by K. G. Reuss
Soon enough, everyone would know what I was capable of.
I smiled down at the image.
Tomorrow couldn’t come fast enough. I needed them back. We had work to do.
Fifteen
Fox
I breathed out and stretched my neck as I stood outside Ethan’s door with Enzo and Cole. Ethan’s parents were inside with the doctor, going over the details of his pending release. It was a tentative plan, but it made us all breathe out a sigh of relief.
Enzo rubbed the scruff on his face as he stared down at a photo of Ethan and Rosalie on his phone.
“When did you take that?” I asked, looking down at the picture.
“Few weeks ago when no one was looking,” he mumbled.
In the photo, Ethan had his forehead resting against Rosie’s. They held one another, worry on their faces. Ethan had told us Juliet found him and Rosie together. This must have been that day because they were risking a lot being together in the middle of the hallway.
“She looks beautiful,” I murmured.
“She always does. My sunshine on a cloudy day,” Enzo returned. “Do you want a copy?”
“Yeah. Send it.”
Enzo tapped on his screen, and my phone buzzed. Before I could open it, the door to Ethan’s room opened, and the doctor stepped out.
“Is he being released?” Cole demanded.
“Things are looking good.” Doctor Browning smiled. “If things continue to progress, I don’t see why we can’t let him out of here by the end of the week.”
“Hell yeah.” I high-fived Cole.
“Can we see him?” Enzo asked.
“He’s with his parents right now. It’s up to them.”
I nodded to the guys. “Let’s give him some time with them.”
“And Rosalie?” Cole asked. “Will she be coming off the machines today?”
“You know I’m not a liberty to discuss her condition. But I will say things are looking better.”
“Mrs. Bishop left me a voicemail this morning. She said everything went well last night as they started weaning Rosie off things. They’re going to try to take her off the vent today,” I said.
“That’s the plan,” Doctor Browning said, glancing at his watch. “Matter of fact, I’m due in her room in a few minutes.”
“We’ll be waiting to hear the good news,” I said, forcing confidence in my words.He gave me a wink. “I’ll send someone to find you once we have some news. Hang tight, OK?”
I nodded and watched him walk away.
“She’s going to be awake soon.” Enzo glanced between me and Cole.
“Dibs on holding her first,” I said.
Cole scoffed. “Like hell. I’ll punch you again.”
I grinned at him. “Then we should probably step outside now. I’ll fight back this time.”
“I’d expect nothing less.” And he smirked back at me.
“Hey, E,” Enzo greeted Ethan.
Ethan’s face brightened, and he pushed his empty pudding cup away. “Hey, guys. I was wondering when you’d get here. I would’ve texted, but my damn wrists hurt. Eating that pudding nearly took my ass out.”
“Need me to feed you a banana?” Cole offered with a playful grin as he held up the fruit basket.
“Sounds kinky. I’ll bite,” Ethan joked.
Cole chuckled and opened the basket, pulling out a banana. I sat down in the seat next to Ethan’s bed while Enzo grabbed the chair on the opposite side. Cole sank down onto the spot next to Ethan’s torso on the bed and offered him the banana.
“You’re going to feed me?” Ethan lifted a dark brow and smirked at Cole.
“Open your mouth, hot stuff.”
Ethan chuckled but obeyed, biting off a large portion and chewing slowly.
“Fuck, that’s good. I hate pudding.”
“How the fuck can you hate pudding?” Enzo asked, looking bewildered. “It’s literally the best shit in the world.”
“This shit is butterscotch, making it worse. I loathe butterscotch.” Ethan nodded to his empty container and opened his mouth.
Cole put the banana inside Ethan’s mouth, and he bit down again.
“How’d you sleep?” I asked.
“Surprisingly well. This bed sucks, but I guess I shouldn’t expect much for the hundred-thousand-dollar hospital bill my parents are going to have.” His good mood dissipated.
“No worries, E. I have it on good authority the bill won’t be an issue.”
Ethan frowned at Enzo. “What did you do?”
Enzo held his hands up and smiled. “Nothing.”
Ethan shook his head and gazed back at me. “They said I might be able to leave tomorrow.”
“We heard. That’s awesome, man.”
“Yeah, my parents said I can come stay with them while I recover—”
“Actually,” Enzo cut in as Cole offered Ethan more banana.
Ethan took the final bite and chewed, his eyes focused on Enzo.
“My parents gave me the guest house on the back of the property. I was thinking you’d join us.”
“What? You guys are all moving in together?” Ethan looked between us, his eyes wide.
“Well, I’ll be in and out,” I said, clearing my throat. “I can’t leave my dad all alone, but I’ll be there most nights since he works out of town a lot. As much as I want to move out, I don’t think my dad is ready for that yet. With Mom being gone, I don’t know that he’d be OK.”
Cole shot me a sad smile but nodded. “It’s cool, man. More Rosalie for us.”
“I still get to hold her first. And I’m sure she’ll be happy to give me my fill.”
“Whatever.” Cole rolled his eyes.
I knew he was still stupid nervous about how things would go down when she finally woke up.
“I ordered us an Ace family sized bed. It’s bigger than an Alaskan king. Figured it would keep weird spooning to a minimum and give everyone a little breathing room,” Enzo continued. “Should be here later in the week. I got an Alaskan king for the second bedroom too. I figured Rosalie might need some space of her own. We’ll put the crib in there with her. For now though, each bedroom has a bed in it, and there’s a couch which pulls out into a bed.”
“I’m in. I don’t want to burden my parents more. Plus, I think Jace and Emma might be scared to see me like this. I don’t want that ugly memory in their heads.”
“Awesome.” Enzo leaned back in his seat. “It’s settled then.”
“And Rosalie?” Ethan called out.
We all glanced at one another.
“I want her with us. With Enzo at his place,” I said. “It’s really the best place for her with all this shit going on. I know her parents want her home, but I think it’ll be a shit show. She’s eighteen. She can decide for herself.”
“I just hope she decides on us,” Cole said softly, dropping the banana peel on the bedside tray.
“I just want her to wake up. I fucking miss her.” Ethan closed his eyes for a moment. “Can you guys come get me when she wakes up? I want to see her.”
“Of course,” Enzo said. “They’re working on it right now, actually.”
Ethan peered at the door, his Adam’s apple bobbing. “What will we do if she never gets better?”
“She will,” I announced fiercely, not wanting to contemplate for a moment any other outcome.
Ethan fixed his gaze on me. “Promise?”
“Cross my heart.”
Because fuck, I’d die with her.
Sixteen
Cole
When Ethan fell asleep on us, we headed to the cafeteria to grab some food. I was halfway through my cheeseburger when Fox’s phone vibrated with a message.
We all stared at him as he read the text, his eyes shimmering with moisture.
“She’s awake,” he whispered.
I dropped my burger and shoved my tray away.
“Stay here.” Fox got to his feet and grabbed his tray.
“Stay
here? Fuck you. You stay here,” I snapped, getting to my feet.
Fox let out a sigh, a muscle thrumming along his jaw. “They asked for me, OK? Her mom said she’s not really coherent yet but was calling my name. Just. . .let me do this. I swear you’ll be able to see her soon.”
Enzo’s warm hand clamped down on my shoulder. “Go, Fox. We’ll wait. Text us, OK?”
Fox shot me a pained look before spinning on his heel and leaving.
“This is bullshit.” I blew out a breath as I glared at the doors Fox had disappeared through.
“Fox and Rosalie have a long history. Plus, her dad can’t stand your ass. Let this play out slowly, their way. We want her when she’s ready to go home. The more you piss her parents off, the further you push our chances of that away.”
“You’re going to blame me?” I demanded, leveling my scowl on him.
Enzo held up his hands in surrender. “I’m not, man. I’m saying that’s what will play out if you push. Just relax. Fox will take care of her. He’ll let us know what’s going on. She’s probably totally out of it anyway. Finish your lunch. We’ll hit up the gift shop and get her and the baby something.”
I let the tension leave my shoulders and sat back in my seat. We finished eating in silence before heading to the gift shop. I knew Ethan would have trouble texting back because of the damage to tendons and shit in his wrists, but I sent him a message anyway to let him know Rosalie was awake.
“How about this?” Enzo held up a little, yellow duck and squeezed it, so it squeaked.
I smiled, an image of my kid playing with the duck in fluffy, white bubbles and giggling flashing through my thoughts. In my mind, she had fire red hair like Rosalie and my blue eyes.
My heart clenched, and I snatched the duck from Enzo. He winked at me and moved deeper into the gift shop. I grabbed a chick magazine, a notebook with a fancy, erasable gel pen, and some fluffy slippers for Rosalie. Buying things for girls wasn’t my strong suit. I was absolute shit at it because I’d never had a girl I wanted to get shit for. I consoled my worries by telling myself it was a fucking hospital gift shop. It wasn’t like I could get her a Tiffany necklace.
Huh. That’s not a bad idea. I made note of it as I went to the register to pay.
“Hi,” the young woman behind the counter tittered, her cheeks flushing.
“Hi.” I pushed my stuff toward her.
“Oh, I love ducks. This one is cute. I love the little heart on its chest.”
“Yeah, it’s cute,” I agreed, wishing she’d hurry so I could get upstairs to Rosalie. I’d push my damn way through her door if I had to.
Enzo came up behind me with a stuffed bear in his hands.
“Cole loves duckies. He’s going to use this one in the bath later.”
The girl giggled as I rolled my eyes.
“It’s for my girlfriend. We’re having a baby soon. She’s upstairs. She was in an accident and just woke up.”
“Oh no!” The girl looked horrified at my words. “I hope everything works out.”
“Me too,” I grunted, handing her some money.
She gave me my change and put my stuff into a gift bag. Then she rang up the teddy bear Enzo handed her.
“Are you getting something for the baby too?” she asked, biting her bottom lip.
I knew she’d been checking me out, and upon hearing I had a girlfriend, she’d moved to Enzo.
He shot her a wide grin and winked. “It’s for Cole’s girlfriend, who is also my girlfriend. We like to share.”
I shook my head at him, chuckling.
“Oh. Um…” The girl laughed and handed him his change. “Really? Like two guys and one girl.”
“No, darling. There are four guys and a girl.” Enzo trailed his dark eyes up her body and leaned in.
She visibly shuddered beneath his stare.
“It’s fucking amazing.”
Her cheeks darkened as she gaped back at him, her lips parted.
“Ever been thoroughly fucked by four men?” he continued in a low voice.
She shook her head wordlessly.
He let out a soft chuckle. “You should try it sometime.” He grabbed the bear and turned his back on her, following me out the door.
“You’re an asshole.”
He let out a laugh and grinned. “She was all over your dick. She wanted it. I bet all you’d have to do is invite her to the bathroom across the hall, and that pussy would’ve been yours.”
“Didn’t even think about it.”
We stepped into the elevator.
“But you seemed into it,” I continued as the door closed.
He scoffed. “I just like fucking with people. The only girl I want is upstairs. She’s it for me.”
“Me too.”
“Remember that time we fucked what’s her name at that club?” Enzo asked.
I laughed. “Rachel Morris. I remember. She still tries to text me. She’s in my third hour. I thought we were fucking gods that night. Man, I thought it wouldn’t get any better than that.”
“Until Rosalie.”
“Until Rosalie,” I agreed. “I know that shit will be fire once this shit storm passes. I have to hold onto hope.”
“It’ll be amazing. I’m not even worried.”
“You never are,” I said with a soft laugh.
“I’m Lorenzo-Fucking-De Luca.”
He was. It explained it all.
Seventeen
Fox
Her eyes were closed. Her plump lips were cracked and twisted like she was in pain.
“What’s wrong with her?” I demanded as she gave a tiny whimper.
“She’s still under the influence of some meds to help her with pain,” Doctor Browning commented as he adjusted the cannula on her nose.
“Can you give her something else?” Mrs. Bishop asked from Rosie’s other side. “She seems like she’s hurting still.”
Doctor Browning rattled something off to the nurse who swept out of the room. I assumed it was for more medicine, but I was too focus on my girl to pay much attention.
“Fox,” Rosie croaked in the most pitiful sounding voice. Her voice cracked before she became silent.
“Baby, I’m here.”
The doctor stepped aside, so I moved next to Rosalie. I gave her uninjured hand a squeeze. “I’m here. It’s me. It’s Fox.”
She let out another soft whimper. The nurse bustled back into the room and pushed a needle into Rosalie’s IV. A moment later, Rosie stopped shifting and whimpering so much and went still.
“That’ll help her sleep and dull some of the pain. She has a long road ahead of her,” Doctor Browning said, shaking his head. “Her vitals look good. I think she may have a rough couple of nights ahead, but she’ll get through it. We’ll try to provide the best comfort we can.”
“And the baby?” I demanded. “Is pumping her full of all the pain meds and shit good for the baby?”
“We’ll monitor everything. Rosalie will be closing out her first trimester soon, so anything can happen. Keep that in mind.”
“So you’re saying she could still lose the baby?” My guts churned at the information.
“Anything is possible. She’s been through a lot. We can’t rule it out at this point. We’ll do what we can, OK?”
I nodded tightly, grateful Cole wasn’t in the room. He’d lose his shit. I’d seen the cute little outfit he’d bought the baby and how desperate he was for this. If something happened to Rosalie and the baby, we might lose Cole for good.
Doctor Browning and the nurse left, leaving me with Rosalie and her parents.
“She’s strong. She’s going to make it,” her mom murmured as she stared down at Rosalie. “She has to.”
I glanced at John who sat with his head in his hands. I released Rosalie’s hand and moved to sit beside him.
“How are you doing?” I asked softly, not even sure if he wanted to talk to me. I knew he was still stewing over his encounter with Cole and how he didn’t want
us in a relationship with Rosie. But he needed to accept, at the very least, Cole would be involved because of the baby.
“This is my fault. If I’d just let her stay. I-I overreacted that night. That punk came into my house. He ate at my table. He-He tried to take my baby girl from me,” his voice cracked. “I’m not a good father. She’s going to hate me when she wakes up.”
“Rosalie loves you,” I murmured. “Her heart is too big and sweet to ever hate you. Trust me.”
John lifted his head and peered at me with his red eyes and blew out a breath. “You’re a good kid, Fox. I would’ve loved for you and Rosalie to make something of yourselves together. Your mother and Marcy used to sit on the patio and discuss your futures. I never thought it would be this way.”
I nodded, watching Mrs. Bishop dote over Rosalie, whispering things I couldn’t hear.
“You need to understand, we love Rosalie with our whole hearts. This isn’t a game for us. She’s it for us. I want a future with her. So do the others,” I explained.
John nodded, his Adam’s apple bobbing. “I’ll let her decide what she wants. I won’t stand in her way again.”
“For what it’s worth, I think you're a good dad. We all make mistakes. God knows I’ve made enough,” I muttered.
He nodded again but remained silent. I knew the wheels in his head were spinning. I got to my feet and went back to Rosalie.
“I’m going to stay with her tonight,” Mrs. Bishop said, casting me a quick, watery smile. “John and I already discussed it. He’s going to go home. He hasn’t been sleeping.”
I nodded. “I’m going to get the guys and go. If anything changes, let me know, OK?”
“I will.”
I leaned down and placed a kiss on Rosalie’s forehead. “I’ll see you tomorrow, baby.”
I left the room quietly and made my way to Ethan’s room. I knew I’d find Enzo and Cole there.
Eighteen
Ethan