If Rush wants me, he knows where to find me.
But I'm not making this easy anymore.
I get home and pour myself wine, then I sit on my couch and think about the way Rush looked at me tonight.
Like he wanted me and hated himself for it.
Like he was drowning and I was air.
That kind of want is dangerous. It’s the kind that makes people do stupid things.
And I want it anyway.
Want him anyway.
Even knowing it's going to hurt, even knowing he's going to fight it every step of the way.
I'm a moth to his flame and I don't even care about the burn.
My phone buzzes again.
Rush: Tomorrow night. Meet me.
My heart kicks up.
Me: Where?
Rush: My place. I'll text you the address.
Me: Why?
Rush: Because I'm tired of running.
I stare at the message and smile.
Finally.
Me: Okay.
Rush: Okay.
I set my phone down and take a breath. My hands are shaking slightly.
Tomorrow night, everything changes.
Tomorrow night, Rush stops running and I stop pushing.
Tomorrow night, we finally see what happens when the flame catches.
And I can't wait.
9
RUSH
I'm in the garage working on Wrath's bike when the smell hits me.
Oil and metal and something sharp underneath. It shouldn't mean anything, but my hands go still on the wrench.