The Consequences {Jacob Black}

Chapter XXII

"But, why?" I managed. "I-I mean," I stuttered, my heart racing as Jake pulled me a little closer. "Why me?" Jake looked confused. "I mean, the imprint is supposed to find the wolf's perfect match." Surely he understood that that wasn't me. I was the only one who was able to get under his skin. I could work Jake's nerves like a machine. The spirits wouldn't choose someone that would make him lose his temper.

"Why don't you just go imprint on Bella?" I suggested. I knew that wasn't possible. Imprinting wasn't voluntary. If it was, Paul would've imprinted on some stripper by now.

"It doesn't work that way, Rye," he said. "You know that." I nodded, put pulled away from him. "What's wrong, Ryanne?" he asked.

This couldn't be happening to me. I had to make the decision now. I could finally have what I wanted; I could have Jake as more than just my best friend. There were days in our lives when I thought that he might be retarded.

I knew him better than I knew myself; I knew him better than I knew anyone. I had long since accepted that I loved him, hopelessly and desperately devoted to a guy that would never see me. And this; this could be my chance to have him.

I turned on him. "Jake, do you love Bella?" I whispered. His eyes widened like he hadn't been expecting that question. "Don't lie to me, Jake; I'll know it."

"I thought so," he whispered. "But I—I'm not sure anymore, Annie," he whispered, taking a step closer. I put my hand up. "Annie, please, listen—"

"I know that it'll hurt you if I don't agree to this," I whispered, my heart breaking with each word. "I know that I have to accept this."

"You don't, Rye. I'll be whatever you want me to be," he swore, trying to come closer.

"I don't want to play second string to Bella, Jacob. My sister is smart, beautiful, soft-tempered, kind. She's everything I'm not and if there is even the slightest chance that you," I could feel myself getting out of control. "You are good for Bella, Jake. You make her happier than she's been in a long time. And you said that there might be a chance that you love her." He just nodded. I stared off into the ocean, my chest throbbing. I folded my arms over my chest.

"I don't want you to be unhappy, Jake. And I don't want that for my sister. We may not get along and I may have days where I hate her, but she deserves someone who lusts after something other than her blood."

Jake nodded again. "Can we just do the whole friends thing? Just stay the way that we are right now? Best friends? You can tell me anything; we can just be us," I said. He was staring at me, but it was probably because I was turning blue.

"I think that would be perfect," he replied. Okay, good; I can still have my best friend and my sister will be healthy and Jake will be happy. This is good.

So then why does it feel like my heart is being battered against rocks?

•••

The next morning, I decided that Emily would probably be the best person to talk to. She would be able to tell me that I made the right choice. "Hey, Em," I called as I opened the door. Emily had quickly become the sister that I should've had. She was the one that I could talk to about anything, laugh with, commiserate with, and when the guys were off, she was the one that I could worry with.

"Hey, Annie," she called back. There was something about her that reminded me of Sarah, something motherly and warm that reminded me of the person that I had lost. So, yes, it was okay for her to call me Annie. "How was the dance?"

"Jake showed up," I said, sticking my hands in my sweatpants pockets and hopping up on the counter.

"How was that?" she asked. I didn't respond. Emily finally turned away from whatever she was making to look at me. My face was clean and makeup free, my hair tied up in a ponytail that looked more like a fountain. "What did he do? I'll tell Sam and—"