Page 73 of Hate Game

After I’m done with the finishing touches on the rooftop and getting our food from the delivery guy, I help Rue access the rooftop from the pre-hung steps that fall from the ceiling between our rooms.

“So that’s what the square opening is for.” Rue glances over her shoulder. She is one step above me, putting us eye to eye. “Very awesome. Do you bring your girls up there for a night of stargazing?” she teases.

“You’ll be the first, Rue.” And the last.

Her face softens. “Thank you.”

Her gaze drops to my mouth, and she ducks her head. I swear I hear her say under her breath, “Professional, professional, professional,” as though the chant will make her wish come true. Sorry, beautiful, but I am aiming for a workplace romance.

As she makes her way up the steps, I follow close behind her in case she slips. We make it to the attic and then step out of the large window that opens to the rooftop.

She stops, and I collide with her. Rue lurches forward. I sling my free arm across her stomach and tug her to me. “Easy there.”

Rue sweeps out her arm. “You did all this for me?”

I rest my chin on the top of her head and see my lame efforts to please her through her eyes.

A chaise lounge faces the view of the open fields. In front of it is a small wooden table with two empty bowls for our pho and a six-pack of Rue’s favorite soda. On either side of the lounge are heat lamps. I wouldn’t want Rue to freeze off her cute tush.

Strung across the railings are balls of white lights mixed with twinkling ones in Rue’s favorite color—magenta.

That color light was hard to find, but my bro Trace searched high and low and found the last string at the auto store, of all places.

“It’s nothing fancy,” I say. “Do you like it?” That is a dumb question to ask. I can feel the force of her smile hit me where I shouldn’t let it—my heart.

She tips her head back and looks at me. Her brown eyes gleam. “I love it. Thank you, Malice.”

I drop a kiss on the top of her head. “You’re welcome.”

Her eyes soften, and fuck me, I am digging the eye action from her. I let go of her. We take our seats and prep our pho.

“You remember,” she says with a crooked smile as she watches me put all the fixings in.

“How could I forget our first date, Rue?”

It was after I taught her how to drive and made her promise she would drop her habit of making things disappear. A nice way of telling her to stop with the thievery.

“I loved those times so much. It was fun visiting different places like McMillan and Dumas. Alexandria and Montgomery are next on my list of places to visit. One day, I would like to go out of state and tick off each state one by one. Afterward, it’ll be countries, starting with Asia.”

I’ve never heard this dream of hers, and I am fully invested in the conversation. Not that it takes much for me to become interested in anything Rue says. I never know what will come from this beautiful girl’s mouth.

“We should take a drive to Alexandria one weekend and the following weekend, Montgomery. My family owns homes in both places.”

“Really?” Her eyes widen. “That would be awesome. I should have enough money saved up by the end of next month. Should we try for the weekends after the new year? Can we go clubbing? Explore all the touristy places?”

She is so excited. “Anything you want.” Smiling, I use my chopsticks and shovel noodles and pieces of meatballs into my mouth.

We are seated side by side on the lounge. Our elbows bump with every bite we take of our food. I shoulder bump her, and she bumps me back.

“You put me on your right for a reason,” she accuses with a teasing lilt in her voice.

“How could I forget you’re a lefty?”

She crosses her eyes and sticks her tongue out. We laugh. I am at peace with the stars above us and the moon shining brightly in the silence. However, having Rue next to me brings me the most peace.

“Do you mind if I put on some music?” I ask.

“Not at all.” Rue sips on her Diet Coke.

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