Only the "Strong" Survive | Paul Lahote |

*chapter twenty-nine*

The next couple days were weird. Sure I still saw Paul, but he didn't sleep over. He was still just as affectionate, holding my hands and kissing me and such, but didn't seem to want to be alone with me. Any fool could've figured out why, I'd made an ass out of myself assuming he wanted sex just because he took me to his place all alone. Paul was better than that, kinder than that, more caring than that. He wasn't the guy to toy with me to only get what he wanted and I should've been more accepting and happier about that than I had been. I should've apologized to him, but I guess I just didn't want to be the one to bring it up.

"So the bonfire tonight, I'll have hot dogs and hamburgers as usual and some brownies and chips. And Sue is bringing some mac n cheese and some potato salad. Do you think that'll be enough?" Emily asked moving around the kitchen making lunch.

"I think it'll be fine. You know how the boys eat, regardless of how much food they'll still be hungry after." I said and we both laughed.

The elders and Sam decided to throw a bonfire tonight since the weather was good, and they wanted to celebrate the battle. Jacob had fully healed and everything seemed to be completely calmed down. There was still the Cullen's and Bella and they always seemed to be drama, but for now it was fine.

The boys came rushing in, hungry as always. They'd been outside rough housing and racing like children. Paul sat down next to me and kissed my cheek as the other boys started getting their plates.

"What time as we starting tonight?" Embry said with a mouth full of food.

"Seven and don't talk with food in your mouth." Emily laughed as she smacked his hand with the spatula she was holding.

Jared laughed too, and then looked over at Paul, "Rachel's coming tonight too."

The room got silent and I awkwardly looked around at their faces. Paul looked a little stunned.

"Who's Rachel...?" I spoke interrupting the awkward silence.

Embry and Quil began talking amongst themselves. Jared and Paul shared a look before Paul shifted in his seat before looking down at me with a small smile. A fake smile.

"She's uh Jacob's sister." He said.

Obviously there was something I was missing but I tried not to read into it, so I just nodded. Jared chuckled a little and Paul hit his arm. Emily leaned against the counter shooting daggers at Paul, and that's when I was certain something was up. The boys being dumb and teasing was something I was used to, but Emily glaring at him meant there was more to the story.

I ignored it, and ignored the feeling in my gut that made me want to ask a million questions. Seth was on my other side so I started talking to him, he'd been up late playing some video games and was telling me all about it and the boss level he'd beaten.

After eating Paul and Jared went outside, not saying anything to anyone else. I could tell something was off but he didn't even give me a chance to ask. I really wanted to who Rachel was, what she looked like, if she was nice, what the deal with her and Paul was. It made me feel really insecure and it was only a brief mention of her, I hoped this wasn't the way that I would feel the whole night.

"Want me to help with anything?" I asked Emily as she was gathering things to take to her car.

"Please grab as much as you can. I hate when these boys just leave and help with nothing."

I started stacking the metal tins and the condiments on top of each other. Bringing them out and then going back inside to grab more. We got it all on the car, and she drove us down to the beach parking and opening the trunk so we could starting moving things out again. The tables were already set up, and Sam came over providing us with some aide thankfully.  I could see Paul tossing a football around with Seth and Embry. Jared and Quil came running up the table and began pestering Emily.