Disclaimer: I own nothing, except some knowledge of the drinks list at 40/40.

an: Thanks for all the reivews. I really appreciate them. I know I've been slow on updating. Please stick with me. Though I've finished college admissions essays, I still have a lot of upcoming scholarships due...so, it's going to be a bit slower for the next month or so. Plus, I've had a bit of writer's block on both of my stories. Anyway, here's to Jay-Z!

If you feelin' like a pimp nigga, go and brush your shoulders off
Ladies is pimps too, go and brush your shoulders off
Niggaz is crazy baby, don't forget that boy told you
Get, that, dirt off your shoulder

-Jay-Z, "Dirt Off Your Shoulder"

"Here, you can throw your money in for safekeeping."

I nodded vaguely and mechanically tossed in envelope. The remainder of the car ride was relatively silent as I soaked in everything around me. I was slowly trying to process everything about these people. I was not accustomed to these levels of extravagance. I didn't know if I could handle it. I didn't know if I liked it.

What the fuck is with this Range Rover and its ability to make me contemplative?

I had convinced myself last night that I liked these people, hadn't I? Why was I constantly making life so much more difficult by questioning every single decision?

"Dude, you're like freaking out over there. I can tell. You're eyes keep shifting back and forth, and you're tense as fuck."

I glanced at him. I was sitting awfully rigid in the seat. I wasn't aware I was so transparent, though.

"I just get super-stressed vibes from you. Calm down. What's on your mind?"

I opened my mouth and then shut it trying to decide how to verbalize my thoughts.

"Okay. Here's the thing. As you guys noticed in my file, I don't usually have friends. Like at all. This is all really new to me. And not just the friends thing…everything. I've never really done anything of what you guys do in your regular day life."

He broke into a smile.

"That's it? Dude, you'll be fine. It just takes some getting used to. Yeah, yeah, we're a bit over the top, but we can be chill, too. You just gotta bear with us. Trust me. You're one of us. You'll realize that in time."

I stared back down at my lap. What he said didn't really help me. They were so nonchalant about everything. I had a tendency to over-think everything. I was hyper-analytical, and I knew that. It just never was a real issue before, because there are not that many things to analyze when you're a pariah.

We finally arrived at 40/40. Jasper gave Abbott and thumbs-up through the divider. We walked through the doors. Immediately, we were stopped.

"It's okay, it's okay! They're with me."

I looked over and found Emmett sitting on the bar with a frosty glass of beer. Carter was situated next to him devouring a large plate of nachos.

Munchies, I'm guessing?

Jasper walked over and bumped fists with Emmett. Emmett patted the seat next to him to indicate Jasper to sit there.

"Landon's in the bathroom right now. The Brodster is still on his way. He had some shit to do. We're watching the Yankees fucking annihilate right now."

I understood the connotation behind 'shit.' Clearly, Brody was in transit from his drug deal. Jasper took the seat, and the bartender automatically handed him a glass of soda.

Oh yeah, I forget. Guy doesn't drink.

"Sweet. That's what I like to see," Jasper said in reference to the game, his head craning towards the television screen.

Sports were really lost on me. I had never really kept track of sporting statistics. Not really my thing. I knew the Yankees were baseball team. I also knew that the post-season was in the midst. After living in Chicago my entire life, I picked up a few things from fanatic Cubs fans. Though, they usually weren't any good, that didn't stop everyone from binge drinking themselves to death at every single game. In addition, there were some psychotic kids at my school that were way too invested in every game.

Jasper turned to me. I realized then that I was still standing awkwardly. I found the seat next to Jasper.

"Want anything to drink?"

"Uh, I'll take a beer, I guess."

"Hit him up with a Brooklyn Lager," Emmett directed.

The bartender nodded and instantly handed me a frosty glass of draft. I took a sip of the cool amber liquid. It slid smoothly down my throat taking some of my anxiety with it.

"Well, now that we've got a decent sized group here, how about some BBQ chicken wings, empanadas, and chicken tenders?"

The waiter wrote down Emmett's words. He made an immediate dash for the kitchen. I could tell Emmett possessed a great deal of authority here. He was definitely treated like a king.

We watched the game with brief small talk. The food was brought out, and we dug into it. Emmett made some vulgar comments and prodded Jasper about his sex life with Rosalie.

I guess this is what male bonding time is like.

Once the first round of plates was cleared, Emmett and Carter ordered more. The place was actually beginning to open, and people were walking in. Still, even with actual customers, our service was instant. The entire staff did everything exactly how and when Emmett wanted it. It was an indisputable power.

After a large consumption of food and a decent amount of innings had passed, Brody wandered in. Followed closely behind were Alice and Rosalie.

"Fuck my life," Emmett muttered under his breath.

Brody looked apologetic, his eyes pleading with Emmett's for mercy. Alice craned her head around with bright, wide eyes. Rose swaggered in as every male head turned towards her. She sauntered up and sat herself up on Jasper's lap placing a sensual kiss on his lips. I could hear the mental groan of disappointment from every patron. Brody walked over to Emmett.

"Dude, I'm going to murder you. This is guys' time," Emmett hissed.

"I know, I know. I'm fucking sorry. But I was really fucking high when Alice called, and you know that girl reads me like a book. I could barely get out regular words let alone a well-constructed lie."

"What the fuck, man? You gotta keep your shit together. Whatever, this better be it."

Brody winced, and Emmett narrowed his eyes.

"What?"

"Rosalie may have called basically the rest of the girls."

"Fuck me. I can't deal with all that estrogen right now. I'm watching the Yankees."

"I'm sorry, dude."

"Apologies are worthless now. You just better keep that fucking sprite busy, so she doesn't irritate my ass."

"Will do."

Alice skipped over to the bar.

"Can I get a Baseline?"

"Oh, and a Pagne & Berries for me," Rosalie chimed in.

The bartender nodded vigorously and instantly got to work on their cocktails. Emmett rolled his eyes. He handed them each their drinks. Alice eagerly sipped her frozen beverage, while Rosalie hung hers in front of Jasper's face.

"Want some bubbly, baby?" Rosalie cooed towards Jasper.

"You know I don't drink, Rose," his voice even with a hint of irritation.

"C'mon. Live a little."

He shook his head. With a hmph, she slid off his lap to go talk to Alice. Soon Bella arrived. She approached us and took a seat next to me.

"Stella, please," she told the bartender.

A bottle was immediately placed in front of her.

"What's the score, boys?"

"Yankees are up by three," Emmett mumbled.

"Let's hope they keep it that way."

She tipped the bottle back and took a long swig.

"Bella has a bit of dual personalities. She's either a tomboy, or she's a sexy vixen," Jasper whispered a quick explanation to me.

I nodded in understanding and turned slightly towards her.

"Eddie-boy, pass me the plate of quesadillas, will ya?"

I did as I was told, and she snatched up and triangle and took a small bite out of it.

"Well at least every girl isn't a pain in my ass," Emmett said.

"Damn straight, Emmy. But I will whine and bitch until I get a slice of cheesecake."

She had finished off the remaining quesadilla.

"You heard the woman, get on that."

The waiter silently whisked off again. Everyone turned their eyes to the screens. I reluctantly did the same. Suddenly, everyone began booing and cursing.

"Fuck that, A-Rod! What kind of piss poor attempt at a catch was that? We don't need any errors. Screwing Madonna must be fucking with your game," Bella shouted at the screen.

Damn, this girl probably knows more about sports than I do. Actually, correction, she DEFINITELY knows more about sports than I do.

I was barely able to keep up with the game thus far. Bella had just swooped in and gathered in everything. It was definitely a blow to my masculinity.

Leigh and Camdyn eventually showed up. They however congregated with Rosalie and Alice. I could tell that Rosalie was pissed that everyone was paying more attention to baseball than to her. Soon the seventh inning stretch rolled around. Emmett took this as an opportunity to order everyone more food and drinks. Bella turned towards me.

"So, Edward. We have yet to have a real conversation."

"I'm well aware."

"I heard you had a spectacular rookie performance last night."

"Yeah, I thought it was pretty good myself."

"I would have congratulated you, but I was a little preoccupied."

She added a wink to that statement, not that is was necessary.

"Hoping to have a repeat tonight?"

"It would be nice, but Jasper's already rationalized out the whole system for me."

"Of course he has."

I gave her a puzzled look. She shrugged her shoulders and took a chip from the newest plate of nachos in front of us.

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