Page 145 of Rush the Edge

“Too late.”

Daisy flicks her gaze back to me, but I don’t waste my time dissecting her thoughts. I pull out my phone and text a woman I’ve taken to functions before, knowing she’ll drop everything to be there, even if I preface it with a forewarning that she won’t be in my bed tonight.

Once River, Daisy, and I load up in my car, I zoom out of the parking garage and head to the freeway. I manage to keep my gaze away from my rearview, too pent up with irritation to give in to her.

It’s hard to be angry at Daisy.

I know what she’s doing and why she’s doing it.

It’s the same thing she did years ago when we crossed the line for the first time, but doesn’t she understand that things are different now? Doesn’t she understand that I love her more than I could ever love anyone else?

My foot slams on the brake.

Daisy’s palm hits the back of my seat, and I flick my gaze to the mirror. Our eyes catch, and I’m suddenly sweating.

I’m always cool, calm, and collected, but right now, I am in a state of chaos.Did I just admit I love her?

“You alright?” River stares at me with confusion. “Did you see a ghost or something?”

I force a chuckle out, because with his sister in the backseat with my heart in her hands, it feels like I’m in the presence of a ghost. The ghost of the fucking past.

I pull up in front of an apartment near the venue and beep the horn.

Paris comes bouncing out of the house with rollers in her hair, dressed in a bright-pink matching sweat outfit.

“I’m coming!” she shouts.

“Are you kidding me?” Daisy mumbles.

I unlock the door and catch her eye in the mirror.This is your fault, little devil.

I cock my eyebrow, and she smashes her lips together. I catch the roll of her eye, and it settles me because I know the look of jealousy when I see it.

“Hi!” Paris’s high-pitched voice makes my ears ring as she gets into the car.

Daisy gives her a tight-lipped smile, and I speed down the road, sending Paris flying farther onto the backseat.

“Here.” Daisy hands Paris a dress.

“Ah!” Paris exclaims. “Iloveit, Kaney!”

River snickers, and I squeeze the life out of my steering wheel.

I’m about to fake an illness.

One that will spread to Daisy so we can both leave together.

When we pull up to the venue, Paris is fully dressed and pulling the rollers out of her hair as we all climb out of the car.

One glance at Paris has me revolting against the idea of taking her arm instead of Daisy’s. Her fake boobs spill out of the top of the dress, and she looks like a hooker the longer I stare at her.

My phone vibrates, and I thank the universe for giving me a small distraction, even if it is a text from my brother.

Miles

I had to give them some point of contact in case I didn’t show with the money. I’m going to win it all back tonight, so don’t worry about it.

I grind my jaw back and forth and click my phone off.

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