Page 7 of Rush the Edge

It's not huge by any means, but it has fancy lighting and high-end appliances.My last place had a toaster from the 1900s, and the fridge squeaked every time I opened it.

“Um. How much did you say the rent was again?”

River places my plant on the counter and spins to stare at me. “I told you I’d cover the rent.”

I shoot him a look because I’m holding my plants. Otherwise, I’d cross my arms and stomp my foot. “We are splitting the cost. I’m not moving in here for my big brother to take care of me.”

He scoffs. “But why? I would if it were me.”

“Because!” I say while walking over to the counter. I grab the pothos that he brought up and stride over to the window to place it on the little table for some indirect light. “Then it’s too easy. Now that I’m in remission, I want to get my life back on track.”

He doesn’t understand.

No one does.

“As soon as I get a job, I’m helping with the rent.”

River points to the overabundance of plants in his kitchen. “Maybe sell some of these godforsaken plants.”

I’m offended. “No.”

“Fine.” He turns for the door…to gather more of my plants. “And relax, I snagged an interview for you next week.”

“An interview?” I run after him as he heads toward the elevator. “If it’s a hot dog stand, I swear to god…”

He puts his hands in his pockets. “A hot dog sounds good right about now, doesn’t it?”

I ignore him and press L for the lobby. “If it’s a hot dog stand, you’re not getting free hot dogs from me on pure principle.”

If I can’t have one, neither can he.

“Relax.” River nudges me with his elbow. “It's not a hot dog stand.”

“Then what is it?”

He thinks for a second, his green eyes searching for something…like a lie.

Worry starts to itch my skin, and my neck grows warm. “Did you score me an interview out of pity?”

Against better judgment, I don’t like to tell people about having Lupus.

It’s an invisible disease, one where I can appear perfectly fine on the outside but feel awful on the inside. Questions arise, along with skepticism, and I’ve found that it’s easier to live with it silently rather than explain.

I follow River out to his car and grab a few boxes, while he hauls twice as many into his arms. I stack one of my plants on top of his heavy load before we head back to the elevator.

“I didn’t tell anyone about you having Lupus, so chill.”

I breathe out a sigh of relief.

“I can keep a secret,” he adds.

I glance at him. “Well, you did tell Stevie I broke up with him because his breath was awful, even though I swore you to secrecy, so excuse me for double-checking…”

River stops halfway in the lobby and gapes. “That was in sixth fucking grade, Daisy. You’re still holding that against me?”

I shrug. “Until you make up for it, yes.”

“I’m letting you move in with me,andI’ve gotten you a job interview. I think I’ve made up for it.” He presses the button to our floor, and I rest against the back of the elevator. I can hardly see anything over the boxes, but I know he’s probably scowling at me.

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