Chapter Five

Blair and Hailey were enthralled in what was happening before them.

'This is getting so intense, I feel like we're watching a horror movie – not TV,' Hailey whispered in hushed tones as they watched the television intently.

'I know,' Blair agreed. 'It's too intense, I mean I just don't trust anyone! Definitely not that cop!'

Suddenly the channel switched to one of sports and the girls looked around the room confused.

'Hey what the hell...' Blair grumbled, her frown deepening when she saw who was responsible. 'Cade,' she practically growled at him.

He responded with a roll of his eyes, 'You've got to be kidding me, I can't believe you watch that crap.'

'Hey Pretty Little Liars is a really good show,' Hailey argued, defending the new show they discovered one afternoon. The two best friends loved watching it every Monday and discussing the characters like they actually existed – they probably wouldn't admit it to anyone else they knew, but Cade hardly counted.

He chuckled at them, 'That's so lame. You're blood-related to me Hailey, you have the potential to be cool...'

They frowned at his joke not finding it particularly funny.

'Switch the channel back Cade,' Blair tried to sound forceful.

He dragged his gaze away from the TV to raise an eyebrow in Blair's direction, then he grinned. 'Nah I don't think I will.' He loved getting a rise out of her, he was surprised she still fell for it every time.

She sighed heavily, 'Seriously, get lost we were watching TV first.'

'Sorry Blair that's not really going to work, the European Cup is on right now so no bunch of liars are going to stop me watching it, no matter how pretty they are' he winked at her causing her to blush and look away.

Blair opened her mouth to continue arguing when Hailey stopped her, 'Whatever,' she told Cade. 'We can just watch the repeat in a few hours B,' she said trying to avoid another verbal fight between Blair and Cade. She seemed to have witnessed two of them since Blair moved back in and wasn't sure why they weren't gelling well. Hailey didn't really get along with Cade either, but he and Blair seemed to clash in a bad way. It was as though he enjoyed tormenting her, and Blair never seemed to give up when it came to fighting back.

Blair clamped her mouth shut and followed Hailey out of the room trying not giving him the satisfaction of seeing her mad. The girls decided to do some school work before dinner and try and take their minds of their annoying addition to the family. What was worse was Jane's absolute devotion to Cade. She adored him, thought the world of him. He could do no wrong in her eyes and that was beginning to piss Blair off big time.

'So I was talking to Brady today at school,' Hailey said as they worked at her desk. 'He mentioned Jacob has been talking about me to some of the guys at basketball.'

Blair's head shot up quickly, that didn't sound too good. Almost like Jacob had been bragging or dishing out on Hailey and him, but she smiled when she saw the dreamy look on Hailey's face. Hailey obviously meant talking about her in a good way.

'Oh yeah? What was he saying?' She teased lightly.

'Just stupid things like how I wasn't like other girls, and he was going to ask me out on Friday night at his party...'

Blair gasped excitedly, 'Did he? Hails that's awesome, he's such a good guy. You deserve it.'

Hailey grinned at her best friend, 'He is, isn't he.' Then she looked smiled slyly, 'You know he has heaps of good looking friends...'

Blair rolled her eyes, 'Of course he does, he's in the basketball team every single guy on that team is good looking.'

'Ew, except Cade,' Hailey wrinkled her nose and Blair nodded in agreement. Although she didn't technically agree with that at all much to her dismay.

'Girls, dinner in five,' Jane's voice called out from the kitchen.

Hailey disappeared off downstairs and Blair made a beeline for the bathroom only to bump straight into her least favourite person at the door. She stopped suddenly and took in his appearance, he was wearing a towel wrapped around his waist and nothing else. Quite similar to the other morning when she awoke in his bed... But something was different.

His hair wasn't wet yet – he was going into the shower!

'What? No!' Blair tried to maneuver herself in between him and the door. 'You can't only be going in to the shower, you take literally forever in there!'

He chuckled and held his ground next to the door, 'Literally forever? Do you even know the meaning of that word?'

'Ugh, it's an expression dumbass,' she retorted. 'You take ages in the shower, let me use the bathroom really quickly. Besides dinner is ready, you won't have time for a shower, go put your clothes on you poser.'

Now he was plain just enjoying himself, leaning back against the door blocking her entry and smiling sweetly at her. 'Am I making you nervous Blair?' He said her name so softly and she had flashbacks of the other night where he was moaning her name as they kissed. 'You didn't mind so much last week, you were begging me to take my shirt off.'

All her insults died at the tip of her tongue as she stepped back ever so slightly. She could feel that familiar tug at the pit of her stomach, excitement maybe? She couldn't quite pinpoint it.

'Ah, speechless Blair. Now that's sexy,' he joked grinning at her, not failing to notice how her cheeks were flushed in embarrassment. He stepped to the side unblocking the door in front of her, 'After you princess.'

She didn't say anything as she moved quickly past him inside the bathroom, vivid flashbacks of them hooking up the other night bright in her mind. She turned the tap on to wash her hands and was confused why she had made such a big deal about using the bathroom... She only needed to wash her hands before dinner, the house had over three other sinks she could have used. She frowned at herself in the mirror willing her blush to die down, hoping Cade hadn't noticed it as much as she did. She waited a few more minutes, flushed the unused toilet and then left.

I need to get a grip, she thought to herself as she made her way downstairs and into the kitchen.

...

'Well, well, well what have we got here? I swear to God Blair if I catch you one more time at a party without a drink in your hand there will be consequences.'

Blair spun around with a small laugh to hug Brady, 'Why do you always sound so seedy?'

It was Friday night, quite late and the girls had arrived at Jacobs house over an hour ago for the party. It wasn't as big as the last one, a lot more of a selective crowd. In fact Blair felt extremely out of place and was planning her exit when she ran into Brady.

'It's who I am love,' he grinned at her. 'So drink?'

She shook her head regretfully, 'Sorry, I'm not drinking.' She had made that executive decision after her run in with Cade outside the bathroom. She frankly didn't trust herself at all around him, so being drunk around him was a definite no-no.

'What?' He seemed so confused by the action Blair was beginning to think he was a bit of an alcoholic. 'But you guys live so close, so you're not driving...' He trailed off looking at her thoughtfully. 'This isn't something to do with that sexy guy you were macking on with last weekend is it?'

Blair knew she was blushing, 'Shut up, I told you not to mention that again.'

'God sometimes I wish I wasn't gay, I get girls so well,' Brady joked.

Blair rolled her eyes, damn he was spot on. She kind of wished he wasn't gay either, he'd be the perfect boyfriend.

'So come on, dish. You know you can trust me B, who was it?' When Blair didn't answer him again he continued, 'Does he have a girlfriend? Is that why you're keeping it on the DL?'

He frowned slightly at her, 'It's not Jacob is it?'

This got Blair's attention, 'Of course not! Jeez Brady I'm not a total bitch.'

He sighed in relief, 'Well then who is it?'

'It's...' She paused and smiled at him, 'None of your business.'

'Oh you're no fun,' he grumbled at her doing another shot.

A group of people entered the kitchen talking loudly over the music and Blair moved closer to Brady to get out of their way.

'Brady,' one of the shorter players addressed him with authority. 'Settle this one for us, who is hotter, Lacy or Britney?' He asked referring to the two cheerleader co-captains. It seemed to Blair it had been a hot topic for the last few weeks ever since Lacy had to share the captainship against her will.

Brady rolled his eyes, 'Couldn't care less, besides I'm gay,' he pointed out obviously.

'Yeah but that's why you can be the decider, you're saying it purely out of looks rather then sex appeal,' the small guy argued sounding more drunk by the minute.

'Fine, Britney has better skin, hair and fashion sense...' He decided for them causing half the boys to start arguing in defense of Lacy.

Blair was surprised to spot Cade standing to the back of the kitchen with the boys, she wasn't sure if he was participating in the degrading conversation but it was bad enough he was there in the first place.

He didn't really acknowledge Blair at all, which was fine by her. Everything felt so different when she was sober, she was hyper aware of his presence and her actions and movements. She vaguely remembered the last party, dancing up against him and visibly shuddered.

'Big C, I'm surprised to see you caught up in this juvenile debate,' Brady greeted Cade with his newfound nickname as they bumped fists.

'Big C?' Blair interrupted them, a smile spreading across her face.

'Yeah Big C, haven't you noticed he's freaking tall?' Brady answered apparently not finding the name as amusing as Blair was.

She awkwardly looked up at him, yes she was extremely aware of his tallness and now Brady pointed it out they had to acknowledge each other. Plus the fact he was standing right next to her in the cramped kitchen their arms were almost touching.

'Oh,' Brady exclaimed suddenly. 'Cade, this is Blair... Blair this is Cade the new guy...AKA new basketball star!' He introduced thinking the awkward silence was due to them having no clue who the other was.

Blair was all set to pretend to meet Cade for the first time when Brady piped up again confused, 'Wait a second, you two know each other don't you? You both live with Hailey. Why didn't you say anything?'

Her eyes widened, shit...

'You didn't give us a second to respond, you talk a lot,' Cade replied smoothly as Blair sighed in relief.

Brady rolled his eyes conceding the point, and suddenly Blair wanted to tell him everything. Tell him it was Cade she was making out with last week, Cade who she'd been fighting with constantly and about the stupid tingles she was getting as his arm brushed hers right now! She wanted someone to talk about it, and Hailey was so unbelievably out of the question.

'So you live together eh,' Brady continued smiling at them. 'What's that like?'

'He takes too long in the shower.'

'She watches crappy TV shows.'

They said it at the same time and turned to glare at each other.

'Sounds like you get along great anyway,' Brady was trying hard not to laugh.

'We don't.' Blair didn't have to state the obvious.

'Ah now Blair, I wouldn't say we dislike each other entirely...' Cade trailed off with a mischievous glint in his eye.

Her eyes widened in horror, was he about to blow their secret?

'You two confuse me,' Brady stated, clearly too drunk for all the innuendo's. With that he left the kitchen, and left the glaring couple alone in an awkward silence.

'Were you going to tell him?' She demanded placing her hands on her hips getting ready for a fight.

'Relax princess, I'm hardly going to spread it around the school...'

Her eyes narrowed at his tone, 'What's that supposed to mean? Are you actually worried about your reputation? Are you kidding me?'

He chuckled at her, 'You're frustrating, you know that?'

Blair was having none of this flirty nature, 'Listen up Cade, last weekend was a mistake. We clearly hate each other, we were way too drunk...'

'Let's have this conversation outside,' he said interrupting her swiftly taking her arm and directing out the kitchen door as another group of guys entered the room.

She wasn't so sure about being totally alone with Cade, but she had something to say. 'This won't take long,' she glowered at him keeping an eye on the door. 'As I was saying, we were both too drunk, didn't know what we were doing and probably bored as hell. It's the only explanation for our behaviour and I'd appreciate it if you'd stay out of my way from now on.'

He didn't say anything for a minute, just stared at her making Blair feel uncomfortable under his scrutiny. He was standing too close for her liking, he'd only just let go of her arm and she pulled it away from him rubbing it lightly where he was touching her. The music had faded a little into the background and Blair kind of wished he'd say something.

'I wasn't drunk.'

'I...What?' She asked confused, what was he even talking about? And why is he standing so bloody close to me?

He smiled indulgently, 'Last weekend, I wasn't drunk... I don't actually drink.'

Her eyes widened at this and Blair was speechless. 'I...B-but...huh?'

'It's not rocket science princess,' he rolled his eyes as his hand trailed lightly up the side of her arm. 'I'm going to kiss you now, and you're going to be totally into it.'

She shook her head slightly, opening her mouth ready to tell him exactly where to go when he leant down and kissed her mouth softly. It wasn't like the previous week where they'd devoured each other from the get go. His lips on hers were feathery light, and his mouth was closed. She felt his hand slip around her head, tangling into her hair, pulling her closer to him as he deepened the kiss opening his mouth and coercing hers open. Blair's whole body was tingling, his touch on hers was electric and she moaned breathily into his mouth already giving up the fight.

It was different to last week, here she was incredibly sober feeling those same feelings toward Cade. She couldn't explain it if she tried, she just had to have all of him.

'We can't do this here,' he pulled away breathing heavily his hands on her bum pulling her into him.

Blair let out a moan as their bodies touched and nodded, 'Let's go home.'

He didn't even reply, just yanked her hand hard. 'Come on.'

The short walk home was clearing Blair's head slightly and she stopped suddenly outside Hailey's house hesitantly.

He took one look at her and knew exactly what she was thinking, 'Oh no you don't,' he practically growled pulling her toward him again.

As Blair kissed him outside the front door, his hands sliding up the inside of her top resting against her breast all hesitations flew out the window. The intense desire and need resurfaced and she led the way upstairs. All she had to do was look up at his chiselled features and knowing smile and the feeling would spread through her body.

'We have to be quiet,' she hissed as they fell on top of his bed still furiously making out.

He stopped kissing her and smirked, 'Well you can try.'

Blair was in the middle of rolling her eyes at him when he pulled his shirt off and tossed it to the floor.

Well okay then, she thought suddenly self-conscious of his gorgeous body. She contemplated letting him know this would be her first time but before she could open her mouth he was on top of her kissing her mouth, ears, neck....anything he could reach.

...