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I giggle and fall backwards onto the bed. “You’re probably right.”
“So, you agree? I’ll be around for next time?” He turns and leans on his arm, hovering over me slightly.
Reaching up, I run the back of my hand across his stubble. “I’m scared. I was so close to forgiving you today. I was going to tell you after class, but seeing that text from Bianca sent be back like three steps.”
Holden nods once and gets up, walking over to the bag of his things from the hospital. He comes back with his phone and unlocks it before handing it to me. Sure enough, he was telling the truth. There are numerous text messages from Bianca, but the only time he’s answered was two weeks ago, telling her to leave him alone.
The corners of my mouth raise as I hand him back his phone, but he’s not done yet. He presses on her contact and blocks her number. When he’s done, he turns the screen off and places it on the bed next to me.
“There is no one in the world more important to me than you are.” He whispers. “Before you, I was just living day by day, not really caring if I found someone to spend forever with. I’m not even sure if I believed in love, but the moment I saw you – looking all unaffected and fed up with my shit after five minutes – all of that changed. Suddenly, you were all I thought about and I craved being anywhere near you. I fell in love with you before you would even look at me without utter repulsion. I can see on your face, you blame yourself for me getting hurt today – but what you don’t realize is that I would go through that a million times over if it means keeping you safe. You’re my whole life, Kayleigh. There isn’t a thing in this world I wouldn’t do for you. I love you.”
With every word he speaks, I can feel myself getting choked up. When he’s finished, and before I can second guess myself, I close the gap between us and mash our lips together in a messy but well overdue kiss. He doesn’t miss a beat, kissing me back and letting a low moan escape from the back of his throat.
“Does this mean you forgive me, or are you just trying to shut me up?” He murmurs against my mouth.
I chuckle and shake my head. “You’re the best and worst boyfriend ever.”
Holden smiles brightly, looking like he just won the lottery, and continues our kiss.
WE MAKE IT THROUGH finals, just barely getting by without an argument. To say the added stress is unwelcome would be an understatement. With it being Holden’s senior year, and his perfect GPA on the line, the need to ace them is intensified. Once they’re over, we’re finally able to have the next ten days to ourselves.
“Okay, I have our plane tickets for Jersey in the front pouch of my suitcase.” Holden remarks happily. “Are you all packed?”
I nod. “Are you sure your parents don’t mind me coming for Christmas?”
He bends down and kisses me softly. “Positive. They love you. Did you tell yours we’ll be there for New Years?”
“Yeah.” I reply. “My mom and John are really looking forward to seeing you again.”
Smiling at the thought, I can see the gears turning in his head. “I guess I won them over, too. It’s the irresistible charm, I swear.”
“I’m pretty sure it’s more that you gained their trust by not letting their daughter be a drug addict, but sure we can go with your charm.”
“See? You need me as much as I need you.”
I laugh. “Okay, Casanova. That’s enough inflating your ego for one day.”
WITH SUCH A LATE flight, we end up getting to Holden’s house just in time for sunrise. Of course, knowing this when he booked the tickets, I knew to sleep as much as I could on the plane and in the car. As soon as we get out of the Uber, Holden places our bags on the front porch and pulls me across the street – leaving Josephine to shake her head tiredly and walk inside the house.
The view of the sun peaking above the water doesn’t disappoint. Although, December on the shoreline is exceptionally cold. After we test our limits with hypothermia, we go back to Holden’s to put our things away and warm up. When we walk into his room, I look at his bed and freeze. Thankfully, he senses exactly what I’m thinking.
“No. It didn’t happen here.” He assures me.
I sigh. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. You have every right to hate me. I’m just glad you’re still here.”
Placing my arms around his neck, I press myself up against him. “I could never hate you.”
“Are you forgetting the beginning of last year?”
“Okay.” I cave. “I could never hate you, again.”
He throws his head back in laughter, then kisses my forehead and holds me close – never wanting to let go.
CHRISTMAS COMES AND GOES, and before I know it, the four of us are getting ready to go to a party. Holden has asked me multiple times if I want to skip it and stay home, sounding more than okay with the idea. I insist on going. I refuse to let some bimbo keep me holed up in this house. The way I see it, if we don’t attend, she wins by default.
I get done before everyone else, and go into the kitchen to get a bottle of water - finding Heather sitting at the island reading something on her laptop.
