His Sweet Girl (P. Lahote)

Chapter 9

On another morning, everyone is in Sam and Emily's backyard.

"Excellent. If the redhead's after Bella, we've got bait... ow!" Jared yelps when Janie throws a mini shovel at him and hits his back.

"She's not bait," Jacob says as Paul nudges Janie and they fist bump with equal satisfied smiles on their faces.

"Okay," Jared mumbles.
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A picnic table is in the middle of this small, quaintly landscaped garden. Jacob, Bella, Janie, Embry, Paul, Sam, Jared and Emily are in the midst of a huge breakfast. Janie is sitting in between Paul and Jared. Bella's across from her beside Jacob and Emily, Sam is at the head of the table.

"I should leave town," Bella claims as Janie pops a blueberry into her mouth.

"Victoria will follow you and make it harder for us to catch her," Sam states.

"No one can catch her. She can escape anything," Bella says.

"Ooh. She has special powers," Paul teases and he shoots his imprint a non-threatening glare when she kicks his shin. He huffs and looks away, her blue eyes are too much.

Satisfied, Janie turns back to her plate of fruit and berries. She grabs a strawberry next and bites into it.

"Some of them do," Bella says without thinking.

They all look at her when Janie kicks her under the table. She instantly regrets saying it.

"Like... what, Bella?" Jacob queries.

"The mind reader you said you knew. He was a suckhead?" Jared asks. "Can they all so that?"

"That would blow," Embry comments and Janie mumbles her agreement.

"No, I -- shouldn't have - no," Bella stammers.

"She's still protecting them," Paul comments.

Sam was right. He does still feel is anger but it's not as bad as it was before he imprinted on Janie.

"I don't know why," Jared says. "It's not like they stuck around to protect you --"

"Jared!" Janie suddenly snaps and his mouth clamps closed. "I'm sorry, Emily. I'll come back soon."

Paul sighs and he follows Janie out as she walks away. "Hey. Sorry 'bout that. We just don't like lee- vampires."

"It's not that, Paul," Janie says. "They left me behind, too."

Paul grabs her arm and his warm skin sends shivers of electricity through Janie's body as he grabs a pen from his pocket. He writes his number and Skype name down.

"Call me or Skype me," Paul says.

Janie gets into her Jeep and drives away.

"Is she mad at me?" Jared asks when Paul returns.

"Nah, but she's upset," Paul replies. "The leeches left her behind, too."

Everyone goes quiet after that.

(Sorry for the short chapters!)