Page 104 of Rush
We drink in silence for a while, then Tank says, "You good though? Really good?"
"Yeah, I'm good."
"No freaking out? No spiraling about all the ways this could go wrong?"
"I'm terrified but I'm staying anyway."
"That's growth, brother. That's real fucking growth."
I take a drink. "Feels different than I expected."
"How so?"
"I thought choosing someone would feel like a trap, like I was giving up control. But it doesn't feel like that."
"What does it feel like?"
"Like I finally stopped running from something real."
Tank claps me on the shoulder. "Good, then keep doing that."
Pyro walks over and his expression is unreadable. "Rush, got a minute?"
"Yeah."
We walk into the chapel and he closes the door, leans against the table.
The room smells like leather and smoke and old wood.
"Diesel called me this morning," he says.
My jaw tightens. "And?"
"And he wanted to know if you're serious about his daughter or if this is just some passing thing."
"What did you tell him?"
"I told him you're a good man and if you say you're serious then you're serious. That you've proven yourself in this club for two years."
"Thanks."
"Don't thank me yet. He's not happy. He thinks you're too dangerous for her, too fucked up from your past."
The words sting but I don't let it show. "What do you think?"
"I think you've earned your place here. I think you're solid and reliable. But, Rush, Diesel's her father and he's protective as hell. You need to be prepared for him to push back hard."
"I am."
"You sure? Because he's going to come at you and it's not going to be pretty. He might even fly out here."
"I'm sure."
Pyro nods slowly. "Then handle it. Show him you're worth her trust. Don't make me regret vouching for you."
"I won't."
We leave the chapel and I go back to the bar. My mind is already on Diesel and what's coming.
