Page 107 of When We Fall: Part One

It really was a breath of fresh air I’d desperately needed.

We layin bed at a hotel two hours from home in complete peace. Spending the day with only each other was needed. I didn’t often get to spend time alone with Cole anymore outside of the house, and I’d really missed it.

“We should call home,” I said for what had to be the hundredth time since we’d left.

“Mm, we don’t have our phones,” he said, giving me the same answer he’d been giving me.

“Cole.” I went up on my elbow and stared down at him. “We have a phone right here in the room. Please? Call?”

He sighed, twined his fingers with mine, and pulled me back to him.

“I like it only being us. Right now, it’s all I want. The guys know if anything were wrong, they’d have heard by now. My car is gone. They know we’re fine.”

“They don’t,” I protested, making to get up, but he tugged me back to him.

“I’ll call them before we go to bed,” he murmured against my lips. “I want this time with you. Can you give me that?”

I sighed and nodded, letting him take control of the situation.

He was right. We did need this.

“How has everything been? Aside from the shit we’re going through?” Cole asked.

“I don’t know,” I murmured. “Awful.”

He let out a soft hiss of discontent at my answer. “What can I do to make it better?”

“I just want no more of the stuff that’s been going on. I want us to be happy again.”

“We will be,” he said fiercely. “Whatever it takes, Rosebud.”

I licked my lips. “There actually is something I’d like.”

“What is it?”

I shifted off him and rolled onto my side. He followed so we were facing one another.

“I’d like to get a job.”

He blinked at me like I’d spoken a different language. “A job?”

I nodded. “They’re hiring at the music store. Kern’s on 9th? I talked to the owner. He said he’d love to bring me on. I can even teach customers piano and guitar there in the evenings if they want to sign up. I think it would be a good opportunity for me?—”

“I don’t understand. Why do you need a job?” He frowned at me, his forehead crinkling.

“I’m running low on money,” I said softly. “My savings are almost gone. A job could fix that for me.”

“If you need money, I have money, Rosalie. I have a lot of fucking money. I could leave right now and buy us a mansion, boat, and your own music store if it’s what you want.” He rolled over and grabbed his wallet. I watched him pull a wad of cash out before pushing it at me.

“Cole, I don’t want your money.”

“Take it. It’s your money, too. We’re together. Look.” He quickly counted out the cash. “It’s only twelve hundred, but I’ll give you more when we get home. In fact, I’ll add you to my credit card. It’s unlimited. You can get whatever you need. Go buy a whole ass music store if you want. I don’t care.” He thrust the money out at me again.

“Cole, stop.” I wrapped my hand over his. “I want to make it on my own.”

“No.” A muscle popped along his jaw. “You’re my girl. My girl doesn’t work. You’re not going to be some fucking cashier in a music store. Not happening.”

“This isn’t your decision,” I said gently, knowing he was getting angry.