Page 37 of Hate Game

God, the lies I have told and will go to hell for. But I would rather lie to Red than admit I slept with his cousin. Their family is close-knit, and I don’t want bad blood between them. There is enough of it between my sister and me and our cousins on my mother’s side.

“I told him after he broke your heart, and you told me not to bring up his name again. I figured telling him you’re my girl would keep him the hell away from you.”

“You haven’t told him differently, have you?”

“Like what?”

“That I’m not your girl,” I say, frustrated. “We’re friends, Red. I mean, we are friends, right?” I turn in my seat. He is stubborn and has a horrible poker face. “You’ve been hung up on Olivia since Seven told those lies about you.”

Seven told Olivia that Red didn’t like her and that he slept with her best friend. Olivia left for camp and never came back to Delridge. Poor Red.

“Tell me we’re friends.”

Red reaches over and turns on the music. I shut it off.

“Red?”

“Yeah. Yeah, we’re friends.” He avoids looking at me.

“I am not convinced.” I stare a hole in the side of his face.

He clenches his jaw. “What would you have me say, Rue?”

“The truth.”

“I care for you, okay?” He clenches and unclenches the steering column.

“In a friend way or as more than friends?”

“Stop with the interrogation. We. Are. Friends.”

“So, if I have feelings for someone in your family, you’ll be okay with it?”

“Fuck, no. My cousins are off-limits. You’re not their type.”

“I’m not their type, or I’m poor as shit with no real future or chance of leaving Delridge?”

“That’s not true. You’re smart and can get into any college. You can get into DU alone with your financial needs. They’ll welcome you with open arms and a full-ride scholarship.”

Soon, we’re on the east side of Delridge. The houses lining both sides of the street are run-down. Many have boarded windows and doors with graffiti painted on the boards. The ones that aren’t boarded up have broken windows and missing doors. I stare out the window at what used to be my old neighborhood.

“It’s not about type. I’m not good enough to date your cousins. That’s what you’re telling me.” I point to a yellow house. “Pull up and park alongside the street.” I unlock the door. “You Sterling boys are a swell bunch.”

Tears sting the back of my eyes. My throat is raw. I refuse to let him see me cry. He grabs my arm. I shake off his hold.

“Get ahold of me when you’re ready to be a proper friend. Until then, stay away from me. Dealing with one Sterling boy is enough to ruin the rest of my senior year.”

“I’m sorry, Rue.”

I am too. More than he’ll ever know.

14

RUE

The moment I walk inside Isaac’s house, I’m collared around my neck and pulled into a bear hug before being spun and pushed onto the couch.

I fall into a heap of testosterone.

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