Chapter 28 Ethan
ETHAN
“Where are you going?” Cole asked for the tenth time since I said I was going out. I knew he said he was meeting with a group tonight to study, which was weird to me since he rarely studied, but every now and again, he would join these groups and stay out for hours.
He leaned against my doorway to my bathroom as I tried to get my hair to cooperate.
I’d let it grow out over the years, and it was on the messy side.
Laz liked to tug on it, and I didn’t want to cut it because he would twist his fingers in it while he sat on my lap.
I figured it was a comfort thing for him, and fuck me if I’d take it away from him.
The tabloids had been running wild with Rosalie and Enzo’s sex tape and her stalker.
I hadn’t spoken to her since the tape surfaced, and I didn’t even know if my ticket to her show was still valid, but tonight was the night, so I’d damn well try to get in.
We’d made plans to meet at a diner in the city after the show, but again, I didn’t know if those plans were still in place.
“Out,” I mumbled. I didn’t want him to know I was going to see Rosalie. He’d been pretty quiet about her all week.
Enzo put out a statement saying he was engaged to her and he was heartbroken their private lives were invaded in such a disgusting way, and that he wished her nothing but the best in her marriage to Anson.
Cole said the statement was cold and Enzo acted like he didn’t care. Enzo sighed and shook his head over the entire thing, citing what the fuck else was he supposed to say?
To counteract Cole’s anger, he’d simply picked up more hours at the hospital, worked on his house remodel, and kept to himself. I figured he did what Enzo and I did. We threw ourselves into work to forget all the shit that happened in our lives. Build it back so it can never be torn down again.
Maybe Cole was doing that.
I really hoped he was. We kept getting phone calls from animal shelters, so I knew he was definitely up to something.
“I know that. Where?”
I sighed and looked over at him. “Just out, man.”
I dropped my brush onto the counter and moved past him to my bedroom, where I spritzed on cologne. I never wore cologne anymore. It had been years. Not since Rosalie, but tonight felt like I should.
“What the fuck is going on with you?” Cole narrowed his eyes at me as he turned to face me.
I pulled on a black button-down, not saying a word to him.
“Daddy.” Laz came into the room, speaking in that hoarse voice of his. “Where are you going?”
I kneeled in front of him. “Hey, bud. I’m going to go out with a friend. You’re going to stay with Enzo tonight, OK?”
“OK.”
I fluffed his dark hair and smiled at him. “I promise I’ll be home soon. Be a good boy, OK? No drawing on the walls or getting into things. Promise?” I held my pinky out for him.
“Promise.” He giggled and wrapped his pinky around mine before I hauled him in for a tight hug.
“I left the Turtles on downstairs. Enzo said he will watch all of it with you.”
Laz let out a squeal of excitement and pulled away before rushing from the room to go downstairs.
I smiled after him, my heart full, but yearning.
Yearning for so many damn things…
“Where did you meet her?” Cole asked softly.
I didn’t say anything for a moment. I wanted so much to tell him the truth, but only days ago I nearly died to keep Rosalie a secret.
Her trust in me mattered, so I knew I had to lie to Cole to keep him from losing it.
Although I knew the lie would be no better, at least he wouldn’t be racing to see Rosalie.
“Mayfair,” I muttered, deciding fuck it. “At the lab.”
He scoffed. “So you’re dating now?”
“It’s just going to be a friendly meeting. That’s all. Nothing is going to happen.”
“You’re letting go of Rosalie, too?” His blue eyes wavered as he stared back at me.
“Don’t do this. I’m just going out for drinks. Nothing huge. I promise I’ll be back soon.”
He nodded tightly, his Adam’s apple bobbing. “Fine. Just so you know, whoever this bitch is, she’s not welcome in this house, E. She’s not welcome around our son.”
I smiled at that.
“OK,” I agreed. Cole always called Laz ours. Hell, so did Enzo. I loved the shit out of my brothers and thanked God every day for them in my life. I’d have spiraled out a long ass time ago had it not been for them.
“If you fuck her, E—”
I went to him and captured his face between my hands, and rested my forehead against his.
“I’m not going to fuck anyone, brother. I promise. It’s just drinks. Some pizza. Nothing else.”
“OK,” he whispered, his voice wavering. “Promise me.”
“I promise.” I kissed his forehead before stepping around him.
There was no way I wouldn’t go. While Rosalie hadn’t messaged me back or called like she said she would, I was still going to show up to this concert and hope my ticket was still valid. I may be back home within the hour.
I really hoped she’d still see me, but I understood if she wouldn’t or couldn’t.
I went downstairs, knowing Enzo’s dark eyes were on me as he sat on the couch with Laz next to him, a bowl of popcorn in front of them.
“Be safe, E. I don’t like that you don’t want security,” Enzo said.
“It’s just drinks and pizza,” I repeated for what felt like the hundredth time. “I’ll probably be back before eleven.”
“Do we at least know this girl?” Enzo pressed.
“Not personally. It’s just Emily. I met her at the lab. I’ve been talking to her for a few weeks. She’s a chemistry major at Mayfair, remember? She needs help with some stuff. It’s seriously nothing big.”
Enzo narrowed his eyes at my lie. “You’re dressed up and wearing cologne.”
“I felt like maybe I should look professional,” I muttered, grabbing my black jacket. “I’m going to be leaving my phone in the car, so I’m not bothered. If you can’t reach me, I will have to call you back. I’ll be fine.”
He sighed but nodded.
I got the hell out of there before Cole could try to stop me again. Quickly, I got into my Range Rover and drove to a coffee shop in the city. If I were tracked, they’d be able to see where I was, even though my phone was off.
I hailed a cab and was taken to the venue. When I got there, I stared at the massive crowd waiting to get in.
I walked up to someone wearing a venue shirt.
“Hey, I have a ticket. I was wondering which line I’m supposed to be in.” I showed the guy my ticket. He peered down at it for a moment before gesturing for me to go to a guy by the door.
“Through the door. That's a fast pass VIP ticket. Special seating. Mason will help you out.”
“Thanks,” I said before taking the ticket to the man at the door.
“Nice,” he said. “Bet this costs an arm and a leg. Big fan?”
“The biggest,” I answered, taking in the way he looked. Decent-looking guy, but he had that energy around him that made you know he was a cocky little prick who probably got punched in the face a lot.
He smirked. “She’s definitely a hot piece of ass.
Bet she can take cock like a pro. I’ve been looking online for leaked sex tapes and found the one everyone is talking about.
It’s too bad it was cut short. I’d have liked to see her get railed.
Bet she’s loud as fuck. With lips like hers, she’d have to be.
If I see her alone tonight, I’m going to shoot my shot.
I don’t mind giving her my dick. Bet she’d fucking beg for it since she makes sex tapes.
She’s into that shit. I’ll make a good one with her. ” He let out a wild laugh.
I ground my teeth at his words, deciding this wasn’t the hill I was going to die on. If I fought, I’d not get inside. I’d hopefully see him after the show and get to deal with him.
I scanned the way he looked again. I’d be sure to pay him a visit.
He opened the door, and I stepped inside.
“If you get some pussy from her, let me know, man.” He closed the door, which was a damn good thing. I didn’t put up with a lot of shit these days. I was nearing my breaking point.
I followed the signs and saw I had some incredible balcony seating. I took my spot and stared at the massive stage. There had to be tens of thousands of people packed into this place.
Pride rose in my chest as I thought about what she’d gone through to get here. Losing Blossom. Losing Fox. Us losing her. Everything.
My girl was strong. She always was.
She’s not your girl anymore…
I shoved the thought out of my head.
I waited for what felt like forever, getting through her opening acts.
I sat forward when Fatal Promise came onstage.
The crowd roared as the first notes from a guitar rang out. I sat in my seat, watching the lead singer prance across the stage like he owned the place.
The guy had a hell of a stage presence and really was pretty. When I’d seen the music video they did together, his lips and hands on her, I could admit they looked good together. I couldn’t stop the thought from creeping into my head that she’d slept with him.
The tabloids liked to say they’d been linked.
It didn’t matter, though.
What mattered was seeing her after the show. She’d told me where to go, so that’s where I would go once this was over.
I sat, my breath held, as the stadium went silent.
I’d never felt such energy before. It was like everyone knew something huge was about to happen, so we all held our breath. The darkness remained in place. Faint movement was seen on stage.
My heart raced as drums pounded out hard.
Lights flashed. Her band appeared through the lights and smoke.
I sat forward.
And then there she was. Center stage.
You said forever like it held some weight
Like your hands didn’t hesitate
Tracing lines you’d erase by dawn
I should’ve known you’d be gone
You wore devotion like a borrowed coat
Spoke in promises you never wrote
I let you in, let you take your time
Didn’t see the fault was mine
Her song Baby, Goodbye filled my ears, her voice so strong. The crowd roared as she crooned the lyrics in a short leather skirt and a black corset. Her red curls cascaded around her, her microphone to her lips. Blonde streaked through her hair.
She was fucking magic in human form.
I stayed too long, I stayed too close
Trying to fix what you never chose
You take what you want, then you rewrite truth
Make it sound like I damaged you
I held my breath.
So baby, goodbye, don’t say my name
You lost that right when you walked away
You don’t get access, you don’t get time
You don’t get pieces of what is mine
Yeah baby, goodbye, I’m drawing a line
You don’t get me in a different light
You had your chance, now watch me rise
I’m the one you won’t replace
Baby, goodbye
“Rosalie,” I whispered, staring at her as she moved gracefully across the stage.
You touch like guilt you can’t outrun
Say what you need just to get it done
Every word with a hidden cost
Every truth already lost
I heard the version you tell your friends
How I cracked while you tried to mend
Funny how you forget to say
you were halfway out anyway…
The crowd roared as she leaned down and touched her fans’ hands, singing her song. I smiled, tears in my eyes as it went to the band playing before the music and lights faded out.
“Hello, Chicago!” Rosalie shouted to the roaring crowd at the end of the song. “Are you ready to scream for me?”
I grinned like a maniac, listening to the crowd scream. She put her hand to her ear, grinning.
“I can’t hear you! Let’s get louder! You can do better than that, Chicago! I want a proper welcome home party!”
The crowd screamed louder as the drums and guitars pounded out her next song.
And I screamed too.
I really was one of her biggest fans.
I walked through the dark stadium following everyone out after the show ended.
It had been phenomenal. I’d watched her perform on her livestream and at the Grammys, but being there in person with her at this magnitude…
damn. She’d been building her own empire while we sifted through what was left of the one we once had with her.
I planned to head over to meet her at the pizza place, but I had some business to attend to first.
I spotted Mason, the dick from the entrance, at a door and went to him.
“Hey, man. You said you wanted a chance to fuck Bishop?” I said, leaning in.
“Hell, yeah, man.”
“Come on. I know how I can get you in to see her.”
His eyes lit up, and he followed me without so much as a question about how the hell I could get him in to see her.
“We need to go around to the back door. Buddy of mine said he could get us in,” I said.
“Fuck yeah.” Mason grinned stupidly as he eagerly followed me. I knew the stadium grounds fairly well since I’d been there several times, and I’d refreshed my memory by staring at maps before the show in case something happened, and my help was needed to move Rosalie out.
As we walked, I pulled my leather gloves on. No one would come out there. With all the noise from the heating and cooling systems, it was likely no one would hear him scream either.
We made it to the perfect, darkened area. I rounded on him and shoved him against the wall.
“Hey, what the fu—” He didn’t get to finish his sentence because I was smashing him in the face on repeat with my fist.
His nose splintered beneath my heavy hits, and finally, he fell to the ground on his hands and knees. I went in and kicked him full on his ribs twice before landing my boot to his face.
He groaned and cried as I bent down next to him.
“Be careful how the fuck you talk about my girl,” I said in a soft, dangerous voice. “Tell me you’re sorry.”
“I-I’m sorry,” he choked out through the blood in his mouth.
I gave his cheek a pat. “Don’t forget your sorrow. I’d hate to hunt you down to remind you of it.” I stood and kicked him once more, making him curl into a tight ball.
I pulled my gloves off, tucked them into my pocket, and straightened my jacket before fixing my hair.
I didn’t want to look like shit when I saw Rosalie tonight.