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Just as quickly as we’d progressed, she put the brakes on.

“Is everything OK?” she asked, staring up at me.

“Yes,” my voice trembled from both needing her and exhaustion. The look in her eyes told me she didn’t believe me.

“Sorry,” I muttered, pulling away. “I’m just?—”

“Ethan, no,” she said, sitting up and taking my hand as I got to my feet. She followed, her hand wrapped firmly around mine.

I stared down at her, my stomach tight. I knew that look on her face. Fox often wore a similar look when he was about to lecture me.

“Listen, I know you’re stressed out. I am too. The guys give you all this-this wiggle room to deal with everything on your own. It’s not right. You need help?—”

“I know,” I whispered, squeezing her hand and knowing I looked like I was fresh out of hell.

“If you know, what are you doing to make it happen?” Her green eyes searched me.

I said nothing because the truth was, I wasn’t doing shit but self-medicating.

“What can I do? I’ll do it,” she said gently. “I hate seeing you this way.”

I looked past her to see a photo of all of us on her nightstand. I swallowed hard, wishing for the days when shit was easier. But then again, when was it ever easier? Before her? But even then, we were alone and miserable.

“The drugs I make aren’t addictive. I’m technically clean. It’s just… it’s nice to escape. My head is a fucking mess. These help me…” My voice trailed off. I knew what I sounded like. A broken fucking record.

“Avoid reality.” She reached out and cradled my face. “Ethan, I get it. Reality sucks, but it’s life, you know? Our life. I’m not doing such a great job being your girlfriend, either. To any of you. I’m so wrapped up in my music and-and everything else. I’m sorry for that. I want to help. Please. Let me.”

“Oh, sweetheart.” I leaned in and brushed my lips against hers. “You’re perfect. You’reyou. That’s all I need. I swear. I’ll make some calls once this shit is over with. OK? I’ll talk to someone about things.”

She gave me a smile, which made my heart melt.

“OK. If you want to talk to me in the meantime?—”

“I don’t want to burden you?—”

“Ethan, you’re not a burden. Nothing about you or your problems burdens me or any of the guys. We’re a family. Family helps one another. Let’s relax and talk, OK? Maybe make love? Cuddle?” She gave me a hopeful look.

Fuck, that sounded amazing.

I said as much before I kissed her, relishing in all that was my sweet Rosalie.

“Come on,” she said, pulling away and taking my hand. “Let’s have a bubble bath. We can eat, talk, and just relax.”

“I’d love that,” I said firmly, perking up at the prospect that I hadn’t ruined our evening. “Lead the way, baby.”

She gave me that sweet smile again before leading me to the bathroom, where I watched her run the bath.

“I’ll go downstairs and get us something to eat,” I said, backing away as she added bubbles to the bath.

She cast me a smile and a nod, making me desperate to return before I’d even left. Once I was downstairs, I noted that Anson had left. I couldn’t feel bad about it, though. He got to see her more than I did. I made quick work of making grilled cheese sandwiches for us before hightailing it back upstairs to find she’d lit some candles and was undressing.

I went to her, mesmerized by her beauty, and placed the sandwiches on the edge of the tub before wrapping my arms around her bare midsection and burying my face in her neck. I inhaled how she smelled, locking it deep inside my mind so I’d never forget her.

The fear of what could happen made me sick, so I buried it where I buried all my other broken parts.

“Let’s take a bath,” she murmured.

I said nothing, opting to hold her just a bit longer. Who knew how many moments like these we even had left?