Chapter 46
Chapter Forty-Six
Chrissy
I ’m not looking forward to this. I think I’d rather trim Zack’s toenails. But, alas, I am sitting in a crowded coffee shop, waiting for his royal pain in the ass, Malik Chen. I would have preferred the cat café, but I was afraid Gwen would act like an overbearing mother hen. I needed somewhere public to be on the safe side. I don’t think he’ll try anything, but the fact that he “wants me” is more than unnerving.
My leg jostles anxiously as I stare at the door. Malik strolls through the door, and a scoff I meant to keep inside rumbles in my throat. He’s about to reach for his phone instead of scanning the room for me, so I speak up.
“Over here.”
He sees me, and I wave him over.
“There you are.” He smiles, flashing his perfect white teeth at me.
“Here I am,” I say as I try not to roll my eyes.
With my notebook already out, I click my pen repeatedly as he gets settled.
I went over Raina’s notes the past couple of days, and I’ve concluded that Malik has been playing her. Which she was aware of. He feigns remorse and guilt but quickly returns to his usual ways. He’s a pro at manipulation and gaslighting, and he knows it.
“How has your day been?” I decide to start just so we can get this over with.
“Better now,” he says in what I’m sure he thinks is his most charming voice.
I look at him for a moment, unsure how to react. The professional in me tells me to smile and pass it off, while the woman in me screams and cringes. Mama never taught me to be a doormat. She taught me to stand my ground with a smile on my face.
“Charming,” I say with a fake toothy grin, giving in to the smart-ass within me. “So, let’s get this over—started. The last topic you and Raina covered was taking personal responsibility.” How quaint. “What have you done since that conversation to take responsibility?”
“Well, you were there the day the coach wanted to talk to me. Remember?”
“Yes, I was.”
“Since that conversation, I started to really look at myself. I wasn’t doing my job as team captain. Rome was picking up my slack, and I let him. I won’t be doing that anymore.”
“Mm-hmm, and how will you do that?” I ask while maintaining eye contact to see if I can catch him in a lie.
“I’ll be creating and reviewing the plays myself again. I will also be stepping in during workouts to help the rookies.” His tone is even, his eyes are steady, and his fingers are still.
This guy is good, but I’m not a dummy.
“That’s great to hear. I’m sure Rome will appreciate it.” I put on my chipper voice, even though it hurts.
“He’ll have more time for you.” And he fucking winks at me.
Gag.
“Lucky me.” I don’t bother hiding the disgust that laces my words.
“A lot of girls would kill to be in your position, you know.”
And here we go.
“Yeah? Why is that?” I get ready to jot down as many notes as I can.
“For starters, I’m a fine piece of art. I mean, look at these bad boys.” Malik flexes his forearms, and the vein in my forehead throbs.
“I’m melting in my seat,” I say, unamused.
“And I’m the captain and quarterback for a top-ranking college football team, bound for greatness and a top draft pick.”
Could someone be any more into themselves? What a self-centered prick! Malik could get a hard-on from his own reflection.
“You intrigue me,” he admits, and it gets my mind running.
“How so?”
“From the moment I met you, you weren’t impressed like the other girls.”
“I’m pretty sure Raina wasn’t impressed either,” I retort.
“True, but you... There’s something about you. I can’t put my finger on it. Ever since the party?—”
That fucking pool party. If I knew wearing that bikini for Rome would garner Malik’s attention, I would have worn a potato sack instead. And he better not lay his fingers anywhere near me if he wants to keep his hand.
“I’m not a puzzle to be solved. I’m here to help you and teach you about mental health. Is that understood?”
Malik throws me a lopsided grin, and I know he definitely does not understand.
“Yes, ma’am.”
The meeting ended after that, and I couldn’t thank the stars enough. I’m not sure what to do with myself. If it was a normal day, I would go to Rome’s apartment, but things haven’t been right since the argument. I could go to Gwen’s, but I’m not sure I’m in the right headspace for that either. With a dejected sigh, I start back toward campus.
The sun begins to set, casting a warm, golden hue across the horizon. The sky reminds me of pink cotton candy, with wispy clouds and hints of blue from the lingering afternoon sky. The air has a gentle breeze that carries the scent of freshly cut grass. More people trickle outside, and lamp posts automatically turn on as the evening sets in. Castle Brook looms in the distance, the castle-like structure looking magical and astonishing.
A pit forms in my chest, the hollow feeling radiating to my stomach. I miss him more than words can express.
Pushing that thought to the back of my mind, I focus on the walk back home. Fireflies light up the grass, and it brings a smile to my face.
Memories of Zack, Gwen, and me catching them in our front yard surface. We used to stay out past nine, catching those bugs, only to release them all at the same time, just to watch the light show they would create. We would often end those long summer nights with s’mores or Italian ice. I miss being a kid. Why was I excited to grow up? I’m always under some sort of stress, and my free time is vanishing. I would pay good money to be a kid again, even if it’s just for a day.
“Bubbles?”
My sneakers scuff on the concrete outside my dorm hall. I spin around and face an amused Rome.
“You were in deep thought, weren’t you?” he asks with a smirk.
“Yes, sorry,” I say with a breathless chuckle.
My eyes dart over him, landing on the bag he’s holding in his hand. “What are you doing here?”
He holds the plastic bag up and closes the distance between us. “I thought we could have a sleepover.”
The thought brings a toothy smile to my face. “Really? What about Korra?”
“She’ll be fine. I set her up in a fluffy bed and left the TV on.”
I snicker at the thought of that white cat lying in her cat bed watching TV, but what makes it even better is the fact that Rome did all that for her.
“I wouldn’t have pegged you as a cat dad,” I tease.
“What can I say? I’m full of surprises.” He shrugs, and we smile at one another.
Moments pass, and neither of us says anything or moves a muscle. My heart swells with his proximity, and I’d give anything to hug him and never let go.
“Are you going to invite me inside?” He leans in and brushes a stray curl behind my ear.
I blush at the contact. You would think we were back to friends who had a crush on one another.
With a slight chuckle, I nod toward the door. “Let’s go. I hope you have some sweets in there.”
“Of course I do. Who do you think I am?”
I peer over my shoulder just as he reaches in front of me to open the door. His eyes are red, and his nose sounds stuffy. He was crying earlier today, and now the urge to hug him overpowers me.
Without another thought, I wrap my arms around him. I rest my head on his chest and listen to his heartbeat. The rhythmic thumping increases, and his ocean cologne surrounds me. Rome rests his chin on the top of my head, and I nuzzle closer.
“I want us to be us again,” I whisper against his chest.
“Why do you think I’m here?”
I look up at him and meet his twinkling green eyes.
“I’m glad you’re here.”
Rome lets out a peaceful sigh and kisses my forehead. “Me too.”