Chapter Seven

'You're kidding right?'

'No way, it'll be fun. Plus you were just saying you wanted to get fitter.'

'Yeah...But... That's gross, there's no way I'm doing that!'

'It's gross? How old are you Blair?'

Blair frowned deeply at her best friend, the suggestion they join the volleyball team was preposterous. Hailey and Blair were arty, cool, unavailable, studious (or nerdy) – they were not jocks.

'I'm extremely uncoordinated,' Blair finally admitted. Surely Hailey couldn't be serious.

Hailey relaxed against Blair's locker at school, folding her arms across her chest. 'That's a lie Blair Anstey if I ever heard one. I know for a fact, you played volleyball all throughout primary school, and your Dad thought you were pretty damn good.' That was precisely the reason Hailey had chosen volleyball over all the other sports offered at their school. Well that and it was notoriously unpopular therefore might be easier to get into the team.

The girls had decided they'd get more involved in their final year at school, have something to write on the resume, and more importantly do something more exciting then joining a homework club.

'But sport? Hails, you know I hate getting sweaty, what about the social committee? Or the newspaper? I'll join those with you?' She asked hopefully.

Hailey beamed at her friend, 'Sure thing B, we did say we wanted to be more involved. We'll do them all!'

Blair frowned, that wasn't quite the result she was aiming for.

'What's this I hear about you two joining the volleyball team?' Brady joined their group causing Blair to groan. This meant Hailey had already signed them up for trials.

'We're trying out,' Hailey corrected him with a grin. 'I'll probably fail miserably but Blair here has a bit of raw talent.'

'A sporting star?' Brady asked sounding impressed. 'Blair I've said it before and I'll say it again, you would be the only reason I'd go straight.'

They laughed loudly at the thought of Brady dating girls and Blair rolled her eyes at him. It always kind of confused her why Brady loved hanging out with them so much. He was the most popular guy in school, he was loved by everyone and had people begging him to sit with them at lunch most days. So why did he seek out the nerdy Blair in their first year of high school and insist she hang out with him. He'd accepted Hailey right away and the three of them were inseparable. Even when Brady's ridiculous talent for sport was discovered and he became the most talked about guy in their school, he still made time for his two girls.

Hailey believed they grounded him. His parents, teachers, peers always put him on a pedestal and she felt they brought him down to earth with their gentle teasing and study-orientated weekends.

Blair kind of agreed with her. Sometimes she'd see Brady looking a bit lost in the crowd of people surrounding him, she'd always make sure to push her way to him and whisper something funny into his ear to see that smile.

'Anyway, if you girls are doing it, then so am I! I thought basketball, soccer, football and swimming were enough for one person. But I might take volleyball on for fun.' Brady said as they began walking to class.

'Well if you're trying out, there's no point in us even turning up,' Blair argued hopefully. 'The team will be full of actually good players.'

Brady burst out laughing and slid his arm around Blair's shoulders, 'Don't be silly B. I don't try out for sporting teams...I practically run them.'

Hailey smiled, 'Oh goodie, you'll put in a good word for us with the coach?'

'You bet your arse I will,' he replied getting excited. 'Finally something we can all do together!'

Blair groaned loudly, she didn't really see a way out of this one.

...

Later that night the three 'kids' (AKA persons under the age of forty) in the house were sent to the kitchen to wash up after dinner. Much to Blair's dismay Jane had thought it was a wonderful idea the girls were trying out for the team. In fact she was so encouraging and proud Blair felt like she'd be a total bitch to back out now. Plus Hailey and Brady were so excited, she may as well give it a go.

'That was pretty funny how Mum thought we'd meet some new boys playing volleyball,' Hailey chuckled to herself as she washed up. 'I mean does she think we're socially inept or something?'

The inter-school competition was very small so there was one mixed team per school that played other schools in the state. Jane had expressed her delight in the girls meeting some new boys and maybe getting a boyfriend. She'd never say it out loud but she'd love it if Hailey were to finally get one. Hailey hadn't actually told her about Jacob yet, but Blair thought she had better do it soon before Jane started matchmaking again.

'You two are a bit though,' Cade butted in bringing some more dishes from the dining room. 'Socially challenged...'

'Get bent,' Blair threw him a dirty look in which he smiled back at her.

'Maybe I'll join the team too,' Cade continued ignoring the evil glares the girls were shooting his way. 'Someone better keep an eye on you girls, especially you Blair.' He paused with an evil glint in his eye, 'Who knows all the strange boys you'll be having meaningless sex with?'

She was actually plotting his murder in her head.

Hailey burst out laughing and Blair and Cade turned to her in surprise. 'I'm s-s-sorry but...' She giggled hysterically. 'Blair having sex?' Then she doubled over laughing. 'You'd have to actually kiss someone first.'

Blair's heart sank and she felt the entire room stand still in time.

In any other situation, she would have joined Hailey laughing about her lack of sex life. It'd been a running joke between the two girls. But that was just it – it was between the two girls. She felt kind of betrayed for Hailey saying it in front of Cade.

She chanced a look over at Cade whose face wasn't showing any emotion.

Hailey was hiccupping now, she was laughing so hard. 'Oh man, sorry Blair. But that was gold.'

Blair managed a weak smile and excused herself upstairs once they'd finished.

This was possibly the worst thing ever to happen. Oh shit. Oh shit. Well aside from actually having sex with Cade in the first place, him finding out she was a virgin was definitely in the top two of worst things to ever happen to her.

She felt his strong grip on her shoulder spinning her around roughly before she had a chance to hide out in Hailey's room.

'You were a virgin?' He hissed at her trying to keep his voice down.

Blair's eyes widened as she tried to think of what to say. She settled with, 'So what? It's not a big deal so don't make it one!'

'I think it is a big deal I had no bloody clue. I would have... I would have...'

'You would have what?' She challenged him stepping closer to him and jabbing her finger into his chest, getting sick of his stupid act. 'Not had meaningless sex with me? Not brought me home? Continued to be a dickhead?'

His eyes were flashing with anger and they were both arguing heatedly in the hallway. 'I would have made it better for you, you idiot!'

She closed her mouth abruptly, not exactly sure how to respond to that.

'Who wants their first time to suck?' He continued, still annoyed with her. He grabbed her hand that was jabbing him in the chest and pulled it down by her side effortlessly.

She struggled a little in his grip but realized he was too strong and gave up.

What on earth was he saying?

She noticed her hand was tingling in his grip, their chests were practically touching, and as his heaved in anger they brushed lightly together.

'Wait a second...' She said slowly, trying to comprehend what was happening but finding it so difficult with him so close and touching her. His face moved in quickly, closer to hers, his eyes still angry and pissed off but now with a need behind them. 'What are you – no –' she protested weakly as his lips crashed against hers not taking no for an answer.

Who was she kidding? This was so happening right now, she thought vaguely as she wrapped her legs around his waist as he slammed her into the wall. It didn't even hurt, all she could feel were his hands on her hips, holding her in place drawing rough circles on her exposed skin. He pulled his mouth away from hers to shoot her another glare before securing his grip and heading straight for his bedroom. The only thing going through his mind was making her feel amazing. He wanted to show her all the good things about sex, the heights he could bring her to.

'Wait, fuck Cade – ' she tried to protest again as he ripped her shirt over her head but it came out more as a moan. She eventually pushed him right back on the bed and grabbed her shirt holding it over her bra, 'What about Hailey? She's downstairs.' There was no 'we're not doing this again', or 'leave me alone'. It was simply we can't get caught.

'Relax,' he smiled inching forward, now fully appreciating her hesitance and fear. 'Jane sent her out for ice cream, we have time...'

Oh God, was the only thing running through Blair's mind as Cade slid her jeans down and tossed them aside. This time it was much better then last. She had to fight so hard not to make loud noises, and by the time Cade had finished what he started she was too exhausted to even have sex with him. He didn't seem to mind though, seeming extremely proud of himself to get her over the edge three times in ten minutes.

She had that familiar fleeting thought of oh shit, what have I done? Then dismissed it, choosing to bask in the afterwards feelings and sensations.

She'd deal with reality later, now she needed some sleep.

...

'Blair.'

'Mm, go away,' she murmured batting away the annoying person trying to wake her up.

'You have to get up,' the person insisted.

She froze in the comfortable bed, the smell of men's cologne way too prominent to be Hailey's room.

'As much as I'm loving the sight here princess, you need to wake the fuck up and get out. I don't do cuddling.'

Blair's eyes shot open and she stared at Cade in horror. She became aware her entire lower half was naked thankful for the blankets covering her up.

'Oh fuck,' she muttered searching around for her clothes.

He laughed, 'Knew you couldn't stay away.'

She rolled her eyes as she hastily got dressed under the covers. 'I don't get it,' she wailed at him jumping out of bed straightening her top. 'I'm smart, so smart! I'm the top of our grade for God sake! What the hell is wrong with me?'

'Woah,' he held up his hands at her. 'Sleeping with me doesn't make you dumb.'

'You're right,' she replied angrily. 'It makes me absolutely stupid! I need to focus on important things right now, like school and my life...I don't need you prancing around with your stupid big muscles and annoying perfect smile screwing with my head!'

He raised an eyebrow at her rant.

'Well...'

'No,' she interrupted holding up her hand. 'I don't want to hear it, stay away from me.' She didn't need to state the obvious. They both knew it was her that needed to stay away from him.

Cade rolled his eyes at Blair struggling to pull her jeans on quickly. 'You do my head in you know that?'

'Good,' she bit back catching a quick glance of him before she flounced out of the room.

She was surprised to see he didn't look cocky or arrogant... just a little bit frustrated.

...