Page 7 of Hate Game

“You risk too much.”

“It’s not your life, Malice. Now go away. Leave me alone.”

“What if I don’t? Will you sic your boyfriend on me?”

“Yes.” I up my speed, not caring whether the guys catch up. I want to get this bet over with and distance myself from Malice.

A hand catches mine. His hold is gentle, and his fingers are playful, toying with my fingertips. It’s different from Malice’s grip. I interlace my fingers with Red’s.

“Geez, that took away the element of surprise,” he mutters.

“What’s in the backpack?” Anything to get my mind off Malice and his jerk comments.

“That’s for me to know and you to find out.”

I’m not a fan of surprises. “Did you knowhewould be here?”

“Nah, I heard he would be at a different party. I guess he changed his mind.”

I wish he wouldn’t have.

“You shouldn’t test his temper,” Red warns.

“How could I not when he’s a jerk?”

“A jerk who puts on a good show,” Shay says from behind us. “You never know what you’ll get with that one.”

“You two are like the bull and the matador.” Winslow puts in his two cents.

“Who’s who?” I ask.

We walk down the path in a staggered pattern, blocking Malice’s attempts at pushing his way between us as the path narrows.

“You’re the matador,” Winslow says.

“Malice is,” I say. “He’s also the bull.”

“Explain,” Winslow says.

“Matador because he goads me with his jerk comments. Bull because he comes at me with the least amount of provocation.”

Winslow laughs. “Riley taught you all the big words, didn’t she?”

I smirk. “You wish.”

Soon, we reach the clearing. In front of me is the infamous tree with the rope swing. Shay and Winslow step around us and glance at the drop-off. Shay whistles. Winslow tilts his head at the lake below. “Are you sure? There’s time to back out.”

“I don’t have the money.”

“I can loan you the hundred dollars,” Shay offers.

“Thanks, but no.” I would rather jump than be indebted to someone.

“Your funeral,” Shay says.

The back of my head tingles. I look over my shoulder at the same time Red announces that he has a bikini for me to change into. So that’s his surprise for me. Great.

Malice stares at me with his arms crossed over his broad chest. He looks from the bikini to me and off into the distance. He shakes his head. I see the warning in his eyes. Jump, and I’m in big trouble with a capital T. When have I ever listened to him? The one time I did, he broke my heart.

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