Holden
I grabbed my car keys from the table, pocketed my phone, and shrugged on my jacket. I was going to Jessie's yearly house party. Jessie, Lynch, and Cade. We all became fast friends considering we shared a lot of the same interests.
"Going somewhere." I heard Mason ask and I turned around to see him standing at the entrance to his room as he watched me.
Mason was my babysitter, yes my fucking overbearing stepfather who I'd crawl to the ends of the earth to be far away from sent him to babysit me. Not that I disliked Mason, he was more my best friend than Edward's bitch.
"Hello to you too dear," I rolled my eyes while looking for the keys to the apartment. "Just going out for a little late-night stroll. Care to join."
He waved his hand in the air. "My days of late-night strolling are behind me."
"Oh come on mate Ariana is back in England. I won't tell her if you don't." Mason was far too loyal it was one of the things I admired about him but would never admit it to him.
He smiled. "It's called being faithful chap. You should try it sometimes in fact god forbid you find one woman and one woman only you choose to spend the rest of your life with."
I laughed. "God forbid," I repeated pocketing my keys and exiting the apartment. "Because that's just fucking dreadful mate." I heard him laugh as I closed the apartment door behind me.
So what I was still young. Serious relationships were not for me. I got bored easily and I could barely find something to hold my attention for ten minutes.
"Hi, Holden," the girls who lived in the apartment down the hall greeted.
"Good evening loves," I winked and they both giggled. Women couldn't resist my English charms and it was something I used to my advantage.
I took the lift down to the buildings undercover parking. My midnight blue mustang sat there patiently waiting for me. It was the first thing I bought when I received my trust fund when I was eighteen. The second was the apartment me and Mason shared.
I always thought of the car and the apartment being a gift to me from my late father. A gift that helped me move from England to New York and be far away from his disgusting best friend that decided it was okay to get hitched to my mother after his death.
The thoughts still angered me and I let out a heavy breath as I started the car and drove it down the ramp out of the parking garage. This was the reason I drank whiskey.
It took me thirty-five minutes to get to the campus housing, due to the ridiculous amount of traffic on the road. I parked my car down the street making sure it wasn't close to any other cars. I didn't want some drunk hitting my car.
I walked into the house and saw Jessie and Jett talking to two girls. I could barely hear my thoughts because of the loud music. "Hey," someone whispered in my ear and I turned around to come face to face with Alexa.
"I've missed you," she said placing a lingering kiss on my cheek.
I took a step back. "Wish I could say the same love."
"Oh, you crack me up. I know you've missed me" she laughed, taking another step forward. Alexa was a rather leggy blonde that gave me the occasional creeps. She had a hot body and knew it but when she opened her mouth to talk I felt like she could just be a supplier of hot air.
"Look Alexa darling," I smiled and she placed her hand on my bicep. "We've had some fun didn't we love?"
She nodded frantically. "And we can again," she wrapped her arms around my neck.
I subtly slipped out of her grip. I made that mistake once and then she didn't leave me alone for months after that. She was obsessed. I sighed. My drunken mistakes would be the death of me one day. "Listen, love I need the loo," I said as a means to escape but also because it was the truth.
"I'll wait for you," she called after me.
"You'll wait forever," I mumbled.
"Bro, I thought you weren't coming," Lynch shouted, as he walked over to me. He swung his arm around my shoulder and I could smell the alcohol off his breath. "And when are you going to stop letting poor Alexa beg. What's going on between you two is it anything serious?"
"By all means Lynch," I gestured with my hands for added emphasis. "Have at it," he smirked at first, and then he gave me a pat on the back. "You a good man," he said and walked over to Alexa.
I used that as my chance to escape to the bathroom before anyone else called me. I ran up the steps and I saw Ryan the campus sleaze, sitting against the wall and having a very animated conversation with himself.
"Having a good night?" I laughed
"Aweessssooooommme" he slurred, losing balance and tilting sideways while looking up at me. I shook my head and went into the bathroom. I was just here to have a few drinks and because of Jessie's continuous nagging.
I left the intoxicated fool to his whims and entered the bathroom. After I was done I washed my hands and exited the bathroom. As I closed the door I saw a girl swaying and struggling to climb the steps.
When she finally made it up the last step she looked comical when she took two steps forward and three steps back. She pushed her messy hair back and gave me a lopsided smile. My brows furrowed as I stared at her.
She was beautiful and I was sure I haven't seen her around here before. She looked innocent considering the way she was dressed. Black jeans and a white sweater with a little flower on the top, but looks were deceiving because she seemed to be severely intoxicated.
"Have you seen the bathroom? ," she asked Ryan.
"Yesss suureee," he slurred with an evil smirk.
He stood up and attempted to straighten his jacket. Miserable arse couldn't even stand. "Come with me babe," he said, burping in the end and I groaned and pinched the bridge of my nose.
I would have walked away. I could have gone downstairs and carried on with my night, but something in me refused to move even the tiniest of muscle in my body as I watched things unfold before my very eyes.
"Here drink this," he offered the contents of his cup and she shook her head and laughed.
"No thank you. My mom's always said I shouldn't take things from strangers."
"But baby we won't be strangers after tonight." He smirked and I almost vomited in my mouth. He forced the cup to her lips and tilted her head back in a means to force the liquid down her throat.
"Noooo," she wined. "Bathroom."
"I'll show you," he said, smiling darkly.
"Ryan," I called and he turned around.
"Heyyy, Holden buddy when did you get here?" he slurred and the girl looked confused. Her eyes kept rolling back as if she was going to pass out at any minute.
"Stop being a dick and leave the girl alone. She is drunk."
"Why don't you mind your own fucking business, Harris. Fuck back to England," Ryan sneered and began getting defensive. He grabbed the girl's arm and began pulling her.
"Noooo," she refused.
"I said leave her alone," I grabbed him by his collar. "Or I'll leave fragments of your skull on Jessie's rug."
He pushed me and I almost laughed at his feeble attempt when I didn't move a muscle." You not thinking clearly."
"What you don't want to fight now Hariss?" he shoved me again. "What happened you big pussy. You always think you are better than everyone else. Fight me you little bitch."
Without a second thought, I reeled my hand back and punched him square in the mouth. He was so drunk that he stumbled over his own two feet and hit the ground face first. "Maybe you should learn how to fight first before calling someone out," I said and turned my attention to the girl to see she was wobbling to the bathroom.
Fuck.
I followed after her and stopped at the door to see her rush over to the toilet and begin violently vomiting into it. "Fuck," I groaned and went over to her grabbing her silky locks in my hand. "That's it love. Let it all out." I tried resisting the urge to vomit myself but thankfully I had a strong stomach.
When she was done. I grabbed the mouth wash and tissues from the cabinet above the sink. "Fuck," I said looking at her. "What the hell did you take?"
"You know I didn't even want to come here tonight," she sniffled. I wanted to be a normal teenager for once and now I don't know what's wrong with me. My life is just a never-ending cycle of pain and sadness." She cried.
Oh goodness. Why.
"Listen you are going to be okay." I moved to wipe her face and she scrambled back from me and stood. "I'm not going to hurt you love."
"No don't you dare touch me!" She yelled with wide eyes. I felt a smile creep on my face. Her wide scared eyes reminded me of Bambi. They were large and brown and she had the cutest little face.
"Shush would you?" I whisper yelled. "If anyone came in here right now I'd be in deep shit because of you." I moved to wipe at her face while she tried to dodge me and she started waving her hand in the air to slap me. "Hold still dammit."
"Help!" she screamed and I placed my hand over her mouth as I glared into her eyes.
"If you scream one more time love. You are going to make me angry." Her eyes widened again. "Now listen to me."
I caught both her hands and held them behind her back with my one hand. "Drink this now!" I ordered and she shook her head defiantly. None the less I opened her mouth and quickly shoved the bottle in it pouring the mouth wash in while she squealed. "Now spit it out," I ordered and she smiled sheepishly with her cheeks full of mouth wash.
"I swallowed it," she laughed when her cheeks deflated and I shook my head. My grip on her loosened and she broke out of my hold, ducking under my arm and going out of the bathroom. I should have left her. But she was out of control. What was it to me if she was drunk and stupid? Maybe it's because she was confused and didn't seem to know she was drunk. I found that strange unless someone at the party roofied her drink.
That thought made me anxious. She could have been a good girl who just happened to be at the wrong place. Either way, I knew I couldn't leave her alone here. "Would you wait," I chased after her.
"Why are you following me?" she whined when I caught up to her in the hallway.
"Look you need to relax. You drunk," I said and she shook her head.
"I would never drink!" She whirled on me poking her stubby finger into my chest. She placed her hand flat on my chest as she looked up at me and I felt my heart rate pick up as I stared into her eyes.
"So are you naturally a pain in the arse then?" I asked looking away from her.
"You don't..." she didn't complete her sentence and walked to the end of the hallway. She pushed open a door and went into the room.
Don't follow her. My brain screamed but it was too late, I was already standing at the door. She took off her shirt revealing a red lacy bra and my eyes widened at the sight.
Fuck.
I was just a man and she was fucking desirable from her slender stomach and broad hips. Her bulging breasts were too big for the bra. I made my hand into a fist as I bit down hard on it.
"No no no," I ran into the room and grabbed her sweater from the bed. I pulled it over her head even though everything in my body screamed at me not to.
"I'm hot," she complained.
"Yes, you are very," I cleared my throat as I cautiously pulled each of her arms through the sleeves while looking away. Maybe it would distract me from how soft her skin was.
"I'm feeling really hot," she wined again and moved to lift her top.
"Please keep your top on," I pleaded. "I'll just open the balcony doors." I went over to the balcony and pulled the doors open.
"Wheeeeeeee," she screamed in excitement and ran through the doors. There was a slight chill in the air and she started to spin in a circle.
"You are going to get dizzy you daft girl." I laughed.
"You are going to get dizzy," she mocked in a fake English accent and I had it.
"Are you mocking me?" I caught her hand, stopping her from spinning. Her knees buckled as if she was going to fall and I put my arm around her waist to stabilize her.
Oh, there it went again the Bambi effect. She smiled up at me. Her hyperactive energy slowly started to fade away ."Are you real?" she questioned, reaching out a hand and poking at my cheek softly. It made me smirk at how childish she was being. She giggled as she looked deep into my eyes. "
"No, I'm a figment of your imagination." Her beautiful eyes began to flutter and close slowly as her body went limp in my arms.
"Oh shit. No please wake up." I pleaded while trying to shake her awake."Just fucking brilliant." I didn't know what to do. I couldn't leave her.
Guys like Ryan were pigs and they would take advantage of her. How could I leave Bambi all alone in a forest filled with predators.
I couldn't do it and I couldn't understand why. She was pretty that was it. I had hot woman at my beck and call before then what was it about her.
I knew I would regret this but I picked her up bridal style. "You are going to get me in a lot of trouble," I mumbled and she nuzzled her head into my chest.
She looked so peaceful sleeping. She had a beauty spot just above her lip and her hair was a shiny chestnut brown. Her skin was pale and I pushed the hair out of her face.
Mason was going to have my arse for this one. I promised I wouldn't bring home stray girls anymore because it was awkward for him when he had to greet them in the morning and also... try and get rid of them for me.
But this was not the case with this one. I had questions for her and I'm sure she would have an equal amount of questions for me when she woke up.
I carried her out of the party. It was sad that no one even noticed. I wondered if she came here with friends they would surely be concerned. I loaded her into the back seat of my car. "Don't puke on my seats Bambi or no coffee for you in the morning." She frowned in her sleep her nose wrinkling up and I shut the door before getting into the driver's seat.
Emery Hooters, police sirens, and the sound of a helicopter shattered the Shangri la of a peaceful sleep that distorted my realities. Thick black curtains covered the windows allowing minimal lighting in the room. The sound of running water and masculine whistling got me to sit up. I was on top of a large soft bed. The bed smelt like musk, a distinctive scent of a man. Then in my disoriented state, I couldn't remember an inkling from the previous night as I wondered how I came to be in this place. Then in a moment of panic, I threw my sheets to the side in fear that I did something stupid and reckless last night. I sighed when I saw I was still in my clothes. I moved to get out of the bed and searing pain pierced my temples causing me to fall back and sit on the bed. The room around me spun and I was fighting the urge to lay back down. This must of been what a hangover felt li
Emery My first week of working at Giovanni's was bearable since I already knew what to expect from the customers. I just had a few more weeks left to prove Robert Giovanni wrong about me and get that wage raise. Despite the somewhat ratchet customers, Robert was a crude man who voiced his thoughts without an ounce of concern on whether or not it sounded offensive. If even a hair was out of place on someone's head he would tell them to get out of his sight and fix the trainwreck they called hair. The other waitresses and chefs I befriended while working there hated him with good reason. He was an awful miserable man that had nothing good to say about anything or anyone. Not once did I hear him praise his staff for good work but plenty of times I heard him belittle them and their efforts. Turning the shower faucet off, I grabbed my towel and wrapped it around my body before moving to exit the bathroom. Today was my first day of Univers
Holden And there she stood in front of me, her long chestnut hair in a high bun with locks cascading down her sweet face. Her beautiful brown eyes stared curiously at me. Bambi. I almost didn't recognize her but her beauty spot and big doe eyes were a dead giveaway. I thought I would never see her again. It was the first time a woman had left my apartment willingly. I went after her but she had vanished as if she had never even existed having me question my mental health. "Right this way." She smiled and began leading us throughout the restaurant. She stopped at a table and we took our seats. My phone buzzed in my pocket and I fished it out to see it was the group chat. Jessie, party on Friday night gents. It's only Monday Jess, Lynch replied. My phone began buzzing frantically and I exited the
Emery I was furious. Just who did he think he was. I wiped down the tables in the restaurant, throwing the tablecloths into the wash cart. I had a few more weeks to go to get that raise and prove everyone wrong and tonight I almost slipped.That pompous, arrogant... English snob with his stupid accent! almost ruined everything. He probably thought having money made him better than everyone else. That he could speak to people in any manner he pleased and get away with it."Emery, Giovanni wants to see you," Seth said throwing a table cloth into the basket as well. "Woah you going to scrub the wood off the table," he laughed."What does Giovanni want to see me for?" The anger was evident in my tone and Seth paused. I let out a breath, trying to calm myself.It's over now Emery let it go."I'm sorry Seth. I had a rough night." He nodded grabbing another one of the clothes and folding it up before he dropped it into the cart."Just be weary when you go to see him. He isn't in the best of
Holden It was Sunday and I sat hunched over my textbooks on animal behavior and psychology. I couldn't stop thinking about Bambi. Did she hate me as much as she showed, I had to wonder. Women were taken with me from the first glance. Bambi was different even in her drunken state she didn't throw herself at me. Maybe she didn't find me attractive. That was crazy she had to... all women did. Besides, there was something about messing with her that excited me. It gave me a thrill watching her get angry. The image of her trying to get the stains out of my shirt was burned in my memory. Her cute angry face and those vicious brown eyes that held fear whenever I moved too close to her. What a pathetic arse I had become, making excuses to see her face. "What is wrong with you Holden?" I asked myself banging my head on the desk. "Forget it. She hates you." "You've finally los
"Jett I have to go to work." I stomped my foot down hard. He was being ridiculous and acting like a petulant child. I checked my wristwatch seeing I had twenty minutes to get to work."Agree to go to the race with me." He dodged me, dashing across the room with my bag raised high in the air."You're a child," I growled. "I don't have time.""It's your weekend off.""Wait how do you know that?" I asked and his cheeks became red."Well, I ur asked Claire.""You're a creep."He shrugged. "And you're stubborn. I'm not taking no for an answer."I barred my teeth at him causing him to laugh. "Fine. Now hand over my bag." He grinned happily and handed it over."Great I'll take you to work.""I don't understand you," I said as I walked out of my room. There were plenty of girls that would happily go with him. I co
HoldenI watched her from the corner of my eye, tucked in the passenger's seat, hugging her shirt close to her body and staring out the window. She was uncomfortable and sat to the edge of her seat, farthest away from me. What was I thinking? Of course, she would be uncomfortable. I was horrible to her and on top of everything I got her fired. Mason was right I should have left her alone.But she agreed to help me. That meant she would have to pretend to at least like me. It had been a while since she said anything. She was probably thinking about all the ways this was a bad idea. "So your mother," she spoke breaking the numbing silence that was getting on my nerves. I so badly wanted to know what she thought, "tell me about her and your family." That was bold. I remained silent as I thought of a way to make my life seem all sunshine and rainbows. "I doubt my mother is going to give you a pop quiz on my family history, Bambi." She nodded and turned away again. "Well, it would help
"I can't believe you doing this," Jett groveled, holding onto my teddy bear. He looked like a child as he sat there pouting about me going to meet Holden's mother.I had explained everything to him, Claire and Sam last night; from me getting fired, to becoming Holden's personal chef— to get some sort of income— and lastly pretending to be his girlfriend.I was surprised at my own words afterward. It seemed like my life flipped upside down in less than three hours."I don't see why you have to be kind to him. He got you fired," Jett pointed out."I'm paying him back for that night he helped me. It's the least I could do since anything could have happened. Besides it's not like working for Robert was fun." "I wish I found you that night instead. Now Holden Harris has his claws into you." Something told me this wasn't just about me. Jett seemed to dislike Holden for some other reason."You don't like him do you?" I looked at Jett to see him fiddle with the teddy bear's arms."He's all J
Holden's POVI woke up on the beach next to a beautiful girl. She slept silently beside me. Her body rose and fell and I covered her with the other half of the beach towel and sat on the sand.I had to tell her she wasn't my type. If I told her I was attracted to her I didn't know how she would react. Good or bad reaction I felt it would have a negative end result.If I told her how I felt she would like me and I'd want to kiss her and touch her. I didn't want to break her heart. I denied myself her because I wasn't going to be that big of an asshole and destroy her.If her reaction was negative and she felt creeped out by it she would never want to see me again.She was a good girl and I was not the guy she needed in her life. Jessie's little brother would do for her. But she needed an adventure and that little shit taking her to a motorcycle race then to a dumb party afterward— with predators lurking was idiotic.If I couldn't have her it didn't mean I couldn't give her memories. I c
I looked at Holden and he looked like he was concentrating hard. His knuckles were red. "Do you have a first aid kit?" I asked, as he tried to maneuver the car through traffic. "In my cubby. Why did you cut yourself?" He asked and I moved to get the first aid kit. I took his hand and he looked at me. "I'm fine you don't have to," I didn't listen to him as I rubbed an ointment for cuts and bruises over his knuckles. He flinched at the sudden burn and I blew on his knuckles. I looked up at him and he was watching me work. I wrapped the bandage around his knuckles and made a small knot. "Bambi, you didn't have to do that. It would have been okay." "Well you were protecting my honor yet again and it was the least I could." "I'd punch anyone for you," he said causing me to smile. "Good to know." He had a goofy grin on his face as he made a turn and I noticed we were going to his apartment. "An adventure in your apartment. Great, what will I be doing?" He smirked devilishly at me. "I
After classes, every day I cooked for Holden and Mason. I thought I would be in for torture working for Holden but it was better than working for Giovanni.No rich men were hitting on me. No indecisive customers and I didn't get treated like a servant. Mason usually kept me company when Holden worked in his room.I dried my hands with a dish towel. Holden was sitting down at the kitchen island finishing his dinner. "I guess if that's everything I'll be on my way out.""Hot date?" He asked."Not a date per se but Jett asked me to go to that motorcycle event with him."Holden smirked, taking a sip from his glass. "So a date. Good for you, Bambi."He moved to place his plate in the dishwasher."It's not a date," I said, "not that it is any of your business that Jett and I decided to be friends —until I'm done helping you with your family."Holden's grin was saying he had more to say. "What?" I asked."I don't know, Bambi, what if this lie never ends and we have to get married.""I'm not m
After the weekend I had it was hard to concentrate on lectures. I found myself slipping easily into a daydream. I tried to concentrate but since I didn't read any of the assigned chapters it was easier to stare at the lecturer and act like I knew what they were saying, meanwhile I was in a galaxy far far away.After the last lecture of the day, Jett drove me home. It wasn't even hard to concentrate on what he said most of the time. My mind was just not my own for the day."Are you okay?" Jett asked. It was half an hour till three and I had to go to Holden's apartment as per our arrangement.So in laments terms, I was not okay. I was the exact opposite of it and maybe it was the cause of why I had been so distracted most of the day. I was freaked out with a combination of nervousness. Who knew the Pandora's box that awaited me this evening at Holden's apartment.But I had a feeling if I could just get through this week then the rest of my life would fall into a routine. "Emery," Jett c
I got into the car with Holden. His mother and sister wanted to end the evening with a nice lunch and were still deciding on a restaurant. Which left us driving around until they came to a decision."I still think this was a very bad idea. We should have considered how big this lie would actually get." The driving around alone would at least allow me to get some sense in Holden's thick head."Can you relax? Please," he shrugged off my concerns, "everything is fine."How could he be so optimistic?"Holden, how is everything fine?" I looked at him and he kept his eyes fixed on the road."Being a bridesmaid is not that big of a deal.""Maybe to a man," I pointed out, "but for women we choose our closest friends and family to stand beside us on that special day.""You are such a sap, Bambi.""And you don't have one romantic bone in your body. What's your idea of a good time? Buy a girl dinner and then hook up and leave before she wakes up in the morning.""Precisely, no hard feelings," he
"Bambi wake up," Holden said and I cracked an eye open to see him squatting by my bed."It's just a nightmare," I said turning over to face the window. It was a sick nightmare, one I could never run from in the form of Holden Harris.I felt the covers being pulled off me and continued to keep my eyes closed. I was stubborn when I needed to be. Holden whistled. "My my, those shorts look dashing on you," he said and I shot up from bed."Get out," I ordered, grabbing the sheet from him to cover my legs. He laughed and moved towards the door.What was he even doing in my room."Wait," I said and he stopped at the door. "Why are you here?"He turned around to face me, amusement alight his eyes as a smirk covered his perfect jawline. "Oh, Stephanie wanted to go shopping.""And?""Must I spell it out for you, Bambi, you're my girlfriend."I put the pillow over my face. "I want to break up," I muttered.He laughed, pulling the pillow away and smacking me with it. "You are annoying." I covered
I woke up and Holden was gone. I was surprised at how clean his room was left. I trotted my way to the bathroom splashing some cold water on my face. It was sad to say that Holden's chaise was better than the bed I slept on. I walked out of the room to see his sister standing by the oven. "Good morning," she sang. She looked happy another thing I was not expecting for the morning. "Good morning," I said and I felt awkward that it sounded like a question. "I'm sorry about last night. I hope it doesn't give you a bad impression of my family." She pulled out a tray of baked muffins from the oven."It's okay. I understand." She smiled, "how are you feeling though?" "Well, I spoke to my father. He's not happy with the whole being knocked up and not married idea but it's done and there is nothing he can do to change that." I twiddled with my fingers and Stephanie began prepping a lunch bag. "The thing about my brother and I is that we are very close and we have a pact that one cannot r
"I can't believe you doing this," Jett groveled, holding onto my teddy bear. He looked like a child as he sat there pouting about me going to meet Holden's mother.I had explained everything to him, Claire and Sam last night; from me getting fired, to becoming Holden's personal chef— to get some sort of income— and lastly pretending to be his girlfriend.I was surprised at my own words afterward. It seemed like my life flipped upside down in less than three hours."I don't see why you have to be kind to him. He got you fired," Jett pointed out."I'm paying him back for that night he helped me. It's the least I could do since anything could have happened. Besides it's not like working for Robert was fun." "I wish I found you that night instead. Now Holden Harris has his claws into you." Something told me this wasn't just about me. Jett seemed to dislike Holden for some other reason."You don't like him do you?" I looked at Jett to see him fiddle with the teddy bear's arms."He's all J
HoldenI watched her from the corner of my eye, tucked in the passenger's seat, hugging her shirt close to her body and staring out the window. She was uncomfortable and sat to the edge of her seat, farthest away from me. What was I thinking? Of course, she would be uncomfortable. I was horrible to her and on top of everything I got her fired. Mason was right I should have left her alone.But she agreed to help me. That meant she would have to pretend to at least like me. It had been a while since she said anything. She was probably thinking about all the ways this was a bad idea. "So your mother," she spoke breaking the numbing silence that was getting on my nerves. I so badly wanted to know what she thought, "tell me about her and your family." That was bold. I remained silent as I thought of a way to make my life seem all sunshine and rainbows. "I doubt my mother is going to give you a pop quiz on my family history, Bambi." She nodded and turned away again. "Well, it would help