Page 105 of Rush

“So, the vodka just jumped up and leaped down your throat.”

“I didn’t drink vodka.”

“Don’t fucking lie!” he yells again.

“I’m not lying!” I yell back, not even caring that it’s making my head thump and my throat sorer. “I didn’t drink anything but Coke last night. One Diet Coke.”

“Who was the guy?”

“What guy?”

His eyes are dark, impenetrable with anger. “The guy you were flirting up a storm with.”

“Leo.” I move away from the door, toward him, my expression pleading with him to believe me. “But I wasn’t flirting with him. He got me a Coke, and we chatted for a bit. Ask him if you don’t believe me.”

“Leo, the journalist guy?”

“Yes.”

He laughs, and I frown.

“What’s so funny?”

“Nothing.” He stares at me. “Not one fucking thing is funny about this.”

“I didn’t drink…I swear to you.”

His jaw tightens, eyes flaring.

“I just had a Coke. Nothing else. Then, I started to feel weird, so I went to the restroom, and I-I just felt…off. I checked my drink to make sure there was no booze in it, and I couldn’t smell anything. But I was woozy. I couldn’t walk. I don’t know what happened. Someone must’ve spiked my drink.” I suddenly realize.

Ares takes a step closer to me. “You know…if you’d told me that you relapsed, I would’ve understood. Helped you. But…no…you just can’t admit it, can you?” He drops his arms by his sides. “I thought you were different than my dad.” He shakes his head. “But you’re just the same.”

“No!” There’s consternation in my voice. “I’m telling you the truth.”

“I don’t believe you!” he roars.

Those four words are like a punch to the chest.

And they hurt like hell.

The ensuing silence in the room is deafening.

My throat is thick with tears.

“I’m going to ask you one last time. I’m giving you this opportunity to tell me the truth. Did you get drunk last night?”

I swallow back the tears and wrap my arms around myself. “No,” I say quietly, shaking my head. Because I won’t lie. I promised him the truth always, and that’s what I’m giving him.

He exhales a harsh breath, shoving his hand through his hair. Then, he starts across the room, walking past me.

“Where are you going?” I can’t hide the fear in my voice, and I don’t want to.

“I’m just…done.”

“Done?” My heart leaps in panic. “Ares…please.”

“No, Ari. There’s no coming back from this. I refuse to be with you and have you lie to my face.”