Page 208 of There's No Us Without You
I’m sittingin my car in front of the restaurant after my first session with the psychologist. It’s just going on six o’clock, so Eden should be finishing up soon and I can’t wait to show her a part of my past—one that changed my life.
After my session, I walked out of there feeling lighter than I’ve felt in a while. Talk about having issues, though. I never thought I had many, at least in the psychological sense, but it turns out I’m harbouring some deep-seated resentment towards my parents for pushing me to the point where I don’t know when to stop.
Even when I’m injured.
Although I can’t blame them for what happened; I think the pressure built up over the years and I couldn’t see a way out.
To say I have a lot to think about is an understatement. But I’m optimistic I can get through what’s to come, considering I just went through one of the worst ordeals of my life like a fucking champion.
Doctor Robinson offered a suggestion: remember what it was like to play soccer when there was no pressure, it was just for the love of it.
I smile and pull out my phone to bring up Eden’s number.
She answers on the fourth ring. “Hey, superstar,” she says, a little breathless. “How was your session?”
“Running a marathon, Pop-Tart?”
She laughs. “Very funny. You know I’m not the running type. I’m just mopping the floor before I leave. That’s the extent of my exercise considering you and Will make sure I get enough cardio these days.”
“Gross,” a male voice calls out in the background.
“Shut up,” Eden says, her voice muffled. “Go back to your chores, eavesdropper.”
All she gets in return is a booming laugh, and I can’t help but chuckle.
“Sorry, Em. Someone doesn’t know how to mind their business,” she says with a sigh. “What’s up? Are you okay?”
Tapping the steering wheel, I nod even though she can’t see me. “Great, actually. I’m just sitting in my car, waiting for themost beautiful girl in the world to finish work, so I can take her somewhere special.”
There’s a loud crashing sound in the background, making Eden move away from the noise. “Sorry about that. Smith dropped a pan on the floor—wait, you’re here?” She’s breathless again, and I assume she’s running this time, the movement muffling the sound coming through the phone.
“Sure am. I’m just out front.”
Seconds later, Eden appears in the front window of the restaurant, waving and jumping up and down. The grin on her face sends my heart fluttering in my chest.
Stella comes up behind her, doing the same, her ginger hair piled high on the top of her head.
From what Carter has told me, things are going good between them. I’m glad. He deserves someone who appreciates him for the person he is and not what he can do on the field.
Although, he’s fucking talented, and after what I heard he did on the weekend, I was ready to suck his dick as a thank you.
As the story goes, two minutes to go, my team was at a two-all draw, when Carter made a break, ran the whole length of the field and kicked a goal from ten metres out.
Apparently, the crowd erupted, and Carter spent the last few minutes puking his guts up because he’s never ran so hard in his life. At least, according to him.
Eden waves one last time, then disappears. “Let me get changed. I’ll be out in five.”
“Can’t wait,” I say, and hang up.
If I know Eden, she’ll be all flustered wondering what the hell I have planned.
Ten minutes later, she walks out the front of the restaurant, her phone in her hand, her bag slung over one shoulder.
And she’s wearing a damn yellow-and-white striped sundress that falls to her mid-thigh. The warm breeze picks upthe small hairs on the back of her neck and forehead, making them fly around her face.
Her cheeks are rosy against her pale skin, and I almost choke on my own tongue when she jumps into the passenger seat and leans over to kiss me. It takes all my energy not to grab her around the waist and take her right here in front of everyone to see.
We haven’t had sex in over a week—the same amount of time it’s been since I almost fucked everything up.
