"That's right." I faked an expression that expressed that I had no idea my boyfriend was a vampire. "He doesn't like the Cullens."
"Superstitious old man," Squaw muttered under his breath.
"Excuse me?!" I yelled before realizing he was talking about his father and not my boyfriend. I shook my head to make it seem like my outburst had never happened. "You don't think he'd say anything to Charlie, do you?"
Squaw stared at me for a moment, and I couldn't read the expression in his dark eyes. "I doubt it," he finally answered. "I think Charlie ripped him a new one last time he mentioned that he doesn't like the Cullens because they're vampires. They haven't spoken much since—tonight is sort of a reunion, I think. I don't think he'd bring it up again."
"Oh," I said, trying to sound indifferent. "Cool."
I stayed in the front room after I carried the food out to Charlie, pretending to watch the game while Squaw chattered at me. I was really listening to the men's conversation, watching for any sign that Billy Ray was about to rat me out, trying to think of ways to stop him if he started to.
It was a long night. I had a lot of homework that was going undone, but was afraid to leave Billy Ray alone with my father. Finally, the game ended.
"Are you and your friends coming back to the beach soon?" Squaw asked as he pushed his father over the lip of the threshold.
"I'm not sure," I hedged.
"That was fun, Charlie." Billy Ray said.
"Come up for the next game, Billy Ray," Charlie encouraged.
"Oh, we'll be here. As long as our TV doesn't get fixed." His eyes shifted to mine, and his smile took on a crooked bent instantaneously. "And you take care, Bella," he added lasciviously.

240

Chapter 12

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