Chapter 4
Holden
“What the fuck happened?” Alex asks.
“You partied hard, and you took a couple of girls up to your room,” I say, pointing out the coffee machine. I didn’t even realize he’d drunk all that much. “Don’t worry. Skylar didn’t see you.”
“Shit, Skylar. Is she okay? Did she have a good time?” He rubs his head.
“I spent the whole night talking to her. It was nice. You don’t have to worry.”
“I knew you’d take care of her.” Alex groans. “I hadn’t realized I’d drank so much until it was too late.” He looks at me, bags under his eyes. “How did Skylar seem to you?”
“The same old Skylar. A little reserved, nervous, anxious, you know, usual stuff.”
Alex pours himself a large cup, and I continue to scroll through my latest assignment. The only reason I am hanging out at Alex’s is because we have a lunch date with his sister. Today we are taking her on a full tour of the campus. I just want to get her alone, and find out everything about her life that I’ve missed in the last couple of years.
I need to remember to be subtle, though. A lot can happen in two years. What if she has a boyfriend back home? I didn’t even give it a thought last night but she could be taken.
The girl I want more than anything could be pining after someone else.
“It’s great to have her here, you know? I’ve missed her. I know I should probably hate her and find her a pain. As sisters go, she’s been pretty damn good.”
I laugh. “That’s because she has always covered for you, and stopped your ass from getting grounded.”
“True.” Alex burps and releases a groan. “Fuck, why did I drink so much?”
“You weren’t thinking?”
“I was thinking. I fucked Britney and Karla last night. Both of them were ready to go at each other and at me. What guy would turn that shit down?” Alex asks.
“Not you.”
“Did you bang anyone?”
“Nope. I told you that I stayed with Skylar, and I walked her home.”
Alex downs the hot coffee. “Fuck, I really need to get my head in the game. I don’t need this shit today.”
“Do you want me to take her on the tour? Take her out for breakfast, and we meet up with you at lunch?” I ask.
“I told her I’d be here for her. I shouldn’t have gotten so crazy last night.”
“It happens, man.” Truth is I want to do these things with Skylar. “Besides, you don’t want her to see you like this, right?”
He shakes his head. “You’d do that for me?”
“I’d do that for her. I don’t have anything else to do, and unlike you, I haven’t drunk half of a brewery.”
“Shit, man, I owe you.”
Don’t worry. I’ll find a way in a few months for you to make it up to me. Especially when I take Skylar for my own.
“Don’t mention it.”
I am a good friend really. Sure, we’ve had a few ups and downs, but for the most part, we were both good.
“Do you have Sky’s number?”