Total pages in book: 132
Estimated words: 124923 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 625(@200wpm)___ 500(@250wpm)___ 416(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 124923 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 625(@200wpm)___ 500(@250wpm)___ 416(@300wpm)
He looks at the ceiling, pretending to think it over. “Yeah, that’s not it. I think you liked me just fine in my pool house.”
“Well, would you look at the time,” I say, not having any idea what time it actually is. He pulls away, taking his heat with him. “See you on Christmas, I guess,” I say, ushering him out of the dorm and into the hall.
“Oh, I have a feeling it will be much sooner than that.” The smirk is back in place, infuriating as ever. I go to close the door on him, but he throws out a hand, stopping it. “Aren’t you going to make sure I get home safe?”
I look at him, confused, as he takes approximately two steps in the hall…and opens the door directly across from mine.
“Goodnight, neighbor.”
Valen
Having Holden across the hall isn’t nearly as bad as I thought. I assumed there would be loud music and parties, but the reality is, I barely ever see him. That could be due to the fact that I’ve been focusing on finals for the last two weeks, or the fact that Holden doesn’t crawl out of bed until after noon most days according to Shayne. In fact, I’ve seen his roommate Ryan Thompson, a guy on the basketball team, more than Holden. That’s not to say I haven’t seen him at all, though. I’ve bumped into him a few times, mostly late at night with a girl or two on his arm, or on his way back from what I assume is training.
That’s about to change, though, because exams are finally over, and we leave for our ski trip tomorrow. I caved. Of course, I caved. I had four options. Spend my Christmas with my passive-aggressive, self-absorbed mother, spend it with my flaky, newly engaged father, spend it alone in the dorms, or spend it with my best friend at the Ames’ vacation cabin. My parents were out of the question, and even I have to admit that spending the holidays alone would be depressing as shit. Tempting, but depressing, nonetheless. Besides, it might be fun. Holden’s bringing a girl to keep him company, so he’ll be too busy to drive me insane, and after the stress of the past few weeks, I’m actually looking forward to it.
“Ready?” Shayne asks, wheeling her suitcase out into the living room. I look at the floor that is littered with our pillows and blankets and grocery bags of snacks and drinks, making sure we have everything we need.
“I feel like we’re forgetting something.”
Shayne pulls out the list she made on her phone. “Phone charger?”
“Got it.”
“Face wash, shampoo and conditioner, lip balm, body wash, deodorant?”
“Check, check, check.”
“Headphones, warm clothes for snowboarding, wallet, bathing suit…” She lists off.
“Bathing suit?”
“For the hot tub!”
“You didn’t say anything about a hot tub. I might have agreed to this trip a lot sooner.” On second thought, water, Holden, and I don’t mix well if our history is anything to go by.
“Please, like you’d say no to me. You know you’re excited.”
“A little,” I admit. I run to my room and grab the one bikini I brought from home, then stuff it into my backpack.
“Are you sure you can go snowboarding with your ankle?” Shayne asks when I walk back into the living area. “We can day drink by the fire at the lodge instead.”
I shrug. “It feels fine now.” Mostly. I’m not supposed to put extra strain on it, but snowboarding boots are literally made to support your ankles, and it’s only for a day or two. “I don’t care what we do, as long as I don’t have to use my brain to do it.”
“For real,” Shayne groans. “I’m just glad it’s over.”
“Same.” For another few weeks until we have to do it all over again, that is.
The door swings open, and we both turn to find Holden standing there looking half-asleep. He shoves a hand through his mess of hair, hair that I’ve noticed has gotten noticeably longer in the near month since we’ve been here, eyeing the chaos laid out in front of him. “Thayer’s pulling my car around. Is all this going?”
“No. We just thought we’d trash the place for funsies before we left,” I quip.
“You do realize we’re leaving for five days, not five years, right?”
“Shut up and load the car,” Shayne says with a laugh.
Holden takes both of our suitcases and lugs them down the hall. We follow him out into the cold with our backpacks and pillows in tow. We get outside just in time to see Thayer backing into the loading zone. He pops the lift gate, and after one more trip back to the dorm, we’re ready to go.
“I’m going to pee,” Shayne announces.
“Me, too. I just downed a gallon of coffee,” Thayer says.
When they both take off for the bathroom, I’m left alone with Holden. I lean against the back of his Range Rover, pulling the sleeves of my sweatshirt down to cover my cold hands before crossing my arms against my chest.