Page 9 of Hate Game

I jam my hands in my pockets and up my pace. When will Rue listen to reason and stop getting herself into trouble? Why did I catch the kiss she blew me as she hung out the window with a carefree smile on her face? Why can’t I let go of my feelings for her? Why did I bring upthatnight?

Fuck, the hurt on her face had my stomach in a knot but if I’d wrapped her in my arms, the other kids would want to know the history between us. I’m keeping my mouth shut. What happened the summer of our sophomore year is strictly for me and Rue to hash out.

The guys from my team flank my sides as we clear the path and that is how I know Rue jumped. I grit my teeth and clamp my mouth shut. Otherwise, I’ll demand they tell me if she made it safely out of the water.

Why ask? Rue made her choice, and I’ve made my bed. I pull my hand out of my pocket and reach for the sexy brunette with pouty lips and long, luscious hair down to her mid-back. “Ready to go for a ride, sweet thing?”

Cassie’s green eyes gleam. “I thought you’d never ask.”

She sets her hand in mine. I tug her to me and slam my mouth over hers. She tastes like bitter beer and smells like flowers in the summer heat, and I fucking hate that she doesn’t taste and smell like someone else. I tear my mouth off hers and anchor her to my side. “My parents’ place is loaded with the best liquor,” I tell everyone. “Who’s a go for downing shots?”

“Shots, shots, shots!” The girls and the guys chant as we make our way back to the bonfire and my shiny new ride.

On the drive to my parents’ place, I marvel at how smoothly the bike handles the curves in the road. Cassie thinks so too. She taps her helmet on the back of mine. I smile. I made the right decision when I bought the bike as a gift to myself after my team’s big win over Delridge. My parents weren’t there. They never are.

It’s for the best. I couldn’t care less that their jobs took priority over attending the most important game of my senior year. After this, it’s off to college. I’ll play ball, earn a fancy degree, and find a nice girl to settle down with. She won’t push my buttons, will fall in line, and won’t tell lies.

I shove thoughts of Rue aside and concentrate on getting Cassie and me to my place safely. I didn’t touch the alcohol. No drinking and driving for this guy. My father will have a shit fit if I get into more trouble because of my drinking.

He says I’m out of control. I beg to differ. My relationship with alcohol is anything but. What’s out of control is my lack of giving two fucks. Other than football and my friends, nothing else matters. Then what does it mean when my boys aren’t here? Instead, they’re keeping company with their girls, though Trace and Sorrow aren’t an item.

Sorrow is too timid and quiet for Trace’s taste. He likes his girls to be loud and confident. What will happen when Trace gets a girl? Will I be wallowing in my boredom with a bottle of whiskey in one hand and my cell in the other, scrolling through the social media accounts of people I couldn’t care less about?

Jesus, the life I have to look forward to.

We arrive at my parents’ place with a parade of cars behind us. My parents are on a trip and won’t return for two days. They’ve been away for a month, and I haven’t missed them. My parents are gone for half of the year, which isn’t new.

Anyway, they make being away worth my while.

They give me a hefty weekly allowance and a place on their property. Whatever I want, I get. The sky is the limit. I smirk. What a life.

I park near the strip of grass bordering my parents’ driveway. Cassie takes off her helmet and hangs it on the handlebar. I do the same before helping her off my pride and joy.

“Why don’t you live with your parents?”

I look where she’s looking. Two-story house. Four thousand square feet. Four bedrooms and five bathrooms. I shrug. “I needed my space.”

Her eyes widen. “I would kill for a place like this.” She points at the house. “The wraparound porch is to die for. Imagine looking at the stars and hearing nothing but quiet. Or going for a night swim in the heated pool.”

“Did you case the house?” I joke, liking how her face lights up as she talks. Cassie is different from Doom-and-Gloom Rue Lee.

She laughs. “My mom loves looking at houses. We drove around town and oohed and awed over the gorgeous houses here.”

“A drive-by doesn’t give you a view of the pool in the back.”

“No, but look up the address on the assessor’s website, and the details are there.”

This girl isn’t just a pretty face with a rocking hot body. She’s smart too.

“The houses here are different from where I grew up.”

Cassie’s family is new in town.

“Where was that?” I take her hand and lead her up the walkway that ends at steps to the wraparound porch that she likes.

“Nowhere in particular. We’ve lived all over. My parents are wanderers. So far, Cambridge is my favorite.”

“Because of the houses?”

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