Page 118 of Into the Fire

“I’m team Rosalie,” Fox said softly, his blue eyes locked on mine. “I’ve always been team Rosalie. I haven’t showcased it much lately, and that needs to change.”

“What aren’t you saying?” E asked. “I don’t understand what’s happening.”

“Join the club,” I muttered.

Fox stepped away and sat on the couch, his head in his hands. Enzo cast me a concerned look and took up the spot on the chair next to him. I sank onto the couch again, and E sat next to Fox.

“I watched her last night. In the bar. She sang. She danced. She had friends and was laughing.” He looked up and locked eyes with me. “I watched Anson with her. He loves her, Cole. I know you hate to hear that, but he does.”

I tightened my hands into fists, my breathing coming out in harsh huffs.

“Don’t finish what you’re going to say to me, Evans,” I said in a deathly low voice. “Fucking don’t.”

“What? The truth?” Fox scoffed and shook his head. “What I’m saying is she was happy. Seeing her that way. . .” He sighed. “I like to push boundaries sometimes. I pushed too far last night with her. Then we came back, and Cole fucked it up even more.”

“I didn’t fuck shit up,” I said, not feeling as vindicated as I’d felt earlier. Shame kept washing over me. I’d done that shit to her plenty of times, and each time I’d always felt that little inkling of shame and guilt. This time was no different. Once the anger faded, that was all I had left.

I fucking knew that too, but I was an idiot.

“We’re all screwing up,” E said. “We know we are. We’ve spent how many weeks repeating the same thing? Sooner or later, we’ll realize how we’re just dragging shit out and how things will go down.”

“Stop.” I shot a hard look at E. “I’m so fucking tired of listening to this same argument about letting her go. We’re not doing that. She’s marrying Enzo. She’s going to have my baby. Fox is going to go pro. We’ll be here taking care of her and givingher a good life. That’s the plan. We’re not going to deviate from it.”

E scoffed but didn’t argue.

“Let’s give her some time to cool off,” Enzo said. “Then we’ll do another round of talking. I think we’re all just stressed right now, and I need to apologize for my actions last night. Let’s just plan a good evening for her and see what happens. Hopefully, everyone will have cooled off by then, and we can get shit sorted. Sound good?”

I nodded tightly.

Fox sighed and threw his hands up but nodded when E did.

Good.

That was settled.

Now to fucking baptize myself in more of my shame and guilt while I waited.

I creptto Rosalie’s doorway later that evening while everyone was downstairs putting together a dinner for her. All her favorite foods. I’d managed to burn some cookies I’d attempted to make, but I wasn’t much of a cook, so it was the best I could do.

Pressing my ear to the door, I listened. Silence greeted me.

Fox said to leave her alone, but I couldn’t do that. I was a dickweed when it came to following simple directions. This time was no different.

I just wanted to see her.

Slowly, I opened her door, then stepped into her darkened room and went to her bed. Her eyes were closed, and there were dried tear stains on her porcelain cheeks.

My heart cracked at the sight.

It was my fault. I’d let my anger get to me without giving her a chance to speak.

I always fucked shit up.

Gently, I lay beside her, staring at her pretty face, trying to memorize every lash. Every soft red curl that fell around her.

“You’re my entire world,” I whispered to her. “I can’t live without you, Rosebud. I’d fucking die if you ever left me. Please don’t leave me.”

My voice shook with my words.

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