“And she told us,” I answered back. “She hasn’t reciprocated that stuff. He is her friend. Probably her best friend past Fox. She’s sad without him, and let’s face it. We do need him. So yes is my answer. She matters more than my feelings.”
Cole gave me a sour look. “No. My answer is no.”
“My answer is yes,” Fox said.
Cole let out a huff of frustration and looked to Enzo. “Don’t fucking do this to me, Enzo. Come on.”
Enzo tapped his fingers on the arm of his chair for a moment before sitting forward. “Let Rosalie decide if she wants to continue their friendship. It’s not our choice.”
I blinked at his answer, floored by it. Enzo typically gave the final say on shit. This was completely unlike him. Granted, he and Rosalie had been at each other’s throats only weeks prior, and she basically told him to get his shit together, but this? This was new.
“Are you fucking kidding me?” Cole got to his feet, his hands balled into tight fists. “What the fuck, man? Why?”
“Because I want no fighting and her happiness. We focus so much on our own feelings that we’ve let hers go,” Enzo said. “I want her to love us because we’re good to her. I don’t want her to love us because she feels trapped and has to. If we let her make these decisions, it gives her a sense of freedom and independence. I want that for her.”
I nodded. “I’m with Enzo. I’m good with it.”
“So I’m the only smart one here?” Cole demanded. “I’m the only one who fucking knows where this is headed?”
“Where is it headed?” I asked.
“Fucking, hell, E. Eventually, he won’t be able to control himself. He will give in and make another move,” Cole’s voice wobbled. “Or she will.”
A pang shot through me at his words. I knew what he was saying. He worried she was in love with him and couldn’t keep her feelings tamped down for long.
“Then we let it happen,” Fox said.
“I swear to god, you take that back, or I’ll beat your motherfucking ass, Evans,” Cole said, advancing on him. Fox got to his feet.
Fucking damnit.
I stood at the same time Enzo did. I went to Fox, and Enzo got in front of Cole.
“We aren’t doing this,” Enzo said, taking Cole’s face in his hands. “We aren’t. Do you love Rosalie?”
“Yes,” Cole said fiercely. “You fucking know I live and breathe for her. And someday, for our kids. Don’t fucking take this from me, Enzo. He’s going to ruin everything. You know he will.” Cole’s voice finally cracked, his blue eyes shining with tears.
It broke my heart to see him this way. I knew how much he wanted a baby with her. And now that she’d agreed, I understood how this caused him worry and fear.
“Cole, she loves us,” I called out gently, hoping he’d relax. “She’s not going to do anything like that. If it comes to her feelings for him growing, we can discuss it.”
“We can’t. I refuse,” Cole said. “If it gets to that point, I’ll fucking kill him. I’ll slit his fucking throat while he sleeps. I swear to fucking god I will. If you love me, you won’t make me do that.”
“Cole, we can’t keep controlling her,” Fox started.
Cole let out a shout and stormed away, pacing wildly. I watched, concerned about what he’d do next. I didn’t want more fighting for any of us. I was so tired of it. I liked where we were right now. Sure, I was worried about how Anson coming back would change things, but I had faith in Rosalie. In our relationship. Our love. I believed it would be OK.
“Cole. Come on,” Enzo called out. “She may not even want him to come back. It’s been a long time since he walked.”
Cole stopped pacing and shot Enzo a withering look. “You’re fucking stupid if you think that. She went to him last night, didn’t she? She cares about the asshole.”
“I’m tired of this same fight,” I said loudly. “I want to feel better. The fighting stresses me out. My therapist said to take what life throws at you as it comes. Don’t dwell on the past or worry about the future.”
“Stop paying that bitch. She’s full of shit,” Cole grumbled.
I sighed and looked to Fox.
He closed his eyes briefly before looking at Cole. “I’m with Enzo. Let her decide. I think that’s going to be our final answer. If you love her, you’ll let her make this decision on her own.”
