I was hit.

It hurt so bad.

I don't think it's ever hurt this bad.

There was definitely going to be a bruise.

Those damn paintballs hurt. Especially when it's in the arm where there is no padding. I was going to kill Xander.

Last night we decided to have a triple date at the paintball range. Nick and I. Carter and Penny. Xander and some random chick from his college. She was an odd one. By that I mean really nice and shy. Those girls were not his type at all. My older brother usually goes for party girls or a girl who cries over a broken nail. This girl, Hanna, is completely the opposite. It had me and my family questioning how the hell this match up happened.

Anyways.

I was running to one of the barriers to hide when Xander so graciously shot me with a paintball and hit me right in the arm. It hurt so freaking bad. Now I was hunched over holding my arm behind the barrier with Nick beside me telling me he was going to shoot my brother in the head with a paintball. We all know I'm not one for violence but right at this very moment I was giving my boyfriend permission to do that very thing to Xander.

"Ow!" Xander yells from across the field.

Nick laughs and I know he got him. "Got 'em babe." Nick says then gives me a kiss on the head.

Our time buzzer makes a loud shrill letting us know that our time is up. Thank God. I was done for forever. Or at least a few weeks.

We all lower our weapons and come out of our hiding spots. Xander comes out rubbing his leg with Hanna trailing behind him. Carter and Penny are cheering because they won. Those two were so similar it was scary. Who knew Penny was anything like that.

"Sorry I hit you, Tay. It was a total accident." Xander says but the hint of a smile on his face tells me he isn't that sorry.

I scoff and roll my eyes, "Yeah right. I'm just thrilled that Nick got you back for it."

"Aw. I would do anything for you, cheerleader." Nick says and throws his arm around my shoulder.

Carter and Penny gag at Nicks affection. Those two may be in eighth grade but they aren't to big on PDA. I asked Carter if they have kissed and his face went red like a tomato. The only thing I can think of to make him so disgusted by that stuff is Xander had told him a few stories. Poor Carter is probably scarred for life. No matter, I know once he gets the kiss he will forget all about what our idiot brother says.

"Carter I say we go to Waffle Cones and celebrate. My mom is in the parking lot." Penny says to my brother who blushes when Penny grabs his hand. Oh man, this girl knew the way to his heart.

"Sure." He mumbles. The two leave us walking away hand in hand.

"If they weren't so young I would say Carter would be getting laid tonight." Xander speaks winking at Hanna who looks away with a shy smile. Oh Xander has his work cut out for him.

"Xander." I scowl. "Don't give Carter any ideas. He's thirteen."

Xander holds his hands up in defense, "I haven't told him to go for it. Carter is to young to be a dad and I am too handsome to be an uncle."

I just roll my eyes.

"You guys up for some food at Tyson's?" He asks.

"Nah. We got other plans." Nick tells him.

Ah yes. Our plans consist of us going over to the Barron household to check out their new sparring room. When Nick told me that Charlie's parents remodeled the boxing room I was anxious to see it. To be honest I was secretly hoping Nick would put on a little show for me. I don't get to see him workout ever. When I go over to his house I'm always hoping he is in his bedroom hitting that punching bag but he never is. It bums me out.

"Whatevs. Let's go babe." Xander tells Hanna and smacks her on the butt which causes her to squeal. If my brother keeps up with his weird little actions I'm sure this girl will end up doing something they both know will happen. This girl is a challenge for him and he is loving every minute of it.

"I guarantee that will be the girl he marries." Nick says once they are out of earshot. I nod my head in agreement. Something tells me that shy Hanna has a secret side that Xander will love.

———-

"This is so awesome!"

"So freaking cool!"

"I may never leave!"

"I think I'm in love!"

These boys are going crazy over the new sparring room. It's getting annoying. Scratch that. It started getting annoying five minutes after Charlie unveiled it.

Boys and their toys.

I don't get it. There are several black and red punching bags hung up in different spots of the room. A boxing ring sets in the middle of the very large room. Lockers set to the far left of the room and there are a few benches as well. Please tell they don't plan on holding actual matches in here. I want to see Nick workout not get his ass kicked.

"When Charlie first seen it he squealed like a girl." Catherine says from beside me on the bench.

I can't help but laugh. I don't imagine him doing that.

"Nick looks like he's going to start drooling any moment." I whisper.

"Logan is hugging a punching bag." Lacey speaks from the other side of me. I look over to where Logan is and sure enough he's hugging a punching bag. "Don't you dare kiss that thing, Logan!" Lacey screams and walks over toward him.

"He's in trouble." Catherine says laughing.

We hear a door open and in comes a girl with raven black hair and the bluest eyes I have ever seen. She must be Charlie's girlfriend. Yep. Turns out he has one. Has had one for about a year according to Nick. One night I asked him about Charlie and Nick mentioned that he had a girlfriend who lived about an hour away but recently moved closer. Nick doesn't know much about their relationship, only what Charlie has told him. I don't even think Nick knows her name.

Charlie looks up and an instant smile takes over his whole face. Aw sweet. He goes over to her gives her a kiss then grabs her hand and brings her over to us.

"Guys this is Jade. Jade these are my friends." He introduces.

We all stand there shocked. Jade is drop dead gorgeous. Those blue eyes are bright and that hair, I must ask her how she keeps it so shiny.

Logan whistles, "Where have you been hiding her."

"Yeah and are there anymore?" Jay asks stunned. Maybe he can hit on this girl now.

"Jade and I met at a karate competition last year and have gotten to know each other." Charlie explains. Now that I see it, Jade is very fit.

"It's nice to meet you all. Charlie has told me a lot about you." Jade waves and smiles.

"We've heard nothing about you." Logan mumbles. Lacey hits him in the stomach causing him to let out a groan.

"What Logan means to say is, well, Charlie has kept you a secret from his friends." Lacey says awkwardly.

"I know. I'm okay with it." She says and gives him a kiss on the cheek. Charlie pulls Jade away from us to show her the new sparring room. This girls reaction is  just like the guys did.

Jay whistles and walks over to the boxing ring mumbling about how he needs to find him a girl.

"How did you guys and Jay come to be friends? He's three years older." I ask Nick. It's something I've always wondered.

"Jay is the one who got us into boxing. Charlie was already doing karate and he met Jay at the gym where he trained. Jay was one of the trainers." Nick tells me.

"So I have Jay to thank for your abs?" I smirk.

"Well I mean, Jay trained us but it was really all me. I could teach you, if you wanted." Nick says pointing to the rink.

"Um...no. I'm good. I will just watch you." I say.

"Too bad. We could have some real fun. All sweaty and touching each other." Nick whispers and a shiver runs through my body.

"There is a better way to do that." I laugh. "Can I watch you work out one day? Maybe not here but like in your room?" I ask quietly so that no one else's hears us.

Nick bites his lip and nods his head. Well then, that was easier than I thought. I should have asked him that earlier.

Next thing I know he is grabbing my hand and dragging me out of the room. I ask where we are going but he ignores me and keeps leading me in a direction I am not all too familiar with. Nick told me he knows hiding places here as well, I bet we are going to one of them. The thought of what we are about to do scares and excites me.