Page 57 of Holden’s Resurrection

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.”

Translation: Everything, you big dummy.

Holden knew her “nothings” like he knew she was best left undisturbed until she consumed enough caffeine to jack up an elephant.

“Baby, you do know that in all the years we’ve been apart I haven’t forgotten one thing about you.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” she snapped again.

“It means that back then, when you told me nothing it meant something. So something is wrong. If memory serves and I know it does because again, I remember every single thing about you, it would take me a minimum of fifteen minutes to pull it out of you. So, baby, save us some time and tell me what’s pissing you off.”

“Nothing’s pissing me off.”

Holden sighed and sat back, but didn’t bother turning off the engine. It was cold outside and without the heater running they’d be freezing their asses off within five minutes.

“Why are we just sitting here?” she asked after a few moments.

“Because likely whatever has pissed you off will require privacy while I sort you out.”

“Sort me out?” Her eyes narrowed dangerously on Holden. “What’s that mean?”

“Leigh-Leigh.”

“My name is not an answer.”

Well, at least she wasn’t bitching anymore about him using his nickname for her.

“Tell me what’s wrong and I’ll explain what sorting you out means.”

The woman was lucky she was cute as hell when she was being stubborn. If not, it would likely annoy the ever-loving shit out of him. And he knew unequivocally she wasn’t going to budge when she crossed her arms over her chest and settled back.

So…guessing it is.

“Are you pissed I don’t want you going to your apartment?”

“No.”

Holden wanted to laugh; by answering his question she’d essentially admitted she was pissed about something.

“You mad I don’t want Faith there?”

“No.”

“Then you’re mad we’re staying at Evie’s.”

Her pause told him that was closer to the mark.

“I’m not mad, I’m just…confused as to why she’s letting us. She’s hated me since she picked her head up off Chasin’s shoulder in the hospital when your doctor came in to tell us you made it through surgery.”

Shit.

He’d fanned that hatred. Now he needed to fix it. But first, he needed to be honest with Charleigh.

“I haven’t been right for a long time. Even before I was shot and you came to Kent County, I was pulling into myself. Everyone saw it but no one was talking to me about it. After my trip to Virginia when you went to court and the Towlers were giving you problems, I retreated completely. My head was so fucked-up I didn’t want to be around my friends. They’d all hooked up with great women, they were starting families, and I was wallowing in self-pity.”

Holden fixed Charleigh in his gaze so she’d understand. “Evie and I are close. She doesn’t trust many people because she’s been burned so many times, but when you’re in, you have her absolute love and loyalty. That’s Evie. That’s my friend. And, I may have abused that friendship, now that I’m looking back.”