"Really…” he challenged.

He blocked his thoughts from me and turned his head, arching his torso at an extreme angle in an effort to imitate a very careful back-up of the vehicle. He was grinning. As he completed his back-up he did not readjust, instead he leaned further across the middle console of the front seat and placed his hand on the back of Jasper's seat.

“Well…why don't we put your money where your mouth is, bro? Next time, we switch styles. You use my technique and I’ll use yours, if that’s what you call it. Jasper will time us and we'll see who can meet the challenge in less than six minutes and twenty-nine seconds!” He stared from the front seat and raised one eyebrow. He was goading me. I tried to read his thoughts, but he kept his mind closed by humming his favorite rock tune.

I met his eyes and resisted the urge to taunt him with a response that would only be rooted in conceit. Deer was one thing; mountain lion was another. I had a fleeting image of Emmett attempting to "stalk" a female mountain lion.

He let out a low growl. I sighed and rolled my eyes at him, averting his gaze completely. Nothing annoyed Emmett more than being ignored. He read that my reaction was an attempt to convey that the thought of his challenge was not worthy of my attention. He still hadn't moved, though. His determination intensifying.

I continued to show my indifference, pretending to not notice. I propped my elbow on the window frame and placed my closed fist under my right cheek as if to continue to express my boredom. He let out another growl. I glanced from the trees to his face, pretending to be confused by his frustration. “Are you going to drive on?” I inquired, releasing my fist from under my cheek, waving him forward with my hand as if to encourage him.

He knew me better than that. He peered at me suspiciously with a devilishly wide smile forming at the corner of his mouth. “Nope, not until I get an answer, Edward! You can’t avoid me. Come…on! Don’t be a coward…” he whined.

At this Jasper turned his torso in his seat in front of me to provide me with a sympathetic glance. Carlisle looked amused. I cast annoyed glances at them both before I conceded. “Fine, Emmett.” I sighed again.