“My girlfriend and I have been together for 4 years now. High school sweethearts. I’m proposing over Christmas break on a vacation to Aruba.” He says matter-of-factly.
Holden scrolls through the hundreds of pictures before sighing and handing the phone back to Dawson. “Sorry man.”
“Hey, I get it. I’d be the same way if Skylar became good friends with some random guy.”
“We’re not together.” Holden and I correct him in unison.
He looks at the two of us and chuckles. “Right.”
Dawson goes back to cleaning out the blender while I roll my eyes and turn back to Holden.
“So, how about that phone number cutie?” He repeats.
I laugh at his shenanigans, but it’s short lived. The sight of Brianna and Taylor coming into view sucks the happiness right out of me.
“Seriously?” She asks Holden, clearly upset.
He closes his eyes and winces before turning to face her. “Bree, I didn’t know you were here. I swear.”
“Just like you both swore you’re just friends.” She spits.
Dawson comes to stand next to me, hearing the commotion. It’s like a train wreck and I just can’t seem to look away.
“Calm down. Let’s go somewhere and talk.” Holden tries, but it only seems to make her angrier.
“No. I don’t want to go anywhere with you. You’re exactly what Kayleigh said you are - a selfish, egotistical, man-whore.”
Holden looks to me but then glares at Bree. “Leave Kayleigh out of this.”
Both Taylor’s and Brianna’s eyes widen. “Now you’re defending her?!” Bree cries.
In a matter of a second, she takes the lid off her iced coffee and tosses the remainder of it all over him.
“Fuck you, Holden.”
She storms out of Dolce, not looking back once. Even Taylor seems shocked by her actions, but her surprise quickly turns to a smirk as she turns toward me.
“I knew I was right about you, slut.”
I don’t respond, too shocked by the sight of Holden drenched in iced coffee. The rest of the coffee shop seems to have the same reaction, as they’ve been silent since the yelling began. The few people that had taken out their phones to record the encounter while it was happening, are looking at their phones. My best guess is that they’re posting the videos to social media.
“I’ll go get the mop.” Dawson mumbles, retreating to the closet.
“Are you okay?” I ask carefully, not sure of what kind of mood he’s in now.
He takes his shirt off, using the backside of it to dry off his face. He shakes his hair out and runs his fingers through it, grimacing when he feels the coffee mixed with hair spray.
“Suddenly, I have the urge to shower.”
“I’m so sorry.” I tell him. “I didn’t know she was here. They must have gotten here before my shift started.”
He shakes his head. “Kay, relax. You have nothing to apologize for.”
I look down at my hands playing with my sweatshirt strings. “I feel like I do.”
He reaches forward and puts his hand under my chin, lifting my head up to look at him. His eyes bore into me like there’s nothing else in the world that matters more. “Not at all.”
“Okay.” I breathe, stuck in a trance.
Dawson comes out with a mop and walks towards the mess.
“Oh, how nice of you to take your shirt off.” He quips, looking at me and raising his eyebrows suggestively. I grab a straw out of the container and throw it at him.
Holden leans over the counter and kisses me quickly. “I’m gonna go get cleaned up. I’ll see you later?”
I nod, trying to keep myself from blushing. “My shift is over at five.”
He walks backwards toward the door, telling me we’ll get dinner after I’m done. I smile and watch as he leaves, subtly checking out his perfectly toned torso. Even covered in coffee, he’s gorgeous. Once he’s gone, Dawson shakes his head.
“Your boyfriend is quite the catch.”
I roll my eyes. “Not my boyfriend.”
“Mhm. Sure love.” He replies.
Whatever.
BY THE TIME DAWSON drops me off at Kappa Delta Phi, I’m exhausted. When he convinced me to take this job, he failed to mention how physically demanding it is. However, I will admit, it’s nice to have a friend.
I say goodbye to Dawson and climb out of the car. As soon as I get inside the house, I go up the stairs towards Holden’s room, running into Jason in the hallway. We say hi to each other in passing. He’s completely unfazed by me being here. Everyone’s used to it by now.
By the time that I get into Holden’s room, he’s lying on his bed with his eyes closed. He has earbuds in his ears, and I can tell by his lack of movement, he doesn’t realize I’m here. I creep toward him carefully. When I’m close enough, I lean down and kiss him. He startles at first, but then he grips the back of my head and pulls me down, kissing me with fervor.
In one swift motion, Holden rolls, taking me from standing next to the bed, to lying under him. He breaks the kiss, hovering over me and smiling – leaving the headphones forgotten on the bed.
“Well, if you greet me like that every time you come home from work, I may not mind you going so much.”
Butterflies erupt in my stomach. My every nerve endings ignite like wildfire. I do my best to keep my feelings at bay.
Don’t go there, Kayleigh.
“Good to know.” I reply, pushing him off me and turning on my side.
I lie next to Holden, the two of us just looking at each other. His eyes hold so much fondness as they stare into mine, with his thumb rubbing my arm gently. I find myself hoping that time would slow down, to make this moment last an entire lifetime. However, the longer we lie here, the more my heart melts.
“Thank you.” I say, breaking the silence.
He looks at me curiously. “For what?”
I half shrug. “For defending me today. I know we’re just friends, and you didn’t need to do that. I just want you to know that I appreciate it.”
He smiles lazily, moving his hand from my arm to my face. He leans forward and presses his lips to mine, kissing me slowly.
“There is very little I wouldn’t do for you.” He whispers when he pulls away. “You mean so much more to me than you think you do.”
I close my eyes and kiss him softly, my mind going haywire. I don’t know whether to delve deeper or leave the subject alone. I’m not even sure exactly where I want this conversation to go. The thought of dating Holden both excites me and scares the absolute daylights out of me.
A knock at the door pulls me from my inner turmoil, and takes Holden’s attention off me. He kisses me once more before looking back at the doorway.
“Sorry to interrupt.” Jason starts. “Holden, we need you downstairs. Someone got a DUI after leaving our party last weekend. Dean Harrison wants to speak to us tomorrow, so we want to set our stories straight.”
Holden groans before sitting up.
“Alright. I’ll be right down.” He tells him. As soon as Jason walks away, he refocuses me. “Wait here. I’ll be right back.”
He leans forward and kisses me once more before leaving the room – and I’m left alone to wonder what in the world is happening.
Chapter Fifteen
Holden fiddles with the controller, biting his bottom lip in concentration. When he dies for the fifth time, the game over mask appears. He groans and passes the controller to me. I chuckle, leaning over and kissing him on the cheek.
“I don’t understand.” He complains. “I used to be so good at this game!”
I smirk as I begin the level, flying through it with ease. “Key word, babe, used to.”
He grumbles something under his breath and starts to poke me in the side, causing me to flinch. The reflex makes me hit the wrong button, and Crash Bandicoot falls into the ditch. I roll my eyes and push him away playfully.
“Jerk.” I murmur, and he laughs.
>
The two of us continue to take turns on the game, completely ignoring the loud party going on beneath us. While the other frat guys may not get tired of partying, Holden and I decided to spend the night in his room.
It’s been two weeks now that I’ve been staying with him. It was originally supposed to be a couple of days. However, when Brianna went to the student housing office, they told her that switching roommates isn’t allowed this late in the semester, and that we should sort out our differences. Needless to say, she wasn’t happy, so I figure it’s best to stay out of her way.
“Victory!” Holden yells as he jumps onto the portal stone.
“Oh please. You only won because I got you to the checkpoint.”
He side-eyes me skeptically. “Team victory then.”
I smile as I roll my eyes and shake my head, letting him bask in his success. After all, it’s only a video game. If thinking he won makes him happy, then he can have it. In the meantime, I’ll just sit here and enjoy the way his dimples accent his grin.
THE MUSIC BOOMS LOUDLY around us as the alcohol courses through my veins. The feeling of Holden’s arms wrapped around my waist is the only thing keeping me grounded.
While we skipped last night’s party, opting to just hang out in his room instead, tonight we decided to join the festivities. This is the last party they’ll be having before everyone leaves for Thanksgiving break – and everyone is making sure it’s memorable.
“Holden. Come play me in a round of beer pong!” Caleb yells.
I step out of Holden’s arms to turn around. He gives me a look, mentally asking if I want to. I shrug in response and the two of us make our way outside to the table. It’s Caleb and Jason against Holden and me.
“It’s like déjà vu, only the teammates have changed.” Jason remarks. “Should we use Kayleigh as a prize again?”
“No!” Holden and I yell in unison at the same time Caleb says yes.
Caleb and Holden maintain eye contact, neither one of them seeming to back down. I don’t know what exactly is going on between them, but I can’t say I like it. Caleb and I have become good friends over the past couple of weeks. I would hate to see that ruined by a dumb competition between the two of them.
“This isn’t tug of war, and I’m not a rope. Let’s just play.” I pick up the ball and toss it, landing it in the cup with ease. I won’t lie, I feel a little bit of pride for that one. Holden chuckles next to me and kisses the top of my head. I still freeze slightly. Our PDA is still rather new to me, and I’m not sure how I feel about it.
The four of us play a rather entertaining game of beer pong – staying tied cup for cup. The competitiveness between Caleb and Holden is intense, and Jason only encourages it. By the time that it comes down to the last cup on each side, they both miss their shots. I’m up next. I take the ball from Holden and hold it between my fingers.
“I still think Kayleigh should be the prize again.” Jason remarks.
Holden says his name as a warning, his tone cold. I ignore them and instead focus on aiming the ball. Finally, I take a deep breath, close my eyes, and let it fly from my fingertips. I hear the ball hit the water and open my eyes to see Jason face palm and Caleb look impressed.
“That’s my girl.” Holden says, wrapping his arms around me from behind and bending down to kiss my cheek. I choose not to overthink it, smiling brightly as I look up at him – refusing to acknowledge the many girls staring at me jealously.
All of us choose not to play another game, letting some of the other guys take over the table. In the middle of the yard, there’s a bonfire lit. We walk over there and as Holden sits down on a lounge chair, he pulls me down with him. I settle in between his legs and lean against his chest. He lightly massages my shoulders, causing me to release a small moan. Thankfully, only Holden hears me.
“So, are you guys going home for Thanksgiving?” Jason asks us.
Caleb lights up. “Absolutely! I can’t wait. I miss home. All of my friends and family, it’s going to be such a good time.”
It’s adorable how excited he is. He must have a great home life. I can almost picture it. The white picket fence house with the ideal parents and their two perfect children. He just seems like that type. Now that I think of it, that’s probably how Holden’s home is too.
“What about you, Kayleigh? You excited to go home?” Jason questions.
I can feel my anxiety spike. “Oh, no I’m just gonna stay here.” I mumble.
Holden’s hands stop massaging my shoulders instantly. Jason looks at me confused, while Caleb frowns. I think Holden can tell I’m about to start panicking, because he randomly asks Jason about the homework in their Chemistry class. Luckily, it works and the attention is immediately taken off me. I lay my head back on Holden’s chest and smile up at him. He winks at me and continues his conversation.
Yeah, he’s not the worst.
I DON’T KNOW WHEN I managed to fall asleep, but I awaken to the voices of Holden and Caleb. I keep my eyes closed, wondering why they’re talking in hushed tones.
“Wait, you mean to tell me that you two aren’t dating?” Caleb asks in disbelief. “She’s been basically living here for like two weeks.”
“I know.” Holden chuckles. “But we’re just having fun.”
Caleb hums in acknowledgement. “Is that what you want or what she wants?”
“What do you mean?”
“Don’t play dumb. I’ve seen you with plenty of girls the past three years. None of them have had the kind of effect on you that she does.”
Holden sighs. “I don’t know, man. She’s different. I can’t explain it.”
“Well, if the way she looks at you is anything to go by, she feels the same way.” Caleb says as Holden lightly runs his fingers through my hair while Caleb continues. “So why aren’t you two together?”
He’s silent for a moment, perhaps thinking about why. “She knows what I’m like - the things that I’ve done to other girls, Bree included. I won’t put myself in the place to do that to her, not that she would even let me.”
“She turned you down?!”
“Twice. I mean, I didn’t exactly ask, but she could tell where I was going with it.”
Caleb snickers. “Damn, she really is different.”
“She’s my best friend.”
BY TWO IN THE morning, the events of the night begin winding down. Holden wakes me, lightly rubbing his hand over my arm and softly saying my name. I stir, opening my eyes to see his green eyes looking down at me. He kisses me quickly and then helps me up.
I look around to see that everyone is clearing out. Those who are too drunk to drive – which is more people than you’d expect – are falling asleep on any comfortable surface they can find.
Holden and I retreat to his bedroom. I change into one of his t-shirts, finding them more comfortable than my own. When I’m done, I climb into bed and he gets in behind me. The conversation I overheard between him and Caleb replays in my head. It’s almost feels as if I dreamt it, but I’m sure I didn’t.
I scoot back against him, cuddling as close as I can. He wraps his arm around me and pulls me closer. I start to wonder if I should bring up what I heard, but I can feel that I’m still buzzed – meaning Holden is definitely drunk. Maybe it’s best to wait until another time.
“Kayleigh?” He whispers.
“Yeah?”
“Why aren’t you going home for Thanksgiving?”
I sigh, knowing I’ve been dreading this question since Jason brought the topic up. “My mom and stepdad are going on vacation. Bree should be going home though, so I’ll be able to stay in my dorm.”
He hums, letting me know he heard me but it’s clear something is on his mind. I turn in his arms to face him.
“What’s wrong? If you’re worried about me being alone, I’ll be fine. It’s only a week.”
He shakes his head. “No. It’s not that at all.”
I narrow my eyes curiously, trying to figure him out. “T
hen why does it seem like somethings off with you?”
He smiles softly at me, bringing his hand to my cheek and placing a short kiss on my lips. “I’m just trying not to scare you away.”
Okay. If he didn’t have me worried before, he does now. “What? How would you be scaring me away?”
“I want you to come home with me for Thanksgiving.”
Chapter Sixteen
I open and close my mouth repeatedly, trying to find the right words. Out of all the things that could have been on his mind, this was not something I expected. My anxiety begins to build, my heart rate quickening and my breathing becoming labored.
“Say something.” He whispers. “Please.”
I close my eyes and take a deep breath. “I-I don’t know what to say.” I answer.
“Well, you could say you’ll come with me.”
The panic attack is looming in the back of my mind, just waiting until it’s strong enough to cripple me. If I don’t speak now, this could get ugly.
“But we’re not even dating, and I don’t like Thanksgiving. There’s so much food and your family will be there, and what if they don’t like me? I don’t even like me. I just, I-I don’t…”
“Woah, Kayleigh, Babe, relax.” Holden says, effectively cutting off my rant. “You don’t have to, it was only an idea.”
Just like that, he manages to calm the monster inside of me. It’s not entirely gone, but a rush of relief runs through my body and I manage to catch my breath.
“I’d like you to come with me, but you don’t have to.” He continues. “Just think about it, yeah?”
I nod, not trusting my voice. I guess considering it couldn’t hurt. He leans forward and kisses me softly before lying on his back and pulling me toward him. I go willingly, laying my head on his chest and letting the sound of his heartbeat lull me to sleep.
DAWSON STARES AT ME intently. I reach forward, pushing his jaw up and closing his mouth – only for it to fall back down when I remove my hand. I chuckle, going back to emptying the wet coffee grinds into the trash.
Sleepless November (Sleepless November Saga Book 1) Page 10