“Yeah, I really do.” He closed his eyes briefly before grabbing my forearm and pulling me away from the door. I let him take me back to his car, where he opened the door on the passenger side. I got in, wondering what he was doing. He slid behind the wheel and closed us in.
“What are we doing?” I looked around toward the house and saw Enzo peeking from the living room window.
“I want to talk. If we’re standing outside the front door, the fucking doorbell camera will pick it up.”
I stared back at the house to see Enzo still watching. The curtains fluttered before my phone buzzed. I looked down at the text from him.
Enzo: Is everything OK?
Rosalie: Anson wants to talk. I’ll be inside in a few minutes.
Enzo: OK, baby. I’ll be waiting.
I darkened my screen to see Anson looking at me.
“Does he need you inside?”
I shook my head. “No. He’s fine.”
Anson breathed out and stared straight ahead.
“I left because I thought I was causing a rift between you and the guys. I didn’t want to be the reason for your stress. I thought if I were gone, you’d be able to not focus so much on… us. Our friendship.”
I absorbed his words. “I understand.”
“And I came back because I realized I can’t fucking live without you.” He reached out and took my hand in his. “Rosalie.”
I swallowed and looked from our hands to his face.
“You’re not the sort of girl who hurts anyone. You’d never cheat on the guys. I know this.”
“I would never,” I whispered, “but what are you asking me?”
“To leave with me.”
“What?” I frowned at him.
“If you leave them, you’ll survive. You’ll get to have a life. If you stay, someone could die. It might be you. It-it might be one of them. I don’t want either thing to happen. Just for now. Just until Enzo gets his shit together and his climb to the top is conquered.”
I exhaled, trying to gather my thoughts.
“And what of us? You and me?”
He rubbed his thumb in gentle circles on the top of my hand. “Whatever you wanted. If it were me, you’d have me. If it were just for things to remain how they are, I’d give that to you, too.”
I closed my eyes, my heart hurting. I knew he meant well. He had the same fears I had, but a life without my guys… god, the thought made me sick.
“I’m giving you a way out, LeeLee. You don’t even need to take anything. Say yes, and I’ll start this car and drive away with you. Tell me, and I’ll make it happen.” His words were strainedwith a rough edge. “I will give you a life you’ll never regret having. I swear it to you.”
His words sounded so good. There was just one problem—my guys. I was in love with them.
“No,” I said softly. “I can’t.”
“Rosalie, please?—”
“I care about you, Ani. Probably more than I should,” I said, my voice wobbling. “I can’t leave them. I’m in love with them. I’m going to marry Enzo and have Cole’s babies. Fox is going to play football. I’ll sing. Ethan will be with me every step of the way. Even though your words are so wonderful, I’d be empty. I’d have you, but lose part of what I love. I don’t think I could live that way. I need them.”
He looked away from me, his Adam’s apple bobbing.
