This Time for Real by Yahrah St. John Page B

if he were a child all over again and he never wanted to feel that way, ever.
    â€œI’m sorry, Malik.” Peyton saw the fear in his eyes. She hadn’t realized how deep his feelings for her went until now. He was genuinely worried for her well-being.
    Peyton allowed Malik to hold her because it felt good. She’d missed the security that came with being held in a man’s arms.
    She hadn’t realized the danger she was in until after she’d left Kendra’s building. Omar could have gone psycho on her and she would have had no one to blame but herself. Perhaps Amber had been right all along. Maybe she was getting in too deep.
    â€œPromise me you won’t ever do something like that again.”
    â€œI promise.”
    Malik sighed. “Good. Now as for Kendra, it’s clear this girl needs some help, but this time I’ll talk to her—and on neutral territory. Say, after your next class.”
    â€œYou would do that?”
    â€œOf course. Don’t you know you’ve got me wrapped around your little finger?”
    â€œIf I do,” Peyton said, snuggling closer to Malik and teasing his earlobe with the tip of her tongue, “why don’t you tell me what else has got you so upset?”
    â€œThere’s nothing wrong.”
    â€œC’mon, Malik,” Peyton said, kissing his neck. “I know something is bothering you. Why don’t you tell me what it is. Did you have a bad day? Maybe I could fix it.”
    â€œYou could say that,” Malik replied, then turned stone-faced.
    Why was it so hard for Malik to talk about his feelings? Peyton was willing to share her past and her story with him. What was it going to take for him to let her in? She paused from her teasing movements to look Malik in the eye. “I’m waiting…”
    â€œAndrew and I had a disagreement over a sponsor for the center. His name is Joe Johnson and he’s a real piece of work.”
    â€œNot again,” Peyton replied. He’d already turned down Richard King’s offer, and now another company. Peyton didn’t understand his logic. “Malik, if the man is trying to help the center, you should consider him. If you’re looking for perfection, I doubt you’re going to find it.”
    â€œThis man represents everything I’m against, Peyton.”
    â€œWhat do you mean?” She was confused.
    â€œHe’s just someone I used to know,” Malik said, rising from the couch.
    â€œWhat aren’t you telling me, Malik?” Peyton inquired. “Who is this man to you?”
    â€œCan’t you just drop it?” Malik said. “I’m sorry I even brought it up.” Malik pushed away from her and stormed to the bathroom. She had no idea who Joe Johnson was and what he’d done to him, and Malik was in no way ready to share his past. He’d come a long way from that scared little nine-year-old boy, and he wanted the past to remain buried.
    Â 
    Andrew stopped Malik the following day, just as he was locking up his office.
    â€œI’m busy right now, Andrew,” Malik said. “Your lecture is going to have wait.”
    â€œNo can do.” Andrew stood in his path.
    Seeing that he was several inches taller than Malik, and that that he respected Andrew, Malik acquiesced.
    â€œFine.” Malik opened the door. “Say what you have to say, but my mind is not going to be changed on this subject.” Malik motioned for Andrew to enter.
    Andrew came inside his office and sat down. “Listen, son.”
    Malik rolled his eyes upward. Whenever Andrew called him “son,” Malik knew he was in for a lecture.
    â€œI know what this man did to you. I know how he hurt you and your mother, but this could be good for the center.”
    â€œI am not thirteen anymore, Andrew,” Malik replied. “This man didn’t just steal my Packman. It goes much deeper. The man physically abused me for