Page 58 of When We Fall: Part One
“Here’s some water,” I said after he flushed the toilet.
He kept his head on the toilet seat and fumbled for the cup of water before getting it and gulping it down.
“Do you have a toothbrush and some mouthwash?” he slurred tiredly.
I went to the cupboard and grabbed the items, refilling his cup while putting toothpaste on the new toothbrush. I went back to him and handed him the items. He brushed his teeth tiredly and spit into the toilet before washing out his mouth. He flushed the toilet and groaned.
“Thanks,” he said, taking the cup of water from me. He swallowed it down quickly before handing it back.
I stood awkwardly over him for a moment before deciding he probably wasn’t going to get up anytime soon. With that in mind, I sat beside him.
“We’ve never hung out at the toilet before,” he finally said through a soft huff of laughter. “I’d say that’s taking our relationship to another level, huh?”
I smiled at him, his dark hair a mess as he continued to rest his head on the toilet seat, the toothbrush on the floor now.
“Do you want to go to bed?” I asked.
“In a minute. When the room stops spinning so much.”
I nodded and went quiet.
“You don’t need to stay. Make sure Fox is OK.”
“He’s tucked in and sleeping peacefully.”
“Good.”
I was quiet for a moment. “What happened tonight?”
“Shit was so fucked,” he muttered.
“Ani—”
He sat up and stared at me, his eyelids slit and his icy blue eyes shining through.
“Come here.” He reached out for me and tugged me closer.
“Ani—” I tried to untangle myself from him, but he held tight.
“He loves you so fucking much, Rosalie,” he said, cradling my face. “I’ve never… I just… Fuck. I’m sorry.”
“What for?” My heart pounded, the worry already coursing through me ramping up.
“I’m just sorry. I should be happy because I’ll get… I’ll get what I want, but fuck, at what cost?” His gaze raked over my face, his hands still in place.
“You guys are scaring me. Maybe you two shouldn’t go out alone anymore.”
He gave me a sad smirk before he trailed his thumb along my bottom lip.
“I still think of that night. When I kissed you.”
“Ani, we aren’t going to do this, OK? We’re friends.”
He closed his eyes briefly. “Friends. I know.” His hands fell away for a moment before he grasped my hand, brought it to his lips, and pressed a kiss to the top of it.
I swallowed hard and made to tug away, but he gripped my hand tighter.
“I worry about you, LeeLee,” he said. “And now I’ll worry more. I’m just so sorry.”
