Page 50 of Dare You to See Me

TWENTY-TWO

MALIK

This weekend was amazing.My date with Soleil turned into some fun with King and Sunny Girl, but the best part was hearing my name, Malik, knowing I’m really the one she’s thinking of. She may be orgasming from King’s words, but it’s my face she sees.

I stand lost in my thoughts as students begin filing in until I see her. She’s holding Dahlia’s hand and smiling big as she looks down at her daughter. When she spots me, the smile turns flirtatious and she tries to bite it back, something she seems to do quite often around me.

“Good morning, Dahlia,” I greet them when they come to a stop.

“Hi Mr. Dare! I got to see Auntie Kyle ‘cause Mom went on a date or somethin’.”

“Dahlia.” Soleil’s voice is shocked filled and I can only assume it’s because she never mentioned it to her. “Why do you say that? I told you I was going to see a friend.”

“Well Auntie Kyle said she’s your only friend, and that you were going to see a boy. That means a date.” Dahlia nods her head, stating it as a fact and wondering why her mother is having difficulty understanding that.

“Looks like I owe Auntie Kyle a phone call this morning.”

“Oh. And there were flowers. Boys bring girls flowers when they go on a date,” Dahlia adds.

Soleil folds her lips together and looks from her daughter to me, and I stand with a smug smile and arms folded.

“Sounds like you had an interesting weekend, Ms. Brooks.” She turns red and I can’t help but think about the way her cheeks blushed when I –King– told her she was beautiful.

“Hey Soleil.” Our interlude is shattered by a man who may find his tires slashed one morning.

“Oh. Good morning, Wesley.” Soleil is polite but stand-offish and it makes me want to rub it in that fuckers face.

She’s mine, dickwad.

His face reads a little irritated and I can only assume he heard our conversation. Dahlia wasn’t exactly being quiet.

“So you had a date this weekend. Is that why I didn’t hear from you?” He pats his son on the head and shoos him off without a single goodbye or have a good day.

“Um, I–”

“That is an inappropriate remark, Mr. Collier, and to be honest it’s none of your business.” Soleil’s eyes look cartoonish as they grow in size, while Wesley snarls at me.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t realize this was any of your concern.” His tone is condescending like I’ll back down to him simply because he’s a parent.

He has no clue who he’s fucking with, and I’ll show him who I am if he gets out of line with Soleil.

“Well, seeing as you interrupted a conversation and did so in front of the children, I’d say it most definitely is my concern. Dahlia,” I squat down and come face to face with her. “Would you please get the coloring sheets from the basket on my desk and pick a friend to help you pass them out?”

She looks a little nervous being caught in this tense conversation.

“Yes, Mr. Dare.”

I lean forward and whisper in her ear, “Make sure to give your mom a big hug and kiss. I think she’ll need extra today.”

This has her nodding with a giant smile. She wraps her arms around Soleil’s legs and catches her off-guard. But when she bends to scoop Dahlia up, the sweet girl begins laying sloppy kisses all over her mom’s face.

“Dahlia. What are you doing?” Soleil laughs, eyes closed and enjoying the affection.

“I just love you. Have a good day, Mommy.”

Soleil kisses Dahlia and sets her on her feet. “I love you too, little dove. Be good today.”

“I always am, Mommy. Mr. Dare said I’m the best at being good.” She waves and skips into the classroom, leaving Soleil and I laughing.