Thank you to everyone who had been reading my story. I have a week off from school and I'm hoping to get caught up on all of my review replies. I do appreciate every word you give me.

AN: I do not own Twilight. Any and all mistakes are my own.

Chapter 6

The Testicle Twister

EPOV

If Bella had heard any or all of my conversation with Alice, she didn't let on. The thought of her hearing about my past relations did weird things to me that I didn't know what to do about.

It shouldn't really matter what she thought. I am a normal, single man that enjoys a woman's company. I have always been upfront and honest with my intentions and I ensured we were on the same page before anything happened between me and another woman.

Of course, Alice doesn't see it that way. She is happy to point out my healthy and full sex life any time she can and doesn't make it any secret that she doesn't agree with it. She's a true love, soul mate, find your penguin kind of girl. She only does relationships and when she's in, she's all in. For crying out loud, Alice and Jasper are already acting like an old married couple and they've only been together for less than a week. I almost pissed myself the day she walked in with him trailing her like a puppy. He was carrying about a dozen shopping bags and I had to laugh out loud at that shit. I think he would have hit me but that would have meant he would have had to put the bags down. Which he adamantly refused to do.

Fucking pussy.

Now I had been in a few relationships here and there and after awhile I decided that it just wasn't for me. Don't get me wrong; while I was committed I was completely faithful. I would never cheat. Not ever. But I found it better to enjoy different women with no strings attached. No emotions involved, just unbridled lust. It always had been fun and fulfilling. And my past is absolutely nothing to be ashamed of.

And yet when I thought Bella was hearing all about it, I couldn't help feel a slight twinge of embarrassment. It was unfounded and unnecessary, but it was there. So when Bella didn't react I assumed that she didn't really hear anything. I mean, she would have chimed in if only to help Alice berate me. But she didn't so I thought I was off the hook.

That was more than a week ago and I'm starting to rethink my assumption. Bella has been different. It's hard to pinpoint just exactly what the difference is because she still comes in, does her job, and does it extremely well. However the playful, flirtatious banter that used to flow between us is just gone. I try, believe me, I try. But she doesn't bite. She just answers in the most serious tone she can muster. Every once in a while I see her lips curve into a smirk and I feel like she's on the verge of some snarky remark or comeback. But in an instant it's gone and she's responding like she would anyone else.

Correct that, she responds cautiously like she's talking to an absolute stranger. She's normal with everyone else; it's just me she seems to be incredibly uncomfortable around. I try not to feel offended but I can't lie, it hurts a little. I realize that she's heard more of my conversation with Alice that I thought.

Fuck me.

~GTAM~

Monday Night Football. I loved it. I hated it.

I loved it because it always brought in a crowd. I had several flat screens hooked up all over the bar and ran good beer and wing specials. I hated it because said crowd was always one of the more rowdy ones. I held my breath the entire night just hoping things wouldn't get out of hand. Tonight, the Seahawks were playing. I expected it to be even more crazy than usual.

I made sure we were at full staff tonight. I even recruited Alice who normally had Monday off so that she could meet with her study group. Bella and I would be behind the bar. Alice and Charlotte would waitress. I also had Alec who was normally part of the kitchen staff but could fill in to bartend or serve when we got busy.

Unfortunately, sometimes even the best laid plans were destined to fail. Charlotte's son was sick and she had to call in. It was frustrating but what was I going to do? The boy was sick and he needs his mommy a lot more than I do.

I decide that I would pull Alec from the kitchen and God help me, have Bella waitress. It wasn't the ideal situation, but I knew Bella had become more comfortable waitressing lately and I had faith in her. It would probably be better if we had a little distance between us anyway. Bella and I had been smooth as silk behind the bar. We moved in tandem and never got in each other's way. We had a lot of fun together, but that was before Bella began acting so weird. I wasn't so sure how both of us being behind the bar would go tonight and to tell you the truth, I didn't want to find out.

By the middle of pregame, the place was packed. Bella was doing a great on the floor. Whenever I had a free second I would look for her, telling myself I was just checking in to make sure she was okay. In reality, I loved watching her interact with the customers. She was so personable and they loved her. She was confident and so fucking sexy. Every time she smiled or laughed I felt a bit of sadness knowing that it had been awhile since a smile or laugh had been directed towards me.

As time went on, things were going more smoothly than I anticipated. Even though we were short staffed, it didn't seem that way and the customers were none the wiser. The Seahawks were headed towards a victory and that meant the drinks were flowing and the crowd was getting lively. There was an energy in the place and you got a jolt of it every time the Seahawks did something good. People were having fun and it was great.

That was until they were having too much fun. Well not everyone, just one table in particular. A group of frat boys, no doubt, on their way to plasteredville. There were four of them and I know that they had at least six pitchers between them so far. They had taken an interest in Bella and what had started out as innocent flirting was starting to turn into borderline harassment.

"Do you want me to toss them?" I asked when Bella came to the bar to get the pitchers refilled…again.

"No, they're fine. They're running up quite the tab and it's nothing I can't handle." She busied herself with adjusting her apron and wouldn't look at me.

"Hey." I waited until she actually raised her head. I had her attention but her eyes did not hold that sparkle that I loved. "If it gets too much, let me know. You don't have to take shit from them." Her eyes softened just a bit.

"Thanks, I will. But I'm okay for now." With that she took the two pitchers and turned towards the table in question. I watched as she put them down only to see one of the fuckers pull her down onto his lap. I was just about to jump over the bar but didn't when I saw Bella quickly get up and shake her finger in the direction of the little ass fuck. She probably was angry as hell but she never gave off that vibe. She made a joke of it and moved on to her next table. She had so much patience. I don't know how she did it. I would have punched that little tool box into the next century by now.

Over the next hour I watched as Bella consistently but nicely kept averting his advances. When she came up to the bar for another refill I was stuck on the other end making a round of shots for another group. As I glanced her way I noticed that ass fuck had come to the bar as well and was making chit chat with her. His hand attempted to land on her ass which she quickly batted away several times. I was so anxious to get to her that I poured the shots in record time and told the patrons it was on the house. When I finally stood in front of her she gave me a look that told me not to say anything. I fucking wanted to but I decided it was better to let her run this show…for now.

"Dude, can we get two shots here. Doesn't matter what. I just want to drink with my girl!" He put his hand up to high five me but I wasn't having it. He was fucking drunk and Bella wasn't his girl.

She's my girl. Wait…what?

"She's working, she can't drink."

"Sorry, Dimitri. My boss says no." Bella said looking a little relieved. I could tell she was just trying to placate him. At that she turned to head back to the floor to get away from him which is exactly what I wanted her to do. Before she could get very far the asswipe wrapped his arm around her and pulled her back to him.

"What's the big fucking deal, it's just one shot. She's been working hard. She can have just one, right?" I would like to say I heard all that but I didn't because all I could see was his arm around her neck and his hand dangling way too close to her right tit. Everything in the world ceased to exist except my need to help Bella, to defend her.

"Now listen you little fucker." But he couldn't listen. In fact, when he didn't answer and I actually came out of my anger induced haze I could see that Dimitri was turning purple and breaking out in a cold, hard sweat.

"Now Dimitri, you heard what my boss said. I can't drink. And while I think that sober, you may be a decent guy. But right now you are on the verge of sexually harassing me. I don't want your drinks, I don't want to sit on your lap, and I certainly don't want you groping me. Am I clear?" By now Bella was turned towards him and was completely in his face. When he didn't answer I saw Dimitri suddenly contort in pain. "I said am I clear?"

"Y-y-yes." He squeaked.

"Good. Now go to your table, get your boys to pay the tab, and leave." In an instant Dimitri slumped over a little and took a deep breath. He started walking over to his table with a distinct hitch in his stride. Not knowing exactly what happened, I looked up to Bella's face which was starting to form that smirk that I love.

"What the fuck just happened?" I asked.

"The testicle twister. Works every time." My mouth drops open in shock as I realized that Bella had the balls to twist that guy's balls until he cried. Emmett had said was a force to be reckoned, I guess I just never thought I would actually see her in action.

"What, Edward? That guy wouldn't stop touching me. I did what I had to do. I'm sorry if you lost a customer but I'm not sorry for defending myself." Her chin jutted out in defiance and I thought it was the cutest thing in the world.

"No, you always have the right to defend yourself and I will throw him out myself if he even tries to come back in. It's just…" I had a loss for words as came to grips with the fact that Bella didn't need me at all in that situation.

"Yeah?"

"I didn't know you were so…so…lethal." The smirk and sparkle was back for a second but then quickly faded.

"Well a girl needs to protect herself." She said with a sadness that made me think was not talking about the likes of dickhead Dimitri.

It hit me that maybe Bella's new attitude towards me was her way of protecting herself. Unfortunately I could do nothing but see her logic.

Happy Valentine's Day, everyone. If you're looking for a something to read in honor of the day, I wrote a one-shot called Love in an Elevator for a contest several years ago (I won 2nd place!). It's posted to my profile page if you're interested. I have to say it was one of my favorite things I've written. Thanks for reading, everyone! ~Isannah