Author Note: So I got on a writing streak and wrote a few chaps in the last few days. Normally I would wait longer to update but since I have about 7 chaps ready I'm gonna go ahead and post another today. Thanks to everyone who keeps reading!!!

PS. The chap I just finished writing, Sam finally gets his head out of his ass, can't wait for you all to read it. But I hope you enjoy these chapters in the mean time...

Chapter 10: The Morning After

Sam's POV

It was just about 8 AM when I told Quil we could call it a day or night, whatever. We had noticed a new scent up around Port Angeles but it seemed to be about two weeks old and so we didn't worry about it so much, probably just a leech passing through. While we wished we had got all the bloodsuckers that passed by our neck of the woods we were just as happy when they moved on without harming any of our people.

I had tried to keep my thoughts to myself all night. After I accidently let Quil see my thoughts and I had to order him not to tell anyone about my imprint I felt really awful. I didn't like making Quil keep secrets from one of his closest brothers and the girl that he thought of as a sister. But it was for the best really.

After I saw Sophie and Seth at the cook out and then at the bar, I knew for certain that I would not let something as passé as my imprinting on her to get in the way of their relationship. I didn't really know the extent of their feelings for each other but I know how heart broken I was when Leah left me and I wasn't going to do that to Seth, and I was going to let myself be the reason she choose me over him. The guilt would eat me alive.

We were just on the edge of La Push when Quil started talking to me again, I was glad, I thought he would hate me forever, but that wasn't Quil.

Hey Sam, how bout we swing by my house for breakfast. I'm starving and I know my mom stocked the fridge with groceries yesterday.

Yeah that sounds good man, I could always eat.

When we got to the edge of the forest we phased and changed back into our clothes, well Quil changed into his clothes and I snuck through the woods to Quil's garage where we always kept spares. Then we walked up to the porch I immediately smelled HER scent. I shot Quil a look.

"Maybe I should just go home; I'll talk to you later. I don't think I could handle it if she's in there."

"Come on man its cool, I doubt anyone is up yet. Let's get some breakfast and then you can get home ok? Besides, she lives next door, I doubt she's here this early, they probably all just had the after party here and that's why you smell her."

As we walked in the kitchen I felt like I'd been stabbed in the heart. There on the counter was Sophie, with Seth. Kissing. Ouch, that stings. I saw Quil glance at me out of the corner of his eye. He looked apologetic, it wasn't his fault he had no idea. I started to shake but then after looking at Seth put a mask on my face.

"Hey guys," Sophie said walking over to us in nothing but HIS clothes. Obviously she stayed here last night. "I was just getting ready to start breakfast for everyone are you guys staying? Brother Bear you disappeared so fast last night you missed quite an event let me tell you." She looked at Quil waiting for his answer, he looked so conflicted. How could she not sense the tension building in the room?

"Sam," she said looking directly at me, "are you going to stay for breakfast?" I couldn't look at her, I couldn't face her. What was with this girl, couldn't she just leave me alone? Why was she still trying to get on my good side?

"N...No" It was all I could say before I was out the door. FUCK!!!!! I screamed mentally as I ran to my house. How I thought I could be around her and not be a fuck wit I don't know. I slumped down on my bed and before drifting off to sleep I made my decision. Avoidance. Don't go around her; don't go to Quil's. I would have to see the guys at Jake's or something. The longer I could avoid her then the better I could handle this. Right?

Quil's POV

"What the hell is that guy's problem?" Sophie asked. "He has hardly said two words to me since I got here. How can everyone else be so nice and he be such a frigid asshole? What is it? Doesn't he like that I'm here? Am I upsetting the balance in his little world?"

God this was killing me. The minute we walked in the kitchen and saw Fifi with Seth I could feel the hurt and anger and jealousy roll off of Sam. "Fifi, you have no idea." That's it, that's all I could think to say. What was I suppose to say? I know what I wanted to say.

"What the hell Quil, that's all you can say? He's been your basic fuck face to her ever since she got here and that's all you can say?"

"What the fuck do you want me to say Seth? Yeah it was pretty shitty of him to leave like that but maybe he has his reasons."

"Listen guys, don't fight over this. It's no big deal. There isn't any rule saying that just because his friends like me, that Sam has to. Right? I mean you can't like everyone all the time." I could tell she was more hurt by this then she was letting on. And that killed me. The only way I was going to be able to do this is to keep Sophie and Sam away from each other until he came to his senses. In the mean time, I needed to get to the bottom of what the fire truck was going on between these two.

"So, fill me in on what I missed last night…" small talk, subject change. Good thinking Quil.

"It was awesome man, Soph made Jake do a shot that literally knocked his dick off man. You should have seen him. I thought he was going to vomit right then and there."

"Man, I miss all the fun, you guys did take pictures right? Please tell me that there are pictures."

"Oh you mean this?" Fifi asked as she pulled her phone out of her purse. There was a picture of Jake leaned over the rail of the bar looking about 10 shades paler than Bella.

"Fucking priceless, you must send that to me so I can go get copies made." We all started laughing as they filled me in on the rest of the night. And how Leah took Ben home. Really?!

"Well, I'm gonna run home and get some clothes that actually fit before I start breakfast. I'll see you guys in a few." Fifi said as she left giving us both quick pecks on the cheek when she passed by.

I waited a few seconds to make sure she was out the door.

"Ok asshat, spill."

"What ever do you mean brother bear?"

"First off, don't fucking call me that. And second, you know what I mean. Why the hell was my little (big) sister here at 8 in the morning wearing your clothes? And please, as few details as possible if you don't mind."

Seth filled me in on all the action that went on while I was gone, thank god I was gone. I asked him where this whole thing with Fifi was going and he explained to me the talk they had. I'm glad that they had their talk and were being adults about the whole thing. Under normal circumstances I would be chill with the whole idea. But knowing what I did about Sam made it really hard.

"What is it man? What's got you so torn up?" Being brothers sucked sometimes, he knew that something was bothering me.

"Nothing man, just thinking about a lot of stuff. Please, don't get all Dr Phil on me ok?" If it was one thing Seth didn't like it was mushy shit between men. I knew he would leave it at that for now. But I hated, hated lying to him. God if he ever finds out that I know about this he will never forgive me.

Sophie's POV

I gave Seth and Quil a quick peck on the cheek and started out the front door. I was thinking about everything that had happened this morning. After a wonderful night, and I mean cracker ass fantastic wonderful, Seth and I agreed that we would let whatever we had play out and I was glad to hear that his feelings weren't running any deeper than mine. We would have our fun and no one got hurt. I never actually thought when people said 'friends with benefits' that they meant it but I think we could handle it.

Then Quil and Sam came in. I was uneasy around Sam and I didn't know why. For some reason I needed him to like me, wanted him to let me in but then I got shut down every time I tried. I usually don't care what people think of me but with Sam it was different. It's like he was pulling away from me which was weird because we'd never even connected. Oh well I guess no time to dwell on it, I have met lots of great people, I didn't need him in my life, I would just hang out with the guys when he wasn't around.

I was stumbling across the stone drive way when a car screeched into the driveway nearly running me over. I looked up and saw a very disheveled Ben rolling out of Leah's car. Oh for the love of all things holy. Leah stepped out of the driver's side looking fresh and radiant. How the fuck is she so put together after a night like that?

"Well aren't you just pissing rainbows this morning? How the hell are you functioning?" I had to ask.

"I guess I just recover quicker than you lame asses, or maybe it was the all night long session of hot, kinky…"

"Stop fucking right there. Please, no details."

She started laughing as she reached around Ben's waste and planted a big kiss on his lips. "Why don't you go clean up hot stuff? I'll see you over at Quil's soon." She said and with that was gone in a flash. She turned just as she walked in the front door. "Oh Soph, I'll be waiting for my breakfast so go hurry up and wash my brother's stink off you and get your ass back over here."

I looked at Ben and he looked at my state of undress and we both just laughed. What else can you do when your sibling catches you in morning after post cloital glow? We walked the remainder of the way in silence, neither of us much in the mood for conversation. When we got in the house Ben went to the kitchen to start some coffee before his shower. I was headed back to my room to change clothes when I heard him screaming.

"AAHHHHH my eyes, my eyes, somebody bleach, please I need bleach for my eyes." Ben was screaming and running around with his hands over his eyes. This was a sight in itself but when he smacked right into the archway between the living room and kitchen that is what topped it off.

"What the hell is your problem Ben?" I asked and then walked into the kitchen. Now there are certain things, no matter how old you are, that you just don't need to see. And one of them is your dad, clad in only his boxers, clinging to your new boss/landlord/friend who was wearing only his button up white shirt. Ok, was Ben going to be sharing that bleach?

"Son of a preacher man, what are you two doing?"

"Sophie honey, don't be alarmed, your father and I aren't doing anything wrong. We are adults and I'm sorry that we weren't dressed when you got here but what can I say, we just finished with a morning…"

"Please Anne, please don't finish that sentence." I couldn't help but laugh at the seen in front of me. My dad still hadn't moved, his arm holding his coffee cup still mid way between his mouth and the counter frozen in place. "Daddy, I think you need to breath."

"What the hell are you doing coming home at 8 in the morning in some guy's clothing young lady?"

"What? Seriously? You're last night conquest is still sitting in MY HOUSE and you're gonna yell at me? And what about Ben? He just got home too why don't you ask him where he was."

"Your right honey I'm sorry, now if you'll excuse me." Where the hell was he going? Oh shit, was that the front door I just heard slam? Ben laughed and headed off to the shower, Anne and I exchanged looks taking a minute to realize what was happening then bolted toward the front door together.

We could hear shouting from the front porch, I ran into Seth's house Anne hot on my feet.

"What the hell do you think you are doing with my daughter?" Dad had Seth pinned up against the wall. "Sir, I…I…I mean," Seth couldn't finish a thought. It was Anne who came to her senses first. "Jimmy darling, Sophie is an adult, I'm sure that whatever happened here last night was mutual and we should let them sort it out themselves." Dad seemed to let this sink in a little and loosened the grip on Seth's neck.

I started to laugh hysterically at the sight in front of me. My dad, in only his boxers, trying to protect the virtue of his 26 year old daughter. Before long Quil and Anne were laughing too, Dad just looked embarrassed and tired. Seth was the only one who looked like he was still afraid to move, too scared that he was going to die.

My dad extended his hand out to Seth, "sorry son, gut reaction you know. You'll know what I mean when you have children of your own." Seth finally relaxed a little as I went to him and put my arm around him planting a kiss on his lips.

Quil, who was by this time on the floor in a fit of laughter suddenly popped up, "Mom?? What the hell are you doing here so early and what the hell are you wearing?" Anne finally realizing that in a rush to get over here hadn't changed out of my dad's shirt. "Oh Quil darling, I am an adult and it's time that you realize that sometimes adults do things when they like each other." I couldn't stop laughing as Quil glared at my dad.

"Son, I respect your mother and only have the best intentions with her." My dad said hoping to ease the tension in the air.

"How bout I get started on that breakfast?" This seemed to snap Quil out of his daze. I decided not to go back home and change; I'm here already may as well start breakfast.

"Dad," I said looking at him then turned to Anne, "Mom" I giggled, "why don't you two go get dressed and come back to join us for breakfast?"

I was in the middle of mixing pancake batter and Leah wan manning the meat that was cooking on the stove. The guys were all in the living room waiting rather impatiently for food. Embry strolled in the kitchen to get some coffee. "Where the hell have you been? Do you always sleep so late?" I asked, by now it was nearly 10 am how he slept through all that commotion I have no idea.

"Well, I was asleep last night, but then I got woke up and couldn't go back to sleep. You wouldn't know anything about that would Soph?" Oh god someone was in the house. Mental note, all future schmexing with Seth would occur at Casa de Coleman.

Quick to change the subject I shouted for breakfast and everyone came running. By the time breakfast was around Collin and Brady had also shown up to eat. I felt really good cooking for everyone.

"So Jimmy, Ben, you guys head back to South Dakota tonight huh?" Seth asked. I looked at Anne who was frowning and pushing her food around on her plate. She was really going to miss my dad.

"Yeah we have to leave for the airport right after breakfast to make it in time to check in. I'm really going to miss this place and everyone here." My dad said as he grabbed Anne's hand and gave it a squeeze.

"But we'll be back, we had a blast while we were here and we definitely want to come back while Soph is here." Ben interjected hoping to lighten the mood. "Dad and I already talked about it and we were thinking around Labor Day since it's a long weekend."

"That sounds great! Anne would you like to drive with me while I take the guys to the airport?"

"That would be great Sophie, and we can work out your new schedule for the store on the way back. Tomorrow it's time to get back to the real world."

After breakfast I left the boys to clean up, hey, I cook, they clean. I went to help get my dad and Ben together. It was a short good bye when we got to Port Angeles, everyone was too sad and we didn't want to drag it out. "You make sure that boy of yours looks after my little girl." Dad said as he hugged Anne one last time. "She'll be fine, she's already found her place with us, as have you. Come back soon love." I wanted to start crying right then and there.

"Peace out smalls, keep it live while I'm gone, don't let those guys give you any guff."

"Thanks Ben and I'll see you guys in about 6 weeks."

Anne and I talked mostly about my new job on the way home. I was going to come in this week for training to learn how everything works and then I would be put on a 4 day shift of Monday-Thursday. That way I would have nights to complete my school work and long weekends to travel around to the different tribes in the area for my research. I'd been in such a bubble the last three days I almost forgot the real reason I was here. Like Anne said, tomorrow the real world would come calling us back.

I got home and fed Koda and we crawled into my bed early for a fitful night sleep.