Page 171 of Rush
"Yes."
Another pause, longer this time.
"Are you okay?" Diesel asks. "Are you safe? Is Rush treating you right?"
"Dad, I'm fine. Rush is treating me perfectly."
"Put him on."
Everly looks at me and I take the phone.
"Diesel," I say.
"You planning on marrying my daughter?"
The question catches me off guard. "Eventually, yeah."
"Eventually's not good enough."
"With all due respect, Everly and I will decide when we get married, not you."
"She's pregnant with your kid."
"I know. I was at the appointment this morning. I heard the heartbeat."
That seems to surprise him. "You went to the appointment?"
"Of course I went. Why wouldn't I?"
He's quiet for a second. "Most guys don't."
"I'm not most guys."
"No, you're not." He sighs. "Everly, you still there?"
"Yeah, Dad."
"If you need anything, anything at all, you call me. No matter what time, no matter what's happening. You understand?"
"I understand."
"And Rush?"
"Yeah?"
"If you hurt her or that baby, if you make her regret choosing you, I will destroy you. Are we clear?"
"Crystal."
"Good."
He hangs up and Everly takes the phone back.
"That went better than expected," she says.
"He threatened to destroy me."
"Yeah, but he didn't yell. That's progress."
