Page 99 of Rush
"Because I'm not competing for you, Rush. Either you want to be with me or you don't, but I'm not playing games to keep you."
His expression softens. "I want to be with you."
"Good, then Ciara's not a problem."
"She's not."
"Then we're good."
He pulls me closer and kisses the top of my head. "We're good."
Tank walks over and grins when he sees us. "Well look at this. Rush finally pulled his head out of his ass."
"Fuck off," Rush says without heat.
"Nah, I'm happy for you, brother. About time you stopped circling and just went for it."
"Thanks, Tank."
"Everly, you good with all this? Because if he fucks it up, we'll beat his ass for you."
I smile. "I'll keep that in mind."
"Good." He claps Rush on the shoulder. "Don't fuck this up."
"Wasn't planning on it."
"Good, because she's way too good for you."
"I know."
Later that night, we're back at my flat and Rush is on the couch with me curled against his side.
We're not doing anything, just being close. His hand is in my hair and I'm tracing patterns on his chest through his shirt.
The TV is on but neither of us are watching it.
"You're quiet," he says.
"Just thinking."
"About?"
"Today, Ciara, my dad—all of it."
"What about them?"
"Just that this isn't going to be simple."
"I know."
"My dad's going to make it difficult. He's going to test you, probably try to scare you off."
"I know that too."
"And Ciara's not going to fade quietly."
He's quiet for a second. "You really think she's into me?"
