SIXTY-FOUR
ROSALIE
Irushed off the stage, Anson calling out to me. I had to get to Ethan. I’d seen his panic attack start. He needed me.
“LeeLee, hey!” Anson grabbed my hand and pulled me to a stop. “Hey. You need to be back onstage in five minutes?—”
“Fuck the stage. Ethan needs me. I’m going to him.”
Anson released my hand, a frazzled look on his face. He gave me a nod.
“I’ll see if we can stall. You’re the solo for the next part. Just hurry, OK?”
I nodded before dashing away. I knew he’d go into the bathroom. Within moments, I pushed open the door to find the guys at his side as he rocked on the floor. Cole’s arm was around him as Ethan cried softly.
“What’s wrong?” I went to my knees before Ethan, my heart breaking. I hated seeing him this way. He’d been getting better. What changed?
“Ethan?” I reached for him.
It was immediate.
He tugged me onto his lap and clung to me, his fingers tangled in my hair.
“I don’t wan-want to disappoint you. I don’t w-want to ruin-ruin your night. I-I love you. I’m s-s-sorry, baby. I’m so sorry.”
“Shh,” I murmured, hugging him. “You’re OK. I’m here. Everything is fine.”
He shook harder, his breathing picking back up.
“E, man, come on,” Fox said gently. “Breathe, brother. Breathe with me.”
It was a losing battle. He was too far gone. I knew Cole would have to drug him.
Enzo even nodded to Cole to do it. Cole reached into his jacket pocket, but before he could pull anything out, the bathroom door banged open, and Anson strode inside. He went straight to Ethan and gripped him by the face, making me shift aside.
“Look at me,” Anson commanded softly. “Open your mouth.”
Ethan continued to hyperventilate. I managed to slip off his lap as Cole reached forward to grab Anson.
This was a damn disaster. Fox was quick to intervene. Enzo grabbed me and pulled me away, probably to keep me from getting hurt should Cole lash out like I knew he would. It would be a blood bath if Fox couldn’t hold him back.
Anson shoved something into Ethan’s mouth. It took all of a moment for Ethan to get himself together. His breathing immediately slowed, but his face was twisted in horror as he gagged.
“Breathe,” Anson instructed in a gruff, no-nonsense voice. “Don’t you dare fucking spit that out.”
“What the fuck did you give him?” Cole snarled, trying to break away from Fox, but Fox held him tighter. “Don’t you fucking put shit into his mouth. I’ll fucking kill you for touching him. No one fucking touches him but us?—”
Anson glared at Cole quickly. “Shut your fucking mouth, Scott. I’m sick of your shit. I’m trying to help. This is a bigfucking night for LeeLee. She deserves to be on stage, showing those fucking scouts what she’s capable of. I’m. Fucking.Helping.”
Cole went silent but continued to glare at Anson, who put his attention back on Ethan.
“Hey,” Anson said gently. “Ethan. Talk to me.”
“I don’t like lemon,” Ethan whispered in a shaky voice. “I don’t like lemon.”
“Sorry. It’s the worst of them all, which makes it the best.” Anson continued to hold Ethan’s face in his hands.
I gripped Enzo’s arm tighter. He hadn’t moved an inch. He was stiff and tense. There would be no way I could hold him back if he attacked. Fear rushed through me.