Page 22 of Sleepless November (Sleepless November Saga 1)

You have to. Keep pushing. It’ll happen.

AS WE LEAVE THE rink, Caleb checks his phone to learn his frat is having another party tonight. He asks me if I want to go. I hesitate, but ultimately decide I can’t let Holden keep me back from enjoying myself. If I want anything to happen with Caleb, I need to accept that I’m going to see him from time to time. They’re on the same soccer team and a part of the same fraternity – it’s inevitable.

The party isn’t as crowded as the last one was, but it’s still just as loud. I start to wonder how the guys that live here don’t get sick of the constant party scene. I guess when you have a lot of friends, it could be fun. I, however, mainly stick to my dorm. It’s easier to manage my anxiety when I keep to myself.

Caleb and I enter the house, immediately going to the kitchen to get something to drink.

“Beer?” He asks and I nod, thanking him when he hands it to me.

He greets some of his friends, introducing me to everyone. It’s sweet, but I can’t possibly remember all their names.

“Hey Caleb.” A familiar voice says from behind me. Holden.

The two of us turn around. “Hey. You know Kayleigh, right?” Caleb asks him.

“I do.” He smiles. “She’s Brianna’s roommate.” When Caleb isn’t looking, Holden winks at me.

I roll my eyes. “Where is Bree? Is she here?” I look around, trying to find some relief from the awkward tension.

“Nope.” He replies, popping the p. “She’s studying.”

“Oh, right.”

Thankfully, Holden doesn’t stay near us for long. After a few moments, one of his friends asks him to be his beer pong partner and he tells Caleb and I he’ll see us around. The two of us talk to more of his friends, drink a few beers, and eventually join the beer pong table. We win the first game. Well, more like Caleb wins the first game. After that we’re up against Holden and his friend, Jason.

I do my best to ignore the constant stares coming from Holden. Instead, I put all my concentration in shooting the ball into the cup. The balls fly across the table as we face off, most of them going in. I even make a couple of shots myself. It finally comes down to overtime. We set back up three of the cups in a triangle on each side.

“Let’s make this more interesting.” Jason declares.

I stand next to Caleb, his hand resting on my lower back. “What’d you have in mind?” He asks him.

“If you win, Holden and I have to do your laundry for a week.”

“Alright, and if you win?”

“Holden gets to kiss Kayleigh.”

My head snaps towards Holden, my eyes wide in panic. He smirks.

God, he’s infuriating.

“Jason, I have a girlfriend.” Holden says, playing cool.

Jason rolls his eyes. “Oh, please. That’s never stopped you before, and besides, you’ve been eyeing her up this entire game.”

Oh. So, cheating on Brianna isn’t new territory for him.

Caleb moves his hand to my side and pulls me closer to him. “Dude, come on. That’s disrespectful to Kayleigh.”

I need to beat Holden at his own game.

“No. It’s fine.” I say, kissing Caleb’s cheek. Holden’s eyes widen in surprise. I put my lips near Caleb’s ear. “You better win this.” I whisper.

He gets a new look of determination, and takes the ball in his hand. Shooting it across the table, he sinks it.

“Game on.” He smiles.

Holden pulls the ball from the cup. He holds it up and aims for a minute before shooting it directly in one of the cups as well. He winks at me, and I have to stop myself from blushing. Next round is Jason and I. Jason goes first and makes his cup, leaving one left. I down the beer and then go to take my shot. Holden bites his lip to suppress his grin. I hold my breath and throw the ball. It’s good. I exhale.

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