Total eclipse of a heart (Embry Call)

05. One step forward, two steps back

"C'mon. You can tell me." I leaned closer, hoping to persuade the handsome, but very cagey man before me.

"It was nothing. Jacob and I always joke around like that." Embry swallows thickly, looking to the door in a slight panic. He rubs the back of his neck nervously, avoiding my gaze like the plague.

"That wasn't nothing. It was abrupt and it was violent and there was no one laughing. You can say it's none of my business, but don't insult me with your lies." I stand up, giving him a tight lipped smile that he failed to reciprocate. Probably for the best because my smile isn't genuine. It's there to lull him into safety, a sense of security I can use against him. He's very handsome, but he has also lied to my face which I consider a great offence. I don't like liars. Liars lie to either gain something or to hide something, neither option being acceptable in my mind.

I don't manage to make a single step toward the house when several mock barks come from behind me, laughs of various degrees following when I turn to face them.

I've seen them at the beach, it's easy to tell. They all lack a shirt, all are very tall and sport the same cropped hairstyle. The hair is, of course, black and they're all bulky for their age.

What do they feed them with?!

What I'm surprised to see in the light of day is a tattoo on their right shoulder. I've never noticed that before. I realize I'm staring, not even sure whose arm it is.

"You - uh, are kinda staring there beautiful." A familiar voice bring my attention back to the group of boys before me, all of them snickering when they realize I've locked eyes on - oh, no - Jacob. 

Embry grits his teeth together, loudly enough for even me to pick up on. His jaw clenches, eyes darken and his hands form fists at his sides. 
Does he have anger issues or something?

"Just looking at the tattoo." I say, distracted by Embry and his sudden change from calm and collected to this ball of rage.

"I'll tell you all about it inside." Jacob's eyes flicker from Embry to me, noticing the change in his demeanour just as I have.

"Why can't we talk about it here?" I fold my arms across my chest, lifting my chin higher into a defiant position. Moving forward, toward the group I notice worried glances on each of the boys.

"Because I'm cold." Jacob lies through his teeth. He's a better liar than Embry, his body language controlled but he scrunched his nose at the very end of his excuse and I caught the sign. 

"You're not even shivering." I point out, taking another step closer.

I look to Embry, trying to catch his chocolate hues for more than one reason. I want to know what's going on in his head and he's easy to read compared to Jacob who is almost remarkable in hiding his thoughts. I want to see what's really behind his unsolicited aggression and dare I say, help him work through it.

I'm not sure what it is, this dire need to get to know him. It's like my entire mind has been programmed to seek his attention, his closeness, the touch of his hand if nothing else. 

Whatever it is, it's annoying and distracting and I need it to stop.

"Hey!" Paul places one hand on my right shoulder and the other just above my left elbow, promptly spinning me toward him.

"The food is done and Rachel's asking for you." He states, looking down on me with a tinge of worry, almost like he wants to protect me from something I have no knowledge about. It's a brotherly attempt on his part, one I appreciate but still, it evokes doubt and when there is smoke, there is a fire.
I narrow my right eye at him, biting the inside right corner of my bottom lip as I swallow thickly.