“You’re the only thing that makes sense right now,” he whispered.
I looped my arms around his neck, running my fingernails over his skin. “Why did you fight with James tonight?”
“I saw him out with another woman, and I lost it. I had just found out about my dad, and then I went to Ryan’s grave. It was all too much, and I ended up hitting him.” He pulled back from me and sat on the edge of the couch. “It was stupid.”
I followed him. “No, it wasn’t. You were defending your mom. It makes total sense.”
“Only I was wrong. He wasn’t cheating on my mom.” Shame was written across his features.
“What was he doing with the other woman?”
“Apparently she was an ex-girlfriend, and she’s on the admissions board at Oceanside University.” He glanced over at me. “That’s where I’ve wanted to go since I was a little kid.”
“Really?” It seemed almost too good to be true. “It’s one of my top three choices too. I’ve already applied. Just waiting to hear back.”
“You’re not shitting me, are you?”
I shook my head. “No. They have an amazing music program.”
“And football program.”
“I had heard that.” I smiled, my head still reeling from his confession. What were the chances that we would both have our sights set on the same college? Then again, I always seemed to be surprised at how alike Holden and I were. Maybe not on the outside, but at the core of who we were.
“Anyway, my dad had a college fund set up for me years ago, so my mom hasn’t worried about setting any money aside for me. But apparently when Dad found out he and Arianna were bringing a bouncing baby boy into the world, he transferred the fund over to his new son.”
I gasped, my hand flying to my mouth. “Oh, Holden. I’m so sorry.” There weren’t any words that were adequate at this point, and I felt at a loss.
“Yeah, pretty crappy, huh?” Bitterness tinged his tone, not that I blamed him one bit. “So that’s why James has been working extra hours. To start a college fund for me. And he was meeting with that lady to see if she could pull any strings to help me get a scholarship. It seemed like I was a shoe-in for one until I broke my arm.”
“It’s awful what your dad did. But it’s really great what James and your mom are doing for you. They must love you a lot.”
A small smile flickered on Holden’s face. “I’ve always wanted a dad who truly loved me. One who believed in me and wanted the best for me. Tonight I realized that my dad will never be that guy.”
My heart lurched at his words. I racked my brain for something to say to make it better, but came up with nothing.
“But I also realized that maybe I can still have that…with James.”
I stared at the bandaids across his knuckles. “How bad is he hurt?”
Holden chuckled. “Not bad. Just a black eye.” When I furrowed my brows, he added, “Oh, I didn’t cut my knuckles on his face. I was so angry with myself I ended up slamming my fist into the side of the restaurant when I left. Stupid, huh?” He threw me a sheepish look.
I shook my head. It was stupid, but I understood his frustration. Shame can make you do funny things. “What’s going to happen when you get home? Is James really upset?”
“No, actually. He already forgave me. In fact, he commended me for sticking up for my mom. Told me he liked knowing that I had her back.”
“Sounds like a good guy.”
“Yeah, he is.”
“And so are you.”
Holden’s eyes met mine. “Thanks for everything. I don’t know what I would have done tonight without you.”
“I’m not going anywhere.”
EPILOGUE
Holden
Chloe sat in the water, her head resting against the side of the spa. Her eyes were shrouded by her sunglasses, but I could tell by her unmoving posture and parted lips that they were closed. Bubbles foamed around her, but I saw the outline of her black bikini and it caused my pulse to quicken. Kids squealed in the distance where they played near the pool, but other than that it was quiet. And I was grateful it was just she and I in the spa. I climbed down the steps and gently lowered myself on the bench next to her.
She flinched when my hand rested on her thigh. Her head bobbed up and then a smile leapt to her face.
“You’re here,” she said.
My heart skipped a beat at how happy she was to see me. I’d never get used to the effect I had on her. And I’d never tire of it. “Yeah. Sawyer and I finished early.”
“How’d it go?” Her hand found mine under the water, and she wove our fingers together.