BLAIR’S POVI sat on my bed with my legs folded beneath me and my phone resting in my palm as I stared at the screen. The soft beats of the music I was playing filled the room as I distracted myself with online gossip.I had been waiting for Kade for hours. My damp hair clung to my shoulders, still slightly wet from the shower I had taken earlier, an attempt to relax and ease my nerves. But It didn’t work. Nothing could erase the restlessness I felt while waiting for Kade. I checked the time again and it was 10:14 PM. Yet he still wasn’t home. I had expected him to walk through the door by now, and maybe as usual, act like nothing was wrong, like he hadn’t just spent days avoiding me. But there was nothing. I let out a slow breath, tapping my fingers against the screen of my phone. I wanted to be furious at him, a huge part of me was. But the anger wasn’t as deep as I thought it would be. Instead, it was tangled up with worry. Now that I knew the truth, everything made much m
KADE’S POVI pulled my jersey over my head, the sweat cooling on my skin. The locker room buzzed and teammates were grinning, still hyped from the game and their voices overlapped as they talked about the practice we just had. “Damn, man, you killed it out there,” Craig said, clapping me on the back. “You were on fire,” Nathaniel supported. I smirked, tossing my jersey into my locker. “You all act like you didn’t play, too.” “Yeah, but let’s be real. The way you played made us seem like supporting players. It was just like the game we player with Velmora.” Laughter spread through the room, and I shook my head, grabbing a towel to wipe off my face. Craig leaned against the locker beside me. “So, Captain, you gonna go easy on us now that you’re in charge?” I let out a short laugh, shaking my head. “But Coach hasn’t made me captain yet. It hasn’t been announced yet.” “Come on, man,” Edward piped up. “You think he’s gonna pick anyone else after you’ve been killing it like t
KADE’S POVI stopped in the doorway, my fingers tightening around the doorknob as I took in the scene. The guy, whoever he was, was casually leaning back against her headboard, shaking his foot. Seeing how relaxed he was made me wonder if this was his first time here. He had light brown hair, a pair of glasses perched on his nose and he looked like some scrawny nerdy type. I didn’t like him already. He lifted his head when he noticed me and grinned. “Hey,” he said, completely at ease. “I’m Will. You must be Kade.” I didn’t answer right away. My eyes shifted to Blair, but she didn’t even look up. She continued scribbling something on the page of her notebook like I wasn’t standing right there. The guy, Will, tilted his head slightly, still smiling. “I’ve heard some good stuff about you.” “Yeah?” My voice was flat as I slammed the door shut. “I don’t know you.” He laughed like that was funny but Blair still didn’t acknowledge me.“I’m Blair’s new tutor,” Will suddenly explai
BLAIR’S POVLike planned, I was attending the fund raising party with Will. And tonight, I planned to have fun. Will was really intentional about the whole thing. He literally picked me up in a car, being a perfect gentleman. When we arrived, the hall was a spectacle of wealth and excess, dripping in the kind of sophistication that made me a little feel out of place despite my best efforts. Laughter and chatter blended with the high sound of music and everyone seemed to have gone all out for the theme—Old Money. My dress was a black satin slip with pearl straps—it fit the theme but also slightly modern. It clung in all the right places, highlighting my curves. The hem of my dress stopped mid-thigh, showing just enough leg to be flirty without trying too hard. I’d even gone to the salon to curl my hair, letting soft waves fall over my shoulders, and my makeup was a bold red lip, sharp eyeliner, and just enough highlighter to make it perfect. I looked the part. I just wasn’t sure if
BLAIR’S POVI moved through the crowd, making my way closer to the basketball players’ stand, where a game was just about to begin. I had almost forgotten about Will until I saw a guy who had similar brown hair. I searched for Will and found saw him talking to someone.Our eyes met and he flashed me a smile and I read his lips as he muttered, “Have fun.”I nodded and moved closer to the player’s stand. Jasper, one of the basketball players, came to stand in the center, with a microphone in his hand. “Alright, everyone! Gather around. It’s time for some real fun.” His grin stretched wide as he nodded to himself, completely pleased. “We’re bringing back a classic tonight,” he continued, scanning the crowd. A few people cheered in anticipation and my eyes searched for Kade who I found standing on the opposite side of the crowd. “This is a kissing booth,” Jasper announced, pointing at a booth which was right beside him and he paused for dramatic effect. “We’re all familiar with the
BLAIRI stiffened immediately, recognizing the voice that rang out. Jaxon. I turned to him, my eyes widened in shock. Of all people, I hadn’t expected him to bid. After everything that had happened between us, why was he interested in spending a whole minute in a booth with me? To assault me again? Didn’t he have any shame? What was he up to? I clenched my fist as I glared at him. But he looked completely at ease as if he was really looking forward to winning the bid.Before I could even process it, I caught sight of Harper. She had been standing next to him, but the moment he made his bid, her entire body went rigid. I didn’t fail to notice the flush of embarrassment that crept up her cheek as she stepped slightly away from him, like she couldn’t believe what he had just done. Her boyfriend just placed a bid to get into a kissing booth with his ex. I could imagine how embarrassing that was for her. But no, I didn’t feel bad for her. She wanted to always make me look bad righ
KADE’S POVI stepped back a little, smirking. “You heard me, Jaxon. I’m doing the world a favor. Honestly, should I send you a bill for saving lives?”A few people laughed, and someone even snorted.Jaxon’s face turned red. “You’re one to talk. You’re out here screwing your stepsister,” he said with a sneer. “Isn’t that incest? You’re disgusting.”I laughed. “You clearly don’t know what incest means.” I shrugged. “Not surprised though. Life must be tough with a brain like yours.”He shoved me hard, veins popping in his neck, eyes wild. But I just smiled.“You think you’re funny, huh?” he spat.“Let’s make it easy,” I said. “You must feel like a loser, so let’s find out if you are one. Go ahead, point to just one person who’s fucked you and will actually admit it.”Silence.No one spoke. Not even him or Harper. I smiled wider. “Didn’t think so.” Then I added, just loud enough for everyone to hear, “Maybe you just don’t swing that way, Jaxon. That’s why Blair wants nothing to do with y
KADE’S POVIt’s okay, Will,” Blair said finally, still not looking at me. “I’ll go with him. Thank you for tonight.”“No worries,” he smiled. “Take care of yourself.” He gave her a small nod, then walked off, leaving her with me.The ride home was quiet. Blair barely looked at me. She kept her eyes on the window, and I figured I’d wait until we got home to say anything.Once we walked in, she moved ahead of me, her heels clicking across the floor. She reached for the back of her dress, trying to pull the zipper down. I stood frozen as I watched her undo it and slowly step out of the dress.She didn’t have a bra on, just panties and nipple covers. The second she turned even slightly, I could see the shape of her breasts and my body reacted before I could stop it.But Blair didn’t care. It was like I wasn’t even there. She grabbed a towel and wrapped it around herself, her soft ass bouncing a little as she moved.“Fuck,” I muttered under my breath, trying to calm myself. “Can we talk?”
BLAIRThe concierge gave us a polite nod, handed us our menus, and quietly stepped away. I barely skimmed the pages before spotting a few dishes that immediately caught my eye.“They have truffle risotto. And duck breast with cherry glaze. I’ve always wanted to try that. Oh and lobster tail?” I beamed with barely contained excitement. Across the table, Kade watched me with an amused smile. “Get whatever you want,” he said calmly, like the prices didn’t matter at all.Once the concierge disappeared, I set the menu down, still trying to process everything. “Okay, seriously. How did you even pull this off? I heard reservations here take weeks.”He shrugged. “I was persistent.”I narrowed my eyes at him, still smiling. “Persistent?”He leaned in a little, his tone playful. “Let’s not forget, I’m a Reid. That helped.”“Cool,” I said with a grin, settling back into my seat.“So,” he asked, watching me, “Do you like it here?”“I love it,” I replied honestly.When the waiter returned with ou
BLAIRThe ride to wherever Kade was taking me wasn’t awkward. It was quiet, but comfortable. He had slow, mellow music playing in the car, and I couldn’t help but wonder where we were going.His right hand stayed on the wheel, while his left rested on mine in my lap. Every few minutes, he’d lift it and press a soft kiss to the back of my hand, like it was nothing. When the car began to slow, I glanced out the window and gasped at the magnificent building we were pulling up to.No way, I thought.I blinked and leaned forward, making sure I wasn’t seeing things. Turning to Kade, I found him already grinning from ear to ear.“You’ve got to be kidding me,” I whispered, and he just laughed.He got out of the car, walked around, and opened my door with ease, offering his hand to help me out. I took it, stepping out slowly, my eyes immediately locking on the towering penthouse ahead.The King’s Restaurant. It was the most exclusive place to dine in the entire pack. Reservations took weeks,
BLAIR’S POV Kade’s jaw clenched hard and I could feel the war waging inside him. His instinct to protect me was louder than any logic. But he also knew the kind of shit storm we’d be dragging ourselves into if he got in the way. Besides, I knew I was innocent and he knew that too. So after a long, burning second, he gave a stiff nod. He didn’t say anything, just let his hand fall from my hand. I gave him a small smile and followed the officers out of the dining hall, keeping my head high. Everyone watched with wide eyes and the whispers only grew wider, like I was already wearing the stain of guilt. The men led me into an office that smelled like old paper and something faintly acidic. I was taken to the drug investigation officer who was a bulky man with a sour face. He motioned for me to raise my arms and I did. Wordlessly, he and another woman searched me thoroughly but not invasively, probably disappointed they didn’t find pills sewn into my bra strap or something. Then
Blair’s POV I scoffed, shaking my head in disbelief. So this was Mrs Priscilla’s grand plan? A psychologist? When she said we would be working with delinquents, I thought we would suffer through punishments. I definitely did not expect to sit through a therapy session. Community service, they said. Not group therapy. I didn’t sign up for this nonsense. And yet, here I was, perched awkwardly on a hard chair while the psychologist with her tightly pinned hair and gentle, annoying smile tried to pick apart my brain. What did they even expect to achieve with this? Make us hold hands with delinquents and sing songs about teamwork? Did Mrs Priscilla really think I would open up about myself? And even if I did, what next? Lock us up with criminals? “Tell me, Blair,” the psychologist cleared her throat and shifted in her seat. I’d been expertly avoiding her gaze, like maybe if I ignored her long enough, she’d give up. I didn’t get such luck as she went on with her question. “How
BLAIR’S POV Harper didn’t answer right away. She looked down, her hands fidgeting with the edge of her dress, pulling at a loose thread, perhaps buying herself time. Then she shrugged. “I was never jealous of you when you started dating Jaxon, Blair.” she started and I scoffed. “Is that so?” “I was actually happy for you,” she said in her own defense. “You were my friend and I never looked at Jaxon in a romantic way or anything like that until he started texting me.” “Hmm,” I mumbled, crossing my arms. “So he made the first move, huh?” “You were the one who gave him my number,” she said, her voice rising. “That was because you were my best friend!” I shot back, matching her tone. “Fine, I was naive but you knew exactly what you were doing when you fucked him.” She shook her head like I got it all wrong and I decided to stay quiet so that she would explain. “Jaxon texted me first,” she repeated in a quiet voice. “It was just friendly at first. Until he began flirting with
BLAIR’S POV The screech of the door opening was the first thing I heard from my sleep, followed immediately by that painfully familiar voice that irritated me, coming through the quiet like a trumpet. “Get up, all of you!” I groaned and buried my face deeper into the pillow, but it was useless. I was starting to believe that Mrs. Priscilla’s voice could wake the dead. I forced my eyes open and there she was, towering by the door like a villain straight out of a bad dream. I squinted at the still-dark sky outside the window. The sun wasn’t even out yet. Couldn’t the moon goddess strike this woman with a temporary cold or something? Just long enough for us to get a full night’s sleep? “If your back is still on the bed in the next thirty seconds, you’ll be assigned more responsibilities today,” she snapped and I groaned loudly, pushing myself up. “We’re going hiking,” she announced with way too much energy for someone who clearly fed off our misery. “You’ve got twenty minutes to
BLAIR’S POV I tugged my jacket tighter around me, hating how the cold wind kept sneaking past the fabric like it was on a personal mission to freeze my bones. Winter wasn’t here yet, but it sure as hell was announcing itself like an unwanted guest. I blew air into my palms for warmth, glancing at my phone. It was already two minutes past eight. Seriously? Mrs Priscilla had barked at us about being here at eight sharp. Where was she now? “This is all your fault, Blair,” Harper snapped and I turned to her. Her arms were crossed like a spoiled brat who’d just been told no for the first time in her life. “We wouldn’t be here freezing if it wasn’t for you.” I rolled my eyes and shook my head. Of course, she’d find a way to twist this around. God forbid Harper takes any responsibility for her miserable life. Apart from freezing my ass off, being dragged away from the comfort of my room, my warm bed, and decent food, forced to spend two hellish weeks around criminals… yeah, the ch
BLAIR’S POV I tugged my jacket tighter around me, hating how the cold wind kept sneaking past the fabric like it was on a personal mission to freeze my bones. Winter wasn’t here yet, but it sure as hell was announcing itself like an unwanted guest. I blew air into my palms for warmth, glancing at my phone. It was already two minutes past eight. Seriously? Mrs Priscilla had barked at us about being here at eight sharp. Where was she now? “This is all your fault, Blair,” Harper snapped and I turned to her. Her arms were crossed like a spoiled brat who’d just been told no for the first time in her life. “We wouldn’t be here freezing if it wasn’t for you.” I rolled my eyes and shook my head. Of course, she’d find a way to twist this around. God forbid Harper takes any responsibility for her miserable life. Apart from freezing my ass off, being dragged away from the comfort of my room, my warm bed, and decent food, forced to spend two hellish weeks around criminals… yeah, the ch
BLAIR’S POV I scratched my nails into the skin of my palms as I waited. I had named Sherry as Harper’s accomplice and now, we were waiting for her to be brought here. The door opened and Sherry was marched inside, her eyes darting around like she already knew she was in trouble. My heart thudded so hard against my ribs, but I managed to keep my face cold. I had to pull this off. I just had to. Across the room, Harper shifted in her seat. She was trying too hard to look calm, but her body betrayed her. She kept trying to make eye contact with Sherry but I caught her gaze and didn’t bother hiding my glare. I hoped she was smart enough to realize her little plan had exploded right in her face. The leader turned to me. “Alright. Over to you, Blair. You asked for Sherry to be brought in. Well, here she is.” I nodded and then got on my feet. I felt the eyes in the room hook on me, but I only looked at Sherry. “I asked for Sherry,” I started in a clear voice, “Because she’s the one