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“Probably. I’ve always been attracted to men, but I’ve shoved that part of me so deep down that I’m afraid to let it surface again.”
He tilts his head. “Why?”
“I don’t know. It’s not like I’ve got great experience with men.”
“You know that if you choose to be with Phantom, it won’t be the same as what happened to you.”
“And what if I can’t separate the two?”
“Then you work through it. But you’ll never know if you don’t try.”
I chuckle. “I never thought I’d see the day where you’re pushing me into a relationship with a man.”
“I’m not. I just want you to be happy, kid. That’s all I’ve ever wanted.”
“I’m working on it.”
“Good. Now, I have another question.”
Eyeing him suspiciously, I ask, “What?”
“What about Jez?”
“What about her?”
Malice smirks. “Bro, you’ve been in love with her for a couple years now.” When I open my mouth to argue, he holds a hand up to silence me. “I know Soul’s put her firmly in the off-limits category, but you and I both know he wants her to be happy, which means he wouldn’t put up too much of a fight if you make her happy. But how would that work with Phantom in the picture?”
Rather than answer his question, I blurt, “I’m not in love with her.”
He laughs outright at that. “Okay, keep telling yourself that.” Pushing to his feet, he starts toward the door. “It’s as plain as the nose on your face how you feel about her. Not only can anyone see the way you look at her, but why else would you rush off to play savior without telling the club, and right after you were patched in, no less?”
“I…” I shake my head. “I’m no?—”
“You guys okay down here?”
Malice and I whip our heads toward the stairs to see Jez descending and Phantom on her heels.
“Oh, we’re great,” Malice says, a stupid smile in his tone.
Jez eyes him suspiciously before focusing on me. “You good, Demon?”
I run a hand through my hair. “Yeah, uh, I’m good.”
“Good,” Phantom says. “Because I’m?—”
The door flies open, and Soul steps inside. “You guys work your shit out?” he demands.
Malice and I exchange a look before focusing on Prez. “Yeah,” I tell him. “We’re good.”
“VP?” he asks, arching a brow.
“Like he said, we’re good.”
“Okay. Now that we’re allgood,” he says, turning slightly to face Phantom. “You need to start talking.”
“Me?” Phantom asks.
“Yeah, you, pretty boy,” Soul snaps. “Talk.”