Page 10 of Hate Game

“Because of you.”

“Me?”

She takes my hand and places my palm over the spot above her heart. “You're one of the most popular guys at school, andyounoticedmeon my first day of class.”

That’s not how it went down, but I don’t correct her. I didn’t pick Cassie. Principal Staudinger did. I skipped class and was caught walking out of the school doors. It’s a case of being at the wrong place at the wrong time. He asked me to help the new girl find her way around the school. For a newcomer, it can be one big maze of doors, hallways, and stairs. Why not? I should get in a good deed for the year.

“And look where we’re at two weeks later,” I say. My heartbeat thuds against my rib cage, and I wait for it to speed up with Cassie’s nearness. Nothing.

Damn.

I unlock my parents’ front door and invite everyone inside. “Help yourselves to what’s in the fridge and the cupboards. Booze is in the pantry. The only room off limits is the locked room.” My parents.’ “Got it?”

I knew I would be moving the party inside. Why freeze our asses off when there’s an empty house begging to be put to good use?

“Have fun, bros and hoes. Cassie and I are out.”

“Out to making out!”

I smirk. Dudes and their cheesy lines.

I reach for Cassie. She does me one better. She sidles up to me, holding onto my arm, and leans her lithe body into mine. She’s tall, the top of her head reaching my ear. There’s no need to risk tweaking my neck when going in to claim her mouth. No need worrying I’m poaching on another guy’s girl.

Cassie is single and has made it clear she wants me.

I guide her down a dirt path to my place at the back of my parents’ house. At the front door, I hesitate to invite her inside. I’ve never brought a girl to my place and wasn’t planning on making a habit of it. But it’s imperative I get a certain girl out of my system before I ditch this town for a different life in a bigger city.

Is that my latest plan? To play ball for colleges in Montgomery or Alexandria rather than for Dumas University? Or should I try my luck out of state?

My parents expect differently. They would like me to stick close to my cousins and attend DU next fall.

But why think of the future when the here and now is what’s important? “Are you sure about this?” I ask.

“Very.”

“I’m not promising anything past tonight.”

“I’m okay with that. I won’t ask for more than you’re willing to give.”

She won’t ask for money from me or my family, not that she would. Cassie’s parents are rich. The only person who is poor as dirt and would want my money is Rue Lee.

Fuck.

Why can’t I get her out of my thoughts?

I unlock the door. “What are you in the mood for? Rough and dirty? Or slow and worshipping?”

“Can we start with the second option and end with the first?”

A girl who knows what she wants and doesn’t play games. Cassie is different from the girl who occupies too much space in my head.

I take Cassie’s hand and lead her inside. “I like. A lot. You’re my kind of girl, beautiful.”

“Someday, I want to be your girl, Malice.”

I don’t answer her with words. I answer her with my mouth—my mouth crashing over hers. I can deal with physical, but the emotional? Uh-uh. There will be no catching feelings. I aim to graduate and leave this town with my once-shattered heart whole.

5

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