"You what?!" My boyfriend's face turns red in an instant.
"Shush, big brother. It wasn't my cup of tea." She replies nonchalantly. "If I wanted to feel like I drank an entire twelve pack of red bulls in an hour, I'd just do that. The point is... there's no judgement here."
I exhale in relief and smile. "Thank you."
"Always."
OUR FLIGHT LANDS A little after six o'clock in the evening. Brandon is waiting for us in baggage claim when we get there. As soon as we approach him, Holden lights up like a little kid on Christmas morning.
Jo mocks a look of judgement as they hug. "You're such girls. You saw each other like three months ago."
"Aw." Brandon coos as he wraps his arm around her shoulders. "I missed you too baby sister."
"Please don't touch me." She feigns disgust, tensing up in his arms.
He lets her go and then turns his attention to me. "Kayleigh, you're looking stunning as usual."
Holden grabs my shoulders and pulls me toward him possessively. "Mine." He growls, burying his head into my hair.
Jo and Brandon watch with wide smiles on their faces. I blush and squeal when Holden lightly tickles my sides. He doesn't stop until I distract him with a kiss. However, the moment I do, Jo fake gags. If anything, it only eggs Holden on and I need to stop him from going too far in the middle of a crowded airport.
After collecting our luggage, the four of us make our way out to the parking lot. I stay close to Josephine as Holden and Brandon lead the way, talking about some big party on Saturday night. When we get to the car, Jo and I climb in the backseat together, letting the boys take up the front of the car.
The drive to the house is nothing short of amusing. It's just like the drive to the laser tag arena, only this time, stories from and about Brandon are added into the mix. If I thought Jo had embarrassing tales to tell about Holden, Brandon's put hers to shame.
"Remember that time we threw a party at the house, and you left to go home?" Brandon asks while laughing. "I texted you and asked where you were going, and you said home like it was the most obvious thing in the world. You told me you got an Uber and not to worry, until I reminded you the party was at our house."
Holden throws his head back as the rest of us are in hysterics. "Yes. You had to get on the phone with the Uber driver and tell him to turn around. What address had I given him again?"
"School." Jo and Brandon answer in unison, causing us to laugh even harder.
We pull up to the house and are immediately welcomed by Heather and Dan. They greet me with the same level of excitement as they greet Holden and Jo with. Heather happily tells me how delighted she was to hear that Holden and I got back together, whispering in my ear that I'm her favorite.
Before stepping into the house, I find myself taking in the view. The Jersey Shore is a beautiful place, even in the fall. Being able to look up and down the coast from the front porch is something I could never even begin to get tired of.
"You okay?" Holden questions, putting his hand on the small of my back.
"It's still the most beautiful thing I've ever seen." I answer, completely mesmerized.
He gazes at the beach before looking at me. "Again, not quite." He presses his lips to mine for only a moment, smiling as he pulls away. "I'm really glad you're here with me."
"Me too."
The six of us spend the evening in the living room, playing family board games and just enjoying each other's company. Seeing the way they are together is heartwarming. They're the kind of families you see in movies and read about in books. How they matter to each other more than anyone else in the world - it's the best thing I've ever experienced and I find myself hoping my future is the same way.
I WAKE IN THE morning to Holden whispering my name. I don't even need to open my eyes to know he's, once again, up before the sun. Whining quietly, I blindly feel around to put my hand over his mouth. When I find it, he kisses my palm.
"It's official. You’re incapable of being near a beach and letting me sleep past five in the morning." I complain, my voice groggy.
He hums in agreement. "It's my second favorite thing."
I peek my eyes open to look at him. "What's the first?"
Smirking, he leans forward and kisses my forehead. "Come on, up you go."
The two of us get dressed in sweats and warm jackets before quietly exiting the house. Walking over to the beach, it's like déjà vu. Memories of last Thanksgiving and our time in Miami flood my mind, and all I can do is smile up at my boyfriend as he pulls me toward the shore.
We sit in the sand, and he pulls me back against him. I shiver from the cold until his body heat warms me. Just as the sun begins to peak above the water, he takes a deep breath.
"I could stay like this forever and never have a single complaint." He murmurs.
I sigh contently. "That sounds perfect."
"Yeah? You would spend the rest of your life with me?"
Turning my head to look at him, we stare into each other's eyes. "Absolutely. I love you."
"I love you, too." He nuzzles his head into my neck comfortably. "I can just picture sitting here with you, watching our kids run around the beach."
"Kids?"
He nods. "Two – a boy first, and then a little girl. He'll have my smile, and she'll have your eyes. We'll spend our days at the beach, and nights at hockey practice."
"With both of them?"
"Of course. Girl hockey players are bad ass, and they end up with an entire team of guys ready to fight someone at the drop of a hat. Don't worry though, she'll still be a total mommy's girl."
I chuckle as I shake my head. "No way. She's going to be all about you, and you know it."
He smiles as he laces our fingers together. "I guess we'll just have to wait and see."
"I guess so."
I bite my lip to contain my grin. The thought of spending the rest of my life with Holden is perfection. He's the only person who has ever made me feel like I'm not just a broken mess lying on the floor. Since last October, he has done nothing but make me realize that my life matters, and that I'm important – no matter what my anxiety may tell me. He's the best thing to ever happen to me.
THANKSGIVING IS FILLED WITH loving family and happy memories. Seeing Holden's grandparents again is great, and not having to correct everyone when they refer to me as his girlfriend makes it even better. Before I know it, it's Saturday night and Brandon, Holden, and I are getting ready for a party at their friend Alec's house.
"Please tell me you're coming." I beg Josephine, hoping for a familiar face.
She smiles sadly. "Sorry babe, I'm heading to my friend Fallyn's house."
I pout for only a second before Holden comes up behind me with Brandon in tow. "You ready?"
After nodding, we say goodbye to Heather and Dan, and the three of us leave. The party isn't far, and the house is just as massive, if not bigger, than Holden's – and it’s definitely fancier. The whole thing is overwhelming and as we're walking up the steps, I pray to get through the night unscathed.
Once we're inside, someone comes and takes our coats. Another person is walking around with glasses of champagne and Holden grabs one for each of us. I take it hesitantly, but ultimately throw caution to the wind and drink it. To say I need a little liquid courage right now, would be an understatement.
Holden introduces me to a few of his friends, but the only thing I can focus on is the number of beautiful women walking around. They're all around our age, and everyone seems to know each other. Without even realizing it, I wrap my arms around my stomach out of habit.
"Oh, no you don't." Holden whispers into my ear, grabbing my hands and undoing my defenses. "You are the most gorgeous woman here. Don't let your insecurities convince you otherwise." I look down at the ground and smile shyly, before he pulls me toward the dance floor. "Come."
He wraps one arm around my back and lifts my hand in his. The two of us glide around the floor elegantly, and I feel like I've fa
llen asleep and woken up in some alternate reality. It's as if we're royalty, and the only thing that matters is each other. Every time I start to get in my own head, he distracts me – making me laugh and focus solely on him.
A LITTLE MORE THAN an hour later, the two of us are getting drinks when Holden keeps glancing at a girl who will not look away from him. Just when she starts to walk toward us, he grabs my hand to lead me to the back door, claiming to want to get fresh air. However, when the girl calls his name, he stops and cringes before turning around.
"B, nice to see you again." He lies.
She steps closer and places a friendly kiss on his cheek before looking me up and down. "Oh, hello. I'm Bianca."
"Kayleigh." I respond politely, taking a moment to study her appearance. Her long black hair falls perfectly against her silver dress, and her bright blue eyes put mine to shame.
Faking a smile, she brings her sights back to Holden. "If I didn't know any better, I'd think you were avoiding me."
"Nope. Just spending the night with my girlfriend." He looks around uncomfortably, tightening his grip on my hand and trying to find an escape.
"Girlfriend?" She questions, surprised. "Wow. You move quick these days, don't you?"
I look at my boyfriend with utter confusion. "Holden, what's she talking about?" He swallows as he avoids eye contact with me.
"Oh!" Bianca exclaims. "This is the same girl you dated last year!"
"I'm sorry, you seem to know who I am, but I don't have the slightest clue who you are."
Her expression changes to a look of confidence that sends a chill down my spine, and she extends her hand. "I'm the girl who picked up the pieces of the mess you left him in May."
"Bianca." Holden hisses.
"What?!" She snaps. "You can fuck me all summer, and then return to her like I never existed? I made you, and then fixed you all up when you came home from college all sad and pathetic because some druggie shattered your little heart."
My whole body goes numb and I rip my hand from Holden's as if I've been burned. He turns to me with wide eyes as Bianca smirks, knowing exactly what she just did. When he reaches for me, I take a step backwards.
"I'm sorry, I have to go." I whisper brokenly, holding in the tears.
I push past Bianca and head straight for the exit, hearing Holden follow closely behind me. Once I get out the front door, I'm relieved to see several cabs lined up on the curb. Just as I start to walk toward one, Holden grabs my wrist.
"Kayleigh, wait."
"For what?!" I shout, yanking my arm away. "For you to explain?! For you to apologize?! Save it."
"I didn't mean for it to happen. She meant nothing." He tries.
A tear escapes my eye as I look up at him. "Let me guess, you didn't mean to lie about it either."
Reaching forward, he wipes away the dampness with his thumb and takes a step closer. "I was afraid I would lose you."
"And lying to me was a way to avoid that? How's that working out for you?" I shake my head and lightly push him away. "I'm sorry, I have to go."
"Let me come with you."
"No. I need space. You go enjoy the rest of the night with your friends."
He looks as if he wants to argue it, but instead sighs. "Will I see you at home?" I nod slowly before turning around and walking toward the cab. "I love you." He pleads.
"I know."
Climbing in the back of the cab, I take my phone out of my purse and press speed dial number four – placing it against my ear and waiting for it to ring.
"Where to ma'am?" The driver questions.
"The airport, please."
A familiar voice comes through the other end of the phone, and I do my best to hold myself together.
"Hey, mom. I need a favor."
Chapter 23
Holden
Iwatch as the cab drives away, willing for it to stop – for Kayleigh to forgive me or for a rewind button to magically appear. When none of those things happen, I lower my head and go back inside the house. Going straight to the bar and taking a seat, I order a shot of whiskey and pound it down as soon as it’s placed in front of me.
“Woah. You look like you got hit by a truck.” Brandon remarks as he sits on the stool next to me. “Where’s Kayleigh?”
“She left.” I tell him, my throat still burning from the shot.
He looks around as if he’s missing something. “What do you mean she left? What happened?”
“Bianca happened.”
“Ouch.” He hisses, waving the bartender over to order me another shot. “What’d the wicked bitch of the east do this time?”
I rub my thumbs against my temples in an attempt to wrap my head around this. “She told Kayleigh about us hooking up over summer, and that I told her about our break up.”
“I’m guessing you left that information out when you got back together?” I look him in the eyes but don’t say anything. Realization washes over his face. “Jesus Christ, you lied.”
“What was I supposed to tell her? Yeah, I had sex with my ex all summer while you were in rehab, but don’t worry, I still want you.”
“Well, maybe not in those words, but yeah. H, it took an entire month and a half for you to get up the courage to make a move on her, and another three before she agreed to go out with you. Why would you even risk it?”
I throw back the second shot and shake my head. “I don’t know. I didn’t think Bianca was going to be here tonight.”
“She’s Bianca Vanderlin.” He deadpans. “She lives for shit like this.”
“Yeah, I know. I’m an idiot.”
Brandon looks at me sympathetically and sighs. “Think it’s salvageable?”
I shrug. “I’m not sure. I hope so.”
“Me too.” He replies. “I’ve been hearing about this girl since August of last year. I’d hate to see it end like this.”
As I take a sip of my beer, I think back on when I first laid eyes on Kayleigh Jacobs.
“I think my roommate’s here, but I’ll only be a minute.” Bree says as she sticks her key into the lock.
Her and I have been messing around for the past week. We never really made things official, but she refers to me as her boyfriend and I don’t have the heart to correct her. She’s a sweet girl, with one hell of a figure. I guess dating her wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world. Besides, having a girlfriend has never stopped me from doing whatever I want anyway.
She opens the door and steps inside. I follow behind her, focusing on my phone in my hand. As I reply to a text from Jason about the party tonight, I hear Bree talking to someone – once again introducing me as her boyfriend. I click my phone off and look up. The breath is sucked out of me in an instant.
Sitting on the bed in front of me is the most breathtaking woman I’ve ever seen in my life. She’s wearing sweatpants and a tank top, with her hair brown hair tied up in a ponytail. She’s absolutely mesmerizing. She looks from me to Bree, with a confused look on her face.
“Sorry. I’m Holden.” I say, basically fumbling over my words.
“Kayleigh.” She replies. Her voice is a light and calming tone, and I could easily find myself getting lost listening to her.
‘Get a fucking grip, H. She’s just another freshman.’ My subconscious reminds me. ‘It’s not like they all don’t throw themselves at you anyway.’
Bree goes into the bathroom to change and get ready, leaving Kayleigh and I alone together. She smiles sweetly at me, and I smirk in return. Ever since the ninth grade, when I learned how to lift weights, I’ve known what effect I can have on girls. Getting whoever I want has never been an issue.
“So, what are you doing tonight?” I question.
She looks up from writing in her little book. “Nothing. Probably just staying in.”
“Well, we’re having a party at my fraternity if you’re interested.”
“Oh, no thank you.” She responds, shaking her head.
Did she just tell me no? What the fuck.
“No?!” I ask indignantly, before I can filter myself.
“What? Is that not a word you hear often?”
“Well, to be honest, no. It’s not.”
She’s slightly taken back but recovers nicely. “I guess there’s a first time for everything.”
Bree steps out of the bathroom wearing a tight pair of jeans and a crop top. I decide to take a different approach, grabbing Bree’s hand and pulling her toward me. I place my hands on her ass and lean down to kiss her feverishly – thinking it would make Kayleigh jealous. I’ve never been so wrong. She stays focused on her notebook, but has a disgusted look on her face.
“You ready to go?” Bree asks, still recovering from the kiss. I nod and she says her goodbyes to Kayleigh, letting her know that she won’t be home tonight.
“It was nice meeting you.” I tell her, but she doesn’t respond. She doesn’t even look up, instead choosing to just raise her eyebrows and laugh, shaking her head slightly.
For the rest of the night, I can’t seem to get her out of my head. No matter how much I drink, or how many times Bree throws herself at me like a needy little puppy – all I can see is honey brown eyes with long lashes burned into my mind. I take out my phone and send a text to the one person who knows me better than I know myself.
Me: Bran, I think I met the girl of my dreams today.
Since that day, she’s never left my thoughts. No matter what I tried, she hated my guts. It just so happened that whenever I’d make some sort of arrogant comment, she would be within earshot. I never realized until it was too late, and her impression of me only got worse as time went on. It wasn’t until we were partnered together on that project, that I decided to let her know the real me – instead of the show I put on for everyone else.
“Drinking your problems away?” A familiar voice goes right through me. “Brandon, it’s nice to see you again.”
“Bianca.” He greets her. “It’s, well, my mother always told me not to lie.”
The corners of my mouth raise, unable to help myself. Brandon takes a sip of his beer as Bianca turns her attention to me.
Endless December (Sleepless November Saga Book 2) Page 14
