Page 80 of When We Fall: Part One

“OK. We’re good here,” I said, stuffing my phone back into my pocket. Shit had been so bad lately that I hadn’t even tried toget laid. In addition to barely eating, I’d not been fucking either. I was grateful Rosalie understood my torment. Based on E’s recent withdrawal and Fox being mopey with me, I knew Enzo was the only one getting any. At least frequently.

“We should call Anson,” E said as we walked to the front door. “Invite him over. He’s not talking to Rosalie. I think we should get that smoothed over for her and apologize if we fucked it up.”

I ground my teeth while forcing myself not to argue and spit out an insulting remark about Anson the Ass Hat.

“Cole?” Fox looked at me as I slid onto the passenger seat of his Jeep while E got into the back.

I forced a smile onto my face, knowing it was the right thing to do even if I hated that motherfucker.

“Sure. I, uh, don’t want to be the one to call. It should be you,” I said, looking at Fox.

Fox called me a wuss under his breath before pulling Anson’s name up on his phone and sending the call.

The phone rang for what seemed like forever before it must have gone to voicemail.

“Uh, hey. It’s Fox. We’re having a little celebration of sorts for Rosalie tonight. Dinner. Movies. Maybe some karaoke. Wanted to reach out and invite you. Say… around eight tonight? Come over if you’re not busy. All is good here. It won’t be a problem,” Fox lowered his voice. “I know you’ve been gone. It’s been a topic of conversation with Rosalie. She misses you, man. We’re all sorry for the shit that happened that morning. Let’s just put it behind us. Talk to you soon.” He disconnected the call and started the engine.

“I think it’s shitty he’s ghosted her,” I muttered as we drove down the driveway to the road. Fox hung a right onto the street. We waved to the security personnel at the gates as we passed. “Typical Ass Hat behavior.”

“He probably thinks he’s doing what will help her. You and him don’t get along,” E said. “He took a step back. I’d say that’s pretty noble of him.”

I scoffed but didn’t push it. We’d only just gotten shit sorted with all of us. Ruining it was off the table.

“He’ll be back,” I said. “Who could stay away from Rosalie?”

Fox and E both agreed, but I could see the worry on Fox’s face. I hated that shit. It made me even more upset with Ass Hat. Not only was he torturing my Rosebud, but his absence also affected Fox.

That’s what happens when you get too close to someone outside your circle. Shit gets fucked up. I wanted to say I told them so, but I didn’t, knowing I was partly to blame. For now, we’d focus on all of us, and Ass Hat could fuck off and miss out if he was going to be a bitch about everything.

At least, that’s what I kept telling myself.

Deep down, I wanted Rosalie to be happy. If it meant that asshole had to be her friend, then I supposed I could deal with it.

Maybe.

It didn’t matter. I’d cross that bridge when I got there. Tonight, I just wanted my family to be happy and with one another.

Fuck Anson Beyers.

TWENTY-NINE

ROSALIE

“Look at this one!” I rushed to the cage and peered in at the fluffy white kitten. “Enzo!”

The kitten put his little paw on the wire bars and gave a meow before licking my finger.

Enzo came over and chuckled. “OK. He is cute.”

I looked at him and twisted my hands together. “Do you think I can hold him?”

Enzo smirked at me and nodded at one of the workers. She rushed over and opened the cage. Then, she pulled the little fluff out and handed him to me.

“He came in with his brothers and sisters a few days ago. They all went fast, surprisingly. He’s all that’s left,” she said.

“How old is he?” Enzo asked, petting the kitten’s head. His little body vibrated in my hands with his purring, making me giddy and excited. Growing up, I always wanted a cat and a dog, but my dad was against it. Lately, I was feeling lonely. It was even worse now that Ani had decided to go his own way. A kitten would be the perfect company for me.

“He’s about fourteen weeks. He’s an absolute doll,” she said, looking fondly over at the kitten in my hands.