20. Rosalie
TWENTY
ROSALIE
“ F ox?” I called out groggily as gentle fingers raked through my hair. I peered at him through my sleepy state as he stood over me while I slept in Ethan’s bed. We’d watched movies together tonight and had one of the best nights we’d ever had, complete with Ethan’s brand of lovemaking.
“Rosie,” Fox whispered, going to his knees so he could stare at me through the moonlight.
“Is everything OK?” He was acting strange.
“Everything is fine, baby.” He cradled my cheek, so much sadness on his face that it made my guts twist.
“What’s wrong? Something’s wrong.” I made to sit up, but he placed his hand on my chest and kept me down.
“Nothing is wrong. I just wanted to check on you,” his words slurred together. He closed his eyes and seemed to gather himself. “I missed you. That’s all.”
“I missed you, too. Are you drunk?”
“Very much so.” Another sad smile. “Anson is worse. He’s in the guest room. I think he made it to the bed. Maybe. Maybe not.”
“Did he drive here?” I sat up and stared him down.
“I-I think so? Maybe I did. I don’t know. I’m fucked up.”
This wasn’t like him.
I pushed my covers off and got out of bed, grabbing his hand as I went. He stumbled to his feet and staggered along behind me. I led him straight to my bedroom and closed the door behind us.
“Fox, did you drive here wasted like this?”
He winced. “I don’t know. I don’t think so.”
“You just said?—”
“Baby. Rosie. Shh.” He pressed a finger to my lips. “I think we bought a dial-a-ride. I remember a minivan. It smelled like roast beef and fish. Maybe a little essence of worm.” He let out a little laugh. “I only wanted to get home to you.”
I sighed as his finger fell away from my lips.
“Do you love me, Rosalie?” he murmured, his brows crinkling. “Like really love me?”
“Of course I do.” I closed the space between us. “You’re not only my best friend but also my soulmate. At least one of them. I love you more than I love myself.”
A sad smile spilled onto his lips. “I’m your soulmate?”
“One of.” I rested my hand on his chest. “You know you are, Foxy.”
“I’d die for you,” he whispered. “Do you know that?”
I exhaled and cradled his face. “I’d die for you, too.
You should rest, OK? I’ll get you some water—” I made to turn to go to the bathroom to get him a glass of water, but he grasped my hand and pulled me against his body.
His mouth crashed down on mine, kissing me hard, his arms wound tightly around me.
“I love you more than you’ll ever know,” he whispered between kisses. “My Rosie.”
I kissed him back before breaking away, breathless.
“And I love you.” Gently, I led him to my bed. I made quick work of undressing him, smiling as he kept trying to touch me whenever he could.
“Sleep,” I murmured, kissing his forehead.
“Don’t go,” he whispered, wrapping his hand around my wrist and pulling me toward him. “I want all the moments with you, Rosie. We’re only promised so many.”
I stared down at him, noting how tired he looked. It was more than that. He was distressed. The alcohol was the mask.
“We will have millions of moments,” I answered, brushing my lips against his. “Promise me.”
He gave me a sad smile, his lashes fluttering closed before he murmured back, “I will give you a million moments. For you, anything.” His breathing deepened, letting me know he was out.
I watched him sleep for a long time before adjusting his blankets. I got him a glass of water and some meds and placed them on the bedside table before leaving the room to check on Anson, my heart filled with worry.
Cole and Enzo weren’t home yet. I made sure as I passed their rooms. I didn’t think Enzo would really mind Anson sleeping it off here, but I knew Cole would be angry.
I knocked lightly on the room I figured Anson was in and cracked the door open to see him sprawled out on the floor.
He definitely hadn’t made it to bed.
“Ani?” I went to my knees at his side and gave him a nudge. “Ani? Are you alive?”
“Maybe,” he slurred out.
I sighed and shook my head before reaching out and poking him again.
“You can’t sleep on the floor all night. You’ll hate yourself tomorrow.”
“I hate myself now,” he mumbled.
I chuckled at that, thinking about the hangover he’d have in the morning.
“Come on. Let me help you to bed.” I nudged him a few more times before he groaned and managed to sit up, swaying on his knees.
“Gosh, what did you guys do tonight? I thought it was just hanging out?” I struggled to get him to his feet. He stumbled along beside me before falling onto the bed, the smell of alcohol wafting off him.
“We hung out. What a fucked up night.” He groaned again as he tugged his shirt off and tossed it to the floor before fumbling with his pants.
Quickly, I averted my eyes as he pushed his pants off, leaving him in nothing but his boxers. He’d at least gotten his shoes off. I really hoped they were in the house and not on a curb somewhere.
“God, I think I’m going to be sick,” he said, getting to his feet.
I reached for him and helped him to the bathroom, where he collapsed at the toilet and heaved into it. While he was praying to the porcelain gods, I went to the sink, filled a cup with water, and dampened a washcloth before returning to him.
“Here’s some water,” I said after he flushed the toilet.
He kept his head on the toilet seat and fumbled for the cup of water before getting it and gulping it down.
“Do you have a toothbrush and some mouthwash?” he slurred tiredly.
I went to the cupboard and grabbed the items, refilling his cup while putting toothpaste on the new toothbrush. I went back to him and handed him the items. He brushed his teeth tiredly and spit into the toilet before washing out his mouth. He flushed the toilet and groaned.
“Thanks,” he said, taking the cup of water from me. He swallowed it down quickly before handing it back.
I stood awkwardly over him for a moment before deciding he probably wasn’t going to get up anytime soon. With that in mind, I sat beside him.
“We’ve never hung out at the toilet before,” he finally said through a soft huff of laughter. “I’d say that’s taking our relationship to another level, huh?”
I smiled at him, his dark hair a mess as he continued to rest his head on the toilet seat, the toothbrush on the floor now.
“Do you want to go to bed?” I asked.
“In a minute. When the room stops spinning so much.”
I nodded and went quiet.
“You don’t need to stay. Make sure Fox is OK.”
“He’s tucked in and sleeping peacefully.”
“Good.”
I was quiet for a moment. “What happened tonight?”
“Shit was so fucked,” he muttered.
“Ani—”
He sat up and stared at me, his eyelids slit and his icy blue eyes shining through.
“Come here.” He reached out for me and tugged me closer.
“Ani—” I tried to untangle myself from him, but he held tight.
“He loves you so fucking much, Rosalie,” he said, cradling my face. “I’ve never… I just… Fuck. I’m sorry.”
“What for?” My heart pounded, the worry already coursing through me ramping up.
“I’m just sorry. I should be happy because I’ll get… I’ll get what I want, but fuck, at what cost?” His gaze raked over my face, his hands still in place.
“You guys are scaring me. Maybe you two shouldn’t go out alone anymore.”
He gave me a sad smirk before he trailed his thumb along my bottom lip.
“I still think of that night. When I kissed you.”
“Ani, we aren’t going to do this, OK? We’re friends.”
He closed his eyes briefly. “Friends. I know.” His hands fell away for a moment before he grasped my hand, brought it to his lips, and pressed a kiss to the top of it.
I swallowed hard and made to tug away, but he gripped my hand tighter.
“I worry about you, LeeLee,” he said. “And now I’ll worry more. I’m just so sorry.”
“It’s not a big deal. So you guys are a little drunk,” I said weakly, hoping that’s all this was about.
“Fuck. Tequila,” he muttered, swaying for a second, his eyes closed. I watched him, hoping he’d want to go to bed and sleep it off soon.
He opened his eyes and stared at me. “LeeLee?”
“Yeah?”
“Would you hate me if I kissed you right now?”
I licked my lips and gave him a nervous smile. “I’ll kiss you if you promise to go to bed.”
“Deal.”
I leaned in and placed a kiss on his cheek before moving to whisper into his ear.
“You are one of my best friends in the world. Please remember that.” I paused, feeling his body tense against mine.
Sadness swept through me, but that’s all this could ever be.
I couldn’t give him hope when there wasn’t any to give.
“Come to bed, Ani. You need to sleep.” I pulled away and looked at him.
A sad smile curved his lips upward, but he didn’t stop me from helping him to his feet. I guided him to bed and helped him get beneath the covers. Once he was tucked in, I brought him another cup of water and placed it on the bedside table.
“LeeLee?”
“Yeah?”
“You’re a good girl. The perfect girl. The guys are so lucky to have you.”
“Good night, Ani.” I tucked the covers tighter around him, watching as his lashes fluttered before he went silent. I didn’t want to take this to a place it couldn’t go. His words made my heart hurt.
Sighing, I left the room quietly, only to come face to face with Enzo outside the door.
“I see we have company,” he said, his voice a soft growl.
“Ani and Fox drank too much. Ani is sleeping it off in there, and Fox is asleep in my bed,” I said thickly.
Enzo’s dark eyes raked over me for a moment.
“And where will you sleep, Sunshine?”
“In my room.”
He nodded and held out his hand to me. “Come. I’ll sleep with you.”
I placed my hand in his and let him lead me back to my room, neither of us saying a word.
If he wasn’t being overly possessive, then that was progress.