“What? She can love you and the others, but not me?” Ryder demanded.
“What do you even have to offer her?” Cole shot back.
“Cole,” I said, not wanting him to fight. That was the same shit that brought us here tonight, and I really didn’t feel like breaking them up.
“No. I want to know what this prick brings to the table,” Cole snapped. “Tell me, pretty boy.”
“I love her, and I have loved her for five years. I am her protector. Her confidant. The one she reaches for before a show when she needs to feel grounded and assured she’s perfect. I am the one who would give her anything without hesitation. I don’t lie to her. I am here for her always. It’s more than I can say for either of you.”
I said nothing to his words. They were a low blow, but I understood where he was coming from. We’d been real assholes to Rosalie and deserved the ire.
“Cole,” Rosalie called out. “I was going to tell you today. I was. I’m sorry. I should have told you.”
Cole stared at her, no emotion on his face.
“Cole,” I said. “Come on. Let’s talk, OK? Take a walk.”
He hesitated for a moment before nodding. I gave Rosalie a quick look to see the fear and worry on her face. I left her with Ryder and walked down the hall with Cole to one of the waiting rooms.
We sat, and I started speaking immediately.
“You love her. You want her. Don’t fuck this up.”
He exhaled and slouched in his seat. “I do. I just… what the fuck, man? I was blindsided when I walked in on that shit. It… It hurt me. I lost it.”
I nodded. “I get it, but if you’re OK with the others, then I don’t think Ryder is that far of a stretch. Sure, he’s a dick, but it’s Rosalie, you know? She’s worth it.”
He nodded. “She is.” He was quiet for a moment before speaking. “We’re having twins.”
I smiled. “I know. I saw. Congrats, man. Really. It’s amazing.”
He gave me a watery smile. “It is. I’m so happy that I don’t think I even really care about that ass nozzle in there right now. I got the girl, too. Plus, he has been there for her.” His voice trailed off.
“Are you good?”
He was quiet again. “Yeah. I’m good. I’d rather it be you or E, but I can handle this. I need to apologize to her. And him.” He scowled at that. “Want to go with me to the gift shop?”
“Of course, man.” I got up with him, and we went to the first floor where the gift shop was located.
I watched him wander around, looking at baby things, before he finally settled on a yellow-and-green pajama set. One for each baby.
I smiled as the clerk rang up his stuff.
“Do you want a bag, Doctor Scott?”
“No, Krissy. I’m good. Thank you,” he said, grabbing the baby clothes.
I followed him out.
“Shit gave me PTSD,” he muttered.
“What do you mean?”
“The last time I bought baby stuff in a hospital gift shop, we lost Blossom.” He frowned, looking down at the clothes in hishands. “Remember? She just kept throwing up. I’d left her that night. It haunts me. Maybe if I’d have stayed…”
“That’s not going to happen this time,” I said gently. “Don’t think like that. There was nothing anyone could have done.”
“I’m fucking terrified, man. I’ll lose my mind if we lose these babies.”
