Welcome to New Haven (98 page)

“What makes you think they were talking dirty?” Asked Dev.
 

“They’re both red faced.” Laughed Ryan. “Either that, or they’re ready to go home
now.
” He laughed harder.
 

“Ryan, don’t say that!” Said Riss as she gave him a look that said “shhh”.

“Well
I’m
ready to babe.” He said as he swatted Riss’ ass making her giggle.
 

When they’d walked to art class, they all said their goodbyes.
 

“I’ll miss you.” Holly said after they broke their kiss.
 

“I’ll miss you too, babe.” Alex replied.

Dev and Ben pulled apart too.
 

“Mind if I tag along with you?” Ben asked Holly.
 

“Um, no not at all. I’m only going to do Spanish though”
 

“Cool.”

Alex was happy that Holly wouldn’t be alone. After their weekend, he was worried whenever he wasn’t with her. That he missed her incredibly just made it worse.
 

They took their seats at their table in art class.

The teacher, Mrs. McGhee, stood at the front of the class.
 

“Ok people. You have
this
class and this class
only
to wow me. I want you to sketch, or paint, with as much detail as you can in the time given, something that means a lot to you. It can be an object, like a necklace, gift, childhood toy. It could even be a person. I want to see you inject emotion into your work. You may begin.”

Alex and Dev looked at each other with a grin and picked up their art materials.
 

When they were done, Alex took a photo of his work and Dev took one of hers. He’d told Holly he would show her his drawings. The thing he liked to draw most. Her.
 
They met up outside the class and walked to their Algebra class.
 

“Did you get to draw something good?” Holly asked as they walked, his arm around her shoulder, hers around his waist.
 

“Yeah. Wanna see?” He asked getting his phone out.
 

“Of course!” She said, taking his phone as he opened the photos app. Holly gasped, and her eyes instantly filled with tears. The picture was of her sitting down with Carlos standing on her lap, at their party, with her hands holding him for support. They were smiling at each other.

“Did you copy from a photo?” She asked in a whisper.
 

“No. We’re not allowed to. That’s from memory.” He stopped when he saw a tear roll down her cheek, and wiped it away with his thumb. She wrapped her arms around his waist, holding him tight.
 

“The picture’s beautiful” Holly said when she could speak again.
 

“Thanks, babe. You’re my favourite thing to draw.” He said before he kissed her, sweetly.
 

“Can I see your other pictures?”
 

“Yeah. I’ve got one more to finish, but I’ll show the others to you soon.”

“Wow…Dev…just…
fuck
….” Ben said as Dev was showing him her picture on her phone. Ben was speechless as he looked to the picture.
 

“Can I see?” Holly asked and Dev passed her the phone.
 

Dev had painted a picture of Ben, asleep. His hair in different directions, his arms under the pillow and his eyelashes fanning his cheeks.

She’d painted to the sheet that was up to his shoulder blades. The detail in the picture showed that Ben was Dev’s world. Especially painting the details from memory.
 

Holly looked to Ben and saw his eyes were misted. He’d pulled Dev into him and was holding her tight.
 

“Move it along to your classes!” a teacher called out from the hallway.

They put their phones away and carried on to class.

It was time for lunch, and Holly was going to FaceTime Emily.
 

Em had been so busy with her uni work and her job that they’d hardly spoken since she’d left.

Holly had texted that she was now in a relationship with Alex, and the others had paired up too. Em was glad for Holly and promised to try to get some time to call. With the eight hours time difference, Em was usually in bed by the time Holly got home from school.
 
They’d managed to exchange a few emails over the weekend, but Emily had been studying hard for her final assessments.

Holly was looking forward to talking to her with the group.

Holly met Alex outside their rooms, after the bell sounded, and he pulled her close for a hot, sexy kiss.
 

“Mmmm.” She moaned as her legs buckled.
 

“I missed you, baby.” He said before pulling her into his chest, holding her.
 

“I missed you too.” She cheekily lowered her hands to squeeze his pert behind.
 

“Naughty.” He chuckled.

“I couldn’t resist.”

They held hands as they, and their group, headed to their lunch. Holly sent a text to Emily.

H: I’m at lunch now. Call when you’re free. X

They all sat at the table in the position they’d favoured the past couple of days.
 

“Hey kids, fancy meeting you here!” A voice came from behind them.
 

“Nick! What are
you
doing here?” Asked Ryan, surprised to see his brother.
 

“Giving some spring break work experience placements to Mr. Lawson. Thought I’d stick around and see my little bro and his crew.” Nick looked to Alex and Holly. “Hey there, pretty girl.” He said with a smirk “How’s your sister?”
 

Holly felt Alex’s grip tighten on her, possessively. She squeezed his arms in response.

He’d asked her, a week ago, if she liked Nick because a lot of other girls did.
 
It was hard to believe that Alex.
Her
Alex, was insecure. He was the sweetest, most gorgeous guy that had ever lived!
 

“
Emily
is great, thank Nick.” She said, sweetly.

“Is she still mad at me?” He asked, still smirking.
 

“Hmmm…” Holly said as if in thought. “Mad doesn’t quite express how my sister feels.” Holly added, which made the group laugh.

They’d all seen Emily’s anger up close.
 
Ryan had had it directed towards him. He pursed his lips and sucked in a breath as he scowled.

“Dude, I
never
want to experience
that
again.” He said with a shudder.
 

“Nah, I bet she’s as tame as a kitten.” Said Nick with an arrogant grin.
 

“Actually…Nicky” Holly said, a little irritated at Nick for talking about her sister. She saw a look in his eye that disappeared quickly, when she called him Nicky “…She mentioned something about cutting off your balls and making you wear them as a bow tie. Is
that
something a kitten would do?”

The guys groaned at the mention of balls being cut off.

Nick just looked at Holly. He opened his mouth to say something when Alex cut him off.
 

“Dude, I wouldn’t. If I let her go, she may just rip your throat out for talking about her sister”
 

“Whoa, No worries, Alex.” Nick laughed. “I didn’t realise your little lady needed controlling.”

Holly snarled and moved to get up.

“You talk that way about Holly again, and I’ll break your fucking neck, asshole.”
 

Alex’s face was one of violent Anger and…

Sexy as fucking hell!
 

Alex had stood up for her before, when Will had said disgusting things to her in A.Bio class and that was hot too. His protectiveness over her made her feel safe and loved.
 

“Calm down Alex, man, I’m kidding! Seriously, Holly, I don’t think that way I’m just yanking your chain.” Nick chuckled.
 

“That’s not funny.” Said Alex
 

“Yeah Nick. Even
I
don’t mess with them like that. I’d be so fucked up right now if I did.” Said Ryan.
 

“Yeah, I can see that.” Said Nick and he smiled.

Holly couldn’t tell, but he seemed to be looking at them like he was
glad
they’d reacted that way.

Strange.

“Anyway, I was playing.” He added.

Holly’s phone beeped with a message from her Mum.

“My stuff came.” She said.
 
All of the items for her garden repairs had been delivered.
 

“We’re all in to help, Hol” Said Riss.
 

“What’s going on?” asked Nick.
 

“We’re helping with Holly’s planting.” Said Ryan.
 

“Oh yeah, the psycho bitch. Sorry to hear about that.”
 

Holly saw he was genuine. The look in his eyes, the one she saw earlier, was there, again vanishing as quick as it came.

“Can I help at all?”

“Thanks, but I think I have everything covered.” She said.

“We’re all helping.” Dev said to Nick, and she started to discuss it with the others.
 

Holly got goosebumps all over when she felt Alex’s mouth by her ear.
 

“You’re so sexy when you’re mad.” He whispered quietly.

Holly felt her cheeks flush, his words sending heat shooting straight to her core. She wanted to turn around, tear his shirt off, and lick him all over. She resisted and settled on moving her hands to his thighs that were either sides of hers, and she squeezed. She felt his ‘reaction’ behind her and squeezed harder.
 

He dropped his head to her neck and kissed the dip between her neck and shoulder.
 

“Come on guys. I’ve had to put up with
these
two the past few days” whined Nick as he gestured to Ryan and Riss who then shared a kiss.

“You’re just jealous. You can’t even keep a girl for more than a few days.” Said Ryan.
 

“Ok, I don’t date girls; I date
women
. I’m twenty-six for fuck’s sake.”
 

“Yeah, so how long do you date
women
for then?” Asked Ben as he had his arms around Dev, holding her close.
 

“Long enough.” Nick replied with a frown.

Holly’s phone started to ring, the AC/DC song ‘Back in Black’ set as the ringtone for Em’s FaceTime, cutting short the weird conversation about Nick’s dating habits.
 

“Hiya!” Said Holly, happily, as she answered.
 

“Hiya babe!” Squealed Em. Holly and Alex quickly glanced at Nick, who’s expression had changed from annoyed to interested.
 

“How are you doing, Em?” Asked Alex.
 

“I’m doing great, ta. Hey, it’s good to see you two together, ya know. Aww you look dead good wi’ each other.” Holly beamed at Emily’s words.
 

“Ta. What have you been up to?” She asked.
 

“Loads of studying, love. I’ve got my final exams next week. Me ‘eds chocker. I ‘aven’t stopped.”
 

“I’m sure you’ll do really well Em. You’ve worked hard. Anyway, everyone’s here, so say hi.”

Holly turned the phone to each couple so they could see Em and wave.

“Aww look at you lot all cosy and paired up.” Said Em.
 

“One more person here, Em.” Holly turned her phone towards Nick.
 

“Hello again, beautiful.” He said with a smile.
 

“What the
fuck
is
he
doing there?!” Em said to Holly, but she still had the phone facing Nick.
 

“Don’t be rude, Em. Say hi.” Holly said cheerfully as the rest of the group chuckled quietly.
 

“Hi, cock’ed.” She growled.
 

“My , you have a mouth on you.” Said Nick with a huge grin.
 

“And yours’ll get a smack if you’re not careful.” Em spat.

Holly was trying to hold her phone still whilst she was laughing. She could feel Alex shaking behind her trying to hold his in too.
 

“Wow, we hardly know each other. I’m not sure I’m ready for S&M.” Nick said with a serious expression.
 

Everybody howled, even Holly.
 

“You dirty bastard!” Em said in disbelief and Nick winked at her.
 

“Ok enough now.” Said Holly as she turned the phone back to herself and Alex.
 

“Awww. I was ready to be convinced” complained Nick which made everybody laugh harder.

Yeah, that’s
exactly
where Ryan got his humour.

“I might be thousands of miles away,
Nick,
but I can have Holly punch you
for
me!” Em shouted.
 

“He’s messing, Em.” Holly said, rolling her eyes.
 

“I have to go anyway. I got stuff to set up for the placements.” Said Nick. They all said goodbye as he got up.
 

“Bye, Emmy. I’ll miss you so much my sweet, sweet, princess.” He said with a hand over his heart.
 

“Fuck off!” She replied.
 

“Wow. I can really
feel
the love.” He said, grinning before walking away.

As the laughter subsided, Holly and Em resumed talking.
 

“When are you next coming over? I’ll let Lucy know so she can bring Kristy over” Em said.

Lucy was Em’s best friend and Kristy, her two-year old daughter. Holly had seen her a lot when Lucy had had her. She’d brought her round to their house a lot.
 

“I’m not sure. In the summer, possibly.” Holly felt a shift in Alex, behind her. There was no way she would be going anywhere without him. “I won’t be going without Alex though.” She said, and she felt him relax, bringing his lips to her neck again.
 

“I thought as much” Em said with a small laugh. “Nan wanted to meet you anyway.” She said to Alex.
 
“She said…” Em held her fingers up to quote, “I want to meet the boy who found our Holly’s heart.”