GIRLS BREATHE FIRE - Paul Lahote

Chapter 28

Song: Bad Luck (Dinah Washington)

JASMINE'S POV

It had been a decent while since I had started staying at Ray's Gym and helping out. Rory refused to let me move out until she was certain I was safe which I found really sweet of her. Even though we both knew that my ex had skipped town pretty quickly after the beat down, Rory still felt the need to protect me and for some reason, I just felt safe around her group. I knew they were dangerous, but I still felt at home here.

Bree had been really helpful to me despite her knowing very little herself and the Cullens were happy to answer any questions either of us had. So were Jared, Quil, and the few other pack members I had met.

But one thing I had yet to understand was the chemistry I had seen between the couples of the group, like Jared and Kim, Sam and Emily, and although it didn't seem like it, Paul and Rory.

But it seemed like my questions were about to be answered as I looked at the boy in front of me and felt that same chemistry practically erupt. Reluctantly I tore my gaze away from the extremely attractive boy only to find Rory by my side smiling like an idiot.

"Why are you smiling?" I interrogated her, to which she only responded with an impossibly bigger grin.

"Jasmine, I'd like you to meet my friend Jacob Black." She pushed me lightly towards the boy who suddenly seemed extremely nervous.

"It's nice to meet you, Jacob?" I clarified to which he nodded after getting over his initial unprovoked shock.

"Oh uh... ya. Nice to meet you." He enveloped my small hand in his larger one and butterflies ignited from my skin at the contact, though I didn't quite understand why.

After a quick moment of silence, Rory called Jacob to help her out with something and pulled him out of the room, leaving the rest of us standing there in silence.

"So... you're the Jasmine Rory's been talking about?" A girl beside Jared piped up.

"Yeah, and that must make you Leah, right?" I responded happily.

"The one and only. Anyway, how is it rooming with a leech?" Leah's insensitivity was rather amusing as Bree feigned offence but still came over to rest her hand on my shoulder.

"Not nearly as bad as you'd think." The three of us grinned lightly at one another and I couldn't help but think of how weird of a group we would become.

If it hadn't been for Rory I probably would've never gotten out of that abusive relationship, Bree would've been dead, And Leah, from what I've heard, would've never willingly been civil with a vampire.

Yet here we were, a weird group of outcasts brought together by one Aurora Swan.

***

JACOB'S POV

Rory had sat me down in the break room with a glass of water where we were currently thinking silently.

"I called it," Rory smirked, reminding me of the conversation we had the day Bella went to save Edward.

"What that she'd have a tattoo?" I chuckled half-heartedly.

"Nah but I did say she'd be a badass."

A few more moments passed before I looked towards the girl who had quickly become a closer friend to me than her own cousin. She had been there for me every time I needed her after Bella left for Italy and unintentionally showed me why people loved her so much.

She was a loyal person and honest to her word.

"What now?" I asked more to myself than her but still, she answered.

"Give her a chance." She started, catching my attention. "I know your feelings for or about Bella won't just go away instantly, and the same goes for her trauma from the abusive relationship she was in.  But don't push her away. Because that woman is worth it." She placed her hand over my own and offered me a smile. "Neither of you are looking for a relationship right now but I think you both need a friend. So why don't you try just being her friend?"

Her suggestion was easily the best course of action making me laugh at the thought. "It's funny how you always know what to say and still somehow find a way to get into the stupidest shit yourself."

"Oh shut up." Rory laughed as I joined in before we headed back out to the group. Our little group ended up spending the rest of the day there, Even after a few of the Cullens showed up.

And while everyone else had fun, I built up the courage to eventually talk to Jasmine which I was currently on my way to do.

She was playing a game with Claire and Maxi as I approached and I couldn't help but smile at her motherly presence around the kids.

"Hi there." I sat down with her as the two little girls walked away to the next activity.

"Oh hi. I've been meaning to see if you were ok, you seemed a little out of it earlier." She confessed.

"Ya sorry about that. I've been having an off day but I'm ok now."

"That's good to hear. This gym always tends to cheer people up though. Or more specifically that moron over there." She chuckled pointing at Rory who was currently swinging the little girls around from either arm in the middle of the ring.

"Ya, that sounds about right. Did you know she punched Jared for keeping the pack secrets from her for a week after she found out about us?" I reminisced the memory of Jared coming back to Emily's with a bloody nose that day.

"No way!" Jasmine broke into a fit of giggles most likely thinking of Rorys small figure punching someone like Jared. Her laugh was like a melody that I couldn't get enough of and I loved it. So much so that I subconsciously broke into a large grin.

We spent the next few hours sharing stories about Rory or just talking and eventually I came to a simple realization that in itself brought a smile to my face.

This woman really was worth waiting for and even if I had to wait for years,

I wanted her to be by my side.

***

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