Page 57 of His Secret Santa
Holden entered the hall behind Jamie and Abby, using them as a shield, hoping not to be seen. But they pulled him up next to them.
“Wow.” Abby smiled, her eyes glowing. “This place looks great.”
Holden hardly noticed the blue and white glittery decorations as his eyes darted around the spacious room, nearly packed. The sea of faces blended together. If Lincoln was out there somewhere, he couldn’t see him.
Why are you looking for him anyway?
He told himself he wanted to know where Lincoln was—so he could avoid him. A lame lie, if he ever heard one.
“Let’s get some punch,” Jamie said and led the way around the edge of the room toward a long table arrayed with finger foods and punch bowls.
Holden stopped looking for Lincoln and hoped he wasn’t there and wouldn’t show. At least, he tried to convince himself he hoped for that. His hopes—real or otherwise—were dashed to pieces when Abby tensed and directed Jamie’s attention across the large room. Holden followed her stare to Lincoln’s group of friends, Mckenna among them. But no Lincoln. His heart leaped a little—then tumbled down when Lincoln joined them moments later. McKenna moved closer to the quarterback and Holden started to look away when he was suddenly caught in Lincoln’s stare.
Just look away—now.
Holden broke the stare with great effort and turned his back on the group of young people. Something cracked in his heart. You didn’t think he would come here with them, did you? Deep down, he had thought that. You’re such a fool.
Chapter 17
He meant it when he said he didn’t want me anymore, Lincoln thought sickly when Holden turned away and refused to look at him. Angel believed there was still a chance for them, and Lincoln wanted to believe as well, but maybe all was lost. That’s how it felt just now.
“Hey.” Mckenna pushed Lincoln aside from the others. “Why haven’t you returned any of my calls or texts? I’ve been trying to get a hold of you for days.”
Lincoln averted his eyes. “Why didn’t you just come over?” he mumbled, honestly curious. He had expected her to show up at his door the day after his party. She hadn’t.
The cheerleader huffed. “What? Come trailing after you like a lovesick puppy? I wouldn’t give you the satisfaction.”
“Trust me,” Lincoln murmured. “I would’ve gotten no satisfaction from that.”
McKenna narrowed her eyes. “Are you still pissed because of what happened at the party?”
Lincoln met her stare. “As a matter of fact, I am.”
“I don’t believe you.” She rolled her eyes. “It was just a fucking joke. Not our fault the little fairy can’t take a joke. And why do you care, anyway?”
Lincoln stared at her and tried to understand what his dad thought she could bring to the table.
“When I saw your dad the night of your party, he said you were going to call me and apologize.”
“Apologize for what?”
“For being stupid and breaking up with me. For kicking us out of your house. For, I don’t know—being a dick.”
He did need to apologize for being a dick… but not to McKenna and the others.
“Well, he was wrong.”
“I’d like to see you tell him that.”
“Too late,” Lincoln said. “I already did.”
“You told him he was wrong.” McKenna snorted. “Right.”
“I told him I didn’t want to be with you because I wasn’t in love with you and that I didn’t even like you.”
McKenna squinted coolly. “You sure seemed to like me all those times you were nailing me.”
“Is that how it seemed?” Lincoln mumbled.