Cozy • An Embry Story

.9

Embry's POV

"I miss this thing." When she thinks no one is watching, Winnie lowly mutters to herself while her hand runs across the hood of her car. Jacob and I exchange quick grins, but pretend like we hadn't heard her with our werewolf hearing.

"One more week, it'll be up and running soon enough." Jacob promises Winnie, playing with his radio to lower his music. After Winnie's shift, I brought her over to Jacob's garage so she could check on her buggie.

"I told you Jake is a good mechanic." Winnie gives me a knowing look that silently says I was right. Knowing Winnie's going to be safe and secure driving her car is reliving, even better that she's content with Jacob's work puts me in a good mood. She seems a bit more at ease around Jacob. Less tense and paranoid.

"I appreciate the vote of confidence, man." Jacob smugly grins at me.

"Thanks again for fixing it." Winnie comes around her car, giving it one last look.

"Hey, not everyday I get to personally rebuild a 1969 Volkswagen Beetle punch buggy. These are the kind of cars you only really see at car shows now."

"Jacob's dad Billy was thrilled having it in the garage." I add, which makes Winnie grin back at her car.

"He's sad to see it go. He told me to keep 'such a pretty thing' in here as long as I could." Jacob laughs. "Winnie, how did you end up with such an antique?"

"I got it after I moved out." Is all Winnie explains, shrugging vaguely at the two of us. I shake my head at Jacob, signaling him not to ask any follow ups. Winnie doesn't like talking about herself or the past. If she doesn't want to talk about something, it's best to move on or she'll shut down.

"Jacob was sixteen when he first built his own car." I change the subject and it works. Winnie turns to Jacob for confirmation, a look of surprise on her face.

"He's making me sound cool." Jacob rolls his eyes with a scoff.

"But you did build your car, Jacob."

"I started rebuilding an engine at fifteen. Just the engine, not the entire vehicle. Plus it took me a year of going to scrap yards for parts and most of my weekends to finish." Jacob explains, waving it off.

"He's shy," I joke, loving the grin on Winnie's face.

"An engine at sixteen? Most people don't even know how to check their oil. I have to admit Jacob, that's impressive." Winnie nods, slowly and cautiously lowering down on a nearby stool.

"I can change your oil too, just stop by whenever you want and leave it with my dad. He would do anything to see it again." Jacob adds. Winnie's face slacks in surprise by Jacob's offer. She's not to use to locals being nice with her. So taken off guard, she turns to me with a hesitant soft look which I answer with a nod and an encouraging grin.

"If it won't bother you, then yeah, could I?" Winnie carefully asks, folding her hands together in her lap.

"Of course."

••••••••••••••••••••••••••

"If it's okay with you, you might have another week bumming me around." Winnie sighs as we walk back to my van. We can still hear Jacob's music softly behind us, fading dimmer and dimmer with every step. Last time the two of us came over, it was pouring. Rained too hard for even an average La Push day. Instead, today is a good spring day. Still a bit chilly, but bright out.

"It would be my pleasure," I say to her, holding the passenger side door open for her. A week ago, Winnie would have rolled her eyes at me, but she tries to hide her grin as she climbs in.