Page 48 of When We Fall: Part One

“Yeah. That’s perfect.”

I didn’t get to push the subject in an attempt to maybe dig a scrap of information out of him because the door opened to the music room, and the class came out, Rosalie following and her nose stuck in the papers she held as she read while she walked.

I smiled at that. Her nose was always stuck in a book or doing some sort of reading.

She let out a gasp as I captured her in my arms.

“Oh gosh.” She laughed, looking up at me. “You scared me!”

“You need to be aware of your surroundings,” I admonished playfully, knowing damn well I was being more serious than teasing.

She wound her arms around my neck and pressed her lips against mine. I kissed her back and glanced at Anson, who watched, his body stiff. He locked eyes on me, his expression never changing.

I broke the kiss and held her hand in mine, but it didn’t last long because she spotted Anson and grinned. She tore away from me and went straight to him.

His body visibly relaxed, and a smile washed over his face at her approach.

Fuck, he had it bad.

“Check this out,” she said, handing him the papers she had.

He took them from her and quickly read over them. I moved to stand next to them, my hand on Rosalie’s lower back.

“Oh, I forgot about this,” he murmured. “Yeah. It’s a great time. I can’t believe it slipped my mind.” He handed her the papers back. “You want to do it?”

“Do you think I can? I mean, the big showcase is coming up in just a few months, and we’re still working on music for it. Can I take the time away to do this?”

“LeeLee, you have nothing but time. I say you do it. We’re doing great with the showcase stuff. It’ll be a nice break for you. Right, Fox?” Anson looked to me for my response.

“Uh, what is it?”

“It’s this night out. Once a week, people from the music department go out to Club Von and sing. There’s a weekly prize, too,” she said.

“Prize payout depends on turnout. It’s usually really high because it’s free entertainment. Sometimes, agents drop in and lurk for new talent. But mostly, it’s just people having fun,” Anson added.

“I could use the money,” Rosalie continued softly.

I frowned at her words. “What? Why?”

She looked up from the papers and blinked at me. “My savings are running low. I need to win a few of these or get a job?—”

“Rosie, if you need money, ask me,” I said. I had a sizable portion from my inheritance as well as money I made working with the horsemen. I wasn’t hurting for cash in the slightest, and neither were the guys. In fact, we had a surplus. I’d give Rosalie whatever she wanted in a heartbeat. I often tried to pay for stuff when it came to her. Many times, she’d reject me, or I’d find extra cash in my pocket after taking her somewhere or buying her something online. The thought of her working made my stomach twist into uncomfortable knots.

She gave me a quick smile. “I can make my own. You know that. This might be the way to do it.”

Before I could protest her getting a job since I was still stuck on that part, Anson interjected.

“I’m game to attend,” he said. “I liked going to it. It’s on Thursdays.”

“I’m fine with it.” I looked to her. She clapped her hands together before wrapping her arms around me in a tight embrace.

“Thank you, Foxy!” she squealed.

I laughed and hugged her against me.

“Come on. Let’s get home and get you ready for E tonight. He’s been looking forward to this all week.” I took her hand and led her down the hall, Anson falling into step on her other side, talking her ear off.

Months ago, I’d have raged over it. Fought. Maybe even killed him. Now, I welcomed him, knowing it was way more than we admitted.