Page 58 of Unbearable

“Tyler!” I shout, pushing him back away from Holden though I know it’s stupid to wedge myself between two men throwing punches. “Knock it off. Stop!” I scream at the two of them when a security guard gets in between them.

Tyler and my stares meet for a split second, a fiery angry look I’ve never seen before flashing in his. Stepping around me, his glare returns to Holden. “Don’t you ever fucking talk about her like that again!” And then he’s right back in Holden’s face.

Holden shoves back, hard. “Fuck you! She was my girlfriend for four fucking years!”

People begin to stare, their eyes wide in disbelief when Tyler hits Holden again, this time landing a right hook on his jaw that makes me cringe with the sound it makes.

Given we’re in the middle of the stadium, they’re pushed apart by security guards and we’re told to leave, along with Holden, but pushed different directions.

Wiping blood from his lip with the back of his hand, Tyler’s eyes meet mine but there’s no emotion, at least none I can make out.

I still haven’t caught my breath once we’re in the parking lot and Tyler’s stalking through, no mind to anyone around him. He’s bumping into people, his intent on getting away from the stadium, maybe even me.

He doesn’t speak to me the entire way back to my dorm.

When we’re in the car just outside my dorm, he finally talks to me and I kinda wish he wouldn’t have.

He’s looking at me with a hardened face and vacant eyes. “I didn’t want this. This is exactly the fucking drama I didn’t want. I got enough shit in my life.”

My pulse races, pounding in my ears with each word. “I didn’t know Holden was going to be there.”

“It doesn’t matter,” he says immediately. “I’ve got no place in my life for this shit. I’m twenty-six. I don’t need this.”

I’m never more aware of my age than I am right now. My eyes squeeze shut and I know he sees the pain those words give me before I deny him the sight. “Why are you always reminding me of your age? I don’t want this shit either but welcome to my life.” I flip my hand up and then flop it down on the steering wheel. Still sitting in the parking lot, there’s drops of water hitting the windshield now. “I’m so sorry being in my life is so unbearable for you.”

He swallows heavily, his eyes full of hurt. “Have you been with him? Since we started… have you been with Holden?”

I’m surprised he’s asked and I’m not sure how to answer it. Moments pass, and he presses again. “Haveyou?”

“I can’t believe you’d even ask me that. I told you earlier this morning I haven’t been with anyone.”

His eyes pierce through the car, steady on mine. The heavy thudding in my ears drowns out the rain hitting the top of my car, each pop more distinct than the last and fogging up my windows. “Just answer the question. Are you fucking him?”

“I’mnotand I just… I can’t believe you’d ask that,Tyler.”

“Kinda likeyoudoubting me with Berkley?”

My mind scrambles to provide some sort of justification to the words, but it won’t do anything. It won’t mean anything. He’s made it pretty clear to me.

He blows out a breath, as if the next part is painful for him to say. “I don’t want to be this guy,” he tells me, suddenly seeming angry, or at least angrier. He brings his hand up and covers his mouth, air rushing through his fingers when he releases the breath.

I flinch at his words, having never been on the receiving end of his anger before. At least not like this.

His posture stiffens. “I thought you knew how I felt, regardless of what was said. I don’t want to be this guy sitting around all week wondering if the girl he’s having sex with is fucking someone else.”

I’m shocked by his words. I didn’t think he cared for one.

Tears begin to stream down my cheeks. “Then don’t be him.”

Tyler’s hand cups my cheek but he doesn’t say anything. The guarded side takes over, and I know my next set of words have the possibility to end this, or see where it goes with us.

“Tyler, what is this about? This isn’t like you. I don’t understand what’s happening between us. One minute we’re cool and the next we’re arguing. I’m tired of it. Just be honest with me, what do you want from me? Because if it’s just sex, you have no right to be acting like this.” With every word, my legs shake in the seat and it’s a good damn thing I’m sitting down because if I had been standing, I would have fallen.

He’s quiet for a long time, longer than I would expect. Sighing, he rests his right arm against the window sill in the car, running his hand through his hair. “Nothing. I’m just overreacting.” His voice is low but I know I heard him right. I just don’t understand why he’s acting like this.

He turns to look at me, pain evident in his features by the tightening of his jaw and the pull of his brow. “I should go.”

“Tyler.” I reach for him, my hand on his arm as he’s getting out of the car. “Don’t you fucking dare get out of this car after acting like this,” I warn, my glare so focused on him I could have burned a hole in him. “Get back here and explain. Youwill nottreat me like I’m your fucking doormat. Talk to me. Tell me what’s bothering you and let me help you through it.”

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