Page 127 of Rush
"Then you survive and you learn. But you can't protect yourself from hurt by never taking risks."
"I know."
"Do you? Because you sound like you're second-guessing."
"I'm not second-guessing. I'm just aware of how much this could hurt if it goes wrong."
"And if it goes right?"
"Then it's everything."
Maya smiles. "Then focus on that."
We work in comfortable silence for a while, but my mind keeps wandering.
To Rush, to last night, to the way he looked at me when he said he loves me.
To my dad flying out here to intimidate him, to test whether Rush is worth me.
To Ciara hovering around the edges, making her little moves.
"My dad's flying out here," I say suddenly.
Maya looks up. "When?"
"Tuesday."
"To do what?"
"To scare Rush off, probably threaten him, definitely test him."
"And Rush knows?"
"Yeah, he knows. He says he's not backing down."
"Do you believe him?"
"I want to."
"But?"
"But my dad is terrifying when he wants to be and Rush has spent his whole life convinced he's not good enough. I'm worried my dad's going to confirm all of Rush's worst fears about himself."
"Then you need to be there to remind him those fears are bullshit."
"Yeah, I know."
"Everly, you can't protect Rush from your dad. But you can stand beside him while he faces it."
"I know. I'm just scared."
"Of what?"
"That this is too much pressure. That Rush is going to crack under it."
"He might, but you can't control that. All you can do is be honest about what you want and let him choose how to handle it."
She's right and I know it.
