The Ties That Bind Us: (The Ties Duet Part One) Danda K. (dark academia books to read TXT) 📖

my head. “I’m not going anywhere, baby. I’ll be here with no expectations. You’ll never have to do anything you don’t want to with me.” He grabs my face to look at him. “But if you ever decide you want more from me, however little it is, just let me know.” He kisses my cheek and looks back into my eyes. “I’m yours, regardless.”

I squeeze my eyes shut to stop the tears from spilling down my cheeks.

He’s so fucking selfless. I remember our trust-fall deal from last night, and I know damn well he does, too. He could’ve used it to get me to stay, but he didn’t.

As always, Jaxon finds a way for me to push myself and not remain stagnant behind the walls I’ve created. He’s made sure the choice is mine and that I get to decide when to take the step.

I weigh my options and decide to give this a real shot, with a few conditions. “Fine, but I still need to look for a job and a place to live. I won’t stay here without contributing somehow. I also need to get my stuff out of Thomas. I want to try and retrieve the pictures from my old computer, and if someone steals it, that makes the job much harder.” I place my bag on the floor.

He looks down at me and runs his fingers through my hair. “We can grab your stuff later today.” He stretches his arms over his head as he says, “But for now, let’s just hang out and relax. Maybe watch a movie? I explained to Sayeed what happened, and he gave me the day off. So we can do whatever you want as long as it involves you taking it easy and not running away.”

I throw my messy hair up in a bun and grab the remote off the table. “Fine.” I shrug. “But I’m picking the movie.”

We sit down, and I scroll through the On Demand options. Feeling a bit more relaxed, I look over at him. Grinning, I say, “So a Jets fan, huh?” He instinctively rolls his eyes but stays silent, so I continue to provoke him. “I mean, damn, if I was gonna make my way through any team, at least make it the Giants.”

He fakes offense and says, “The Jets are making a comeback this year. Just wait.” Shooing me away, Jaxon continues, “I’m not getting into this with you right now.” Playfully pushing me, he adds, “Plus, I’m loyal to a fault. They’ll always be my team.”

I nod in agreement because Jaxon really is as loyal as they come.

Twenty-one

Jaxon

The last few weeks have gone pretty smoothly. Cam managed to find a job as a barista at the cafe inside Barnes and Noble. I took her broken laptop to a computer tech to see if they could retrieve the photos. They’re working on it, but they said it’d take some time with the amount of damage to the computer. They’re confident they can do it, though, so that’s a win.

I’ve also kept my promise to Cam by taking her almost everywhere on her wish list. The last place we need to visit is Coney Island Theme Park and Aquarium, butbecause I’m me, I have something special up my sleeve for her. It’ll just have to wait ‘til offseason.

Although Cam and I haven’t kissed since the night at the carousel, we act as though we’re in a relationship in every other way. There’s so much pent up sexual tension between us you could cut that shit with a knife.

I know she wants me just as bad as I want her.

The way she tenses up when our bodies brush past each other or how her stare lingers on me just a little longer than it should when I’m fresh out the shower walking down the hall. Could I be polite and bring my clothes into the bathroom to get dressed? Yup.

Will I? Absolutely not.

I know she wants to kiss me again, but she has to be ready for it. Until then, I’ll be her eye candy until my little Nyx sheds what’s left of her low self-esteem and takes what’s hers.

◆◆◆

It’s a few days before Halloween. Cam and I have been living together, cooking together, and sleeping together almost every night since she started staying here. The first night she tip-toed into my room and curled up next to me, I was shocked. Now it’s become routine. I love seeing her take these small steps, becoming more confident in who she is.

There’s so much depth to this girl that I know if she would just embrace what’s inside instead of shoving it down, she would be so much more comfortable in her skin.

She also hasn’t mentioned looking for an apartment in weeks and seems to really care for the place because she’s eager to clean it all the time. It has me feeling as though she sees this house more as her home than a crash pad.

“I’m not watching it again, Jaxon. It’s the third time this week.” Cameron huffs and puffs at my movie choice for the night.

I turn to her and argue, “It is not the third time. And what the hell is wrong with Nightmare on Elm Street? It’s not like Freddie’s coming for you,” I scoff. “In fact, I’m pretty sure he finds you in your sleep and turns the other way.” I crack up laughing because I’m pretty sure even Freddie Krueger wouldn’t want to go toe to toe with the inside of Cameron’s head.

She playfully punches my arm. “We watched it on Monday after I made you those fish tacos and then Wednesday after I got home from work.” She crosses her arms, pretending to be offended by my joke about being difficult.

“Awwww, did I strike a nerve?” I pout my lips. “Do you want a creepy guy with metal fingers in awful red and green stripes to haunt your dreams and kill you