Page 8 of Awakened in September (Sleepless November Saga 4)

I sit up and tell her I’ll take this one, just wanting to get out of here. She goes over to the desk to fill out the paperwork. We wait by the bed I’ve just chosen, and I test it out one more time. It’s much more comfortable than the one I have, and I don’t think it’ll mess up my back.

“Is it nice?” Bree asks shyly.

I gesture to the other side of the bed. “See for yourself.”

She seems to like that answer because she grins widely and lays on the bed next to me. “Oh, yeah. This is much better.”

“You mean you don’t prefer lumpy mattresses?”

She giggles. “I think I slept with a spring in my back most of the night. I don’t know how

you’ve dealt with that thing for this long.”

“It wasn’t always that bad. Last year, I used it to surf down the stairs and may have fucked it up a bit more.”

“To surf down the stairs?”

“You’ve never tried it?!”

Her expression tells me she finds the idea humorous. “Yeah, when I was like ten.”

“Are you calling me a child?” I mock outrage.

“Maybe a little.”

I’m about to respond when the sales woman gets my attention. “I’m all ready for you if you’d like to come over to pay and set up delivery.”

Grumbling lowly, I get up from the bed. I extend my hand to help Bree up as well. To my surprise, she doesn’t let go, instead choosing to interlace our fingers. I consider letting go but ultimately decide against it. There’s no one here, so what’s the harm?

LATER THAT EVENING, I’M sitting in the living room surrounded by a few of the guys, including but not limited to Jason, Caleb, and Jesse. I get the email confirmation on my phone of the mattress being delivered tomorrow and I’m instantly relieved. No more shitty bed.

“Hey Jess.” I say to him. “A delivery is coming tomorrow between one and three. It’s my mattress. If I’m not here, just send them to my room and make sure they take the old one please.”

He nods. “I won’t be there, but I’ll make sure one of the sophmores takes care of it.”

“Thanks man.”

Caleb’s giving me a suggestive look. “So, you brought Bree with you today, huh?”

“Yeah.” I respond, dragging it out like he’s lost his mind. “It’s not that big of a deal.”

All of them stare at me blankly until Jason speaks. “Bro, you spent more than ten minutes today with a girl you slept with last night. It kind of is a big deal.”

“Way to make me sound like a tool.” I quip.

Caleb chuckles. “Please tell me you’re considering actually dating this one. I do not want the wrath of Taylor if you turn this chick down.”

“I wasn’t planning to date her...”

“Well, do you like her?” Jesse pipes in.

Jason scoffs. “Please. The only person Holden likes is himself.”

“Not true.” I counter. “I think I very well may be in love.”

“With who?!” The three of them shout.

“Mila Kunis.”

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