Free Antagonize Me by T.l Smith Page A

try not to look at him, but it’s hard. His words hold meaning and I can feel them. I think I’ll always have a connection with Tanner, no matter how big or small.
    “I know,” I say replying while looking down at the ground.
    “I’m not going to lie to you, I enjoyed kissing you. Hell, I want to do it again right now, but I don’t want to make you mad at me.”
    “I’m not mad, just shocked I guess.” Looking up and brushing my hair behind my ears, he looks surprised that I said I wasn’t mad. I give him a small smile. What happens next, I don’t expect. His lips land on mine, again. After everything he just said, I didn’t think he’d do it again. I remove my hands from the grass and reach up and push his shoulders back. His lips pull away from mine and I’m lost for words. I have no idea what to say!
    “Shit,” I hear Tanner say, and my head shoots up to see a very not happy Kyrone glaring over at us. Shit is exactly the first word that came to my mind also.
    “Tanner, no more! Just no more with the lips, okay?” I say to him while standing up. He nods his head and I walk off to look for Kyrone. I find him on the sofa, drinking with a girl on his lap. He isn’t paying attention to her. Actually, he isn’t paying attention to anyone. He seems lost in his thoughts. He notices my stare and looks to me then looks up at the girl perched on his lap and kisses her breast. I don’t stay to watch the rest and walk straight out the door. This is drama I don’t want, nor need.
     

 
     

    I don’t hear from Kyrone that night, and I didn’t expect to. We were not exclusive, but for some reason it hurts, just a bit, in my chest. Something I’m not too sure how to describe. I start the process of packing and decide to call my grandfather to let him know I will be leaving next week.
    “What’s wrong, Angel?” he asks softly when I’m not my usual bubbly self.
    “Nothing,” I reply, not wanting to get into it with him.
    “Look, I know I’m not your mother, or even your grandmother, but I can still listen just as well as they can. Hell, probably even better. You know how women can talk,” he laughs in my ear. “Is it about a boy? Perhaps the captain or the friend?”
    I sigh because I don’t know what to say.
    “Listen, if it’s meant to be it will be. Don’t stress over anything. You’re not a girl to stress; I know, I raised you that way. You will meet plenty of people that will make you feel things you never expected. Some good and some bad, but sometimes, just sometimes, they will flip your world on its ass. And when that happens, Angel, you will know. You will know… that is your person.”
    “I love you and you’re my person,” I say softly.
    “As you are mine, Angel. I would not have gotten through life recently if it wasn’t for you. I love you and remember to rock the world.”
    I try to hold back the tears, the tears that want to flow endlessly down my face. I do… I do when I pack my bags and I do when I answer Hillary’s call. Then comes the silence that follows when I enter the shower, the thoughts that endlessly loop in my brain. Then the tears break through, just one at first, then a few more and that’s all I can take. I turn the shower off and wipe my face clean. I’d be lost without my grandfather and the thought squeezes my heart.
    I don’t think today is my day and last night was definitely not my night. Why should today be any better?
    I know I have to go and see Kyrone today because I have to say goodbye. To clear the air, as they say so I can leave without something wanting to pull me back. Then there’s a part of me screaming that I’m lying to myself.
    I grab my phone from my bed and make my way to his house. Everyone will probably be sleeping since it’s early, but I have to see him. I need to tell him I care for him and that I wouldn’t intentionally hurt him. I don’t think I could end what we had on a bad note. It needs to be good because he is good, no