Page 88 of Hate Game

“Thank you, Rue.”

“For what?”

“For putting a positive spin on the party.” I still can’t believe my boys and Rue and Leigh put it together on such short notice. “My place is my sanctuary and not a frat house, and how you explained it to my parents, that the party was to help ease the rivalry between our schools, and bring the senior class together, was smart. You are one smart cookie, Rue.”

“Inviting both senior classes was your idea. I just put a nifty spin on it, that’s all. There’s nothing smart about it.”

“Hey, don’t put yourself down. You are smart, Rue. Never let anyone say otherwise, okay?”

She smiles. “Okay.”

“When will you tell my parents?”

“After we drop off the papers and get our schedules. Are you excited? Are you okay with your first job being at a bakery?”

“What excites you excites me. If anyone gives me a hard time, I’ll do a hard sell. I’ll be so convincing, they’ll come in and put in a large order.”

She laughs. “Nice.”

We headed opposite my place.

“Where are we going?” she asks.

Shit, I should’ve asked first. “Will you go on a date with me? Spend time in Dumas with me, Rue? If it’s a negatory, I understand. It’s a last-minute change. Say the word, and we can head home and plan how we’ll make world peace happen one dessert at a time.”

Home. My place will be empty without Rue there. Where will she go? What wasn’t safe about her old place? I would ask Isaac, but he and his boys have been MIA during mine and Mac’s training sessions. Where the fuck are they?

Eight fighters. Four rounds. The winners from the first round go on to the second round until two fighters are left. Whoever wins the final round wins the purse money.

For entertainment, Isaac and his boys put together a “social hour.” Or more like time in between for fighters to get a quick fuck or two in with the groupies before they get back in the cages, and for the spectators to indulge in overpriced food, booze, and their own hookups.

“Yes, I’ll go on a date with you. I would never refuse you, Malice.”

I will never tire of that line of hers that reels me in, hook, line, and sinker. I reach for her hand and drop kisses on her fingertips. Thank fuck Rue won’t be at the fights. There will be too many randy dudes, and no way in hell could I keep my temper in check should they dare lay a finger on her.

I turn off the main road and drive down a long dirt road. The truck’s big tires take the rough road like a champ. I knew I would take Rue somewhere other than back to my place after our interview. Dumas was it when she went on and on about Dumas’s Botanical Garden and how beautiful it is at night. She and Ever exchanged numbers at the party.

We drive up to a locked gate. The gate doesn’t keep people out; they can easily jump the metal swinging gate. It is there to keep out cars or big, jacked-up pickup trucks.

After I unlock the gate with my copy of the key and drive the truck past the gate, I lock it behind me to be on the safe side. It’s isolated out here and my girl’s safety is my priority. We drive another mile until we come to a fork in the road.

“Head right, and there’s more land. Go left,” which I’m doing, “and we’ll end at a clearing for parking and a dock for fishing.”

“This isn’t Dumas,” she says with a smile on her face.

“Nope,” I pop the fuckingP. “This is a place I’ve been wanting to bring you to. Only you, Rue.”

I reach for her hand. Rue sets her small hand in my mammoth one. Such dainty fingers. I bring her hand to my mouth and drop a kiss on her knuckles.

“This is my parents’ private piece of heaven. Ten acres. Undeveloped. A river where fish run aplenty.”

“Nice.”

“Very.” I park in the clearing. “Me and my dad used to fish from this river when I was in elementary school. Then his and my mom’s work took up more of their time, and the fishing stopped. They said someday this piece of heaven will be mine.”

We have a view of the river and the dock. I roll down the windows.

“When I have kids, I’ll bring them here for fishing and camping. I’ll tell them to invite their friends and their families too. Friendsgiving taught me that food tastes better and a home is more inviting when shared with others.”

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