Breaking Dawn - Stephenie Meyer [48]
I could hear the voices outside the souvenir shop on the beach. I could hear the cowbell clanging as the door opened and closed. I could hear Embrys mom at the cash register, printing out a receipt.
I could hear the tide raking across the beach rocks. I could hear the kids squeal as the icy water rushed in too fast for them to get out of the way. I could hear the moms complain about the wet clothes. And I could hear a familiar voice
I was listening so hard that the sudden burst of Pauls donkey laugh made me jump half off the bed.
Get out of my house, I grumbled. Knowing he wouldnt pay any attention, I followed my own advice. I wrenched open my window and climbed out the back way so that I wouldnt see Paul again. It would be too tempting. I knew I would hit him again, and Rachel was going to be pissed enough already. Shed see the blood on his shirt, and shed blame me right away without waiting for proof. Of course, shed be right, but still.
I paced down to the shore, my fists in my pockets. Nobody looked at me twice when I went through the dirt lot by First Beach. That was one nice thing about summer-no one cared if you wore nothing but shorts.
I followed the familiar voice Id heard and found Quil easy enough. He was on the south end of the crescent, avoiding the bigger part of the tourist crowd. He kept up a constant stream of warnings.
Keep out of the water, Claire. Cmon. No, dont. Oh! Nice, kid. Seriously, do you want Emily to yell at me? Im not bringing you back to the beach again if you dont-Oh yeah? Dont-ugh. You think thats funny, do you? Hah! Whos laughing now, huh?
He had the giggling toddler by the ankle when I reached them. She had a bucket in one hand, and her jeans were drenched. He had a huge wet mark down the front of his t-shirt.
Five bucks on the baby girl, I said.
Hey, Jake.
Claire squealed and threw her bucket at Quils knees. Down, down!
He set her carefully on her feet and she ran to me. She wrapped her arms around my leg.
Unca Jay!
Hows it going, Claire?
She giggled. Qwil aaaaawl wet now.
I can see that. Wheres your mama?
Gone, gone, gone, Claire sang, Cwaire pway wid Qwil aaaawl day. Cwaire nebber gowin home. She let go of me and ran to Quil. He scooped her up and slung her onto his shoulders.
Sounds like somebodys hit the terrible twos.
Threes actually, Quil corrected. You missed the party. Princess theme. She made me wear a crown, and then Emily suggested they all try out her new play makeup on me.
Wow, Im really sorry I wasnt around to see that.
Dont worry, Emily has pictures. Actually, I look pretty hot.
Youre such a patsy.
Quil shrugged. Claire had a great time. That was the point.
I rolled my eyes. It was hard being around imprinted people. No matter what stage they were in-about to tie the knot like Sam or just a much-abused nanny like Quil-the peace and certainty they always radiated was downright puke-inducing.
Claire squealed on his shoulders and pointed at the ground. Pity wock, Qwil! For me, for me!
Which one, kiddo? The red one?
No wed!
Quil dropped to his knees-Claire screamed and pulled his hair like a horses reigns.
This blue one?
No, no, no , the little girl sang, thrilled with her new game.
The weird part was, Quil was having just as much fun as she was. He didnt have that face on that so many of the tourist dads and moms were wearing-the when-is-nap-time? face. You never saw a real parent so jazzed to play whatever stupid kiddie sport their rugrat could think up. Id seen Quil play peekaboo for an hour straight without getting bored.
And I couldnt even make fun of him for it-I envied him too much.
Though I did think it sucked that he had a good fourteen years of monkitude ahead of him until Claire was his age-for Quil, at least, it was a good thing werewolves didnt get older. But even all that time didnt seem to bother him much.
Quil, you ever think about dating? I asked.
Huh?
No, no yewwo! Claire crowed.
You know. A real girl. I mean, just for now, right? On your nights off babysitting duty.
Quil stared at me, his