Tracing Holland (NSB Book 2) (21 page)

“Is he ever not working?” she whispers.

I shrug. “Probably, but not that I’ve seen.”

“Penchant for Red, right?”

“Yeah. Their debut went platinum a few months after it
released. He’s already working on new stuff.”

Her eyes widen as she leans forward to give him another
look. “Really, wow. Not bad for a side project.”

I smirk. “Yeah, right. I’m pretty sure we’re his side
project at this point.”

“Hey, man. Can you listen to this for me?” Casey interrupts,
smacking my arm to get my attention. I take the headphones he’s shoving in my
face and slide them on, giving him a nod when I’m ready.

My jaw nearly hits the tray table as he starts the track,
and I stare back at him in disbelief. He’s grinning at my expression, and I
shake my head before turning again so I can focus on the music. When the song
finishes, I pull the headphones down and face him in awe.

“Case, that’s phenomenal. What is that?”

He’s so excited that I find myself hoping he’s buckled into his
seat. “I know, right? I just got this sweet new bass module. With that filter
and chorus echo, I just about shit my pants.
And then the
killer drop after the bridge?
What do you think?”

“I think it’s amazing. And when did you learn to sing like
that?” I laugh, handing his headphones back.

He only shrugs with a shy smile and throws them back on.
Callie is giving me her fake-irritated look, but I can tell she’s as proud of
him as I am.

“He never shuts off, does he,” I observe with a grin, and
she rolls her eyes.

“Never,” she mouths.

I feel a sudden pressure on my leg, and glance down at
Holland’s hand. I instinctively cast a look across the aisle, but the others
aren’t paying attention to us anymore.

“Living on the edge, huh?” I tease.

“Time for you to meet my wild streak,” she returns, matching
my grin, and it’s everything I can do not to kiss her right then. I know she
wants the same thing when her fingers tighten on my thigh, the pressure
intensifying as she moves higher. My heart starts to pound.

“I mean, they have a bathroom,” I offer with a mischievous
look, and she rolls her eyes.

“I can’t get you to make love to me in a four-star hotel
room, but you’ll take me in an airplane port-a-john?”

“Oh, whatever,” I return, grabbing her hand from my leg and giving
it a playful squeeze. She chuckles, drawing the attention of the lady to our
left.

“You two make a sweet couple. How long have you been
married?” the lady asks, eyeing my ring.

My stomach drops, but Holland
doesn’t
catch on and only laughs.

“Oh, we’re not married,” she corrects, glancing at me when I
instinctively pull my hand out of sight.

“It’s complicated,” I mutter.

“I see,” the woman replies with clear disapproval, and
Holland seems startled, then embarrassed as she finally clues in.

“Oh, no, we’re not having an affair or anything,” she
explains quickly. “He was married, but his wife…” She stops, the woman looks
away, and I choke a little. Now, we’re all miserable.

“Oh, well, it’s certainly none of my business,” the woman
continues with a stiff smile. She turns back to her window, and I can feel
Holland’s eyes on me. I give her a weak smile of my own to try to reassure her,
but my body suddenly goes cold at a whole new thought. I glance at Callie and
Casey to make sure they’re not paying attention before leaning toward Holland.

“As awkward as that was, she brings up a good point,” I say
quietly. “Where we’re going, Houston…it’s just better if none of this comes up,
ok? We’re going to be surrounded by Casey and Elena’s family and friends. There
will be enough drama without me showing up with a new girlfriend. They already
despise me.” I sigh, hating everything about this conversation. “It’s not even
for my sake. It’ll be much better for you, for all of us, if you’re just
Casey’s friend Holland while we’re there.”

She searches my eyes, and I’m relieved when she nods. “Of
course. I totally understand. Casey’s buddy Holland. Got it.” She pauses as her
serious expression turns into a grin. “But girlfriend, huh?”

“What?”

“You said girlfriend.”

I return her grin and give her a look. “Please. You know
what I meant.”

“Actually, I don’t know if I do. Did you mean girlfriend?”

“Um, really? Because I’m pretty sure you just want to know
if that would entitle you to my J45.”

She huffs and sits back. “Dammit.” Then, gives me another
smile. “Would it?”

I laugh and shake my head in amusement.

∞∞∞

We have
a two-hour layover in Chicago and grab coffees and snacks while we’re waiting.
I know what Holland’s thinking as the four of us sit around the small table,
nursing our cups, because the thought is plaguing my head too. I just have no
clue how to broach the subject with my two best friends whose minds are
rightfully elsewhere. Besides, blurting awkward announcements is Holland’s area
of expertise, not mine.

“How you doing with all of this, Case?” I ask, breaking the initial
silence. He shrugs and glances up at me.

“Fine, I guess. Trying to sort it all out in my head.”

I nod. “It’s a lot to deal with.”

He sighs. “Yeah. It is. Distract me,” he directs to Callie
who rolls her eyes with a smile at his teasing.

“Uh huh. What’ll it
be
, your
majesty? A song? A dance?”

He shrugs. “How about both?”

“Right. Like I’m going to sing for Luke Craven, Casey
Barrett, and Holland Drake.”

“You have a nice voice! It’s very sweet,” Casey says, and
she only grunts.

“Whatever.”

“Have you heard her sing?” he asks me, and I cross my arms.

“Actually, no.
Really, Callie?
Another secret you’ve kept from me?”

“Ugh, he’s lying! I don’t sing.”

“You sing in the shower all the time,” Casey argues.

Her eyes widen in disbelief as she turns a death stare on
him. “How about we not talk about my shower habits in front of our friends?”

“What?” he returns defensively. “Who doesn’t sing in the
shower? It’s not like I’m talking about shaving your legs or something.”

“Casey!” she cries, smacking him.

“What? What did I do?”

Holland and I exchange an amused look as they argue, and she
takes the opportunity to motion toward them with her eyes. I return the look
with a shrug, still not convinced it’s a good idea to say anything, even though
this is probably the best opportunity we’ll have on this trip.

I’m still hesitant about it all, and my stomach drops when I
turn back to Callie and Casey to find them staring at us. They must have caught
our silent exchange, and I’m afraid I actually cringe.

“What was that?” Callie asks, leaning forward with an
obvious glint in her eyes.

“What was what?” I ask.

“That!” she cries, motioning between Holland and me. “You
just had a moment.”

“A moment?” I scoff. “What are you talking about?”

She leans back and crosses her arms, glaring at us. “Come
on. We’re not stupid. Something is going on between you two.”

“Why? Because we exchanged a look?”

“Um, no, because you’ve been exchanging lots of looks.”

“We’ve become close,” Holland explains, and I cast her a
quick glance. I don’t know if it was the right thing to say, but it’s way better
than whatever was about to come out of my mouth.

“Close? How close?” Callie asks, clearly getting excited.

I take a deep breath as the two women
exchange
knowing
grins, and Callie claps in excitement when Holland shrugs.

“I knew it! I knew it! Didn’t I call that?” she cries, shaking
Casey’s arm.

Casey rolls his eyes. “She did.”

“We’re just…I don’t know. Just getting close for now. That’s
all,” Holland continues, and I’m struck again by her profound accuracy. I
wouldn’t have known how to begin to explain what we are, what’s happening
between us, but “getting close” certainly applies.

I glance at Casey and try to read his expression. While
Callie obviously supports our nascent relationship, I don’t know if Casey is
ready to understand. I wouldn’t blame him for being hesitant, but I’m also glad
it’s out. I don’t want to keep things from him either. Not anymore.

“This is just between the four of us. We’re not talking
about it yet. There’s nothing to really say at this point anyway,” I explain,
and can see Casey visibly relax.

He lets out his breath. “Ok, good. Because you know my dad’s
funeral is probably the worst possible place to make that announcement.”

I roll my eyes. “Uh, yeah. I get that, Case.”

He shrugs and gives me a sheepish smile. “Ok, just making
sure.” He quiets and studies us for a moment. His face changes, and I hold my
breath for the verdict. “It’s good, though.
Really good.
I’m glad you’re ‘getting close,’” he says finally, focusing back on me. I
return his smile, warmed, and yes, relieved, by his approval.

He pauses to give us a hard stare. “I just hope you kids are
being safe,” he jokes,
then
flinches when Callie
smacks him again.

Holland and I laugh. “We’re good. Thanks.”

∞∞∞

Casey’s
brother Nate had offered to pick us up at the airport and drive us to the hotel,
but Casey didn’t want to be reliant on others, having no idea how the coming
drama would unfold. It’s a smart move, and I’m also relieved we’re renting a
car and making our own accommodations. It’s a little awkward as Holland and I
check into our separate rooms, but even though Casey and Callie know we’re
“getting close,” we’re not exactly at the point of sharing a room yet either. At
least we’re on the same floor, which seems like a fortunate compromise. Casey
waits until we all have our keys before issuing instructions.

“Alright, let’s get settled in and cleaned up. I already let
Molly and Nate know we’re here so I’m sure they’re going to want to meet up
tonight. You guys good?”

We nod. “Got it. Let us know the plan,” I say. Casey and
Callie are both looking at us with hidden smiles, and I actually start to feel
shy about the whole thing.

“Ok. Well, um…have fun until then, I guess.
But not too much.
It might not be long. Not sure how much
time you need to ‘get close,’” Casey teases.

I roll my eyes. “Shut up,” I spit back, and he grins. “We
shouldn’t have said anything.”

“No! You absolutely should have!” Callie cries. “Thank you,
Luke. It means a lot that you did. I’ll keep him in line. Promise.” She gives
us an apologetic look as she shoves Casey in the direction of the elevators. “What
is wrong with you?” she snaps as they move away.

I cast a concerned glance at Holland after they leave, but
she only seems amused by the whole thing.

“What about you?” she says, moving toward the elevators as
well.

“What about me?” I ask, following her.

“I don’t know. Everyone’s concerned about Casey, but what
about you? You’ve been pretty quiet since we boarded the flight from Chicago.
Well, more so than usual,” she adds with a smile. I return a weak one of my
own.

“I know. Sorry. A lot on my mind.”

“Um, yeah, I know. That was my polite way of saying spill
it.”

I laugh and follow her onto the elevator.

“I can’t believe you’re still willing to go on elevators
with me after Myrtle Beach.”

She casts me an amused glance as she punches our floor
number. “It’s not without reservation, I’ll be honest.”

“Well, I promise to never again act like a dick to you in an
elevator.”

She smirks. “You better not, although I’m not sure I like
your qualification.”

I grin and shrug as the door opens again and we move into
the hallway.

“What’s your room?” I ask, and she glances down at her
welcome brochure.

“307.”

I nod. “Ok. I’m 310.”

We start walking in silence and come to an awkward stop
before her door.

“Will you stay and talk for a bit?” Holland asks, glancing
up at me with a look I can’t ignore.

“Are you sure that’s a good idea? Casey said we might not
have a lot of time,” I argue, and she rolls her eyes.

“We can go into a hotel room without having sex,” she
returns.

I grin. “I don’t know. You’re the one who has that
Pavlovian
response to strip me every time we’re alone.”

“I’ll keep my hands to myself, I promise.” She cringes. “Ok,
I can’t promise that. But…you know what I mean.” She opens her door and drags
me inside, putting an end to the debate anyway.