I blew out a breath, and then it dawned on me.
“Can I call Ethan?”
“E?” Cole’s brows crinkled.
I nodded. “Ethan. Yes. Please. He-He always got along with Ani. He’d get the message to him.”
Cole studied me for a moment before he nodded. “Yeah. Yeah, you can call E.”
He almost seemed happy I wanted to talk to Ethan. I knew that likely had to do with him hoping we all reconnected, so it was really the perfect person, since he clearly didn’t know I’d already spoken to Ethan.
“Just don’t tell him where you are or who you’re with. I do have a secondary location ready for us,” Cole said softly. “I don’t want to have to use it. I don’t mind leaving my life behind for you, Rosalie. I’d give everything up for you.”
I swallowed at his proclamation, my head getting fuzzy from the pain meds.
“OK,” I mumbled tiredly, the meds kicking in.
“I’ll block my number so he doesn’t know it’s me,” Cole muttered as he typed on his phone.
A moment later, he handed me the phone, fear in his eyes.
I pressed the phone to my ear and listened as it rang. I didn’t think anyone was going to answer, but finally Ethan’s deep voice came on the line.
“Hello?” he asked, sounding groggy.
“Ethan?” My voice cracked.
“Rosalie?” He was immediately alert. “God. Rosalie. Where are you?”
“C-Can you get a message to Ani?”
“Yes,” he said. “Where are you?”
I glanced at Cole to see a muscle thrumming along his jaw, his leg bouncing.
I breathed out and closed my eyes. This message needed to find Ryder. He and I had little code words we’d use when I was having panic attacks before a show. We’d made them up because I didn’t want to stress Ani out. It had been Ryder’s idea. We’dmouth them to one another in some cases, or I’d sing a little tune using the words. He’d get me whatever I needed. He’d hold my hand. He’d whisper in my ear that he was there.
In retrospect, I knew it was he who kept me calm, since Anson was all over the place, trying to keep things running smoothly at shows.
“Can you please tell Ani to ask Ryder if he remembers the day that I wished upon a star? A-Ask Ryder to remember it.”
Cole looked at me, his frown carved deep into his face.
“Is that where you are?” Ethan asked. “You can’t tell me because whoever took you is nearby?”
“Yes,” I whispered. “Ryder will know.”
“O-OK. I’ll tell him. Rosalie, are you OK? Has the person hurt you?”
“I’m OK. I-I have a hurt ankle and can’t-can’t walk, but I’m OK. I think it’s a sprain.”
Ethan breathed out. “Can you see outside? Anything so I can try to find you?”
“No,” I whispered, wiping at my eyes.
“You sound awful, sweetheart,” Ethan murmured. “You’re mumbling. I-I can barely understand you.”
“It’s the drugs for my ankle. They make me not feel well.”
