Her and Carson broke up right before Valentine’s Day. She was upset about it, but got over it rather quickly. It didn’t take long for her to see how much of a complete tool he is. Since then, she’s been single, but judging by the way Riley keeps glancing at her – that may be changing soon.
“We should get going.” Holden tells me. “Our flight leaves pretty early tomorrow.”
I nod, standing up and hugging everyone goodbye. They all wish Holden good luck, knowing we leave tomorrow. Heather, Dan, and Brandon are all meeting us in Vancouver for the NHL draft. Josephine is staying back. She has zero interest in hockey apart from players by the name of Jason Vaughn.
We get back to the apartment shortly after eleven. There’s still a ton of unpacking to do, but it can wait. Besides, we won’t be back here for a month or so. After Vancouver, we’re going back to Holden’s for a bit. It’s summer vacation and he lives right across the street from the beach. We’d be silly not to. Also, we have all last summer to make up for.
I climb into bed with my fiancé, cuddling up to his side as he releases a shaky breath.
“Nervous?” I question.
He kisses the top of my head and wraps his arms around me. “Just a little.”
He’s lying, but I don’t call him out on it. Instead, I assure him that everything will be fine and we fall asleep, comfortably tangled up in each other.
THE WHOLE ARENA IS packed with potential NHL players and team representatives. Holden’s hands quiver as he tries to adjust his tie. Seeing him struggle, I swat his hands away and fix it myself. He smiles at me thankfully.
“Just breathe.” I murmur. “You’re amazing. They would be crazy not to pick you.”
He exhales, looking deep into my eyes and softening. “I don’t know what I would do if you weren’t here.”
I smile. “Well you don’t have to worry about that, because like I told you before, I’m not going anywhere.”
“Ever?”
“Ever.” I confirm. “You’re stuck with me.”
“Thank God.”
The five of us go and take our seats. Holden sits between Brandon and I, his knee bouncing nervously as we listen to the introductions and opening speeches. I reach over and interlace our fingers before squeezing his hand three times. Like magic, he calms and the shaking subsides. Heather and Dan glance at us lovingly and I blush.
An hour passes, and representatives for the Boston Bruins step onto the stage.
“It’s no big deal.” Holden says to Brandon. “If I don’t get picked, then I just go back to Maine with Kayleigh and take that internship I was offered.”
“We’d like to thank Vancouver for hosting the draft.” One of the bigwigs starts.
Holden doesn’t listen. “It’s a really great opportunity, and I’d still be able to live with Kayleigh while we plan our wedding.”
“The Boston Bruins choose, from University of Maine, Holden Rivers.”
The crowd erupts in cheers, but Holden didn’t hear him. He’s too busy rambling. “I mean, playing professional hockey hasn’t been a part of my plan recently anyway.”
“Holden!” I shout, getting his attention.
“What? It isn’t. Not since I met you anyway.”
I shake my head. “No, babe. They called your name!”
His jaw drops as he looks around, seeing everyone looking at him and clapping. Shell-shocked, he stands up and is immediately embraced by his mom.
“I’m so proud of you!” She tells him. Dan repeats the sentiment.
Brandon gives him a hug, patting him on the back, before Holden turns to me. He wraps his arms around me tightly.
“You did it!”
He chuckles into my hair. “I love you.”
Holden walks down and over to the stage, stepping up and putting on the Bruins jersey and hat before posing for a picture with the representatives. Once he’s done, he makes his way back to us, smiling brightly.
“I have to go do an interview, but I’ll be right back.” He tells his parents.
They nod, and just when I think he’s going to walk away, he reaches for my hand. I’m surprised he wants me to come, but I follow him anyways. I stand back and watch as he interviews with a reporter. It’s completely overwhelming – but so proud of him. His childhood dream is coming true right in front of my eyes and I couldn’t be happier.
Chapter 8
In all the time that I’ve known Holden, I’ve only ever seen him this level of happy twice. The first, when I agreed to marry him, and now, as he sits across the conference table from the higher ups of the Bruins. They slide the contract across the table, explaining the details. Dan, being a lawyer, looks it first.
It’s a three-year contract, for $800,000. It also includes a $40,000 signing bonus. Holden’s eyes widen as he looks at the numbers. Dan nods, giving him the approval and hands Holden a pen. He takes it in his hand, then pauses and looks at me.
“Every step of the way?” He asks, studying my expression.
“Not going anywhere.” I repeat.
Everyone in the room watches us, with some of the representatives looking at Holden as if he’s crazy. Dan, however, is used to it. Holden may not confide in him about much, but he does talk to his mom – and I’m sure she tells him everything.
Holden takes a deep breath and signs his name on the line, officially accepting the offer to play professional hockey for the Boston Bruins. When he’s done, he places the pen on top and passes it back across the table.
“Your father would be extremely proud, as am I.” Dan puts his hand on Holden’s, causing him to tear up a little.
“Thanks dad.”
My fiancé stands up and shakes the hands of the businessmen before grabbing my mine and leading us out of the room. I smile proudly up at him. There’s so much of me that’s afraid all the fame and fortune is going to show him he deserves better, but if it makes him this happy – I’ll deal with the anxiety a million times over. I’d give anything in the world to keep that smile on his face.
IT ISN’T UNTIL THE flight back that we finally get a chance to talk about everything. Pure joy radiates off Holden as the plane sores through the air. He talks about how crazy it all is, and how he thought his chance was gone when he turned it down his sophomore year.
“Why did you?” I ask.
He plays with where are fingers are laced together, avoiding eye contact. “I was five when I started playing hockey. My dad was a huge fan and got me into it. Honestly, I didn’t like it at first, but he pushed me to succeed and I ended up doing pretty well.” He pauses. “But my mom was always very big on my academics. She made me promise that no matter what I wanted to do when I got older, that I’d graduate from college. When they died, I swore to myself that I would keep that promise.”
“So, when you were asked to possibly leave college for hockey…”
He nods. “I felt like I had to pick between my mom’s dream and my dad’s.”
My heart hurts as I imagine how hard that must have been for him. “So, why did I have to talk you into going in the first place?” I’m half joking, but the answer intrigues me.
Holden finally lifts his head and looks me straight in the eyes. “Because my own dream of spending my life with you became so much bigger than a promise I made to myself at twelve years old.” His expression holds so much honesty. “No matter what they wanted, the thing that always mattered most was my happiness.”
“They sound like amazing people.”
He squeezes my hand, getting a little choked up. “They would have loved you.”
I THOUGHT NEW JERSEY WAS nice in November and December, but the summer puts that to shame. Waking up in the mornings and being able to just walk across the street to the beach – I’m surprised Holden ever left this place.
Him and I sit on the sand, soaking in the sun rays and just enjoying each other’s company. Emily comes today from Rhode Island. Her birthday is tomorrow and I’ve been working so hard on her gift. Even though I j
ust saw her a few weeks ago, I’m excited. I love when the four of us spend time together. It’s like every girl’s dream come true.
“Hey babe.” I get Holden’s attention. “I think I’m going to head back. I have to finish Em’s present before she gets here.”
He sits up and starts brushing the sand off his legs. “I’ll come with you.”
The two of us collect our things, walking back up the beach and across the street. We use the outdoor shower to rinse off. The feeling of the water ridding my body of the sand, salt, and sunscreen is refreshing.
Once we’re done, Holden goes into the kitchen to make us some lunch while I head up to his room. The photos I’m using lie across the floor. I sit down and start to sort through the last of them.
“How’s it going?”
I jump slightly and turn around to see my fiancé coming into the room, carrying a tray of food. He made each of us a sandwich and grabbed two bottles of water. I smile at him thankfully and take a bite. It’s delicious.
“I can’t figure out if I want to leave pages blank at the end so we can continue it together, or if I should end it with asking her to be my maid of honor.”
He ponders it as he chews. “Leave it blank. We’ll ask her and Brandon together at some point.”
I nod, picking up the glue stick and rubbing it on the back of a picture before placing it in the book. Just as I’m adding the finishing touches, I hear the front door close.
“Hello?” A voice yells, but it’s not Emily.
“Up here!” Holden yells back.
We’re the only people home. Brandon went to get flowers and his parents are at work. That only leaves one other person it could be.
“Hey lovebirds.” Josephine greets us.
Holden smiles widely as I get up to give her a hug. “How’d you get here?” He asks.
“I took an Uber from the airport.”
“We could have picked you up.”
“Yeah, I know. I didn’t want to be an inconvenience.”
He chuckles. “Fifteen years of being a pain in my ass, and now you choose to not be an inconvenience?”
“Ha ha.” She sticks her tongue out at him.
I sit back down to look over the scrapbook once more. Josephine watches over my shoulder, cooing at how adorable it is. The whole thing is a timeline of our lives, from when we met as little kids all the way to now. I take Holden’s advice and leave a few spare pages in the back. Her and I will finish it together.
EMILY ARRIVES A LITTLE after five. I hug her tightly and wish her a happy birthday. The four of us are going to Seaside Boardwalk. Walking around and having a few drinks sounds like the perfect night. Once we’re all ready to go, we climb into Brandon’s car and head out.
The environment in this place is electric. The lights shine brightly as people of all ages fill the boardwalk. Little kids run around, excited to go on the rides or play in the sand. A young girl follows her first boyfriend, watching in awe as he wins her a stuffed bear. It’s heartwarming.
We’re walking along when suddenly Bianca appears in front of us. I roll my eyes immediately as Brandon scoffs.
“Holden! Hey.” She greets him, attempting to give him a hug.
He lightly returns it and then backs away as soon as possible. “Hi.”
“I heard you signed a contract with the Bruins! Congratulations!”
I’ve never seen him look so uncomfortable as he glances at me and then back to her. “Yeah, thanks.”
She turns her attention to me and fakes a smile. “Oh, Kylee. How are you?”
“I’m great Becca, and you?” I reply, not at all masking the bitchiness from my tone.
Brandon snorts while Holden smiles at me proudly. Emily watches us, utterly confused but amused none the less.
“Super.” Bianca bites back, then returns to focusing on Holden. “Well, I’ve got to go. I have rezies at Pear. Kisses.” She blows two rapid kisses toward my fiancé and then walks away, making sure to push herself between him and I as she does. Rolling my eyes, I wait for her to disappear.
“Okay.” Emily finally speaks. “Who the hell was that, and what crawled up her ass and died?”
“Bianca.” I answer coldly, running my fingers through my hair.
Holden’s instantly in front of me, putting his hand on my waist. “I’m sorry, babe. What do you want me to do? I can ignore her if you want.”
I shake my head. “No, it’s fine. She just gets on my nerves, that’s all. I’m not mad at you.”
He sighs, leaning forward and kissing my forehead. “I love you.”
“I love you too.”
A little while later, I’m sitting with Emily while H and Brandon see who can score higher on different arcade games. It’s the first time we’ve been alone since she got here. I take a sip of my milkshake, watching as the waves crash against the shore.
“So, Bianca is the girl from last summer?” She asks me.
“Yeah, though she goes back a lot further than that.”
“Aw, don’t sound so bitter. She seems like such a dream.”
I chuckle. “Oh, she’s something alright.”
Emily rests her head against my shoulder. “You do know you have nothing to worry about, don’t you?” I shrug. “No, seriously.” She grabs my hand and shows me the ring on my finger. “You have nothing to worry about.”
Lying my head on hers, I don’t respond, though I don’t really need to. She’s right. Bianca may be in Holden’s past, but I’m his future. He could have had her, but he chose me over and over. There are a million things I could obsess about when it comes to that girl, but none of them are worth it.
THE FOLLOWING MORNING, EMILY and I are sitting on the beach. She’s looking through the scrapbook I made her, wiping her tears each time she flips the page. I need to look away or I’ll end up crying too.
“Well don’t you two look cute.” Brandon quips, sitting next to Em and wrapping his arm around her.
Holden kisses me hello before taking a seat in front of me, leaning back so his head is in my lap. “We have a surprise.”
“Dude!” Brandon barks. “You couldn’t wait five minutes?”
He laughs and shakes his head. “Nope.”
Emily and I look at them both, trying to figure out what this surprise is. Finally, Brandon caves.
“Fine.” He pulls a piece of paper from his back pocket and hands it to his girlfriend. “Happy Birthday.”
I lean over, watching as she unfolds it. It’s a confirmation page for a hotel suite and four plane tickets.
“We’re going to the Bahamas?!” She shouts excitedly, jumping into Brandon’s lap and thanking him repeatedly.
My eyes widen as I look down at my now smirking fiancé. “Okay, it’s her birthday so he has an excuse. What’s yours?”
“Thank you for agreeing to marry me.” He replies smugly, as if he had his excuse all planned out.
I roll my eyes as I bend and kiss him, Spiderman style. “Thank you for never giving up on us.”
“So, you’re not going to lecture me about extravagant gifts?”
“Nope.” I answer, popping the p. “Just remember, your birthday is in one week.” I glance over at Brandon and grin deviously. Holden notices right away.
“Don’t do that.” He sits up and turns around. “Don’t look at each other like that. That’s dangerous.”
I smile sweetly at him. “You used Bree. I’m using Brandon.”
“Fuck.”
Chapter 9
Ireach up as high as I can, trying to hang this banner. Jo holds the other side while Emily stands on the ground, instructing us on making it straight. Decorations hang down from the vaulted ceilings, low enough to be noticed but high enough to not be reached. Heather and the housekeeper are moving all the furniture out of the way.
“Kayleigh, the bartender is here.” His mom tells me.
“Be right there.” I answer, sticking the last piece of tape on the banner before climbing off the ladder.
“Thank you for coming. Here, I’ll show you to the bar.”
Originally, I planned on just having a few kegs like we always do at Kappa parties. Brandon, however, insisted on having a full open bar – muttering something about it being classy. To be honest, I think he just wants to look like a big shot for a night, but he offered to pay for it, so I let him. It’s pick your battles 101.
“Well, if it isn’t my favorite pain in the ass.” Someone announces from behind me.
I turn around and light up as soon as I see him. “Caleb!” He wraps his arms around me, picking me up and spinning me around. “I didn’t know you were coming.”
“And miss H’s birthday? Not a chance.”
“Oh please.” Jason quips. “I had to force him to come. Deathly afraid of flying, this one.”
Jo hears her boyfriend’s voice and drops the other side of the banner to run over and hug him. Em groans in defeat as she watches the other side come un-taped and fall with it.
“You guys remember Emily, right?” I ask.
Caleb smiles. “How could we not? She’s got a right hook that could knock a grown man on their ass.”
I see the way he checks her out, and immediately step in front of him, blocking his view. “No.”
“What?!” He mocks confusion.
“The way you’re looking at her. No.” I clarify. “Besides, she has a boyfriend.”
“Who?”
“My brother.” Josephine narrows her eyes at him.
“What about your brother?” Emily comes over, completely oblivious.
All their eyes widen as they try to think of something to say, but I simply laugh. “Just that you’re dating him. They didn’t know.”
“Oh, yeah.” She responds, smiling at the thought of Brandon. “Hey, since you guys are here, can you help us hang this banner? We almost had it but then someone let it go.” She glares at Jo playfully.
“Sure.” They both agree, and follow her over to the wall it goes on.
AN HOUR LATER, EVERYONE is finally here and I get the text from Brandon that they’re almost home. Heather watches out the window for the car, telling us as soon as it pulls up. We all get into position as Dan and Brandon come in with the birthday boy.
Seamless Forever (Sleepless November Saga Book 3) Page 6