Page 61 of Rush

How dare he?

After everything, he thinks he can call me up like this. After what he did.

What’s worse is a small, broken part of mewants to believe him.

Wants to pick up the phone, call him back, and say the words I’m too proud to admit out loud:Yes, I miss you too.

But I can’t. He might miss me. But he’s with her.

We were good, weren’t we?

I miss you.

I lay there for what feels like an eternity, reeling and replaying the events of the last few months, watching the skyshift outside my window from inky black to deep blue to shades of purple and pink bleeding into the city’s skyline.

His words echo over and over, clawing around in my chest.

You wrote them for me.

The quickest way to get over one man...is to get under another.

Riley’s words creep into my head as the sun peeks up over the adjoining building.

El, you could never be a burden, not to me.

Broderick’s voice soft and teasing, as the light of the morning blinds me. I shut my eyes for a moment, feeling its warmth radiate through me. Just like his touch.

What if Broderick could make me forget?

I roll over, burying my face in the pillow again, but sleep won’t come. It feels like I’m suffocating under the weight of it all.

Before long, I’m pacing my room—sleep evading me, casting glances at my phone. Eventually, I settle on a shower—anything to shake this restless, crawling feeling under my skin.

But even the water can’t wash it away.

Pulling on jeans and a loose sweater, my hair still damp as I sit on the edge of the bed, staring at my phone in my hand.

The idea taking root—tightening around my wavering resolve.

Before I can talk myself out of it, I hit his name, my fingers trembling as I pressCall.

This is a bad idea.

It rings three times.

“Elena? Is everything okay?” His deep morning voice sends a ripple of shivers through me.

Hmm, I like the sound of it.

I close my eyes, swallowing hard. “I need to talk to you.”

There’s a pause, and when he speaks again, he sounds more awake—his voice heavy with concern.

“What’s going on, are you okay?”

“I…” I hesitate, my voice cracking. “I can’t do this over the phone. Can I come over?”

He’s quiet for a second, but then: “Yeah. Sure.”