AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Maybe I should have put more thought into this. A party my second night back at school, still freshly out of rehab – it wasn't the smartest idea. I refuse to let him win though, and leaving now would be exactly that.
Bree comes back with Carson a few moments later, and Dawson declares that we have enough people to play beer pong. I smile, grateful for the distraction, and the four of us make our way to the backyard. Jason and Caleb are coming inside just as we're walking out.
"Kayleigh!" Caleb shouts happily, embracing me in a tight hug.
"H-hey." I stutter. I’m not sure what they know about the break up.
Caleb releases me and I hug Jason as well.
"I want to catch up, but I've got something I have to do right now." Caleb says, looking distracted. "Find me later, okay?"
I nod, and let Dawson lead me out to the beer pong table
with a promise that he'll drink all the beer.
FIVE GAMES AND THREE victories later, Dawson and I are deemed the beer pong champions. Well, at least when it comes to Bree and Carson. I peek over at where Holden is standing, looking away as soon as we make eye contact.
Shortly after the first game we played, he and his girlfriend ended up out here as well. Despite being with her, the two of us have been stealing secret glances at each other for the past hour and a half. I try not to overthink it. He's probably just surprised I came.
"Rivers! Come help me with the fire!" Caleb yells across the yard.
Holden complies, leaving his girlfriend to help set up the massive bonfire in the middle of the yard. Slowly, everyone starts to move. Some are leaving, while others are moving toward the pit. This has always been the wind down part of these parties.
"It's almost one. Do you guys want to stay or call it a night?" Dawson questions, mainly looking at me.
"Leaving so soon?" A voice behind me speaks. Bree's eyes widen as she looks from Holden to me. I take a deep breath, trying to tame my anxiety.
"Hey." Dawson says, lightly bro-hugging him.
Next Holden moves to hug Brianna. She smiles happily, but I know her well enough to know it's fake.
"Holden, this is my boyfriend Carson." Bree introduces them.
"Nice to meet you, man. You've got a good girl here." Holden greets him. Carson nods and smiles at Bree.
The awkward tension becomes overwhelming as Holden turns to me.
"Hey." He breathes, hesitantly going in for a hug.
I allow him to wrap his arms around me, placing my hands lightly on his back. "Hi."
There is an obvious difference between his embrace with Bree, and this one with me. He squeezes, rubbing my back as he inhales deeply. It's almost as if he never wants to let go. As we both pull away, Dawson and Bree are looking at us with confusion.
"Get it, Rivers!" Caleb yells from the fire pit.
My face turns red as a few people chuckle, including Dawson and Bree. Holden glares at Caleb and flips him off, while I look around to see everyone looking at me. Some are confused, while others, like the girl Holden has been spending his time with, seem angry.
"You guys should stay for the fire." He suggests while walking backwards.
My friends look to me for approval. I shrug and the four of us walk over to the Adirondack chairs. With only a few left, Carson takes one and allows Bree to sit on his lap. Dawson takes the other, and I sit on the arm of it – leaning toward him so I don't fall off.
"Why don't we play never have I ever?" Jason suggests.
Everyone seems to agree and Holden goes off with Caleb to grab the cooler. When they get back, they pass around cans of beer to everyone who is lacking one. When Holden reaches me, he hands me a bottle of water. I thank him quietly as my mind goes haywire.
How did he know I wasn't drinking? Does he still talk to my parents? Has he been watching me?
Dawson nudges me, pulling me from my inner turmoil. "You okay?" He mouths and I nod.
