Holden Steele's Ruin [Completed]

Chapter 41

Electrifying euphoria flung the air as thousands came unglued from their seats, myself included. Jumbled noises emanating from countless mismatched horns and severally pitched voices, disguised jubilant victory.

I over looked the putrid smells of overly enthusiastic fans coalescing with grassy air, pumping my fisted fingers in the air. Flashes of cardinal and gold dominated the stadium as the uncoordinated noise intensified. As if on autopilot, my legs pumped upwards, synchronizing aptly with the overly enthusiastic fans.

My gaze however, remained unwavering from the huddle of brawny celebrating football players. At the center of all the clashing helmets and beefy testosterone, was Holden, the large imprint of his last name identifying him.

Even despite my less than perfect vision, I could see the glimmer of his grin through the mesh of the thick helmet. I watched as he disentangled himself from the swampy cluster, a distinguished airiness to his every step. Holden easily made it out, jogging a few feet away from his teammates whilst ripping his helmet off.

Luminous steel eyes surveyed the overlying hysterical crowd before stopping on my dilated ones. All the mangled celebration faded into white noise as I matched his slowly broadening smile. I struggled to make out the words of his motive lips, squinting my bare eyes whilst I regretted my offhanded decision to forgo my spectacles.

"Oh my God!" Avery squealed, similarly halting her movements whilst her eyes bounced off Holden to me, easily catching on to his soundless words.

"What is he doing?!" I muttered panicked as I registered Holden's lean frame easily stepping over the low gate separating the bleachers. I ducked my head, hiding behind the thick curtain of my hair while cocooning myself between Talia and Avery.

My heart thudded with each approaching step he took, countless eyes calculating his movements in predictable confusion. My clammy fingers gripped the softness of Holden's old Jersey whilst my lungs rebelled against me, restricting me from breathing.

My nervousness grew undoubtedly clear with every step he took, the rapid attention he was gathering chocking me up. I remained unshifting whilst Holder easily jogged through the paring crowed, his eyes never deterring from my reluctant ones. I watched as the last barrier between us pealed away, a giddy Talia jerking me a thumbs up.

My eyes hadn't quite met his even when he was standing right in front of me, his breath fanning my cheek. I heard the distinct dropping of his helmet before I felt the warmth of his arm around my waist. the roughness of his fingers settled on my chin as he willed my eyes to level with his.

"I said, I love you."

And despite my avid fear of unnecessary attention, I smiled, leaning further into his hold. The pad of his thumb brushed against the corner of my lips whilst his dump hair obscured his grey eyes. The needle-like pricking at the back of my head reminded me of the weighty eyes of the onlookers.

"Holden," I whispered, placing a palm on his rigid chest when he edged his lips closer to mine "they're watching."

"Let them," he matched the quietude of my tone, pulling me even closer to himself using his flattened palm on my lowered back "because I'm never letting go."

His steel irises pierced through my eyes, promise indented in them. This time when he clamped his lips over mine I didn't bothered resisting him, I couldn't even if I tried. So, even though the attention he called had my skin prickling, I let myself be consumed by him and only him.

Holden's lips smiled against mine before his sleek tongue traced the seams of my lips. Just like every other time he kissed me, I grew lost in him, lost in his touch and gentle caress. I wasn't scared anymore, Holden wasn't my father, he wouldn't leave me. He was mine as much as I was his, so I'd keep him for as long as he'll have me.