Hey guys. I'm back. Don't even know if anyone is still reading this? I know it has been AGES but I was suffering from what can only be described as the biggest case of writers block. I really enjoyed writing this chapter the last couple days and want to try and update this fic more frequently if anyone is still reading. Please let me know what you think! :)

Chapter 17

Paige's POV

"Coffee?" I had finally managed to bring myself to leave the mattress on the floor which had been our home for the last couple hours, it was already past 10 and we hadn't got round to thinking of consuming anything but each other yet.

"Let me make it" She protested, wrapping the bed sheet around her as she went to stand up, the crisp white material making her tanned skin look even more delicious.

"It's fine Em, I don't mind" I had already made my way to the kitchen, my bare feet on the cold tiles of the kitchen making me miss the warm confines of our makeshift bed. "If you just point me in the right direction?"

She pointed to the cupboard in the far corner and I followed her instructions only to find an empty packet of coffee and a couple of sad looking peppermint tea bags.

"I think you're out" at that Emily joined me in the kitchen, the bed sheet trailing behind her.

"Damn it Hanna" she cursed as she checked a couple of the other cupboards and realised there was none anywhere else "I literally bought that 3 days ago" she added with a little laugh.

"We could have these" I held up the tea bags and she gave me a incredulous look.

"I think those lived in this apartment before hanna did!" we both laughed as she checked the clock on the kitchen wall.

"Let me run to the store real quick?" she began but I stopped her with a hand on her waist over the bed sheet.

"You don't have to do that… I will survive without coffee" my hand had found its way to her lower back now and I slowly pulled her closer.

"But I want to" she had that adorable smile on her face as she protested "I want to cook you breakfast too. I think you've earned it" with that she kissed me and I knew I didn't have it in me to protest anything this woman wanted.

"Ok" I spoke between a kiss, "but you better be quick"

She was dressed in a couple of minutes and gave me a kiss on the cheek before she left the apartment, grabbing her car keys on her way out.

When she was gone I checked my phone to see I had no messages Shana must have had a busy night and decided against texting my best friend at risk of having to answer any questions.

It had only been about 10 minutes when the sound of the apartment intercom interrupted my daydream of last night's events. I hurried over to the intercom and fumbled with the buttons trying to find the one I wanted why was this thing so complicated. "Hello...hello?" I said into the speaker not sure what I was doing. Emily must have forgotten her keys or something. There was a loud buzzing and I decided I must have figured it out. I ran my fingers through my hair in a last ditch attempt to improve my appearance before Emily returned. But the sound of someone pounding on the apartment door interrupted my moment of vanity.

"Emily answer the door" A man's voice shouted. He continued pounding as he made his demands. "I need to speak to you"

I was suddenly aware of how little I was wearing, I picked up a sweatshirt of Emily's that was over the back of the couch and put it on, suddenly feeling a lot less vulnerable.

"Who is it?" I didn't really know what else to say as I went towards the door and glanced through the peep hole. fucking fantastic. I thought as I saw the man behind the door.

Ben, in all his annoyingly tall dark and handsome glory.

"Em, it's me. Just please open the God damn door" It was only then that I realised he was slurring his words slightly.

I took a deep breath and pulled open the apartment door. "She's not here" was all i could bring myself to say.

"And who the hell are you?" his tone was aggressive and I gripped on tighter to the door frame to stop me from slamming it in his face. He had met me before but i'm sure he didn't remember. Guys like him didn't remember people like me.

"Someone that thinks you need to calm down" I looked at his bloodshot eyes and caught a whiff of bourbon on his breath. It was just after 10 in the morning, I could only assume he hadn't been home last night. The smell of the liquor and the way he was swaying back and forth reminded me of my father and it made me want to punch him in the face even more.

"I need to speak to my girlfriend" He was still speaking loudly but the aggressive tone had dropped slightly.

It took all the strength I could muster to ignore the use of 'girlfriend' but I knew arguing with him right now about that was pointless. "Look, she doesn't want to see you. She said all she needed to say to you at lunch the other day"

He gave me an angry glare and put his face in his hands. He let out a long breath and looked me in the eyes again. The aggression had gone now and he just looked a little bit sad. "Well… can you please just tell her I came looking for her… whoever you are" his voice trailed off as he turned slowly and staggered back towards the elevator.

I watched him leave before I shut the apartment door and let out the breath I hadn't realised I had been holding onto. I was surprised to find my anger was replaced by pity. The guy was obviously a mess and wasn't dealing with losing Emily well at all. I had to admit I could only imagine what that would feel like, Emily was amazing. She was gorgeous, courageous, caring and sexy as hell. I could only imagine what it would be like to lose someone like her. My stomach twisted at the thought of it, and it took me a moment to remind myself that Emily was still with me for now at least. I couldn't start worrying about losing her when I had only just got her.

"You look like you've seen a ghost" I hadn't even noticed her re entering the apartment and her voice startled me.

"Hey" I said as I was pulled out of my thoughts. She dropped the groceries off on the counter and walked over to where I was perching on the arm of the couch. "Not quite a ghost… just your ex boyfriend who was very intoxicated banging on the apartment door" I raised one eyebrow cautiously as I watched her face take in what I was saying.

"Ben?" she said disbelievingly.

I nodded. "He wanted to talk to you… I told him you weren't here" her face furrowed and she flashed me an apologetic look.

"I'm sorry" she began but i interrupted her by pulling her closer to me.

"Hey, why are you sorry? You don't need to apologise" I gave her a small smile and she dipped her head.

"He just keeps popping up this week" she breathed out. "I'll talk to him again, try and make him understand it's over. It is over you know? I don't want you to think it's not over" her worried look was so adorable I just wanted to kiss her all over her face.

"Em, I know that" I said firmly, gripping my hands around her waist. I knew that the reason it was over with Ben was more than just me. I was worried about many things when it came to me and Emily but I wasn't worried about him. I knew she had fallen out of love with him long before I came along. "If anything I feel sorry for the guy" I added with a little smirk. "He was all shouty and sad and all I can think is… i've just been having really hot sex with your ex girlfriend" I flashed her a grin, wanting to lighten the mood and see her smile again.

It worked as her face lit up in that enchanting smile "You think it was really hot do you?" she teased and I just giggled. If she wanted teasing I was sure I could win.

"You tell me" I smirked as my lips found her neck. She reacted exactly how I wanted and curved her body into me. She let out a sharp breath as I trailed my kisses along her collar bone, pulling her closer as my hand grabbed her ass. When she reached for my face to move my lips to her mouth I resisted, flashing her a devilish grin instead.

"Well?" I asked again and she just smiled dreamily. I kissed her then, taking the smile off her face in a deep kiss, small moans leaving her mouth between kisses. Another moan escaped her mouth as I wrapped her legs around me, feeling them tighten as I pulled her shirt over her head. The moaning continued as my fingers entered her. It was hard, fast, hungry. It wasn't long before she was coming undone, her breathing faster as she reached the peak of her orgasm. I buried my face in her hair as she came down, taking a moment to breathe her in.

"So? " my voice was breathless.

"Ok, it's really hot sex" her voice was shaking and I kissed her again.

Breakfast lay forgotten on the kitchen counter.

I pushed open the apartment door slowly, hoping I had made it back before Brooke and Shana this morning. The sound of the shower running proved that I hadn't. I had planned to leave Emily's apartment early but turns out a naked Emily Fields is very hard to leave.

I put my keys down slowly, hoping I could make it into my room and pretend like I had been in there all night without facing a million questions from my overly inquisitive roommates. I quickly made a beeline for my bedroom when a deep voice from the kitchen startled me.

"Morning" Sean was waving at me from his place at the breakfast bar, one of his protein shakes in his hand as he did.

"Sean" I said, cursing myself for the startled look on my face. I was sure I looked like a rabbit caught in headlights. "I thought you guys were staying at yours last night" I said in a weak attempt at drawing attention away from myself.

"We did, but Brooke hates my shower, she wanted to come back here before we headed out for lunch" I just nodded at his words with a small smile.

"You look like you had a good night" It was his turn to smile at me now. It was only then that I remembered what I was wearing. I still had my roller derby gear on, but Emily had been nice enough to let me borrow one of her old sweatshirts. I was sure my hair was a mess. "Who was the lucky girl?" He was grinning as he took a sip of his disgusting looking drink.

I heard the shower cut off and I cursed the fact that I would now have to deal with Brookes questions too. "No one" I shrugged, eager to get to my room before Brookes questions could start. He raised his eyebrows at me in disbelief, obviously not accepting 'No one' as a valid answer.

"Just some girl" I shrugged, finding it almost a little strange saying those words about Emily. Emily Fields was definitely not just some girl. She was exquisite. "Why all the questions" I let a little laugh out as I began heading to my room "can a girl not have her secrets" I was teasing him now.

"Say no more" He was laughing now too "I won't ask anymore questions... I'm just happy you got laid" he teased back. Why are all my friends so concerned about me getting laid.

"Who got laid?" Brookes voice entered the conversation just as I reached for my door handle. Great.

"Paige" Sean said, obviously enjoying himself.

"Oh my god you did, who was it?" I rolled my eyes comically at the two of them.

"Just some girl" Sean mimicked me and I could tell Brooke still had more questions.

I shrugged them off as I finally made my way to my room, collapsing down onto my bed with a sigh. I guess it could have been worse… Shana could have been home.

I knew it wasn't going to be easy facing all these questions about the mystery girl when I couldn't just tell them the truth but I knew she was worth it. I knew last night had been worth it, I was just going to have to get better of thinking up a story on the spot.

"You look like hell" I smirked at my best friend as she approached her locker next to me. It was saturday afternoon practice and Shana hadn't been home all day. I know she had stayed at Lara's last night but it was unlike her to not come home before practice at least.

"The girl is a menace" she spoke under her breath to me. "A horny, insatiable sex maniac" she added dramatically and I couldn't help but chuckle. I knew Lara's labido was pretty damn high, but I also knew that however much Shana pretended she couldn't deal with it she loved every second of it.

"So you didn't get much sleep?" I asked, knowing the answer already.

"What is sleep?" she cracked a smile this time as she pulled the t-shirt she was wearing over her head.

"Any way, where the hell were you last night?" She was smirking now.

The look of surprise on my face at her knowing I wasn't at home last night must have prompted her to elaborate.

"Brooke texted me, saying you rocked back home at 11am looking all 'sext'" I should have expected Brooke to message Shana at the earliest possible moment, there were no secrets between us three. If you didn't count Emily.

"I was out" I tried to remain casual, I didn't really know how to begin to tell this half truth to Shana, the girl who knew literally everything about me. She just looked at me like I was crazy, waiting for me to expand. When I didn't and began to undress instead she began speaking again.

"With who? Was it Stacey?" I could tell that Shana was finding it a little strange that I wasn't gossiping to her about my latest conquest like I normally would, but I didn't know how to lie to her. "Fuck me McCullers… who ever this girl was she definitely made her mark on you" It was only then that I remembered the bruises on my thighs that were now visible as I was in my swimsuit. fuck. I felt myself panicking a little.

I thought It would be easier to shrug off my friends questions, I thought I would find it easy to offer half truths about some random hook up, but the way Shana was looking at me so expectantly, I felt myself crumbling under her gaze.

"She was eager" Was all I could manage, and I was very aware that it wasn't really giving Shana what she was asking.

"What's going on with you?" She asked, her intrigued happy tone dropping a little as she tried to work out why I was being so coy.

"Nothing" I answered a little too harshly. She gave me a long curious look and I suddenly felt queasy at the deceit.

I was thankful when Coach Dawson calling my name stopped the line of questioning and I flashed her an apologetic look as I went to see what the older woman wanted, feeling slightly guilty as I left Shana with a confused and somewhat deflated look on her face.

This wasn't going to be easy.

Emily's POV

Don't look at her…. Just don't look at her and it will be easy. I told myself for the hundredth time as I focused my gaze on anything that wasn't Paige. Coach Dawson was rambling on about something, but I hadn't been listening to a word of it as all I was focusing on was trying to not let myself get distracted by Paige McCullers and her stupidly perfect body. Practice was over but the older Coach wasn't quite done drilling everyone.

Those legs. I failed as my eyes darted to where she stood. I felt my cheeks blush a little as I saw the marks I had made on her. Acting casual at practice had been hard enough these last few months but now I knew what she tasted like it seemed to just be getting harder.

"Right girl's we're done" Coach Dawson said finally and all the girls quickly dispersed. "McCullers wait, one last thing" The older woman called her back. Paige had either done something really good or really bad for Coach Dawson to take this much interest in her. I resisted the urge to check her out again as she walked my way, instead deciding it was best if I avoided her all together. I followed the girls back towards the locker room trying to get the memory of Paige's fingers inside of me out of my mind.

"So did Paige tell you the gossip?" hearing Paige's name pulled me out of my thoughts, it took me a second to realise that the question wasn't directed at me. It was Brooke and she was looking eagerly at Shana.

"There is no gossip" The other girl replied, her tone flat and she avoided eye contact with Brooke.

"What to you mean?" Brooke persisted "The mystery girl… come on Shan, Paige tells you everything don't leave me hanging here" she laughed.

"Well, things have changed" Shana's voice was quiet and I watched as Brookes face fell a little.

"What's going on?" Brooke asked.

"That's exactly it I don't know, Paige is being really weird. Avoiding my questions, being all secretive. I'm sort of worried about her… but whenever I ask her anything she just shuts me down. I guess 'best friend' doesn't mean much these days" she added with a little laugh, however I was sure she didn't find what she was saying funny. My stomach twisted as I realised the implications Paige keeping our secret was having on her friendships.

"Coach Fields, are you ok?"

Fuck it was only then I realised I was staring right at the two girls my mouth hung open slightly. I stuttered at Brookes question and just nodded like a freak. "Yeah.. sorry" I muttered before I twisted on my heel and almost ran from the locker room. Smooth Fields… real smooth.

It was hard to concentrate on the pile of papers on my desk when all I could think about was the conversation I had overheard in the locker room and the way Paige must be feeling without having her friends to talk to about us. I felt guilty that I was asking her to keep our secret… but she had to right?

If it got out that we were together it would be awful… wouldn't it?

My brain was in overdrive going through every possible conversation me and Coach Dawson would have about it. It really is inappropriate Field's I imagined her saying in her deep voice. I pressed my fingers to my temple.

A light knock on my office door interrupted my thoughts and I was pleasantly surprised to see Paige appear round the door, her damp hair tied scruffily into a messy bun.

I smiled at the sight of her. "How can you still look so hot with your hair like that?" I teased as she entered the room, closing the door behind her.

"It's a gift" she smiled back. The anxiety I had just been feeling eased a bit with her in the room.

"Are you ok?" She asked. The girl really did have a sixth sense when it came to my emotions. She walked over to the empty chair across from me and sat down, reaching to fiddle with the paper weight as she did.

I took the sight of her in for a moment.

She was wearing sweats and a hoodie, her skin was flush from the pool, her hair was messy and I could still smell chlorine on her despite the fact I knew she had just showered. She ran her finger over the smooth surface of the paper weight and gave me a soft smile. There was nothing false about her in that moment, she was 100% Paige McCullers the super talented swimmer and kindest person I had ever met.

She had never looked more beautiful to me.

She reminded me of everything I loved.

Love.

I realised in that moment that my career was nothing compared to her happiness.

I took a deep breath before I said what I knew I needed to.

"No" I said honestly.

Her eyes darkened suddenly as she stopped her fidgeting and looked at me seriously. "What's wrong?"

"Do you trust Shana?"

She looked confused by my question but didn't pause to think of her answer "Completely".

I smiled softly and she seemed to relax at the sight of it. "You should tell her about us"

It took her a second to process what I said. "But… I thought you didn't want to risk anyone finding out?... what's changed?"

I thought for a second about telling her what I had heard, but decided against it. "You need your friends" I said simply. "I don't want you to have to hide a part of yourself from them"

She didn't say anything for a moment she just smiled at me and reached over to touch my hand. "Thank you" was all she said.

I held her hand tighter in my own and felt a warm feeling rush over me.

In that moment I didn't care about any repercussions, or what people would say… I didn't care about any of it.

All that mattered was Paige.

Thoughts...?