Page 151 of Rush

“Let’s stay,” he begged, his voice cracking. “Be with me.”

I closed my eyes, pressing my forehead to his. “Always.”

I felt euphoric. Untouchable. There was no feeling like being wanted absolutely. Irrevocably.

My chest heaves,dragging me back into the present. His words—his quiet devotion—burn like acid on the scars of my heart.

Just as I was starting to heal, to move on—even if slowly—he yanks me right back into his web. That familiar ache flares, addiction pulling me under. Like a drug only he could supply.

“Elena.” Riley’s voice cuts through. “Are you okay?”

I tilt my phone toward her.

It takes every ounce of self-control not to burst into tears. Instead, I lean my head on her shoulder, and she wraps her arm around me, cradling me from his storm.

When we get home, I slump onto the couch, and Riley makes me tea.

“Why would he do this?” The words tear out of me before I can stop them.

“Some guys just love messing with our heads, babe. That’s why I root and boot. I’m not giving them a chance to get into this noggin.”

“You might be onto something. I don’t get it. He breaks up with me, goes back to her, and then does this.”

“I know—it’s a mindfuck.” She settles beside me with her own tea.

“Please tell me you’re okay,” she says quietly, nudging her shoulder into mine.

I don’t answer right away. Because I’m not sure if I am. I run a hand through my hair, exhaling hard.

Kylie’s name lights up the screen of my phone.

I stare at it, heart pounding in my ears, before swiping to answer and putting her on speaker.

“Hello?” My voice comes out small. I already know this isn’t going to be a pleasant call about schedules and appearances.

“Oh, thank God. Elena.” Kylie’s voice is sharp, clipped—controlled in that way that makes my stomach twist tighter. “Have you seen it?”

“Unfortunately.” My teeth grind the word.

“Well, it’s already trending.” I can practically hear her pacing—heels tapping out her frustration, probably with a latte cooling untouched on her desk. “It’s everywhere. Everyone’s speculating—if you’re back together, if you’ve been secretly seeing him—it’s catching like wildfire. People are pulling up old interviews,tour clips, fan edits—they’re going full FBI. I saw a thread with timestamps.”

I close my eyes and press my fingers to my temples, as if I can keep the pressure from crushing me.

“I’ve already reached out to his team,” Kylie continues. “I’ve asked them to take it down. But…” she hesitates, “he’s taken full control of his social media. He’s refusing. Elena, you may need to call him yourself.”

The words hit like ice water.

“Me?”

Riley bolts upright, cursing as she stalks across the room.

“Yes,” Kylie sighs. “He might listen to you, because he’s sure as hell not listening to his team.”

Silence stretches.

“Elena?” she prompts.

I bite hard on my lip, jaw locking, eyes finding Riley as she shakes her head.