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Instantly, the weight of the world is taken off my shoulders. I know it’s not going to be easy to gain her trust back, but she’s giving me the opportunity to try and I refuse to fuck this up again. I laugh in relief and pull her into my arms, holding on tight in a way that shows I never want to let go. She molds against me and sighs as I kiss the top of her head. God, I missed her.
We spend the next couple of hours talking about everything we’ve missed in the last couple days. She tells me about how her and Bree are okay again, and I can see how happy that makes her. I apologize for almost ruining their friendship, but she shushes me and says she wouldn’t change it if she could. I may have blushed at that, but I’ll never admit to it.
When it starts to get late, I suggest moving our conversation to the diner for some late-night food. However, she declines and tells me she needs to be getting home. I’m a little disappointed she isn’t coming home with me, but I understand. It’s going to take some time to get back to how we were.
The two of us hold hands during the drive to her dorm. It’s as if neither one of us can get enough of the other. When I pull up to the building, I place the car in park and watch her unbuckle.
“What are you doing tomorrow?” I ask, feeling a little daring, yet still afraid of her answer.
She smiles sadly. “I have to study all day.” Ugh, I have to go another day without her? “But, text me around five and we’ll see about hanging out.” Butterflies erupt in my stomach, making me feel like a teenage girl. I nod happily and just before she steps out of the car, she turns back to me. “Holden?” I hum, keeping my eyes trained on her. “I’m really glad we’re talking again.”
Her words give me a little bit of confidence. It may not have been the heartfelt speech I gave her earlier, but it’s enough to tell me she cares. I place my hand on her cheek and lean in, giving her every opportunity to stop me – she doesn’t. Our lips connect for the first time in days and it feels like she breathes every ounce of life back into me. It doesn’t last anywhere close to what I was hoping, but I’m not about to rush her. She bites her lip one last time and gets out of the car. I don’t drive away until she’s safely inside. When she is, my hand finds its way up to my lips, where the feeling of her kiss still lingers.
THE SOUND OF MY rowdy housemates wakes me from my deep slumber. Falling asleep was still difficult from being alone in my bed, but it was easier knowing Kayleigh and I are one step closer to being okay. I pull on a pair of sweats and head downstairs, finding Jesse, Caleb, Riley, and Jason in the kitchen. Riley is doing some of the chores while Jesse obnoxiously barks orders at him.
“Don’t you have freshman to do that to?” I quip, knowing Riley is a sophomore. He did his time last year.
“They’re all studying for finals and after four failed last year, we can’t have that happening again. Dean said we need to take it easy on them this week.”
I chuckle and nod. “Sorry Ry. I tried.”
He waves me off and goes back to cleaning. Jesse shares a look with Jason and Caleb before focusing back on me.
“Did you get laid or something?”
“What?” I almost choke on air. “No.”
He narrows his eyes on me. “Something is different about you today. You’re… happier.”
I shrug, trying to mask my smile, when Caleb finally catches on. “Oh my god. You talked to her?!”
“Talked to who?” Jesse sounds confused, then it hits him. “Kayleigh!”
Grabbing a bottle of water out of the fridge, I laugh softly at their excitement. “Yeah, we talked. What’s the big deal?”
“The big deal is that she’s the first girl who has managed to make you swoon like a loved up romantic.” Jason quips. “You looked like someone killed your dog while you two weren’t speaking.”
“Was I really that bad?”
“Yes.” The four of them answer in unison.
I had thought I was hiding my emotions decently well, or at least hiding myself in general. Then again, they all knew what happened – thanks to Caleb’s big mouth – so I guess I should have expected them to notice how I was acting. I can’t even deny it. I’m completely aware how distraught I was without her.
“So, what’s going on with you two?” Caleb questions.
I bite my lip to try and conceal my smile but a dimple manages to show anyway. “I want to be with her.” I answer simply. “Christ, it’s crazy but I want her – just her and no one else.”
“Holy shit.” Jesse balks. “Holden Rivers fell in love. I’ve officially seen everything.”
I grab an apple from the bowl in the middle of the island and throw it at him. “No one said anything about love.”
“The look in your eyes begs to differ.”
Caleb and Jason snicker as I grin and shake my head. “I have shit to do.” I start to walk out of the kitchen when I hear Jesse shout from behind me.
“You’re going to sit in your room and wait for her to call, aren’t you?”
An involuntary laugh leaves my mouth. “Shut up, dick.”
