Page 198 of There's No Us Without You
The yelling stops before footsteps approach, and the door swings open. I expect Tyler, but my mouth drops open when I recognise the face in front of me.
“You’re the one from the bar,” I say, my eyes darting over her face. “Will’s ex?”
She’s pretty; the photos don’t do justice to the real human with her dark-brown eyes and auburn hair to her shoulders. I’ve always loved those blunt cut hairstyles . . .
I almost slap myself for getting distracted.
She’s also an arsehole—which makes sense why she ended up with Will—and I hate her for what she did to Emerson.
How could she not see how vulnerable, how broken he was? She took advantage of him, and I’ll never forgive her for that.
And don’t even get me started on what she did to Will. Not that he deserves my sympathy.
Recognition settles on her face as she pops a hip out and folds her arms over her chest. “Eden. Wondered how long it would take for you to show up here.”
Standing taller, I square my shoulders. “What are you talking about?”
A sly smirk lifts one corner of her painted-red lips. “I’ve had both your boys, sweetheart. It was only a matter of time before you turned up here to stake your claim.”
My face is on fire. What the hell is she talking about? She hasn’t had Emerson... has she?
I choose to ignore her comment and attempt to peek inside the open doorway. “I’m here to see Tyler.”
Her eyebrows shoot up, then she’s shoved to the side by a brooding Becker brother.
“Eden?” Tyler glances from me to what’s-her-name. “What are you doing here?”
I shove past them both. “I sent you a message,” I say, glancing around the empty lounge room to make sure no other unexpected faces are going to pop out at me.
Tyler runs a hand through his hair. “Listen, this isn’t a great time.”
“Yeah,” the woman says, stepping up beside him, her gaze full of judgement. “If you don’t mind leaving, we were just in the middle of something.”
“Gabby.” Tyler snaps his fingers at her. “Shut up.”
My hands shake as all the anger I’ve been keeping locked away burns its way into my muscles. Before I know what I’m doing, I’m shoving Gabby in the chest, sending her stumbling back.
I’ve never been one for violent outbursts—especially towards another woman—but I can’t seem to hold it in any longer. Everything is pouring out of me: my hatred towards my mum and Kent, my guilt at what I did to Emerson, him lying in the bed suffering, my fight with Will.
Everything, all at once.
Gabby’s eyes widen as she gasps and puts a hand to her chest. When she narrows her eyes, the threat of what she’s about to do is written all over her face. I take a step back, but I’m not quickenough to move out of the way before she rears back her fist and lets it fly, her knuckles connecting with the centre of my face.
I cry out, my hands flying to my nose as thick, warm blood gushes from my nostrils and down over my lips, my chin, and onto my shirt. I’m barely able to see through the tears streaming down my face.
Goddamn. I’ve never been punched in the face before, and hell if I want it to happen again.
It burns like fire.
“Fuck.” Tyler shoves Gabby out of the way. He bends down so we’re eye level. “Let me see that.”
I drop my hands, allowing Tyler to inspect my face, all the while keeping my blurry eyes trained on the traitor behind him. She doesn’t seem angry anymore, just... broken. Her arms are wrapped around her waist as she presses her back up against the furthest wall, her eyes bloodshot and glassy.
“I’ll get some ice.” Tyler blows out a breath as he passes Gabby, shaking his head.
She doesn’t move, just stands there staring at the floor in front of her with her bottom lip tucked behind her front teeth.
“You should be ashamed of yourself,” I say, narrowing my eyes while still trying to stem the blood pouring out of my nose.
