Page 139
“Hey, shh,” he mutters into my hair, pressing a kiss to the top of my head. “It’s all right. Everything’s all right.”
Holden hovers for a second, before his arms circle us both in a tight, comforting hug. And for a long moment I just settle there. It doesn’t matter that they’re late. I’m not alone.
“You guys smell,” I complain, wriggling a bit to get free. Toren’s smoky, low chuckle reverberates in his chest, before releasing me. Holden tucks his hands into his sweatpants pockets—they’re both in T-shirts and sweats, hair damp against their flushed skin.
“We’re really sorry, Lily,” Holden apologizes again. “We tried but your—”
“Are you hungry?” Toren cuts him off, stepping so his shoulder blocks Holden as he asks. I look curiously between them before nodding. He sinks his hand into his pocket, pulling out a half-crushed grape lollipop, slipping it into my hand.
“I’m sure she’s hungry for real food,” Holden grumbles.
Toren presses a quick kiss to my temple, like he can’t help it, before telling Holden, “Stay here with her for a moment. I have to do something.”
He stalks off and Holden watches him turn the corner before dropping his eyes to me. And for some reason, I already know what he’s going to say.
“It was my dad, right?” I ask, voice low. My face feels warm, eyes burning as I blink a little.
Holden doesn’t confirm or deny, instead smiling lightly at me. “You look very beautiful, Lily. And wow—these are insane.”
He looks at each piece with a sincere interest, taking his time to compliment the curve of different brushstrokes or specific pops of color I decided on. It makes my chest so warm I’m certain there’s a glow emanating from there.
By the time Toren returns, I feel brand-new, as if this is the beginning of the evening and not the tail end of the entire night.
Holden steps up. “Hockey Dorms is closer. Let’s go shower at my place, then get some food.”
As we leave, Toren puts his hand in mine. The act alone makes me smile, wider than I have all night. Holden hovers for a moment, before Toren huffs and nods. Only then does Holden reach for my other hand.
Just this is enough to erase the loneliness I’d been choking on all evening.
Chapter 53
Toren
Holden lets me use his shower while he sneaks into his roommate’s room to use his. The house is empty tonight; since there’s no party here it means most everyone is out drinking somewhere else. Which is good—it makes Lily less antsy.
I was hoping she’d relax a bit as I took the fastest shower known to man, but when I come back in with a towel wrapped around my waist, she’s sitting on the farthest edge of the bed, like she’s terrified to touch anything.
Part of me wants to make a joke, something to lighten the mood, but that’s Holden’s thing. Whenever I try it, the words come out harsh and mean—and not at all how I meant them.
“Lil?” I ask, stepping over to where my bag is on the floor. I grab another, clean pair of sweats. “You okay?”
She still has that forlorn look in her eyes as she sits patiently in her black velvet dress and mesh stockings, little heeled ankle boots that are taller than normal. I want the plaid patterned mesh of her tights imprinted on the skin of my shoulder, the spike of her heel in my naked back.
It’s a dirty fucking thought, wrong when she looks so worried, but I can’t quell it. My want of her will always be insatiable.
“You guys ready?” Holden asks, stepping inside fully dressed. “We can go to the pizza place downtown? It’s open till like three a.m.” He looks down at his phone. “And if we go right now, we can make it before any drunk delinquents show up—”
He stops abruptly, looking at me. “Why are you naked? God—please do not tell me you were about to defile my bed.”
Lily laughs at him easily, some of her tension melting away. It’s enough to make me smile, despite the low thread of worry still lingering every time I look at her.
“Why?” I smirk over my bare shoulder at him. “Do you want to do it?”
Holden blushes and I take that as a win, before he shakes his head. “You two are freaks, I just can’t prove it.”
• • •
“You think she’s okay?”
