Author's Note: We broke the 1,000 review mark, but not the amount I asked for. So as many of you know, I decided to give a sneak peek of this chapter to those who did review. Thank you to all of you. If you left it anonymous or have PMs blocked, I unfortunately couldn't send it to you. I think I'll keep this way of doing things in the future. If I have the next chapter done, I'll ask for a set number of reviews to update it early. If I don't reach the number set by the halfway point, I'll send a sneak peek to those who did take the time to review.

DISCLAIMER: Stephenie Meyer, along with Little, Brown and Company, owns all the rights to the Twilight Saga. I own nothing and profit nothing from this story.

I felt good after spending Wednesday with Sam and the kids at the Community Center. After receiving grief from Paul and Marissa, it was good to feel accepted on the reservation somewhere.

Sitting on the couch with Sam on Friday night felt nice. School was getting on my nerves. I was used to spending more time with Sam even with the Edward interference over the summer and now school was keeping me from him. So sitting with my back against his chest and his arms wrapped tightly around me felt like the perfect way to end the long week.

"What do you want to do tonight?" Sam asked behind me.

"I don't know, just hang out."

"Sounds good to me, this week was too long."

"I agree. Wednesday was great, but the rest of the week I could have skipped."

"I find myself living for the weekends now. I feel like I don't get enough Bella time during the week."

"I need more Sam time too."

"Glad to know you miss me too."

"Of course I do. Always."

"Me too." He sighed. "Well, if you don't feel like cooking, we could order out."

"I like the sound of that. Do you think we could call Kim and Jared?"

"Sure, if you'd like. I'm sure Kim would enjoy it."

"Good. Pizza sound okay to you?"

"Sure, baby. I'm going to grab a shower real quick. You call the pizza place and Kim."

"All right."

He left for the bathroom and I went to the kitchen phone. Next to it was where Sam kept all the phone numbers. I called in an order for five pizzas. Each wolf would get two and Kim and I could share the last one. Next I rang Kim's cell phone.

"Hello?"

"Hi Kim, it's Bella."

"Hey, how are you?"

"Good. I was calling to see if Jared and you would like to come over for pizza."

"Let me ask." I heard some talking in the background.

"Jared says if there's food then you can count us in."

"Great, cause I already ordered enough for two wolves." Kim laughed on the other line.

"Okay, we'll be there in about fifteen minutes."

"See you then."

"Bye."

I busied myself getting things ready. I got out plates and some cups. Fifteen minutes later, Kim and Jared were walking through the door.

"Thanks for calling, Bella."

"Not a problem, Jared." We headed into the kitchen to fix ourselves something to drink.

"I asked Kim to cook and she just looked at me."

"I don't cook. He knows this."

"You could learn."

"So could you."

"But I'm a man. I do the outdoor, manly things like hunt down bloodsuckers." Kim and I both snorted at that.

"So that leaves me to cook and clean up after you." Jared looked away, not denying the statement. "I don't think so, mister. You better get that kind of thinking out of your head, 'cause when we get married I am not turning into your maid or live in cook."

"But, babe, I can't do those things and my mom won't be there to do them."

"Then I suggest you learn from your mom before you move out or you won't be moving in with me."

"That's harsh, babe."

"That's the truth, Jared." Jared turned to me with a smirk.

"My woman doesn't put up with much of my crap. And I love her for it."

"And she doesn't take sucking up either." Kim responded. He winked at me.

I loved watching them bicker. For an onlooker it was pure entertainment. You could tell they were usually serious in their words, but kept things light and fun between them. They didn't let their disagreements get out of hand.

"So where's Sam?" Kim asked.

"Right here," his low voice said behind me.

He pulled me against his chest. I looked up and saw him staring back down at me. His hair was still wet and I felt a drop fall on my nose. He wiped it away with a finger.

"Sorry about that."

"It's all right." The doorbell rang.

"I'll get that. Be right back." He placed a small kiss on my forehead and left for the front door. Jared sniffed the air.

"Pizza? I'll come and help." Jared added before trailing after Sam.

"So what's on the agenda for tonight besides the pizza?"

"I don't know, Kim. I hadn't really thought that far."

"How about we play a game?"

"I'm not sure if Sam owns any games that don't require a remote controller."

"Probably not. You know, now that there are two of us girls, we should take some control."

"I thought you said we already did hold the control," I whispered.

"Well, we do, but I mean we should de-bachelor pad this place. Big screen TV with two different game systems. Come one, what are the two of us supposed to do here?" She spoke quietly.

"You've got a point. So what we bring in board games?"

"Sure, and some girly movies that don't include war, fight scenes, or car chases."

"I don't know if we have that much power, Kim."

"We do, trust me."

"Girls, your pizza is getting cold," Jared called out.

"Coming," Kim yelled back.

Kim grinned at me and pulled me into the living room after her. I had already put a pair of plates in the living room earlier while I was waiting on everyone. We each grabbed one and filled our plate. The boys were each already on their second pizzas when we each sat next to them. Some ball game was on the television.

"This isn't going to work."

"What won't work, babe?" Jared asked.

"I refuse to watch yet another football game. I didn't even think games were played on Fridays except for high school. Plus it looks like it has crappy reception."

"It's ESPN Classic."

"Meaning what?"

"Meaning this is a classic game from 1984."

"You weren't even alive then, so what do you care? Bella, get the remote." I looked over at Sam.

"Don't give in, Sam. Be strong, be a man, be a wolf," Jared said.

"Sam," I said moving closer to him.

"Sam, don't do it."

"Sam, I don't want to watch this," I said pouting. Sam's eyes flickered to Jared then back to me.

"Come on, Sam. Fight it. Fight the imprint."

"Sam, please hand over the remote." He sighed and I felt victory coming on. He looked to Jared, shrugged and handed the remote over. "Thank you," I said leaving a kiss on his cheek.

We spent the evening watching pointless reality television. I didn't really care for it, but it seemed to really make Kim happy. I had a feeling that before me, she got out voted in the activities that the pack took part in.

It was getting late and I knew I still had the drive home to make. I snuggled closer to Sam before speaking.

"I should head home. I have work in the morning."

"Right, we should be going too," Kim said.

"What are you two doing tomorrow? I promised Kim I would take her out instead of us just sitting at home like we normally do."

"We've got nothing planned. Bella, would you like to go out? We don't do that often either."

"That sounds nice to me. What were planning on?"

"Well, we thought about a movie, but I think since we watch what you two girls wanted tonight, that we shouldn't be subjected to a chick flick tomorrow."

"Fair enough, but I don't feel like an action, blood filled movie either."

"So that leaves out going to a movie," Sam concluded.

"What about bowling?" Kim asked excitedly. Jared, Sam and I all groaned. "Or not. It was just a suggestion."

"A bad one, babe. Sorry, but it would be impossible for Sam and I to get shoes that would fit. And then we'd get in trouble for not having appropriate footwear on."

"So what do you suggest then?"

"How about going to play pool?"

"Where can you do that around here?" I asked. Jared smirked and I knew the answer would be interesting.

"The Wolves' Den." I couldn't hold in the snort.

"That's a bar, Jared. How would any of us besides Sam get in?" Kim reasoned.

"Well, I look twenty-one easy. And it's not like it's a straight laced kind of place. I'm sure with us they would let you in. Don't you think, Sam?"

"I know Gerry, the owner, pretty well. I'm sure he wouldn't mind as long as weren't drinking."

"See, problem solved," Jared said triumphantly.

"Great, it should be fun. Or at least different," I added.

"I'm sure it will be amusing in the least."

"Why do you say that, Sam?" I asked.

"Because I can just imagine how well you play pool, baby."

"Hey, that's not very nice, Sam Uley."

"I only speak the truth, Bella Swan."

"Humph."

"Sounds like a date then." Kim added.

"Guys, do you maybe think we should invite Paul?"

"Why, he'll only be a jerk to you, Bella."

"Yeah, Jared, but I've got to try to reach out with an olive branch sometime, don't you think?"

"I think she's right. The only way Paul is going to get over himself is if he gets to know Bella for who she is. I think it would be nice for us to all go out as a pack, and what better place to do that than The Wolves Den."

So Saturday night I found myself in Sam's arms in a bar. He was right, the owner let Kim and me on the premise that we wouldn't try to drink. We happily agreed. Paul and Jared took full advantage of their older looks to drink a few beers. They were severely disappointed to find that after four beers they weren't even starting to feel a buzz.

"What the fuck? Can we not get drunk?" Jared asked aggravated.

"Sam did. How did you do it?" I winced at the memory that Paul brought on for me. Finding a depressed and drinking Sam the day after my birthday was a memory that I had blocked out. He had looked awful and it was my fault.

"I drank nonstop for twelve hours. I'd say I drank over fifty beers."

"Damn, that's a lot of beer," Paul muttered.

"More like that's a lot of money. That sucks. We can't even afford to get drunk."

"The Council needs to up our pay."

"The tribe does not allocate the two of you money so you can get wasted."

"Oh come on, Sam. What do they expect with a job like ours?"

"For you to be responsible."

"You weren't."

"Paul, it was a one time thing. I was going through stuff."

"You mean precious Bella broke your heart."

"I misinterpreted what was going to happen. Bella did nothing wrong."

"She was dating a freaking leech. I think that's wrong on many, many different levels."

"Paul, just shut it. We're all here to have a good time," Jared interjected.

"Fine, whatever. No fun for me or Jared."

"Let's just play pool," Kim suggested.

I was feeling a similar emotion as I was on Wednesday playing dodge ball. Humiliation. Apparently I sucked at everything. I wondered how one person could stink at so many different things. Half of playing pool was geometry. I excelled in that class, so what was my problem? Jared was pretty decent. Kim was surprisingly good. Sam could shoot better than I could behind his back with one eye closed. And Paul. Well, it seemed that Paul was an ace at pool. He could shoot with both eyes closed.

We played nine ball for one game with each couple a team and Paul on his own. Paul found that was no fun as there wasn't any competition for him. He started playing at the table next to us with some scary, tattooed guy.

Kim and Jared made a team and Sam and I made the other when we went back to regular pool. Game two ended quickly when on my third shot, I hit the eight ball in a pocket. Instant game over.

Everyone felt bad that I sucked so much, so game number three started with me attempting to break.

"Just take your time, Bella. Take a deep breath in before taking the shot," Kim encouraged.

"Line up the stick to hit the cue ball in its center," Jared instructed.

"Pull the stick back and swing it back hard. Normally you wouldn't hit hard, but when breaking, you can use a little more power," Sam guided.

Okay, take a deep breath. Line the stick up with the cue ball. Pull the stick back. Hit the stick on something. No, that's not the next step. I was supposed to pull it back and hit the cue ball.

"Arg, fuck!" That doesn't sound good.

I turned around to see what I hit. Behind me on the ground was Paul. His eyes were shut tight and he was holding his crouch in his hands. Uh oh.

"Did I do that?" I said, looking toward Sam nervously. His mouth was shut tightly and he nodded his head slowly while his eyes danced with laughter.

"Hell yeah you did," Jared laughed. "Oh man, that was great." Paul growled from his spot on the ground.

"I am so sorry, Paul." He growled again, rocking slightly on the ground.

"Well, look at it this way, Bella. At least you finally hit some balls," Jared said before bursting out in complete laughter. He was bent over in his fit of hilarity. Sam joined him.

"It's okay, Bella. You didn't mean to do it," Kim tried to assure me.

"God, I'm such a screw up. Paul, I really am sorry. I didn't realize you were right behind me."

"Fuck you," he snarled.

"Paul!" Sam yelled. "It was an accident. She apologized. Get over it."

"You let her hit you in the balls and see how you feel."

"I'm sure it hurt, but snapping at her won't do anything but piss me off."

"Oh right, I'm sorry. Perfect Bella can do no wrong."

"I'm not perfect," I mumbled.

This night was night turning out how I wanted it to. I really just wanted Paul to accept me. He didn't even have to like me, just accept me. Paul pulled himself off the ground.

"I'm out."

"Please don't go," I begged.

"Why? I'm just the fifth wheel anyway."

"No you're not. You're with your brothers and their girlfriends. Please don't leave. I really just want to get to know you, Paul."

"Well, I don't want to know you."

"Paul, just give her a chance. She's trying," Jared tried.

"I see that she's trying, I just don't care. Sorry, but I don't think it's right that you're an imprint. It goes against tradition and the laws of the tribe."

"Tradition isn't always right."

"We'll see."

"Paul…" I wanted to say something, I just couldn't think of what would actually work.

"It's not personal, honestly, it's not. I'm sure you're a great person besides your love for leeches. You're trying, but it's not enough. Trying to get to know me isn't showing me that you belong here, that you're right for my Alpha or for my tribe."

With that he walked out and I felt like giving up.

Author's Note: So just a fun fact. My best friend actually did hit a guy in his lower region while playing pool one summer at a beach condo. We didn't know the guy before coming to the condo that week, but it was actually his sister that made the "at least you finally hit some balls" comment.