Kiss To Forget (Blairwood University #2) - Anna B. Doe Page 0,54
and die right in front of my eyes, because while she’s the one who’s dying, watching her do it is killing me. So no, I’m not a good son, I’m the farthest away from it I can be.”
Yasmin’s nails dig into my skin, but I welcome the sting of pain they leave in their wake. “Your mom wants you to be happy, to live. And you’re doing that. You’re giving her what she wants.”
“Then why does it feel like I’m betraying her? Betraying them?”
Her free hand cups my cheek, the tip of her thumb sliding over my cheekbone. “Because you know that sometimes doing the right thing doesn’t necessarily mean doing the right thing for you.”
“I feel so guilty,” I confess quietly, so quietly I’m not even sure she can hear me.
I lean down, pressing my forehead against hers. It’s stronger than me. This need to find solace in something, in somebody. No, not just somebody. In her. Yasmin.
I shouldn’t do it, God knows I don’t deserve it, but I can’t stop myself. I need this. I need somebody to listen. Somebody to understand.
Yasmin seems to recognize that. Her hold on me tightens, pulling me closer. Less than an inch separates us as her determined eyes stare into mine.
“I can lie and tell you it’ll go away, but I won’t. Just try to remind yourself that you’re doing it for her. Always for her.”
“Always for her,” I rasp my agreement.
My throat feels tight with all the pent-up emotions I’ve been holding back. I slide my thumb over her cheekbone, feeling the softness of her skin. I look into her eyes, taking in her whole face. Her long lashes. A faint dusting of freckles on her cheeks. Her rosy lips.
“What are we doing, Yasmin?”
Her tongue peeks out, sliding over her lower lip. “I—”
Whatever she wanted to say dies on her lips as a group of giggling girls passes next to us, breaking us out of the bubble. We both jump apart like we’ve been caught doing something wrong.
“Hey, Nixon,” they say in unison, waving and winking at me. I’m not sure who they are, most likely fans or groupies or both, but I say hi regardless.
Yasmin takes a step back, pushing her hair behind her ear. She’s avoiding eye contact, and I can’t blame her. I’m not sure what’s happening here, but I know I’m not ready for it. Not with everything else I have going on right now. Yasmin is the kind of girl who deserves the world, and I can’t give that to her. Not when my own world is falling apart.
“I should go.”
My instant reaction is to ask her to stay, that’s the reason why I know I should let her go.
“Yeah,” I agree. “Goodnight, Yasmin.”
“Night, Nixon.”
I watch her climb the stairs and press her card to the door. There is a low buzz as the front door unlocks. She grips the door and stops. I think she might turn around. I wait for it. Long for it. Long for just one more glimpse at her eyes. For the solace and understanding I’ll find in them. But she just shakes her head, and goes inside while I keep staring at the closed door long after she’s gone.
Chapter Twenty
YASMIN
“Hey, sorry I’m la—” I stop in my tracks when I see Callie and Chloe twirl toward me. Both of them are dressed to the nines, with sexy dresses, silky hair and flawless makeup. “What is this?”
“You came!” Chloe rushes over and gives me a hug. “I thought you were ditching us.”
“Just got caught up after class.” I give her a once-over. She’s wearing a tight pink number that matches the pink strand in her otherwise dark hair. She calls it her rebel lock. I’m not sure what she means by it, but it looks cute on her. “You going somewhere? I thought we had our monthly tequila and tacos night.”
“About that…”
The two exchange a silent look.
“What am I missing here?”
Even Callie is wearing a dress. It’s less confining than Chloe’s, falling down in a straight line until just above the knee. The royal blue color makes her eyes stand out. And she even ditched the leggings this time around, instead opting for a sheer pair of tights. I don’t think I’ve ever seen her in something that doesn’t cover her from head to toe.
“There’s this new club that just opened in the next town over so we figured we might go and check it out,” Chloe explains excitedly.