He nodded, not looking at me.
Sighing, I focused on the path in front of me. “See you later.”
“I’ll call you,” he called after me, but when I glanced back, he was still standing where I left him, still staring angrily at nothing.
???
I shouldn’t have been surprised to find Barrick standing outside the door of my math class when the professor released us, but I was. There was a determined set to his chin, but the dark circles under his eyes rivaled my own, and his complexion was sickly pale.
My heart clenched just seeing him look so miserable.
Quickly, I pulled my sunglasses back on before he could see me and notice my own misery. Adjusting my bag on my shoulder, I started to walk past him, but his hand shot out quick as a snake striking, and he gently grasped my wrist. With a single tug, he pulled me into his space.
I barely had time to blink before his head descended and his lips brushed against mine. The kiss was over before it even began, but when he lifted his head, I noticed his face was less tense.
“You really want to go to UCLA?” he rasped.
Of course, he talked to Braxton. I didn’t know why I even thought his cousin wouldn’t tell him. Since Braxton told me I was his best friend, I guess I just assumed he would show me a little loyalty. Hurt hit me directly in the center of my chest, but I pushed that down and pulled free of Barrick’s hold.
“That isn’t any of your business,” I told him, keeping my voice as level as possible considering I was yet again close to tears.
“If it’s what you want, tell me now. I’ll find us an apartment and get everything moved in before the next semester begins. Say the word, Mia, and I will make it happen.”
I inhaled slowly, fighting the all-too-brief moment of complete and total happiness that he’d just detonated in me. Then reality came crashing down like a ton of bricks, and I took a step back. “I want UCLA, but I don’t want you,” I lied through my teeth. “Leave me alone, Barrick. Whatever we had died a quick and painful death Friday night. Return to your old life and forget about the gullible girl who took up so much of your time.”
Grasping my hips, he turned me so my back was against the wall, his body caging me in as he lowered his head. “Let’s get a few things clear, firecracker. First, I have no life without you in it. Second, what we have… Love? That isn’t dead. You’re pissed, and I’ll be the first to admit you have every right to be, but don’t lie to yourself by saying that you don’t feel for me what I feel for you.”
“Are you done?” I gritted out, desperate to get away from him. I could feel myself weakening. Being this close to him, hearing those words that I wanted so damn badly to believe, was making this too hard.
“I will never be done. You’re everything good in my life, baby. Please, just give me a chance to show you that.”
“I have another class,” I muttered, ducking under his arm. Surprisingly, he let me go, and I sprinted as fast as my leg would allow out of the building and toward my next class.
???
I was able to avoid Barrick for the rest of the day, but only because after my last class, I hid out in my room, going so far as to order pizza for dinner and eating in bed while I tried to make myself focus on studying and doing homework.
The next day wasn’t so easy. I had class with Braxton and then work. When I came out of my dorm, Barrick was there, but I walked past him like I didn’t see him, making sure my sunglasses were firmly in place so he couldn’t see that I’d cried myself to sleep once again the night before.
I didn’t have to look over my shoulder to know he was following me. I could feel his eyes on me as he walked a few feet behind me all the way to English.
Walking into class, I saw Braxton was already in his seat. Stomping over to sit beside him, I slapped him on the arm as I turned so I could face him. “Stop telling your fucking cousin everything I tell you.”
“I was upset, and he asked what was wrong. What should I have done? Lied?” He lifted his brows at me. “I think I’ve done enough of that lately, Mia. I’m trying not to lie unless I have to.”
Feeling bad because I’d hurt him, I leaned over to hug him. “I’m sorry I upset you.”
“It’s not your fault. Well, it is, but at the same time, it isn’t. I hate that you’re going to leave at the end of the semester.” Scratching at the days’ worth of beard growth on his jaw, he blew out a long sigh. “I’d even deal with your cousin going to school here if it meant you weren’t leaving.”
That only had my brows lifting curiously. “What do you have against Nevaeh anyway? I know she’s a little odd, but she’s loyal and sweet and so damn smart, she could help a person figure out just about anything.”
“I don’t have anything against her,” he told me, then I thought I heard him mutter under his breath, “That’s the problem.”
“You’re so weird,” I grumbled just as the professor walked into the room and immediately started the day’s lecture.
When class was over, Barrick was standing outside the classroom door. I hugged Braxton and told him I needed to get to work, then pointedly ignored his cousin as I walked out of the building, making sure my sunglasses were perfectly in place.
He followed me to work, and when I entered the dance studio, he walked right on in, sitting with the mothers already in the lobby. He got a few interested glances before they returned to their phones or talking with their daughters.