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I nod, not making eye contact with her as I put my purse down. I sit on the bed and take a deep breath.
"At least she was in here alone." I whisper to myself, but I speak too soon.
The sound of the toilet flushing pulls my attention to the bathroom door, just in time to see it open and Holden step out. He's looking down at his phone and smiling as he walks into the room. When he sees me, he grin widens.
"Hey, you're finally here." He greets me.
I bite my lip, trying to hold in the tears as my mind imagines the worst. For the first time in a while, I feel like I'm going to have an anxiety attack. A part of me wants to leave, but that wouldn't solve anything. I need to know once and for all what he wants, and if he won't bring it up, then I will.
"Are you and Bree getting back together?" I blurt.
He's caught off guard, but his eyes only soften. "Of course not."
"Why not?"
He comes over to sit next to me, but I stand and take one step away from him. "What do you mean why not? Because I'm not interested in her."
I cross my arms. "You were into her last year when you dated her. It's not crazy to think you could be again."
"Come on, Kayleigh. You know me."
"Do I?!"
"Yes. You know me better than anyone here."
I sigh, feeling completely overwhelmed by everything. "Then why was she in here with you? And why do you two keep looking at each other like there's a big secret?"
He stands and takes a step toward me. "We were just talking. Don't you trust me?"
"I do." I respond honestly. "I just don't know what's going on with us, and it's starting to drive me crazy."
He steps closer and pulls me into a hug. I wrap my arms around his waist and breathe him in. It's amazing how his touch can both excite me and calm me down all at once.
"We’ll talk soon. For now, just believe me. You have nothing to worry about." He murmurs into my hair as he kisses my head.
"Promise?"
"I promise."
The two of us go down to the party and spend the night closer than we have been in months. There isn't much PDA, but we naturally gravitate toward each other. If we’re not next to each other, we’re looking around
to see where the other is and smiling from across the crowded room.
I allow myself to have a few beers, but make sure not to get too carried away. Yet, due to not drinking in months, the smallest amount of alcohol causes me to feel a bit tipsy. Dawson, Holden, and Skylar all watch me carefully, making sure I stop drinking at the first sign of intoxication.
By the time the bonfire is lit, there aren't many people here. Half of the guys have gone to bed, and most of the guests have gone back to their dorms. I come outside from getting a bottle of water to see a few empty chairs left around the fire, smiling when I spot one next to Holden.
I walk down the stairs and make my way over there. Caleb and Jason are telling everyone about the prank they played on a few of the new guys. Dawson, Skylar, Bree, and Carson, as well as a few other people, all listen intently.
I carefully slip by my friends, trying to get to the empty chair beside Holden – however, he has other plans. Just when I'm about to pass him, he wraps his arms around my hips and pulls me down onto his lap. I giggle softly, glancing over my shoulder to see him placing a soft kiss on my skin. It doesn't seem like he's going to let me sit anywhere else, but I don't mind at all.
Adjusting myself slightly to get comfortable, I settle back against him. His arms stay wrapped around my waist and I place my hand on top of them – holding my water in the other. He carries on as if nothing is different, but I don't miss the way everyone sneaks glances at what's going on.
"Wait, are you two back together?" Caleb asks excitedly, causing everyone to go silent and wait for the answer.
Holden slips his thumb under my shirt and rubs circles on my skin – just enough contact to assure me. "Mind your business, Sutter."
I can't help but feel a little disappointed at his answer, but our earlier conversation replays in my head. 'For now, just believe me. You have nothing to worry about.' Letting out a sigh of relief, all my fear dissipates. He promised, and I trust him.
