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Jason and Kayleigh are up and both make their shots. I bite my lip to keep from looking proud of her. I shouldn’t be glad the other team scored. Seriously, H, poker face. When Caleb steps back up to the table, he’s visibly nervous. He shoots and I know as soon as it leaves his fingers it’s a miss. Sure enough, it bounces off the rim.
All I have to do is make this shot and we win. I hold the ball steadily and take aim, making sure I’m certain before I release it. The ball flies over the table and directly into the final cup. Caleb’s head drops as Jason chuckles next to me.
“Go get your girl, Holden.”
Kayleigh looks at Caleb, appearing frantic. I don’t think she expected to lose, but her confidence got the better of her. I refuse to embarrass her and the last thing either of us need is word getting back to Bree that her boyfriend kissed her roommate.
“Nah. If she wants me, she knows where to find me.”
Her head snaps up, seeming totally caught off guard. I smile shyly in response. Jason pats me on the shoulder and shakes his head. I can already tell he sees right through me. Caleb smiles, thinking I did it for him, but he has no idea.
With one last glance at Kayleigh, I head up to my room. I don’t think I can handle seeing his hands on her for the rest of the night. If I tried, I may end up punching him in the face, and that wouldn’t be good.
On my way up, I feel a hand wrap around my wrist. I turn around to see Laci looking at me strangely. I throw my head back, knowing there isn’t anything I can do to get out of this. She must have seen what just transpired outside. I step back down the stairs and lead her into the dining room.
“What?” I ask.
She shakes her head and shrugs. “I just don’t know why you didn’t go for it.”
“Go for what?”
“Kissing her. I mean that’s what you want, right?” I run my fingers through my hair and look down at the ground. “Unless… you already h
ave.”
I smile, remembering the night we spent together just 48 hours ago. Still, the memory is plagued by the fact that she’s now technically with Caleb. A long exhale leaves my mouth as I try to sort out my feelings.
“I don’t know.” I say to Laci. “All I know is she’s worth a hell of a lot more than being some prize from a drinking game.”
She raises her eyebrows. “You’ve got it bad.”
“You don’t know the half of it.”
I’M SITTING ON MY BED, playing a game on my phone and texting Bree, when there’s a soft knock on my door. I look up, half expecting it to be my ex but instead, I see Kayleigh in the doorway.
“Hey.” She greets me.
I close out of the game and turn the screen off before placing my phone on the nightstand. “Hey.”
“Everything okay?”
Well, I thought I was masking my disappointment well, but it appears I have zero control over my emotions. Ignoring the question, I shrug. “How was your date?”
“It was nice.” Just nice? Breakfast with your grandmother is nice. A date isn’t supposed to be described as nice.
“Are you two a thing now?” I ask, unsure if I even want to know the answer.
“I don’t know.” She eyes me carefully. “Why?” I shake my head and break the eye contact between us. “Holden, talk to me.” She comes closer and sits on the edge of my bed – so close yet so far.
My mother’s words once again run through my head. Be yourself with her, H. I promise it will be the best thing you’ll ever do. I sigh and give in. “I don’t want you to be with him.”
She looks a little outraged as she recoils slightly. “Why not?”
“Never mind. I shouldn’t have said anything.” I attempt to backtrack, but it doesn’t work.
“No. You can’t just say something like that and not tell me why.”
I grab my phone from the nightstand and put in the code.
