All characters from Twilight belong to Stephanie Meyer. I own nothing except my version of events.

Chapter 19

"You're leaving for the weekend?"

"Yeah," I respond, haphazardly folding a shirt and stuffing it into my duffle bag while I talk to Paul over the phone. "Leah wanted to take a mini vacation. You know she's been working for you practically nonstop since the bar opened up. She needed a break."

"Oh, you're going with Leah…"

"She didn't mention that?"

"No."

"Oh, well I am…" I say slowly, wondering why he sounded so worried about it. "Is that a problem?"

There's a lengthy pause before he finally responds. "No, it's just… Why didn't you tell me this morning?"

I shrug my shoulders as an answer. Then stupidly remember I'm on the phone and he obviously can't see me, I respond with actual words. "I don't know. Just forgot, I guess. You tend to make me forget about a lot of things whenever you're around."

I expect a laugh from him but it never comes, instead he asks, "Your mom is going too?"

"No. She's staying back. She thinks it's a good idea for me to have a weekend away from her."

"Oh." He answers with a weird tone to his voice. What was that? "Is Jacob and Embry going to be there?"

"Nope. I told you it's just Leah and I. It's a girl's trip."

I stop packing and frown. It suddenly occurred to me that maybe Paul wouldn't exactly approve of my plans. Not that it really mattered if he did or didn't. Honestly, I didn't think I needed to tell him at all. The only reason I was doing so now was because it would be rude if I didn't and he ended up coming over tonight only to find me missing.

"You okay?"

"Yeah, sure." I can almost hear the effort he's exerting to sound so indifferent about it. "I'll just miss you." He finally says.

That gets a smile out of me. "I'll miss a lot of other parts of you too."

I hear his semi-hesitant chuckle over the line. "I have a long list of all the things I'll miss."

"That long, huh?"

"You have no idea."

"I'll be back Monday… see you then?"

"Absolutely."

We don't say much after that and I hang up to finish packing.

From all our past conversations, that had to be one of the weirdest ones. And it was unsettling for me to feel like he thought I was doing something wrong. I also wasn't aware of why I was supposed to tell him of my plans beforehand. I've never had to in the past, so why would I start now?

I roll my eyes and release an annoyed huff. I was exerting way too much energy onto something so unimportant. Our phone conversation had ended on a good note and that was that. No need to fuss over it when there was nothing to fuss over in the first place.

I finish packing and take my bag with me, placing it on the dining room table while I get a snack and waited for Leah.

"Hey, honey. You're packed already?"

"Yeah." I respond to my mother, turning in her direction as she walks out from her side of the house.

She looked like she'd just rolled out of bed, her hair sticking out in odd places and a yawn coming out of her as she hugs me and moves away to make herself some coffee.

It was pretty late, almost noon, and so I wondered at what time my mother had arrived last night and where the hell she'd been that late and in Forks. It wasn't exactly known for its nightlife. Everything closed down by nine, including weekends.

"What time did you get home?" I question curiously.

"Not that late. I just couldn't sleep."

I narrow my eyes at her, suspicion quickly growing.

I was pretty sure I'd heard the front door opening some time past two in the morning. 'Course at the time I'd been too busy with Paul's fingers in all the right places and I wasn't about to stop him just to ask if he'd heard my mom coming home.

Lucky for her I didn't have the time to worry about what she'd be up to while I was away. Leah needed me on my game this weekend and I couldn't let her down. And so I ignore my mother's issues for the time being, or at least as much as I can as I watch her making herself breakfast, or more accurately, her lunch. Still, I can't help but to ask one last time.

"Are you sure you'll be okay without me? Why don't you come with us?"

She shakes her head with a smile. "I'll be fine, don't worry about me. I know you're in much need of a break from me and I can't hold it against you. Go relax and have some fun with your friends from school."

I analyze her quietly, wondering if she's telling the truth or if she was just saying it only because she thought it's what I wanted to hear.

Though technically, she wasn't wrong. I've been around her for almost two months straight. I was in much need of a break from her. I was so independent that I was getting antsy being stuck here in Forks, spending my days trying to entertain her in this small ass town. The only reprieve I had was spending my nights with Paul.

And my mother was well aware of his nightly visits. I never hid it from her, especially because, for some strange reason, it made Paul happy. I didn't necessarily mind, though. My mother had proven to be trustworthy, at least when it came to this, easily keeping our secret from the rest of the pack thus far. She'd also played it cool, not making a big ole' fuss about Paul's constant presence here, which was a win already.

She hadn't made any uncomfortable comments on those days when Paul would stay longer into the day to have breakfast with us. She acted like her normal charismatic self while not purposefully stealing his attention away from me. Surprising to say the least. My mother, the renowned romantic, wasn't making a big deal about our situation and I was pretty amazed by her newfound self-control these days.

"Ok. Well call me if you need anyth–"

"I'm here, Bitch, let's hit the road!" Leah hollers, entering the house as if she owned the place.

"Good morning to you too, Leah." I grumble.

She only laughs. So brightly I almost have to raise my hand up to shield my eyes from the radiance of her smile. Jesus.

"You're looking chipper today." My mother comments, smiling slightly as she watches Leah over the mug of coffee she's currently taking a sip from. When she sets the cup down on the counter she smiles in a teasing manner. "Might it have something to do with a certain boy with long flowing hair and biceps that–"

"Mom!" I hiss at her, hoping her words wouldn't trigger Leah's protective wolf from coming out.

Leah's eye twitches, but thankfully she doesn't growl.

"Okay, okay." My mom placates, "Pretend I never said anything."

Easier said than done.

I grab my bag and quickly move towards Leah before she has a chance to respond. "Alright, let's go. I'm ready." Practically forcing Leah to turn back out the door she'd just come in from.

Thankfully she doesn't fight me.

I look back over my shoulder at my mother one last time before walking out the door. "See you Monday!"

She hollers her goodbye as I close the door behind me.

I turn to Leah, ready to reprimand her on her lack of control. "Damn, I've never seen anyone getting angry over the mention of anyone's biceps before."

Her eyes narrow down on me and I roll my eyes, reaching to open the passenger door of her car.

"Oh loosen up will ya?! Also, I'd like to take this opportunity to remind you to control that irrational temper when it comes to your– uh… you know who. I'm sure you wouldn't want Julian to think you're crazy."

Leah releases an annoyed huff as she settles into the driver's seat. "I honestly can't help it, it's my wolf. She comes out of me without meaning to. I mean it's your mom. How the hell can my wolf possibly find her threatening?"

"Hey, she's attractive for her age."

"That's true." She acknowledges, huffing again as she merges onto the highway. "But it makes me nervous for tonight… What if some stupid college girl hits on him while I'm there? I really don't want to turn into a psycho and scare him off!"

"You won't." I say in reassurance. "Plus even if you growl, the music will be so loud no one will be able to hear it. Just as long as you don't go marching in there and piss on him, you should be fine."

"Ha. Ha." She deadpans, rolling her eyes at me.

I laugh loudly. "Come on, that was a good one and you know it."

She doesn't respond but she does smile, and I'm glad I've been able to relieve her worries, at least to some extent. It was still early in the day so who knew how she'd fare by nightfall.

"I'm nervous as hell."

"Don't be. You're hot as hell and absolutely lovable when you want to be. Just let him see the side of you no one else has and I guarantee you he won't be able to resist."

"I don't want him to fall in love with me." She argues, her hands gripping the steering wheel a little too tightly. "I just want to get to know him."

"Ok… so if you just want to get to know him for now then relax. There's nothing on the line here. Just be yourself. No pressure, right?"

She doesn't speak for a long moment, as if outweighing the pros and cons. Eventually she agrees. "Right, no pressure."

She only sounded about seventy percent sure but I'd take it for now.

The rest of the drive we pass in casual conversation, though at one point, Leah can't help it and she falls quiet, completely lost in her own mind. I don't bother to interrupt her introspection, giving her the space and time to ruminate over what she's about to do.

Though I'd said it wasn't a big deal… we both knew that it was. Today would determine whether Leah ultimately decided to accept the imprint or if she would take a page out of Paul's book and reject it.

I dreaded to think of Leah going through the same torment Paul had once suffered through. I still remembered the pitiful noises he'd make in his sleep, the unhinged mumbling and uncontrollable trembling of his body. He'd sweat through his sheets during sleep, tossing and turning as if not only gripped by nightmares but unbearable pain too. Picturing Leah in the same state as Paul had once been was outright dreadful.

So I push those thoughts away, thinking more of the positive. Immersing myself into the calm silence to think about how proud I was of Leah for giving herself this opportunity. That she hadn't immediately denied the imprint but instead she'd given herself the time to make a conscientious decision that would be best for her, and not what the tribe or the she-wolf inside of her wanted.

I also took this opportunity to think about what made both Paul and Leah so different from the rest. Of the reasons for them to have had such a different reaction to the imprint compared to that of Sam and Jared. Both of them had instantly fallen for their imprints, their hearts not needing to get to know who their spirits had chosen as mates in order to fall completely in love. The only thing I could think of was their personalities.

Both Leah and Paul were stubborn as hell, relentless in taking what they wanted, refusing to allow for anyone to make decisions for them. They were both so incredibly strong, willful, unshakeable. Traits I admired so much in them.

I was also secretly excited for Leah. She deserved all the best and I truly believed Julian was more than deserving of her. If I weren't the emotionally inept individual that I was, I think I could have probably made it work with him myself. Julian was the kind of person that threw himself into whatever he committed himself to. School was an example, but even in his friendships he did the same. Since I've known him, I've never once heard anyone speak ill of him. Everyone who knew Julian loved him instantly. And he was a good friend, always there to help those whenever he had the means to, so contrary to his physical appearance.

Julian didn't look like a nice guy, he had tattoos all along his arms, his long dark hair and ragged facial hair making him look like a rockstar. He was undoubtedly incredibly hot. I've seen the way the girls at school looked at him. It's also one of the reasons why I'd warned Leah to watch her temper tonight. Even when Julian and I would go out to parties together, Julian making it abundantly clear he was with me, the ladies still refused to take the hint. And even though Julian knew we weren't serious and that I also wouldn't be upset if he did choose to move on to someone else, he never once made a move toward anyone. He faithfully stood by my side and never once appeared as though he wanted to be anywhere else.

And Leah needed that faithful devotion, the genuineness in Julian that was so rare to find. He was definitely a catch. So I was so extremely excited to see where this would lead them. Because I had absolutely no doubt that Leah wouldn't like the person that he was. She only needed to see it for herself. Everything after that would eventually play itself out the way it needed to.

When we finally arrive to my home we both go our separate ways. Leah runs off into the closest crop of trees to release that pent up energy inside of her, and I go to my bedroom to take a nap. I had almost a full day to get ready for the party tonight. In fact, I'd already texted some people from our group of friends on our drive here to figure out what parties were happening tonight. Chastity, the same girl who had given my number to that soccer player I had absolutely no interest in, informed me Mac was having a party tonight. I knew he was friends with Julian and so I figured it was a guarantee he'd be there too, or that he'd at the very least, make an appearance.

Of course it would have been easier to just text Julian directly, but again, I didn't want him to think I was interested in starting up what we'd already wordlessly ended. It was ultimately a tricky situation to be in. And I wanted Julian to be open to talking to Leah freely without thinking I would object to it. I just needed to create an opening. Leah had already imprinted on Julian and I felt it was almost a guarantee that everything would work itself out without me having to directly interfere again.

Easy-peasy.

After my nap I head back into the living room, finding Leah on the couch aimlessly flipping through channels.I can immediately detect her anxiety for tonight. Though her eyes are on the T.V screen, she's not paying attention to it at all.

I swipe the controller out of her hand as I drop my body onto the couch next to her. She harrumphs in annoyance but doesn't argue as I change the channel to find something that interests me.

"So I was thinking you should take my bedroom tonight."

Her head whips in my direction, a confused look appearing on her face. "Why?"

"Just in case you and Julian end up hooking up tonight."

She rolls her eyes at me. "That's not going to happen."

I laugh at her poor attempt at denial. "Maybe not." I say to pacify her, "But just in case it does, it's better for you to take my bedroom. When the guys come back on Monday they'll smell you both in their bedrooms and they'll know exactly what you've been up to this weekend. And we all know you would never take a glance at someone I've previously–" I shut my mouth, stopping myself from finishing that sentence and making her uncomfortable again. "Anyway, if you want to keep it a secret, it's better for you take my room. Just to avoid any suspicion."

"Won't that be weird though? I mean you and him used to–"

She doesn't finish what she was about to say either, her face scrunching up in disgust.

I was hoping we'd both get over that hurdle real soon. It was an unnecessary complication.

"Again, it's weird if you make it weird. I'll take Embry's bedroom tonight. I doubt he'll ask why but if he does, I'll just tell him his mattress is more comfortable than mine. It wouldn't be the first time I've done that."

Leah remains quiet as she thinks over her options and then finally agrees. "Ok, but I still don't think we'll need it."

"Right, I'm sure you won't." I say coolly, not making it seem as though I don't believe her.

Which I really didn't. Leah was so getting laid tonight.

After that we watch T.V., eat, and then start getting ready for the party. I do my makeup quickly but don't bother to go overboard, also keeping my outfit casual with just a pair of shorts and a loose top that falls off one shoulder.

Instead, I focus my attention on Leah, helping her get ready and debating on what outfit looked best on her. At one point, I almost giggled at seeing Leah so flustered. I couldn't even remember how many times she'd changed her outfit and paced around the room mumbling absolutely nonsense to herself. She'd then force me into lengthy debates over each article of clothing. Mostly it involved me convincing Leah that she looked blisteringly bang-able and that there was no way Julian would ever not notice her. Honestly, I firmly believed Julian would be absolutely smitten with Leah no matter what she wore. I was pretty sure he'd find her beautiful in a dirty old moo-moo with leaping sheep's in the print.

Eventually she settles for a pair of shorts that show off her incredible legs, and a crop top with thin straps that showed off her incredibly fit body. I was jealous of those shapeshifter genes, though it was important to note how much more Leah had to sacrifice by just being one.

We finally leave in Leah's car and drive over to the party, which was thankfully not that far from ours. It was, at most, a fifteen minute walk from my home.

As soon as I walk in, there's a few hollered out "Bella's!"

I can feel Leah's warm body following close behind, her unease practically radiating off of her.

"Hey girl, why didn't you tell me you'd be in town this weekend?"

I give Morgan a quick hug as I greet her. "It was a last minute thing. My friend Leah had the weekend off from work and we decided to take a mini vacation." I say, throwing a thumb back to include Leah into our conversation.

"Oh hi," Morgan greets immediately nodding at her. "I'm Morgan and this is Jackie and Christian." She adds at the end when two of our friends join behind her.

We greet them too and together we move over to the drinks, both Leah and I grabbing beers.

"Bella!" A highly familiar voice hollers over the music just as I turn back towards the party.

Thank god, he just saved me from going on a hunt for him.

"Hey." I greet, giving Julian a quick hug and immediately motioning toward Leah. "You remember–"

"Leah. Yeah, of course." Julian cuts me off with a bright smile. "It's nice to see you again."

Leah startles for a second as if hit by an unexpected second wave of the imprint. This time, she comes to quicker and smiles. "Hey."

"How have you been?"

"Good." Leah answers shortly.

I discreetly nudge her with my arm to get her to say more.

"Great!" She exclaims next in a panic.

I bite my lip to refrain from smiling, which earns me a reproachful nudge back from Leah. Except dear Leah is a lot stronger than I am and so I stumble away from the force.

Thankfully I catch myself before completely falling over. Who knows what lay on these dirty ass floors with all these party-goers around us.

The whole time Julian stands there with a hint of humor in his expression. "Watch out for these slippery floors, Bella."

"Thanks." From the corner of my eye I see Leah chugging the entire can of beer in her hands.

"So you didn't tell me you were coming… and bringing Leah too."

"Yeah, last minute thing. We're just here to have some fun. Leah works way too hard. I practically had to drag her out of La Push just to get her to loosen up."

Julian looks back at Leah, clear interest shining in his eyes. "I'd be glad to help you with that. Need another drink?" He asks, pointing to the tables overflowing with alcohol.

"Sure!" She practically squeaks.

I widen my eyes and discreetly lift my hand hiding it behind Julian's gaze, pointing my index finger down to the floor signaling her to lower the high-pitch in her voice.

Leah clears her throat and tries again, "Sure." she says a lot more calmly the second time, adding a careless shrug of a shoulder.

I throw a thumbs up at her and take the opportunity to make my escape. "So I'm gonna take a look around. Catch up with everyone for a bit. I trust you'll take good care of my friend in the meantime." I tell Julian. Without waiting for a response I immediately move away from them.

Leah throws me a harrowed look as I walk away, eyes wide in fear.

I mouth, "You can do this", for the last time before I melt into the crowd.

I don't make it five steps in before my name is being hollered again.

"Well if it isn't sweet little Bella!"

I groan as I see Kyle hollering over the crowd, turning everybody's attention in the surrounding area onto me.

"Hey Kyle."

"Come get your hot ass over here! I've missed the challenge!"

I begrudgingly walk closer, if only to get him to stop screaming at me from across the room. "Not up for drinking all that much tonight."

"Why?" He asks, a taunting edge slipping into his voice. "Because your body guards aren't around to protect you this time?"

I grind my teeth in anger. "I don't need anyone to protect me."

"Then show me what you've got, or have you lost your touch already?"

Now I know the right thing to do here would be to walk away, to not let Kyle's impervious taunts make me do something I didn't want to do. And for the first time in my life I actually find it easy to do.

"Not gonna work tonight, Kyle." I lightly dismiss, taking a casual sip of my beer.

"Aww." He pouts, making it obvious he's goading me. "So it's true. You've lost your game. That's too bad."

"Just as expected." Says another taunting voice, "Bella running away when it gets too rough."

My eyes swivel to the newcomers. Sadly, I mean for him, it takes me a few moments to figure out who the hell he is. The piercing on his left brow as he arches it up at me helps a great deal.

"Reed. Still crying over that breakfast I refused to go to, I see."

"You were the one practically begging me to take you." He lies.

"I'm sure no one would ever believe that. Stop trying to make yourself feel better and accept rejection. It happens to everyone."

He walks closer, his eyes just a little sharper than before. "Shame over what? You were the one who was too chicken-shit to tell me yourself, you had to send in your lap dog to chase me away."

I look from side to side, making it obvious I'm looking for who he's referring to though I know I won't find him. "He's not here now. Would you like me to tell you myself this time?"

Kyle suddenly appears next to Reed slinging a pacifying arm over his shoulder. "Hey now! No need to bring up unhealed wounds tonight. We're here to party!"

Everyone cheers in agreement around us.

Reed angrily shakes Kyle's arm off of him.

It doesn't deter Kyle in the slightest. "This is about me and Bella. No more taunts. How about just a friendly game to welcome you back?"

And just to get away from Reed's sudden hostility, I agree. "Sure."

He whoops and so does the rest of the crowd surrounding the table.

"Alright, Little Bella. Same rules as always."

I nod and stand on the opposite side of the table, facing Kyle and the pyramid of haphazardly arranged red cups. Whoever set these up were probably half-way to shit faced already, and it was still pretty early in the night.

"Ladies first." I taunt with a smile.

That gets a round of 'oohs' from the crowd around us.

Kyle only chuckles, shaking his head and taking the free pass. He misses on the first throw.

"Who's the one that's rusty again?"

Unlike Kyle, I don't miss on my first throw. I take another turn but miss the second. I didn't want this game to end too fast. To be honest, it felt good to be in my element again. Of getting lost in a simple game that required absolutely no mental exertion.

He grabs the cup I made it in and pulls out the little plastic orange ball floating on the liquid inside. He takes it all in one swallow. He uses the same ball to make his next throw, landing it into the cup next to the center one. He cleans the second ball in the cup filled with clean water and throws again. He doesn't miss the second one either. He ends it with a triumphant smile and signals for me to drink both.

I laugh and chug both, after setting those two to the side, it's my turn to throw again.

"Come on, B!"

"You got this!"

"Show that asshole who the real winner is!"

I laugh heartily, shaking my head at the unnecessary words of encouragement. It was just a silly game anyway.

Funny how before I would take this game so damned seriously, as if my reputation would really take a hit at losing a stupid useless game. I guess a lot of things about me have changed in just a short amount of time. Who would've thought?

I throw and make the next two balls in.

By the next two rounds Leah and Julian have migrated to where I'm playing. I can't help but to notice how close they already appear to be. They're practically snuggling, their sides tightly pressed against each other.

I'm extremely happy to see them like this, looking so comfortable around each other already. Leah finally didn't look so frazzled, quite the opposite actually. She looked relaxed, her eyes dancing whenever they were anywhere near Julian's form. He, too, looked absolutely smitten. Exactly how I'd predicted he would be.

Without realizing it I lose the game, completely absorbed in watching Leah and Julian's quickly blooming romance.

"Now don't pout, little Bella." Kyle consoles, a wide smile still in place. "There's always a chance for a rematch!"

"Not even close to pouting, you goof. And I'll take that rematch another time." I passively reject, moving to stand next to Leah.

It's followed by a chorus of disappointed exclamations but it quickly dies down when two couples take either ends of the table, readying to start a paired game this time around.

"What happened?! I can't believe you lost." Julian disbelievingly comments from Leah's other side.

I shrug my shoulders, "Not my night, I guess. It's alright, though."

"Such a gracious loser." Leah says with a laugh.

"Why have enemies when you have friends like Leah?"

She sticks her tongue out at me and we both laugh.

"How long have you two been friends?" Julian asks with interest.

"Since as far as I can remember. Toddlers probably."

"More like babies." Leah corrects, "Bella's parents used to come down to the reservation almost every weekend. Our dads are best friends."

"Don't let Billy hear you say that." I caution humorously. "That's Jacob's dad, by the way." Making it clear for Julian's sake.

"Woah. I didn't know you knew Jacob and Embry for that long too." Julian comments, looking on in surprise.

"Never came up. Forks, where my dad lives, is right next door to La Push. I was born there and after my parents divorced I spent all my summers practically living there."

"So you're more like sisters." Julian concludes.

"Yeah." Leah says, a sudden look of love filling her expression as she looks upon me. "Just like sisters."

I smile in response, soaking up this weirdly tender moment in the most oddest of places. But Leah has always been that way, showing the barest glimpses of herself randomly whenever the feeling struck. It made me savor those rare moments the most.

"Bella!" Kyle hollers again, appearing beside me out of nowhere. "Care to dance, little lady?"

I'm slightly startled by the flirtatious tone in his voice. In the past Kyle has been nothing but frustratingly annoying to me.

"Are you being nice because I finally lost?" I question suspiciously.

He laughs boisterously. "No, I just want to dance. And why not with you?"

"Quite the smooth talker."

He rolls his eyes, placing his drink randomly on the stone trimming along the wall and extending his hand toward me. "Come on, one dance won't kill you."

"We'll go too." Julian adds helpfully, offering his own hand to Leah.

I swear Leah blushes, looking utterly hypnotized as she wordlessly takes Julian's hand and allows him to guide her towards the dancing crowd.

"Bella?" Kyle questions again.

Eh, why not? It's not like I was going to stand around and watch Julian and Leah like a creep all I begrudgingly take his hand and let him guide me towards the dance floor too.

He takes the spot next to Leah and Julian who are already completely lost in their own little world. It forces a smile to take residence on my face as I turn my attention to Kyle.

He smiles too and pulls me closer, beginning to sway to the music. I follow his lead and let the music guide my movements. I allow myself to get lost in it, the vibrations of the speakers filtering into my body and making me feel like I too was vibrating with it.

I soon find myself utterly relaxed. These past couple of months have been so stressful with my mother around. Of course since we've had that serious conversation where my mom promised to be better, our interactions have been more honest and less emotionally draining. Neither one of us has been bothering with pretenses, instead, we've been trying to show each other who we truly were. For the first time in… ever, I found myself actually proud of my mother's progress.

She wasn't always giddy anymore. Her exuberant personality had calmed down some and I felt as though she was trying to show me her more authentic self. It was like getting to know my mother all over again, as crazy as that might sound. The only thing that saddened me was that it had taken us this long for us to face the realities of our toxic mother-daughter relationship. That we'd wasted so much time on pretending to be the kind of people we thought we had to be.

But alas, we were finally working on it and getting to a better place as a result. Of course, it still wasn't perfect, and we still had a lot of things to work on, but at least we were both trying this time. It wasn't just me putting in all the effort anymore.

I was also surprised that my mother had also agreed it was healthier for us to not spend every waking moment in each other's presence as she'd thought we needed to at the beginning. Sometimes she would go off on her own, driving to Port Angeles to meet with an old friend of hers. Other times she'd go shopping on her own when she knew I wasn't in the mood for that kind of expedition.

I appreciated the distance.

Yes, we were closer than ever before but that didn't necessarily mean I wanted to spend every waking moment with her.

It also gave me the chance to spend some time alone with Paul. Sometimes we'd hang out at my house or his, other times we'd go over to Sam's to play with the kiddos. We'd already babysat them on a couple of nights so that Sam and Emily could go out for date nights. Paul was so great with the kids. Kaden absolutely loved him, and though Athy couldn't speak yet, I knew she absolutely adored him too. He looked so adorable playing cars with Kaden. He also never shied away from changing Athy's diapers either. He was actually better at it than I was. It was surprising, and yet not. Paul was dependable but also so unexpected, always in a good way.

And as I mindlessly sway to the music, I couldn't help but to feel disappointed that I was so far from him now. That he wouldn't be able to come over and spend the night with me like he usually did. I craved his body daily, never seeming to get enough of him. His skin on mine was like no other, the warmth he radiated while simultaneously sending chills along my skin when his touch enchanted me. He was good at building the tension, even with a simple heated look that electrified me from within. And when he was finally inside of me, god it was fucking glorious. Just thinking about it made me weak in the knees.

"You can't possibly be drunk already?"

I startle, my eyes blinking open and reminding me of where I was. "I'm good." I call over my shoulder.

Kyle grabs my waist and turns me around to face him. "You're fucking hot, you know that?"

"So I've been told." I say with a confident smirk.

His head bends down, suddenly nearing closer to my face. "I know we've never really gotten along, but do you think maybe we could…?"

I fill in the blank space in the unfinished suggestion, knowing exactly where he was going with it. He wasn't exactly making it a secret, not with his mouth now inches from mine.

I pull away from him just before his lips touch mine, giving him a placating smile to avoid angering him with my rejection.

"Tempting, but I'm kind of involved with someone."

Both of his brows lift up to his hairline in both surprise and shock.

I felt the same way. I'm just as surprised by my response as he was.

"Really? Who?"

"No one." Is my automatic response.

Kyle chuckles, his head shaking almost in disbelief. "Well, damn. Whoever this no one is, is one lucky fucking guy."

"It's not like that." I argue.

"Like what?"

"It's not serious."

He arches a brow. "It's serious enough for you to reject me. I mean, look at me." He points out confidently, his hand moving down to motion his body.

I laugh but really do take a long appraising look at him.

Kyle really was highly attractive. He was tall with light blonde hair, the alternating colorful lights from above us shining down onto his hair and reflecting back its beautiful colors. His body was amazing too. He was in the football team so he was extremely broad and very, very muscular, his biceps almost the size of my head.

He was nice to look at, and yet not a single part of me was interested in finding out what our bodies could do to each other.

Weird…

"Well, thanks but no thanks. Though I'm sure Molly, over there, would be more than willing to take a ride on that bull." I compliment him, my eyes pointedly looking at his crotch.

He laughs boisterously, his eyes moving to Molly who is standing by the beer pong tables but whose attention is divided between us and the table. He finally nods in easy acceptance. "Your loss." He says, giving me one last smile before heading toward her.

I watch him go in confusion, trying to figure out when exactly I'd decided to stay monogamous. It's not like Paul and I were in a relationship, we were just friends. But for some reason I couldn't muster up the same thrill of excitement I usually felt when I found someone who caught my interest enough to take home. It used to be so natural before, so effortless. And now it felt so effortless to say no to an easy hook-up.

Oh how the tables have turned, sweet little Bella…

Shaking my head at those unsettling thoughts, I turn towards Julian and Leah, finding them lip locked and looking about ready to rip each other's clothes off right here on the dance floor.

"Leah!" I exclaim, poking her on her arm.

She easily ignores me.

"Leah!" I exclaim, much louder this time adding a hard slap to her arm.

This time she does acknowledge me, begrudgingly releasing Julian's lips to look at me with a supremely annoyed expression.

"I'm heading home. You guys coming?"

Her eyes immediately snap to Julian's, a wordless question in their depths. Without a single moment of hesitation, Julian nods. Leah smiles brightly in response, Julian mimics the expression.

I laugh, not caring at all if Leah could hear me, but she is so caught up in Julian's gaze that she's already forgotten I exist. I tap Julian's hand this time and motion for him to follow.

Thankfully he pays attention to me more and nods, following after me and holding onto Leah's hand as we weave through the mass of bodies. I breathe a lung full of fresh air as soon as we reach outdoors and we immediately head straight for the car.

I slyly take Leah's keys from her pocket, not that she notices with her mouth already attached to Julian's again. I smile, despite how gross I find their groping, and open the back door for them, pushing against Julian's back so that he can get in and pull Leah along with him. Thankfully I'm sober enough to drive after not even finishing a can of beer. And that was weird too...

The paramour in the back seat don't let up during the entire drive home. I'm supremely thankful it's not that long of a drive. I really wanted this to happen for them but that didn't mean I actually wanted to see it unfold before my eyes.

Voyeurism was so not my thing.

I glide up into the driveway and escape out of the car as soon as possible without bothering to tell them we were home. If they wanted to fuck in the car, who was I to tell them otherwise? But just in case, I leave the front door unlocked. They would use it eventually, either tonight or tomorrow morning.

I make my way into Embry's bedroom and strip out of my clothes, immediately putting on a T-shirt that Paul had left in my bedroom back in Forks just this morning. I snuggle under the covers, lifting the front hem of his t-shirt up to my nose. I breathe in Paul's uniquely delicious smell, thankfully, still embedded in the t-shirt's fibers. I relax my body and finally settle, embracing sleep, my mind unwittingly swirling with images of Paul behind my closed lids.