AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I don’t know you well enough to insult you and get away with it. I mean … I insulted you on accident that one time.” Holden stopped short, his eyes cutting over to Brynn and Jace.
“I’m not going to ask what came out of your mouth, but River, did you at least hit him really hard when he was being an ass?” Jace asked.
Holden rubbed his chest, then answered for me. “She’s got a hell of a punch.”
“Yes!” Jace hurried over with his hand in the air, ready to high-five me.
I slapped his palm and smiled. It was obvious that Brynn and Jace were good for Holden.
“What time is it?” I asked.
“Midnight,” Brynn replied. “I need to head out. I’ll see you tomorrow.” She stood and stretched, yawning.
“Yup, me too.” Jace draped his arm around Brynn’s shoulder. “I’ll walk you to your car.”
She beamed up at him. “Thanks.”
We all said goodbye, then Holden locked the sliding glass door behind them.
“I’m still learning your facial expressions, but I think I see some wheels turning.” He approached and sat on the edge of the coffee table.
“How does the phone work that you gave me? I mean, how many minutes do I have available?”
“It’s unlimited, River. You can call ten people a day and talk for hours. It still won’t run out.”
“Really?” A sudden excitement blossomed inside me, and I sat up straighter. I could call Addison.
“Really. You also have unlimited texting and data.” He propped his elbows on his knees and grinned. “You can use the internet as much as you want as long as you have a cell signal.”
My brain started calculating dollars like an obsessed accountant. I would be in debt to him for years.
“From the look on your face, I’m guessing you’re trying to figure out how to pay me back. The phone and laptop are a gift, River. You don’t need to pay me back. If those assholes come after you, I need to know you can call 911, then me. So, in a way it’s a selfish present. I need to be able to text and talk to you when I’m at school instead of stressing that something bad might have happened to you again. Brynn, Chance, and Jace aren’t any closer in an emergency, either. They’re on campus with me. I did program their numbers in your cell, though. Just in case you can’t reach me. Plus, you and Brynn are becoming friends.”
I leaned forward as much as I possibly could with my broken leg. “I want to know why, Holden. Why me? Why are you helping and not asking anything in return?”
Holden swallowed, his Adam’s apple bobbing up and down. “I ...” He massaged the back of his neck, fear and anxiety flickering to life in his features.
“Holden, you don’t need to explain it to me right this minute, but I want to know. I’m spinning inside and trying my damnedest to understand and not second guess your every move, but until you tell me what’s driving you, I can’t.”
Pain slashed across his face, and a muscle clenched in his jaw as he visibly struggled to hold it together. Seconds felt like hours as I watched him attempt to rein in his feelings.
I took his hand in mine, my heart already breaking for him. “What’s happening right now? I don’t understand, Holden.” His eyes misted over, and tears welled in mine.
“Promise me you won’t leave.” His voice barely hovered above a whisper.
The hair on the back of my neck bristled. How bad was it? “I can’t promise you that. I have no idea what you’re about to say.”
Holden sank to his knees, his head hanging down. I mentally prepared myself for the worst and tried to figure out how to leave with only one good leg. I wouldn’t take the laptop with me, but I needed the phone. Maybe he wouldn’t turn it off right away.
“Her name was Hannah,” he started.
Chapter Fourteen
The word was echoed in my mind.
“She was my older sister by three years. The color of your hair and eyes are very similar to hers.”
My pulse stuttered against my wrist. “I look like her?”
