He grunted but said nothing.
“Where’s my wife?”
“Bubble bath with Cole. Ellis and Laz are sleeping,” he said, taking a seat on the couch. “Enzo is at a dinner party. I’m here. And you’re there.”
I frowned at his attitude and took a seat on the couch next to him.
“What’s going on with you?” I asked.
“Just living my best life,” he mumbled.
“E, man, come on. Don’t be that way. What’s wrong? Is it because Rosalie and Ellis are here? If it is, I can take them back to our place right now, and we’ll be out of your hair?—”
“Do you know what Rosalie does every night when she thinks everyone is asleep?” he asked softly.
I frowned and shook my head. “No. What?”
He leaned forward and buried his face in his hands for a moment before sitting up straight and exhaling.
“Have you spoken to Enzo lately?”
“No. Not in about a week.” I stared at him in confusion.
“I can’t fucking do this. I love Cole, and I know how much his family means to him. You know he’s waited for this forever, right?”
“Yeah, I’m aware,” I said, continuing to frown at him. “What’s going on?”
He breathed out.
“Don’t hate me. Please. Don’t hate the guys. And I fucking beg you not to hate Rosalie. Can you promise me?”
“Just tell me what’s going on,” I said, growing frustrated.
“Promise me.”
“Fine. I promise,” I said, eyeing him wearily. Whatever the hell this was seemed to be causing him a fair amount of turmoil.
“I went into Enzo’s room. He wasn’t up like he usually was, so I went to check on him. I… I found him naked. With Rosalie. In his bed.” He stared at me, his green eyes wavering. It seemed that telling me had taken everything he had.
“He didn’t want me to tell anyone, but I’m not going to sit on any more fucking lies, Anson. I’m not. This will break Cole if he finds out, but he needs to know. I told Rosalie to tell him, but she hasn’t. I don’t think she’s fucked Enzo this week, but I’m not here all the time.” He breathed out and tugged at his hair. “And if Cole didn’t know, I figured you didn’t either. I’m not telling you this because I want everything to fall apart. I’m telling you because I don’t want shit to get ruined. I want it all out in the open.”
I said nothing as I sat in my spot. I already knew Enzo and Rosalie were trying. We’d given her our blessing. Was I still pissed at Enzo? Absolutely. Klaus had to talk me down from flying back to Chicago the night I spoke to Enzo on the phone. I was packing my bags again when Enzo sent over his statement on the video bullshit.
It had calmed me to see he was moving faster, and Klaus told me to control myself. After a discussion with Evan and Ryder, I was able to settle in at home and work on my own shit, but it was killing me to be away from my wife. I hated it. I was ready to buy a whole ass hotel and move our family into it if it meant we could all be together.
“I’m not trying to cause problems, but I don’t want anything destroyed with lies. So… I’m telling you. I was going to tell Evan, but I know his temper with that damn bat. I thought it best to tell you and let you tell the guys.”
“I appreciate that,” I said softly, not really knowing how to navigate this. It was clearly bothering E, but I also didn’t want him knowing she had our permission because we’d sworn we wouldn’t say anything. I also understood where E was coming from on the secrets and the lies.
I decided the best course of action was to talk to Rosalie, see where she stood on everything, and tell her she needed to tell Cole. It was only right. E was onto something there.
“Are you OK?” E asked gently.
I shot him a quick smile. “I’m fine.”
He frowned. “You don’t look fine.”
“It’s a lot to take in. I’m going to go talk to Rosalie.”
