Coach Devil did not suspend Malik. This was mainly due to Mid City's win despite Aaron's drama and Aaron being the main instigator of their scuffle. The uni's hallways were full of whispers and snide remarks whenever Malik passed. The Youtube channel's views, however, soared and Malik expected a rise in the channel's revenue. The revenue alone should've eased Malik's nerves but if anything, he grew restless.

The day after tomorrow or overmorrow as Noah called it, came faster than Malik had anticipated. He'd spoken to Noah once since the day of the match. He told Noah he was unable to find solid information on neither the customer list nor the list of the store's stolen items.

Noah had simply muttered and asked to meet overmorrow. Malik couldn't figure out if Noah had known then Malik hacked into the antique store's system. He remained impassive and calm, a far cry from the boy who had panted and licked his finger. Malik had been thinking about kissing him since then. Yet somehow he knew Noah was not the type to settle for a casual fling.

He might want them to be out. Malik would lose everything. His family and Youtube followers would be sucked into a black hole. He didn't build himself up just to be torn down by an emotionally unstable boy.

Arriving at their usual spot in Windsor Park, Malik caught Noah doing a handstand a bench.

"Yo," Malik said.

Noah responded by bending his body, landing on the ground then doing a cartwheel.

"Show off," Malik said.

Noah had color on his cheeks. "Have to limber up. I need to borrow your phone."

Malik was a bit disappointed Noah had failed to notice his outfit. Tonight Malik was decked out in slacks, a white button-down shirt beneath a black jacket, and matching dress shoes.

"Okay," Malik said and handed his phone over. He expected Noah to make a call or text; instead, he slipped it into the back pocket of his usual jeans. Noah had a total of maybe three outfits and was stuck in a grunge phase.

"You planning on giving that back?" Malik asked.

Noah jogged in his place. "I'll take pictures of anything interesting in the store."

"How are you planning to get it? You gonna knock?"

"No," Noah drawled, "the store should be closed by now. You said you could take care of the camera?''

"In theory."

Noah gave him a curt nod. "Alright."

"That's it?"

Noah looked at him.

Were there always specks of green in his eyes?

"You're not going to tell me to get your back or something?" Malik asked.

"You planning on...not?"

"I am. I mean I'll wait outside with the engine running and the Beatles blasting."

The corner of Noah's lips twitched.

"You're not asking me questions," Malik said.

"Do you want me to?"

"Why are you so damn chill? You could get caught—"

"I understand."

"Great. You're not worried?"

Noah gave him an elegant shrug. "It doesn't matter, I'm breaking in anyway."

"Because of our deal."

Noah shook his head. "Not anymore. I realized what this means to you. I...I'd like to do this...for you."

What in the actual fuck?

"Okay. Yeah." Malik rubbed the back of his neck. This unwarranted blind faith was making him uncomfortable.

"Forget the one-week thing too. It was silly."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean." Noah chewed on his bottom lip. "I'll help whenever."

"Just like that?"

Noah stared at him, a shadow crossed his serene feature. Before Malik could decipher what it meant, it was gone.

"I should take off," he said, "the store should be fine and –"

"I'll come with you."

"You're slow."

Malik raised an eyebrow. "Are you calling me stupid?"

"Pardon?" Noah frowned then shook his head. "No. I meant if I do get...interrupted I can outrun the person. It's proven I'm faster."

Noah flushed pink at the statement. From any other guy, Malik would've thought the comment was due to bragging.

"Look," Malik took out a white Bluetooth earphone, "try this on."

Noah took the earpiece, his cold fingers brushed against Malik's warm palm.

There is nothing between us, Malik reassured himself.

"I have it wired to my phone," Malik said. "I'll be able to hear you and with this—" Malik passed him a camera the size of a USB stick, "—you won't need my phone."

Noah turned over the devices in his delicate fingers. Malik leaned closer to show him how to use them while Noah gave him curt nods and returned his phone. Tonight Noah smelled of vanilla and soap.

"I'll disable the cameras," Malik said. "The shop keeper is a thirty-something dude called Eugene. He shouldn't bother you."

They started walking crushing gravel under their shoes.

"I'll wait for you here in an hour and a half," Malik said.

"I thought you were coming with me?"

"I thought you didn't want me to?"

Noah said nothing. When they were a mere street away from the store, they decided to part ways.

"Good luck," Malik said plugging one earphone.

Noah waved and disappeared around the corner.

Malik got to the exit to the Harrison subway station. A tall dark man with a soft pot belly and an expensive trench coat peered him.

Malik recognized Eugene. "Hey."

"Malik?" The older man scrutinized him from head to chic dress shoes.

"What? Not hot enough?"

Eugene laughed flashing perfect whitened teeth against dark skin. "It's my first time meeting someone from an app. I thought you be older or worse—"

"A woman?"

It was Malik's second time to hook-up through the internet. The first had been a fan of his channel, a freak who'd traveled from Washington to profess his undying love for Malik. He'd enlisted Sarah's help when the fan had insisted on meeting Malik's devout family. If it weren't for keeping Noah safe, he wouldn't have put up with these types of mystery-bombs-passing-as-dates again.

Eugene laughed again. "You seem fun. I booked us a table at Wong's. You like Chinese?"

"Anything but Sushi," Malik said.

"Sushi is Japanese." Noah's butterscotch voice wafted through the earphone. Malik forgot he was with him for a moment.

"Did you say something?" Eugene asked.

"Nah. It's the song. I like to listen to music a bit too much sometimes." Malik gestured to his earphones. "Lead the way."

There were faint scratching noises at the end of the earphones overshadowed by Eugene's chatter.

"I'm in," Noah said.

"Ah-huh," Malik said looking at his date.

In all fairness, the man was dapper. He wore a unique sandalwood cologne, opened the door of the restaurant, and took Malik's jacket. He draped the jacket over Malik's chair as soon as the usher guided them to their table. It was a high table with two seats and faint candlelight, the menu was on a cardboard frame in black and orange. Eugene took the lead and selected a fine white wine.

The waiter reappeared while Eugene and Malik appraised each other's stellar looks. The wine glasses vapored as the ice-cold liquid was poured. Malik took a sip and the whiffs of alcohol scalded his nostrils.

"Damn."

"A bit harsh?" Eugene took a hearty gulp.

"I'm more of beer and scotch guy," Malik said.

"The Belvino Pinot Grigio would've been a better choice," Noah answered.

Can Noah see them?

Malik took out his earphones and put them over the Oakwood table. He had the ridiculas feeling of being evaluated.

"So what do you do?"

"I'm studying economics," Malik Said, "And I run a Youtube channel."

"You're full of surprises."

"Hate a dull moment," Malik agreed.

The waitress, a young Asian woman dressed in an orange silk dress came to take their orders.

"Allow me?" Eugene beamed at Malik.

"Shoot," Malik said.

Eugene rang off an assortment of wontons, buns, and stir-fries.

"So why would a man like you chose me?"

Malik edged closer to his date. "Are we opening the can of self-esteem issues?"

"Ooh. Nothing goes past you, eh?"

"I guess I might be looking for someone more," Malik's gaze lowered to Eugene's filled crotch, "experienced."

Under the table, Malik felt their knees bump.

"I see," Eugene said. "Long term or short?"

Malik licked his lips for effect. "Depends on the size. I'm a perfectionist."

"Ah."

"I like a strong man with no emotional baggage. You feel me?" Malik said.

"Your eggrolls," the waitress set a plate of fried rolls, "the rest of your order is coming up."

"Thank you," Eugene said in a steady voice.

Malik bit into the entrée, bits of the fried dough splattered across the table and onto Malik's lap. Eugene continued to eat him with unabashed eyes.

Malik almost sucked the oil from his thumb and the feel of soft, intoxicating lips locking on them while their owner moaned made his cock hard.

He cleared his throat. "So what do you do?"

"I own an antique store," Eugene had a roll without making a royal mess.

"You sell grandma vases is what you're saying?"

Eugene grinned. "I am a collector and a tradesman. China, watches, cock rings..."

"There are antique cock rings?"

"You're unfazed," he poured more wine for himself and Malik.

"Should I be?"

"I take it you've experimented?"

"Not as much as I'd like." Malik clinked his glass against his date's, "Is running a business hard?" Malik toyed with the word, "You got an assistant?"

Eugene chuckled. "A very loyal assistant," he took out his phone from the pocket of his trench coat, "this is him."

The picture Eugene showed was of a massive Pit Bull. "This is Bull."

"Original."

"Yeah. He keeps an eye on the shop while I'm gone."

Malik swallowed the wine too fast. He coughed into a napkin and Eugene asked the waitress for water.

"I'm cool," Malik drained the small glass of water. "You were talking about that sweet dog?"

"Bull? Sweet? He almost mauled a guy to death."

Malik forced a smile. "Did he?"

"Yeah. A kid threw a brick at the shop window...if I hadn't gone there in time..."

The waitress returned with the remaining order items. Malik snatched his phone and earphones off the table, to be replaced by a steaming pot of rice. His pulse was speeding up.

"I'll run to..." Malik squinted at the light hitting his eye as he got up.

Eugene nodded. "Men's room is round back."

"Super."

Malik forced himself not to sprint for the toilets. Once he got inside, he jammed the earphones in.

"Noah? Noah, can you hear me?"

Nothing.

"Noah?"

The Bluetooth signal was on. "Noah? Where are you?"

Tell me a vicious dog didn't kill you.

"Shit. Fuck. Shit."

Malik went over to the sink. He jammed two fingers down his throat and threw up. Taking a wad of toilet roll, he dabbed it into the vomit. He rubbed a drop onto his shirt, then dabbed and rubbed water over the stains. The stench was appalling.

"Whoa," Eugene said when Malik came back, "you alright?"

"Yeah," Malik mumbled, "I guess I'm sick."

Eugene had Malik sit. He insisted on paying Malik's tab and leaving a generous tip for their waitress. He walked Malik to the subway station and hailed Malik a cab when Malik claimed he didn't have a car.

Malik rattled the address to the antique store. There were a few minutes left before the security cameras sprang back to life yet there was no sign of a ruckus or Noah.

Malik hailed another cab. "Winsor Park."

Chest heaving, Malik ran to their meeting point. The bench where they had spoken earlier in the night was empty. Malik took a deep breath and tried to think. He could call the cops for...no. Malik swore never to involve cops or hospitals as part of their deal.

A figure yanked Malik out of the stream of sporadic thoughts. Noah appeared pale but seemingly unharmed.

"What happened?" Malik resisted the urge to grab him to make sure he was as fine as he seemed.

"I thought I was being followed...I walked around...I found the list of stolen items but no sign of the clients. Here," Noah handed the Bluetooth earpiece and the USB-sized camera.

"I tried to reach you."

"The battery died," Noah said coldly. "I apologize if you've had to rush out on your date."

Malik frowned. He did not need to explain himself. "I just wanted to make sure you'd be in the clear."

"Hmm. I'm glad you enjoyed yourself."

Malik glared at him. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Noah shrugged. "You two seemed to be rehashing a cheap video sex stuff."

"What's it to you if I was jumping his bones?"

Noah's nostrils flared, "It would be inappropriate not to mention creepy."

"Creepy?"

"Yes. He is older and you don't know him and he is...not right for you."

"And you know this because...?"

"I...I...you could do better."

Malik scoffed. "This is getting out of wack...I did this for you."

"Oh?"

"Eugene busy equals Noah safe."

Noah's eyes narrowed. "Do not speak to me as if I were a child."

"You are a child."

Noah's mouth fell. "Take that back. I am not a child."

"Then stop acting like one.''

"I am not. I had to hear you talk in those derogatory terms, crude manner —"

"Maybe you should've concentrated on getting better information instead of peeping into my personal life."

"It wasn't an invasion of your privacy if you knew I'd be listening in." Noah retorted.

Malik was starting to get a headache. "Ha. I won't get scolded by the prince of manipulation and half-truths."

A pained expression crossed Noah's face. "You have no idea what I have been through...I thought last night..."

Malik remembered the feel of his skin how he'd gasped and moaned as though begging to be touched. "Nothing happened last night."

Noah flinched as if Malik had struck him. "Nothing?" he whispered.

"Noah," Malik's voice softened and reached to touch his shoulder.

Noah stepped back in a flash and Malik didn't think it was because he still smelled faintly of puke.

He gave Malik a sad smile. "I tend to have an overactive imagination. Forgive me." He swallowed. "I hope the information is useful. And I am sorry, truly, for ruining your evening."

Malik noticed the slip into uber formal speech, but he did not owe him shit. He'd done what he had to, to protect him. Time and time again Noah had the upper hand, feeding scraps of information. Malik was patient and tried to make their partnership work.

"I should go," Noah said, head hung low.

Malik's chest was tight. He hadn't meant to hurt his feelings. "Fine.''

Noah shivered in the chill but hugged himself and left the park without saying goodbye.