Tracing Holland (NSB Book 2) Read Free

stare at them in
confusion. “What about Saxon?”
    “If you’re not going,
we’re not going,” Casey chimes in. “I already called Molly and told her to meet
us here instead.”
    I sigh. There’s no way
out of this one, but I suspect it’s probably good I’m trapped right now. I
didn’t like the direction of my thoughts in the shower. I need a buffer, and
these two have turned protecting me from myself into an art form.
    “Well, then I guess I
better finish getting dressed,” I mutter moving back to my suitcase.
    “Don’t feel like you
need to wear clothes on our account,” Callie teases.
    “Hey!” Casey cries,
and she rolls her eyes.
    “Oh, please. Even you
think he’s hot. Get over it. Pass me those glasses.”
    I laugh as they exchange
mock glares before Casey finally relents and hands over a glass. God, I love
them together. It’s like watching a rainbow trying to trash-talk a unicorn.
Casey would kill me if I ever said that out loud, but it’s just so damn
adorable.
    “Wow. Blanchard Crest Ginger Ale, no less. You’re serious about
this,” I observe, pulling a t-shirt over my head.
    “Only the best for my
favorite rock star,” Callie sings, earning her another annoyed look from Casey.
    “Fine. Second favorite
rock star,” she groans.
    It’s Casey’s turn to
roll his eyes. “Whatever.”
    “Love you, hon ,” she chirps, giving him a quick kiss. He shakes his
head, but they exchange a grin that turns me into the intruder.
    I clear my throat. “Do
the others know we’re not going out?” I ask as Callie returns to pouring the fake
Champagne and hands me a glass.
    “Yeah, we told them
we’re just going to do something with the gang tomorrow. I let Holland know.
She didn’t seem to mind,” Callie says.
    I find my stomach tightening
at the mention of Holland. I still don’t know why. That look .
    “She’s really a remarkable
person,” Callie continues, which is how I know I’ve done a good job hiding my
reaction. She can read me better than anyone. “Did you know she actually has a
biology degree? She was pre-med before she decided to pursue music full-time. Oh,
and she writes children’s books! I think she’s published a couple. Crazy.”
    “Wow,” I say. “That’s
impressive.”
    She nods. “She’s not
arrogant or anything, though. You wouldn’t know how smart she is talking to
her. She’s really down to earth. Gosh, her music is so good, too. Dude, they
killed ‘Perfect Storm’ tonight, don’t you think? I mean, killed it!”
    Casey and I exchange
amused looks at her casual use of our lingo. We’re converting her. Uh oh.
    She waves her hand.
“Ok, anyway, this is about you two, not Holland. So, back to business.” She
raises her glass and we do the same, holding our breath, preparing for her
masterful speech that will go down in the annals of history and be inscribed on
monuments. She’s probably written us a beautiful ode to friendship and stirring
aspirations. We grip our glasses. We watch. We wait. And…silence.
    She stares at us. We
stare back. Her face scrunches into the adorable pout she does when she’s annoyed
with us. We shrug.
    “Well, is someone gonna say something or what?” she
blurts.
    “I thought you were
giving the speech, babe!” Casey cries.
    “Me? Why would I give
the speech?”
    “I don’t know!” he
returns in exasperation. “This whole ginger ale thing was your idea!”
    “It’s a good idea! I
just don’t think I should be the one giving the speech.”
    “Well, why would we
toast ourselves?”
    “You do it all the
time!”
    I laugh, I can’t help it, and put an end to their argument. “Ok, fine, I’ll give the
speech,” I say, and I can tell they’re surprised. Even after all this time, as
far as we’ve come over the last few months, they still seem shocked any time I
demonstrate even an ounce of interest in acting like a human being. I try not
to be annoyed.
    “ A dark road traveled is not a dark road lost when light