thank you for the follows and alerts. it's been a long time since I've written and it feels nice to kinda do this again. There will be more added on and i do want to warn that this a fic where i would want to explore more adult versions of characters while still playing around with the cliches and the fun parts of twilight fanfiction.

please grab a coke and enjoy this chapter. hope to hear from you soon.

Jacob kept looking over at her, she was smiling and laughing along with her friends. Aileen cracking up just as much, that their faces were red. Embry even found himself in a fit of giggles at something they were talking about.

"You okay there?"

Billy was amused at his son. Old enough to have a whole family on his own and unable to approach the new imprint who sat on the other side of the yard.

"I just… she's there. "Jacobs eyes never once left Noelle. And it was that way since she mentioned the mayo on his chin and awkwardly laughed and excused herself. Leaving only him. mouth agape and Paul and Jared starting the endless jokes about how much of an idiot he was.

"And your over here… get over there!" Billy kicked his chair, but it barely moved under his giant son. Billy was getting older, and he loved his son dearly. And the girlfriends he had brought home were nice, but they never lasted. Billy wanted his son to be happy and have some sort of stability that didn't involve the shop or even himself.

"I can't… idk like I want to but… idk "Jacob couldn't believe it. He couldn't even contain the heat in his stomach and chest. Just seeing her sitting there laughing and chuckling. Music to his ears and a beautiful, beautiful sight to hear. He was amazed at how beautiful his ancestors had made her for him. The green hair was something he never thought he'd like on a girl but now it seemed the most attractive thing he'd ever seen. Seeing her was a sight and his heart would only pound harder the more the images of her in his arms happened. The realizations of the love his life was sitting right there.

"You're an idiot." Paul some taking a giant gulp of the beer. The comment annoying Jacob but merely because Jacob himself knew he made a fool of himself.

"You're an idiot drinking that shit." He swatted at the can of beer that nearly spilled on the floor if it wasn't for Paul's reflects. Jacob knew that alcohol didn't work on them. Their metabolism was too fast to let it affect them. They watched as she suddenly sat up and fixed the knit sweater and smoothed out the silk dress underneath. She moved herself away from the table and walked over to the dessert table. Chocolate, she liked chocolate he could tell. Never once touched the jello or the vanilla.

Seth had gotten up suddenly. The screech of the plastic chair against the broken concrete underneath startled everyone. But once realizing Seth was the reason for the noise everyone went back to the conversations they were having. Seth grabbed his plate and made his way towards the food table. Standing several inches taller than the short imprint who. Jacob watched how Seth made her laugh and blush. He leaned down to whisper something that made her shove him a little. She was speaking to him happily and looking up at him giggling at whatever he said.

Suddenly her eyes landed on him, glasses specked with light rain as Seth spoke. She nodded her head at whatever he said and smiled up at him. He could see Noelle's lips mouthed a thankyou before she headed towards her own table. Seth continued to grab and pick at the desserts before rushing back where a confused and annoyed Jacob sat.

Seth didn't say anything but picked up his fork and started eating the first piece of cheesecake. He finally looked at Jacob and dropped a bit of cheesecake from his mouth from laughing.

"Don't ever say I never do anything for you."

Eli was used to playing with the older boys. By older he meant the older teenage boys who had already phased but didn't get to live their youth. Brady and Collin included. And Eli was a spoiled boy because of his mom and her friends, and when Embry became his honorary stepdad, it only made sense that the kid got even more picked on.

And on a day like today it only made sense they were picking on the young boy.

"You going to stop playing, little guy?" Brady teased as Eli through the red remote on the ground.

Eli just frowned and looked back at Jacob hoping the sulking older boy would help him.

"Sorry kid, I'm not good at something like this… "And Eli knew that was true. His uncle Jake was trash at video games.

"Can we play squads?" Eli finally asked hoping the small crowd of boys would give in for once and throw him a bone.

But Brady and Collin had another thing in mind. They looked at one another and grinned.

"Beat one of us in a one v one and we'll do what you want." Collin smirked.

"Embry's going to kick your ass guys. Be nice and just play squads with Eli." Jake covered his face with the couch pillow and sulked.

The boys gave each other a look before smirking.

"Alpha jake got his balls chopped after that that hot piece of …" Collin was mocking before one of Emily's muffins got throw at him by a pregnant Aileen carrying the food inside.

"Ah! Don't talk shit." Aileen joked.

Right behind was Noelle, carrying some presents from out of the rain. Jacob sat up and watched as the black dress she wore accentuated her backside despite as she bent down to set the presents on the ground. He needed to make sure to pray tonight to thank the gods for the magnificent gift she was. She sat up and looked over Eli as Aileen began to clean behind the counter. Noelle took in Eli's upset expression and walked over to him.

"What's wrong Eli?" Her voice was sweet and soft as she crouched next to him. Petting his black hair back to smooth over the cowlick. Jacob watched her intently, bangs in her hair sticking to her forehead.

Eli was also a sneaky kid; he was smart for his age and the moment he saw his Tia Noelle walk in he did have an idea. And the idea presented itself in his little hands. He smirked at her and then at the boys.

"I have to win a one v one so the guys can do what I want." He pouted and Noelle always ate it up. There was a soft spot she had for the kid and his little sister that she couldn't explain. But whatever they needed; she was willing to help.

Noelle looked up at the boys who snuggly smiled at her. Collin waving his fingers practically taunting her. Noelle remembered Aileen saying Eli was picked on by the older boys and that Embry had to constantly bully them back.

"You guys like bullying little kids?" She asked coyly.

Jacob watched as she sat down next to Eli. Crossing her legs and platform boots placed awkward under her. Sharp black nails reached for the remote as she nudged Eli and smiled at him.

"I mean… we teach life lessons around here, toots." Brady was confident in what was about to happen. And even more he felt like he could really mess with Jacob too. The first time he'd ever see his Alpha down bad for any one or anything. And he could see Jacob was being weak minded with he sudden imprint and it was a time to really mess with him without sharp Jacob to bark orders. To the boys, this was fun time.

Noelle was shocked at the toots and shook her head laughing along with Aileen who was in the kitchen cleaning up what she could quickly.

"Yeah? I'll play. "

Eli grinned while Noelle winked at him happily.

Collin and Brady felt victorious and both boys sprang up in excitement. Jacob had sprung up out of caution knowing the two boys were notorious of pranks and causing mischief. And normally hed let them do their thing but this childish banter was now headed towards his imprint.

"Oh yeah? This is interesting … let's make a bet …" Collin tapped his chin as if he was thinking while Brady chuckled and started setting up the game.

"A bet? Arnt you guys like 16?" Noelle asked knowing where this was going.

"19 but that's beside the point, toots." They were quick to respond, and Noelle knew teenage boys were way different than the guys she was dating now. But they were all still driven by one little thing.

"No more of the toots." She warned.

"I second that." Jacob said.

Noelle's spine suddenly tingled as she heard the deep rumble of Jacobs voice echo through the room. She could feel his eyes on her too, but she tried her best to ignore him.

"We win, we get your phone number…." Confident were the boys.

"Or instagram ." one added

"Snap chat if you have that too."

Eli very much amused as he watched Noelle change her character to the cute girl character she always played as. She cackled and through her head back not knowing what to even say.

"Okay… now If I win…." She mimicked Collins chin tap and smiled at the boys.

"Y'all clean up outside and leave Eli alone?"

Collin and Brady looked at each other. Like they were telepathically communicating.

"Sure…"

"And to do the dishes … and help clean up the mess at Jacobs …." Aileen shouted from the kitchen making sure to get a good bargain on the bet. And when Jacob remembered the mess, the boys had made with the bikes and the go carts he shot up.

"And that… you hear?" Jacob agreed. The mess of old car parts and wood was something he needed to be cleaned. But after so many years of throwing bon fires it just backtracked and now he saw an easy solution.

"Fine…. But I do hope you have a bikini pic on that gram …. "

As much as Jacob wanted that to be true and then not true, he was going to wring the necks of those boys.

"okay shut up and ready up …" Noelle was annoyed now and just readied and watched as one of the boys took control.

"This will take about 5 minutes …. " Collin was so sure of himself when Embry walked in and watched as Aileen made her way to squeeze next to Jacob on the love seat. A low whistle from Embry as he handed a water to Jacob and leaned against the door frame.

"You ready to watch something funny?"

The match started and Noelle's character was off. Grabbing whatever was in her way and not even considered what she grabbed. From a. Pistol to a sniper, she began shooting. It looked like she had no idea was she was doing and made sure to run far from Collin's character.

"We are sleeping early tonight, baby. The boys are doing the dishes." Aileen stood and hugged Embry who kissed her head and began to rub her pregnant belly. The sight making Jacob wonder if Noelle would be as loving as Aileen was. If she too would fit in his arms as perfectly as he envisioned. Wondered what pet names she would call him, what names he was allowed to call her.

Jacob watched as she built and maneuvered herself to get a hit on Collin. Her character shooting and not missing. Collin and Brady were bickering once noticing how much difficult it was. She knew how to play and with one last shot , she pulled a win leaving The guys in awe .

The silence in the room was different than what was in Jacob's head. He was howling in pride, and he was sure a heat cycle because he didn't know how else to exert the sudden arousal, he found looking at his imprint.

"Okay, go clean." Noelle set the remote down and watched as Collin and Brady stood in shock. Eli stood and helped her up when she motioned for him to pull her up. She wasn't that young anymore and her bones were aching more and more every year. She wiped off her butt and smirked at the boy

"You cheated…" Collin glared, annoyed with the new tasks added to his week.

"No, you just suck." she grinned.

"Should I hate you or love you?" Brady whispered.

Noelle laughed.

Aileen was having the time of her life knowing she and Embry would get an early night.

"Let's go show them what they have to do." Aileen was off to outside when Emry whistled, and all the boys rushed out groaning about having to work.

Noelle was left alone with Jacob and felt the blush intensify as he stared at her. The two were awkward and one would think they were acting out some sort of coming age romantic comedy. Jacob was 30 and Noelle was 26 years old, so teen romance was out of the picture for the two. But the awkward glances and the sweatiness from both was very apparent. He was unable to find the words.

"You …. You play great…" Jacob spoke up after seeing her fidgeting with the fail nail on her hands. It looked like she was trying to remove the thing from the nail bed.

She nodded and hesitantly bit her long black nails. Hoping her nervousness of being in the presence of a god wasn't noticeable.

"It's a good way to disassociate." She explained.

Jacob understood immediately and wanted to just ask her to go sit down and talk. He had an unexplained need to know everything. The wolf in him was whimpering for more information and to touch her. The smell of cinnamon and coffee was still on her and he basked in it as she stood before him.

"You're Jacob, right?" her voice took him out of his thoughts. He shook his head fog off and looked down at her. Head tilted to the side as she stared up at him with a small smile. His name sounded ten times better coming from her. And he knew the moment he was able to get his hands on her it would exceed every level known to man.

"Oh yeah, sorry I didn't mean to be rude."

She shook her head furiously trying to not make him feel bad. She knew she wasn't social at first and many times met new people through liquid courage.

"No, I'm rude. I'm just naturally shy sometimes. No worry. I'm Noelle, I'm Aileen's friend." She explained.

"Noelle…" he enunciated every syllable. He felt the name engulf every part of him because it was etched in his soul like a sacred prayer.

"Yeah, it's weird… I understand if you don't remember it…" She was bashful but understood because no one ever remembered her name.

"No, I'll remember it." He assured.

Noelle blushed even redder than the blush on her cheeks and looked up at him. The brown lipstick on her lips made him go wild. The contrast of her pouty lips and white skin made him want to pounce on her. And she looked at him with that stupid perfect smile and was fighting the urge to crawl all over him like her own personal jungle gym. The smile could easily take her out if she wasn't so aware that she needed to breathe.

"I was talking to Seth about my car earlier, I've been needing someone to take a look at it and he said you were the best around."

He perked up remembering what Seth had done. And really needed to thank the kid for doing that.

"Oh yeah… a car?"

She nodded brushing out the bangs on her forehead.

"Like what type of car? "He tried to be cool and lean against the kitchen counter before feeling something wet hit his elbow.

"1976 Ford Bronco," Noelle said as she watched Jacob quickly remove his elbow and wipe away some juice off his arm. He looked cute getting shy and flustered.

"Wow."

"Yeah, she's my pride and joy but she's having a terrible time starting and staying on actually…" she explained

"Umm yeah… I can… definitely look at it."

Noelle hated asking for things like this. And especially with her car since no one really worked on it but her own dad. And she didn't want to be ripped off but Aileen had given her approval of Jacob.

"I'm not asking for favors.. I'm asking for an appointment … I'll pay," she explained

Jacob couldn't do that and immediately shook his head to rival her need to pay. He couldn't take money from his own imprint. That was taboo, her money was their money and the way he spent it was better she kept that portion.

"No it's okay I'll check it out.."

"No, I mean it. I know how much time and effort it takes to run a shop. I'll do it the right way." She explained sternly. Their eyes finally met his too intently for him to break free. She was beautiful from this angle. Cute and beautiful even when she was being stern. Despite her beauty, he did take in everything she said. Especially with her experience of running a shop.

"You work in a shop?" He asked

She shook her head.

"I grew up in one. My dad owns ones back home." She was proud despite the trauma that made her life. Now that she was older she understood why her parents worked long hours. Younger her wouldn't ever understand and that's why it caused a lot of pain for so many years. Some she still worked through.

"Oh wow. That's cool. Must know a few things about cars then." Jacob couldn't believe how lucky he was getting. They seemed to have a few things to connect on. Well that was until she shook her head and laughed

"I know nothing. Which is why I need a good mechanic since I moved here." She explained.

And Jacob's idea of a perfect woman was now being rewritten because he did think that at some point his perfect woman would love cars and be just as wild about them as him. And if Noelle wasn't into cars, well his perfect woman wasn't either.

"But you have a classic bronco? I mean that means something " he flirted and she only gave him a small grin.

"We had one when I was small, and I loved it so much. She was big and I could play in it. I think we once all slept in it when we went off roading in the desert. But when my dad opened the shop, it got rough, and we sold it to keep our house."

Jacob's perfect woman was a family type of gal. With memories of childhood and a soft face to show you what she meant with her emotions. she somberly looked up at him hoping she didn't make him depressed, but Jacob was just enjoying the small information she was giving him.

"I have an appointment open tomorrow morning. If you want, I can head to your place to check it out if it's not starting?" he said.

"Whatever is easier for you. I trust."

Trust. Did she already have trust in him and was it too fast to tell her he loved her? Jacob didn't think so but he also knew he was being pushed by the wolf to claim her. So, he just nodded

The door busted open again to a tired Aileen

"Oh, glad you two are finally talking. You think you can take Eli tonight ? " she pushed Jacob aside to look at her friend

Jacob followed in wolf form. As close as he could as he watched the car full of passengers make their way through La Push. And one by one it seemed like she dropped everyone off until she was the last one left. Eli in the back seat still playing on his tablet in the dark.

He knew the area well. A few years after the Cullens left they had sold their acres and vowed to not return. Jacob felt bittersweet by the entire thing since the girl he thought he loved was never to be seen again. Heard from yes, through Charlie but from what Jacob last had heard, they were in Alaska. The land was bought by various retired people who would travel down from Canada or come up from the south to get away from the heat. And he watched as the car drove up the hill and made its way down toward the river path. The sound of the water coming down was a sound he would never get over. it relaxed him a lot and he followed it up to watch her car drive into the new little neighborhood.

Located nearly and securely was a two-story home with a large deck. A newly built cottage of dark woods and black. The light was on and her neighbors were still out. He watched from afar as she said hello as she jumped, waving to them from across the street. An old married couple smoking on their patio smiling while they even said their hellos to Eli.

Eli jumped out and held his backpack before rushing inside with her trailing behind her.

"Okay, let's get you in bed."

Noelle loved Eli and knew that the new baby was causing him trouble. He needed the extra care and attention and despite her loving Lila just the same she knew it was quiet Eli who needed her the most.

"What can we do tomorrow?" He asked.

"We'll tomorrow we can get up late and go get breakfast?"

He liked the sound of that and sank into his bed. The room was his, she allowed him to decorate the room when she first moved in. Dark blues and greens, space-themed cause at the time it was what he liked. Now he's probably chosen video games and flamboyant YouTubers but she thought the space theme was much more suited. He held his stuffed animal tightly now that he was away from teasing eyes. The one his biological dad had gotten him when he was a baby.

"You think Crusty will stay here?" He asked as the spotted cat blinked blankly at him. Crusty was a new addition, a stray cat that found its way into her home. Eli liked him and wanted to have him sleep with him the way Noelle's cat, Willow slept with her.

"I think he might… he's drooling."

Eli laughed and petted the cat until it lay next to his chest, Drooling onto Eli's hand in the process

"Promise you won't forget me when my mom has the baby?"

Noelle's smile dropped while she ran her fingers through Eli's hair. It comforted her more to do this than it did to him.

"Now why would I do that? Babies poop themselves."

Eli laughed and nodded

"Don't worry about that. That won't happen, with me and your mom."

Eli shrugged and looked away

"I'm scared she'll forget me."

"And why's that."

"Idk. She has a new family now. "

"So do you. They might tease you but remember that they get teased too."

He remained quiet and closed his eyes

"You got me, okay?"

He smiled and she kissed his cheek.

Every morning started off the same for Noelle. Up at 6 am, hot coffee in her favorite mug and soft music playing to help lure her away from going back to bed. The cold breeze of this new town had treated her well. Crispy air that her dry skin enjoyed but also challenged her body to keep up. She waited for Eli to wake up but she knew after yesterday he'd take a while to wake up. So she stayed where she sat, watching as all the husbands and wives got into the cars and drove past her. Waving and honking as they began their days.

Noelle sipped her hazelnut and cinnamon coffee, letting the liquid envelop every nerve in her body. She sat on her front porch, huddled into the old recliner she hauled off her friend's apartment with the cardigan tightly wrapped around her. It was the comfiest recliner she ever had and after a decent cleaning, she knew she could nap there at all times and find that crusty the cat was nicely snuggled into her lap at times.

Noelle had been happy with her life. She felt stable enough to socialize after her breakup and her situationship she regretted. The breakup had taken a toll on her mental health and she knew she needed to work on her tolerance of being utterly alone and the want to control everything. She was a control freak and finally, after years of therapy, it felt like she was grasping the hang of not making herself stressed over not controlling everything.

Being alone had been the thing that completely killed her but also saved her.

Her days alone had grounded her and she enjoyed the silent car trips, the shopping without anyone there. She was happy when she didn't have to talk to anymore and felt okay sitting at a table on her own reading and eating. Noelle wasn't the same person from 2 years ago. Suddenly she watched as a giant navy truck turned into her driveway

A happy Aileen hopped out, tote bag in her hand as she watched Jacob exit from the driver's side with that god-created smile that made every nerve in her body awake. Who needed coffee when he's smiling like that?

"Good morning!" Aileen knew her best friend wasn't a morning person despite the early work hours and the early gym workout. If it was up to Noelle she'd sleep until noon, but she tried to always be available for any phone calls. That and the simple fact that she could easily take a nap when she wanted to. Jacob was always awake early though, the first one to wake up and if he had to stay up he sure could push himself for long hours to patrol the area. But he liked the morning more than anything and being up late at night only kept him awake to his thoughts.

Noelle watched as Aileen reached for something in the bed of the truck to only be beaten by Jacob who grabbed the basket full of clothes. His smile was almost deadly to her, causing every nerve of her body to just feel hot. She didn't know if those canines were perfected by an amazing orthodontist or if god himself blessed the man with a perfect smile.

"Too early?" Jacob couldn't help but laugh as he watched the green-haired beauty squint her face to raise her glasses up. He couldn't help but hear how her heart also raced when she saw him. The soft blush always made its way to her cheeks before disappearing quickly after. He wondered how she did that so well and with such ease. He found her beautiful with the messy hair and the disheveled clothes.

"Yeah kinda…"

Aileen could tell Jacob had liked Noelle from the moment she caught him staring at the party. His hurry to get to her house was a big one, but the way Embry had questioned her about Noelle after everyone went home made her realize something bigger had happened. It wasn't long before she had Embry confessing Jacobs interest in her friend.

"I brought Jacob to see your car and I need to wash my clothes."

Noelle nodded and smiled up at Jacob who stood at the bottom of her patio stairs. He still managed to be taller than her despite the 4-step difference from her patio.

"Eli stayed up playing video games, so he's knocked out. Come on in."

Jacob took in the home. One of the newer models in a small community of mostly older people and families. Dark woods and a wraparound patio with plants in colorful pots.

Inside he was overtaken by the smell of coffee and a slight Christmas tree smell. The hint of cinnamon as he took in the home. Wooden floors and walls were covered in pictures of her and her friends and what could have been her family. He saw one of her and Zane kissing which he swore made his stomach ache if it wasn't for his knowledge that the two were only friends from what Embry swore. Her living room was a giant clue as to why Eli liked to spend the night as much as Embry said he did. The cobblestone fireplace was big but not enough to take the eyes off the giant screen tv. Fluffy dark brown couches with blankets and mismatched carpets.

The meow took him off guard as Aileen squealed as she set her bag down.

"Stupid cat…" she muttered and Noelle only laughed and scratched Crusty's head.

The cat-eyed Jacob and he swore it made his skin crawl at how serious the feline glaring up at him. It seemed that it didn't care that it was in the middle of getting love from Noelle.

"It's evil…. Be careful." Aileen's voice made Crusty change his attention as he nipped at Noelle's hand and began to stretch its body before swatting at Aileen

"He knows what you're saying, you know?" Noelle swooped up the cat and hugged him dearly. Kissing its little head and smothering him until the cat tried to claw its way out. But Jacob watched as she didn't allow it and began chuckling.

"His name is Crusty, and he just moved in. "

Jacob was amazed at the car in the garage. She was a beautiful black Ford Bronco in perfect condition. It was clean from the recent rain along with the empty garage that seemed to only have a few packed boxes.

"She's nice huh?"

Jacob was startled and surprised that he didn't hear her. Noelle chuckled before finishing tying up the two space buns on her head. Messy enough to keep her decent and away from her face, even when the bangs came out.

"She's a beautiful for sure." He grinned while she walked over and started popping the hood.

"Yeah, my parents fought me hard for painting her black. They both wanted a crazy color but I can't do that." Her parents thought it would be nice to paint her into a lavish and loud color to show off the beautiful vehicle. But Noelle knew long-term that wouldn't last. her decisions had to be long-term and not just an impulse action.

Jacob watched as she tiptoed herself to open the hood. The overalls on her were loose but she looked adorable. Black quarter sleeve top and dark brown corduroy overalls. She wore no shoes but black fuzzy socks as she helped herself up with the front bumper. He noticed the splatches of paint on them, stained with swipes and somehow a handprint on her butt.

"You paint?"

Noelle looked over at Jacob who was looking under the hood already. She checked the battery first before her eyes caught his bicep flexing. It had been a while since she had felt a man's touch, and she knew she'd think about this tonight. She'd have to pop a bottle of wine and buy a romance novel on her Kindle.

"He'll no, I just went through a phase where I thought I could." She had a lot of phases from yoga, to painting to even doing puzzles and nothing helped until she solved her patience problem.

"You mean to tell me those paintings in the hallway way aren't yours?"

She knew exactly which ones he was talking about. The pretty pictures of some aesthetically pleasing forest with deer and moose she had found off etsy.

"So?"

Aileen elbowed her friend and Noelle nearly choked on the pancake.

"So what?"

Aileen knew her friend. She knew that Jacob was attractive, and she knew Noelle wasn't blind. And from what Embry had told her the imprint worked both ways. Plus, she knew her friend was under a dry spell for over a year.

"You and Jacob? "

Noelle's mouth was in shock as she took another bite and shook her head.

"don't make this weird…."

Noelle felt the sudden urge to control something and looked around her kitchen. She found all the seasoning bottles on the counters and started organizing. Grabbing every slice and correctly placing them in their carousel.

"I like him for you…" Aileen teased happily knowing she should've seen it all along. Jacob and Noelle made sense, he was obnoxious, social, and loyal. And Noelle was quiet, kept to herself as just as loyal. The two had a similar love for their friends and family, both would kill for the ones that they loved. Both were dramatic especially. Though her friend Noelle had dignity and kept the dramatics for private moments alone. It made sense to her cause she could envision it so clearly.

"No."

It was a warning and Aileen knew where this was heading. The strong no was mostly filled with fear and a stop sign to a boundary.

"What do you mean? I thought you and Mike weren't talking anymore."

Eli entered the room and watched his mom and Noelle practically arguing. He was amused once he saw Noelle's shocked expression. He liked how funny she would get and the expressions on her face.

"We aren't. But that doesn't mean you have to set me up. "

Noelle had ignored every call from her last failed talking stage. Mike Newton was someone she didn't take seriously but she had hoped that his new divorce and her newly single lifestyle would create a great union. Heartbroken but driven by pure sexual need they both thought it was a great idea. But the sexual part never happened besides a few 2nd base high school things before she realized that she was broken. It didn't feel right, and she overthought every touch and kiss. It made her feel gross and at some point, in therapy, she had to wonder if she was even attracted to men or women. She felt lost and was so unsure of what she was or what she liked. Turns out the trauma killed the sex drive as well and she felt no need for that because it wasn't as validating as she thought it was.

"Uncle Jake?" Eli asked and Noelle scuffed.

"You got Eli on this too?"

Aileen just chuckled and kissed her son in his head.

"I'm just saying, he's a nice guy …."

Noelle rolled her eyes and started scrubbing her sink with the overpriced sponge.

"They all start out as nice guys."

Aileen knew what she was referring to and hugged her friend immediately from behind.

"I wouldn't put you in any type of situation where it could be a shitty thing. Embry says he's a nice guy and …."

"You just need new spark plugs…" The voice broke the tension that even Eli jumped up at the sight of a greasy-handed Jacob wiping his hands on a rag.

"Hey, Eli! "Jacob went over and tousled Eli's hair while he went back to eating.

Aileen let go of Noelle but that didn't stop Noelle to continue to scrub the sink.

"So? How's it going?" Paul asked smirking.

It didn't take long before everyone at the shop knew about Jacob's morning. The guy even showered and wore a new shirt. Something they hadn't seen in a while since Jacob was bad at doing his own laundry. Rachel took care of that most days but Jacob's work shirts were also stained and dirty.

"Embry's loose lips are going to get him killed."

Embry wiped his hands and shook his head already cracking up.

"Not from me… "

Jacob growled and went back to looking for the spark plugs in his old toolbox. The crusty red box was rusting, and he needed a new one as soon as possible. But even that couldn't distract from realizing there was one gossip girl on his tribal land that never missed a news story.

"Was it my dad?"

The garage erupted into loud laughs because they all heard it from the moment.

"Is the sky blue?"

Jacob knew the old man loved gossip as much as the woman at Sue's diner. Hell, he even thought the woman at Sue's diner looked for Billy to get right to the source.

"So?"

Jacob couldn't find the words to describe his imprint. She was nice and quiet. She played video games, had a nice car, she was cute as hell but he couldn't deny that on the day of the baby shower he was mesmerized by the curves she had. She was one hell of a woman, and his teenage self would've spent many minutes and hours alone in the restroom to the images of her.

"Bro! I don't get how you don't have words to describe the fact that you imprinted in a fucking goddess!"

Collin walked in with his lunch. A giant burrito that only was leaving traces of salsa on the floor.

"Are you fucking kidding me? I just mopped. " Paul rolled his eyes and reached for the mop bucket. Jacob just felt the wolf in him create havoc with the need to bite Collins's head off. The kid had it coming since the last time at the party. It felt like since the imprint took place, the wolf in him as more active and stronger. Emotions seemed to mirror his first few weeks of phasing.

"It's the weird goth girl look she's got…" Brady threw in knowing exactly what it was.

"Or the glasses. Cause you know that one time when we looked up…"

"Shut the fuck you before I kill you. "

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