Page 194 of There's No Us Without You
The drive home is quiet, Eden glancing at me every now and again, her hand sitting warmly on my thigh. She says nothing, though, allowing me to wallow in my bullshit.
How the fuck can Tyler still have Gabby around after everything she’s done? It makes no sense. He’s always protecting her, even when he should have chosen me. Protected me.
I had no-one to hold me at night when I was silently crying in my bed.
When we pull up in the driveway, Eden shuts the car off, but doesn’t make a move to get out. She grabs my hand closest to her, intertwining our fingers.
I glance down at the contact, her soft skin warm against mine. Can she feel my heart beating through my hand?
I fucking hope not because it’s racing, the severity of its pace almost taking my breath away. There’s so much I need to tell her, but stringing together a sentence isn’t going to happen right now.
With a small smile, Eden nods to the house. “Come on, sugar. Let’s go get you cleaned up.”
My insides vibrate. She used the same phrase I use after we’ve had sex and I’ve made a mess of her.
I nod and climb out of the car, Tyler pulling into the driveway seconds later.
“Hey, Will. Wait,” he says, racing up behind us.
Eden unlocks the front door but doesn’t make a move to go inside. I wish she would just leave; I can’t take her looking at me like that any longer.
“What?” I say, turning on my brother. “What could you possibly want, Ty?”
“Aren’t we going to talk?” He frowns, his eyes darting up to Eden for a moment before landing back on me.
I thought I could do this, but I can’t.
At least not now.
“Later,” I say, holding my hand out for my keys.
“No.” Tyler crosses his arms, hiding my keys as he does.
No?
Fucking no?
Hands fisted, I dart towards him, until Eden grabs my arm, stopping me from likely making a huge mistake by strangling my brother.
Pressing a hand to my back, she pulls my attention to her beautiful face. “Will? What’s going on?”
“Go inside, Eden. I’ve got this sorted.”
“Will, come on. Just let Ty?—”
“No.” I spin on her so fast, she jumps back, a hand to her chest, eyes wide. “This doesn’t concern you.” I point to the door. “Now go the fuck inside or I’ll make you regret it. Do you understand?”
I can’t breathe. My stomach is churning. I’m sweating. And I can barely think straight.
“But—”
“Butnothing. Just do as your goddamn told for once.”
“Don’t talk to her like that.” Tyler steps forward and shoves me in the back.
That’s it. Everything in my periphery blackens until all I see is a dark void.
I turn, grab my brother by his collar, and throw him backwards. “Get the fuck away from here, Ty. If I see you again, I’ll kill you.” My chest heaves as I stare at my brother sprawledout on my front lawn, looking up at me like he has no idea who I am.
