“Are you Miss Jacobs?” He asks, and I nod. “I was told to give this to you. It’s from Mr. Rivers.”
I take it from him and thank him kindly. Brandon looks at me jealously while Emily coos. I pull the jersey over my head and use the hair tie on my wrist to tie it behind my back. Holden winks as soon as he sees me wearing it.
“Excuse me?” The girl behind me gets my attention. “How did you get that? Those aren’t even available yet.”
Noticing her for the first time, she’s wearing a white T-shirt with Holden’s name and number written on it in puff paint. I’m glad he already has fans here, but I’d be lying if I said it didn’t twist my stomach up a bit.
“Holden gave it to her.” Emily answers.
She looks at Em, then at Brandon, then back to me. “Oh, oh my god. I know who you are.”
“You do?” We all reply in unison.
“Yes!” She says excitedly. “You’re all on Holden’s Instagram. You’re his fiancé, his best friend, and his best friend’s girlfriend!”
Emily gets really close to my ear. “Stalker alert.” She whispers, causing me snort.
“I’ve been a fan of him since he played with the Black Bears. I’m so happy he’s with the Bruins now!”
“So are we.” Brandon answers and I smile politely.
She writes something down on a piece of paper and hands it to me. “This is my twitter handle. Do you think you could get him to follow me?”
“I can’t promise he’ll do it, but I’ll give it to him.” I slip the paper into my pocket.
Thankfully, that’s enough for her and she goes back to watching the game – screaming for Holden more than any other player on the ice.
THE GAME ENDS WITH the Bruins taking the win. The four of us congratulate H as soon as we see him, but his focus is on me. He excitedly picks me up in his arms and spins us around. His mood is infectious and has me giggling as he peppers kisses all over my face.
“Rivers.” One of his teammates calls him. “We’re going to celebrate. You guys coming?”
He looks to us for approval and we all nod. “Yeah.” He tells him. “Text me where.”
A few minutes later, we’re all piling into the taxi and heading over to the club. I feel something stabbing me in the leg, and it reminds me of the girl who sat behind us during the game.
“Oh, this is for you.” I hand him the piece of paper.
He unfolds it, confused. “What’s this?”
“The girl behind us was a big fan. Asked for me to give it to you so you could follow her.”
“It was creepy.” Emily tells him bluntly. “She knew who all of us were.”
“How old was she?” He asks.
I shrug. “Probably like my age?”
He nods once in acknowledgement and crumples the paper in his hand, throwing it out the window of the cab. Brandon laughs while I just stare at him in admiration. He’s completely unfazed though, kissing my cheek and tapping the beat of the song on his thighs.
We get to our destination rather quickly. It’s a private club, needing to be on a list to get in. Holden gives them his name and the bouncer moves the rope to let us in. The whole team is already there, and it’s almost overwhelming to be around all the people I’ve seen Holden watch on TV. Some of them I’ve already met at his practice, but the ones I haven’t Holden introduces me to.
“What do you want to drink?” Brandon asks.
“A beer for me.” Holden answers.
“Bay-breeze.” Emily tells him
I shift uncomfortably. “Uh, just a water is fine.”
Em looks at me funny, but doesn’t say anything. Holden and I make eye contact and I can tell he’s holding back a laugh. I’m surprised my best friend hasn’t caught on yet. She’s normally on point with reading me.
Five minutes later, Brandon comes back with a tray. It has all our drinks, plus four shots of what looks like tequila. My eyes widen in response.
“I got us each a celebratory shot for the win.” Fuck.
Holden reacts quickly, taking his and then mine before anyone can stop him. I sigh in relief, until I notice the way Emily is looking at me.
“H!” Brandon scoffs, but looks amused. “Now I have to go get another for Kayleigh.”
“No, that’s okay. I’m alright.”
“Are you sure?”
I nod. “Yeah. I, uh, don’t really feel up to drinking tonight.”
Em gasps. “Oh, my god.”
All of us turn to look at her, but she’s only staring at me. I try to play it cool, but she already has it figured out.
“What?” Brandon questions. “Why are you looking at her like that?”
“She’s pregnant.”
He chuckles and shakes his head. “No, she’s not.” When Holden and I don’t say a word, his jaw drops. “She is?!”
I give Holden a look, knowing we’re caught. He half shrugs and wraps his arms around me from behind, placing his hands on my lower stomach.
“Due April 24th.”
Emily lights up like the Fourth of July. “Are you serious?!” I nod and she pulls me out of Holden’s grasp to hug me. “I’m so happy for you! Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Well, we were going to tomorrow, but you ruined it.”
She pulls away and laughs. “I’m sorry.”
Brandon congratulates us both as well. Seeing their reactions to it makes me feel less anxious about telling everyone else. Holden must have the same thought, because it reminds him that Brandon is technically his brother.
“Just don’t say anything to anyone yet. We want to announce it at Thanksgiving.”
He nods, pointing out that since Emily already knows, he shouldn’t have any problem doing that. Thankfully, he’s at school until we all go home for break, so no one will have the chance to see he’s hiding something. He’s a horrible liar.
“Have you thought of any names yet?” Em asks.
We shake our heads.
“Well.” Bran says smugly. “Brandon is a great name for a boy.”
The three of us snicker and Emily kisses him on the cheek. “If they name their son Brandon, we have to name ours Holden.”
He tilts his head to the side as he ponders it. “That’s not a bad deal.”
I turn and tuck into Holden’s chest. “I really hope we’re having a girl.”
LATER ON, WHILE EVERYONE is having a great time, Holden's phone buzzes on the table. I'm about to ignore it, when something catches my eye.
Bianca: Congratulations on tonight's game!
Proud of you.
I groan low enough for only Emily to hear it. Brandon was right, that girl is like a bad case of herpes.
Chapter 20
It’s one thing to be pregnant and deal with all the mood swings and nausea that comes with it. It’s another to be pregnant with anxiety. Since my appointment almost a week ago, the doctor made sure to tell me I can no longer take my medication. It’s too dangerous for the baby. Therefore, I’ve been trying to juggle work, school, missing Holden, and the nausea – all while not being on the one thing that can somewhat control my panic attacks.
It’s been so great.
Thankfully, Dr. Medina prescribed me an anti-nausea pill that works better than the one I got before. It has let up a little bit, but not nearly as much as I’d hoped. Everything I’ve read keeps telling me that it should subside a decent amount when my second trimester hits, but that’s not for another 2-3 weeks.
I splash some water on my face and use a towel to dry off, then return to the living room.
“Sorry.” I tell Holden as soon as I pick the phone up off the couch.
“Still getting sick?”
I sigh. “Yeah. It’s not as often or as intense as it was, but it’s still happening.”
“I’m sorry, baby. Anything I can do?”
“Come home and cuddle with me.”
He smiles sadly into the camera. “Just say the words.”
As tempting as it is, I
shake my head.
While I was there this past week, Holden and I discussed the fact that I may have emotional outbursts where I tell him I want to come home. We came up with a passcode for if I’m serious, otherwise I’m just saying it because I’m hormonal. If I say the word ‘pineapple’ three times after telling him to come home, he knows it’s for real. He also knows not to quit right away – just to get here and give me a chance to calm down.
“So, where’s your next game again?”
“Philadelphia. We leave tonight so we can practice there tomorrow.”
“Is Brandon going to be there?”
“No. He’s in New York with Emily. Him, Mom, and Dad will all be at the next one in Jersey though.”
I smile, seeing how happy he is about it. “Well, that should be fun.”
“Yeah. I’m excited for my parents to see me play.”
We talk for a little bit longer before there’s a pounding at my door. My eyebrows furrow and Holden asks me who it is, but I’m honestly not sure. Dawson and Caleb both have their own key, in case of emergencies. I open the door and nearly choke when I see Sky and Bree standing on the other side of it.
“Okay, bitch. No more avoiding us.” Bree pushes her way into my apartment.
I chuckle softly, knowing it was only a matter of time before this happened. “Holden, I have to go. Bree and Skylar are here.”
“Hi!” They both shout from behind me.
“Okay, babe. Tell them I said hello. I’ll text you as soon as I’m out of the shower.”
“K, love you.”
“Love you, too.”
I hang up the phone and turn to my two friends. Their arms are crossed and they’re staring me down. “What?” I ask.
“You don’t look sick.” Sky remarks.
I grab the bottle of anti-nausea meds off the counter and toss it to her, already certain it says nothing about pregnancy on it. She looks at it for a moment then nods, handing it to Bree for inspection.
“I wouldn’t avoid you.” I lie.
To my luck, they both seem to buy it. However, I’m not off the hook that easy.
“Well, get dressed.” Bree tells me. “We’re going to a party at Kappa and you’re coming.”
I almost stop breathing. “Oh, no. I’m not sure that’s a good idea. I’m still not feeling all that well and a party doesn’t seem like the ideal place for me right now.”
Skylar grabs my wrist and pulls me toward my bedroom. “If you puke, you can just blame it on being drunk. You’re not getting out of this.”
Sighing loudly, I give in and go to get dressed. I’ll just have to figure out a way to avoid alcohol without them knowing. An idea comes to mind and I take my phone out of my pocket, sending a quick text to Caleb.
Me: SOS. Bree and Sky are making me go to
the Kappa party. I need you to come with us.
I find an outfit that isn’t too tight around my waist. My stomach is still sensitive. Just as I’m doing my makeup, my phone vibrates.
Caleb: Yikes. Jason and I will be at yours in five.
A wave of relief washes over me and I turn to the two sitting on my bed.
“Caleb and Jason are coming too.”
They don’t react, instead just shrugging and mumbling that it’s fine. Skylar mentions that Dawson will be meeting us there after he gets off work and ten minutes later, we’re out the door. While riding in Caleb’s truck, I send a quick message to Holden.
Me: Kidnapped. Being taken to a party at Kappa.
Don’t worry. Caleb is coming too.
His response is almost immediate.
Holden: Okay. Be careful. I love you.
Seeing Bree try to glance over at my phone, I send a quick ‘love you too’ and slip it back into my pocket. Caleb keeps looking at me through the rear-view mirror. I guess he can sense my apprehension.
We pull up to the party and everyone climbs out. Bree instantly skips over to Riley. He smiles before grabbing her face and kissing her. It catches me off guard.
“Woah. When did that happen?”
Sky glances over at them and shrugs. “When you were MIA.”
My eyes roll playfully. “I wasn’t MIA. I was sick.”
“Yeah, yeah. Same thing.”
I follow them through the house and into the kitchen, saying hello to all the guys I remember from last year. They ask me about Holden and how he’s doing – telling me they watched his game on TV Tuesday. I almost forgot that his games are now nationally broadcasted.
“I’ll go get us drinks.” Bree offers, but Caleb stops her.
“No, stay. I got it.”
She doesn’t think anything of it as he takes off toward the fridge. A few minutes later he comes back with three cups and two bottles of beer. He hands the cups to Skylar, Bree, and I.
“What is it?” Sky asks.
“Vodka and Cran.”
They both seem happy enough and Caleb winks at me before I take a sip. It’s only cranberry juice. Maybe tonight will work out after all.
I’M AT WORK WITH Dawson, finally being able to tolerate the smell of scones, when he starts asking when I’m going to tell Skylar. I feel horrible making him keep secrets from her, but Holden and I want to tell everyone else together.
“H comes home next Friday for our second appointment. We’ll announce it then.”
That answer seems to satisfy him, and he goes back to wiping down the tables. It’s nearly ten and I’m watching Holden’s game on my phone. They’re currently winning 3-1 and the camera spans to the crowd. Familiar black hair catches my eye and sucks the air right out of the room.
“No.” I whisper.
“What?” Dawson stops what he’s doing and looks at me.
I put my hand out. “Give me your phone.”
He doesn’t hesitate. I unlock it as soon as it’s in my hands and open Instagram. The second I type the username into the search, her profile comes up. Sure enough, the most recently posted picture is from tonight. She’s wearing a Bruins jersey and posing with one of her friends. I can’t see the number on it, but the caption makes my blood boil
Watching my favorite all-star dominate the ice.
Good luck @HoldenRivers ��
She’s there. She’s at his game and he didn’t tell me. Why didn’t he tell me? It only takes a second before the room starts to spin. Not being on my meds, it was inevitable for my anxiety to eventually win. When it comes to Bianca getting involved in my relationship, I don’t stand a chance.
My breathing becomes strenuous and my chest starts to hurt from gasping for air. Dawson calls my name, but I can’t respond. Just before everything goes black, I hear an operator coming through the speaker of his phone.
9-1-1. What’s your emergency?
WHEN I WAKE, I’VE got Dawson on one side and Caleb on the other. There is an IV in my right arm and a blood pressure cuff on my left. Between those and the oxygen tubes in my nose, I’m uncomfortable to say the least.
“Oh, good. You’re awake.” Dawson’s tone is quiet.
I look around the room, confused. “What happened?”
Caleb smiles sadly. “You had an anxiety attack. A pretty bad one from the looks of it.”
Thoughts of the baby flood through my mind, and I sit up in a panic. “The baby. What about the baby?”
“Shh.” Dawson soothes me. “They don’t think anything is wrong. They’re going to come back in a little while to run an ultrasound though, just to be sure.”
I settle back in the bed. My chest is still tight and I feel utterly exhausted. Instead of trying to get out of here, which I know is hopeless, I allow myself to drift back to sleep.
“Wake me up when the doctor comes in.” I mumble, just before my eyes droop closed.
A COUPLE HOURS LATER, I’m woken by a man dressed in a white coat. Dawson and Caleb are both still here, waiting patiently. I sit up and rub my eyes with my fists. Once I seem awake enough, the doctor reaches out his hand.
“Hi Kayleigh.
I’m Dr. Hagerman.” He greets me. “How are you?”
I shrug. “Well, judging by the fact that I’m here, I’d say I’ve been better.”
He laughs softly. “Understandable.” He looks down at the tablet screen. “It looks like you had a rather intense panic attack. Is that something new for you?”
“No. I’ve had them since I was about fifteen.”
“Have they always been this bad?”
I shake my head. “I was on medication for them until recently. I had to stop taking them though.”
“Right, because of the pregnancy.” He says and I nod. “Well, I’d like to keep you for observation. A technician is going to come and give you an ultrasound to check on the baby, but I’m not too concerned. Also, it’s policy for a therapist to come evaluate you.”
I drop my head. “Yeah, I know. How long am I going to be here though?”
“As long as it takes to make sure you’re okay.” A voice booms through the room, causing my breath to hitch and the heart monitor to spike.
My head whips toward the sound and I find Holden leaning against the doorway with his arms crossed, looking like a Greek god.
Chapter 21
Isit there gaping, trying to find the right words. The doctor excuses himself, but my eyes stay focused on my fiancé.
“What are you doing here?”
“Seriously?” He asks in disbelief. “You’re in the hospital, and you’re asking what I’m doing here? How many times do I need to explain that you come first before you believe me?”
I turn to Caleb and Dawson, who are both avoiding eye contact with me. “Which one of you told him?”
“No.” Holden says firmly. “Don’t yell at them.”
“Holden, you’re in the beginning of your first hockey season. You have a game in like two days, and you just played one tonight. You should be with the team, celebrating and practicing.”
He shakes his head and comes to sit on the bed next to me. “My pregnant fiancé is in the hospital from a massive anxiety attack. I’m exactly where I should be right now.”
Seamless Forever (Sleepless November Saga Book 3) Page 14