When We Fall, Part Two (Mayfair University #6)

Chapter 1 Fox

ONE

FOX

“What’s wrong?” I asked tightly as Rosalie rushed to me, tears on her cheeks. Immediately, I was on my feet, thinking we were under attack.

I grabbed her, tucked her under my arm, and looked around the crowded club as she clung to me.

“Where’s Anson?” I called out.

Ryder frowned and glanced at Trent, who wordlessly stepped away and weaved himself through the crowd to look for him. She’d been dancing with him only moments ago.

“I-I don’t know. He’s in the back of the club.” Rosalie wiped at her eyes, slurring her words. “I want to go home.”

I ground my teeth and looked at Ryder.

“Tell him to call me if you see him,” I said tightly.

Ryder crinkled his brows, nodded at me, and then took Rosalie’s hands, pulling her away from me. I watched as he hugged her and said something I wasn’t privy to in her ear. It didn’t matter. I didn’t need two guesses to know what had gone down and why she was upset.

He’d made the move, and she’d rejected him.

Fuck, fuck, fuck.

That opened up a whole new set of fucking issues.

Ryder released her, and I quickly took her hand and led her outside to my Jeep. I waved to our men before getting Rosalie into her seat.

Once I was inside, I started the engine and left the club. It seemed that Anson hadn’t told Ryder and Trent about our deal, and that he was making a move on her, because they both did their best to distract me from going to Rosalie.

I’d have been lying if I said I wasn’t a ball of tension the entire time.

But in true Rosie fashion, she remained loyal.

At least that’s how her tears seemed.

“What happened?” I asked softly as we drove through the city, the streetlights flashing into the car now and then.

“He-He asked me to kiss him. I said no. I-I told him we are only friends and that’s all we’ll ever be. That I want him to move on from me for good.” She let out a soft sob.

I sighed and reached for her hand. She gripped it tightly without a word. Instead, she cried softly the rest of the way home.

When we got there, I cut the engine in the garage and turned to her.

“Did you want to?” I asked gently. “To kiss him?”

She nodded miserably. “But I love you. I love the guys. Enzo and Cole told me it’ll never happen.

It’s not fair to him to keep waiting for me.

He’s so wonderful.” She sniffled, more tears snaking down her cheeks.

“He deserves so much more than me. I-I let him go. For good. Cole would kill him. I-I’m just trying to save us all. ” She sobbed softly again.

“I’ll take you to him,” I offered, my voice low. “If you want him, Rosie, I’ll take you to him.”

Her head snapped up, and her eyes widened as she stared at me.

“What?”

“Baby, I love you, but this life isn’t for you. He can make you happy. I think you should go to him.”

“I-I don’t understand…” She crinkled her brows as she stared at me.

I sighed. “Babe, I would never deny you a damn thing in this world. If you want him, go to him.”

She shook her head, her curls bouncing. “No. I-I want what I have. I want you. You’re my Foxy. I’d never… I’d never leave you. Ever. You’re my soulmate. My forever. So are the guys. I want my family. I want us.”

I rubbed my eyes. “You could have your dreams with Anson. Your career. Your life. Why are you throwing it all away?”

“I’m not. I’m…compromising. I love you, Fox. I love you all so damn much. Ani will only ever be my friend. That’s my final decision.”

I stared at her, my jaw clenched. This was going to fuck my plans up. If she didn’t go to him, she’d end up hurt or worse. I couldn’t fucking take it.

There wasn’t fuck-all I could do about any of this either.

“OK,” I said, opening my door. “Let’s get inside. You’ve had a lot to drink.”

She wiped her tears and opened her door. I met her on her side and led her into the house and up the stairs. The guys were still out, which wasn’t a surprise. I told Enzo I was taking Rosie out and had a couple of men with us. He seemed upset by it, but agreed.

I helped Rosalie change into her pajamas before Cotton jumped onto the bed, purring. She scratched his chin, her tears still falling, before she curled up in bed with him and closed her eyes.

I crawled in behind her and held her.

“It’ll be OK, baby,” I murmured.

“Promise?” she whispered.

“Always.” I kissed her temple and gave her a gentle squeeze. Before long, her soft cries faded away to deep breaths, letting me know she’d finally fallen asleep.

I gently untangled myself from her, grabbed my phone, and hit Anson’s name.

It went to voicemail, so I called again. He answered on the fourth ring this time.

“What happened?” I demanded.

“She doesn’t want me,” he mumbled. “It’s over, man. I tried. She shot me down, then stomped on me once I hit the ground.”

I rubbed my eyes. “Then you try again—”

“I’m done trying, man. I love her enough to fucking let go. This shit is killing me. I can’t do it anymore.”

My throat tightened at his words. “What about the coin?”

“Don’t push it. She’s made her choice.”

“That’s not good enough!” I shouted into the phone. I’d gone back to my room and sat on my bed. “It’s not good enough, Anson. I’m pushing the fucking button, man. She needs to get out of here.”

“Don’t fucking do it,” he said. “I-I can’t save her, Fox. She doesn’t want to be fucking saved. She wants what she has. She made it abundantly fucking clear to me tonight. Never is a big fucking deal when a girl says that shit. You’re going to have to be on your own. She’ll never come to me.”

“She promised me,” I whispered. “She promised. We don’t break promises to one another.”

“If she comes, I’ll take her, but I won’t chase her. I’m done. I’m sorry.”

I was quiet for a moment and wiped at my eyes. I was fucking crying.

“I want out,” I choked out finally. “I have to fucking get out of here.”

“You’re being selfish. You need help, Fox. You need to talk to a professional who can help you. Depression is a bitch, man. Dying isn’t how you save someone you love. Getting help is. Leaving if you have to is. Not fucking dying. Please. Just talk to someone.”

I swallowed hard. “Fine.”

“You’re one of my best friends. I care about you.

I just…I can’t do this anymore. It’s breaking my fucking heart.

I want to be in love. I want to be happy.

I deserve that. So I’m going to just do it.

I’ll be around if you guys need me. I promised LeeLee I’ll always be her friend, no matter what.

That hasn’t changed. I need some time, though, if you guys can let me have it.

It’ll be good for you too. You can spend more time with her.

I’m sure Enzo will be fine with it if you talk to him. He loves you, too.”

I nodded even though he couldn’t see me.

“Right. OK,” I said.

“Fox, I know you’re upset, but I’m begging you to let this dying thing go. She needs you.”

“I know.”

“Just… be safe, brother. I love you.”

“I love you, too,” I whispered before disconnecting the call and flopping back onto my mattress, my face damp with tears.

There had to be another way. I needed to figure it out because nothing had changed in my mind. Rosalie needed to be safe, and she wouldn’t get that here. Not now, at least. Maybe not ever. And with her having the music opportunity, she needed to leave.

I just had to figure out how to convince her.

The plan was still the plan.

If I had to die to do it, so be it.