Page 116 of Rush the Edge

All thoughts of Daisy vanish like quicksand.

Shit.

It takes me several times to fully read the text because I’m so shocked that I’d forgotten the real reason I’d come out tonight.

River doesn’t notice that I’m no longer following them, but Daisy does. She peers over her shoulder at me, and I quickly look back at my phone. Guilt slams into my chest, and the thick wad of cash in my wallet is an anchor, holding me hostage.

“Hey…”Shit, this is going to look bad.“I’ll catch you two later.”

Daisy’s spine straightens.

River turns with a lopsided smile. “Forget something…or someone?”

Somehow, by the grace of god, I am able to keep my expression in check. “You could say that,” I say.

Don’t look at her. Don’t do it.

I look at Daisy.

Either she doesn’t care that I’m not denying what her brother is implying, or she’s even better than I am at keeping her emotions at bay. The best-case scenario would be that she knows there’s no way in hell I’d go find another woman to be with after what we just did, but that’s just a fantasy. What else would she expect from me? What else wouldanyoneexpect?

“Have fun, bro.”

River and Daisy take off toward the apartment, and I’m left standing in the middle of the sidewalk with even more hatred for my brother than before.

I think I may hate myself more, though.

Thirty-Nine

DAISY

“There!”Reese stands back and admires her handiwork. The open container of blue sequins is at her feet, the needle trapped in between her teeth.

I glance at the row of sequins she replaced and run my hands over them. “Where did you learn to sew?”

Reese smiles. “My gram. I was her shadow when I lived with her. She taught me to sew and cook before I could even read.”

“My gram taught me to garden.” I step off the pedestal and fix my devil horns in the mirror. “I think that’s why I’m so obsessed with plants now.”

Reese laughs. “I think we are the same person, Daisy. Just two old souls.”

“That’s why we became friends in three seconds flat.” I pause. “Or maybe it’s because you were so invested in my mascot debacle.”

She nods. “Well, that too.”

“You good to go?” Cindy pops her head into my dressing room with her headphone piece on.

Today, I am tasked with working extraclose to some of the hockey players for some media coverage. Select players are being interviewed by children with special needs to gear up for their annual special needs fundraiser, and that calls for the mascot being in attendance.

Reese and I walk with Cindy down the quiet hall. I hear nothing but the violent beating of my heart.

“Which players are going to be present for this?” My high-pitched tone gives my nerves away.

I have avoided Kane since the other night. I didn’t tune in for his away game on TV, half-afraid he’d somehow make eye contact with me through the screen. I triple-checked the apartment hallway before coming or going, and I even opted for the stairs instead of the elevator just to be safe.

It’s not that I’m afraid of Kane, but to say I feel stupid is an understatement.

There was an obvious letdown the other night when he decided to stay at the club. I don’t know what I expected, but it hurt.

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