CHAPTER THREE

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         Genevieve wanted to help. The girl noticed how her mother struggled with supporting both her children, losing her ex-husband and working a full time job. Gen thought the least she could do was find herself a job somewhere to help pay the bills. Now that she wasn't going to college, she had to make herself useful. It wasn't that she'd never go to college, she was just going to take a gap year to get her life back on the rails. Quil was paying his own bills and often helped his mother, but the world is expensive and even with his salary they couldn't always buy the things the wanted and needed.

Joy had forbidden Genevieve to find herself a job, at least for the upcoming months. Gen understood why, though. Joy knew her daughter better than anyone and knew that she'd throw herself into work without grieving first. There were other ways to keep yourself busy, is what she had said. 

The brunette had a job back in San Francisco. Nothing fancy, but it got her some cash. Gen worked at the gas station behind the counter and dealt with more annoying than pleasant customers. No, she didn't want to work behind a counter again anytime soon. The girl kept her word and promised to take things slow, but if the opportunity came, she'd got for it. Joy could live with that.

It was around noon and Genevieve was sitting on the couch, legs up on the table and remote in her hand, flipping through channels lazily. She was getting restless, she had noticed it the more she was alone. Gen didn't like being alone with her thoughts and she bounced her leg up and down to get rid of the sinking feeling in her stomach. 

Genevieve had contemplated texting Jacob or Embry, but she hadn't even seen the latter yet since she'd been back so she decided against it. The weather was horrible, it was raining so hard it was difficult to see anything when she looked out the window. Normally she'd love it, but it made her restlessness even worse. 

Moments had passed and she still hadn't found something to watch on tv when she felt her phone vibrate against her thigh. Gen glanced at her screen seeing that she had gotten a text from her brother.

'I'm done with work. Heading to meet some friends, want to come?'

'Sure, I'll be ready in five.'

The brunette switched the tv off and thew the remote onto the couch with little care. Her rain boots stood beside the front door and she slipped her feet inside, weaving her arms through her thick coat and pulling her hair into a loose ponytail. Strands of hair fell out of it immediately when she pulled her hood up. There was a honk and Gen stepped outside, locking the door behind her.

She squinted her eyes as she shielded her face from the cold water. The brunette let out a squeal as she made a run for it, yanking the door open and rushing inside, water dripping onto the old leather seats of the truck.

Gen tried to dry it off with her sleeve, but her brother chocked out a laugh. "Leave it, my car has been through worse."

"Figures," she grinned before turning to her friend. "Hey, Jake."

"Hey, Gen." he grinned, turning to look at her. "We're heading to Sam's house. He lives there with his fiance, Emily."

"Okay," she nodded. "They won't mind me, right?"

"Don't be ridiculous." Quill shook his head.

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The rain had stopped pouring when they arrived in Sam's driveway. Well, it wasn't much of a driveway, but you could make out tire tracks that led up to the house. Genevieve moved the hair from her face as they came to a halt and pulled her hood down.

"Gen," Jake began, looking back at her. "Don't stare at Emily, it bugs Sam."

"Why would I stare?" Genevieve frowned.

"Emily, uh, she got attacked by a bear a few years ago." Quil stated, scratching his head. It was clearly an uncomfortable topic and Genevieve felt uneasy.

"Yeah, she has some scars. Sam doesn't like it when people point them out." Jacob added, adding to Quil's story.

"I would never make her, or Sam feel uncomfortable." Gen said, her brows still furrowed.

"I know," nodded Quil. "Sometimes people just can't help but stare."

The house was small, but it felt homely. Flowers were planted along the side of the home and warm light came from inside. Different smells wafted from the kitchens open window and Gen smiled as she followed the two boys inside. Sam was standing next to a woman with long black hair, their backs towards them as they stood in the small kitchen. Sam had his arms around her waist and his head rested on top of hers.

Sam turned as he planted a kiss on her cheek and fixed his gaze on the intruders. "Genevieve, good to see you again."

"You too, Sam." Gen smiled.

Quil slumped down in one of the many kitchen chairs, Jacob doing the same as they grabbed a large muffin from the plate on the table. Emily smacked their hands in warning before she turned to Genevieve. The woman brought her into a hug, squeezing her shoulders. Emily was taller than her, but they looked similar in a way. Emily had three dark pink scars running across her face, but her smile was so intoxicating it wasn't even noticeable anymore.

"Genevieve." she smiled. "It is so nice to meet you. You're always welcome here if you need anything."

"Thank you, Emily." Gen smiled appreciatively.

"Take a seat." Emily pulled a chair out for her and Gen smile gratefully as she sat down. "Please, take a muffin and make yourself comfortable. Before you know it, they will be gone. These boys eat like boars."

"Hey!" Quil protested as Sam rolled his eyes.

"She is not wrong." Jacob noted, mouth full of muffin.

Genevieve laughed and shook her head at them with a slight grin on her face. This was a nice place and she looked forwards to getting to know them better. Emily was kind, very welcoming and she thought the could become friends if Emily wanted to. 

"Little Ateara!"

The brunette glanced up and beamed once she saw the familiar face of Embry Call in the doorway. He rushed forwards and pulled her out of the chair and into a tight embrace.

"Seriously!" Gen chucked, returning his hug. "I am gone for two years, and you all grow up to be body builders."

"What can I say," Embry mocked, one brow raised in amusement. "We're hot now."

"Yeah, you can say that." she rolled her eyes. "Your skin is like a hundred degrees."

"Not like that." Embry whined as he took the seat next to her. "We are hot. As in handsome."

"Ugh, dream on, Call." Genevieve mused with a grin.

Embry smiled at her and poked her arm. The brunette groaned and pushed him away from her. They had always fought like siblings, some even thought they were unless they shut that down. It felt as if she never left Washington in the first place.

"Are there muffins left?" Jared came stumbling in the kitchen.

"Leave some for your brothers." Emily scolded as she smacked Jacob's hand away. "There are a few left. Leave some for Paul and Seth, they should be here any minute."

Gen had never seen boys eat that fast in her life. It was as if they had never seen food before. She scrunched up her nose and crumbles fell from their mouths and Emily caught her eye with a small grin.

"You'll get used to it." she patted her shoulder and went back to the kitchen with Sam hot on her heels.

There was loud boisterous laughter coming from outside and she glanced up. Seth came in, followed by another guy, dressed the same as the others, with the same tribal tattoo on his bicep and almost the same haircut. It's like a cult. She grimaced at her own thoughts. Gen smiled at Seth as he sat down at the table, still giggling to himself. The younger Ateara felt someone's gaze on her, and she met the dark eyes of the young man standing near the door.

He stood, there. Frozen. His mouth hung open slightly and his eyes which were already almost black seemed to darken as he focused on her. His body went rigid as he searched her eyes. Genevieve's heart was pounding in her chest. He was beautiful. Gen had never thought of a guy as beautiful, and it was strange. It was strange how he seemed to be looking right into her soul. But she didn't mind. No, she didn't care at all.

"Paul!" Quil yelled furiously.