Page 29 of Hate Game

I stomp to his parents’ house, grateful for the moon high in the cloudless sky guiding me down the path. A hand clamps onto my arm. Malice swings me around. His gaze bores into mine. “March your ass back to the house,Regret.”

“I’m not ready.”

“Why the hell not?”

“I’m restless, and you’ve made it worse.”

“Imade it worse?” He snatches the NVGs out of my hand.

“Yes.” I grab them back.

“How?”

“The way you treat and talk to me. I...” I sigh. “I want to...”

He tips forward. I shake my head. Admitting I need an adrenaline rush will make him think I am weird.

“Want what, Rue?” Spoken with too much heat.

He searches my face. I avert my eyes.

“Nothing. Never mind.”

“Never minding.” The heat in his words is gone, replaced with anger.

Why is he so angry? Doesn’t he understand that beneath my outward confidence are insecurities I never want anyone to notice? Knowing of my insecurities gives someone the chance to make me feel like crap. I refuse to give someone that power over me.

I head for his parents’ house. Malice follows. “If you need to go for a walk in the middle of the night or early morning, come get me.”

“I’m fine on my own,” I toss over my shoulder.

“Maybe so, but I wasn’t. I freaked the fuck out when I went to check on you, and the bed was empty.”

“Next time, I’ll use pillows to make it look like I’m in bed. Or better still, don’t check up on me. I’m a big girl.” But… “Why were you checking up on me?”

The path widens. He takes a spot at my side. “I didn’t know if you needed extra blankets. No one comes over or uses the spare room.”

I call him out. “Are you sure about that?”

“Cassie was an exception.”

“I bet she was.”

“Are you jealous or something?”

“Of course not.” Malice isn’t my guy. I have no claim to him and no right to limit whom he can see and what he can do. “Malice, I should tell you what’s in the papers I signed.” His mom left that part for me to do. “There are four conditions for me to be released as your babysitter.”

“Four? That’s it?”

“Yes.”

“Shoot.”

“One, no parties at the house.”

“Easy. My place is a sanctuary and not a frat house.”

“Two, your grades have to be above a B in all your classes.”

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