Page 62 of Tracing Holland

“She’ll change her mind when you show up.And be glad you did, if I had to guess.”

“Maybe.”He curses again and shakes his head.“I don’t know.I don’t know if I can do this.”

“You can.Besides, you’ll have Callie and me there with you.”

His expression turns to shock as he stares back at me.“Wait, what?Luke, no…”

I sigh and lower myself beside him.I knew the second I saw Callie’s text I’d be going home to support my best friend, even if it meant I’d have to face my own hell.

“You can’t, man.It’s going to be my whole family!Hell, your aunt will probably even be there.You know what they’ll do to you,” he warns, searching my eyes.“They don’t know you’ve changed.They probably wouldn’t care if they did.”

I suck in my breath, instinctively bracing against the coming storm.“I’m not letting you do this alone, Case.I don’t care.I’m going, even if they make me sit outside.”

He’s still staring in stunned disbelief.“You’d do that for me.Put yourself through that?”He shakes his head and waves his hand dismissively.“No.No way.I’m not letting you do that.You’ve got enough shit to deal with.”

I almost laugh.“Case, seriously?After everything you’ve done for me?All the times you stood by me when there was absolutely no reason you should have?Not a chance in hell I’m backing away when you need me.I’m going.”

I actually think I see tears in his eyes as he stares back at the wall, processing my speech.He’s my brother, one of the best people I know.He’s suffered through multiple wars for me.I’m fighting this battle with him.

“Thanks, man,” he says quietly after a long pause.“Really, I…”

“I know,” I respond, clasping his arm.“Let me go take care of something quick, and then we’ll talk to Tess and Kenneth, ok?”

He nods, and I give him another reassuring smile before heading back to Holland’s room.

Holland issurprised to see me back so soon, and I love how natural our quick kiss works as a greeting.

“How’s Casey?”she asks, clearly concerned as we move inside.

“Not great.That’s why I’m here.I wanted to let you know that I’m flying back to Houston with him as soon as possible.”

She nods as if she expected as much.“Ok, sounds good.I’m going too.”She’s totally serious, and I can’t help but grin at her effortless kindness.

“You’re amazing, you know that?”I say quietly, drawing her into my arms.She returns my smile as she gazes up at me.

“I know.You’re a lucky guy.”

I laugh and kiss her.“I am.Way more than I deserve.But, Holland, you’re not going to Houston.”

Her eyes narrow.“Um, yes, I am.”

I shake my head.“No.You’re not.”I sigh and take her hand, leading her to the bed.We sit, and I turn to her with an earnest expression.“Look, I know your instinct wants to support Casey and me, but this is way beyond that.It’s going to be a lot more complicated than a funeral for his dad.Like, soap opera level complicated.”

She just looks irritated.“Please, you don’t think I know that?Everything that involves you is a freaking soap opera.I’m going.”

“Holland, I’m serious.You know I’d love to have you there under other circumstances, but you just don’t understand what’s going to happen.Casey’s drama is nothing compared to what I’ll have waiting for me.I’ve hidden from it for so long, but it’s time for me to go deal with it.I have no idea what that will look like except that it’s going to be incredibly ugly.”

She shrugs.“Awesome.You should deal with it.I’m proud of you for taking that step.And I’m going.”

I shake my head in exasperation.“Holland, you don’t understand…”

“No, you don’t understand,” she says, forcing me to look at her.“I signed up for this, Luke.And so did you.The sex part comes with a plane ticket to Houston.I told you, I want all of you.That includes all the shit from your past.”

I don’t even know what to say as I stare at her in awe.I certainly don’t know how to argue.It can’t be real, she can’t be real, but here she is, staring into my eyes, daring me to contradict her.

“You warned me you were hard.I knew what I was getting,” she teases gently, and I can’t help but smile.

“Yeah, I did, didn’t I.”