It was the following Wednesday when everything shifted for Leah. An intense brawl had taken place in the club. While broken up rather quickly, one of the patrons decided to take his temper out on Rick. Leah jumped in to help when Rick took a sucker punch to the face and got knocked out cold. Leah charged after the bastard responsible as he tried to kick Rick with his steel-toed boot. Leah had practically leaped over another bouncer to get to him. Her knuckles busted from crushing his cheekbone when she clobbered him, thus leaving two unconscious men on the floor. When one of the other bouncers found a gun tucked into the back of his belt, a bartender, Tricia, ran for the trash can to vomit. She became hysterical afterward, having just lived through an armed robbery in a gas station only a few weeks before. Hodie yelled for someone to cut the damn music off as the police finally filed through the door.

Before he even greeted the police, Tom beelined for Leah. He hugged and thanked her for stopping the fight before the angry drunk had remembered he was armed. Frightened by the incident and the power of her rage, Leah fought to hold back tears as the assailant and Rick got placed into separate ambulances. Luckily no one had noticed her split knuckles. She rushed to wash the blood from her hand and, still trembling, avoided Hodie staring as she hurried out the back door. The urge to cry was too strong, and she did not want to do it in front of her coworkers. Leah winced as she reached into her back pocket for the pack of Camels and the lighter she had tucked there earlier in the day. She knew her knuckles would heal by the time she went back inside, but for the moment, they burned like hell. Leah let out a sob, thinking about the damage done, and seriously contemplated calling Bella. She had nearly lost control when Rick was hurt. Seeing her coworker and favorite customer from the garage unconscious on the floor had rattled her much worse than she would have expected. Not since Jacob got crushed in the battle with the newborns had Leah been so distraught to see a friend injured. Shaking, Leah sat in the gravel next to the back door and lit her cigarette. She was lost in thought, staring at her blood-splattered boots as someone came outside and squatted next to her. She slowly looked up as they stole the cigarette from her hand. Hodie stared at her from the corner of his eye, surprising her as he took a long drag from her cigarette and handed it back.

He turned to stare across the lot and said, "Didn't know you were a smoker, Lee."

Leah said, "Just sometimes." She took another drag. "They calm me down when I get too ... " How was she supposed to finish that? Sorry, Hodie, but a cigarette makes the rage stop. That way, I don't turn into a wolf that mauls innocent people.

He asked, "You okay?" Hodie turned to look her in the eye.

Glumly she admitted, "No, but I will be. I've seen worse. I've done worse." She could not stop the tears that escaped and reached up to wipe them away. Again, Hodie snagged her cigarette and took a drag from it. She said, "I didn't know you were a smoker, either."

He said, "I used to be. It is just nice to have one sometimes. Not exactly great for health, but there is just something about a cigarette once in a while." He took another drag before handing it back. Leah nodded silently and put the cigarette back to her lips. Her knuckles itched like mad, the skin already scarring over.

Softly, Hodie said, "I think we have a problem." Leah felt her stomach drop, unable to hold back the tear that followed.

Here we go. We are not even a couple, and Hodie is about to dump my ass. I probably scared the hell out of him and everyone else in there with my bitchy ass fucking rage.

Hodie turned to stare at her and said, "I think I am falling for you, Leah." Leah looked up in surprise with the wind sucked from her chest. That was not what she had expected at all. He smirked as she closed her mouth, unsure of how to respond. Hodie said, "You don't have to say anything. I just wanted you to know." He stood and held his hand out for her. Leah reached up to take it and stood. She flicked the rest of the cigarette out into the parking lot and, still holding his hand, followed Hodie back inside.

She was surprised to find the patrons ushered out, the staff cleaning the place up. Leah asked, "What's going on?" Tom excused himself from the officer he was talking with and walked over to her.

Tom said, "The whole gun thing shook the staff." He put his hands on her shoulders and looked her over. "Are you alright? Did Hodie help calm you down a bit? He's good at that." Leah grinned and nodded. Tom said, "This shit will not happen again. We are closing up early. Tomorrow, after I take care of the ER bill for Rick, I will get us some metal detectors. From now on, everyone who comes in here will be checked first. I'm not going to lie, Leah, thinking someone might have been shot here tonight bothers me." He forced a tired grin at her and said, "The cops didn't believe me at first that a woman could hit like that. I guess they've never watched Rhonda Rousey fight."

Leah grimaced and said, "I'm not proud of that, Tom. I could have killed that guy."

Tom said, "And that guy could have killed you. All things considered, I think you handled it pretty damn well. Go home, Leah. Get some rest." He patted her shoulder as he walked away. The lights behind the bar turned out, followed by the stage lights. Hodie walked over and slung an arm around her shoulder affectionately.

Hodie teased, "I know it has been a crazy night, but you have a couple of hours to kill now." Before he could ask her again if she would go home with him, Leah grabbed his other hand.

She pulled him toward the back door and said, "Let's go." More than anything, all Leah wanted right now was to feel like a normal fucking human. If finally seeing his apartment and forgetting everything else for an hour or two accomplished that, it was good enough for Leah.

Leah anxiously followed Hodie to his apartment and parked next to him in the small lot. As she climbed out, she said, "I'm not taking an assigned parking spot, am I?" Hodie chuckled and told her she was fine where she parked. He seemed somewhat nervous as he walked over to take her hand and pulled her behind him toward the door. His apartment was on the top floor of the three-story building. True to his word, it was a poorly lit one-bedroom efficiency apartment. The apartment was sparsely decorated, and most of the furniture was well-worn. Leah looked around, smiling at the surfboards leaning in the corner of the living room. When he kicked off his shoes near the front door, Leah unlaced her boots and discarded them as well.

He grinned and said, "It is not much, but it is home for now." He walked to the kitchen, opening his freezer door. "Hungry? I can toss in a pizza or two."

Leah said, "Sounds great, actually." Hodie held up a few drink options, finally sliding her a can of soda. She watched him silently as he preheated the oven and put two frozen pizzas in. I cannot wait to see what the appetite of an average guy looks like, she thought. Charlie's appetite was not exactly a good indication of average for comparison. He tended to supplement far too many of his calories with his favorite beer.

Hodie asked, "What is that smirk about?"

Leah said, "You are cute. That's all." Hodie hopped up on the edge of his kitchen counter and slid open the window above his sink. He beckoned for her to come over to him. He pulled a clean ashtray off the counter and set it on the window ledge.

Leah said, "You smoke in here?"

He said, "On occasion. Not too often. I don't want to paint when I move out." He pointed toward his high ceilings, though he kept his eyes on Leah. Hodie was staring at her face as if trying to memorize her every feature. Leah blushed under his scrutiny and pulled the cigarettes from her pocket. Assuming he wanted one, she handed him the pack. Hodie lit one and took a long drag before offering it back to her.
Hodie asked, "Do you ever smoke anything else?"

Leah looked up at Hodie in surprise. "What, like weed?" Hodie nodded, laughing.

He said. "I do once in a while. Very rarely, though. Boss doesn't give a damn as long as we are sober at work."

Leah said, "Well, I know it is legal here and all. My step-dad is Chief Of Police in Forks, though, so…" She cackled as he coughed and handed the cigarette back.

Hodie asked, "No shit? Your Dad is a cop?"

Leah asked, "Did I not tell you that before?"

He shook his head. "I don't think so," Hodie said and laughed again. "Gonna narc me out, Leah? Make him not like me?"

Leah teased, "Not unless you deserve it. Don't worry, though. I'm great with secrets," she added, stealing Bella's line. "Actually, he wouldn't give a damn. My dad smoked it daily long before it was legalized, and Charlie never cared. Charlie is my future step-dad. He was best friends with my parents for twenty years."

His eyes widened in surprise, though Hodie stayed silent. Leah said, "He and my mom are getting married on Fuck Thanksgiving."

Hodie tossed his head back and laughed. He asked, "Fuck Thanksgiving? Is it only you that calls it that, or the whole family?"

Leah said, "Our Tribal Chief started it, actually."

Hodie laughed and said, "That is great." He leaned toward her and lifted her hand, taking a drag of the cigarette from between her fingers. His soft lips against her fingertips made her shiver. Hodie chuckled at her as he exhaled and sat back.

Leah said, "I can't believe it is already October. The, um, Giants as you called them, are taking him out for his Bachelor party the Saturday before Halloween. I think they hope to come across some good parties that night."

Hodie said, "Oh, no doubt. Boss is planning a masquerade kind of theme for that same night. The dancers will all wear costumes with masks all night, so no one knows anyone. The bartenders will wear masks, too."

Leah laughed and said, "Well, Tom has not said anything to me about it yet."

Hodie looked at her suspiciously. He said, "Tom, huh? You call him Tom?"

Leah said, "He said I could call him Tom or Boss. He didn't give a damn which."

Hodie snickered and said, "Well, everyone else calls him Boss because he told us to call him Boss."

Instantly bothered, Leah scowled and said, "That is weird. Maybe it's because of the way I approached him about the job."

Hodie laughed nervously and asked, "What did you do?" Leah took a final drag of her cigarette and handed it to Hodie.

She explained, "I offered to fill the position, fitting my schedule, until he found someone to take the spot permanently. Tom asked me why he should agree to that. I told him that I already work three jobs and he was the one who needed someone. It did not matter to me."

Hodie roared with laughter and smashed the butt out in the ashtray. He said, "You bossed Boss. You know that. Right?"

Leah said, "Tom said I remind him of himself."

Hodie let out another loud laugh. "That is hilarious," Hodie said as he bent down to check the pizzas.

Leah said, "Maybe I should just call him Boss, too. I don't want anyone thinking I am some kind of favorite or some shit."

Hodie said, "I wouldn't worry about that. They know you are kinda the favorite already. Now I know why he has been riding my ass lately, though."

Leah leaned back and scowled. She asked, "He has? Why?"

Hodie said, "You, silly ass. People gossip at the club, like they do anywhere else, Darlin'. I am sure he knows we have been talking. If he thinks of you like an equal, he is gonna get protective."

Leah asked, "Why would he feel the need to protect me?" Leah wanted to ask, Why would he want to protect me from you?

He explained, "That is just him. He is a crank-ass, but he is also a good guy." He moved to wrap his arms around her waist and gently pulled her over to him. Before he bothered to ask her if he could, Leah pressed her lips to his. She gave him a brief, tender kiss, and he beamed at her foolishly when she pulled away.

Hodie removed the pizzas from the oven and slid them back onto their cardboard discs. Leah watched him in silence, contemplating what he had said about Tom protecting her. For a moment, she had feared he would say Tom might be romantically interested in her. Leah shuddered at the thought. She liked Tom but wasn't attracted to him in the least. Hodie looked up from his utensil drawer and laughed.

He asked, "Worried Boss was diggin' on you for a minute, huh?" Hodie shook his pizza slicer at her. She gaped at him in surprise.

Lord, not another damn man that can read my fucking thoughts. Leah stuck her tongue out at him, and he laughed.

Hodie announced. "Quiz time. Slices or squares?"

Leah scoffed and teased, "Listen, it's pizza. I would eat it whole, if necessary."

Hodie wagged his eyebrows at her mischievously and started unbuttoning his shirt as he said, "That is correct." He smirked as she sucked in a sharp breath and laughed as his undershirt was revealed.

Leah said, "You're a hell of a lot more attractive than Chris Farley."

Hodie said, "Why? Because he's fluffy?"

Leah quipped, "No. Because he's dead."

Hodie roared with laughter and started cutting the pizzas. He said, "That is two answers I needed. I am trying to figure out what movie we are going to watch."

Leah asked, "We are watching a movie?"

Hodie said, "Yes. We, our pizza, and drinks are going to put our feet up on the damn coffee table and watch a movie."

Leah teased, "Our pizza has feet?"

He laughed and rolled his eyes, mocking her. "Well, it used to," Hodie said, tossing a pepperoni at her. She laughed as he slid pizza slices onto paper plates. Leah could not help but think of Sam at that moment. They had nights like this often, hidden away in his house alone. She had missed those nights terribly in the end. Leah helped Hodie carry their items to the living room. His couch was every bit as cozy as she had anticipated, and she damn near sighed when she sat down.

Hodie said, "Okay. Next question. Anime or Martial Arts?"

Leah cringed. "Neither," she said and took a bite of pizza.

Hodie sighed dramatically, exaggerating his disappointment.

Leah said, "There is nothing wrong with them, but I'm not a fan, personally."

Hodie laughed and said, "Fine. Your turn. Ask me something."

Scowling, Leah asked, "Pineapple on Pizza, yes or no?"

Hodie feigned anger as he hissed, "No, you monster." Leah damn near choked as she laughed and took a drink of her soda to keep from coughing. She looked up into his face, finding him staring at her like a besotted fool. Leah had to look away, taking another drink. Hodie turned toward the screen and began scrolling through comedy selections.

Leah asked, "Have you decided what to watch?"

Hodie said. "Yes. You. Laughing. I could watch that all night." He grinned as Leah blushed and turned away, taking another bite of her pizza.

God, please do not end up being some kind of player, Leah thought. This was the sickening kind of lovey-dovey shit Jacob said to Bella. The difference was that Jacob always meant every single word he said. If anyone else had pulled a line like that on Leah, she would have rolled her eyes and laughed. But, from Hodie? Leah damn near wanted to swoon. Even her wolf was happy in his presence.

She relaxed against the back of the couch and tried her damnedest to not overthink the situation. They continued to talk and joke long after he had started the movie. He got up at one point to clean up their food mess before plopping back down on the couch next to her. Hodie reached between them to wrap his hand around hers. For the next several minutes, he watched her more than the movie. Leah crossed her legs nervously, not unnoticed by him. When her phone buzzed, Leah glanced down at it and groaned. It was already midnight.

Softly, he said, "You can stay here if you want. I promised I'd be a gentleman if you wanted, and I meant it." As the movie credits rolled, Hodie switched to a music channel. Leah's heart fluttered nervously in her chest as he lowered the volume. He tossed the remote on the coffee table. He stayed quiet as he waited for her to answer, but she could see the hope burning behind his eyes. He needed a connection as much as she did, she thought. She could almost swear she felt his need for her to stay practically flowing into her.

Just like me, tired of spending his nights aching and alone. Pushing hesitations aside as best as Leah could, she turned toward him on the couch. Leah gently nudged his crossed leg off his other knee and straddled his lap. His eyes grew wide in surprise, and he grinned, immediately resting his hands on her hips. They had kissed a lot, sure. However, she had yet to sit on his lap, let alone straddle him.

Leah whispered, "I'll stay." She leaned down to lightly brush her lips against his. Her hands went to his hair as he deepened the kiss, gently kneading her hips with his hands. Leah reached down to push his already unbuttoned shirt off of his shoulders. Hodie leaned forward to help her remove it. Leah moaned into his mouth as she ran her hands down his toned arms. She pulled away from him to look down at his golden, sunkissed skin. She gasped as his hands ghosted along her sides, lifting the material of her top as he wrapped his arms around her. Leah kissed him again, daring to just barely grind against him. Leah became lost in his kisses as she often did. Here, in the privacy of his apartment, Hodie began to explore her with tender, languid caresses. His hands slowly roamed across her ass and up her sides. His thumbs swept slightly under the wire of her bra to graze the underside of her breasts. His erection dug into her thigh through his jeans as she continued to grind against him. Leah gasped in surprise as Hodie stood, lifting her with him. She held on, wrapping her long legs around his waist. Hodie chuckled as he carried her toward his bedroom.

He asked, "Stronger than you thought?"

Leah chuckled, pressing her mouth back to his as she felt her back sink into his mattress. Hodie lowered his mouth to her neck as he ground his erection against her. Her head spun as her body sang underneath him. She tugged at the white tank he still wore, wanting to see all of his upper body. Leah needed to feel his skin against hers. He kneeled between her legs to pull the tank off as Leah reached for the hem of her own. Leah tossed it to the floor and laid back.
Hodie lowered his mouth to the top of her chest, trailing light kisses across her skin before returning his mouth to hers. Leah slid her hot hands over him, whimpering into his mouth. She hesitated for a moment as his hands roamed toward the clasp of her bra. Hodie looked up into her face, pausing.

He said, "If this isn't okay, I want to know." He was panting over her, his erection rock hard against her core. Yearning for more, Leah could only nod her head for him to continue. She leaned forward so he could unhook the clasp and then pulled the material away. He groaned as if in pain as he gazed down at her, grinding against her again. Leah arched against Hodie as he pulled one of her nipples into his mouth.

It only took a moment for her to feel utterly lost in him again. The ceiling could fall on them, and she would have begged him to keep his talented mouth on her. Leah reached between them to unbutton her jeans. Hodie pulled away and looked into her eyes again as he hesitated.

Hodie said, "We don't have to go any farther. If you want, we can stop right here."

Leah stared up at him, panting as she asked, "Do you want to stop?" Leah wanted him terribly. She did not want to think about anything other than that. Leah hoped like hell that he was not changing his mind. She was not sure she could bear the rejection.

Hodie said, "No, but that doesn't matter if you want to stop. You have been hesitant to even see me away from work. I don't want to rush and have you regret it later." Leah lifted her hands to stroke the side of his face before pushing her fingers into his thick hair.

Leah said, "I am nervous, no lie. But, I want to keep going if you do."

Hodie leaned down for a tender, featherlight kiss. He said, "If you want me to stop at any time, tell me to stop. Don't be afraid to tell me to stop." He leaned down again to kiss her neck. When he pulled away, Hodie said, "I want you to be honest about what you want." His breath against her skin made her shiver. Hodie kissed her neck again, working his way slowly up to her ear.

Hodie said, "I want you to show me what you want." He tugged on her earlobe with his teeth, and Leah whimpered, trailing her nails down his back. His gruff voice against her ear made her tremble as he said, "I want to make you cum, Leah." His words flowed straight to her core, heightening her need. Leah moaned as his hands slid across her breasts, his thumbs softly circling her nipples. Leah crushed her lips to his. She could not get enough. She needed his tongue dancing against hers, worshiping her mouth as his hands slowly explored the rest of her. Again, Leah reached for the button on her jeans, desperate to remove the material between them. Hodie pulled away and kneeled, helping her peel the skin-tight jeans off before he stood to undo his belt. Leah sat up and reached for his waistband. Hodie let his hands fall away as Leah looked up into his face from where she sat. Smiling, he watched her unbutton and unzip his jeans. They dropped to his ankles, and Leah gasped.

This fucker goes commando, too. Do guys even bother wearing underwear anymore? Leah nervously stared at his erection for a moment. She finally looked back up at him, and he chuckled. Leah watched his face, drunk on the lust she saw there as she moved to kneel on the bed in front of him. Hodie moved closer to her, pushing his fingers into her hair. Leah gently stroked him with her hand a few times before she slid her tongue up the underside of his shaft and pulled him into her mouth. Hodie moaned as she moved her hot mouth over him, taking him as deeply into her throat as she could.

Hodie said, "Your mouth is so fucking warm, Leah." He moaned and threw his head back as she increased the pressure of her mouth around his cock. She pumped her mouth around him a few more times before lightly teasing him with her teeth. Hodie grinned down at her and said, "You keep that amazing shit up, we might not get much farther."

Leah giggled at him and crawled back across his bed, beckoning for him to follow. Hodie kneeled on the mattress, looking up for permission as he reached to pull off her thong. She smiled, lifting her hips for him. Hodie brought his hands back to her thighs, sliding them up and under her ass. Leah stared down at him, nearly whimpering as he lowered his face between her legs. "Oh, fuck," she moaned as he swiped his tongue across her flesh and instinctively spread her legs for him. Leah reached to grasp at his hair, fighting the urge to grind against his face as he worked her with his mouth. Heat traveled through her body as she gasped and whimpered, pulling at his hair with one hand as she clutched his sheets in the other. Hodie circled her sensitive nub with his tongue, stopping to suck on it before flicking it and repeating the pattern. Leah could not keep from arching higher against him, desperate now to feel him inside of her. Hodie gently slid two fingers inside of her, and Leah damn near came right then. She was shaking, panting, and nearly there. He continued to lap at her soaked flesh as Leah trembled underneath him. Leah reached up to drag her nails down across her chest and stomach, moaning from the pain of the light welts she left behind. Hodie crawled up her body, kissing and licking along her flesh where she had left the marks as he moved. He smirked up at her mischievously as he scraped his nails down her side toward her hip. Leah moaned and shuddered from the sensation.

He said, "Tell me what you want, Leah." His deep voice was thick with desire. "If you want it rough, I can do rough." Leah swallowed nervously, slightly nodding as she bit back a grin. Hodie ran his hands over her breasts, and she moaned again as he focused on her nipples.

Leah said, "I want you." She threw her head back and moaned again as he bit down.

Hodie asked, "What do you want from me? Tell me, Leah."

Leah said, "I want you inside of me." She slid her hand down over his ass and squeezed before yanking him down against her. As he brought his lips back to hers, Leah ground against him. He moaned into her mouth as his shaft slid along her soaked folds, hot and ready for him. Hodie blindly reached for his nightstand drawer and pulled out a condom. Leah took it from the package and reached between them to stroke him a couple of times before rolling the condom down his shaft. She pulled him back to her, crushing her lips to his as he guided the head to her opening. When Hodie finally but slowly pushed himself inside her, Leah cried out and dug her nails into his back.

Sheathed inside her, he groaned out, "Oh my God, Leah." Hodie held still and waited for her to adjust as her walls stretched almost painfully around him. When he leaned down to suck on her nipple, he gently dragged his teeth over it as she had done to his cock. Pleasure shot through her, and she instinctively clenched around him. "Fuck me. Someone does their Kegels," Hodie said, and she tried not to giggle. She lifted her hips, encouraging him to move. She wanted, needed release. Hodie pumped into her tenderly at first. When Leah reached down to clutch his ass, Hodie picked up the pace. He gasped in surprise as she shoved him over onto his back and straddled him. Hodie threw his head back, moaning as Leah slowly guided him back inside her. He chuckled again after the back of his head met his headboard with a thunk. He looked up at Leah, grinning dumbly, feasting his eyes on her flesh as Leah began to ride him. Hodie gripped her ass, and she moaned as his fingers dug into her flesh and the head of his cock pushed against her cervix. Hodie lifted his hips to meet hers, pulling her down hard against him. Passionate cries came pouring from them both as he thrust upward into her. Leah brought her hands up to cup her bouncing breasts, and Hodie practically growled. The vibration of it flowed into her, and her legs began to tremble. Leah arched back and dropped her hands to the top of his thighs behind her. Leah cried out again as the sensation changed, and colors exploded behind her closed eyelids as she came. She clenched around his shaft, her inner walls throbbing with her powerful release. Hodie threw his head back and let himself go, his grip on her hips still somewhat painful. Panting, Leah carefully climbed off of him and collapsed onto the bed. She lay there for a couple of minutes, catching her breath as she stared up at the ceiling. Her limbs felt heavy, her legs like jelly. It had been a long time since she had felt this satisfied. Her wolf was damn near purring, relaxed for once in an almost euphoric state.

Hodie cleared his throat and tried to speak, saying, "That was … " He paused, still panting beside her, "God damn."
Leah couldn't help but chuckle as she turned toward him onto her side. He carefully removed the condom and deposited it in a small trash can by his nightstand.

He grinned at her and teased, "So are you a snuggling kind of girl or a blanket burrito kind of girl?"

Leah laughed. "Normally, I'm a naked, no blanket kind of sleeper." Sometimes outside, covered in fur.

Hodie winked at her and said, "Even better." After each made a bathroom break, they snuggled closer together. She needed to touch him again and was surprised at how comfortable he made her feel at his side. Leah had not slept naked next to a man, in human form at least, in a long time. Tentatively, Leah draped her arm across his waist as Hodie moved his arm under her head and pulled her closer. Leah laid her head on his shoulder, unable to suppress a yawn. They stayed that way in blissful silence as she drifted off to sleep at his side.

Three Years Ago

Somehow, her engagement ring wound up on a decorative serving platter in the middle of the kitchen table. After almost three weeks of ignoring it, Leah could not bear seeing it anymore. It was bad enough that her dreams had been riddled with memories of their happiest moments together, his proposal included.

While Sam's official proposal had been a lovely surprise, the two had long decided on spending their lives together. The first time Sam asked Leah to marry him, it was technically a declaration. Catching their breath and drenched in sweat, they had just finished making love. Still physically connected, his sheets tangled around and between them, Sam had hovered over her. His long hair fell like a curtain around her face as he stared down into her eyes.

Sam said, "You are going to have a happy husband one day, Leelee."

Leah teased, "Oh? Just who might that be?"

Sam chuckled and said, "Me, obviously." He placed quick pecks to her chin and nose before removing himself from her body. Leah watched him walk boldly around the room, enjoying every bulge of his muscles as he moved.

Sam looked back at her in surprise when she asked, "So, when is the wedding?"

He scoffed and asked, "You would really want to marry my crazy ass?"

Leah said, "I think if you can put up with my temper, I can deal with your crazy." He dropped what he was doing and sprinted back to the bed, pouncing on top of her. Leah laughed as he tickled her sides, peppering her face and neck with kisses. He stopped his attack to stare down into her eyes, grinning.

Tentatively, Sam asked, "Will you marry me someday, Leah? For real?"

Leah said, "I don't think I would ever want to marry anyone else, Sam." He brought his lips back to hers, moaning into her mouth as she ran her hands down his back.

The memory became hazy after that as Leah stared tearfully at her ring. Sam had insisted that she keep it. While it had been meant as a loving gesture, for Leah, it seemed cruel. Why would he ever believe she wanted to keep a physical representation of her dashed hopes and his betrayal? Impulsively, Leah swiped the ring from the table and the car keys from the kitchen counter. Leah yelled out to Sue that she would be right back and hurried to the car.

Sue stuck her head out the front door and yelled, "Stop for milk. My wallet is in the glovebox."

Harry grumbled, "Why the hell is it in the glovebox?"

Guess she will need a new hiding spot, Leah thought as she climbed in. A few minutes later, Leah was pulling into Sam's driveway. The front door had been somewhat repaired, the screen door newly replaced. His truck was there, though Leah knew that meant little. He often came and went with his friends these days. He had been spending a good deal of time with Jared Cameron from what Leah was hearing. Jared, like Sam, was going through a significant growth spurt and behaving strangely. He and Sam had never been particularly friendly in the past, and their sudden closeness seemed odd to most. Jared was a distant cousin of Jacob's, but they were not close, either. Jared was considered a bit of a clown, and his affinity for smoking weed was well known. Leah began to wonder again about the drug rumors regardless of how well she knew Sam Uley.

When Leah knocked on the door, she had expected no answer. However, she did not expect to find a pink jacket on the front porch bench.
Oh my god. Did Sam bring her here? Already? Is he officially with this person now? Leah felt flush with instant rage. She had been obsessed with wanting to know who the bitch was that he had chosen over her. She pulled his spare house key from her pocket, having intended to leave it and the ring on the kitchen counter. Leah found the door unlocked and turned the knob carefully, pushing it open. She crept inside quietly, reaching over to set the items down. The sound of a female voice mumbling made Leah freeze in place. She eventually lowered her hand, still clutching the ring and key in her fist. The sound was all too familiar, a voice Leah knew as well as Sam's. She fought to hold back tears as she crept toward his bedroom and swung open the partially closed door.
On the bed, a female lay alone and sound asleep. She was fully clothed, on top of the blanket at least. The soft, familiar smile she often wore as she slept shot through Leah's heart like an arrow, leaving her gasping for breath through her tears.

How could she do this? How could she look me in the eye after what she had done and pretend she didn't know? The tears they had cried together over his betrayal had been as much out of guilt as empathy. Emily had come to Leah to comfort her more than once since Sam had broken their engagement. She had vehemently admonished Sam's behavior, assuring Leah that he still loved her and suggested that perhaps they just needed time to figure things out.

Emboldened by her anger, Leah began searching through Sam's house for any items she left behind. She had intended to let him do whatever he wanted with them. The loss of his affection and their future together had been far more devastating than any physical items she would have forfeited. She had a blanket and pillow there, some toiletries, and a couple of movies that were mutual favorites. Many of Sue's dishes remained in his cabinets from food sent home with Sam when he was too broke to afford groceries. Leah made three trips to the car and stuffed everything into the trunk as Emily slept through it all. She went back into the house and carefully crept up to her sleeping cousin and supposed best friend. Emily was puffy around the eyes, her clothing rumpled. Leah had the sudden impression that her cousin had lain there, crying herself to sleep.

Good, Leah thought. She is lucky she is not crying herself to sleep with a broken nose. Let Emily share my half of the fucking heartache. Serves her right for fucking him in the first place. Very gently, Leah slid her engagement ring onto Emily's hand.
Leah mumbled, "Perfect fucking fit. Go figure." Emily began to stir, opening her eyes as Leah glared at her, leaving the room.

Emily called out after her, immediately frantic and oblivious to the ring on her left hand. "Leelee, wait!"

Leah growled out, "Fuck you, Emily." She slammed the spare key on the kitchen counter. "Fuck you, fuck Sam, and I hope you have a nice time living my goddamned life."

Emily wailed, "Leah! You don't understand. Wait a minute."

Leah pulled the front door shut behind her, slamming it hard enough to shake the newly placed wooden frame out of position.

Emily yanked the door open and chased after her, reaching to grab Leah by the shoulder. Leah spun on her cousin and slapped her hard across the face. Emily reached up to touch her stinging cheek as she gaped in shock. Leah's handprint was already forming, red and defined against her skin.

Emily gasped in shock. "You've never hit me before, Leelee," Emily said mournfully as fresh tears spilled down her cheeks.

Leah snapped, "Yeah, well, you never pretended to care about my pain while you fucked my fiance before, either. Enjoy the engagement ring. It is used, but apparently, you enjoy hand-me-downs these days."

Emily said, "Leah, my mom kicked me out! I had nowhere else to go."

Leah snapped, "So you decided Sam's fucking bed was the place to go? Why the hell didn't you come to our house? You have always had a home with us,"

Leah yelled at her cousin as her temper flared again. Angry tears spilled down her cheeks as she stared Emily down. The older girl lowered her eyes shamefully, unable to meet Leah's.

Leah demanded, "When did she kick you out?"

"A couple of weeks ago," Emily said, her voice barely above a whisper now. Leah nodded to herself. The timing made sense, though Leah suspected guilt made Emily distance herself more than anything else.

Leah yelled, "You were always welcome in our home. You could have come there. You didn't even bother to tell any of us you needed somewhere to go. The truth is, you didn't want to have to face me every day. Don't try to lie and tell me you didn't fuck Sam, either. I guess now I know why he begged me not to make him tell me what he did. He just failed to mention that the bitch he fucked was you."

Emily choked out a sob, hanging her head in shame. "Leah, I never meant for any of this to happen. I didn't want any of it."

Leah said, "Well, you made the bed. Go fucking sleep in it."

Emily yelled, "Leah, please listen. I love you! W-we both love you. None of this shit should have happened!"

Leah held her breath for a moment, angry tears escaping as she fought the urge to slap Emily a second time. Leah knew she needed to leave before the situation got any worse, and the more Emily talked, the deeper the hole she dug for herself. Leah took a deep breath, carefully choosing her words. She wanted her sentiments to be clearly understood. She said, "The fucking second that you and Sam became 'we' ... you lost me. Sleeping with Sam had nothing to do with either of you loving me. We are done. Me and Sam. Me and you, Emily. Enjoy your life." Leah quickly climbed into the car before she could burst into tears again, leaving Emily sobbing behind her as she drove away.

When she returned home, she carried the belongings inside. Sue was annoyed at first that the milk had been forgotten. When she realized Leah was lugging in her dishes, Sue began helping Leah instead. Leah picked up the blanket and carried it to the washing machine. She was about to shove it in when a soft whiff of cologne caught her attention. Leah lifted the blanket to her face, overwhelmed by his scent, and began to sob hysterically. Sue walked over to hug her daughter as she tried to soothe her.

Leah choked out, "I know who she is. The girl Sam slept with? She was asleep at his house."

Sue's eyes narrowed in anger, her voice cold as ice as she asked, "Who?"

Leah said, "Emily, Mom. He is fucking Emily. My best friend slept with my fiance and pretended to care how much I hurt. I have never wanted to crawl under a rock and die so badly in my whole miserable life."

Leah barely registered the rage on Sue's face as she finished her rant. Leah turned and shuffled blindly to her bedroom before collapsing on her bed to cry, eventually falling into an exhausted sleep.

Hello lovely readers.
What do you think of Hodie and of seeing a little bit into Leah's past?
Please feel welcome to share your thoughts. You can only help me improve :)