Page 52 of Hate Game

“Isaac?” I ask, going out on a limb.

Seeing how they were together at Isaac’s place, I have this gut feeling Isaac would do anything to keep Rue safe. And I hate that he has that kind of power earned from fear while I’m powerless to do anything other than punch the guy in the face and get reamed by my father.

She doesn’t answer. Her silence confirms my suspicion.

“Do you accept my apology? This is a job, and I acted unprofessionally when I kissed you. It’s not right, Malice.”

“Other people do it. It’s called a workplace romance,” I say half-joking, half-serious.

“What happened between us is a disaster waiting to happen.”

“How so?”

“You hate me.”

“Yeah, I do. And I recall you promised to hate only me.”

“You can’t have it both ways, Malice.”

We hate one another, yet this undeniable pull begs to be explored. Can we have it all? I’ll prove to her we can. First, I’ll start with words. Then, later, I’ll put my words into action. My words and actions currently don’t match up, and I plan to rectify that.

“What is the antonym of love,Regret?”

I swear I’m not a smart guy. This is a game of Rue’s we played before our friendship soured.

“Don’t.”

“Do,” I say. “Play the game.”

“Fine.” She sits back on her heels. “The antonym of love is hate.”

“And of regret?”

She reaches for her cell phone on the nightstand. With her dark brow angled toward her cute nose, Rue taps on her phone and says, “I choose fearlessness. My turn. What’s the antonym of malice?”

I know the answer. I’ve looked it up before in case Rue someday asked. “Goodness.”

She smiles, and fuck me, she is downright sexy. I pull her on top of me. “Love, fearlessness, goodness. It’s what’s inside you, Rue.”

“Only you think so.”

I tsk. This girl. She kills me with her attitudeandher insecurities. “You wouldn’t have a great friend like Leigh if you weren’t all of the above.”

“Do you like her?”

“She’s cool.”

“Because she didn’t cause a rift between you and Seven like I did with you and Red?”

“Family matters are different,” I grumble.

She folds her arms and rests her chin on them. We stare at one another. Rue has the prettiest brown eyes.

“Mason at the auto parts store is hiring. The faster you meet the conditions, the faster I’ll be out of your hair and your place.”

“You never answered my question. How is what’s happening between us a disaster in waiting?” Doesn’t Rue want to work and collect a paycheck until school is over? Not to mention, her room and board are free.

“You’re meant for bigger and better things than living a simple life here.”

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