Page 69 of Hate Game

Trace shrugs. “That’s life. And when the time comes to decide, then that’s when you do so and not now. Live in the moment.”

“Easy for you to say. It’s what you do. You live day by day. I prefer looking ahead.”

“You’re like that because of your parents. Time to you is based on how long they’re gone for and when they’ll be back. Instead of looking forward to when they return, why not let their arrival surprise you?”

“Is that what you do to deal with your parents’ business trips?”

Trace’s parents are gone as much as mine are, but he isn’t struggling in school or getting suspended. His parents' house also wasn’t burned down by what the fuckery. Shit, I need to FaceTime Dad and ask him what the Fire Marshall found in their investigation. Is it arson or too many electrical cords?

“My parents always come back.”

“But what if they don’t?” It’s my biggest fear. One I’ve never told anyone.

“Communication is a two-way street. Me and my parents keep in touch more than when they’re home. They get busy, so I text or FaceTime them.Initiate.”

“Is that what you’re hoping I’ll do with Rue?”

“Sure.” He stares at a moving figure going in between buildings. It’s Sorrow heading to her fifth period. Leigh is with her. Rue isn’t with them. Her fifth period is P.E. The D-bag with the broken nose is in that class with her.

“Stop treating her like shit, Malice.”

“I don’t.”

“Dude, you paired her with a player known to break hearts left and right. If that’s not shitty treatment, then I don’t know what is.”

I smirk. “You wished you broke hearts. We all know you do the opposite. You put the broken back together, Trace. That’s why I’m glad Sorrow is staying with you. At first, I had my doubts, but you’ll help her get through her trauma.” Of her dad attempting to kill her and Leigh and leaving her without her last parent when he died in a fire.

“She’s beyond helping.”

“I hear she’s going to therapy and that you take her.”

“Where’d you hear that from?”

“Seven from Leigh.”

“Well, tell him to shut his trap. Sorrow going to therapy is her personal business.”

I chuckle. “Overprotective to a T. You’d make a great offensive lineman.”

“I’d rather catch the ball and get all the glory than get pummeled by guys twice my size, but thanks for the confidence.”

“Anytime. You and Seven are my best buds. We’ll play ball at DU together. We’ll get all the girls.”

Except that thought doesn’t excite me. What has excitement coursing through my veins is the thought of Rue and all our girls cheering for us on the sidelines, followed by time partying with them before we take them home to “snuggle.” Yeah, that’s what makes my blood do this whoosh, whoosh, whoosh through my veins.

“I don’t want to hurt Rue,” I say.

“You’ll hurt her more if you don’t give her another chance. Give it a try. If it doesn’t work, then at least you two won’t have regrets.”

“She plans on sticking around Delridge.”

“So?”

“We’re headed to DU. Or possibly out of state for me.” I applied to colleges in California and Texas, but the thought of separating from my boys doesn’t sit well with me.

“So?” he says again. “There are things called FaceTime, the Internet,airplanes.” He opens the car door. Trace will be late to class, but he’ll get points for attendance. “Stop overthinking. Go with your heart and gut feeling. It’s never let you down before. You’re the reason we won the championship. The reason the scouts were at our games. When you’re on the field, Seven has hardly been sacked.Youare the ultimate protector. Protect your girl, Malice.”

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