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Fuck.
Thankfully, before I can overthink it too much, the plane comes to a stop and everyone stands. Holden reaches up and grabs our bags from the overhead compartment. Once he’s done, the two of us follow the line of people off the plane and into the airport.
Walking up the jet way has got to be one of the most stressful moments of my life. What’s he going to introduce me as? His friend? His fuck-buddy? Will he even introduce me at all, or will he leave that for me to do myself?
Jesus, this was a bad idea. I should have stayed at school.
We make our way through the airport and down to the baggage claim. I’m moderately surprised there isn’t a large group of people holding up a sign that reads HOLDEN RIVERS written hugely across it.
Just when I’m about to ask him where everyone is, his phone rings. He holds one finger up and puts it to his ear.
“Hello?” He answers. “Yeah, we’re at baggage claim C. Where are you?” He spins around a little, brushing the hair out of his face before finally finding who he was looking for. “Yeah, you see me?... Okay cool.”
He hangs up the phone but keeps his attention focused away from me. I try to follow his line of sight, but I don’t spot anyone that resembles an excited mother or father. Finally, I see why.
“Hey man!” A guy that can’t be any older than Holden greets him, giving him a quick hug before turning his attention to me. “And you must be Kayleigh. You’re even hotter in person.”
My eyes widen in surprise as Holden laughs and pushes him away from me lightly. “Okay, enough of that. Forgive him, he lacks a filter.”
I recognize him from the many pictures in Holden’s room. Brandon – Holden’s best friend. A smile spreads across my face at how happy they both look together, catching up like they don’t talk every single day. For a moment, I wonder why Brandon is here to pick us up and not Holden’s parents, but I decide not to question it. He’s smiling, and that’s all that matters.
The two of us follow Brandon out to the parking lot, depositing our bags into the trunk when we reach his car. Just before I climb into the back seat, Holden stops me.
“You okay?” He asks lowly and I nod.
He squeezes my hand once before releasing it and opening the passenger door. We both get into the car and I take out my phone, texting Dawson to let him know we made it okay. He quickly replies with a picture of him and Skylar pouting, with a second text telling me how much they miss me. I smile, rolling my eyes and telling him I miss them too.
I scroll through Instagram, occasionally texting Dawson about my nightmare and impending anxiety attack at the thought of meeting Holden’s family. After about a half hour, I lie down across the back seat. Holden looks back to check on me. I assure him that I’m fine, sending him a bright smile and making myself comfortable. He smiles back and winks. I fight to ignore the fluttering in my stomach.
I’M NOT ENTIRELY SURE when I fell asleep again, but I wake up to my name. No one is talking to me, however. They’re talking about me. Either I really need to learn not to eavesdrop, or Holden needs to stop talking about me while I’m asleep.
“Mom is so excited to meet her.” Brandon tells him.
Mom? They’re brothers?
Holden shakes his head, clicking off his phone and putting it down on his lap. “She acts like I’ve never had a girlfriend.”
“Correction, you’ve never had a girlfriend you’ve brought home.”
“Well, that’s still true. She isn’t my girlfriend.”
Brandon laughs. “Still?! Hasn’t she basically been living with you?”
He nods and then shrugs. “It’s not for lack of trying. I’ve dropped hints a few times.”
“Has the infamous Holden Rivers lost his touch? Come on, man. Since when are you shy?”
He turns back to look at me, and I quickly shut my eyes – hoping he didn’t catch me. “I just don’t want to fuck this up.”
“Aw, Little Holden has a heart.” Brandon mocks, causing Holden to chuckle. I feel the car come to a stop. “I’ll get the bags out of the trunk while you wake up your girlfriend.”
“Not my girlfriend.”
“Mhm.”
I hear the driver’s side door open and close, before feeling Holden begin to lightly rub my arm. I pretend to stir, blinking my eyes open to see him looking at me softly.
“Good morning, sleepyhead.”
