Total eclipse of a heart (Embry Call)

06. Date, not date

"What's his problem?" I frown, letting go of Embry's hand. My hand spasms, my fingers fanning and my lips parting as my eyes move to the troubled hand. It's like letting him go, even if it's just his hand is making my body react violently to the loss of contact. It's something I never dealt with before, but I'm sure this isn't a fluke. There's more to this story, to this seemingly unnatural draw I have toward Embry and I need it to end. Until I find a way to do just that, I'll use it to my advantage.

"No clue." Embry eyes me suspiciously, licking his lips and his eyebrows crease.

"I should talk to him." I say absentmindedly, allowing my feet to move on their own and to the door.
Embry's hand captures my upper arm, gently turning me to face him and I see the pensive look on his beautiful features. He's contemplating if he should intervene or not, whether it might turn me off and away from him or not. There's a thousand thoughts running wild in his head, plummeting his mind to the inevitable surrender.
I watch him carefully, rather invested in every change on his face. I watch his left eyebrow raise ever so slightly, just as his teeth dig into his lower lip. I'm invested because this is one of those make or break situations, deciding on our future interactions with his next choice.

Will he let me leave and give me what I need, or will he make the mistake of trying to control me?

"You should, but maybe I can do that first? He is my best friend and I'd like to know if he's alright too." Embry comes up with a very interesting alternative, choosing to do both. It's understandable, his need to talk to his friend who seemed upset upon leaving, but it's also impressive how he stopped me without actually doing so. He's more than just a pretty face and lies he uses to cover up his secrets; their secrets. He's diplomatic to a point and I cannot help but give in.

Pressing my lips together, I give him a short nod and watch him rush to the door. He grabs the knoob, turning around in a slight panic.

"You never answered me." Embry points out and I avert my gaze to a smiling Rachel who is sat upon Paul's lap who is anything but subtle about his thumbs up of encouragement.

"You never asked." I sass back, kinking my eyebrow to look cute. I dig my right hand in my back pocket, trying to keep my cool as he grins.

"Would you have said yes?" Embry doesn't hold back, not even in front of his friends.

Everyone's staring at us, listening to every word spoken like we're in a theatre, but Embry and I are the main act. It makes me uncomfortable, but not to a degree where I'd stop the conversation. There are two reasons behind that: one - I find myself genuinely wanting to talk to him, two - it helps paint a picture of us for his friends who need to trust me in order to tell me what I need to know. It's that human vs. hunter battle inside of me that rages on, one I'm not sure will end the werewolves or me.

"Maybe." I trail off, giving him a small smile in return.

Embry nods, pursing his lips.
"Fair enough. I guess I'll have to find out when I pick you up tonight at 8. Be ready." He opens the door, stepping a foot outside as my mind spins from the sudden bravery and attitude. He's being cocky and not just any type of cocky, but Paul type of cocky and I'm not sure if that's my type of cocky but I sure do feel the annoying swirl of nausea in my belly with his words.

Embry glances over his shoulder, flashing me a smile. "Or don't. It's up to you."

And he's gone, leaving me a blushing mess with an undeniable smile upon my lips. I bite my lower lip nervously, trying to hide the blasted smile he evoked, but most of all, trying to avoid all of the curious looks sent my way.
Despite his initial cockiness and almost commanding, controlling attitude, Embry's sweet side, the respectful side still comes out at the end. This is why I have trouble assessing him. He changes like the wind, unexpectedly fast and it tends to send my hair flying to my face until I'm blind to his true intentions.