But that doesn't make it easier.
I'm leaving the lab around four when I run into Ciara.
She's standing outside the building like she's waiting for someone.
"Everly," she says with a bright smile. "Hey, what are you doing here?"
"Working. I'm in the science program at Trinity."
"Oh right, I forgot. You're so smart."
The compliment feels condescending but I let it slide.
"What are you doing here?" I ask.
"Oh, I was just in the area. Thought I'd grab coffee. Want to join?"
"I can't. I'm meeting Rush."
"Oh." Her smile tightens slightly. "How are things going with you two?"
"Good."
"Yeah? No issues?"
"No. Why would there be?"
She leans against the wall. Her posture is casual but her eyes are sharp.
"I'm just asking because Rush has been under a lot of pressure lately. Club stuff, Diesel coming, all that."
"He's handling it."
"Is he? Because when things get intense, Rush tends to shut down. You probably haven't seen that side yet."
The comment is subtle but pointed. It implies I don't know him well enough to see his cracks.
"I've seen plenty of his sides," I say evenly.
"Of course, I'm sure you have. I'm just saying, he's complicated. And when he's overwhelmed he tends to pull away from people."
"He's not pulling away from me."
"Not yet." She smiles. "I'm not trying to worry you, Everly. I'm just being realistic. Rush has a pattern and I've seen it before."
"What pattern?"
"He gets close to someone, things get real, and then he backs off. It's how he protects himself."
"Maybe that was true before, but things are different now."
"Are they? Or are you just hoping they are?"
The question is designed to make me doubt, to plant seeds of insecurity.
But I see it for what it is.
"Ciara," I say calmly, "I appreciate your concern, but Rush's emotional state is not your territory anymore."