Page 70 of When We Fall: Part One

“E, man. Just chill, OK? He wants the product and to speak to you about it. By doing so, we get more weapons at a really damn good price. For the future. For the top,” Enzo said, adjusting his black button-down.

I tugged at the collar of my shirt before unbuttoning the top button. It was too damn hot in here.

“E,” Cole said. “Don’t fucking lose it. Let’s get through this so we can go home.”

“Go home?” I snorted. “And do what? Stare at the empty spots at our dinner table? Maybe tour the two empty rooms?—”

“One fucking problem at a time,” Enzo snapped. “This first. We can’t do shit about Fox and Rosalie right now. It’s a moot fucking point. Give them the time they’re asking for, and in the meantime, let’s work. Got it?”

I grunted my acceptance, but I was still pissed off. I’d rather be doing whatever Fox and Rosalie were doing. I didn’t even care what it was. They could be throwing cheese at one another, and I’d be game. I only wanted to be wherever they were and with them.

“Lorenzo, it’s good to see you.” Vander Veer came in and greeted Enzo, shaking his hand. Cole got to his feet and nudged me.

I followed and looked to the exit, really praying hard to be let free.

“Cole.” Vander Veer shook Cole’s hand, who greeted him like they were old friends. Cole was like that. Cool until he was murdering someone. I admired that. I, however, was never cool.

“And Ethan.The sugar daddy.” Vander Veer gave me a hearty handshake and clapped me on the arm. “My daughter, Celeste, is quite taken with you. You’re all she talks about. Perhaps we could see what we can do to get you two together for dinner sometime.”

“Not interested,” I said evenly. I wasn’t even going to bother apologizing for it, either. Fuck that. That bitch could fuck off and die in a ditch. Vander Veer knew well enough by now that I was seeing someone. Didn’t seem to stop him from persisting, though.

“Well, how about we discuss it further during this meeting?”

I stiffened as Celeste came into the room and wound her arm through mine. I was going to vomit. Pass out. I couldn’t breathe. Fuck. Fuck.

“Ethan,” she gushed. “I’ve missed you! I’m glad you texted me this morning.”

I didn’t text her. I’d never text her. The room was spinning, and I was so fucking hot.

“That was me,” Cole said, wrapping his arm around her waist and dragging her away.

Enzo moved closer to me. “Ethan is going to get some air for a minute.”

Thank fuck.

I stumbled away to the open balcony and stood in the breeze, letting the air fill my lungs.

“Fuck,” I whispered, my voice shaking. Why wasn’t this ever getting better? What was the matter with me? Yeah, I didn’t like anyone other than the guys and my sweetheart touching me, but my life was ass. I couldn’t keep having these freak-out moments. I was stronger than this.

I pulled my phone out, thumbed through my photos, and stared down at the one with Rosalie in the lilac-colored dress. I’d taken it with my actual camera. Sighing, I thought about how I hadn’t picked my camera up in forever. It used to be the thing I went to when I was stressed. Now, it sat on a shelf in my bedroom.

I needed to get back to taking pictures. Maybe it would help. I’d swapped out my major for chemistry and had been neglecting my photography. I could start a photography business. Have my own studio…

But I’m the sugar daddy.

I can’t do that.

Fucking hell.

I thumbed out a text to Rosalie instead, needing to talk to her.

Ethan: I miss you. I hope you’re having a good day.

Her answer came quickly, much to my relief.

Rosalie: I miss you too. Are you OK?

Ethan: Not really. Just a bad day. I can’t wait until you’re home. Maybe we could do another movie night?