Page 163 of Rush the Edge

My apology lingers. It’s not often that I apologize or that I’m sincere, but I think River knows me well enough to know that it’s true. Just like he has to know that my feelings for Daisy are genuine. If he thinks hard enough and takes a brief peek to the past, how could he not?

“I don’t think you understand why I’m angry.” River shakes his head and sits on a barstool in the kitchen.

I stare at him from across the apartment, ready for this overdue conversation. “I understand exactly why you’re angry. Why would you ever want someone like me with your sister?”

It’s not like I’ve been a saint over these last few years. In fact, I’ve been trying my very hardest to be anythingbut.The only thing I’ve got going for me is my career. At this point, I don’t even have a load of money in my account.

I have to start all over again.

“That’s not why I’m angry,” River snaps. “I’m angry because you two hiding your fling has caused unnecessary stress for her. She just got things under control after two years of medications, lifestyle changes, and constant doctor’s appointments. She’s been with you for three seconds, and she’s right back to where she was. You’re selfish, Kane. And sure, a little part of me is upset that you two hid this from me. I thought we were friends?”

The blanket falls to the floor as Daisy springs up from the couch. She quickly turns to her brother, her rigid back to me. “That is not true, River.”

He scoffs and follows it with a sarcastic chuckle. “Which part?”

“Kane is not selfish,” she argues.

My jaw aches as I clench my teeth together. I hate that she’s trying to stick up for me. She doesn’t have to plead my case to her brother. He knows me, almost as well as she does.

“He risked his future and reputation to protect his family. He saved his brother from going to prison by taking the fall for something that was selfishly asked of him. He was practically cut out of the family, not having seen his mom for years, because of something he didn’t even do.”

Daisy is shaking by the end. I erase the space between us, putting my hands on her arms. I rub my palms softly over her warm skin. “Hey, calm down. It’s okay. You don’t have to defend me.”

She peers backward at me, those blue eyes filled with worry. “Yes, I do, because even you don’t see it. You’re selfless and beyond loyal.”

“Loyal?” River repeats.

Daisy turns to him. “Yes, loyal. It’s part of why neither of us has said anything to you. Do you think Kane wanted to risk your friendship? Do you think he wants Mom and Dad to feel cheated by him?”

It’s true. The thought has been there, starting out in the forefront of my brain, only to get more and more buried by what I feel for Daisy.

I clear my throat and pull Daisy behind me. The anger is dying down against River’s features, his furrowed brow smooth and his expression blank.

“I’ve always loved her, River. If you think hard enough, you’ll remember all the times you caught me staring at her from across the dinner table.” I swallow the emotion clogging my throat, confused from the way my neck tightens with the thought. “She’s the one I went to when things turned dark. She’s the reason I left and went to the juniors, which led me here. I owe her everything,” I admit, laying it all out. “My life, my future, my heart.”

River stares at me long and hard.

My pulse thrums behind my skin from my confession. I don’t think I’ve ever said it aloud. Not even to Daisy.

“Well, fuck.” River runs a hand through his hair, tipping his head back to stare at the ceiling. “Fine!”

My heart does a fucking backflip.

“Fine?” Daisy repeats.

River stands and puts his hands on his hips. “Yes,fine. You two can be together.”

Daisy snorts with a quick roll of her eyes. “As if we needed your permission?”

River shoots his attention to me. He points to Daisy. “Good luck with her.”

My lip lifts, and I grin.

“Where are you going?” I ask him when he heads for the door.

I’m not necessarily sorry to see him go, but I’m still playing nice, relieved to have everything out in the open.

“I’m going to your apartment. There is no way in hell I’m going to watch you kiss her as if she’s not my sister.”

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