. It was only fifteen minutes to La Push, and surely I would cross the boundary line a few minutes before I hit the town.

My truck roared to life without any difficulty.

Alice couldnt have seen me doing this, because I hadnt been planning it. A snap decision, that was the key! And as long as I moved fast enough, I should be able to capitalize on it.

Id thrown the damp flyers in my haste and they were scattered in a bright mess across the passenger seat  a hundred bolded captions, a hundred dark howling wolves outlined against the yellow background.

I barreled down the wet highway, turning the windshield wipers on high and ignoring the groan of the ancient engine. Fifty-five was the most I could coax out of my truck, and I prayed it would be enough.

I had no clue where the boundary line was, but I began to feel safer as I passed the first houses outside La Push. This must be beyond where Alice was allowed to follow.

Id call her when I got to Angelas this afternoon, I reasoned, so that shed know I was fine. There was no reason for her to get worked up. She didnt need to be mad at me  Edward would be angry enough for two when he got back.

My truck was positively wheezing by the time it grated to a stop in front of the familiar faded red house. The lump came back to my throat as I stared at the little place that had once been my refuge. It had been so long since Id been here.

Before I could cut the engine, Jacob was standing in the door, his face blank with shock.

In the sudden silence when the truck-roar died, I heard him gasp.

Bella?

Hey, Jake!

Bella! he yelled back, and the smile Id been waiting for stretched across his face like the sun breaking free of the clouds. His teeth gleamed bright against his russet skin. I cant believe it!

He ran to the truck and half-yanked me through the open door, and then we were both jumping up and down like kids.

How did you get here?

I snuck out!

Awesome!

Hey, Bella! Billy had rolled himself into the doorway to see what all the commotion was about.

Hey, Bil !

Just then my air choked off  Jacob grabbed me up in a bear hug too tight to breathe and swung me around in a circle.

Wow, its good to see you here!

Cant . . . breathe, I gasped.

He laughed and put me down.

Welcome back, Bella, he said, grinning. And the way he said the words made it sound likewelcome home .

We started walking, too keyed up to sit still in the house. Jacob was practically bouncing as he moved, and I had to remind him a few times that my legs werent ten feet long.

As we walked, I felt myself settling into another version of myself, the self I had been with Jacob. A little younger, a little less responsible. Someone who might, on occasion, do something really stupid for no good reason.

Our exuberance lasted through the first few topics of conversation: how we were doing, what we were up to, how long I had, and what had brought me here. When I hesitantly told him about the wolf flyer, his bellowing laugh echoed back from the trees.

But then, as we ambled past the back of the store and shoved through the thick scrub that ringed the far edge of First Beach, we got to the hard parts. All too soon we had to talk about the reasons behind our long separation, and I watched as the face of my friend hardened into the bitter mask that was already too familiar.

So whats the story, anyway? Jacob asked me, kicking a piece of driftwood out of his way with too much force. It sailed over the sand and then clattered against the rocks. I mean, since the last time we . . . well, before, you know . . . He struggled for the words. He took a deep breath and tried again. What Im asking is . . . everything is just back to the way it was beforehe left? You forgave him for all of that?

I took a deep breath. There was nothing to forgive.

I wanted to skip past this part, the betrayals, the accusations, but I knew that we had to talk it through before wed be able to move on to anything else.

Jacobs face puckered up like hed just licked a lemon. I wish Sam had taken a picture when he found you that night last September. It would be exhibit A.

Nobodys on trial.

Maybe somebody should be.

Not even you would blame him for leaving, if you knew the reason why.

He glared at me for a few seconds. Okay, he challenged acidly. Amaze me.

His hostility was wearing on me  chafing against the raw; it hurt to have him angry with me. It reminded me of the bleak afternoon, long ago, when  under orders from Sam  hed told me we couldnt be friends. I took a second to compose myself.

Edward left me last fall because he didnt think I should be hanging out with vampires. He thought it would be healthier for me if he left.

Jacob did a double take. He had to scramble for a minute. Whatever hed been planning to say, it clearly no longer applied. I was glad he didnt know the catalyst behind Edwards decision. I could only imagine what hed think if he knew Jasper had tried to kill me.

He came back, though, didnt he? Jacob muttered. Too bad he cant stick to a decision.

If you remember,I went and gothim .

Jacob stared at me for a moment, and then he backed off. His face relaxed, and his voice was calmer when he spoke.

Thats true. So I never did get the story. What happened?

I hesitated, biting my lip.

Is it a secret? His voice took on a taunting edge. Are you not allowed to tell me?

No, I snapped. Its just a really long story.

Jacob smiled, arrogant, and turned to walk up the beach, expecting me to follow.

It was no fun being with Jacob if he was going to act like this. I trailed behind him automatically, not sure if I shouldnt turn around and leave. I was going to have to face Alice, though, when I got home. . . . I supposed I wasnt in any rush.

Jacob walked to a huge, familiar piece of driftwood  an entire tree, roots and all, bleached white and beached deep in the sand; it wasour tree, in a way.

Jacob sat down on the natural bench, and patted the space next to him.

I dont mind long stories. Is there any action?

I rolled my eyes as I sat next to him. Theres some action, I allowed.

It wouldnt be real horror without action.

Horror! I scoffed. Can you listen, or will you be interrupting me with rude comments about my friends?

He pretended to lock his lips and then threw the invisible key over his shoulder. I tried not to smile, and failed.

Ill have to start with the stuff you were already there for, I decided, working to organize the stories in my head before I began.

Jacob raised his hand.

Go ahead.

Thats good, he said. I didnt understand much that was going on at the time.

Yeah, well, it gets complicated, so pay attention. You know how Alicesees things?

I took his scowl  the wolves werent thrilled that the legends of vampires possessing supernatural gifts were true  for a yes, and proceeded with the account of my race through Italy to rescue Edward.

I kept it as succinct as possible  leaving out anything that wasnt essential. I tried to read Jacobs reactions, but his face was enigmatic as I explained how Alice had seen Edward plan to kill himself when hed heard that I was dead. Sometimes Jacob seemed so deep in thought, I wasnt sure if he was listening. He only interrupted one time.

The fortune-telling bloodsucker cant see us? he echoed, his face both fierce and gleeful. Seriously? Thatsexcellent !

I clenched my teeth together, and we sat in silence, his face expectant as he waited for me to continue. I glared at him until he realized his mistake.

Oops! he said. Sorry. He locked his lips again.

His response was easier to read when I got to the part about the Volturi. His teeth clenched together, goose bumps rose on his arms, and his nostrils flared. I didnt go into specifics, I just told him that Edward had talked us out of trouble, without revealing the promise wed had to make, or the visit we were anticipating. Jacob didnt need to have my nightmares.

