“E, what’s going on?” I asked gently. “You always go to Fox’s grave?—”
“Well, I’m fucking done,” he snapped, his green eyes flashing. “Fuck going out there. It was a waste of time, and it will continue to be one. Fox is dead to us. Let him rest in peace. It’s what he’d want. And this Rosalie thing? It’s over, Cole. Stop trying to make it happen. You got the girl, man. Just fucking keep her. I don’t… I can’t…” E stood and left the room abruptly, leaving Cole and me to stare in confusion.
“Did I miss something?” Cole asked.
I shook my head. “Perhaps we both did, brother,” I murmured.
I’d figure it out, though. Wasn’t like I was doing anything else these days.
58
ETHAN
Istormed out of Enzo’s office, my goddamn heart in my throat. Knowing Fox was alive killed me inside. I missed him so fucking much for years. I ached for him. And now I ached in all new ways because of this secret that was tearing me apart inside.
It had me conflicted.
I wanted to tell Cole and Enzo that Fox was alive, but I also wanted them to forget him as he’d forgotten us. On the other hand, Cole would leave soon and would find out. Then Enzo.
I wasn’t so sure either would take the news well.
“Rosalie, can we talk?” I asked as I came into the kitchen, where she and Anson were finishing making pancakes.
Anson frowned at me for my no-nonsense attitude.
“Now, please,” I added.
“Um, sure,” she said, eyeing me. “What’s up?”
“Alone, Rosalie,” I said pointedly. “No offense, Anson. I can loop you in later.”
She looked to Anson, and he shrugged. I liked that he was so easygoing most of the time. He reminded me of how Fox used to be.
Rosalie followed me upstairs to my bedroom. I closed the door behind her and gestured for her to sit on my bed. She did, looking at me with worry on her pretty face.
“What’s wrong?” she asked.
“What’s wrong?” I asked bitterly. “Cole is probably going to leave us for you and Ellis.”
She winced and looked down at her hands in her lap.
“I’m sorry?—”
“Look at me,” I demanded, moving to stand in front of her. She tilted her head back to stare up at me.
“What do you think is going to happen once Cole finds out that Fox is alive and well and has been living the good life for the last five years?”
Tears gathered in her eyes. “I know.”
“He’s going to explode, Rosalie. That’s what’s going to happen. It could ruin everything. Do you understand that? Do you realize what’s going to happen when he finds out? You fucking know Cole. And that’s Cole. Enzo…” my voice trailed off. Enzo had punished himself for years over Fox. He drank too much. He hated himself and life. Losing Fox broke Enzo, and then I added to it with my bullshit.
“Fuck,” I snarled, backing away from Rosalie and kicking my nightstand.
Rosalie jumped and cried out softly as I tugged at my hair.
“Ethan,” she said, getting to her feet. She touched my arm, and I lost it.
I dragged her to me and crushed my lips against hers in a deep, searing kiss. She kissed me back, her tongue against mine, her hands on my chest.
