Page 28 of Sleepless November (Sleepless November Saga 1)

I lie awake, trying to figure out what’s going on. Holden used to be someone I couldn’t stand to be around, let alone wanted to hook up with. If Bree found out about us, she would be devastated. The thought makes me feel sick. Yet, no matter the guilt, I can’t find it in me to stop. He gives me something to focus on instead of my thorough dislike for myself; it’s refreshing.

HOLDEN STANDS IN FRONT of me, holding a plate with two pieces of pizza on it. I stay completely still, looking at it as if it’s poisoned. The grease glistens in the sunlight coming through the window, making my stomach churn.

“Come on, take it.” He tells me. I shake my head. “Please?”

“You are out of your mind if you think I’m going to eat that.”

He places the plate on the nightstand next to me. The smell makes my mouth water, but at the same time I can only imagine how many pounds I’ll gain from eating it. That’s enough to make me try to avoid it. Holden sits on his bed in front of me and grabs my phone out of my hand, putting it down next to me.

“Kayleigh, we’ve talked about this.”

“No, you talked about this.”

He smiles and shakes his head. “Still. You’ve been doing so well. You ate the eggs this morning, and the salad last night. This is just the next step. You can do this.”

I give the pizza a second look and grimace. “There is a big difference between a salad and that.”

“Okay, what about just one? I’ll eat the other.” He tries, pouting slightly to try to sway me. It works.

I sigh. “Just one.”

He lights up, basking in his win, and takes one of the slices from the plate. I tell myself it’s only 300 calories, trying to downplay it in my mind. I decide to go for a run later to help counteract the intake, and let myself indulge.

Just as I’m finishing the slice, there is a hard pounding on the door.

“Open the damn door, Holden!” A girl yells.

Holden throws his head back and groans. “It’s Taylor.” He whines.

My eyes widen and I begin to panic. If she sees me in here, she will tell Bree. Fuck.

“What do we do!?” I whisper-shout.

She pounds on the door again. “Holden!”

“I’m coming, Christ.” He gets up and starts to walk toward the door. I get up and slip into the closet, peaking through the crack.

I hear the door open and almost immediately Taylor bursts into the room.

“Can I help you?” Holden asks her, clearly annoyed.

Taylor looks around the room and then turns back to him. “What the fuck did you do to my best friend?!”

He rolls his eyes and leans against the desk. “This really isn’t any of your business.”

“The hell it isn’t.” She scoffs. “She’s heartbroken!”

I can see the pain on Holden’s face. We’ve talked about this, numerous times. He didn’t want to hurt her. He just didn’t want to be with her anymore.

“I know.” He says, so low I almost don’t hear it. “I’m sorry.”

Taylor visibly calms. “If you’re upset about it too, why don’t you just get back with her? Go ask her! She’ll say yes.”

Holden shakes his head. “I can’t.”

“Why not?!”

“Because I don’t want to. Trust me, it’s for the best.”

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