Page 147 of There's No Us Without You
I’m not sure it’s the right decision, but I can’t argue the fact that I owe it to Tyler to let him choose for himself.
After helping Jenny clean up, I head back to my car and pull my phone out to text Tyler.
Me: Meet me at the bar tomorrow night. There’s something important I need to tell you.
I figure if he reacts badly, he won’t punch me if we’re surrounded by our friends. Although, I probably wouldn’t blame him if he did.
It takes a few seconds before a response shows up on the screen.
Tyler: Okay. There’s something I need to discuss with you as well. I’ll be there at 8.
Fuck, looks like we’re doing this talking thing after all. I don’t bother replying. Instead, I shove the phone in the cup holder in the centre console and start the car.
When I get back home, Emerson is on the couch, feet on the coffee table.
Any other time, I’d lose my shit. There’s nothing worse than someone’s dirty shoes or feet on clean furniture.
Right now, though, I need him to hold me more than I need to reprimand him.
Without so much as closing the door behind me, I march towards him, heart racing, skin burning up.
He glances up, smiling, which falls just as quickly. “Whoa... Will?—”
I fall onto the cushion beside him and wrap my arms around his waist, pressing my cheek to his hard chest. His heart is racing, matching mine, but he says nothing, just lets me breathe him in to calm myself while resting his chin on the top of my head.
This is it for me.
Heis it for me.
With everything in my life about to change—my relationship with him and Eden, and my brother—I need to feel him against me so I know he’s not going to just fucking disappear.
FORTY-ONE
Emerson
The bar is packed out,much like every Saturday night. After our win earlier today, Carter and I came up with a plan to get Eden’s money from Cooper.
There was no rule that stipulated I couldn’t know about her involvement in the bet, so Carter announced to the entirechangeroom full of half-naked men we were celebrating at Will’s bar tonight.
Speaking of whom, he has been busy serving customers. Every now and again, my skin tingles and I glance up just in time to catch his gaze on me.
When our eyes meet, his dark-blue ones dance with an unspoken promise of what’s to come—whether that’s tonight, or later. It doesn’t matter though. I’ll take all of it.
When he practically launched himself at me yesterday after visiting his father—not that he actually sees him—I’ve never seen him so vulnerable. My heart had skipped several beats when he wrapped his strong arms around me and trembled against my chest.
No words were needed, and I held him for what felt like hours. Then Eden arrived home an hour later, and we all ended up on the couch, sharing kisses and light touches as we binged a couple of movies.
By the time the second one had finished, Eden and Will were both asleep, Eden with her head on my lap, Will with his on my shoulder.
I stared at my left knee for another half an hour and prayed for it to miraculously heal.
But that never happened. It’s getting worse as the days go on, so thank fuck for the oxy because those things are little miracle workers—I scored another three goals today, all pain free.
Can’t say the same for right now, though. A couple more hours and I’ll get my fix.
Eden nudges me with her shoulder from the stool next to me, a straw in her mouth as she sucks down whatever monstrosity is in that glass of hers. Will has to realise that not only will Eden be very drunk, she’ll also be on the world’s biggest sugar high after this.
“Bette Davis Eyes” blares through the speakers, sending Eden into a frenzy, bouncing on her stool like she’s had way too much red cordial, screaming, “I love this song!” Her high-pitched squeal pierces my eardrums over the loud music, and I shake my head.
