edge of the road heading for the county lake. It was too damn hot and she needed reprieve. Ice cream ran down her arm as she tried to eat the last two bites before they fell off the stick. The lake water would at least let her wash the sticky off.
Cutting through the park, Bella pushed herself the last two hundred yards to the dock. It wasn't a big lake by anyone's standards, but there was a small dock for people with canoes. She sat at the end of it and removed her flip-flops, dipping her toes into the water. Finding it lukewarm, she submerged her calves in it before laying back on the dock to watch the wispy clouds overhead dance by.
She wasn't sure how long she lay there on the warped boards before a shadow invaded her vision, blocking the view of the sky. As her eyes adjusted, she recognized the smirking stranger from the store "Are you following me?" she asked.
"Eh, maybe. You seem interesting. I thought I might like to get to know ya."
"I promise I'm not that interesting. It will be a waste of your time."
"Why don't let me be the judge of that?"
Standing up on the dock, she pulled her crop top off over her head, remaining in just her blue cotton bra, she shook her head. "You won't give up, will you?" She didn't wait for a reply before she slipped into the lake water, ignoring the no swimming sign posted nearby.
Swimming away from him a short way, she kicked her feet, splashing the guy. She hadn't caught his name, but he lingered, still staring at her.
When she splashed him a second time, he stood up and peeled his tee off, smirking at her checking him out. This time, she didn't blush. She pushed herself off the muddy bottom with her toes, turning away when he jumped off the edge of the dock, his cannonball sending waves and splashes threatening to topple her over.
She turned back towards him when she felt him drawing nearer. "Ya got a name?" her voice sounded husky to her own ears.
"Jared. What about you?"
"I'm Bella." Her dark chocolate eyes met his silver gaze, and she couldn't help herself. She reached out and put her hand on his stomach. Anchoring herself against him a safe distance away, she relished the feel of his muscles under her fingers.
"Are you from here, Bella?" his deep voice rumbled in his chest.
"Yep, been here my whole life."
"Not much to do here, is there?"
"Not really. Go to school and break rules. Occasional parties on the edge of town. Bonfires now and then. It's pretty boring."
"Well, that sucks. But parties and bonfires? Those sound interesting. Any chance one of those is coming up any time soon?"
"Well, see, I wouldn't be able to answer that."
"You don't go to parties?" His eyebrow rose in disbelief.
"Not that I don't go; I'm just never invited."
He made a low humming noise in his throat. "I find that hard to believe. A sexy girl like you has to be at the top of every invitation list."
"Maybe so, but my dad's the police chief. Apparently, I'm too much of a risk to garner an invitation. I usually hang out here. It's better than being at home, anyway."
His forehead creased as he peered at her. "Home is bad?"
"I didn't say that. I said it's better here."
"This lake is stagnant. And the water is lukewarm. This weather and dirty water is better than your house?"
Sensing she'd said too much, Bella pushed away and swam farther toward the middle of the lake. Dipping her head under, she exhaled, bubbles breaking the surface as she moved beneath it.
When she thought maybe she was far enough away from him, she surfaced, inhaling deeply, and swam back towards the dock. After climbing back onto it, she pulled her crop top on, not caring that it clung to her wet skin. She shoved her feet into her flip-flops and left him standing in the pond.
The whirling ceiling fan in her bedroom did little to dispel the humidity in her room. Her dad refused to turn the air on in their house, stating it was too much money. He had to feed and clothe her and her manic-depressive, bedridden mother. Bella left meals for her mother on the bedside table, but it was often untouched.
A faint pinging sound beside her window drew her out of bed and she leaned out the opening. Seeing Jared standing below, she whispered, "What are you doing here?" She knew there was no reason to ask how he found her. It was a small town. Everyone knew everyone's business.
"Come with me. There's a party. Let's go get in some trouble."
She raised her eyebrow at him. "Give me a minute." She turned around and peeled her tank top off. Finding a short sundress in her closet, she pulled it on, forgoing a bra. Grabbing her sandals, she tossed them out the window to Jared before climbing down the trellis.
Once she was on the ground and her sandals were on her feet, she trailed behind him a half step, letting him lead her. Surprise flared inside her when his hand sought hers. The rough calluses on his palms rubbing against her smooth hands was somehow comforting.
Letting him lead her down the road, she tripped for the second time on the loose gravel. He chuckled and pulled her behind him before squatting in front of her. "Hop on. I'll carry you for a while."
Smiling, she hopped on his back, giggling like a little girl when he tickled her feet. Looping her arms loosely around his shoulders, she rested her chin on him, relishing the breeze that caressed their overheated skin.
The party was in full swing when they strolled up. The pause of all conversations was telling. Bella refused to feel bad as she slid down Jared's back, gripping his fingers tightly as the stares continued.
He smiled at her and pulled her to the keg before filling two cups with warm, frothy beer. She took the one he handed her, put it to her lips, and sipped it. She made a face as it hit her tongue. His deep laugh washed over her, and she shrugged. "It's disgusting."
"Warm beer always is."
She tilted her head to the side, bringing her shoulder up to her ear, "Shouldn't there be music or something?"
Laughing, he tugged her behind him. "We can always make our own?" He waggled his brows up and down at her, and she couldn't help but laugh at him again.
"Jared, I think you've lost your mind."
Twirling her under his arm, he pulled her into his body, his cup held against her back. "Do we need music? Close your eyes. You'll hear the world make its own music for us. Do you hear it?"
He whispered into her ear, neither caring about the stares they were getting from all the other teenagers in the field. "The crickets are chirping in a cadence all their own, and the reeds are whistling in the breeze. Do you hear the owl hooting somewhere? He's keeping time with the crickets. Close your eyes. Trust me." His husky whisper sent chills over her body. She nestled into his chest and let him move her.
Neither noticed when Mike turned the radio in his Bronco on and cranked the volume, pumping the beats of Glass Animal. Swaying with the rhythm, Bella gasped when Jared spun her around and pulled her back flush against his body, grinding her down onto him as they moved. Her head lolled to the side a bit, and he dropped sensual kisses to her neck, nibbling and sucking as he moved down to her shoulder.
She turned around and gripped his shaggy hair at the base of his neck. Pulling his head down, she kissed his lips lightly. Sighing into him, Jared kissed her again, harder, licking at her lips, begging for entrance which she granted. His tongue slipped into her mouth, and she took pleasure in the taste of him.
They pulled apart quickly after getting splashed by the ice-cold cup Jessica had dumped on them. "Break it up, lovebirds!" she cackled. "It's time for a game!"
Bella sank into Jared's side as his arm draped across her shoulders. She had a feeling she would regret playing whatever game Jessica was organizing.
"Truth or dare, baby! Who's first?"
Seizing the bull by the horns, Bella called out, "Lauren, truth or dare?"
Rolling her eyes, Lauren twisted her hair around her finger and replied, "Truth."
"Where's the craziest place you've ever gotten frisky?"
Laughing, Lauren didn't miss a beat when she said, "In your daddy's bed."
Ignoring the catcalls and hisses of the crowd around them, Lauren dared Mike to streak through Old Man Smith's yard. It was a great time until the elder pulled out his twelve gauge and aimed it at Mike's naked ass.
Once redressed, Mike dared Jessica to give him a BJ. She bit him instead. Jessica followed up by asking Angela if she was still a virgin. Angela refused to answer, taking the penalty shot. When Angela called Bella's name, Bella was afraid to answer any questions, so she picked a dare.
Knowing how strict Bella's dad was, Angela thought it would be funny to dare her to let Jared give her a hickey. Keeping her eyes on Angela, Bella moved her hair over to her left shoulder and tilted her head to the side, giving him access to her neck and shoulder.
Feeling his hands grip her hips, she leaned back into him, safe in his embrace. His lips ghosted over her neck until he found the perfect spot. He licked where her neck met her shoulder, then sucked the skin hard into his mouth, scraping his teeth lightly over it. Bella wiggled in his arms and felt him lock her against him with his arm across her shoulders and the other across her stomach, holding her in place. Her eyes slid shut as her head fell back against him.
When he released her neck, there wasn't another person talking. No one uttered a sound until Jessica's nasally voice cut through the air, "Holy shit. I need a cold shower."
Turning in his arms again, Bella hugged herself into Jared's body, ignoring the encouragement for them to get a room.
When red and blue lights lit the night sky, Bella gripped Jared's hand and they ran into the cornfield at the edge of the property. Shouts of the others filled the night as they raced off. Tires squealed as people fled the party to avoid getting caught. Following one of the rows out, she saw the familiar cabin of cranky Widow Jones. Bella led him into the cellar and carefully shut the door behind them.
Their breathing was ragged as they tried to calm themselves from their sprint through the field. Forcing herself to slow her breathing, Bella closed her eyes and focused on inhaling slowly. She was caught off guard when she felt Jared's hands at her waist. He pulled her into him again and kissed her. His lips crashed against hers as he walked her backward until she was against the wall. His hands gripped her ass as he pulled her up, and she wrapped her legs around him. She had one hand in his hair as the other trailed across his muscled back. Her breath hitched in her throat when she felt his hand slipping under the hem of her sundress, stroking a path higher and higher up her side, leaving flames of desire in his wake.
When she needed to catch her breath again, Bella pulled back and reached her feet down towards the floor, a silent plea to slow things down.
Jared leaned his forehead against hers and whispered into the stillness, "Bella…you've enchanted me. I just met you, but I…" his voice trailed off as she put her fingers to his lips. Stretching on tiptoes, she ghosted a light kiss to his cheek.
"Jared, I know." She inhaled deeply and whispered, "I know. Me too."
They stood there, lost in each other, content to just be still.
When the night was silent again, Jared snuck into the field, looking around to see if anyone was still out. Bella watched him move, graceful and animal-like in the smoothness of his motions.
She thought she'd never seen anyone like him before. He was beautiful. Even though she knew nothing about him, something instinctively told her she could trust him.
Following up the stairs, Bella paused on the fourth step until he motioned her up the last few. He shut the cellar door quietly and led her into the night. She took him through the back roads–the ones the police were less likely to search for teenagers breaking the town's curfew. When they arrived at her house, she led him to the tree house in her backyard. He followed her up into the structure, making it feel even smaller than she remembered.
She pulled him over to sit against the back wall with her and leaned against him, settling herself in his lap.
He hugged her tighter to him and kissed the top of her head.
"Are your parents going to be mad that you didn't go home tonight?" she whispered to him.
"Nah, they went to visit my grandparents down the coast. They'll be home Wednesday. We just moved back two weeks ago. My uncle needs my dad's help at the family biz. So…" his voice trailed off, and she could tell he didn't want to talk about it.
"My dad will probably wonder if I ran off to the Library before he woke up, but my mom, if she manages to move from the bed, still won't care." Her eyes filled with tears as she thought about them. She sniffled, and he hugged her closer.
"I'm sorry, babe. That can't be easy." He placed light kisses on the crown of her head and her temple.
She made a humming sound as she thought briefly of how to reply. "It's just how it's always been." Sighing, she continued, "I know they love me in their own way. They just don't really know how to show it. Mom's always trying her hardest to get out of bed, and Dad, well, he has a lot going on. I know he's just doing what he thinks is best."
He turned her sideways in his lap and cradled her face with his hands. "Even so. I'm here now. And I will be here–whatever you need."
"This seems so crazy. We just met." Bella tried to understand how she could feel so deeply for someone so fast.
"I can explain more to you later. But for now, just try to get some rest. It was an eventful night." He rubbed his hand across the purple mark he'd left on her as he talked. She shuddered in response, the feeling sending something akin to lava flowing through her body.
Leaning her head against his chest, she was content to trust him until the morning.
"Isabella Marie Swan!" The sound of her dad yelling sent her into a panic. She couldn't imagine what she had done to make him angry.
"Coming, Dad!" She called through the stillness of the morning air. As she rubbed sleep from her eyes, she realized she was still in the treehouse, and Jared remained curled around her.
"Shit. I'm in so much trouble," she whispered.
Jared slid his hand down her arm, "It'll be alright. I'm right here. I'll wait here until he's gone."
Pulling her bottom lip into her mouth, Bella nodded once, hoping he could stay in the treehouse, despite what he might hear. The windows on the house were open, after all.
She hopped down the ladder and hurried inside.
"Where the hell were you, girl? How could you leave your momma here alone half the night?" her dad bellowed.
"I'm sorry, Dad. I was just in the treehouse. I'd have heard her if she called for me. I just needed the air outside."
"Hmmm. I don't know why you think I'm stupid. I know there was a party last night. I busted it with the deputies. I know you were there. There are pictures all over that social media shit of you and some big guy." She watched as he stroked his mustache. "You should just 'fess up now, little girl."
"Okay, so I was there. I didn't do anything wrong, Dad. I hung out with some friends and danced. I know you did worse stuff when you were my age. Uncle Billy and Uncle Harry love telling stories about y'all's glory days." She inhaled sharply, "I don't understand why I'm not allowed to have fun."
Her head spun with the force of his hand as it struck her cheek. The metal of his wedding ring split the skin, causing blood to run down her face.
"Get up to your room. Don't you disrespect me with sass anymore."
She watched as he wiped his hand on his pant leg and shook it a little. Her eyes were wide as saucers when Jared threw the door open. His stormy gray eyes were glowing amber with rage. She watched as he grabbed her dad by the throat and pushed him up against the entryway, Charlie's feet barely grazing the floor.
Spittle flew from Jared's mouth as he growled, "Don't you ever touch her like that again. I don't care who the fuck you think you are. I will kill you." Dropping Charlie in a heap, Jared turned to her and lifted her into his arms.
He ran from the house as if ghosts were chasing him. He didn't stop until they were on the outskirts of town. He set her down and pulled his phone from his pocket.
"Sam? I messed up. Meet me at mine in ten." He didn't wait for a response, just hung up and pushed his phone into her hands. He pulled her into the trees on the side of the road. "This isn't how I wanted this to go… please don't freak out, 'kay? I gotta get you outta here, and this is the fastest way." With that, he stepped back and shed his clothes before morphing into the biggest wolf she had ever seen.
Plopping on the ground, Bella pursed her lips and contemplated her life. How the hell had she ended up there, she might never know. But if this created a way out of the Hell Bella called home, she would take it. Forcing herself back up, she picked up Jared's clothes and climbed onto his back, holding on for dear life as he raced through the undergrowth.
She clenched her eyes in fright as he moved through the forest. At the edge of it again, Bella peered through the trees at a little house. When Jared pawed the ground and lay down, she took the hint and slid off his back, holding onto him for a moment longer while she found her footing.
Once dressed, Jared took her hand, guided her into his home, and sat her on a stool at the kitchen table. She could feel him staring at her face, but she was so ashamed. Tears filled her eyes as she clenched her fists in her lap.
"Hey. Bella, look at me. Please?" When she refused, he sighed heavily. "I'm gonna get a cool cloth and a bandage, 'kay? I'll be right back. Please don't go anywhere."
When Jared returned, Bella sat still and let him clean her up. Tears fell unchecked down her face. Prior evidence of Charlie's violence was kept hidden beneath her clothes. No one ever knew. But this time, her shame was on display for all to see.
Feeling Jared's hot fingers slide down her uninjured cheek, she leaned into his hand, acquiescing when he pulled her from her seat and into his arms.
A light knock on the door pulled them apart. Jared admitted Sam, his alpha, and the tribal chief, Bella's Uncle Billy. After sharing the story of Charlie's abuse, Bella backed up fearfully as rumbling growls filled the room—even Billy was shaking in anger. Jared pulled her back into his side, helping soothe her terror.
"Bella, you're eighteen, now… Jared, how old are you?" Billy asked.
"Eighteen, sir."
"You imprinted?"
"Yes, sir."
"What's that?" Bella inquired, trying to make sense of what they said.
After explaining the tribe's most guarded secrets, Billy wasted no time proposing a solution. "If Bella stays here, we can protect her."
Bella said, "I'm not Quileute. How can I stay here?"
"Marry Jared." There was no hesitation in Billy's voice as he suggested it.
"Are you serious?" Bella's incredulity was evident in her voice and how she held her body, her arms akimbo and her head tilted to the left, eyes wide.
When Billy started to explain, Jared quickly took her hand and led her into what must have been his bedroom. After kissing her forehead, he said, "It makes sense, Bella. It keeps you safe, Takes away whatever claim he has, and gives you freedom."
"But marriage? Jared, we just met yesterday." Running her hands through her hair, she sat on the edge of his bed. "I must be crazy. I'm actually considering this."
"Babe, call me crazy if you want to, but I knew the second I saw you walk into that store that I wanted to be with you. The minute our eyes met across the way, I knew you were it. I know it's only been a day, but I want to love you."
Bella's head snapped up as her eyes met his, and she whispered, "What?"
"Let me take care of you. Let me love you?" He kneeled before her and gathered her hands in his. "Marry me?"
In his eyes, she could see the depths of his soul; Selflessness, strength, and passion. She already knew those things about him. The rest she could learn.
She leaned forward and pressed her lips to his. "Okay." It was the best she could do. Her heart was flipping over in her chest, and her stomach was in knots. She had no idea if this would work out in the end, but she knew they would give it their all. And maybe they just might fall in love someday.
It happened so fast after that. Jared's smile had split his face in half as he'd tugged her out of the room behind him and into the kitchen again. Billy quirked an eyebrow in their direction. At her nod, he ushered them out of the house and into the small car in the drive.
At the Tribal Center in the middle of La Push, Billy filled out the necessary paperwork and filed it with the state after the couple signed it. As the chief of the tribe, Billy had the authority to perform weddings. With Sam and his fiancé Emily standing as witnesses, Bella and Jared were married in a whirlwind ceremony.
When Charlie came looking for her later that day, her Uncle Billy met him at the edge of the rez, told him that Bella was married, and that she would remain in La Push with them. When Charlie threatened to take Billy to court, Billy showed him the marriage license. It was signed, sealed, and legal in Washington. There was nothing Charlie could do anymore.
On the opposite side of the rez, Bella felt safe and secure in her husband's arms, and like she finally belonged to a true family. With Jared, Bella created a home that knew peace. She flourished and grew in the love they shared.