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Bree barks out a laugh. “What are we, twelve?”
“Oh, come on.” He whines. “It’ll be fun. Don’t be scared.”
“I’m not scared.” She scoffs.
“Then why not play?”
“Fine, but don’t try making me kiss Skylar again.” When Caleb and Jason share a devious look, she adds to it. “Or Kayleigh.”
They both pout like little kids being told they’re in trouble. It’s comical to me. Although, I laugh even harder when I see the same look on Riley’s face. When Bree notices, she lightly elbows him in the chest.
AFTER AN HOUR OF watching them dare each other to do the most idiotic things I’ve ever heard of, such as drink a mystery smoothie, Sky, Bree, and I stop playing and leave the game to the guys. Watching Jason pour ketchup and raw eggs into a blender with other random ingredients was enough to make me gag – let alone seeing Caleb drink it.
I’m lying on the couch with my head in Bree’s lap as Skylar flips through the channels. When Holden’s name appears on the screen, my heart skips a beat.
“Wait. Go back to that.” I tell her, and she switches the channel back.
“This just in from TMZ, hockey’s latest heartthrob, Holden Rivers, is expecting a baby. That’s not all though. A source reached out directly to express their concerns for the health and safety of the child, stating ‘I don’t know much, but I do know his fiancé used to be good friends with a known white substance. I would just hate to see this baby come out addicted to coke like their mom.’ Well, I hope that’s not the case, but if it is, I’m sure Mr. Rivers could easily find someone else to help him in raising the infant.”
Everyone in the room stares at me. The sound of Caleb calling my name barely even registers in my mind. I don’t look away from the TV, even long after Sky has turned it off. My phone starts to vibrate on the table but I can’t move. I’m completely numb.
Chapter 24
My head lies on my pillow, soaking it with tears. The large blanket isn’t enough to make me feel comfortable in this awful reality. Every single one of Holden’s million fans now know about my prior drug addiction. It was one thing for all of campus to find out, but for his entire fan base to know? Well, that’s just something I can’t handle. Instead of dealing with it, I’ve stayed in bed – dodging worried phone calls from my mother and fiancé, and trying to forget the world
around me.
Knock, knock, knock on my bedroom door. It pulls me from my thoughts, but I don’t move.
“Go away, Bree.”
“I mean, she’s pretty and all but I’d like to think we’re different.” A familiar voice sounds. I sit up instantly.
Emily stands in my bedroom doorway, looking like every ounce of comfort I’ve needed the past couple days. Tears spring to my eyes as soon as I see her. She gazes over my appearance and frowns, coming closer and wrapping her arms around me.
“What are you doing here?” I ask in disbelief.
She pulls away and smiles. “Holden asked me to come. Paid for my plane ticket and everything. He figured if he couldn’t be here…”
“He’d send the next best thing.” I finish for her and she nods.
“How are you?”
My right shoulder raises in a halfhearted shrug. “Would you believe me if I said good?”
“Not even a little.” She chuckles, climbing onto my bed and sitting next to me. “Who do you think the source was? That Jade bitch?”
“I honestly don’t know. The entire campus knows thanks to her, so it could have been anyone.”
“Yeah, but she’s the only one with a vendetta.”
I look at her knowingly. “I’m a college student and engaged to a gorgeous NHL player. There are plenty of people with vendettas.”
“Touché.”
My phone buzzes on the bed next to me. Holden’s name appears on the screen. I gently press my finger on the ignore button.
“He’s worried about you.” Em whispers.
