I'm super sorry for the long wait! Things have been crazy with school and all since I got back. Thanks to everyone who read, reviewed, favourited, etc.!

Please enjoy :)

Chapter 11

The past few days since we returned from Port Angeles have been a bit of a whirlwind. Sunday, our first day as a secret couple, almost resulted in our secret being outed. When I was leaving my bedroom that morning, I had run into Paul in the hallway – which wasn't atypical. However, Paul capturing my lips in a good morning kiss would've been disastrous if my mother had walked out of the bathroom two minutes earlier than she did.

Thankfully, we lucked out, and I noticed that the bathroom door was shut before we got caught. We were back to perfect step-sibling behaviour when she came out.

After that incident, we decided not only did we have to be more cautious, we needed a code-word for when our parents were around – just in case one of us were aware. It was more of a code-concept, but we decided to use a sentence with our show in it. Only to know the difference between the code-word and just plainly wanting to watch the show, we'd refer to it as the full name – Once Upon a Time – rather than the abbreviated "Once" that we usually refer to it as.

It was an ingenious idea really. Peter and my mom always teased us about how much we watch the show, so they won't ever expect a thing.

I quickly realized that weekdays are going to be a lot easier to get through than weekends. Our parents are typically home all weekend. Throughout the week, on the other hand, they were gone to work before we got up for school, we were home for at least an hour after school before they were, and they went to bed before we did. This left loads of time for flirtatious teasing, cuddling, and – of course – make out sessions.

Although I'm confident that we've mastered hiding this from our parents, I'm still quite nervous that we're not doing as great of a job at hiding it from Paul's friends. Although with how much I've been hanging out with them, I almost consider them my friends too.

In fact, Paul and Jared aren't in the cafeteria yet, so I'm sitting with Kim, Embry, Jacob, and Quil.

"So how was Port Angeles?" Kim asks me, smiling kindly. She's growing on me, I'll admit. Her quietness doesn't bother me as much as it used to. Plus, she usually manages at least one full conversation when I see her, rather than the awkward silence I originally dealt with. Nonetheless, I must admit Leah is much more amusing to be around.

"Yeah, did ya have fun?" Jacob asks, smirking suggestively. Quil elbows him in the side, shooting him a warning glance.

I take a gulp of my water anxiously. Was it possible that they had already figured Paul and I out? There was no way he had told them! "Uh, yeah, it was great. Didn't get to see my dad, but whatever."

Jacob is about to ask something, but I quickly cut him off. I don't want to end up digging myself into a hole I can't get out of.

"So how was your guys' weekend?" Thankfully, they talk about their own weekends until Paul and Jared show up. Jared gives Kim a quick kiss as they sit down at the table. As much as I know it's ridiculous, I feel a little jealous that we aren't able to do that. Instead, Paul sends me his signature smirk as he takes a seat beside me.

Rolling my eyes, I continue eating my lunch. At least Jacob finally stopped asking about my weekend.

On Tuesday night, Emily and Sam invite us over for dinner at their place. My mother, however, was adamant about us all having a family dinner. I did have to admit that we've rarely had them over almost a month that we'd been living here.

After our own dinner, we headed over to Emily's house. The crowds clearly thinned out after supper was over. Only Sam, Emily, Jared, Kim, Embry, and Leah were there when we got there. It always confuses me why Leah is around when she never seems to want to be there. Like, why doesn't she just leave after her shifts? Paul just shrugs off the question without giving an actual answer though whenever I ask.

Either way, I didn't mind.

Shortly after we arrive, Emily suggests that we play a board game or something rather than just sit around the living room watching television. I immediately get excited over this idea – I love board games. I notice Paul smiling in amusement at me, and I quickly tone down my excitement. I can't have him shooting loving glances at me if we're going to keep our secret.

"I think Monopoly is the only game we have that's eight players," Sam declares, walking back into the living room with an old version of the game in hand.

"I'm not playing," Leah states from her seat over in the corner of the room.

"Shocker there," Embry says sarcastically, rolling his eyes at her.

She glares at him before getting up, looking like she's about to leave.

"Oh come on, Leah. It'll be fun," I enthuse. Emily agrees with me, almost as enthusiastically.

She shoots me a dubious look. "I'm not in the mood for board games."

"Why? Scared you're gonna lose?" I challenge. I notice Paul smirking from his seat on the couch beside me. Ever since he told me that Leah doesn't hate me, I've decided to try and become actual friends with her. If anything, it will be a challenge.

She sends me an unamused glance, but I see her lip twitching as she fights back a smile. "I don't lose Monopoly."

Embry, Jared, and Paul roar with laughter, before Paul gestures towards me. "Cass here says the same thing, so I think it'll be a good one."

Smiling, I roll my eyes, but I'm glad that he's actively helping me include Leah.

After much grumbling and a few more encouraging remarks from Emily and I, Leah finally gives in and we start the game. It ends up being an extremely fun night. I learned quite a few things about Paul and his friends.

Embry is terrible at math, evident from his poor performance as the banker.

Emily doesn't understand most of the rules of Monopoly.

Sam doesn't like not being in control, and the dice frequently put him in jail.

Jared is too absorbed with watching Kim to know when it's his turn.

Kim is, thankfully, a hell of a lot more competitive than I would have thought.

Paul is a very sore loser, and pouted at me for the remainder of the game after I took the rest of his money when he landed on my New York Avenue property. It's not my fault there was a hotel on it.

And Leah, well, let's just say she was right: she doesn't lose Monopoly.

Since the game lasts fairly long, we head straight home afterwards. Our parents are already in bed when we get home. When we get upstairs, Paul grabs my hand, gently pulling me into his chest before I reach my doorway. I don't miss his eyes flicker to the bathroom door across the hallway, making sure it's empty.

Reaching up to my tippy toes, I place a soft kiss on his lips. "I don't know why, but I never thought you'd be such a poor sport," I tease.

He glares playfully at me. "Well, I expected you to be better at Monopoly."

I scoff quietly in mock offence. "Excuse me? I was good enough to get you out. And I only lost to Leah."

Smirking, he runs his hand down my side, stopping at my rear. My heart hammers in anticipation as I wait for him to kiss me or grope me or something. But he just continues to smirk teasingly. "Competitive Cassie is quite sexy, I must admit."

Grinning, I trace my fingertip southward along the curves of his abs. Two can plan at the teasing game. "Oh really?"

Paul nods, biting back a groan. My grin widens; however, he quickly wipes it off my face as he captures my lips in a heated kiss. I tangle my hands in his hair as I pull him closer to me, deepening the kiss. Paul's hand roam freely over my body, groping in all the right places. It's takes an enormous amount of effort to keep quiet as things escalate.

Without really thinking, I begin backing into my bedroom without breaking the kiss. However, it's Paul that breaks it off just as he's about to pass through my doorway.

I pout at him, causing him to chuckle.

"Cass," he whispers, caressing my cheek. "If my dad or Marie woke up…."

"We'll hear them open the door to the basement," I point out hopefully.

Paul ponders my words, clearly looking tempted. "We've only really been dating a few days."

I roll my eyes, snorting quietly. "I doubt that's stopped either of us before."

Smirking, Paul shrugs in agreement. He knows he can't deny that. "Listen, you horny girl," Paul teases, pecking my lips softly. "We both have to get to bed, and I think we'd have a much more fun time if we didn't have to try to keep quiet."

My face flushes immensely; I let go of his hands to cover my face.

"You're so adorable," he whispers, pulling my hands away from my face to kiss my cheek gently. "Get some sleep, baby. I'll see you in the morning."

"Goodnight, Paul," I murmur as he disappears to his own room. As I'm getting ready for bed, I'm torn between my pleasure of how charming Paul is and my disappointment at how hesitant he seems toward taking things to the next level. I mean, I would understand if it was either of our first times, but we both know that's not the case. And sure, it's fast – but isn't that the norm nowadays? – and everything feels so natural between us. Plus, if it's anything like our kisses or make out sessions, I know it will be absolutely mind blowing.

So why does he seem so hesitant about it? I groan, collapsing onto my bed. More than anything, I wish I was able to talk to Ricki about all of this.

…

On Thursday, Paul asks me if I want to go over to Emily's again, this time for supper. Of course, I'm more than willing to, and my mother happens to have supper plans with a couple of her coworkers. So it's safe to say she isn't opposed.

Just like last time, dinner is delicious and conversations are slim as the boys and Leah pile copious amounts of food into their mouths.

"So, Cassie," Jared interrupts the silence, smiling knowingly, "you've been hanging out with us a lot more than usual."

My heart hammers in my chest. Oh my god. Does he know? Paul and I promised we wouldn't tell anybody. I haven't even caved and told Ricki yet! I mean it's one thing if she knows, hidden away in Port Angeles; it's a whole other story if people in La Push know.

"Well," I say, trying to keep my voice level, "it's a lot of effort to be social and make friends, so I figured I would just steal Paul's."

Everyone laughs, except for Paul. Out of the corner of my eye, I notice him shooting Jared death glares.

Unlike the other night, we leave shortly after dessert is served. The house was a lot more crowded than on Tuesday since the whole "pack" was there basically. Which essentially meant there was more inside jokes that I didn't quite comprehend. Plus, Paul was getting increasingly annoyed with Jared tonight, which made me suspicious.

On the walk back to our house, I keep my arms folded across my chest. The last thing we need is Paul trying to hold my hand and some nosy neighbour seeing it from their window.

He's blabbering on about how annoyed he is with the latest episode of Once and how we should watch some before we go to bed. Logically, I know that's a bad idea. We have school tomorrow, and we rarely can watch just one episode.

But that's not the reason I don't reply.

"Cass?" Paul asks in concern, gently stroking my back.

Taking a deep breath, I ask, "Did you say anything to Jared or any of them about us?"

He looks surprised, but shakes his head quickly. "No, I didn't say anything to them. Why would you ask?"

I shrug, sighing. Look at me, being paranoid again. Big shocker there. "Just seems like they know something."

Smiling, he kisses the top of my head. "If they do, it's nothing I've said to them. Promise."

I push him away, smoothing my hair. "Well, the whole town will know if you keep that up!"

Paul bites back a laugh, before apologizing half-heartedly.

Rolling my eyes, I can't help but grin up at him. "No more than two episodes. I need sleep," I tell him, answering his earlier question.

The excitement on his face makes be chuckle. "Does that include a make out intermission between episodes?"

I pick up my pace, so he can't see my reaction. Secretly dating your step brother has proven to be difficult, but that being said, it's been quite convenient when your parents are out or asleep. Especially since their room is in the basement and ours are upstairs. "Only if Mom and Peter are asleep."

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