Page 32 of Rush

I bring my coffee to my lips, blowing on it to cool it. “You are an asshole,” I say over the rim of the cup, giving him a wry grin. “But I am grateful that you were here. I really do appreciate it.”

Because I have no clue what would have happened if he hadn’t been. I would like to think that Kyle wouldn’t have hurt me. But, once upon a time, I never thought he would cheat on me.

It really is true that you never know a person.

I shiver, and Ares notices.

“You okay?”

“Yeah, I was just thinking.”

“About?”

“What might’ve happened if you weren’t here.”

His face darkens. “Don’t worry about that. But I do think you should think about getting a restraining order.”

“Doesn’t that seem a bit extreme?”

He gives me an irritated look, and I concede. “Okay, I’ll consider it.”

“Get a rape alarm, too. That’d scare the motherfucker off.”

“I’ll pick one up tomorrow. But could I ask…please don’t mention Kyle turning up here to my dad? He’s been trying to get me to move back home with him since…everything. Kyle showing up would only strengthen his case.”

Even though I’m angry with my dad for not telling me that he gave Kyle money, I can’t let on to him that I know because then he’d know that I saw Kyle, and I definitely don’t want that.

“I don’t know, Ari. Your dad should know.”

“Please,” I say softly, eyes pleading.

He lets out a sigh. “Okay. But on one condition.”

“What?” I take a sip of my coffee.

“You let me drive you to and from work.”

“What?” My head snaps up so fast that I hear my neck click.

“I don’t want you catching the bus and walking home alone with that prick loitering around.”

“First, how do you know I catch the bus? And, second, I’m pretty sure Kyle won’t be coming back around. I think you scared him off for good.”

He puts the cup down on the coffee table. “One, I know you catch the bus because you don’t have your license at the moment.” He ticks off on his finger. And I wait for the barb about how I lost it to come…but it never does. “And, two, that guy isn’t smart enough to give up on the first try. He’ll be back; trust me.”

“I don’t need you babysitting me, Ares. And why would you even want to?”

“Because you won’t let me tell your dad about what happened with that dipshit tonight. And because, believe it or not, I do have a conscience, and I would never forgive myself if something happened to you, and I knew what was going on and did nothing about it.”

“There’s nothing going on.”

“That out there wasn’t nothing.” He jabs a finger in the direction of the window. “That guy was drunk and aggressive with you. He grabbed you, for fuck’s sake. So, it’s either me driving you or we tell your dad.” He stubbornly folds his arms.

I stare at him, furious. I don’t like being backed into a corner.

And since when did he turn into a decent guy who cared about my welfare?

“What’s it gonna be?” He pushes. “I have your dad’s number right here…so we can call him now…” He reaches into his pocket for his phone.