Kiss To Forget (Blairwood University #2) - Anna B. Doe Page 0,33
popping out to play. “You keep that sass up, and you’ll find out for yourself.”
Glaring at him, I take my sweet time opening the door and sliding into the passenger seat. He wouldn’t actually leave me, at least I don’t think he would.
The car is already warm and cozy, and I sigh happily as I snuggle inside. Nixon lowers into the driver’s seat and pulls the car out onto the road.
Now that I’m safely inside and warming up, I turn to him. “You wouldn’t have left me, now would you?”
“Oh, I totally would.” Nixon laughs at my gaping mouth. “Okay, I wouldn’t have left you. But I would make you walk all the way to campus while I’d trail after you in the car.”
I punch him in the shoulder. “You, Nixon Cole, are an asshole.”
“That’s not what you said the last time.”
His words should be teasing, but the look he gives me is anything but. Our eyes meet for a moment, the small space sizzling with something. I’m not sure what, or even if I want to name it. He holds my stare for more than is appropriate given the fact that we’re sitting in a moving car and he’s behind the wheel, but I can’t let go.
A soft buzzing sound spreads through the car, startling us. I slide my hand in my pocket but realize my phone is silent.
“I think your phone is vibrating,” I say, looking around for the source of the noise.
Nixon looks at the rearview mirror, and sure enough, the screen of his phone peeking from the pocket of his jacket on the back seat is lit.
He returns his attention to the road. “Can you grab it for me?”
“Um, sure.”
I try to reach for it, but the seatbelt is poking me in the chest. Sighing, I unbuckle my seatbelt and turn around to grab the phone.
“Who is it?”
Sitting back in the passenger seat, I turn the screen face up and look at it. A photo of a gorgeous young girl, probably a few years younger than us, stares back at me. She has the biggest, brightest, most innocent smile I’ve ever seen in my life.
“Smalls.” My voice sounds off even to my own ears as I read the name on the screen. It sounds familiar, but it takes me a moment to connect the dots.
Smalls. The girl Nixon was talking to the night of the championship game. The girl who brings out a side of Nixon I’ve never seen him show to anybody on campus.
I love you too.
I hand him the phone because looking at her is like a punch to my gut. My stomach clenches tightly, bile rising in my throat.
He’s a player, what were you thinking?
I should have known better, but after that night at his house, it seemed like things with Nixon were finally settling down. Yeah, I still gave him a hard time since there were moments when the pull to do it was stronger than me, but he didn’t take it the wrong way. It actually seems like he finds it amusing.
Only there is nothing amusing about this moment right now.
The connection that we shared only seconds ago is completely broken by reality. I’m not sure why I’m affected like I am right now. It shouldn’t matter. Nixon Cole doesn’t belong to me. Hell, I don’t want him to. Yet I can’t help but wonder...
Who is she? What is the connection between them? And more importantly, what is she to him?
It’s none of your business, I try to reason with myself as I turn my head to look out the window. None of your goddamn business.
I try not to listen to his side of the conversation, but it’s hard not to since we’re sitting so close together.
“What is it, Smalls?” Tenderness and worry mix in his voice as he answers her call. His emotions are so strong they’re almost palpable.
Whatever she says has him straightening in his seat. “What? Okay, I’m on my way.”
He hangs up, and throws the phone onto the console as he checks the rearview mirror and turns on the blinker.
“Where are you going?” I ask, when I see him switching to the interstate instead of going back to campus, but he doesn’t say anything. His jaw is set tight, eyes glued to the road. “Nixon? Where are you going? You were supposed to take me to campus.”
“I have something to take care of,” he grits. His whole body is still, fingers clenching the steering wheel so tightly