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“Oh right, because I have the balls to do that.” The sarcasm all but
drips from my lips.
“Please, you know damn well this is what he wants. You have nothing to worry about.”
If only I could believe that. Despite Jo’s words, and hearing Holden talk to both Caleb and Brandon about me, I’m terrified to tell him how I feel. What if we give this a shot and it doesn’t work out? He’s become way too important to me. I don’t know what I would do if I lost him entirely.
The minutes until the clock strikes eleven go by ridiculously slow. As soon as we’re able to close, Dawson and I take turns changing in the bathroom, not wanting to show up to the party in our uniforms.
I feel like tonight is exactly what he needs. He’s been in a funk since having to leave Skylar after Thanksgiving. Over Christmas break, they’ll be going on vacation to Aruba. He plans on proposing to her there, and I can’t wait. I know she’s going to be so excited. We’ve become friends since we met last week.
The two of us listen to music on our way over to the frat house, pumping ourselves up since we’re insanely tired from our shift. Thankfully, before we left, Dawson made us coffee with four espresso shots in each. The bitter taste was hard for me to handle, but I downed it anyway for the energy.
The party is more crowded than usual – probably because everyone needs to let loose in the middle of studying. Dawson and I push our way through the crowded house, trying to spot Holden. When we find him, he’s in the middle of a keg stand. At the end of it, he stands back up and wavers before finding his balance.
He’s so wasted.
“Kayleigh!” He yells, throwing his arms around me.
“Hey babe.” I greet him, looking at Caleb as if mentally asking him what’s going on. He shrugs, mouthing an apology before walking away. “You okay?”
He nods happily. “Just a little drunk.”
“A little?”
“A little.” He repeats, holding his finger and thumb to show an massive understatement of how much he’s had to drink.
Dawson laughs, patting Holden on the back before making his way to get himself a beer. He gets me one too and passes it to me.
“Thanks.” I take a sip before Holden takes it from my hands.
“Aw, you got me another beer? Thank you!” He downs the drink quickly.
Dawson and I look at him as if he’s lost his mind, but we decide to let it slide. He’s obviously not thinking clearly. I reach up and kiss him on the cheek, telling him I’ll be right back. He nods, looking around as I gesture for Dawson to come with me.
“He’s completely trashed.” He says to me as soon as we get out of earshot.
I take one of the red cups and fill it with beer. “I’ve noticed. I don’t know what’s gotten into him. He never gets this bad.”
“He’s been taking shots since 6.” Caleb remarks, appearing next to me out of nowhere.
“SIX?!” Dawson and I shout in unison.
He nods. “Jason and I tried to get him to stop. We thought he did, but apparently not - judging by the look of him.”
I turn around to glance at Holden but he’s not where I left him. “Shit. Where did he go?” The three of us look around, not able to see him. He was just there. “Dawson and I will check the backyard. Caleb, can you check the living room?”
“Yeah, sure.”
We split up, Dawson and I each taking half the yard, searching for Holden. When I don’t see him, I decide to go back inside. Perhaps Caleb found him in the living room. As soon as I get in the house, I see Caleb and Dawson looking as if they’re arguing. From the look on Dawson’s face, I can tell he’s pissed.
“What’s wrong?” I ask, concerned.
They both turn to me and their eyes go wide. “Kayleigh, don’t go in there.” Caleb tells me.
“Why not?” Shit. Did something happen to Holden?!
I push past the two of them, ignoring Caleb’s plead for me to listen. The second I get into the living room, I see it. Holden’s sitting on the couch with a blonde girl straddling his lap – her tongue practically down his throat with his hands on her hips.
