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He groans frustratedly. “Please. I’ve been trying to call her all day, but now it just goes to voicemail and my texts aren’t going through.”
“If she wanted to talk, she’d call you.” Skylar sasses.
Holden tries to see past them, and I catch a glimpse of him – looking more broken than I’ve ever seen. He clearly hasn’t slept, and you can tell he’s been crying. The sight breaks me, and I lean into Dawson as a tear streams down my face.
“Kayleigh, please. Let me explain.”
Bree places one hand on Sky’s back and another on the doorknob, pushing them out and closing the door until it’s only opened a crack.
“Listen, Holden.” She begins. “She needs time. You hurt her, pretty damn bad. You need to give her space while she figures this out.”
“But she can’t figure it out without talking to me. I can’t lose her again, not over this.”
“Well you should have thought about that before you lied.” Bree spits. “Look, you know I love you, but you messed up. The only thing you can do right now is back off and let her decide what she wants to do on her own.”
I cry into Dawson’s chest as he rubs his hand up and down my back. The more I hear how broken Holden is, the more I want to run into his arms. Yet, at the same time, I still can’t stop picturing him sleeping with that bitch while I was locked away in a rehab. So instead of giving in, I stay exactly where I am and let my emotions pour from my body in painful sobs.
A WEEK GOES BY, and I have yet to face my boyfriend – if he still even holds that title. I had spent the first three days at Dawson and Skylar’s, until Bree said he stopped checking the dorm. I also haven’t unblocked his phone number, afraid of how many times he’s still trying to reach me.
I’m just stepping out of the building, in route to my class, when a voice stops me dead in my tracks.
“Kayleigh.” He murmurs, his voice as silky smooth as always. I close my eyes and take a deep breath, knowing there is no one around to get me out of this. “Please look at me.”
Whispering to myself that I can do this, I turn around and come face to face with the man I’ve been avoiding. “What do you want, Holden?”
“Isn’t it obvious?” He asks. “You. I’ve only ever wanted you.”
I laugh dryly. “You mean, in between the times you wanted Bianca.”
“I never wanted Bianca. She was merely a distraction, a horrible one at that.”
“Please.” I roll my eyes. “I saw the way she looked at you. There’s some serious history there.”
He looks down at the ground before nodding sadly. “Her and I dated on and off during high school.” His words burn and I look up at the sky to hold back the tears. “But that’s been over for a while now. I need you to believe me. I have no feelings for her.”
“Is that supposed to make me feel better?” I snap. “I can’t even look at you without picturing the two of you together. I was lying in a rehabilitation center, thinking about you constantly and regretting what I said. Meanwhile, you were at home, hooking up with your ex-girlfriend.”
Holden reaches for my hand but I pull it away quickly. “I thought we were done. I didn’t think you would forgive me or that we would get back together. I’ve never felt as much pain as I did over
the summer, until now anyway. I was just trying to get through it.”
“But then you lied about it!” I argue. “You looked me in the eyes and told me there was no one else since me.”
“I was afraid you’d leave me again if you knew.”
A tear falls down my face and I hate the way we are right now. Still, the sting of the cut is still fresh. “I have to go. I have class.” I mumble.
He looks at me brokenly, as if begging for me to stay. “Tell me we’re going to be alright. Please. We need to be okay. We need to end up together.”
I take a step back and sigh. “I’m not so sure this time.” With a sad smile, I turn around and continue the walk to my class – leaving Holden behind, completely shattered.
Chapter 25
Isit on the couch, looking at two of my best friends as if they’ve gone insane. Thankfully, Skylar mirrors my expression. Bree and Dawson, however, don’t let up.
“Come on. You can’t hide from him forever.” Bree argues.
Skylar laughs while I nod. “Uh, yes. Yes, I can.”
