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“I remember the first time I came here, Jesse talked me into doing a keg stand within the first five minutes.” Holden says, smiling at the memory.
Jason laughs. “I was there for that. You were a badass.”
“I had a lot of practice.”
“Well at least you have good memories of your first time here.” Jo pipes up. “My first time you kept me locked in your bedroom and wouldn’t let me come down to the party.”
“You were seventeen.” He answers.
She eyes him judgingly. “Oh yeah? And what were you doing at seventeen?”
Holden thinks for a second then smiles. “Touché.”
“What about you, Kayleigh?” Sky asks. “What do you remember about the first time you came here?”
Images of trying to get Holden alone fill my mind. I was so afraid he was going to tell everyone my secret. I think I would have stayed forever just to make sure that didn’t happen. Holden reaches over and puts his hand on my leg.
“It wasn’t anything too crazy.” I answer.
“Really?” Bree chimes in. “I thought that was the first night you two hooked up.”
“Nope.”
As close as Bree and I are, we’ve never really felt the need to discuss when and how Holden and I happened. It’s a well-known fact that we kept our ‘relationship’ a secret for a bit, but the details have never been revealed. To be honest, I kind of hope it stays that way.
“Oh, before I forget.” Holden reaches in and pulls something from his pocket. “These are yours now.” He takes the ring of keys and tosses it to Riley. He catches them and smiles.
“Thanks, man. I’m glad you guys aren’t going far though. You’re welcome here, any time you want.”
It’s relieving to hear. I’m not sure what my junior and senior years would be like if I didn’t have this place to come to on the weekends. I look around to see everyone smiling happily. Bree, however, is smiling directly at Riley. Subtly, I reach my foot out to tap her shin. Her eyes widen as she realizes she’s been caught.
“We’ll talk later.” She dismisses me. I snicker and nod.
Her and Carson broke up right before Valentine’s Day. She was upset about it, but got over it rather quickly. It didn’t take long for her to see how much of a complete tool he is. Since then, she’s been single, but judging by the way Riley keeps glancing at her – that may be changing soon.
“We should get going.” Holden tells me. “Our flight leaves pretty early tomorrow.”
I nod, standing up and hugging everyone goodbye. They all wish Holden good luck, knowing we leave tomorrow. Heather, Dan, and Brandon are all meeting us in Vancouver for the NHL draft. Josephine is staying back. She has zero interest in hockey apart from players by the name of Jason Vaughn.
We get back to the apartment shortly after eleven. There’s still a ton of unpacking to do, but it can wait. Besides, we won’t be back here for a month or so. After Vancouver, we’re going back to Holden’s for a bit. It’s summer vacation and he lives right across the street from the beach. We’d be silly not to. Also, we have all last summer to make up for.
I climb into bed with my fiancé, cuddling up to his side as he releases a shaky breath.
“Nervous?” I question.
He kisses the top of my head and wraps his arms around me. “Just a little.”
He’s lying, but I don’t call him out on it. Instead, I assure him that everything will be fine and we fall asleep, comfortably tangled up in each other.
THE WHOLE ARENA IS packed with potential NHL players and team representatives. Holden’s hands quiver as he tries to adjust his tie. Seeing him struggle, I swat his hands away and fix it myself. He smiles at me thankfully.
“Just breathe.” I murmur. “You’re amazing. They would be crazy not to pick you.”
He exhales, looking deep into my eyes and softening. “I don’t know what I would do if you weren’t here.”
I smile. “Well you don’t have to worry about that, because like I told you before, I’m not going anywhere.”
“Ever?”
