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Holden and I both groan in unison before I grab his hand and pull him outside with me. He may not be in the pictures, but he can stay close for the sake of my sanity.
THE RECEPTION IS FILLED with guests who become more intoxicated as the night goes on. Holden even has a couple of mixed drinks, but stays relatively sober. He’s currently dancing with Aria, not being able to tell her no when she nervously asked. I’m sitting at the table with Dawson, Skylar, and Bree.
“That really doesn’t make you jealous?” Bree inquires. “I mean she’s practically salivating at the mouth.”
I chuckle over the rim of my glass before taking a sip. “No. She’s basically a preschooler, and we’re engaged. I don’t think I have much to worry about.”
Skylar watches her sister and hums. “Remember when that was us? Sixteen and falling in love. Poor Aria. She has zero chance with him.” She turns back to me. “When she found out that I’m friends with him, she literally screamed into the phone.”
Bree’s eyebrows furrow. “How did she know who he is?”
“My dad is a massive hockey fan. He’s trying to play it cool, but inside he’s dying to talk his ear off about the recent draft.”
I look over at Skylar’s father, seeing him glance at Holden every few seconds. Little does he know, Holden would love to spend the entire night talking hockey with him. It’s adorable when he’s immersed in something he loves. His eyes get brighter and he smiles more. I could listen to him ramble for hours, just to see that look on his face.
“Speaking of hockey…” Dawson pulls me from my thoughts. “How are you doing with him leaving in a few weeks?”
His words hit me like a slap in the face, causing me to realize how quickly the summer is flying by. The idea of having to be at school without him weighs heavy on my heart. I’ve been doing all I can to avoid thinking about it, and today is no different.
“Nope. We’re not talking about this.” I answer simply. The three of them stare at me blankly. “What?”
Sky smiles sympathetically and reaches her hand out to grab mine. “Hun, you need to prepare yourself. It’s going to be rough, and if you’re not ready for it, it’ll be worse.”
I shake my head fiercely. “No. We’re not doing this. It’s going to be horrible no matter what I do. I don’t want to talk about it.”
“Kay, you can’t just pretend it isn’t happening.” Dawson murmurs sadly.
Standing up, I take one step away from the table. “Watch me.” I reply, walking over to Holden and interrupting his dance. “Mind if I cut in?”
Aria doesn’t look happy, but she nods and takes a step back. Holden grabs my hand in his and rests his other on my back. I immediately melt against him, laying my head on his chest and breathing in his cologne.
“I can’t wait until our wedding.” He whispers. “Being able to dance with you like this, knowing you’re my wife – just thinking about it makes me giddy.”
I hum in agreement, but choose not to say anything. It isn’t that I don’t revel in the idea of marrying him. I just can’t seem to get the thought of his upcoming departure out of my head. Damn my stupid friends and the way they care.
Thankfully, Holden just holds me close as we sway back and forth to the slow beat of the song. As I tune out the world around me, I find myself wishing he’d never have to let go - that I could just stay right here forever.
WE GET BACK TO the hotel room a little after midnight, both a little buzzed from ending the night on a high note. He unzips the back of my dress and watches it fall to the floor, groaning slightly when he sees me standing there in lingerie. I give him a small smile and step closer, wrapping my arms around his neck.
He sighs. “As much as I would love to wrap myself up in you, we need to talk.”
Eying him playfully, I tilt my head to the side. “You’re leaving me for Aria, aren’t you?”
He laughs and throws his head back. “Yes baby. That’s exactly it. I’m just dying to go to prison.”
“I knew it. Fucking Campbells and their perfect DNA.”
After he’s finished chuckling, he walks us over to the bed and sits me down on his lap. “No but really. What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” I lie, avoiding eye contact entirely.
He places two fingers under my chin and lifts my head. “Kayleigh, your mood changed half way through the night, and you haven’t been the same since.”
“You noticed that?”
“Of course, I did. You thought I wouldn’t?”
I shrug. “I was hoping.” He doesn’t answer, instead choosing to just look at me knowingly. I exhale. “Dawson brought up you leaving, and I guess I just didn’t realize how soon it is.”
