Page 159 of Rush the Edge

Again?

Daisy shakes her head, and I almost miss the next thing that comes out of her mouth from the ringing in my ears.

“We’re going home.”

Miles squints. “Home?”

“And we’re telling your mother the truth. Kane took the fall for you, Miles. He hasn’t been home in six years because ofyou.”

Miles stares at her for a long time, and River stares at me.

By the time I settle my thoughts, Miles is agreeing with Daisy, and they’re stepping onto the elevator to head back to her apartment for clothes.

I click my phone off and rush over to my keys.

I know exactly where they are, and when I get there, I’m going to fucking strangle my brother to the point that he passes out.

“Wait up.” River moves in front of my door, and the confusion on his face stops me in place. “What the hell is going on?”

With my blood pressure rising to the point that my fingers tingle, I decide it’s now or never. Too much is out in the open. Going back is impossible.

“You know you’re like a brother to me.” I grip the keys tightly in my fist. “We’ve grown up side by side, your parents giving me more support than my own.”

River interrupts me, seemingly becoming more confused by the second. “What is Daisy talking about? Taking the fall for him?”

“I took the fall for Miles when all that shit went down six years ago. He begged me to throw the game of poker that led to me in handcuffs, being charged with illegal gambling. It was all so he could get off the hook with some high-roller that was wanted by the police. I covered for him to protect my mom. If I ratted him out, he would’ve ended up in prison. It was easier for me to take the fall.”Something he begged of me.“Mom was able to avoid the judgmental stares at the grocery store, and instead of both of her sons being involved, it was just one.”

River’s eyebrows furrow deeper the more I talk, but I keep going because there’s no way I’m going back on the truth now. It’s not a secret I’m worried about any longer. I’m much more worried about the other secret—the one with pretty blue eyes and a heart of fucking gold.

“Kane. What the hell, man.” River sighs. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

I hate that he’s showing his concern, because after I tell him the rest of the truth, that concern is going to morph into something much worse.

“That doesn’t matter,” I say, moving on quickly. Every second I’m not with Daisy is a second too long. “I need to tell you something else.”

“Alright, what?” He wipes the sweat off his forehead with his shirt, and I prepare myself for a sucker punch.

“You know I’d never do anything to jeopardize our friendship.” I clench my jaw. “Not purposefully.”

“Uh, yeah?” He shakes his head. “What the hell is going on? Is this where you tell me that Miles and my sister were secretly together at some point or something?”

My stomach knots. “Not Miles.”

“Then who?—”

River’s mouth shuts suddenly. A look of betrayal flashes in his eye, and I hope he hears my next words and believes them before he decides to punch me.

“I’ve never loved anyone,” I admit, “but her. It’s only ever been her.”

I don’t wait a moment longer to move past River. I tear open my apartment door and head for the parking garage.

Daisy is with Miles, and I know exactly where they are.

If River wants to hate me, that’s fine.

If Miles wants to refuse to believe he has a gambling problem, then so be it.

If my mom wants to continue to disown me, let her.

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