Burning Up (Jacob Black)

25. Interrupted

Burning. Blazing. Blistering.

Scorching. Searing. Sweltering.

Feverish. Flaming. Fiery.

Frosty. Frigid. Freezing.

Brisk. Biting. Brumal.

Arctic. Algid. Alright. You get the point.

The latter was something that grew unfamiliar to me. With Jacob pressed close to my side, it was easy to forget the concept of cold altogether. Heat was the only thing on my mind. Heat was tied to him. Heat became me.

I thought I felt true coldness every time I gazed upon Jacob's back as he ambled off to his Volkswagen, every time his silhouette disappeared into the blackness of night on the other side of my window, every time I left his figure standing in the doorway of his red little house and climbed into my truck. Now I realize I knew nothing about true coldness back then. For lack of a better word, I only knew the tip of the iceberg. Hah. Jacob would get a kick out of that one.

And I was glad to have it behind me. It'd only been a few weeks since the incident, but it felt like lifetimes. Jake and I were both glazed over and barely functioning for a while afterward. We would wordlessly hold onto each other for what seemed like hours, not saying a single word, just staring into space. One of the healers of the Quileutes had to rebreak Jacob's bones. I wanted to be there with him, but he insisted I wait outside. I still heard his screaming. I'll never forget it. But, still, we recovered eventually; the light returned to our eyes and we became animated figures instead of stiff ones. Charlie and Billy seemed to be thankful.

What was left of Edward probably still charred the forest floor where he was erased from existence. But I still knew. I knew I would never have to feel that iciness ever again. I think Jacob was glad, too.

"You have got to be kidding me," Charlie whined at the TV.

"Oh, come the fuck on!" Jacob groaned with exasperation in unison with Charlie, their voices overlapping each other.

"Hey," Charlie poked a finger in Jake and I's direction, "No cussing under my roof, kid."

"Sorry, Char— I mean, yes, sir," Jake replied. Charlie gave a slightly sarcastic nod of approval.

Though I couldn't see his face—I was tucked snugly under his arm which he raised repeatedly in a gesture of disbelief—I could hear in his voice that he was smiling despite being chastised by my father.

Whatever was going on on the TV, it seemed pretty astonishing to these two guys. I couldn't be paid to care. I snuggled deeper into Jacob's side, pressing my cheek into his chest. I heard his heart skip a beat and then quicken with each second. His heart rate plateaued at a brisk pace. I felt his chest become warmer than it already was. Hehe...

"This is unbelievable. I had no idea they'd get squashed this badly on the field. Can't believe my— my goddamn eyes." Charlie noted, swiftly flicking his hand back and forth to accentuate his frustration. He rubbed his pointer and middle fingers into his temple with agitation.

"Ditto," Jacob's voice slightly faltered. His heart was still thumping against my ear. He gulped, as if trying to regain composure. "I'm gonna have to rethink my loyalties after this one." He chuckled lightly.

Jacob's comparatively nonchalant disbelief was not mirrored in Charlie's expression. Charlie glared at the TV with his eyebrows so low they nearly covered his eyes. A loud bang (probably someone hitting a baseball, I assumed) followed by grainy cheers erupted from the TV. Charlie sighed so loud it was almost a groan.