Page 81 of Redeeming the Villain

Asher and Dean walk over to us.

Dean takes a jab first. “Malik, we leave you alone for one night, and you go and get all soft on us?”

He scoffs. “You think I’m soft?” He turns to look at them. “Want to find out how wrong you are?”

They laugh and put their hands up playfully, waving the white flag.

“Phillip’s walking me to my practice room.”

Malik’s head whips my way.

“And you are going to deal with it because he’s one of my best friends. And that’s not going to change.”

His eyes dance between mine, a storm brewing inside. So much has changed since I’ve been here at HEAU, but drastically so in the last twenty-four hours.

“Okay.” The word is painful for him to say, but he lets Phillip and me walk away without another word.

He might not be trying to make me cry right now, but that doesn’t mean that everything is clear as day. My mind is still clouded and not just because of my POTS.

I can still feel it though—the heaviness between us, like there’s a wall I still can’t climb or see through.

Getting caught up in the moment is one thing, but there’s still so many unanswered questions. They just escaped my mind when he had his tongue between my legs.

But I need answers, sooner than later.

Sunny prances alongside Phillip and me as we head toward Moor Hall and I wave behind me at the group.

I’m showing Phillip where his afternoon class will be on the way before I head to the practice room that I have reserved for two hours. I already looked up which building and room his class is in.

“So, uhh, how was last night? The last time I saw you with Malik it was very cordial and now he’s practically trying to piss on you to claim you.” Phillip chuckles, putting no effort in hiding the amusement in his voice.

I glare at him. “Malik and I talked … a little.”

He chuckles. “Yeah, I bet you guys used your mouths a lot to communicate with one another.”

“Shut up.” I laugh, which morphs into a sigh as I remember that this isn’t a dream. That Malik really just kissed me in front of everyone without shame. “Do you think I’m stupid? Or naive for trusting him?”

He takes a moment to think, and I don’t blame him. I don’t know how I would react to him if the roles were reversed.

Walking down the cobblestone path, he looks over at me. “I’ve known you almost my whole life, and I’ve admired you for a lot of reasons. One of them being your ability to read people clearly, no matter who they pretend to be. You have good instincts, and if they’re telling you to take a chance with him, then I trust your judgment.” He rubs the back of his neck. “I can’t lie and say that I’m not a bit worried. I mean, he is still the same Malik who tormented you in high school. Those moments are just as real as these.”

“I know,” I murmur, biting down on my lip as I contemplate his words. “I mean, I’m obviously a bit hesitant. I would be dumb not to be. I wish you could have seen him last night though.”

“No, thanks. I do not want to see those parts of him.” He winces, and both of us laugh.

Shoving his shoulder, I continue, “Not likethat. But the way he was treating me when my POTS started acting up. He helped me regulate and didn’t make me feel bad in the slightest for interrupting the moment. He was so …genuine.”

He can hear it in the silence, just like I can—the inevitablebut.

“But I know that the other side of him is still there. What happens when he wakes up and realizes that his hatred outweighs whatever he’s feeling now? Will it go back to the way it was? Because I can’t handle that.” I sigh. “I know he’s keeping secrets from me. I just don’t know what they are yet.”

Phillip stops me. “Just take it day by day. Don’t start making wedding plans or shopping for rings. Don’t rush into anything too serious until you can fully trust him,” he cautions me.

“You’re right,” I murmur.

But it’s too late. I’m already falling, plummeting really, and I guess we’ll find out eventually if he’ll be there to catch me before I hit the ground.

“Go through here, and about halfway down the hallway, the door will be on your right,” I instruct him, seeing the structural layout clear in my mind.

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