Holden Steele's Ruin [Completed]

Chapter 25

"I- I could stay at a hotel, I don't want to impose" we weren't dating or anything, he was just a guy I had recently met. He didn't need to play the roll of the concerned boyfriend.

"You have some crazy person after you and you want to stay at a hotel where he could easily find you?" He stressed while pressing his lips into a thin line "what happens when he attacks you and your all alone?"

I paled at the reminder, hot tears stinging my eyes. All I could think about was what could have happened if I hadn't attended the game, if I had stayed in my room all night. Would he have gotten to me? A tear slid down my cheek despite my attempt at keeping it together.

"Fuck Poppy, I didn't mean to make you cry" Holden said while stretching his arm, his roughened palms meeting softly with the damp skin of my cheeks. He caressed me lightly as a another tear slid past my barrier, welcoming an onslaught of emotions.

"Sorry" I muttered, increasing the distance between us as I wiped my trembling fingers under my eyes. I felt too exposed crying in front of him. I had done it so many times, it was becoming pathetic.

He remained silent, turning off the engine before hoping out of his seat. I hadn't even realised we had arrived at his place until then. Ghastly wind suddenly blew against my warm face, starting me as Holden reached out to help me down from the truck.

The house was quite but I could see few solo cups discarded on the green grass, the only indication that a party was taking place here only minutes ago. My eyes still roamed the cold desolate streets, too paranoid to think clearly.

"Hey man, I shut the party down for you" the familiar dark skinned guy addressed Holden as we entered the house. His eyes moving from Holden's to mine.

"Thanks, Fletch. This is..."

"The only girl I've ever see walk out of you room" he interrupted, his brown eyes portraying mischief. My warm skin grew hotter as I stared down at the tiled floors, wishing he'd forget about the incident.

"Her name is Savannah and she's going to be staying her for couple of nights" Holden informed his friend, evoking a surprised look from him as his gaze shot back to me.

"Sure no problem" Fletch said hesitantly, his brows farrowing.

With a nod Holden pressed his palm on the small of my back, steering me up the stairs. I wondered if he had a spare couch I could use as we grew closer to his bedroom door. I wasn't planning to stay long anyway, I still had to call my mother and tell her everything.

He opened his room door, ushering me in before closing it behind him. Long fingers knocked the cap he had off, roughly tugging at the roots of his hair.

He was frustrated.

I knew I was safe with Holden, but I couldn't help but feel deep rooted fear of the unknown. The events of tonight had morphing me into a nervous and jittery mess, Xander could be anywhere and I wouldn't know.

"How are you doing?" Holden asked, steeping closer to me before encasing my face in his large hands.

"I'm okay" the lie brought a bitter taste to my mouth. I was anything but okay.

"Do you need a shower?" He sighed, dropping his hands to my waist.

"Yes" I murmured not quite looking him in the eye.

"There is a clean towel in the bathroom. You can wear something of mine after you shower" he said as he released me taking a step back while pointing at the slightly open door.

Wordlessly I walked to the bathroom, immediately spotting a neatly folded dark blue towel. My tears mixing with the water as I stood beneath the shower head, the warmth undoing the knots on my tense body.