Whispers in the Dark

The next few days in the Cullen home were spent preparing for the party. Bella thought they were crazy for still throwing it after everything they’d learned, but Alice was determined. This was going to be Bella’s graduation as a human. It was something special that needed celebrating. That, and Alice loved throwing parties.

Liam was in charge of the food. He too was going a bit overboard. Instead of store-bought chips and dip, he was making most of it from scratch. He was in the middle of making mini-meatballs when Alex decided to pay a visit. “Hello, beautiful,” he said with a smile as he waltzed into the kitchen.

“Do you really think I’m going to forgive you so easily?” Liam responded without looking up.

“Oh, your little friend told you about my visit, did he?”

“Did you honestly think he wouldn’t?” Liam put a meatball on the tray and turned to face Alex. “That was a rotten and egotistical thing to do.”

“Maybe,” Alex shrugged. “Or maybe I’m trying to keep you from making a big mistake.”

Anger flashed in Liam’s eyes. “So you suddenly know what’s best for me?”

Alex wisely took a step back. “I know you, Liam. We have a history together. While I find your whimsical nature endearing, it also gets you into trouble. You’re going through a lot of trouble for some mortal that you’ll likely get bored with in a few months. Face it, mortals are always nothing more than flights of fancy. We have something real.”

An evil smirk appeared on Liam’s perfect lips. “And what if I told you it’s you I get bored with easily?”

“Ouch.” Alex frowned and put his hand to his chest. “You always did have a talent for hitting below the belt.”

“Yes, that’s one of my many talents. Sadly, you never learned to take a hint.”

“Another direct hit,” Alex sighed, and looked around the kitchen. “What are you doing, anyway?”

“I’m making the food for Bella’s graduation party. I figured I might as well put my degree in the culinary arts to good use.”

Alex shook his head. “I don’t know why you all do this to yourselves. Why cling to the past? What’s worth holding onto, and why care so much about a girl?”

Liam went back to making meatballs. “I guess you don’t know me as well as you think you do.” He put the last meatball on the baking sheet and washed his hands. “Look, I’m flattered you came. I like you, but nothing more. I’d like you to stay and help, but don’t do it if you’re only reason is to win my affection, because that isn’t going to happen, comprende?”

The door opened and Jacob came in. Before Liam could react, Alex grabbed him and planted a kiss on his lips. Jacob walked in just in time to see it. He let out an audible gasp just as Liam stomped on Alex’s foot. There was a loud crack and Alex hissed in pain. Then Liam smacked him right in the face. “That was out of line,” Liam growled.

Alex rubbed his cheek. “You always were a feisty one.”

Jacob moved to stand by Liam’s side and wrapped an arm around his mate’s waist. “Haven’t you caused enough trouble?”

Alex looked a little put out. “Perhaps I have. I think I should go now. I’m staying in Port Angeles, at least until the party is over.”

“I think that’s a very good idea,” Liam nodded.

After Alex left Jacob turned to Liam and leaned down to place a soft kiss on his cold lips. “How many hurdles are we going to have to jump?”

“I don’t know,” Liam sighed. “But you’re here just in time to put yourself to good use.”

“I thought I did that last night.” The werewolf flashed a devilish grin.

Liam laughed. “Well, I need you to help me in the kitchen this time.”

“I can do that. What do you need?”

Liam slid the tray of meatballs into the oven. “I need to start on the sauce while these bake.”

Jacob went over to the CD player sitting on the counter and selected a song. He pressed play, and the song Nights In White Satin began to play. Then he grabbed Liam by the waist and pulled him close, swaying to the music. “How about a dance first?”

Liam let his head rest against Jacob’s broad chest. “When you put it that way, how can I resist?”

Billy wanted to go to Bella’s graduation, but he wasn’t exactly thrilled about riding with the Cullens. However, Jacob insisted it wouldn’t make much sense for the two of them to go in a separate car when they’d fit in the silver Volvo. And they were going to sit together anyway, because Jacob only left Liam’s side when he absolutely had to.

Not everyone was going. Someone had to stay behind to make sure everything was ready for the party, so Rosalie and Emmett volunteered. They were supposed to be in Africa, anyway. Jasper stayed with them, because even though he wanted to be there for Alice he wasn’t up for being around a large, emotional crowd. Edward was going, of course, but he was riding with Bella and Charlie. Charlie wasn’t thrilled about it, but when Carlisle and Esme said they had no objection, he couldn’t think of any reason to say no.

The ride over was silent, each person having something on their mind. They pulled into the school parking lot right behind Charlie’s cruiser. Alice ran over to Bella and Edward, looking about ready to burst. “Isn’t this exciting!” she cried, mostly referring to the party.

“Um, sure.” Edward shook his head. This was more significant for Bella than it was for them, and even though he was happy for her he still couldn’t bring himself to get all that excited about it.

Charlie looked like he wanted to say something to Bella but couldn’t find the right words. “Why don’t we go find our seats?” Carlisle suggested, saving him from an awkward moment.

The ceremony was short and sweet. The Valedictorian made a rather impressive speech, then all of the graduates lined up in alphabetical order to receive their diplomas. When it was Bella’s turn, her face turned bright red and she wanted to fall through the stage floor because of the racket Billy and Charlie were making, but she survived it.

They gathered again afterward, surrounded by a sea of other graduates and their families. “Are all of you coming to eat with us, too?” Charlie asked Edward.

“No.” Edward shook his head. “We have to get back to the house and make sure everything is set up for the party.” He gave Bella a quick hug and kiss. “I’ll see you in a few hours.”

Liam nudged Jacob toward Bella. “Go on, go celebrate with your friend.”

“You sure?” Jacob asked, looking a little anxious.

“Yes. You look hungry, and we can’t have you gobbling up all the party food before the party even starts,” Liam teased.

Jacob blushed and quietly followed Charlie and his dad out to the cruiser. Traffic was a little crazy because it seemed everyone was going to the same restaurant; though it wasn’t like they had much choice in such a small town.

The whole place buzzed with activity once everyone got in and was seated. Shortly after their food arrived Charlie happened to notice three white scars on Jacob’s neck. “What are those?”

Jacob tensed and he unconsciously ran his fingertips over the marks. “Nothing,” he mumbled.

Billy reached over to move Jacob’s hand away. He knew instantly what they were, and a scowl appeared on his face. He remained quiet, though. This wasn’t something to be discussed in front of Charlie. But Charlie wasn’t going to let it drop. “Those don’t look like nothing.”

“They’re just love bites, okay?” Jacob sighed and pulled away from his dad.

“From that Cullen boy?” Charlie raised an eyebrow. “I’ve never heard of love bites leaving scars like that.”

“So he gets a little rough sometimes. I really don’t want to talk about it right now.” Charlie’s concern was appreciated, but this was a little beyond him.

Billy nodded. “But we will discuss it at home later.”

Jacob sighed and turned his attention back to his dinner. He wasn’t sure how he was going to explain this to his dad. The venom didn’t hurt him, but Billy still seemed rather upset about it. Jacob hoped this didn’t mean his dad was going to stop supporting him. He kept telling himself this was just another hurdle he would have to jump over.

***

A/N:  Sorry for the long delay, yet again.  This hasn’t been my month.  Stress sucks, and so does writer’s block.