Page 169 of When We Fall: Part Two
“Who was the girl, Enzo? That Jamie was talking about? A-Are you cheating, man?”
His Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed.
“Enzo?” My breathing picked up.
“Do you remember when I said I’d get us to the top?”
“Yeah.” I watched him.
He finally looked over at me. “I promised Fox. I promised Rosalie. I promised you guys. Trust me?”
“You’re scaring me. What did you do?”
“Nothing,” he murmured. “I’m just waiting.”
“And the girl?”
“No one.”
“Enzo, what the fuck? Come on. It’s me. Who the fuck is the girl?”
He sighed. “Celeste.”
I blinked. “Why the fuck are you talking to that fucking bitch after what she did to E?”
“Because I can’t fulfill my promise without her,” he snapped at me. “You said you were in. Was that a lie?”
I studied him, my rage barely contained. “I love you,” I whispered. “You know I do, but please, don’t fuck shit up for us.”
“I’ll make you a deal.”
“What’s that?” I asked sourly.
“If this doesn’t work, I’ll do whatever you want me to do. I’ll let you make the call. You can decide our future.”
“And if we lose Rosalie?”
He looked ahead again. “It won’t matter, Cole. She’s not going to want me once I’m done. I don’t deserve her anyway. If she decides she wants you, I’ll give you my blessing. You’d be a good husband for her. A good father.”
“What about you? And E?”
“Me?” He laughed bitterly. “I’ll be fine. It’ll fucking hurt to watch you with her while I’m on the sideline, but I deserve that. If she wants E, I’ll bless that as well.”
“You’re losing it, Enzo. You are. You’re giving up. I don’t like it.”
“I’ve fucked up too much. You’re right, but I’m doing it because it needs to happen. She needs to leave. You know she does. She needs to sign that contract. E held her back before, but he’s different now. He’s let us touch him once. He hasn’t let her touch him. He doesn’t talk to her. She’s not even trying with him anymore. We started falling apart months ago. Fox was the tipping point. Just like he said.” He exhaled.
“So you’re just letting go? That’s what you’re saying?” My chest clenched.
“I guess I am, but not because I don’t love her. It’s because I have all this guilt and regret. I think time would be good for all of us.”
“And in the meantime, we just let her run the city alone?” I clenched my teeth. “I can’t believe this shit.” I punch the dash. “Fuck! Why?”
He said nothing as he wiped at his eyes.
“Enzo, please,” I begged softly, reaching for him. “Don’t give in. Please. Keep-keep going. Keep trying. I can’t do this without you. She’s our girl. Not just mine. I want our family?—”
“Our family is gone, Cole. Fucking gone!” Enzo snapped at me. “It’s never coming back! Fox is in a hole in the ground. Rosalie is just… fuck. She’s broken. It’s all my goddamn fault! All of it! ME!” He let his head fall back, his chest heaving. “Stop forcing what just isn’t right. Not right now. Let us breathe.”
