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I exhale – the sight of Holden with his new girl makes me sick. I swallow down the lump in my throat before pushing myself away from the counter and finding something to occupy my time. I settle on switching out the coffee grinds and brewing a new pot.
After forty minutes of socializing with his girlfriend and her friends, Holden voices that he has to go. For a second, I wonder if he's going to try talking to me, but he doesn't. Though, right before he walks out the door, he turns to Dawson.
"Hey man. There's a party tonight at Kappa Delta Phi. Everyone's invited."
Dawson nods. "Cool, thanks. I'll let you know."
I don't miss the look Holden gives me before he pushes the door open and walks out. I watch as he pulls his helmet over his head and sits on the bike. The engine roars to life, loudly catching everyone's attention. With one last glance toward the coffee house, he pulls out onto the street and rides away.
"So, are we going to that party?" Dawson asks quietly.
I take a deep breath. "Yeah, I think we are."
Chapter 2
Iinterlace my fingers with Bree's and grab onto the back of Dawson's shirt. There are many things I want to do, but ending up alone at this party is not one of them. Dawson leads the way. We do our best to dodge the sweaty bodies between the front door and the kitchen. The familiarity of the house is bittersweet.
"Beer?" Dawson asks Bree and me.
I shake my head while Bree nods. He goes off to get the two of them a beer, coming back quickly with two foam covered cups. Amateur.
"You're not drinking?" Bree asks.
Dawson's eyes widen slightly as he realizes. "Nah. I have an early class tomorrow." It's not exactly a lie.
As much as I try to stay calm and just enjoy being back here, I can't. I keep finding myself looking around for Holden. He should be here. After all, he is the one that invited us.
"Your desperation is showing." Dawson says lowly into my ear.
I narrow my eyes at him. "I'm not desperate."
He chuckles softly. "Maybe not in general, but for a certain green-eyed jock you are."
"Psht." I try. "I am not. I'm so over him."
Dawson and Bree share a look before laughing hysterically. I roll my eyes as I giggle. No one in their right mind would believe what just came out of my mouth. If anything, I only made it worse.
"You're so cute." Bree tells me, patting my head like a puppy. She pulls out her phone, smiling happily when she sees a new message. "Oh, Carson's here. I'll be right back."
As soon as she's gone, Dawson turns to me. "If you miss him so much, why don't you try getting back with him?"
I sigh. I'm about to respond when something catches my eye.
Holden.
He's standing at the bottom of the stairs, with his arm wrapped around the same girl from earlier. He's introducing her to some people as she leans into his side.
"That's why." I answer, gesturing behind him.
Dawson turns around, and as soon as he sees him, his smile drops. It's clear to anyone here that Holden has moved on. The reality of it makes me feel sick.
Great job, Kayleigh. You went and fucked up the one good thing you had going for you.
I will myself to calm down, absolutely refusing to cry in the middle of a crowded party. Dawson looks at me intently.
"Are you okay? Do you want to leave?" He questions, his hand on my arm.
"Don't be silly." I reply.
