Page 56 of Dare You to See Me
“Are you…are you angry?” I’m shocked by the change I see from his every day nice guy Mr. Dare, to this man who looks ready to fight.
“I just don’t understand why you’re here withhim. He’s a creep. You know he only wants one thing from you.”
My face contorts, not recognizing the man in front of me. “Why are you acting like this?”
His breathing is heavy as he inhales and exhales. “I’m just worried. Wesley doesn’t have any good intentions. It’s written all over his face. I don’t want you and Dahlia to get mixed up with him. That’s all.”
I search his face, looking at the mix of emotions that swirl over it, trying to figure out the mystery that is still Malik Dare. I don’t know if this is coming from a genuine place of concern, or if something else lies beneath the surface.
“I’m sorry. I guess I’m a little on edge because I put myself out there with you, and I’m still standing here with my arms open, waiting for you to accept them.”
I’m so torn right now. Yes, I’ve thought endlessly about Malik. Even when I’m talking with King and thinking about him, it’s always Malik. That simple fact tells me that I most definitely do want to explore a relationship with him. But his behavior really has me questioning that.
I mean, I don’t know him all that well. Yet I feel like I do. Dahlia trusts him completely and kids are the best judge of character, right?
“Malik, I–”
“All good.” Wesley comes walking up right at the moment and I wish to god he would just go away. “Dahlia challenged him to a jump off and I guess he caught a little too much air.”
Wesley comes to stand so close to me that I can feel the heat coming off his body.
“I better go. You two enjoy the reset of your afternoon,” Malik says abruptly then turns to leave.
I struggle with asking him to stay, so instead I say, “I thought you were meeting your brother?”
He stops and looks over his shoulder, a hurt look on his face. “Yeah, I don’t feel much like riding anymore. Say goodbye to the kids for me.”
I watch him walk away, unsure if I should chase after him or let him go. With Wesley standing right next to me, I swallow thewaitthat longs to escape and pretend that him jumping on his bike and speeding off doesn’t affect me. But inside, it hurts so bad.
TWENTY-FOUR
MALIK
I tugat the strands of my hair as I pace back and forth in my bedroom.
How could she be with that weasel? Why didn’t she tell me that’s what her plans were?I feel duped. Like I’ve been lied to, and it burns. It sits like sour milk in my stomach and I feel like I need to throw up and just get it out of my system.
Walking away from her at the park, I wished and hoped and prayed that she would call out for me. I wanted her to not care what Wesley, or any other person, would think about the two of us. I wantedher to jump into my arms and say yes, let’s do this. But the minutes passed as I slipped on my gloves and helmet and by the time I started up my bike, she still stood in the same spot, watching me while Wesley watched her. I couldn’t speed away fast enough.
I pick up my phone again and war with myself over whether or not I should call her. The stubborn side of me wants to dig my heels and stay steadfast in not talking to her. But in that same respect, I’m a lover and nurturer and curling her up in my arms to comfort her would feel like heaven.
Suddenly, my phone buzzes and the screen lights up with a text.
Soleil: Malik can we talk please?
My finger hovers over the keypad, itching to reply, but my will is stronger. I toss my phone on my bed and go take a shower. When I get out, I check my phone –because apparently I love to torture myself– and see that I have several more texts from Soleil.
Soleil: Why are you so upset?
Soleil: I should have told you about the play date with Wesley, but I didn’t think it was a big deal.
Soleil: We’re not even dating. I don’t understand why you’re acting like a jealous boyfriend.
Soleil: Malik! Please talk to me.
The texts stop there, but it isn’t the end of her communication. A message sits in King’s inbox from Sunny Girl, and my curiosity wins out. I drop my towel, phone in hand, and walk into my closet to put clothes on. I swipe my server open and straight to the mailbox.
SG: Hi King. Are you around to talk? Just talk.
