AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Why me?” I question, more to myself than anyone else.
“Because you’re magnificent in bed, duh.” Dawson quips. I glare at him for a short moment, causing him to raise his hands in defense and back up – smiling playfully.
“Has he told you he wants to be more than friends?” Sky inquires. I shake my head while Dawson nods.
“Not really.” I reply, slapping Dawson’s arm. He feigns injury and rubs it.
“She’s being naïve about it.”
“I’m being cautious.”
He chuckles. “Sure, hun. Whatever you say.”
I roll my eyes, turning my attention back to Sky. “He’s like, the university player.”
“Ah.” She says, nodding in understanding. “Well, what if you’re different?”
Her words bring me back to the conversation I overheard between Holden and Caleb last night. I don’t know, man. She’s different. I can’t explain it. Suddenly, I know what I’m going to do.
Dawson and I lock up and the three of us climb into his car. My knee bounces impatiently, causing the two of them to snicker. When we pull up to the frat house, they wish me luck and I jump out of the car.
I enter the house and run up the stairs, determined not to second guess myself. When I get into Holden’s room, he’s packing his bag. He turns and looks at me, his expression perplexed.
“Okay.” I breathe. “I’ll come with you.”
He smiles brightly and begins walking toward me. In one swift move, he swings the door shut and pushes me up against it, kissing me hungrily. I immediately kiss back, wrapping my arms around his neck and pulling him closer. As he grinds against me, I moan into his mouth.
He picks me up and carries me over to the bed, knocking the bag onto the floor and laying me down.
“Thank you.” He says as he breaks the kiss, seeming happier than I’ve ever seen him.
I don’t respond. Instead, I pull him back down and the two of us lose ourselves in each other. The way he makes me feel is unexplainable. I just hope I don’t end up regretting this.
Chapter Seventeen
I sit at the long table with Holden by my side. The massive amount of food on my plate causes my anxiety to go haywire. There’s no way in hell I can eat all this. I try to rack my brain for an excuse, but can’t think of anything that won’t have Holden on full alert.
I look up to find his entire family staring at me. Their judgement is evident as my breathing becomes heavy. I try to look to Holden for help, but find the same disparaging expression on his face.
“What were you thinking?” His mother asks him with a strong southern accent. “She’ll never be good enough for you, son.”
I stand up. My chair makes a loud noise as it moves away from the table and I run out of the room. I find myself getting lost trying to locate the exit to this mansion. By the time I find it, everyone already standing outside. However, the only thing I can see is Holden, down on one knee in front of Brianna.
“Yes!” She yells excitedly as he picks her up and spins her in his arms.
“Thank the lord!” His mother praises, placing a hand on her chest. “I thought he was going to end up with Kayleigh.”
Everyone’s eyes land on me again, and laughter breaks out amongst them – as if the idea is the most outlandish thing they’ve ever heard. I look to the guy who has so quickly become my favorite person, but he’s laughing as well. How could I have been so stupid?
“Kayleigh.” Holden’s voice pulls me from my nightmare. “Wake up. We’re her
e.”
I open my eyes and immediately feel relieved. We’re still on the plane, just having landed at Philadelphia Airport. I lift my head from his shoulder and rub my eyes with my sleeves, trying to adjust to the light.
“You okay? You seemed like you were having a bad dream.” I try to play it cool, but he can see the alarm written all over my face. He leans forward and places a kiss on my forehead. “Everything’s going to be alright. I promise.”
The two of us stare into each other’s eyes for a moment. He smiles slightly, just enough to make my heart flutter. Maybe he’s right. There’s nothing to worry about. I’m just meeting the parents of my friend with benefits and spending a mainstream holiday with them.
