“What are you doing to me?” He asks, studying my face intently while his thumb rubs my cheek gently.
I don’t have a moment to question what he means, because he pulls me down and presses our lips together. The kiss is slow and sweet – the kind you see in movies. He pulls away and looks at me, eyes glistening with something I don’t recognize.
A knock at the door interrupts the moment. Holden groans, kissing me once more before rolling me off him, getting up, and walking over to the door.
“Hey, you disappeared.” A female voice says. I can’t see who it is because he’s blocking the door, but I recognize the voice as the slutty nurse.
“Sorry. My friend needed me.” He answers.
Friend, right. We’re just friends.
“Well, can I come in? We can make up for it.”
He laughs humorlessly and leans against the doorway. “Not tonight, Anna. I’ll see you around.”
“It’s Ally.”
Holden shuts the door despite the protests coming from the girl on the other side. I can’t help but laugh as he walks over to the bed.
“What’s so funny?” He asks, amused.
I raise my eyebrows. “I can leave if you want. She seems like such a high-quality girl.”
He throws his head back in laughter. “You’re not going anywhere.” Climbing into bed, he wraps his arms around me tightly.
“Aw, you sure? Ally, Anna, Banana - whatever the hell her name is - might be your soulmate!” I joke.
He tickles me, causing me to push back into him. “Goodnight, Kayleigh.” He presses a kiss to my shoulder.
“Goodnight, Holden.”
We fall asleep tangled up in each other, and all the stress and anxiety of my mother being in town dissipates.
THE MORNING COMES ENTIRELY way too soon. Holden and I get up early enough that I can head back to the dorms before the rest of the guys wake up. He forces one of his hoodies on me, not taking no for an answer. The two of us make small talk in the car, and he makes me promise that I’ll come to him if any more problems occur. He drops me off out of view of any dorm windows, and after a quick kiss goodbye, I’m walking through the crisp morning air and into my building.
I show my ID to security and compose a quick text to my mom in the elevator, apologizing for leaving last night and saying that we should meet for lunch. I press send as the elevator doors open and walk down the hallway toward my room.
As soon as I open the door, I’m stopped dead in my tracks. Sitting on Bree’s bed are my mother and Taylor, both comforting my very distraught roommate.
“Bree? What’s wrong?” I ask.
All three of them look up and glare at me.
“You’re what’s wrong.” Bree spits. “You’re hooking up with Holden.”
Chapter Twelve
My stomach drops and I feel as if I’m going to be sick. I don’t know whether to deny it, or try to explain. This is not the way I wanted her to find out about this. Hell, I don’t think I wanted her to find out at all.
“Bree, it’s not what you think.” I plead.
Her expression goes from upset to enraged. “You’re seriously going to lie to my face about it?! Taylor saw you!”
I spare a glance at Taylor, and instantly want to slap that smug look right off her face.
“I’m not lying. You have to listen to me.”
Taylor stands up and pushes me backward. “She doesn’t have to do anything. I saw you and Holden, last night, going up to his room. Are you saying that’s not true?”
I stand there gaping - opening and closing my mouth trying to figure out what to say. “I mean, it is, but it’s not… there’s nothing going on between us.”
“Then where were you last night? Because I know it wasn’t with your mom.” Bree accuses.
I look down at my feet and sigh. Then, I notice it. I’m still wearing Holden’s sweatshirt. Fuck.
“I slept at Holden’s, but we didn’t do anything.”
Bree rolls her eyes as Taylor scoffs and shakes her head. My mother stays silent, just rubbing Bree’s back.
“Get out.” It’s hardly above a whisper, but I hear it.
“But, this is my room. You can’t do that!”
She looks up and glares at me. “I said get out. I’m not going to have this discussion with you while you’re wearing my ex-boyfriend’s clothes, so go.”
“Where am I supposed to go?”
She laughs dryly. “To be honest, I don’t really care.”
I run my fingers through my hair, frustrated. “Can’t you just listen to me?! I can explain!”
“She doesn’t want to listen. What she wants, is for you to leave. So, leave.” Taylor shoos me away with her hand.
Tears spring to my eyes as I stand here, feeling completely alone. My mother still hasn’t said a word. “Mom?”
She looks up at me and shakes her head. “Maybe you should just go for now.”
“Unbelievable.” I scoff.
I grab a bag out from under my bed and quickly go over to my dresser, stuffing clothes into it without really paying attention. There are many things I’m willing to do, but crying in front of Taylor is not one of them. As soon as I’m done, I grab my computer and shove it into the bag with the clothes. Before I leave, I take one last pause near Bree, but she won’t even look at me.
“I’m sorry.” I whisper, and then I’m gone, tears falling as soon as I’m out of view.
I COULD HAVE CALLED Holden to come pick me up, but to be honest I want to be alone. I take out my phone and send him a quick text, asking if I can come back over soon. I’d hate to walk all the way there only for him to not be home. My phone buzzes a few moments later, notifying me of a text from him.
Holden: Just can’t get enough can you?
Sleepless November (Sleepless November Saga Book 1) Page 8