Page 73 of Tracing Holland

She rolls her eyes.“Oh yeah, because I clearly didn’t like what just happened.”

I laugh again, and lean back on the pillow.“You know, please feel free to tell me how much I rocked your world.Anytime now would be good.My ego can handle it, I promise.”

It’s her turn to laugh as she turns and props herself up on her elbow.“So that’s it, huh?That’s what does it for you?To finish and have my big blue eyes stare into yours.Husky, post-sex voice all gravelly and desperate…‘Yeah, baby.Thanks for rockin’ my world.’”

I almost choke, and she giggles as I wrestle her back against the pillows.

We havefood sent up and are working our way through another cooking competition when Holland’s phone buzzes to life.She glances at the display, and there’s nothing I like about the way her expression darkens.

“What is it?”I ask, and she almost seems startled at my voice as she glances up.She waves her hand dismissively but I don’t buy it for a second.

“Oh, nothing.Just stupid stuff.Ok, so is there any way you would actually eat that sea urchin aioli the bowtie dude is making?”

I don’t want to call her out on the lie, but I really couldn’t care less about sea urchin aioli at the moment.When her phone starts going again, and again, and again, I’ve had enough.“Holland, what the hell is going on?It’s obviously not nothing.”

She bites her lip and glances back at her phone.

“Holland, come on.After everything I’ve dumped on you?”

She sighs.“It’s not that.I’m not hiding anything from you…it’s…”

I curse, suddenly so angry I can barely stay seated.“It’s Wes, isn’t it?He’s been harassing you since you left Philly with me!”

She shrinks a bit, and I swear my head’s about to explode.“Luke, please, he just doesn’t understand!”

“He doesn’t understand?What’s there to understand?All he needs to understand is that it’s none of his damn business and he needs to back the fuck off!”

“Luke, calm down!This is why I didn’t say anything.Please don’t be upset with me, I just…”

I freeze, immediately softening and moving to her side.“Whoa, hang on.Holland, I’m not upset with you.”I take her hands and force her to look at me.“I just can’t stand the fact that he’s making your life miserable because of me.I don’t want you to have to fight this battle on my behalf.He took me on directly at that club, and that’s the way it should be if he has a problem with me, ok?That’s all.I don’t like you being caught in the middle.”

I can’t tell if she’s convinced, but I know I’m not resting until she is.“Holland, please, just give me his number.Let me talk to him.”

“What?No.No way.”

“Just let me talk to him.Please!Let me do this for you.”

She shakes her head.“No, Luke.Thank you, but I really don’t think it’s a good idea.”

I grin and almost laugh.“No, of course it’s not.It’s a horrible idea.Just, let me try.I have to.”

She looks away.“Seriously, Luke, I appreciate it, I just don’t see any way out of this one.He hates you because he doesn’t understand.He will never see you the way I do.”

I sigh.“That’s because all I’ve ever given him is what he expected.”

Her eyes shoot to mine, and I hold out my hand.“I know it could be a disaster, but let me try.Please?”I draw in a deep breath.“Just one shot, that’s all I’m asking.”

“What are you going to do?What could you possible say to fix this?”

I shrug and shake my head.“I don’t know yet, but I do know it has to stop.”I pause and look in her eyes again.“I’m not giving you up, Holland, so either we deal with this, you let him go, or we continue fighting this battle forever.Ultimately, it’s your choice, but I vote for dealing with it.”

“Ugh.Fine,” she grumbles, logging into her phone.“I hate when you’re logical.It’s so annoying.”

I grin and reach for it, but she hesitates.“You’re sure?You’re absolutely sure you want to do this?After everything you just went through at that nightmare of a barbeque, you now want to deal with this too?We can tackle it later, Luke.”

I shake my head and grab the phone from her.“I’m sure.”I click on his name and take a deep breath when the line connects.

“Holland?”