Page 79 of When We Fall: Part One

“What?” I widened my eyes at him. “I wasn’t right. I was so fucking wrong, it’s disgusting.”

Fox sighed, then returned to the island and sat down. I took the stool beside him and waited for him to explain himself.

“It is my fault. I wasn’t a great leader. I made bad decisions, which ended up with things fucked up. Had I not given in to Juliet initially, Rosalie wouldn’t have gotten involved with Ian. Maybe he wouldn’t have snapped the way he did. E and Rosie wouldn’t have gotten hurt. Blossom wouldn’t have been hurt.” He looked down at his hands. “You just said everything I’ve been thinking for the past year. There isn’t a day that’s gone by where I haven’t thought about it and blamed myself. And it’s not onlyBlossom.” He twirled the ring on his thumb. I swallowed hard and twirled my ring, too.Blossom.

“It’s E, also. He’s fucked up more now. Nightmares. More trauma. Rosalie has that trauma, too. Hell, we all do. It all stems from my bad fucking decision. I just… I loved her so much that I was willing to do anything as a means to save her. And look what happened. I took more lives than I saved. I owe you an apology, Cole. I’m sorry, brother. So fucking sorry.” He wiped quickly at his eyes.

Fucking hell.

I wrapped my arms around him, hugging him tightly. He sobbed softly and clung to me. That was it. I was done. I cried with him, both of us blubbering about how sorry we were.

“It’s not your fault, man. It’s not. I was out of line. I didn’t mean any of it. It was just shit and bad luck. You didn’t know any of it would happen,” I sobbed.

“It doesn’t matter.” Fox wept back. “I blame myself.”

“I don’t blame you, Foxy. I don’t, man. I just fucking hate Anson. I’m trying hard to deal with it. I know my hatred has ruined Rosebud’s friendship with him. He’s gone because I was being an asshole. Everything is on me. I let my anger come through because I was scared I was also losing you to that prick. I’m sorry, man. I’m so fucking sorry.” We clung to one another harder.

Warm arms circled us.

“Why are we crying?” E asked, sniffling with us as he held tight.

“Because we’re fucking idiots,” Fox answered.

“We really are.” E tightened his hold on us. “We keep falling into the same old rut, don’t we? Same mistakes. Different days. When will we learn?”

I chuckled sadly. He was right.

Fox released me, and E backed away and wiped at his eyes.

“Let’s make this right,” I said, looking from E to Fox. “For our Rosalie. Let’s give her a good night and hope it sticks. Eventually, one of them has to.”

Fox nodded, giving me a genuine smile. “I’d like that.”

“I’ll take some pictures,” E said, brightening.

I grinned at him. I hadn’t seen him with his camera in ages.

“I’ll make a cake.” I stood before wrinkling my nose. “Wait. We need groceries.”

E groaned. “Well, I guess we can pick up a few gifts for her if we go out. That would make the grocery run easier.”

“I’m in.” Fox stood. “Let’s hurry, though. Send a message to Enzo and tell him to stall.”

“I have a better idea.” I pulled my phone out and shot off a message to Enzo.

Cole: Stay away. We’re busy here. Trust me.

Enzo: Should I be concerned?

Cole: Never.

Enzo: Fine. Just don’t burn down the house. We’re going to look at cats. Talk to Fox. I’m sick of seeing you both moping around. It’s bothering Rosalie.

What the fuck? Cats? I shook my head at that but let it go.

Cole: We’re good. We talked.

Enzo: Thank fuck.