“You can’t make that wish.”
“And you can’t tell me what to wish for, baby. It’s our wish. We’ll compromise. OK?”
I exhaled and nodded. “OK.”
“And it’ll be our secret.”
“Our secret,” I repeated, my throat tight. I knew he liked Anson, and that made me happy. I just knew it wasn’t going to happen. It couldn’t. Cole and Enzo… I let the thoughts trail off.It all hurt so much. In this moment, Ethan was what mattered. This moment was what mattered. It’s what I’d focus on.
“Promise we’ll always be this way,” Ethan murmured into the darkness after a beat of silence. “You and me. Making wishes together. Tell me, Rosalie. Wherever we are, even if we’re not near, we’ll keep making wishes with each other.” He twined his fingers with mine and rested our hands on his abdomen. “Promise me.”
“I promise, Ethan.”
He kissed the top of my head and went silent, my ear pressed to his chest, his heart thrumming an even beat.
I sighed and hugged him a little tighter, making one final wish before I closed my eyes.
“Please let him rest,” I whispered when his breathing grew deep and even. “I wish for him to rest and only have sweet dreams.”
Maybe someone was listening to my wishes because he slept peacefully through the night, his arms wrapped firmly around me.
It was me with the bad dreams.
TWELVE
ANSON
“Tell Enzo,” Ryder said, staring me down as I drank deeply. After E had come home and taken Rosalie away, I’d left and gone straight to Ryder, so much on my mind I wasn’t sure how to navigate it without Ryder and a bottle of booze. In a way, I was glad E had shown up. I was a breath away from planting my lips on Rosalie’s and telling her I would be with her because I’d found a way. The only thing holding me back was guilt.
It was always fucking guilt.
“The problem isn’t telling him. Not really,” I muttered before taking another swallow. I finished my drink and slammed the empty bottle on my coffee table. “Fuck.”
“What’s the problem then? You have the answer. Fucking tell the horsemen. Get your girl.”
“At what cost?” I shook my head. “She’s alive. She’s hiding for a damn reason. How can I ruin her life after she’s gotten away? All I want for Rosalie is to get away. It would make me a hypocrite if I ratted someone else out for the same damn thing I’m trying to do.”
“It’s yourin, Anson. Fuck, man. You’re simply going to throw it away? Plus, Dominic is your brother, and she’s his wife. Have you considered that? He’s hurting, too.”
I took another drink and slumped back in my seat, feeling like shit.
“I’ve considered all of it. I just… I need to think about it. I’ll decide what to do tomorrow.” It seemed like a sound answer. “What was Trent doing?”
“Sleeping. Eating. Staying hidden in my spare room. He’s an easy roommate to have. He’s like a raccoon. Only really comes out at night and eats whatever garbage I have left in my fridge.”
I nodded. That sounded like my little brother. My phone buzzed before I could inquire further. Rosalie’s name flashed across the screen. Ryder raised his brows at me and went silent.
“Hello?” I slurred into the phone before clearing my throat. “LeeLee? Is everything OK?”
“Yes. I-I was thinking about the bridge for this song. I was wondering if you had a minute to go over it with me?”
I rubbed my eyes. “Of course. Where’s E?”
She was quiet for a moment. “He’s sleeping. I had a bad dream and decided to work.” She paused. “Ani? Are you drunk?”
“I, uh, just had a few to drink. I’m fine. What was your dream?”
“It’s not important. I’m sorry. I didn’t know you were out?—”
