“Kayleigh, is it really that important?”
“It wasn’t, but with the way you’re acting, now it is. Tell me.”
He runs his fingers through his hair, taking a deep breath before exhaling. “It was my mother’s.”
“Your mother’s?” I ask, furrowing my eyebrows. “But Heather’s still married to Dan. Isn’t she going to miss it?”
Holden chuckles softly and shakes his head. “No, baby. Not my mom’s, my mother’s.”
My eyes widen and fill with tears as I look between him and my hand. “Y-you gave me your m-mother’s engagement ring?”
He takes a step toward me and caresses my cheek. “Why wouldn’t I? She was the woman I loved most in the world, until I met you. Putting that ring on your finger was the best damn decision I’ve ever made.”
“You’re such a sap.” I tell him through a wet laugh. “I love you so much.”
Smiling brightly, he bends down and kisses me. “I love you more.”
THE DAY I’VE BEEN dreading finally comes – Holden’s graduation. I’m super excited for him, and so proud seeing the ropes for Summa Cum Laude hanging in his closet. However, I can’t help but wonder what’s going to happen from here. I mean, I know we’re engaged, but we still haven’t discussed how life is going to be after he no longer goes to school here.
“What’s wrong?” He asks, glancing up at me from his phone.
I try to play it off. “Nothing. I’m fine.”
He chuckles before coming over and sitting next to me. “Baby, you lie worse than a five-year-old.”
“I do not.” I reply, puffing my bottom lip out.
Lifting me up with ease, Holden places me on his lap. “Yes, you do. What’s going through that pretty little head of yours?”
I sigh. “I’m scared. You’re graduating, and then we’ll have the summer together. But what happens after? What happens when I need to be here for school, but you don’t?”
He closes his eyes and kisses my cheek, then stands me up. “Alright. Come with me.”
I’m utterly confused, wondering where we’re going, but follow him down the stairs anyway.
“Where are you taking me?”
He starts the car and puts it in drive. “No questions. You’ll see.”
It only takes a few minutes, until we pull up to Skylar and Dawson’s. I eye him curiously as he gets out and comes around to open my door.
“What are we doing here?”
“I said no questions. This was supposed to wait until tonight, but I’m not about to have you overthinking all day long.”
Taking my hand in his, we walk towards the door. However, just before I go to open it, he stops me and goes to the next one.
“Holden, it’s this door.”
“Will you just follow me?” He chuckles.
Bewildered, I decide to trust him. I follow him in the door and up the stairs. My jaw drops when I see him take out a key and unlock an apartment I’ve never been in. He opens it and gestures for me to step inside. The hardwood floors and the fireplace look identical to Sky and Dawson’s place, but the kitchen is updated. There isn’t anything in it yet, except for a large picture of Holden and I hanging on one of the walls. This is our apartment.
“Welcome home.” He whispers, wrapping his arms around me from behind.
I can barely think of the words to say, until I realize what he did. “You sneaky little fuck. You used my own idea on me.”
Snickering into my hair, he shrugs. “Technically, yes, but it was Dawson’s idea for me to use it.”
“There isn’t a single friend I can trust to not keep secrets, is there?”
“Emily.” He responds immediately. “Brandon couldn’t tell her about the proposal until she was away from you at the arena. Even she admitted she would have blabbed.”
I turn in his arms and pull him close. “I love it. Thank you.”
“Don’t thank me yet. We still need to go furniture shopping, and Caleb and Jason took the one across the hall.”
Throwing my head back, I groan, but it’s quickly replaced with a laugh. He knows I’m only kidding. The six of us are all going to be living in the same building, and I couldn’t be happier.
I SIT IN THE audience between Holden’s mom and Josephine. Brandon and Dan are both seated at the end. I can see where Holden, Caleb, and Jason are all together, playing around and having the time of their lives as they wait for their names to be called. Already feeling like I’m going to cry, I don’t know how I’m going to get through seeing three of the closest people to me, graduate from college.
When it comes time, they stand up and get in line with other students. My heart skips as I see Holden look right at me and blow me a kiss. Heather coos and Jo fakes a gagging sound.
“You turned my best friend into a sappy little shit.” Brandon quips. “Thank you for that.” All of us laugh, knowing the thank you was completely sincere.
“Just wait until they have kids.” Dan points out. “You think he’s soft now. You haven’t seen anything yet.”
The thought of having kids with Holden excites me and scares the shit out of me all at the same time. While he may be graduating, I’m only going into my junior year. I still have half my college education to get through, and that’s assuming I don’t want to go for my Master’s. Just as I internally start to panic, my boyfriend steps up to the stage.
“Holden Rivers, graduating Summa Cum Laude, with a Bachelor’s in Engineering.”
The five of us stand up and cheer loudly, watching as he happily walks across the stage, shaking all the required hands and taking the fake degree. Of course, the real degrees get mailed out or you can pick them up at the office if you choose.
Right after we’re done cheering for Holden, we still have to cheer two more times.
“Caleb Sutter, graduating with a Bachelor’s in Marketing.”
“Jason Vaughn, graduating with a Bachelor’s in Sports Management.”
Jo screams loudly for her boyfriend, with his family sitting right behind us. By the time those three names are called, Heather, Jo, and I are all in tears. Heather passes each of us a tissue. We thank her and do our best to keep our makeup in place as we wipe away the tears. I look over to see even Dan’s eyes are wet. Brandon notices as well.
“Oh god, I’m surrounded by crybabies.” He groans jokingly.
IT TAKES FOREVER, BUT once the ceremony is over, we’re finally able to go outside and find Holden. As soon as I see him, I run and jump into his arms. He catches me with ease and inhales as if being away from me made it hard to breathe.
“I am so proud of you.” I tell him, kissing his cheek more times than necessary.
“I believe we all are.” A voice I don’t recognize rings from behind me. I get down and turn around.
“I’m sorry.” Holden replies. “Who are you?”
He puts his hand out all business like to shake Holden’s. “Michael Hagerton.” He replies. “I’m with the NHL – more specifically the Boston Bruins.”
Holden’s eyes widen, as do Brandon’s and Dan’s. “It’s very nice to meet you sir.” My boyfriend replies.
“You as well.” Michael answers. “I believe someone from our agency contacted you a couple of years ago, inviting you to join us at the NHL Draft.”
I’m taken back and I turn to him quickly. He glances at me, but then back to Michael. “Yes sir. I declined because my education is important to me.”
“And you graduated Summa Cum Laude. That’s quite an accomplishment, son.” Holden nods. “Now that you’re done, however, we would like to officially extend you another invitation. The higher ups of the Bruins are very interested in your talents.”
Pride fills my entire body, watching what I would think is his biggest dream coming true. He doesn’t seem happy though. He’s smiling, but it doesn’t reach his eyes. Not the way it did when he asked me to marry him, and not the way it did when he found out he finished school with a perfect 4.0 GPA.
“
Thank you.” He responds. “I’ll definitely think about it and let you know.”
Michael hands him his business card and shakes his hand again. “I’ll be looking forward to your call.”
As soon as he walks away, everyone is congratulating Holden – both on graduating and being invited to the NHL Draft. Once they’re done, we’re all ready to get out of here. Holden wraps his arm around my shoulders and pulls me close.
“So, the NHL huh?” I ask, still looking for that excitement in him.
He shrugs. “I don’t know. I’m not really sure I want to go.”
“Seriously?” I’m shocked. “I thought this would be your dream.”
“My dream, is you. Now come on, we have a graduation party to get to.”
THE LEVEL OF ENERGY is so high, it’s impossible not to be in the best mood. The guys felt it was only fitting to have the party at Kappa, since they’ll soon be moving out and into their own places. Besides, it’s big enough to fit all the families and friends. Holden is currently talking to his coach, Heather, and Dan, while I’m sitting with our friends.
“I can’t believe he’s not jumping up and down.” I remark, seeing how happy he is talking about hockey. “I thought this was his dream.”
“It is his dream.” Brandon answers.
I pull my eyes away from Holden to look at Brandon curiously. “Then why isn’t he doing it?!”
They all look at me, the same way everyone did in the ER waiting room. No one says anything until Brandon breaks the silence. “Is she always this dense?”
His sister nods. “Pretty much, yeah.”
“Okay, someone please fill me in here.” I beg.
“I’ll take this one.” Bree volunteers, moving so she’s sitting in front of me. “Kayleigh, sweetie.” She addresses me like a child. “Where are the Bruins located?”
“Boston.”
“And are you in Boston?”
I roll my eyes. “Oh, for Christ sake.” Knocking her over as I stand up, I march my way over to Holden. “Excuse me, I just need to borrow him for a second.” I tell his parents and coach, and pull Holden away from everyone.
“What’s up? Is everything okay?”
I run my fingers through my hair and turn to him. “I don’t know. Tell me you’re not about to turn down your chance at being a professional hockey player because of me.”
He groans, throwing his head back. “Babe, do we have to do this right now?”
“Yes, we absolutely do.”
Sighing, he leans against the fence. “What do you want me to say?”
“I want you to tell me why you’re not crazy about the idea of your dream coming true.”
He shakes his head. “I already told you, my dream is coming true.”
“Holden.” I breathe, taking a step forward and grabbing his hands. “You can have both. There is nothing in this world telling you that you need to choose between me and a hockey career.”
“But there is.” His emotions start to show. “Boston is three and a half hours away. I can barely handle being away from you for twenty minutes, let alone multiple days a week.”
I release his hands and grab his face. “Hey, no. Look at me.” I wait until he’s looking right into my eyes. “I am not going anywhere. Do you hear me? You and I are going to get married, whether you’re here with me or playing hockey in Alaska. You’re my forever, and I’ll be damned if after everything we’ve been through, I allow you to give up your lifelong dream to stay here with me.”
A tear slips out and slides down his cheek. “You promise we’ll be okay? You’ll be there every step of the way?”
“I’m not going anywhere.” I confirm.
“Okay.” He breathes. “I’ll do it. I’ll accept the invitation.”
Chapter 7
We walk through the furniture store, looking at all the different sets. Our parents both agreed to split the cost of furnishing the apartment. However, this would be so much easier if Holden’s taste wasn’t vomit inducing.
“What about this one?” He asks, pointing to the bright red leather sofa.
I stare at him blankly. “Are we shopping for our house, or a strip club?”
“Can’t it be both?”
Rolling my eyes, I shake my head. “This is the third place we’ve been to, and I still haven’t found anything that makes me have to have it.”
He smirks, putting his hands on my hips and pressing himself against my backside. “I can think of something.”
Pushing him away with my elbow, I walk forward. “Well that won’t be happening until we decide on furniture.”
“That one. Definitely that one.”
“What one?” I look around, trying to see what he’s talking about.
“Any of them. All of them, I don’t care.”
I laugh, seeing him damn near losing his mind at the simple idea of no sex. After two more hours, we finally find the perfect living room and bedroom sets at the fourth store we go to. We pay for it all and set up delivery for tomorrow. Due to it taking six hours to settle on furniture, we decide to put off mattress shopping and call it a day.
“That was so much more exhausting than it should have been.” I announce, throwing myself onto the couch. Jo and Jason watch me, completely amused.
“How hard can shopping really be?” Jo asks.
I groan. “Extremely with that one.” I point at her brother who smiles deviously. “His idea of a living room set is like something out of a 1976 porno.”
“No, it’s not.” She answers, looking at him accusingly. “He’s the one who picked the furniture at home when we moved in like six years ago.”
Thinking of the furniture at their house, it’s all gorgeous. I lift my head and glare at my fiancé. “Seriously?”
He shrugs and chuckles softly. “You’re cute when you’re frustrated.”
I grab a pillow from the couch and throw it at him. He catches it with ease. “You’re a menace.”
“You love me.” He smiles, putting the pillow back in place and bending over to kiss me.
ONE OF THE BENEFITS of being with the president of a fraternity, is not having to lift a single box on moving day. Caleb and Jason are moving into their place as well, figuring we could all share a truck. Just as Skylar did when we moved her and Dawson in, I point to where things go and watch as it all gets done for me.
“Aren’t you excited to have us across the hall?” Jason beams, coming in with a beer and Caleb in tow.
“So excited.” Holden answers, the sarcasm dripping from his lips.
Jason walks over to the wall that separates our apartments. “You know, if we knock this down -”
“No.” Holden interrupts firmly. “There is no way in hell that’s happening.”
Josephine and I laugh from where we’re seated on the counter.
“It’s like we took the best parts of Kappa and moved them into an apartment building.” Caleb remarks.
“Hey.” Riley mocks offense. “Watch it.”
Holden snickers while Jason waves him off dismissively. “Yeah, yeah. We get it. You’re excited to be the new king, but seriously – good luck getting girls there without the sex appeal of Holden Rivers.”
“I’m pretty sure we lost the ability to use his sex appeal to our advantage when he started having heart eyes for Kayleigh any time she was within view.” Riley quips.
“Can’t say I blame him.” Caleb mumbles, causing Holden to glare and come towards me.
Jo laughs and rolls her eyes. “Calm down, H. No one is stealing your girlfriend.”
“Fiancé.” He corrects her, getting in between my legs and nuzzling his face into my neck.
“Ugh.” She groans. “Brandon was right. You have turned into a sappy little shit.”
LATER THAT NIGHT, WE’RE all sitting around a bonfire at the frat house, reminiscing about everything that has happened here. As much as they try to maintain a strong front, I can see Holden, Jason, and Caleb all getting emotional. I can’t say I blame
them. They spent years in this house.
“I remember the first time I came here, Jesse talked me into doing a keg stand within the first five minutes.” Holden says, smiling at the memory.
Jason laughs. “I was there for that. You were a badass.”
“I had a lot of practice.”
“Well at least you have good memories of your first time here.” Jo pipes up. “My first time you kept me locked in your bedroom and wouldn’t let me come down to the party.”
“You were seventeen.” He answers.
She eyes him judgingly. “Oh yeah? And what were you doing at seventeen?”
Holden thinks for a second then smiles. “Touché.”
“What about you, Kayleigh?” Sky asks. “What do you remember about the first time you came here?”
Images of trying to get Holden alone fill my mind. I was so afraid he was going to tell everyone my secret. I think I would have stayed forever just to make sure that didn’t happen. Holden reaches over and puts his hand on my leg.
“It wasn’t anything too crazy.” I answer.
“Really?” Bree chimes in. “I thought that was the first night you two hooked up.”
“Nope.”
As close as Bree and I are, we’ve never really felt the need to discuss when and how Holden and I happened. It’s a well-known fact that we kept our ‘relationship’ a secret for a bit, but the details have never been revealed. To be honest, I kind of hope it stays that way.
“Oh, before I forget.” Holden reaches in and pulls something from his pocket. “These are yours now.” He takes the ring of keys and tosses it to Riley. He catches them and smiles.
“Thanks, man. I’m glad you guys aren’t going far though. You’re welcome here, any time you want.”
It’s relieving to hear. I’m not sure what my junior and senior years would be like if I didn’t have this place to come to on the weekends. I look around to see everyone smiling happily. Bree, however, is smiling directly at Riley. Subtly, I reach my foot out to tap her shin. Her eyes widen as she realizes she’s been caught.
“We’ll talk later.” She dismisses me. I snicker and nod.
Seamless Forever (Sleepless November Saga Book 3) Page 5