Page 226 of There's No Us Without You
Tyler needs to explain himself. Then I’ll decide what’s best.
With a sigh, my brother runs his hands through his hair, tugging the ends of the strands. “Brady found out about Eden’slittle threat to call the police. Gabby called him about ten minutes ago, because they’re at his house raiding the joint.”
“So? What’s that got to do with Eden? You know she didn’t call them.”
Tyler nods, his leg bouncing almost violently. “I know that, but Brady doesn’t. I was with him when Gabby called. We got into it again, but I managed to knock him out long enough to warn you.”
“Fuck’s sake. Why didn’t you just call me?”
“I left my phone at home,” he says, licking his cut-up lip. “Listen, you need to go. I promise it’s only for a few days... I’m sorting it.”
“You’re sorting it?” Throwing my hands up, I scoff. “Pretty sure I can handle Brady. Stop wasting my time, Ty. If someone called the police, it’s because Brady’s a fucking scumbag and he deserves to be locked up.”
Tyler grabs the front of my shirt. “You don’t understand, Will. It was me.” The words burst from his mouth, sending me stumbling back a couple of steps.
“What?” My voice cracks.
“I’m working for the police.” His voice is low, and he glances around, the bounce in his leg worsening.
I grab his shoulders. “You’re kidding, right? Please tell me you’re joking because what the fuck, Tyler?”
“Wish I could,” he says, shrugging. “Jayden got himself into some shit a few months back, and I couldn’t watch him go down the same path Dad did.” Tears fall down his cheeks, and he swipes them away. “I couldn’t keep being that person who watches on while someone they love destroys their life. So I went to the police and made a deal with them. I get them inside info, and they let Jayden off with a warning.”
“Jesus,” I say, scrubbing a hand over my face. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I tried, bro. Every time, something would come up, or I just couldn’t... I don’t want to keep disappointing you.” He lets out a long breath, shaking his head. “I’m sorry.”
At this moment, all I see is my brother, the frightened little boy from my childhood. Only this time, I will protect him at all costs.
I grab his shoulders and pull him to my chest. For a moment, he just stands there, body rigid, until he lets go and wraps his arms around my waist. “Jesus, little brother. You’ve got yourself into some shit this time,” I say. “And don’t worry about Eden and Emerson. I won’t let anything happen to them. Or to you. Do you understand?”
Pulling away, he nods and wipes his face. “I am sorry... about everything, Will. It’s not your fault, you know?” He looks up at me, tears in his eyes again. “Dad hurt you just as much as he hurt me, and it was never your responsibility to protect me.”
It’ll always be my responsibility to protect him, whether he wants to admit it or not.
“Yeah, it was. You’re my little brother.”
“And you’re my big brother. I’m sorry it took me so long to realise that.”
“Yeah . . . me too,” I say, sighing.
The creak of the stairs behind me has me glancing over my shoulder, a sleepier version of Eden making her way towards us, the dark hair I’ve gotten so used to waking up with in my face, falling over her shoulder.
Emerson trails behind her, hobbling on his crutches, mumbling something along the lines ofpain in my arse.
His face tells me he’s about to murder someone—that someone likely Eden, considering the look he’s directing her way.
“You need to go back upstairs.” I grab her upper arms and shake her. “Now, Eden.”
“What? Why?” Her eyebrows shoot up when she notices Tyler. “Hey, Ty,” she says, pushing past me. “Oh my god, what happened?” She reaches for him, cupping his face. “Did Brady do that?”
“I fucking told you,” Emerson says as he steps up beside me, “to wait for me. What if there was some psycho at the front door?”
He’s almost doubled over trying to catch his breath, and any other time I’d be giving him shit about how he needs to practice his breath control, but this is neither the time nor the place.
Eden only gives him a quick glance over her shoulder before she grabs Tyler’s hand and attempts to pull him into the house. “Come inside. I’ll get your face cleaned up.”
Tyler pulls back, making Eden frown. “You need to take her. Please, Will.”
