Page 122 of Redeeming the Villain

“Probably not today.” I shake my head, glancing at the clock, and I suddenly realize he shouldn’t be here. “Oh my God, Malik. You’re going to be late for the bus!”

His smile tips up with a secret, sparkles in his eyes. “No, I won’t. I’m not going.”

I repeat his words to him in a stupor. “You’re not going? To your away game?”

He looks me deep in my eyes, and his voice is loving and serious when he says, “There will always be another game, Bug. I want to be here with you in case you need me.”

My eyes well up with tears, and the biggest smile stretches across my face. “Malik.”

His cheeks redden, and he melts into my bed. “How about we watch a movie?”

I nod, snuggling deeper in his embrace as he grabs the remote from my nightstand, turning my TV on.

KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!

Malik looks at me smugly. “I’ll get it.”

Striding over to the door in only his boxers, he throws it open and leans against the wall.

“Jesus Christ,” Phillip scoffs. “Glad you could at least get those on before opening the door.”

Sunny rushes past him and beelines it to the bed, jumping up and pouncing on me.

“Hi, baby! Did you have a good walk?”

Excitement widens her big brown eyes as she pants heavily.

“Oh my goodness, what a happy girl you are!”

Calling out to Phillip, I shout my gratitude. “Thank you for taking her!”

He pops his head around the corner. “Anytime!” He winks at me and smiles before heading back out.

Malik shuts the door behind him and walks back over to us, sliding back in bed. I pull the covers over Malik and me, and Sunny snuggles up between our legs.

The cutest family.

The thought equally terrifies and excites me. But that’s what we’re slowly becoming—each other’s family.

Ten minutes into class, and Malik still isn’t here.

Grabbing my phone from my backpack, I check for any texts or calls from him, but there’s nothing.

I open our messages and shoot him a quick text.

Me: Hey, are you feeling okay?

Setting my phone down on my desk, I do my best to pay attention to the professor, failing miserably every second that passes. My mind is stuck on him. I hope everything’s okay.

The rest of the hour is no different. I don’t hear a word coming out of the professor’s mouth, and all I can think about is Malik. He hasn’t answered my text either.

When we’re dismissed, I grab my things and stand, turning to Griffin. “Hey, can I talk to you?”

He nods, walking down his row and stepping to the ground level, striding over to Blair, Sunny, and me. “What’s up?”

Nervously, I ask, “Have you heard from Malik? He wasn’t here, and I haven’t heard back from him.”

Griffin looks away instantly, clearly knowing the reason for his absence. He rubs the back of his neck.

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