by K. G. Reuss
“What the fuck, Rosalie?” he choked out. “What happened to you?”
“We should talk inside,” I said.
He nodded tightly and turned to give Ethan a quick wave. Moments later, we were settled on the couch, Cole staring expectedly at me.
“What happened to you hair and face, Rosalie?” Cole reached out and thumbed a small bruise on my chin, his blue eyes filled with storm clouds.
It was now or never. I launched into the story, divulging everything to him from the night I keyed his car to last night when Ethan held me after Ian attacked me. He listened, not saying a word.
“He’s dead,” Cole growled when I finished the story. “I’ll fucking kill him.” He got to his feet and rubbed the back of his neck,, his body trembling with rage.
“Cole, no. I-I need to tell you something else.”
“What else is there, Rosalie? This guy has been abusing you for months now. And for what? So you could try to get back at us? What the fuck were you thinking?”
I shook my head, tears gathering in my eyes.
“You could’ve sat and listened to what the hell was really going on, but you wanted to run. Why, Rosalie? I get being pissed at Fox, but the rest of us have been through hell watching that fucker touch you and kiss you and now this?” He let out a snort and shook his head. “Why did you call me here? To see this? You had to know how pissed I’d be! What I’d do!” He let out an angry snarl and tugged at his blond hair.
“Cole, it’s more than Ian. It’s about us.”
“Us?” He let out a loud laugh. “There is no us, remember? You want nothing to do with us.”
“That’s not true,” I whispered.
“Then what, Rosalie? Are you here telling me you want me to be with you and Ethan now? Make me choose like you did him?”
“Why are you being an asshole?” I demanded, glaring up at him. “I genuinely need to talk to you.”
He let out a groan and rubbed his eyes. “I’m just pissed, Rosalie. I hate that you’re hurt. I hate that he’s done this to you. I fucking hate all of this shit.”
“I know.”
“Fox tells me to relax. Enzo says I need to just wait for you. You know I’m not good at waiting. And in case you don’t remember, I fucked you only weeks ago without even asking you what you wanted. I couldn’t fucking wait any longer.”
“Cole, please.”
“What do you want, Rosalie? To inflict more fucking agony on my heart? Are you here to tell me you’re knocked up?”
“Yes,” I whispered, staring up at him through bleary eyes.
He froze. “What?”
“I-I’m pregnant.”
“Is this another g-game?” he choked out, his eyes wide as he turned to face me. “Don’t fuck with me, Rosebud.”
I shook my head. “It’s no game. I have to go to the doctor next week.”
Cole’s bottom lip trembled as he stared at me. “Who’s the father?”
“You,” I whispered, my voice shaking.
“Me?” He strode over to me and fell to his knees. “Me?”
I nodded, taking in his face. I couldn’t read his expression though. His eyes were dark, his lips parted. He reached out for me, his hands going for my abdomen. He rested a large hard on it, his Adam’s apple bobbing.
A sheen of tears gathered in his baby blues as his hand continued to rest on my stomach. I watched as he blinked, a tear slipping down his cheek.
“Cole?” I called out softly, worry coursing through me. “Say something. Please?”
He blinked rapidly for a moment before shaking his head. “I-I’ve gotta go.” He stumbled to his feet and backed away. “I’m sorry. I can’t. I-I need to think.”
“Cole!” I got to my feet and reached for him, but he pushed my hands away and marched to the door. He jerked it open and left, not casting me a second glance.
I wasn’t sure which hurt more: His words or his absence. Either way, they both spoke volumes.
Thirty-Five
“Rosalie, he’s just in shock,” Ethan soothed as we lay on his couch later that evening. “He’ll come around.”
“He left,” I whispered, burying my face in Ethan’s chest. “He walked out. I saw the look on his face. He doesn’t want this.”
“Sweetheart, trust me. It’s just a shock, OK?”
Before Ethan could elaborate any more on it, there was a knock on his door. He quickly pressed a kiss to my temple and got up to answer it. A moment later, I heard the deep voices of Fox and Enzo.
Quickly, I sat up and wiped my eyes. The guys came into the room, Ethan walking in first.
“They just wanted to make sure you’re all right,” he assured me as he sat next to me and rubbed his warm hand on my back.
“Hey, Rosie,” Fox said, kneeling in front of me as Enzo took the spot beside me.
“Hey.” I swallowed thickly but maintained eye contact with Fox.
He immediately reached for my hair, a sad smile on his face. “You look beautiful.”
“I look like hell,” I countered, self-consciously raking my fingers through my shorter tresses.
“Not possible.” His fingers brushed against the shorter strands before his fingertips traced along the bruise on my cheek. His eyes darkened, but he said nothing.
“I like it,” Enzo said, taking his turn with my hair. “I really liked it before, but now…” He clicked his tongue. “Now, it can really be wild. It’s perfect.”
I knew they were trying to make me feel better, but it wasn’t helping when all I could think about was where Cole was. I peeked around Fox, hoping to see Cole standing in the doorway.
“He didn’t come, Rosie,” Fox said softly. “He got busy.”
“I get it.” I nodded, my throat tightening for what felt like the millionth time that day.
“You really don’t,” Enzo murmured taking my hand in his and giving it a squeeze. “He’ll come around. He just needs some time to process it.”
“So you guys know?”
Fox exchanged looks with Enzo before nodding. “Yeah. He told us.”
“For what it’s worth, I’m sorry,” I said softly. “For all of it. The games and whatever.”
Enzo scoffed. “You have no reason to be sorry, Sunshine. We fucked up. We know we did. And we’re working on righting the wrongs.”
“We’re all idiots,” Ethan broke in, taking my other hand in his. “But we do all love you, Rosalie.”
I nodded, trying to hold off the flood of tears.
“Hormones,” I managed to say through a tight smile.
Fox returned my smile with his own, but it was his eyes that said what he was really thinking. Adoration. Pain. Love.
“We want you back,” he said, shifting forward and resting his forehead on my thighs. I froze beneath the gesture, watching his body shake with his silent tears. “I want you back, Rosalie.” His hands rested on my waist as he continued to lay his head on my lap.
I untangled my hands from Ethan and Enzo and ran my fingers gently through Fox’s hair, my heart hurting.
“Come back to me, Rosalie,” Fox whispered in a shaky voice. “I’ll do anything.” He sat up and stared at me, his cheeks damp with tears. “I’ll keep the monsters away.” He reached out and brushed his fingers along the bruise on my cheek again, his bottom lip quivering.
“I never left,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper.
Hope lit Fox’s eyes as I reached out for him and cradled his cheek. He immediately nestled into my palm, a contented sigh leaving his plump lips.
“But I have a lot I need to think about now. It-it’s not just me anymore. There’s a baby involved. My entire future. . .”
“We’ll be at your side through all of it,” Enzo vowed softly, resting his warm hand on my thigh.
“There’s a lot I need to come to terms with. You guys leaving me for Juliet—”
“I never left you for her, Rosalie.” Fox reached out quickly and pulled me to the edge of my seat. “I was prote
cting you.”
I scoffed, my eye roll imminent. I opened my mouth to tell him I was ready to forgive him, but the lies needed to stop, when he moved forward and pressed his lips to mine, silencing me.
“One week. Give us one week, Rosalie.” He rested his forehead against mine. “Please.”
“You want me to give you a week with your girlfriend?” The idea was absurd and only made anger and frustration unfurl in my guts. “Is that where Cole is? With Juliet?”
“Cole is at the bottom of a fucking bottle right now,” Enzo broke in. “And the week isn’t so we can get one last fuck in with Juliet. It’s so we can ensure we have shit on lockdown with her.”
“We can all be together right now.” Ethan cleared his throat. “Fuck Juliet.”
A tiny, bitter smile moved across Fox’s face. “It’s Rosie’s call.”
I looked from Enzo’s sad face to Fox’s hopeful one to Ethan’s small smile.
Could I just say to hell with it and be theirs again? I wanted my guys back. But they’d still be with Juliet.
Could I share? What if they were lying?
My guts churned at the thought of being another game to them. There was still the issue of Cole to deal with. Would he bow out? The painful reality that he might made the sickness grow.
“I-I can’t. I want you. All of you in more ways than you know, but I won’t play second to Juliet. I think we got to this place because of the lies. As much as I desperately want us all to be together, my answer has to be no right now.” The words hurt to say, but I knew I had to say them. Until they decided to walk from Juliet, no would be my answer. I hated making anyone choose, but that was what it had to be.
“Me or her,” I finished. “When you choose, I’ll choose.”
“I understand,” Fox said, giving me a slight nod. “But you need to understand something. I already made my choice the moment I kissed you all those months ago, Rosalie. This thing with Juliet isn’t what you think it is.”
“You’re fucking her.”
He winced at my words. “To protect—”
“I really don’t want to hear about any of it. You have no idea the shit I’ve been through. I chose to take the hurt over screwing Ian. It was survival.” I held my hand up. “If you want me, prove it. Leave her. If you don’t, I’ll move on.”
“With me,” Ethan said. He’d been quiet through most of it. “I’ll never choose Juliet. I’m yours, Rosalie. If it’s just me and you, then that’s what it’ll be. We’ll be a family and take care of the baby together. I’ll even marry you right now if it’ll prove my devotion to you.”
“Rosalie will be with all of us,” Fox said, his voice a low growl. “We don’t need to make plans beyond that. Give me the week, Rosie. That’s all I’m asking for. One week to prove everything to you.”
I glanced at each of them. I knew it was stupid to have to wait a week, but I wanted what I wanted. If Fox couldn’t make it happen in a week, I’d walk away with just Ethan. I’d still be winning because Ethan was a hell of a catch. Besides I might only get three of them since Cole had already made his feelings known. It hurt.
“And you’ll listen to the why behind all of this,” Enzo said. “You have to know the truth, so you’ll never doubt us again. Swear to it if you say yes. You haven’t let us speak on the matter this entire time. We want you to know everything.”
“I’ll listen once you make your choice—”
“There was never a fucking choice. It was always you. It’ll always be you,” Fox cut in, his blue eyes glittering with passion. “Get that through your head, and you’ll almost be up to speed.”
“Fine,” I answered hoarsely. “One week.”
“You won’t regret it.” Fox’s lips met mine again in a deep kiss before he pulled away, both of us breathless, only for Enzo to move in and kiss me just as deeply. When the kiss ended, both of them got to their feet.
“We need to go get Cole,” Enzo said, eyes locked on mine. “Soon, Sunshine. You promised.”
I only nodded at him. Fox said nothing, but he didn’t need to. I could see the determination on his face as he eyed me hungrily before spinning on his heel and striding to the door, Enzo in tow.
“We’ll see you soon, Sunshine,” Enzo called out before he closed the door behind him.
When they were gone, I turned to find Ethan grinning at me.
“About time shit started looking up,” was all he said before pulling me into his arms and holding me.
He was right about that.
Thirty-Six
“I’ll see you tomorrow,” Ethan said, pressing a kiss to my lips as we sat in my driveway the following evening. “I’ll pick up some special snacks for us. We’ll cuddle and watch movies.”
I smiled at him. “You’re the best.”
“You are.” He kissed me again.
“Are you really OK, Ethan? We haven’t really talked about you and rehab—”
“And we don’t need too, sweetheart. I swear on everything I am that I’m better. It’s a long road, but with you at my side, nothing is impossible. So don’t worry. I don’t even have an urge for any of it. The only drug I want is you, babe.”
He peppered kisses along my jaw until his lips brushed against my ear. “You have no idea how much I want to feel you from the inside.”
My cheeks heated at his words as he let out a soft laugh.
“When you’re ready, of course.”
“Maybe tomorrow?” I murmured back, zings of excitement coursing through me.
“Mm, I like the way that sounds.” He kissed my lips once more then pulled away. “See you tomorrow?”
“Yes.” I opened the door and stepped out. I’d already told him he didn’t need to walk me to my door before we got there. My parents didn’t need to see I was already with someone new after just breaking up with Ian. Ethan had been disappointed over me shutting down the gentleman in him, but he’d agreed as long as I promised to kiss him. Seemed like an easy deal, so I made it.
I glanced over at Fox’s yard. He wasn’t home. I prayed he was simply trying to talk to Cole and not with Juliet. I looked over my shoulder when I got to my front door and waved to Ethan who blew me a kiss then backed out of my driveway.
It was still early. My parents had wanted to have dinner together, so I’d agreed.
“Rosalie,” Mom called out, popping her head out of the kitchen. “I’m glad you’re here. Lord, your hair! You cut it!”
“I’m good,” I said, stepping into the kitchen. “Yeah. I cut my hair. Do you like it?”
“It’s different. You look so mature! Wow.” She beamed at me. “My little girl, all grown up.”
“Guess so,” I said softly.
“Are you OK?”
“Mostly. I mean, yeah. I will be.”
“Really? I know you and Ian were close.”
I snorted. “Trust me, Mom. I’m fine when it comes to Ian.”
She surveyed me for a moment then nodded. “I’m here if you want to talk.”
I stared at her as she turned back to chopping vegetables. At some point, I’d have to tell her about my pregnancy. My heart twisted in my chest at the prospect of having that conversation with my parents. It was made worse knowing I might have to tell them the father wanted nothing to do with me.
If I thought Dad would be pissed about the musical, it would be nothing compared to how’d he’d feel about me getting pregnant by a guy who walked out on me.
The thought did little to comfort me.
“Hey, pumpkin,” Dad greeted me, coming into the kitchen and pouring himself a drink from the fridge. “I feel like we hardly see you anymore. And wow. Your hair!”
I gave him a forced smile. “Yeah. Just been super busy. Thought I could use a change.” I fluffed the ends self-consciously.
“You look good. Mom told me you and Ian broke up. I’m sorry to hear that. He seemed like a nice kid.”
“He wasn’t.”
Dad and Mom exchanged looks. I’d caked
on foundation before leaving Ethan’s. With any luck, they’d never notice the bruises.
“Well, if you need to talk,” Dad said awkwardly.
“I’m fine, guys. Really.”
That seemed good enough for him because he patted me on the shoulder and left the room.
“Need help?” I asked Mom.
She smiled and handed me some vegetables to chop. I took the knife and began working. We were five minutes into chopping when the doorbell rang. A moment later, Dad called me into the living room, his voice gruff.
I exchanged a quick look with Mom who followed me to the living room. I stopped in my tracks as Ian stood there.
“What the hell are you doing here?” I demanded.
He offered me that smile I hated so much. “I figured you’ve been lying to your parents long enough, and they deserved to know what you’ve been up to.”
“Ian,” I snarled, taking a step forward. “Don’t you fucking dare start your shit in my house.”
“Rosalie,” Dad snapped at me.
I didn’t bother looking at him as I continued to glare at Ian. He pulled a newspaper out of his back pocket and handed it to my dad.
“She’s in the musical. She’s the lead,” Ian said, his eyes locked on mine, his lip turned up into an angry grimace.
Dad took the paper, and Mom peered over his shoulder.
“I thought I said no theater.” Dad swiveled and glared at me. “What the hell is this? You’ve been lying to us?”
“It’s not just that. Rosalie is a cheater. She’s been screwing Fox Evans and his friends. They pass her around, and she lets them record it.”
I froze, my mouth falling open. My parents didn’t move.
“Ian,” I choked out.
“Sorry, Rosalie. Figured if you wanted to screw me over, I’d return the favor. Seemed fair.”
“Is this true?” Dad growled, his eyes dark.
I swallowed thickly. “It’s not like that.”
“Then what is it like?” He took a step toward me, but Mom rested her hand on his arm. “Is my daughter a lying, cheating whore? A fucking porn star?” His face reddened as a vein bulged in his forehead.