Page 171 of There's No Us Without You
I definitely can’t talk to Will about it now because he’ll kill his brother.
After my shower, I text Tyler and ask him to meet me for coffee at the café in town.
I’ma little early when I reach the café, but it gives me plenty of time to work out what the hell I’m going to say to Tyler. I take aseat at one of the outdoor tables, crossing my legs, and placing my bag on the ground under my chair.
My leg bounces, making the cutlery on the small, round table rattle. With my phone in my hand, I glance at it. Tyler should be here soon. I need to know it’s not him supplying Emerson, so I’ll just ask point blank.
A few minutes later, Tyler saunters up to the table, a grin on his face. “Hey, Edie.” His face falls flat when he takes me in. “What’s going on?”
My insides are churning, my stomach threatening to expel the contents of my breakfast from earlier.
I nod at the chair opposite me, trying to remain as calm as possible. “Want a coffee? I was just going to order one.”
“Yeah, sure.” He rubs the back of his neck as he takes the seat. “You okay?”
“I’ll be back.” I climb from the chair, ignoring his question, and head to the counter to order two cappuccinos.
I need a moment. Tyler and I have gotten closer over the last few weeks, but what I’m about to ask him may just send us back to the pre-friendship stage—before I even knew he existed.
When I head back out, I take my seat again and reach over the table to grasp one of Tyler’s hands. “Ty, I need to ask you something, and I want you to tell me the truth.” I search his face, looking for any indication he knows what I’m about to ask him.
“Okay...” He draws out the word, rubbing his forehead, a frown pulling his eyebrows in.
Here goes.
“So, I found Emerson in the bathroom this morning with a bag of oxy.”
Tyler’s face pales and he lowers his gaze. “Shit.”
I snatch my hand away from his, the guilty look on his face almost confirming what I didn’t want to believe. “Did you supply him?”
“What?” Eyes narrowed, he flinches. “How could you think that? I’m clean—I told you that.”
“I just?—”
“Thought I’d happily supply one of my closest friends with drugs? Yeah, thanks for believing in me, Eden.” Tyler drops his head and rubs his eyes.
“But you knew?” I say, my tone a little harsher than I mean it to.
Knowing is just as bad, right?
Shaking his head, Tyler lifts a shoulder. “Sort of—not really. Fuck, I don’t know. He came to me that night I met you for the first time, asked for my help but I said no. I didn’t realise he’d go elsewhere. I swear.”
“Shit, Ty.” I press my fingertips into my temples, attempting to soothe the creeping migraine I know I’m going to have to deal with later. “Do you know where he is getting it from then?”
He blows out a breath. “My first guess... Brady.”
Our coffees are brought out, interrupting our conversation, but I’m thankful for the reprieve. My mind is racing with the memories of what happened to my mum, and as much as I despise her, I wouldn’t wish that on anyone.
I shake my head and lift my coffee cup to my lips. “I’m really worried about him, Ty,” I say before taking a sip.
Tyler frowns. “Why?”
I run my finger around the rim of my mug, trying to find the right words. “I think he’s addicted. I didn’t realise at first, but in hindsight all the signs are there. He sleeps in, his moods can change from one moment to the next, then there’s the lying and secrecy.” I take a deep breath and blow it out slowly. “A couple of years ago, my mum got addicted to the stuff and showed similar behaviour patterns.”
Tyler shoves his hands through his hair. “Fuck. I warned him they were bad news.”
“Well, it’s too late to take it back. What do we do?”
