Page 77 of Rush

I don’t realize I’m crying until I feel him brush a tear away with his thumb.

“He let you down,” he says with understanding.

I guess both our dads let us down, just went about it in different ways.

I nod and bite my lip.

“Your fight with your dad the other day…”

“Was about you. He…doesn’t like me riding into work with you.”

“Well, he’s definitely not going to like this then.”

He raises a brow, and I manage a laugh.

“Gotta say I’m a bit offended though. I get you’re his daughter, and no man wants to know their little girl is doing the deed with a guy. But I’ve always had a great relationship with your dad.”

“It’s not me he’s worried about.”

Ares’s brows pull together with confusion.

I sigh. “He’s worried that I’ll tarnish your reputation.”

His frown deepens. “He said that?”

“Kind of.”

“That’s bullshit.”

“No, really…even though I hate it, he actually has a point. My reputation is in the toilet. Yours is…you’re a great guy, Ares. And you’re in the public eye. Being with someone like me will hurt that.”

“You’re wrong.”

“I’m right, and you know it. If I were a random person, the news of what I did probably would never have come to light. But I’m your coach’s daughter, who was charged with a DUI and spent time in rehab. The press will go after us. It’ll hurt you.”

“I don’t care.”

“You should. It’s your career. I just think…it’s best if we keep this between us for now.”

“No.”

“Ares…”

“I don’t like lying, and I don’t fucking like secrets.”

“I know.” I take his face in my hands. “But it needs to be that way—for now.”

“I’ll talk to your dad. PR can handle it. They’re great at swinging things to fit public image.”

“My dad doesn’t want me riding in your truck, Ares. Trust me; he will not want this. And I want us to have a chance. Get to know each other properly before other people…start interfering in our relationship.”

“I don’t like this, Ari.”

He looks away from me. So, I climb onto him, straddling his body.

“I don’t either. But I just think it’s the best for now.”

He stares up at me. “I won’t lie. If someone asks if we’re together, I will tell them yes. And I sure as fuck will be telling my family that you’re mine.”