Page 73 of Sleepless November (Sleepless November Saga 1)

He smiles sadly, and the mood changes. “Good. Please remember that.”

I squint my eyes, wondering what in the world he’s talking about.

Is he breaking up with me? Why would he want to come home with me to break up with me? He could have just done that at school.

I look out the window as he slows down and see my mom and John standing outside. “What are they doing here? Where are we?” Looking around, I finally see the sign. Meadows Edge Recovery Center. “No.”

“Kayleigh.” He tries, putting the car in park.

“No.” I repeat firmly. “I want to go home. Take me home.”

A tear slips out and slides down his cheek. “You’re not going home.” He tells me. “I know… about everything. The drugs. The excessive partying. You’re not eating. You’re running off calories you don’t have to burn. You’re basically disappearing right in front of my eyes.”

“I can stop!” I plead. “I’ll stop, I swear! Don’t leave me here!”

“This place is going to give you the help that you need.” He replies with shaky words. “I love you so much. I just want you to get better.”

I swallow, realizing there isn’t anything I can do to get out of this. “No, you don’t. If you loved me, you wouldn’t make me stay here.”

“It’s because I love you that I’m making you stay here.” He says. “I’m going to be staying with your mom and John so I’ll be close and can visit you.”

“Don’t bother.” I sob. “I hate you and I never want to see you again.”

“You don’t mean that.”

“I do. You’re dead to me.”

My words cause physical pain – it’s written all over his face. I don’t take it back though, too angry to care. Without a second look, I get out of the car and slam the door. Pushing past my mom and John, I ignore everyone as I walk over and sit on the bench. Holden gets out of the car, getting my bags from the trunk and handing them to John.

“We’ll see you back at the house.” John tells him.

I stay looking at the ground, until Holden comes and kneels in front of me.

“You may want to give me your locket. You’ll get in a lot of trouble if you try sneaking drugs in there.” He whispers.

I take it off, dropping it onto the ground in between us. He picks it up and slips it into his jacket pocket before kissing my forehead. I won’t look at him.

“I love you, Kayleigh.”

He walks away as my parents come over to lead me inside, and all I can think is one thing.

I hate Holden Rivers.

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