Page 89 of Hate Game

I’m glad Midnight convinced me and Red to go. Apparently, he’d heard through the grapevines, probably from Isaac—they’re close—that Rue is living with me, “Malice-sitting,” and it’s not sitting well with Red. That we’re a love triangle in the works ready to implode at any moment with fists and mean-as-fuck words.

I don’t know where anyone gets the idea there’s a triangle of sorts going on between us. We’re more like planets circling a common sun—Rue. Red stayed in the periphery as Rue and I made our rounds talking to Midnight’s friends. We held hands. I kissed her forehead. My big arms wrapped her from behind.

We came off as a couple, but I never claimed Rue as my girl. We Sterlings understand the rules, though the outside world believes we’re all head cases. I can’t claim Rue as mine unless Red makes it plain and clear that Rue isn’t his girl.

He's slowly getting there. I can see the defeat in his eyes whenever I catch him looking at her. I feel for my cousin; I truly do. And if what Rue says is true, that Red is hung up on Olivia, I’m here if he needs to talk.

When I get the chance, I’ll text him for a meetup, and we’ll shoot the breeze about whatever comes to our mind first. Then, I’ll slowly ease the conversation to the topic of Olivia. What is it about her that he’s hung up on to the point he hasn’t had a serious relationship since she left town?

“It was nice, wasn’t it, seeing old friends and making new ones?”

I nod. Yeah, but what made the night the best was having her at my side. She moved around the crowd like a pro, and I preened like a rooster in the henhouse. Rue belongs with me.

“We have an hour before the sun sets.”

“Are we staying for that?”

“Only if you want to.”

“I’d like that. It’s so peaceful.”

We unbuckle our seat belts and stare at the river and the trees on the other side. The leaves have fallen for the season, and the branches are bare.

“I came here often after things went bad between us.” I hug the steering wheel. “The quiet gave me time to think. It was when I still had the pickup truck that we made love in.”

How much pain did Rue go through? Was anyone with her when she went through her miscarriage?

“I wish I’d been there for you, Rue. That is my one regret.”

“Regret. You haven’t called me that in a while.”

“Because you’re not. It was meant to rile you up. But I hurt you, didn’t I?”

“Yes. My mom admitted I’m her biggest regret, and it’s the reason she named me Rue. Every time you called me Regret, I was reminded of how I’m second best. The regret after the blessing in my mom’s eyes.”

“Aw, Rue, I’m so sorry, baby.”

I pull her into my arms. My chest aches. Regret is a knot in my stomach. I did so much damage with my words. I drop a kiss on the top of her head and apologize over and over. “I’ll do anything to make it up to you. I was an insensitive jerk.”

“Drop out of the fight.”

I hang my head. “Anything but that.”

“Malice.”

“I can’t, babe. Please understand. That’s all I’m asking for.”

“Fine, I’ll drop it, but tomorrow could be a different story.”

She can ask again, but I am not changing my mind. Lives other than mine are at stake.

“What do you plan on doing with the money if you win?”

“I’d make a donation to the food bank.”

“Food bank or a messed-up Malice?” She weighs the options in her hands. “Not an equal choice. Your life is more important. Big J will hurt you.”

“I can handle him.”

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