Page 173 of Rush
"Fuck off."
Pyro walks over and his expression is serious. "You good?"
"Yeah, I'm good."
"You ready for this?"
"Terrified but ready."
He almost smiles. "That's the right answer."
The congratulations keep coming, people hugging Everly, shaking my hand, offering advice I'm not ready to hear yet. It feels overwhelming but in a good way, like we're being folded into the family in a way we weren't before.
This makes it real in a different way than the ultrasound did. This is the brotherhood accepting us as parents, as a family unit.
Then I see Ciara. She's in the corner near the pool table, watching everything with a dark expression. Everyone else is celebrating but she looks furious. The contrast is stark, everyone's warmth versus her cold anger.
I let Everly enjoy the congratulations for a while longer, stay close but don't smother her. She's laughing with the old ladies, one hand unconsciously on her stomach. She looks happy, genuinely happy.
And I'm not going to let Ciara ruin that.
When the initial excitement dies down, I make my move. I walk over to where Ciara's standing and she sees me coming.
"Rush," she says with a forced smile. "Congratulations."
"We need to talk."
"About what?"
"Outside."
Her smile falters. "I don't think?—"
"Now."
I walk outside and she follows, her heels clicking on the pavement. We stop in the parking lot away from anyone who might overhear.
"What the fuck were you thinking?" I ask. My voice is controlled but cold.
"What are you talking about?"
"You know exactly what I'm talking about. You cornered Everly and told her I never wanted kids, that I despise women who trap men."
"I was just trying to help?—"
"Bullshit. You were trying to poison her against me."
"Rush, I care about you and I was worried?—"
"You don't get to do that," I cut her off. "You don't get to use my past against me, you don't get to manipulate Everly, you don't get to interfere in my relationship."
"I wasn't trying to interfere. I was just being honest."
"No, you were being cruel, and you crossed a line."
She steps closer. "I've been your friend for two years. I know you better than she does."
"You don't know me at all, Ciara. You know the version of me I showed you because I didn't trust you with the real version."
