Kiss To Forget (Blairwood University #2) - Anna B. Doe Page 0,92

both of us.”

Chapter Thirty-One

YASMIN

“Just ten more days. It’ll pass in a jiff, right?” Heidi turns to me for confirmation. “Please say I’m right. I’m so ready for a little break.”

I can’t help but chuckle at her exaggeratedly sad face. “Where are you going for spring break?”

“A group of us is flying to Florida. We’re renting a house for the week. Booze, beach, ocean, and cute, shirtless guys. What else can a girl want?”

“What indeed.”

I have to admit that the idea does sound fun. Maybe next year. When Callie is done dealing with her past and when Nixon… I shake my head, my good mood faltering. I don’t want to think about the time Helen won’t be here. I know it’s inevitable, but it just doesn’t sit right with me.

True to my prediction, Nixon left shortly after our conversation. As I was drifting to sleep, he got out of bed and kissed me softly before getting his things and heading back home to be with his family. He can think the worst of himself all he wants, but I know the truth. Nixon would do anything to protect the ones he loves.

“What about you?” Heidi asks, bringing me out of my thoughts.

“Huh?” Spring break, right. “Oh, I’m driving to visit my mom in the city.”

Before I can even finish the sentence, I feel my phone vibrate in my pocket. Pulling it out, I see a message from Jade. I gave her my number last time I was at their house, just in case she needed something. I could see how hard she was struggling with everything that’s been going on, and Nixon already has his hands full trying to keep his head above water while at the same time keeping his family together.

Wariness creeps in as I unlock the device. My heartbeat is in overdrive, the sound of it echoing in my eardrums.

Jade: Nix said not to text, but…

Jade: Can you come? He’ll need you.

I stop in my tracks, my eyes glued to the screen, rereading the message again and again.

She’s dying.

I can’t watch her die.

My eyes fall shut, pain for the two of them spreading through me.

He’ll need you.

But what she doesn’t say is that they’ll both need me.

“Yasmin?” Heidi’s voice is a little sharper, so I can only imagine how many times she called out to me.

I look up at my friend’s worried face. “I have to go.”

“Go?” Her frown deepens in confusion. “Go where? Class is starting in a few minutes.”

I look at the stairs.

I should go up there, attend this class, then go, and squeeze in a quick study session before going to my shift at Cup It Up. The old Yasmin would do that.

He needs you.

They need you.

“Take notes for me, will ya?”

And with that I turn around and rush down the stairs.

NIXON

Soft voices coming from the hallway startle me from my wandering thoughts. I rub my face with my free hand. The exhaustion has finally set in, but I’m not ready to give in to it. Not now, with the clock ticking down. Not yet.

Letting go of Mom’s cool hand, I stand up and go see what’s going on. It’s probably Jade talking to one of the nurses, but I could stand to stretch my muscles.

Walking out into the hallway, I stop in my tracks when I see Yasmin standing there, her arms wrapped around Jade. Yasmin’s lips move as she whispers something into Jade’s ear, both their eyes red from crying.

“What are you doing here?” I ask, holding onto the doorjamb.

Yasmin lifts her head when she hears me, her eyes softening just a fraction.

She knows.

Dammit, Jade. I didn’t want her here. Didn’t want her to see me like this. But at the same time, I can’t deny that I need her here. I want to go to her, wrap her in my arms and lose myself in her sweet scent. I want to feel anything other than this suffocating despair, and she’s the only one who can give me that.

I love her, and I hate her for it.

I love her.

Before I can wrap my head around it, Yasmin gives one final squeeze to Jade and lets go. We stand in silence, just looking at each other. From the corner of my eye I see Jade enter Mom’s room and close the door behind her, giving us a little privacy.

“Shouldn’t you be in class or something?” I ask, finally breaking the silence. I’m not sure if I want to be angry or relieved that she’s