Page 41 of Redeeming the Villain
I think my time at Avandale High was just cursed. And if I had to guess who put it there, it would be Malik.
But I’ve dreamed for years of having one person who’s meant for me. A true love. I just haven’t found it yet.
“Oh God, no. It was not sunshine and rainbows. It was snarkiness, treacherous, and one of the hardest paths I’ve ever walked. But I wouldn’t trade it for a single thing.”
“Is it bad if I say that makes me feel better about my own love life?”
She slides into the driver’s seat of her car, and I get into the passenger seat.
She waits until the doors are closed before asking, “Is there someone in the picture?”
“No. Not in the slightest. But I always used to think that when it came to love, it should be easy.”
“If it were easy, everyone would have it. Love can be messy, especially when it’s with someone you care deeply about. Sometimes, the pieces don’t fit perfectly right away; they need some shaping. But if you’re willing to try, it’s always worth it, if it’s meant to be.” She starts the car and lightly laughs off how deep our conversation has become in such a short amount of time. “Sorry, I feel like I overshared.”
“Honestly, it’s been incredible just to have someone to talk to from time to time. Usually, I’m a lot more isolated than this, sticking to the four walls of my bedroom. It’s been really nice, talking with you, Blair.” I suddenly feel very vulnerable. Like I’m setting myself up to be the butt of a joke.
But the only way I’m going to know if this is real or not is to follow the course and hope for the best.
“I have Lumi. And I love him to pieces. But I’m happy to be that person for you. Everybody needs somebody.” She smiles softly at me and then pulls onto the street.
It takes us only a couple of minutes to get to her house, and once again, we’re pulling into a gated entrance, but unlike the Kensingtons’, the Hawthornes’ doesn’t have a booth with security.
But the wealth is on full display nonetheless.
In the driveway, there’s a pickup and a minivan, which is surprising. Who else lives here? Does Griffin have siblings? A big family?
I keep my questions internal as we quickly go inside and set up at their giant dining room table.
The topic of love falls to the wayside as we dive deep into Economics. We go back and forth with questions to quiz each other until an hour and a half has passed by.
Phillip will be here soon to pick me up to get coffee.
“Can I ask you something?” she asks hesitantly.
A lump is already in my throat before I agree, nodding my head.
Her voice is low and soft, as if what she’s about to ask is meant to stay between us. “I haven’t known Malik for a very long time. But I know him enough to know that he feels a certain way about you.” She glances away and purses her lips before continuing, “He may be an absolute fucking idiot—I’m not saying he’s not. But I’m saying that I’ve caught him looking at you when you didn’t notice. And I’ve never seen that look in his eyes before.” She takes a breath. “Have you guys ever …”
My head is shaking before I can manage to get the words out. “No. God, no.”
“Are you not interested?” she quickly asks, catching me off guard.
“He really hasn’t told you guys how we know each other?” I don’t know why it hurts me that he’s kept our past hidden from his friends. But it does nonetheless.
“What do you mean?” she murmurs.
But before I can answer, I’m cut off as Malik, of all people, strolls into the room with arrogant confidence, as if this ishishouse. And from the lack of a shirt, I’m starting to wonder if it is.
I’m starting to wonder about a lot of other things that I should most definitelynotbe thinking about when it comes to my bully.
I’m not blind. I can see how attractive he is. How toned his body is. How the ink wraps around his skin, decorating his arms, chest, torso, v-line, abs, and thighs. I want to know what they mean. I want to know what each one represents.
I hate that I want to know any of that at all. But I want even more. I want to know how the tattoos shudder when he’s touched. I also wanna scrub my brain out of my skull for thinking that.
“Blair, you’ve got to be fucking kidding me,” he snaps when he locks eyes with Blair.
Griffin slaps his back as he walks past him into the room, the skin-on-skin contact sounding like lightning striking. “Watch your tone when you’re talking to her, Malik.”
