Welcome to New Haven (75 page)

Oh here we go
.

Holly wished she hadn’t opened her mouth.

“I just agreed with Holly.
 
What do you
think
I meant?” Dev said, calmly.

“Not just that, the eye roll.” Ben said as he pointed to his eyes.

“What? It didn’t mean anything! Why are you trying to start a fight with me?”

Dev looked as if she were getting angry.
 

“I’m not starting anything. You’re the one who did that with the ‘
totally
’…” Ben said in a mock tone of her voice. “…And the eye rolling. Like you
want
me to say something to you.”
 

“If I wanted that, I would’ve spoken first. Don’t blame me because you’re a hothead.”

Holly was looking back and forth between them. Their bickering had escalated quickly.
 

“
I’m
a hothead? You’re one to talk, Miss ‘over-the-top-about-everything’.”

“I am
not!
” Dev was losing her cool with Ben and she looked like she would kick him where it hurts if it got any further.
 

“Hey, you two, stop it!” said Holly, holding her hands up. “Just stop, ok? Seriously guys, you need to give it a rest now.”
 

“What’s up?” asked Alex as he walked into the room with his bag. “Oh.” He said as he saw Dev and ben glaring at each other. “Ben, let’s go.” He said, but not before saying goodbye to Holly first.
 

“With pleasure.” Ben said as he left.
 

“I won’t be long, babe.” Alex cupped his hands to Holly’s face and kissed her with so much tenderness even Dev said… “Awwwww!”
 

“I love you.” He whispered.

“I love you to.” She replied.

Dev pounced as soon as they left.

“Ok, Missy…spill.”

Holly told Dev about her nightmare, panic attack, and waking up and seeing Alex. She left out the ‘good morning’ details. Dev was sympathetic and clutched her chest when Holly got to the shooting part of her dream. Her eyes filling with tears as Holly told her about her passing out afterwards.

She pulled her in for a hug.

“So…separate beds?”

“Yes!” Holly said laughing as Dev waggled her eyebrows.

“Ok, ok, so what’s on your list”

As Holly told Dev the stuff she needed for the garden, Dev got out her laptop and they got to work.

Alex was having a tough time with Ben at the gym.
 
He was in a worse mood than usual, and he wasn’t forthcoming with the details.

“I don’t want to talk about it.
 
Ben said when Alex asked him what had happened with Dev.
 

“Hey, I talk to you about Holly.”
 

His best friend had really helped him figure out the craziness he’d had in his head, over Holly.

“This is different.” Ben said, shrugging his shoulders and starting another set of seated rows.

“How so? Because she’s my sister?”

“No. She just…tries my patience. It’s like she
wants
me to argue with her. It doesn’t matter anyway.” Ben said as he finished his set and iced up his water bottle.
 

“Why not?” Alex wanted to help Ben. Holly had said he needed to figure things out on his own, and he agreed.
 
He wasn’t going to push too much.
 
If he said he didn’t want to talk about it again. He would leave it at that.
 

“We just don’t get on as much anymore. I guess that’s kind of
it
really.” Ben shrugged his shoulders again.

When they were done, they showered and headed back to the house.

Alex walked into the hangout room and Holly’s eyes lit up and a huge smile spread across her face when she saw him.

He wanted to see that every day.

For the rest of his life.

He walked quickly to her, took her into his arms and kissed her deeply, threading his fingers into her hair, underneath her ponytail, as he held her head. He pulled back slowly, opening his eyes.

“Hi babe.” He said softly and smiled at her the way she loved.

“Hi…um…” Holly swallowed. “…Wow.”
   

“I guess you missed each other then.” Giggled Dev as they both stared at each other. “Oh, by the way, Alex. Riss just texted me.
 
The others are on their way over.
 
Is that ok? I figured, since you two are going on a date tonight, you could spare some time for us?”
 
She said as she winked at Holly.

“I suppose.” He said with a playful pout.
 
He would be with Holly either way.
 
They’d just have to curb their ‘enthusiasm’ for each other.

“You’ll still be together anyways.” Dev said as if reading his mind. She put her hand to the side of her mouth as if telling a secret. “And, maybe you might have a conversation that doesn’t end up with ‘frustrations’” she chuckled.
 
“Or almost giving everybody a show.”

“Well, in that case, you may want to look away…” Alex said as he pulled Holly in again. Cupping one hand to her jaw, kissing her passionately.

He let his other hand slide down to her perfectly formed ass and squeezed.

Holly’s hands fisted in his T-shirt, one finding its way underneath to caress his tight abs and chest.

“Oh my God!” Said a shocked Dev as she turned her back to them. “Guys, I was joking!”

Alex pulled back.

“You shouldn’t joke about stuff like that, Dev.” He said whilst gazing into the eyes of the most beautiful, perfect creature he had ever seen in his life. He leant forward to whisper into Holly's ear.

“Eight days.”

Holly gasped, and he kissed her neck quickly.

“I think you need a fan to cool down.” Dev laughed.
 

Ben sat down and ran his hands through his hair and down his face.

“Did you order everything you needed?” Alex asked as he held her close.
 

“Yeah. Everything’s coming on Wednesday. I texted my Mum. She’s taking the day off, so I don’t have to miss school.”

“Don’t forget that we’re
all
helping you.” He said.
 

“Mmmmm” She moaned.

“What?” He chuckled.

“I love you.” She said dreamily.

“I love you, so much.”

Dev put her hand on her heart.

“Oh God, I’m going to cry!” She said as she wiped her eyes.
 

“Heeey!” Said Riss and Kayla as they walked through the door, followed by Ryan and Kyle.

“Your Dad let us in.”
 
Riss had hold of Ryan’s hand and they looked happy.
 

Kyle, however, looked about as happy as Ben did. Riss released her hold on Ryan to hug Dev and Holly who reluctantly let go of Alex.

“Girl talk.” Said Kayla.

“Yay!” squealed Dev clapping her hands. “Let’s go to my room.” She said as she grabbed Holly’s hand to take her along.

“Wait!” Said Holly as she turned for one more quick kiss from Alex.

Riss did the same to Ryan.

“We’ll leave you to discuss guy stuff.” Dev said as they left.

Once in Dev’s room, Riss and Kayla hugged holly again.

“Honey we are
so
sorry about what happened to you and Alex yesterday.” Said Kayla.
 

“Yeah, sweetie. It was horrible! We wanted to call or text you but Dev told us you guys didn’t want to talk about it.”
 
Added Riss.

“I texted Riss yesterday afternoon, just before we left the store” Said Dev. “I’m sorry, I should’ve told you.” She looked apologetic.

“No need, Dev.”
 
It happened to you too. Your brother, your house. We’re all friends too so I would’ve expected you, or Ben, to tell the others anyway.”
 

“Is it true, you punched her and knocked her out?” Asked Kayla.

Holly flushed with embarrassment.

“um…I punched her…yeah. She fell down, but she wasn’t completely out. I think because she was coming at us it increased the impact.”

“Cool.” Said Riss before they hugged her again.

“Oh, and we’re in to help fix the mess she made in your garden, obviously.” Said Kayla.

“Thank girls.” Holly meant it. She’d never had friends as good as these girls.
 

Even back in the UK, she hadn’t had a lot of friends that she saw regularly. As they’d grown up, the others were more interested in boys and going out where Holly…wasn’t. Now, though, she had a boyfriend who was the sexiest person alive, was going out and had the best friends she could ever imagine.

“Ok, enough depression, how was your date?” Asked Holly.

“You first.” Said Riss with a wink.

Holly told the girls about her first date with Alex, leaving out the ‘hot and heavy’ parts.

Especially at Five Oaks.

The girls knew Stacey had turned up because Dev had sent a message to the girls after her and Alex had left again.

“Soooo?” Asked Dev. “Tell us about your date with Ryan!”

Riss, dreamy eyed and sighing, told them that they’s gone to the movies to see the new action movie that had gotten a rave review.
 

Riss liked action so it was a great thing for Ryan to choose. He’d had his arm around her the whole time and she’d rested her head on his shoulder.

Riss had a huge grin as she told them about missing a scene because they’d made out.
 
Afterwards, they’d gone for dinner, where they’d decided they were a couple.
 

They’d liked each other for a long time so it felt right.
 

Holly understood completely as she and Alex had become official even
before
their first date.

Riss continued telling them how, after driving her home, she’d invited him in as her parents were at a work’s function.
 

“I had sex with Ryan!” She said, suddenly.
 

“What?! On your first date?” asked Dev, shock on her face but a smile tugging at her lips.
 

“I know!”

Holly was listening intently. She knew there were details to come, and she wanted to know what it was like.
 

“I thought that myself but we’re officially together, we’ve liked each other forever and we’re not kids.” Riss said and then looked a little shy.
 
“We were safe too.
 
I…um…got some from the machine at the cinema bathrooms. You know…just in case.”

Holly put her hand over her mouth to stop her surprised gasp escaping.

“You knew
then
?” squealed Dev and Riss nodded.

“I knew Ryan would be my first…my only…whatever. Anyway, I wanted to… even before.”

“What was it like? Did it hurt?” asked Dev.
 
Holly looked to Kayla who just sat and listened.

Of course, she would already know.

The girls knew
everything
about each other as soon as possible.

“It was great and, yeah, it hurt a little but, once we, you know…” Riss made a motion with her hands as if moving forward. “…Got going, it was really good.”

“I heard it doesn’t last long the first time.
 
Like the guy gets too…excited.” Said Dev.
 

“I guess, but it lasted long enough for me to…too.” Riss covered her cheeks and grinned.

Will it be like that for me and Alex? Of course it will.
It’ll be fantastic.

“So when’s your second date?” Dev asked. Holly and Alex’s is tonight.

“Tuesday, I think. We’re not going to miss your party.” Said Riss.
 

“Yeah, I can’t wait for that. It should be awesome!.” Said Kayla. “We should all get ready together, like a night out.”

“Oh my God yes!” squealed Dev, clapping her hands again, in excitement.
 

“We could get ready at my house.” Suggested Holly.
 
“Yes. Then, we can make a grand entrance to the party, looking amazing!” Riss said, bouncing up and down. “Oh, ow.” She said with a shy smile.
 
“Still stings a bit from…you know.”
 

All the girls giggled at that, knowing Riss meant her lady parts were sore.

They got up to go back to the hangout room.
 

All the guys turned to look at them as they entered the room. The girls all had knowing smiles and Dev even waggled her eyebrows at Ryan.
 
Ryan held his arms out for Riss to sit next to him.

“Did you…” He asked.

“Girls talk about stuff.” She smiled and then kissed him.

Holly went to sit next to Alex who also had his arms stretched out.
 
As she turned to sit, Alex grabbed her hips and pulled her onto her lap. He wrapped his arms around her waist so she couldn’t move.

Not that she wanted to.

She draped her arm around his shoulders and let her fingers stroke through his hair as her other hand cupped his jaw, pulling him in for a tongue tangling kiss.

Dev sat down on the sofa, near Ben, and he moved up slightly.
 
It looked as if he were doing it to get a reaction from Dev, possibly, so they could bicker.
 
All he got was…
 

“Thanks. I like my space. You’re a good friend.”

Ben, not getting a snappy remark, looked at Dev then puffed out a breath. Dev turned to Holly and winked.

Kayla had sat next to Kyle who looked a little uncomfortable being so close.
 

Kayla, however, looked completely at ease.
 
Even smiling at him when her arm brushed his.
 

Alex’s hand slid across Holly’s stomach as he slowly unwrapped his right arm.
 

They were sitting on the far right of the sofa, his right side facing out. His left arm kept a firm grip, and he let his right hand caress across her hip, round the side of her ass and down her thigh.
 
Holly trembled at his touch.
 
She looked him in the eyes and widened hers as if to say ‘not whilst they’re all here!’ to which Alex licked his lips, hooded his eyes, and then shot his killer smile.