Holden Steele's Ruin [Completed]

Chapter 37

"Yes! Pay up!"

Startled, I leaped backwards at the abrupt proclamation. Holden's hard chest connected with the back of my head while my hand shot to my drumming heart. I watched in confusion as the semi familiar African american guy handed Archer a bill, grumbling under his breath as he shoved the bill at Archer.

"What the hell?" Holden voiced my confusion from behind me.

"Thank Savannah" Archer said as he stretched the thin note above his head, studding it.

"Did you fucking bet on her?" Holden suddenly sounded furious, his confusion suddenly vanishing

"Come on man, your back was practically screaming birthday sex" there other friend filled in. My heart exhilarated rapidly at his revelation, my fingers curling into my palms unconsciously. I was burning in embarrassment, digging myself deeper into Holden's chest as I tried to become invisible.

"I bet Fletch that you wouldn't hookup with anyone that wasn't Savannah. I won!" He gloated, flashing the bill proudly at Fletch's face. I should at least feel violated but I didn't. The banter seemed light and friendly. They interacted like they had known each other for along time and frankly, I was still hangup on Archers statement.

"What happened Steel? I thought you were celibate" Fletch said in faux outrage, amusement lighting up his coffee brown eyes.

Holden flipped him off, wrapping his muscular arm around my waist while steering me towards the front door. I could still hear bellowing laughter even when we walked down the few steps to the garage, Holden scoffing inaudibly.

"Sorry about them" he murmured once we had both climbed into his truck, his hand naturally scratching the nape of his neck.

"Its fine" I assured him while clipping on my seatbelt "you...seemed close"

"Yeah..." He puffed out a lungful of air "Fletch and I grew up as neighbors and I met Archer during eighth grade, I guess we're close" he shrugged. 

"Fletch, is that his real name?" It sounded more like a nickname than an actual name and from the way Holden's slips stretched in humour I knew there was more to it.

"No. His name is Isaac but he hates it" I could tell there was something else to the name but respectfully choose to nod my head.

"You know, you never did tell me your middle name" I said, thinking back to the night at the stadium.

"You can't laugh though" his eyes fixed on mine steadily, coxing me to comply to his demand. My head spun as I tried to guess what his middle name could be, couldn't picture him with an embarrassing name. He was practically sex on legs, with his incredibly toned body and unwinding tattoos.

"I promise."

"Its Cedric" he supplied albeit hesitantly, colour spotting on his tan cheeks. I struggled to picture the name on him, my straight face fluttering at how unfitting it was "for some reason, my mother thought naming me after some British butler would be fun."

"It's not that bad" I failed at reconstructing my poker face.

"Oh yeah, why are you laughing then?" He said lightheartedly, his sharp features softening in mirth.

"I'm not" I quipped while folding my lips into my mouth, restraining the chuckle that dug up my throat.

"Do you still want your coffee?" He asked while strapping in the leather seatbelt. The old engine grumbled as he turned the key after my confirmation.

It was barely an hour after the revelation of my otherwise bleak past and I was still trying to collect the pieces of my shattered heart. Holden had offered to drive me to the cafe and later back to the doors, given how insistent my stomach was groaning.