Holding On To Heaven (Allendale Four 2)

A knock at the door interrupted us but Hayden didn’t move. His big arms crossed over his chest and his eyes locked on mine.

“Heaven—”

“Get the door. I’m not staying here.”

He still didn’t move so I crossed the room instead, opening it and letting in a flood of music. One of Hayden’s teammates stood in the hallway. His expression filled with an apology when he saw us.

“Sorry dude, Bertram was looking for you and I…I didn’t know you were up here with…” His eyes darted to me and back to Hayden.

“Take him,” I said, pushing past him. “He’s not busy.”

“Heaven!”

I used the interruption to disappear into the loud music and writhing bodies of the party-goers. I saw the sparkle of Ruthie’s dress as I passed the living room. The bright smile of Amber as she kicked Oliver’s ass in whatever drinking game they’d moved on to in the kitchen. A bright-faced girl stood by her side, rooting against Oliver, and it all just made me feel more lost and alone.

It wasn’t until I hit the warm air outdoors that I was able to breathe. Which just pissed me off more. Maybe Hayden was right. I was too vulnerable to push our relationships harder. The slightest bump and I completely panicked.

I left the trash-strewn yard and headed across campus toward my dorm. It was a modern building—taller than the rest—and I could see the rooftop peeking over the other facilities.

The guys would be furious to know I left without telling them. A sinking feeling built in my stomach. This was not how I wanted the night to go. I brushed the tears out of my eyes with the back of my hand.

My phone buzzed, flashing light. The texts rolled in.

Where are you?

What’s wrong?

What the fuck did Hayden do?

Stay where you are—we’ll come get you.

Heaven…

Babe, pick up.

“They’re not going to stop until you respond to them,” a voice said right behind me.

I screamed in absolute terror and spun around, lashing out with my fists. Wild hair and bright eyes came into view.

“Goddamn it, Anderson.” He caught my wrists with his hands, probably hoping to save his pretty face from a pummeling. “You scared the shit out of me.”

“Well you scared the fuck out of us.” He pulled out his phone and typed a message. It beeped on our group text and I checked instinctively.

Found her—Safe. I’ll walk her home.

Jackson responded first. Thx Bro

“What if I don’t want you to walk me home?”

He shrugged. “Then you can walk by yourself. And I’ll just follow a respectable amount of space behind you and make sure you get there safely.”

I clenched my jaw. “Do you really not trust me to walk to my dorm alone and get there in one piece?”

He frowned. “I don’t trust the assholes on campus, Heaven, not you. It’s dangerous for any female to walk by herself at night—right outside the party district.”

I rolled my eyes. “So this isn’t about me being too ‘fragile’?”

“What are you talking about?”