Page 63 of Hate Game

I sigh again. “Understood. So, why haven’t you fallen in love since your first love broke your heart? I doubt it’s your appearance. I was just joking, okay?”

He nods. “Honestly, I’m not in the right headspace and haven’t been for a while, Spunk.”

“What does that mean?” I haven’t lived as long as Mason has. Plus, I’m not a guy. He is speaking guy-speak.

“My parents’ health is in the shitter, Tessa has an annoying habit of picking losers to date, and I gotta watch over you and now Leigh.”

“I won’t speak for Leigh, but I can take care of myself. Tessa can help with your parents. I can help Tessa weed out the losers.” It takes one to know one, and currently, I am the biggest loser in Delridge for failing to keep Malice in line. “Go out more, Mason. Fall deeply and madly in love.”

He laughs. “You’re such a romantic, Rue.”

“So, you’ll do it? You’ll take a chance on falling deeply and madly in love?”

“Are you throwing down a challenge?”

“Yes.”

“Fuck, Rue, you know I love a good challenge. What do I get in return should I make this wish of yours happen?”

What do I have that Mason would want in exchange? It doesn’t take me long to come up with an answer. “You can drive Malice’s GT-R.”

He whistles. “Holy fuck. That’s his baby. No way will he agree to let me take his baby for a joy ride.”

“I’ll convince him.”

“Your funeral.”

“Imagine taking your forever love for a drive. She’ll go gaga over how you handle the gear stick.”

Mason ducks his head. His laughter is a deep rumble that has me smiling. “You’re something else. Okay, you have yourself a deal.” We shake on it.

“So, how did you finally get over your first love?” The reason we’re on our stomachs staring at the empty parking lot hunting down our next target.

“I wished nothing but happiness for her. Every time she popped up out of the blue in my mind or something jogged my memory of her, I wished her all the best life could offer for her and that she was happy.”

“That’s it?”

“Yes.”

“Does that way of thinking apply to burned bridges of a friendship too?”

“Red?”

“Yes.”

“What do you think?”

Mason’s answer is too simple a solution. “I’ll give it a try, but you better not steer me wrong. Otherwise, I’ll cockblock you at your next party.”

“We’re on, Spunk. Now, let’s head back to my place. My freezer is stocked with your favorite ice cream.”

25

RUE

Apounding noise comes at me from a distance. I roll onto my side and yank the covers over my head. My first alarm for school hasn’t gone off yet, and I would like more sleep.

The pounding intensifies.

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