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)
“Why is that weird?” Holden asks, folding his arms over his chest, leaning back into the couch.
Shayne and I exchange a look, but neither one of us responds.
“Ah. Daddy issues,” he says knowingly.
I glare at him. “You’re one to talk.”
“Never claimed otherwise.”
“Let’s be real. Everyone in this room has Daddy issues,” Shayne says with a laugh. She spent her whole life not even knowing who her dad is until recently. I haven’t figured out if that’s something to be jealous of or not.
“And Mommy issues.” Holden smirks.
Shayne makes a face at the same time Thayer reaches around to smack the back of Holden’s head. “Never say Mommy again,” Shayne grimaces.
“What about Grey?” I ask. “Where’s he going to be?”
Holden’s smile stays in place, but it no longer reaches his eyes, and I can tell he’s making an effort to keep it there. Thayer doesn’t do as good a job at concealing his disdain for their half-brother, his jaw clenching and releasing at the sound of his name.
“He’s invited,” Shayne says, giving them both a pointed look.
“The fuck he is,” Holden argues.
“You have to get over it eventually. It’s been long enough,” Shayne says stubbornly.
“Fine. Then he can come and get his ass beat. He’s long overdue.”
“Fine.”
I arch a brow, feeling half-guilty for starting this conversation, but half-amused at their bickering.
“Fine?” Holden repeats, incredulous.
“If fighting like a bunch of idiots is what it’ll take for all three of you to get your head out of your asses, then so be it.”
“Deal. But if you’re bringing him, I get to bring a friend,” Holden says.
“It’s your cabin, not mine,” she says with a shrug.
“So…who needs another drink?” I ask, trying to lighten the tension.
Shayne raises her hand and stands, but Thayer is right behind her, scooping her up. “I think she’s had enough.”
“I think you can’t tell me what to do.” He leans down to whisper something in her ear, and whatever he says gives her an instant change of heart. “Okay, night, guys. Love you both!” She rushes out as she’s being carried off to her room.
And now I’m left with Holden. Alone. He stands from the couch, stretching his arms above his head before turning to face me where I stand with my back to the counter, arms folded. He holds my stare, neither one of us speaking without the buffer of other people. A second later, music blares from Shayne’s room, and Holden’s lips quirk up at the corners, knowing exactly what that means.
He walks toward me, not stopping until he’s right in front of me.
“You cut your hair.” I don’t know why it comes out so aggressively, like an accusation. I don’t know why it comes out at all.
“Is that a problem?” he asks, bemused.
I shrug a shoulder. “Just an observation.”
He leans in even closer, bracing his palms on the countertop, trapping me between two thick arms. “I can grow it back out for you. I know how much you liked holding on to it when I—”
“You’re still an asshole.”
“And you still smell like a fucking Creamsicle.” His fingers twist around my ponytail and tug, then his nose is in my neck, inhaling deeply. I freeze, forcing myself not to melt into him, even as goosebumps immediately spread across my skin. Why does it have to be Holden, of all people, who has this effect on me? It just goes to show that you can’t choose who you have chemistry with, because if I had even a little bit of a say in the matter, he’d be last on my list.
“You can’t just go around sniffing people like a dog, Holden. It’s uncivilized.”
I feel his amusement as his smile spreads against my neck.
“No one’s ever accused me of being civilized. That’s especially true when it comes to you.”
His words catch me off guard, considering our last real conversation was the fight we had the day after he punched Liam. He wins this round because I don’t know how to respond to that other than to stare daggers at him.
“So…Christmas?”
“I don’t know, are you going to try to fuck me the entire time?”
“Are you going to let me?”
I try to slide out from under his arms, but he moves with me, keeping me trapped. “I’m just fucking with you, Valen.” At my pointed look, he corrects himself. “Poor choice of words.”
“I haven’t decided.”
“If you’re scared, just say that,” he taunts.
I scoff, knowing his game, “What could I possibly be afraid of? You?”
“No. Not of me. You’re afraid of what you’ll do if you let yourself be alone with me.”
“You cannot be that conceited.” I laugh. “Or is it delusional?”
“Still lying to yourself, I see,” he counters, unfazed. “Don’t think it escaped my notice that you’ve gone out of your way to avoid me for the past year.”
“Maybe because I don’t like you. Did you ever think of that?”