80. Fox
EIGHTY
FOX
I stared down at the unknown number on my phone as E sat sobbing on the couch. Cole rubbed his back, and Enzo had nearly finished an entire bottle of booze.
While I wanted to numb the pain, too, I needed to be sober in case Rosalie needed me. Enzo’s men were still scouring the city.
We weren’t getting anywhere. I hadn’t heard from Anson either. When I told the guys I needed to go to the Underground, Enzo demanded I stay home and that he’d send men if we hadn’t heard in another hour.
Resigned, I’d agreed because what choice did I even have? I couldn’t go alone.
“Hello?” I answered the call.
“Foxy?” Rosalie’s sweet voice came over the line. I sat forward, my heart thundering.
“Rosie? Baby?”
Cole snapped his attention in my direction as E stared at me with tear-stained cheeks. Enzo slid his attention to me.
“Hey, Foxy,” she greeted me softly. “I’m just calling to tell you I’m OK.”
“Baby, where are you?” I put her on speakerphone.
“Um, I’d rather not say. I just needed a break. I didn’t have my phone. I got this one, though, to make calls with. For now, anyway.”
“I can come get you,” I said as Enzo sat forward with glassy eyes.
“Rosebud, baby.” Cole practically crawled to the phone. “Tell us where you are. We’ve been worried sick. We’ll come get you?—”
“I-I’m not coming home right now. I need a few more days.”
“What? Rosalie, we’re almost fucking dead here with worry,” Enzo said. “Do you have any fucking idea what we’ve been through? Do you?”
“Hey,” I murmured, shooting Enzo a warning look.
He quieted.
“What do you need?” I asked gently. “We’ll do it.”
“It’s not you guys. It’s me. I just need this time away. I’m tired of the fights. I’ve been learning some stuff and clearing my head. I couldn’t call you until now, but I promise I’m OK and that I’ll be home soon.”
“I don’t feel comfortable with you being gone. I can come stay with you,” I said thickly. “Get a hotel room right next to yours. I won’t bother you?—”
“Foxy, no. I need this time away, OK? Besides, I-I’m not alone.”
Cole visibly bristled at her words. “Who the fuck are you with, Rosebud?”
She sighed. “This is what I’m talking about. I don’t want this level of anger and control. I’m tired of it. I just… I need a break.”
“Are you leaving us?” Cole demanded. “Is that what this is? Is it? Is this how you fucking do it? I swear to god, Rosalie. I will fucking find you?—”
“Don’t go,” E called out in a trembling voice. “I’ll cha-change. I can change, sweetheart. Please. Please…” He let out a soft sob. “Don’t leave me. Please, Rosalie. Please. I’ll do anything.”
I winced as his face reddened and tears did a free fall from his eyes.
“E, man, come on,” Cole grunted. “Relax.”
He sobbed a little harder before getting to his feet and going into the kitchen. There was a crash a few moments later. Cole sighed and got up, following him into the kitchen.
“Rosalie, take the time you need,” Enzo finally said. “Just… don’t give up, OK?”
“I’m not giving up. I’m fighting for us,” she said gently. “I’m sorry. I’m just so overwhelmed right now. I love you, Enzo. Foxy. Tell Ethan and Cole.”
“I love you, too,” I said thickly as Enzo said it back to her.
“Give me three more days, OK? I’ll come home in three days. I promise. If you want me home.”
“I will never not want you here,” Enzo said fiercely. “Come home, baby. We’ll wait.”
“Thank you,” she said, her voice shaking. “I’ll see you soon. Please take care of Ethan.”
“We will,” I answered softly.
The line disconnected, leaving us in silence.
“What do we do?” Enzo asked.
“We wait,” I said.
“I mean, when she comes home?”
“We trust her. Do you trust her?” I asked, wincing at the memory of what I’d asked Anson to do with her only a few nights ago.
“With my life.” Enzo locked eyes with me.
“Me too,” I whispered.
“Then, when she arrives, we never speak of this to her again. We forget she left, but remember why she did. Agreed?”
I nodded. “Agreed.”
He grabbed his booze and swallowed down a big mouthful. I got up and entered the kitchen to find Cole consoling E on a stool by the island.
“She’ll be home in three days. Get your shit together. She’s not going to want to come home to this. E, I’m talking to you,” I said, knowing I was being a dick but not giving a shit. He needed to get himself sorted. We all did, but he was the one trailing behind.
“I will.” E sat up and wiped his eyes. “I-I can do it. For her.”
“Good. Cole, clean this fucking mess up. E, get upstairs and get a damn shower. Can you do that?”
He nodded and got to his feet, wiping his eyes again before he left the room.
“Do you think things would be better if you were in charge?” Cole asked as I made to leave the room.
I looked at him from over my shoulder. “No. It’ll never get better as long as this is our lives. Remember that the next time this shit happens.”
And with those words, I went upstairs to ensure E was OK. Something told me I’d been too harsh with him and needed to smooth it over.
Fuck, what a nightmare.