CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

I WENT to Akin and took him to the kitchen sink to clean his cut.

"You shouldn't have hit him back," I said, admonishing him.

"Oh! You expected me to be your boyfriend's punching bag."

"He's not my boyfriend."

"Do you know how long he has been waiting to do that? He hates my guts because he feels threatened by my presence."

"Stay still," I said as he flinched when I used antiseptic on the wound.

I tightened my grip on the countertop to keep from fainting as a drop of blood trickled down his face. I threw the cotton wool in the trash when I was done and washed my hands by the sink.

"I know I deserved this and more for what I did to you but not from him. I'm sorry for hurting you," Akin said taking my wet hand in his.

"It's okay, you did it for a good cause. I know that doesn't make it right but I understand."

"Thank you. Are we still friends?"

"We are." I opened my arms for a hug and he came into my embrace.