Page 33 of Redeeming the Villain

I quickly shower, trying to scrub the memory of my nightmare from my mind and my uncle’s touch from my skin.

But that bone-chilling fear that I once felt, staring into my uncle’s eyes, still sits at the base of my spine. The feeling of fight or flight constantly courses through my veins.

After quickly changing into Legends sweats and a T-shirt, I grab my backpack and head upstairs.

The most delicious scent of chocolate chip muffins fills my nose, and my stomach grumbles in response.

I’m not typically a breakfast guy in the morning. If I do eat, it’s usually a smoothie from the rink, but I’ll be leaving the house this morning with one of those delicious muffins.

Turning the corner into the kitchen, I find Blair and Griffin sucking on each other’s face.

I know this is more their place than mine. It is the Hawthorne Manor, but I can’t resist making a scene.

“For God’s sake, guys, you have a literal wing to yourself, and you can’t resist making out in the kitchen?” I roll my eyes as I approach the cooling rack filled with chocolate chip muffins, grabbing one and wrapping it in a paper towel as they peel away from each other.

Griffin laughs—no shame in his actions. “Just because you’re jealous that you don’t have someone to make out with early in the morning, don’t take it out on us.”

“Oh, fuck off. You know damn well that if I wanted to, I could have a new girl in here every morning, but out of respect for you and Blair, I’ve never brought anyone into this house.”

Griffin mockingly places a hand over his heart. “Oh, you’re so kind, Malik. So thoughtful. Everyone should learn to be as selfless as you.” He chuckles.

“God, you’re such a dick.” I laugh at his sarcasm. “I’m stealing one of these muffins, by the way.”

I turn my back to them, heading out of the kitchen with my free hand lifted in the air, flashing Griffin the bird.

Walking out of the front door and down the ridiculous amount of stairs, I slip into the driver’s seat of my Corvette, stowing the chocolate chip muffin in my cupholder as I rev the engine to life.

Rounding the fountain, I head down the driveway toward Grimm Street. The nice thing about living with Griffin is that he only lives about four minutes from campus.

My car purrs as I speed down the street, heading straight for the arena. This morning’s skate will last about an hour, and then I have one class—a new one before I’m free for the rest of the afternoon leading up to tonight’s game.

Pulling into the arena parking lot, I find a spot near the front and head inside.

I’m greeted by security, the staff kindly smiling, and I return the favor whether or not I feel that joy inside myself.

By muscle memory, I stroll to the locker room, my legs moving of their own accord, as they’ve done so many times before. But no matter how many times I’ve been in this building, every time, I’m struck by the facilities and money that went into this place.

State-of-the-art tech. The best of the best for the best of the best. And for some odd reason, I get to play here. I get to do the one thing I’ve always loved in a place I don’t always feel I belong. But I try not to question it. I try to take it as a blessing from Micah and from Darius and Alicia. They are who I live for.

I can hear the other guys chattering as I enter the locker room, immediately swatted in the back of the head from a towel.

Great. Everyone’s on bullshit today.

“The next person who hits me with a towel isn’t going to play in tonight’s game,” I threaten the room with a comical edge to my voice. But it’s more of a taunt. I’m dead serious.

“Oh, yeah? Do you think you hold that power?” Asher teases.

Lightly patting his cheek, I chuckle. “I don’t mean that I’ll get the coach to keep you out. I mean that you physically won’t be able to play.”

Elias Lancaster, one of my best friends, a center and our captain for the Legends, giggles in the corner. “Careful, everyone. Malik’s in a bad mood today.”

These little shits. I swear they are professionals at getting under people’s skin. Which is great when we’re on the ice, playing another team. But it’s awfully annoying when they’re using those skills on me.

“I’m about to be in an even worse one if you keep that up.” My stern facade breaks, my lips lifting into a slight smile as I start changing into my gear.

Griffin strolls into the room with a shit-eating grin on his face. It never ceases to amaze me how much of a difference Blair has made in Griffin’s life. He’s so much happier now. It's crazy that one person could come in and flip someone’s life completely upside down for the better. It sounds like the fairy-tale bullshit that I’ve never believed in.

I’m happy for them—I am. But I’m also bitter. Although I think that’s something that will always stay with me until I’m an old man.

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