Page 219 of When We Fall: Part Two

Date night.

Looking up from the image on my phone, I stared at the pair sleeping on the couch, twisted up in one another.

I didn’t get to make it back home last night. Bianca was experiencing some contractions, and Matteo called over her doctor, who informed us that they were Braxton-Hicks contractions, a practice run for her body. He ordered her to rest.

So I stayed as she whimpered through them. I let her talk to Dom and the guys, which seemed to help. She did a video chat with them before eventually falling asleep in my bed at Matteo’s while I stared up at the night sky from my bedroom window.

The kings had thanked me and asked me how Rosalie was. We had a brief conversation before I disconnected the call and fell asleep next to Bianca.

Now that I was home, I was pretty annoyed at what I was seeing. Trent was tangled up in my bed, so I sat on the chair, waiting for everyone to wake.

I watched as Rosalie stirred, her fingers twisting in Ryder’s shirt. He mumbled something and pulled her closer to his body, which only made my irritation grow.

It was probably his hand on her ass that I found most offensive, though.

He seemed to come to a second later, because he swore softly and sat up, his hair a wild mess.

“Long night?” I asked.

He jerked his head up and stared at me.

“Fuck, man. I’m sorry.”

I said nothing as he stood and doted over her for a moment, covering her with a throw blanket. He moved to the end of the couch nearest me and sat once he was satisfied.

“I’m sorry,” he repeated.

“Why… just why?” I asked.

“It’s not… not like that. I mean, I made out with her?—”

I widened my eyes at his words.

“What?” I seethed.

“No. No. Not like that.” He launched into telling me about Cole and Enzo and how he wanted her to feel powerful and in control. How they left and rode his motorcycle most of the night before hitting up Twisty Cone for ice cream. They came back, had some drinks, and fell asleep.

“So… that’s it? You guys didn’t…?” I swallowed hard.

“What? No!” Ryder said. “I mean, fuck, I wouldn’t do that to you, man.”

I exhaled. “OK. I mean, it’s OK?—”

“Shut the fuck up,” Ryder said, rolling his eyes at me. “It’s not, and you know it. Don’t use Bianca as an excuse. You want Rosalie.”

“Shut up,” I hissed at him, glancing to make sure she was still asleep. She had to be because her lips were parted and she was breathing deeply.

I got up, went into the kitchen, and started preparing breakfast. Rosalie would wake soon and be hungry.

“How was it when you kissed her?” Ryder asked, referring to New Year’s Eve when I’d made a move on her.

“It was… I don’t know. She didn’t really kiss me back,” I mumbled.

“Well, she definitely fucking kissed me back,” he said, handing me an egg. My hands shook as I took it from him, but I didn’t say anything, even though my heart was screaming at me.

“She’s amazing. You’re missing out. I’m telling you, just tell her you want her?—”

“Stop.” I slammed my hands on the counter and let out a shaky breath. “I made a commitment, and until I’ve fulfilled that end of the deal, I have to wait. OK?”