Page 83 of Hate Game

I head outside with my arm looped through Ever’s. “Thank you for everything. You’ve given me so much hope in ten minutes than I’ve ever felt in the past two years.”

“Aw, Rue, did something bad happen?”

“My entire life,” I admit.

“I see. How old are you again?”

I tell her.

“That’s a difficult age. Still a girl but becoming a woman. High school can be rough.”

“It is.” Ever isn’t my sister or one of my best friends, and that makes it easy to tell her what is in my heart without her worrying too much.

Will I be able to talk with Malice like I’m talking with Ever, sharing my innermost thoughts and heartache?

I look at him. He is still listening to Tyler. Tyler is a talker, but only if he likes you. He definitely likes Malice, and that makes me happy. I like that my friends like my guy. Malice must feel me staring at him. He turns and gives me one of his dimpled smiles. I am one lucky girl to be on the opposite end of that gorgeous smile.

Ever leans into me and squeezes my arm.

“My best friend died two years ago. We were together when I was a junior in high school. No one knew about us, and back then, I wished they had. I had so many things to tell him, and now I’ll never have the chance.”

“I’m sorry for your loss.” Like me, she is still hung up on her first love. Except my guy is alive, while hers is keeping an eye on her from heaven. My heart aches for her.

“I’m not sure I can speak the words to the guy I like,” I admit.

“Being vulnerable is a risk we all take. Taking risks means we’ll make mistakes and say the wrong things, but we’re only human, and hopefully, we’ll learn for the next time. Practice makes perfect, you know?” She smiles.

“How did you get so wise?”

“My father.”

“He’s a good father.”

“He’s in prison for murder.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Me too. He could’ve been something wonderful had he tried harder to clean up his act; instead, breaking and entering became robbery, then grand theft auto, and finally murder. He took the wrong risks and didn’t learn from his mistakes. What a waste,” she says with sadness in her voice. “But I love him. He’s my father.” She shrugs.

I wish I knew where mine was.

“Call or text me if you need anything. I’ll talk to Ben and give you days and times, and you tell me which ones work for you and Midnight’s cousin.”

“Thank you.” I unloop my arm from hers, and we hug again before she heads inside the house.

I take a seat on the lounger. Malice walks by, drops a kiss on my forehead, and says, “I’m heading out with Midnight for more booze,” before he leaves with his cousin.

Great, I am on my own with Nora, Galley, and Tyler. Galley and Tyler excuse themselves to go get food and drinks for us.

“Any special requests, Rue?”

“A slice of pepperoni pizza, two eggrolls, a bowl of fruit, and more virgin piña colada.”

Tyler bends at the waist and rolls his arm. “A girl who knows exactly what she wants, and that is the reasonyouare my favorite girl, Rue.”

He smiles. I smile back. I can get used to all this niceness and attention directed at me. It beats the glares and harsh words from kids my age.

Nora sits with one knee crossed over the other. She is beautiful with her long black hair, tan skin, and bright brown eyes—as dark as Leigh’s.

---