Chapter 1– Reunion

The sun and the moon sat together on the horizon, observing the plethora of colors that refracted off of each piece of the universe. Fresh salty air rolled from the vast waters that rolled onto the shore. I inhaled and shut my eyes in a desperate attempt to grasp the way that it felt. How the sun loved the moon, and how the moon would always remain beguiled with the sun.

I opened them to a plain white ceiling before taking a deep breath. My fingers danced over the keyboard—the words never reached the pages the way I wanted them to. It wasn't for a lack of inspiration or ideas, but rather the chaos that was my life now.

My hand massaged through her hair and I could feel the stringy greasy mess that it was now. A gusty breeze traveled through the open window beside me, inviting in the pleasant chatter and city noises. Phoenix—my heart encapsulated in the parameters of the city.

It wasn't my first choice, but it was safe. Safer than Forks at least.

I stretched my hands behind my back until a delightful shiver traced down my spine. It was two in the afternoon and I still had not touched the cost report for the bookshop. My boss wasn't strict, but she certainly didn't approve of tardiness of any sort. It was the perfect job for someone trying to explore their avenues after graduation.

My eyes struggled to stay open, bleary from weeks of no rest. But, it was worth it. Anything to finish the book. To be able to finally look at the completed projects and know that I'd done it entirely on my own.

A steady buzz followed by a tiny musical song broke apart the peace in an instant. I glanced at the screen and my stomach plummeted as if it were on a roller coaster as my fingers hovered over the green button.

"Billy?"

"Bella, there's been an accident. Charlie—he's had a heart attack."

His motionless sleeping form looked too frail to be him. The soft beeping from the machine beside connected tubes upon tubes. His dark curled hair was tousled more than usual, making his minor receding hairline stick out even more.

I reached out and brushed the pieces into place the way he would like them. When I was done I pressed the back of my hand to my face, covering my mouth as if that would actually help stuff the impending sob down and away for the time being. A tear would still leak out to torment me, I knew that.

How had I not seen him for six months? It was too long, too filled with regret the entire time, but now it was a regret I couldn't take back. It filled my lungs and heart, taking over entirely as I watched his weakened body. A pale blue blanket that was too thin for him. Where was his flannel? The room was too bright. He was out of place here. He didn't belong here.

"Bella?" The voice was familiar, and brought instant relief. It was the voice of assurance and wisdom that was imperative to my survival right now. Crinkled, dark eyes that were the color of a dark ocean night.

I rushed over to embrace him, knocking the breath from my lungs with a whoosh. "Billy—I'm so sorry I tried to get there as soon as possible." I could feel his hands shaking along my back, whether with emotion or age, I couldn't tell. "They confirmed a heart attack. W-What happened?"

Billy's soot colored eyes gleamed with upset as he shook his head, no words coming out. "He…just collapsed while they were watching the game."

I could feel my face mirroring his. Shock, dismay—what else was there to be said? A voice jolted through my chest and memory, ripping me from Billy's horror driven stare. I instinctively followed the rich sound without a moment of hesitation.

"Jacob."

He was exactly the same, and different. Smooth, umber stare with perfect dark lashes sweeping around them. His entire face was matured even more so than the last time I'd seen him. I thought he didn't age? A deep grimace formed on his rouge mouth, snapping me back to the reality of the situation. And he didn't say a word to me, not that I expected him to.

I finally tore myself away from the heat of that glare of his as it always made my skin crawl. It had been too long since he'd caught me off guard like that, and I didn't miss it one bit. Now I didn't know where my limbs or eyes belonged and became hyper aware of every small movement.

"I-I um, the doctor just came by." My mind screamed against itself as I kept my eyes on Billy, using him as an anchor for my thoughts instead of…well, you know who. "He will be in a coma for the next few days, but looks stable."

Billy nodded in solemnity before clearing his throat in an obvious attempt at keeping back tears. "Well, we can do that." He reached out for Charlie's limp hand, patting the top of it.

"Nothing we haven't dealt with before—right?" He kept his eyes wrought with pain trained on Charlie, though a faux smile sat on his face.

"I should be going," Jake said.

My eyes stayed on Charlie's sleeping form as it took everything in me to not follow his voice. The door clicked shut a moment later, and a flicker of regret bloomed in my chest. Maybe I should've looked at him one last time. I leaned back in my chair, finally feeling the release of the tension in the room.

"I see you guys are speaking."

I glared openly at Billy, though the creeping amusement on my face gave me away. Nosy, old man. Jake was most likely no further than the end of the hall, and could hear every word. I wasn't going to risk saying anything else while he might still be in the building, maybe even the street too, and Billy knew it.

I jumped to my feet and walked over to the small window to watch the parking lot. It wasn't because I wanted to see him—well, maybe it was. But it was also because I refused to say anything about him in his presence, because it would definitely cause a fight. I scanned the lot, trying to see through the droplets of rain that ran down the pane for the white t-shirt he wore today.

"We've missed you. You look strong."

Strong. After all this time, the best he had was strong? I hid an eye roll and folded my arms to lean against the window. My eyes hadn't left the front door, unblinking almost. Where was he?

Finally, I saw him. Always walking with intense authority despite the avid attempts to blend in. It felt like the blink of an eye and he was already in his car, whipping it out of the parking lot.

Any hidden tension in my shoulders and spine released the moment he left. I turned back to Billy and gave him a curt nod. "Thank you."

He stared at me for a long time before finally releasing his stare as it fell to Charlie. I sat back down in my chair again, and he spoke.

"Charlie tells me you're working in the big leagues now. Living the dream?"

I couldn't hide my grimace. "Um, no. I think he exaggerated. I'm a writer for an unpopular newspaper. It's small, and no one cares for it much. But yeah, Phoenix is nice."

He pursed his lips, his head tilting. "He was talking about you before—" Billy stopped abruptly, and I wondered if he meant Charlie or Jacob. "He's so proud of you for going to be your own person. I don't think there's a moment that goes by that he isn't bragging about what a great daughter you are."

I rolled my eyes, snorting. "He exaggerates on everything, I'm afraid."

Billy folded his hand eagerly. "So then tell me, what have you been up to? How is it really? I know you won't admit it to Jake, or him. But let's be honest—for just a moment."

I sighed and ran a hand through my hair as thousands of memories flashed through my mind. Too many to keep track of and to remember fully. It had been years since we spoke like this. Usually it would have been over a cup of coffee early in the morning right after Jake left for his…shift, or on the mornings he would sleep in.

But, again, that was years ago.

"It's fine. That's really all there is to say." I looked at Charlie again. The tube in his throat with paperlike skin made him look frail and old. Realistically he wasn't, but this was the first indicator of his aging. And…well, it scared the shit out of me. I didn't want to talk about my life in Phoenix because it was a million miles away already. I knew what I was going to do already, even if I hadn't given it much thought.

"I'm…uh, actually moving back—so it doesn't matter what I think of the place anyway."

Billy was exceptionally quiet for a long time. I resisted the urge to look at him, too afraid to meet the parental stare that meant it was a bad idea.

"Oh, when did you decide that?" His tone was casual but accusatory. I straightened in my seat to meet his stare.

"Right now. I'm not going to leave Charlie to deal with this alone, and I'm not sure I should have ever left."

"Bella…"

"No, don't Bella, me. I'm staying. Charlie will have a fit, but I've finished school and graduated. It's not like my degree is only good in Phoenix."

I tried to keep my voice firm, but it still shook as the slow realization of what my words meant sunk in. It meant I was going to have to be around Jake. Living in Forks again meant that it was inevitable. I shook the thought from my mind, it was too much to deal with right now. And anyway, Jake didn't want to be around me anyway so it would work out. At least, that's what I would tell myself to sleep better at night.

"Is that really what you want? We can take care of Charlie no problem."

"It's not just about Charlie. I know you can care for him, but I miss him. I don't want to lose him."

"You won't Bella—"

"Billy, trust me. I want to come home."

"You'll need to completely change your diet. Let's keep that blood pressure and cholesterol low with lean meats, plenty of vegetables, and less salt. No alcohol. No stress. Slow exercise everyday and work up to your full energy levels slowly. This will take lots of rest after, so make sure you nap. You'll need to take some new medications, we've attached a time table to help you keep track. For now you'll need to rest. Have your daughter set up an area downstairs for you—"

The nurse paused and gave me a quick smile before passing on a heavily weighted folder. I resisted the urge to open it knowing that it contained all of my worries for the undetermined future.

"You'll take lovely care of our police chief, won't you?"

I grit her teeth at the woman's childish tone. It was condescending at best. "Sure will."

The nurse promptly left after giving Charlie an all-too-friendly squeeze on his hand. I raised my brow in a silent question towards him. I hadn't missed the way the older nurses flaunted around him, but it appeared that he missed it entirely.

Charlie cleared his throat, his voice still hoarse. "That was a lot. Bells, I don't want you doing all of this. What about your job? I'll be fine here. I've got loads of help."

"Who? Billy and Jake?"

Charlie's face blanched as his mouth fell open. "That and some guys from the station. See? I'm all set."

A laugh escaped me at his sheer determination. He was still a terrible liar. "Enough of that. I'm staying."

The truth was I already had everything planned. Charlie was coming home today and I had an area downstairs set up on his favorite recliner. Daily walks, small chores, and even some mandatory cooking participation was already planned into the next month or so of our life. It wasn't going to be perfect, but I was determined to make it our time. Like when I was a teen, but with less angst, I hoped.

We pulled up to the house, and my stomach churned when I recognized Jake's car parked on the street, and at that exact moment Charlie's knee gently bounced in the passenger seat. I peeked at him and tried to replace my anxiety with a sympathetic smile.

"They don't have to stay if you don't want them to."

Charlie sighed, laughing. "No, no. I like them. I just…don't like the attention of being injured, you know?"

Jake's figure ghosted past the front door before opening. Attention, or even lack thereof, was anxiety inducing. I took a deep anticipatory breath and my lungs filled with dread.

"Oh, I know all too well, dad. Just means so many people love you. That's what you always say to me—right?"

Charlie grimaced, but smiled regretfully. And just like that, the moment was over. Jake jogged up to the car, ignoring me completely as he smiled bright towards Charlie.

"Hey hey, the old man is back!"

"Oh boy," Charlie muttered under his breath before getting out of the car.

I stayed behind, feeling out of place as I gathered my things slowly and watched the two reunite. Jake looked so genuinely happy. I almost felt guilty for disrupting it so much. Almost.

Inside, Billy was waiting with a game already turned on along with an eager expression that looked much like a kid on Christmas Day.

"Looking healthy and strong."

Charlie sighed heavily, as he was partially winded from the stairs. "Yeah, yeah. Leave me alone about it." He waved off Billy, not waiting for anyone as he took a seat in his recliner.

Billy moved closer, filling him in on what he had missed on the game so far.

Jake sat beside them, looking as out of place as I felt. He dwarfed the couch entirely, so much that his legs stretched beyond the coffee table.

So, I retreated immediately and ended up in the kitchen. I set the hefty folder down on the counter with a dull thud. Opening it was the last thing I wanted to do, but it was better than being in there with all of them.

There was a large packet of information and enough brochures to keep me up for the rest of the week. I started on the first one—food, and began making my list.

It was a reminder of high school, and all that I used to do for Charlie. Now, I couldn't even name the last time I cooked for myself. Takeout was easier, somehow.

Before that sent me into a spiral about how much I'd changed, there was a sharp knock at the door. A delightful distraction, hopefully.

I got to the door first, though Jake was standing—looming over with his ever watchful leer. He glanced at me for a sliver of a moment before his gaze passed over my head to the people standing expectantly on the porch. I opened the door and tried to hide my confusion at who they were, but before I could get a word out Charlie interjected.

"Come on in. Bella, it's just the guys from the station."

I looked back to the group of five or six officers. The one in the front gave me a gentle smile and a shrug before stepping around my shocked form. I hadn't expected so many people to visit—at least not so quickly.

It wasn't that I was antisocial, but I sort of was. The prospect of so many people filling the house was mildly irritating. I didn't want Charlie to feel any excitement beyond his game, lest his heart suddenly cease to beat again.

When the entire brigade had funneled into the living room, I left for the kitchen to resume my list and be further anti-social. Phoenix had its perks in that way. It was quiet, and I never really talked to anyone. My writing was my friend.

I opened the predictably empty cupboards and continued my list. Especially with so many people here, I thought it would be polite to have something to feed them beyond beer and water.

"Bella!"

I dropped the list in an instant from the shout and ran into the living room in a mild panic.

"W-what? Has something happened?" As I rounded the corner I caught the eye of everyone there aside from one particular person. I stopped in my tracks, assessing the room. Everyone was fine. Charlie was fine.

So fine, in fact, that he missed my panic entirely as he grinned at me with bag-ridden eyes and boisterous glee splayed on his face. Guilt rose up my throat after seeing how happy he was.

"We were just talking about that fish hook day—they don't believe it."

I scanned the room, meeting eager eyes that awaited my answer. There was a particular officer that caught my attention that I hadn't noticed before. He was sitting on the ground beside the fireplace, his arm resting over his knee. He was cute, with short dark hair that curled into his eyes. Maybe if it was Phoenix, I would have had mild interest.

I shook my head and tried to smile as I recalled the story I'd heard so many times that I wasn't sure if I even actually remembered the events, or just the story of the events. "Oh, right. No, it's true. It got stuck in my palm and I swear it started a chain reaction of events. Most unlucky day ever."

A chorus of laughs rang out, like a sitcom.

"Day? It started a week of chaos." Charlie started laughing harder.

"I remember that day." Jake's voice resounded throughout the room, sounding simultaneously blended and out of place from the room.

Charlie clapped him on the back. "Oh, yes. I remember your contribution to the terrible day by breaking your arm at the very end of the night."

Cute guy's mouth fell open as a small gasp fell out, "no."

That part of the day, I really did have a memory of. "I remember that. Screamed like you were being murdered." This earned a precious amused glance from the corner of his eye. His mouth lifted just a centimeter at the corners, drawing a jolt up my spine. And, that was enough of that.

"Drinks? Anyone need any drinks? I'll be in the kitchen, let me know."

The kitchen was an entirely different world from the other room. It was quieter, calmer. Calm enough that it let my racing heart reach my ears at a bursting volume. I leaned against the counter to take deep breaths before he could hear it from the other room. Would it always be like this then? Eternal stress and anxiety the moment I set my eyes on him or he acknowledged my existence?

"You alright?"

I yelped with a startle that hit the back of my head against the cupboard. A small ball of pain built at the center of my skull. I rubbed at it and looked up to see the cute guy leaning against the doorway.

"Huh? I mean—yes, I'm fine," I straightened although my head was still pulsing.

He looked younger than all of the rest of them, but maybe older than me—I wasn't too sure. A slow smile spread across his face, bringing out his exceptionally bright blue eyes.

"I'm Dylan." His hand extended, and I wasn't sure what to do with it.

I stuck out my hand robotically. "Bella." That was lame. "T-that's my name." A blush climbed up my throat to my cheeks at the realization.

Dylan let out a chaste laugh. "I know. Your dad talks about you all the time."

I frowned, drawing another laugh from him. He sure did laugh a lot. Was it with me or at me? I couldn't tell.

There was a lapse of awkward silence between us. My stomach fluttered with nervousness as his cheeks heated in a similar way to the way I'm sure mine were.

"Anyway, I-uh, your dad asked if I would see if there's anything I can do to help you with drinks…or food, or whatever." He rubbed the back of his neck in anxiety.

"That's kind of you, but no thank you. I'm fine. I've got to go to the store anyway, so…" I grabbed my keys off of the counter and put the list in my purse. It wasn't that I didn't want to talk to him…but he was my dad's coworker. That was enough of a reason to end the conversation right there.

"Oh, cool. I could go with you if you want."

That stopped me in my tracks. My mouth opened and closed much like a fish as I had no reply for him, it was so unexpected. I was a perfect stranger. Maybe he just wanted to help Charlie, I reasoned. Before I could reply, Jake's deep rumbling voice murmured from just behind me.

"That's alright, I'm gonna take her."

It wasn't as startling, but I still flinched as I spun to face him. He wasn't looking at me. Not even as he swiped the keys from my hand without so much as a glance.

I scoffed, swiping at them. "Give them back," I hissed, "I can go to the store on my own."

He narrowly avoided my reach, and turned to open the front door. "It's icy out," he explained in a bored tone. He didn't wait for my reply as he waltzed out the front door and went to my car, climbing in the driver's side.

I rolled my eyes, resisting the urge to stomp my feet like an incessant child as I turned back to Dylan and gave him an apologetic wave.

The moment I shut the front door my true reality sunk in. I could do this, I would do this. It was just Jake. Except he wasn't. But, he was. Ugh, it was complicated.

I took a deep breath and prepared myself for the stifling energy in the car. I plopped down in the passenger seat. Nothing but pure silence as he pulled from the driveway. It was fine, because I didn't know what to say to him anyway. Instead I reached out and began fiddling with the radio, turning it back and forth between my two favorite stations with indecision. After only a few minutes, Jake huffed in annoyance.

"Pick one, jesus."

I smirked in satisfaction, having forgotten how fun it was to get under his skin. "Well, maybe if the car wasn't so quiet it wouldn't have been so difficult."

He barked out a laugh. "Ha! So you want to talk? Is that it? Because you don't seem to be keen on speaking with me—just saying."

"Well, what can I say? I was surprised. Why did you come with me? I could've gone on my own."

"It's icy. Like I said."

I huffed, and glared at him. His profile in the evening light made his skin glow a rich honey color. The contrast made his hair look even darker, if that was possible. My heart began to thrum and I looked away.

"That's bullshit and you know it. You can barely stand to look at me. We both know there was no reason for your little show of volunteering."

His jaw clenched as he rolled his shoulders but didn't reply. He parked the car, turning off the ignition and any filler of the silence, but he didn't get out.

"You know I'm right. Why are you trying to be near me? I thought we had agreed. Why torture the both of us?"

Emotion rose in my throat. I hated it, and hated myself for even bringing it up.

"If you're going to be here already breaking the rules then you've got to at least be able to look at me, Jake."

"Bella, I—"

"You're being childish about it. Stop it."

"It's not the same for you as it is for me."

"Again, bullshit."

He rolled his tongue in his cheek, eyes narrowing on a spot on the dash.

"Look at me, or you are not coming inside. You can stay in the car." I counted to ten before I set my hand on the door handle. "Fine, I'll be back in an hour."

I glanced back at him, raising my hand to give his profile a lewd gesture when his dark gaze snapped to me and all the air was pushed from my lungs with surprising force. His eyes were deep pits of black in the shadowed light, with the most severe and pained expression he'd ever dared towards me. It was a cement wall on the outside that made him hardly recognizable. It pierced through me in a way unlike anything else.

"Can we not make this any harder than it has to be?"

I was a fish, gasping for air as the oxygen had been completely sucked out of the car. He didn't wait for my recovery and promptly left. He slammed the door behind him, but didn't go any further than just beyond the hood as he folded his arms in wait.

Anger flared in my chest. Did he have to be so rude about it all? I slammed the door with equal vigor, folding my arms and walking ahead of him. He, of course, kept in perfect strides with me.

"You can just wait in the car anyway, I've changed my mind. I don't know why you came with me if this is so difficult for you. Don't you have somewhere else to be?"

He didn't respond. My fury sparked, but I bit my tongue in lieu of another snide comment that could push him to make a scene.

I weaved in and out of the aisles in silence, ignoring the way Jake would continually tower over my shoulder to read the list and begin fetching things. If I picked out an apple, he grabbed another one to replace it.

"Mushy," he explained without even a glance in her general direction.

It was more than aggravating—it was pissing me off. The final straw was when I grabbed the "wrong" Cheerios and went to switch them. We reached simultaneously for the other box. I smacked his hand away, ignoring the sparking electric feeling at my fingertips.

"I've got it."

"I'm only trying to help." The edge in his voice said he knew what he was doing.

"I don't want your help! I don't even know why you're here!" I snapped in a whisper. The store was dead silent aside from light radio noise from a speaker aisles away.

He looked at me again, this time a bored stare as his head lolled to the side. "Bella—do you really think that I would just let you go with a stranger?" The stare transformed to condescending as he looked down on me with pity. "You really do not have any survival instincts."

A scoff bubbled out of my throat. "Eavesdropper! And, you don't know that I was going to go with him." I was appalled that he even thought that I would. Even though…I probably would have. But, how could he know that?

"You're being a jealous prick. Of course you…you hypocrite!"

An old woman walked into the aisle, eyeing them. I heard her tut at us as she approached. I moved to the next aisle, fuming. He leaned down, to my headspace now. His breath just above a whisper, hardly reaching my ears even as he stooped down.

"Hypocrite? God, you're intolerable. I strongly recommend you don't go there."

"Why? Are you trying to say I'm the hypocrite? That's laughable. 'Do what you want Bella. I don't own you, Bella.' That's what you said, remember?" I mocked his voice, and the corner of Jake's mouth twitched with a possible glimmer of amusement in his eyes.

"I only said that because of what you said. You know that." The way he said it was…softer. His piercing gaze was still that, but there was something so…Jake about him. Almost like—no, it wasn't possible. Not my Jake. He was still different.

So I scoffed, and shoved his shoulder so I could move out of the small cage he'd made near the shelves.

"I said what I said, and did what I did for a good reason." I walked around him, tossing the comment over my shoulder.

"Is it? Seems to be going really well," he whispered into my ear.

I kept shopping, holding onto the cart until my knuckles whitened with nothing but pure anger. "And what's that supposed to mean?"

"Moving back? Who's breaking the rules now? And do I even need to mention going on drives with strangers?"

I narrowed my eyes and searched the dark pits of his. "Of course Billy would tell you. Yes, I am definitely going to come back if my fucking dad almost dies. And, I can do whatever I like with whoever I want when I'm here!"

"Of course he told me?" He snapped, "It's my dad, Bella. And you can't do whatever you want if it's going to get you killed."

Good grief, my eyes rolled back into my head as a dread-filled groan of despair swept through me. "You're so dramatic it's painful. Please, spare me the safety talk. He's a fucking cop—who works with my father, mind you—he's not going to hurt me. Like I said, an eavesdropper and a hypocrite."

Jake fell into a still anger before letting out a low hiss of a breath. "Why do we need to keep talking about this? I thought we were going to have a nice evening."

"We? I was until you decided to intervene with my evening for no reason."

"Sorry I don't want to listen to you flirt from the other room, right in front of me."

"As if I haven't dealt with that for years. Honestly, you have a new girlfriend every time I see you."

He didn't reply as I walked away. I couldn't hear his footsteps, but knew he was still following my every move from the gentle auror of heat that radiated from wherever he was at any given time.

We checked out without interruption or argument—a true miracle—and went back to the car. I went directly to the passenger seat, leaving him to put the groceries in the backseat. He stared at me with eyes full of loathing and irritation. I glared back at him and folded my arms, making it perfectly clear that I had no intention of lifting a finger. A grin spread over my face when he submitted and put every bag in the trunk.

Jake slid into the driver's seat, pulling out of the parking lot. The blinker was the only sound in the car, and it was slowly driving me mad. I reached out for the radio again, but Jake's voice stopped her.

"I'm sorry that I interrupted your…flirting. Really, I am."

I wasn't surprised he was apologizing—he always did if he was in the wrong, and sometimes even when he wasn't. But, I still chose my words carefully as my heart unwillingly softened to him.

"You have to let me be happy too, you know. Especially if you are burning through girls faster than cigarettes."

A chaste laugh fell from his lips. "Yes, but they aren't…serious, or anything permanent."

"And Dylan was?" I laughed, as it was genuinely funny. Why was he jealous now? After all these years?

His hands gripped the steering wheel tighter, the leather squeaked in his hands. "I suppose not."

"Right. And, I assume you have a girlfriend, so… maybe you should relax. Let me do my thing, like you wanted."

"Right."

I watched the hurt run through his face, but knew there wasn't anything I could do about it. Our situation was more than complicated, and we were doing their best given the circumstances.

We got out of the car quietly. The line of tension between us was molasses, but outwardly we were the same. I grabbed one grocery bag as an olive branch of forgiveness before heading inside.

Charlie grinned at us both and raised a questioning brow towards me the moment Jake's back was turned. I waved him off, rolling my eyes.

Jake didn't linger in the kitchen and was quickly replaced with Dylan's presence. I wasn't really in the mood to talk anymore. Not after all of that. I stormed around the kitchen to prepare a big pot of soup, something I was pretty sure I couldn't mess up.

Dylan cleared his throat. "Hey, how was the store?"

I paused in the middle of my vegetable chopping and glanced at him through the corner of my eye. "It was fine."

"I can see that."

He was leaning against the doorway again, smiling. I bit back a smile, the anger disappearing with his infectious good mood.

Still, I grabbed a bottle of wine to aid my mood and poured myself a glass after offering him one. He declined and I poured the remainder in with the cooking chicken. I took a long drink, savoring the way it warmed me inside before I had the energy to speak to him.

"So, what's with you, Dylan?"

His head tilted as his eyes sparked with obvious glee that I was giving him any time. "How so?"

I resumed my chopping. "I mean, who are you? How long have you been working with my dad, and why are you talking to me?"

Jake's laugh boomed through the house. He was listening to the conversation without a doubt, and probably celebrating how he'd ruined my mood so exponentially.

Dylan's brows raised in surprise. "Oh, well I grew up in California. Moved here a few months ago to be closer to my mom. It was either the police station or stocking shelves, so I picked the one that paid more. But I'm more of a glorified intern right now."

"So you aren't a cop?"

"Well, no. I'm a records clerk, but not the only one. Unfortunately, there's only enough work for that one. So, I'm basically a coffee runner."

I couldn't help but smile at his demeanor. Honest, and slightly funny—maybe.

"And why are you talking to me? Don't have anything better to do?" It was slightly rude, and I did feel a tinge of regret at the bruskness. He laughed, it was raspy and followed by a gentle cough. He probably smoked like the rest of them did.

"No, actually I don't. I like your dad, but the rest of them can be…rough on the edges about the new guy." He paused, briefly and I almost looked up from my chopping. "Hey, look—you're going to give me a heart attack. Could I help chop? You've almost cut your finger off twice."

I sighed and put the knife down with resignation. He wasn't wrong. "Fine. But only because I'm out of practice."

He grinned, bouncing off of the frame and pushed his navy sweater up his forearms.

I flipped the chicken, glancing under my lashes at his movements. The muscles rippled underneath his skin as he pressed down on the knife, and the veins in his hands flexed with the motion. I swallowed thickly, averting my eyes to the pan again. Maybe I should've gotten out more in Phoenix, or maybe I was more intoxicated than I felt. Was it hot in here? It felt hot.

"You said you weren't practiced—do you enjoy cooking?"

Flashes of suppressed memories tried to rise. The smell of breakfast when the cool night air floated through the window. Laughter. Burned cookies and perfectly cooked cinnamon rolls. Happiness. I shook them away, my throat closing on itself.

"Yeah, um, I used to. But not so much anymore. I don't really have the time, so I just get takeout."

He stopped chopping, arching a brow. I noticed in the close proximity that his eyes were a deep glacier blue.

"Just you? No friends, or…boyfriends? Girlfriends?"

I laughed, covering my mouth as a blush rose to heat my cheeks. I turned back to the pan. "No, neither."

"Ah, well I find that hard to believe." His elbow nudged mine in a gentle gesture.

A chorus of laughter came from the living room. Charlie was having a good time, at least. No matter how turbulent the day had been for me, it was worth it. If only he knew that one of his own was hitting on me in the next room.

"Well, believe it. It's just me, myself, and I. And I like it that way."

He nodded in understanding. "Why?"

The question caught me off guard. I shrugged, unsure how to answer. "It's…easier."

"Easier to not get your heartbroken—I get what you mean."

I gave him a smile instead of answering. Heartbreak was not something I wished to discuss with my ex practically in the same room, and actively eavesdropping. So, that was enough of the conversation. I patted him on the arm, so he knew I wasn't upset.

"I'll be back."

I went into the living room to find everyone staring at the tv, enraptured with the game. The only person who cast a glance was Jake, and it was fleeting. His jaw flexed with obvious anger and mild disgust. I ignored him, tapping Charlie on the shoulder to whisper to him.

"Hey, do you want them to stay for dinner? Or maybe you should rest?"

He sighed, giving me a grateful stare that was an obvious yes. I straightened with renewed vigor, not afraid to be the bad guy and clapped, attracting the attention of the whole group.

"Alright everyone, I hate to be that person, but I think it's time for my dad to get some rest. He's had a long hospital stay and I'm sure he wants to probably hit the hay early."

The group took the hint quickly and with grace. They all stood, giving Charlie handshakes and quick pats on the shoulder. I held open the door, giving them all waves and sickeningly sweet goodbyes while trying my best not to be overly eager. Dylan was the last one to leave, lingering just a moment longer.

"It was nice to meet you, Bella." He waved with another dashing smile before catching up to the rest of them. He glanced back over his shoulder once just before he got in the car, and I swore that I saw him wink.

My stomach fluttered, and a smile spread across my face so wide that it hurt. I walked back to the kitchen, ignoring the fact that Jake and Billy were definitely still here.

My temples throbbed at the thought of having to endure another conversation with him, so I escaped upstairs to change into actually comfortable clothes in hopes that they would get the hint then. Just as my hand laid on the handle to go back downstairs, I heard Billy.

"Well, I guess we should go."

I practically ran down the steps, signing quietly in delight at the prospect of quiet finally. Charlie said his goodbyes, and I went to the door.

Billy came over first with a tired smile. I looked at him apathetically, reaching out for his hand. "Bye, Bella. See you in the morning." He squeezed my hand.

It was almost impossible to recover my expression at the mere thought of them being here even more. "Right, yes, of course," I grinned, perhaps a little too wide.

Jake came up behind Billy, and gave me a passing glance but nothing else. Billy twisted around in his chair, shooting Jake a glare.

"Good night, Bella. From the both of us." He shook his head as he turned back around, but he didn't seem to have said anything directly to Jake. I wanted to tell him that they were on mutual non-speaking terms.

I watched them go to their car, and was surprised to see Jake glance at me over his shoulder. In a childish act, I raised her middle finger to him with a grin. I wasn't sure why I thought this response was remotely fitting for the evening, but I was sure that's how I felt. Fuck you, Jake.

To my dismay, he smiled. Actually smiled. A shit-eating, smug smile.

"Goodnight, Bella," he called out.

I openly glared at him through the windshield until the headlights hid them from view and slammed the door, perhaps a bit harder than I should have.

Charlie peered around the edge of his recliner. "You okay kiddo?"

"Mhm, yep, fine."

His eyes narrowed. "Is that right?" He lifted his chin and gave me the 'cop look'. "Didn't have anything to do with Jake?"

"Nope, not at all. I don't know why you would ask that."

He chuckled at me, shaking his head. I pretended I didn't see it.

"Ready for dinner finally?"