Page 3 of When We Fall: Part Two
“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.
TWO
ROSALIE
“Did you choose what you’ll wear to the engagement party?” Jamie’s voice came over the receiver as I lay on my bed, a week after being in the club with Anson. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t miserable, not only because of telling Anson no, but also because he’d been scarce. Since I wasn’t practicing anymore and classes ended already, there wasn’t a reason for him to be around as much.
I missed him. He’d texted me to see how I was, but it didn’t feel like it usually did. He told me he was busy, but if I needed him, he’d come if I called.
“Yeah. It’s a white dress I bought online,” I said. “It’s beautiful. I’ll send you a picture.”
I went to my closet, pulled the dress out, and snapped a photo before sending it to her.
“Oh, that’s pretty! I love the gold in it.”
“I figured it matches what we’re doing for the wedding with the reds, purples, and golds for Fall.”
“I can’t wait to see you. We can work on some wedding stuff while I’m there.”
“Yeah. That’ll be fun,” I murmured, sitting on my bed.
“How are you and your mom?” she asked gently. I’d told her my mom wasn’t around to help with anything because my dad disapproved of my marriage to Enzo.
“Uh, not good.” I winced. “She hasn’t spoken to me. Neither has my dad. It’s like I don’t have parents at all.”
“Oh, Rosalie. I’m sorry.” Jamie sighed. “Maybe they’re just busy…”
“You don’t need to make excuses for them,” I mumbled. “I don’t know if they’re coming to the engagement party.”
“Maybe call and ask them. You know how your dad is.”
“I do.” I bit my bottom lip. I was scared to reach out because I didn’t want to get hurt again, and the last time had broken my heart.
“How is your friend? Anson, isn’t it?”
“Oh, uh, he’s good. I think. We haven’t spoken a lot lately.”
“Why?”
