Page 6 of When We Fall: Part One

“OK.” I bit my bottom lip, my nerves flaring at the real fear that he may leave me. Anson was insanely talented. He deservedto have a career that took off. “Did, um, he offer you a trip to L.A.? To meet with Trackmaster?”

“No.”

“No?” I frowned. “Does he know you’re a musician? An incredibly talented one? Because you need to show him, Ani?—”

“It’s not for me, LeeLee,” he said gently, reaching across the table and resting his hand over mine. “It’s for you.”

“Me?” I squeaked.

He nodded. “Yeah. I told him about you. He wants to hear you sing live.”

I blinked rapidly at his news before finally settling on what to say.

“But why? I mean, why didn’t you tell me sooner? Why now?”

“I don’t know. I guess everything has been stressful lately with all that’s gone down with the kings and life in general. Now seemed like a better time, I suppose.”

I swallowed thickly. “Anson, I can’t. I’m nowhere near ready for that. A-and the guys are away?—”

“Relax, LeeLee.” He squeezed my hand. “He’s always scouting. He’s interested. We’ll put something together for you, and he can check it out. There’s a show in a few weeks, and the showcase this fall. We can invite him to them. It gives you plenty of time to prepare?—”

“What about you?” I broke in, frowning.

“Me?” He seemed surprised by my question.

“What about your career?” I pressed. “Shouldn’t you be submitting and trying to get a deal?”

“Rosalie, you are my concern. If you succeed, I succeed. I want this for you and know you want it too. If you make it, I’ll die a happy man. When will you understand that I don’t care about myself?”

I hated his answer. He wasn’t going to join me and the guys. Cole would completely lose his mind. Enzo wouldn’t allow it. Foxand Ethan… I couldn’t shake the feeling that Anson was wasting his life pining away for what he could never have. As a good friend, I wasn’t doing my part to prevent it either.

Damnit.

Swallowing thickly, I exhaled and pulled my hand away from his.

“Ani, I love that you care about me, but please. Don’t. Worry about yourself over me. I’ll be fine. I want you to have everything you’ve dreamed of?—”

“Rosalie, you need to understand something. You are my life. My priority. Everything else pales in comparison. That is never going to change. Once you learn that, you can make the right choices.” He stared me down, his words sending a shiver through me. “Stop fighting me on this. I can take care of myself. Let me help you have your dream.”

Knowing he wouldn’t let it go, I sighed reluctantly and nodded, earning a smile from him.

“Be a good girl and finish your sundae,” he said, settling back in his seat, his gaze dragging from my half-eaten sundae to my face. He gave me a wink that made me focus hard on my sundae.

I heard his soft chuckle before the buzz of his phone. Within seconds, he was deep in a text conversation with someone, leaving me to think.

But I didn’t.

I seemed to suck at that lately.

So, instead, I ate my sundae like a good girl and thought about my guys again and my desperate need to see them soon.

THREE

ANSON

“What do you have for me?” I stalked toward Ryder, a man on a mission.

He held out the joint he was smoking. “Nothing.”