Page 20 of There's No Us Without You
Me: No!
Three bubbles pop up, and I stare at the screen, waiting for whatever bullshit he’s going to respond with. Seconds later they disappear, so I shove my phone back into my pocket and head towards the kitchen.
My muscles are twitching with the need to exert control, my hands a little shaky as I snatch a bottle of water from the fridge.
I’m reminded of the reason for my internal meltdown when Eden walks through the door, her suitcase trailing behind her. Looks like she decided. She’s staying.
Great, I’m screwed.
Emerson saunters in next, bouncing on his feet like a damn child while grinning like an idiot.
Although, I like it . . . a lot.
I pull my focus from the man I love when Eden pauses in the lounge room, the sun streaming in through the window behind her and surrounding her in golden light.
Well . . . shit.
The image brings with it memories from my childhood—a song my mum used to sing to Tyler and me to get us to go to sleep.
Something about sunshine and not taking it away.
Fucking hell. I think I’m having a stroke. Or a mental breakdown.
I brace myself against the island, one hand pressed against the granite. The plastic water bottle in my other hand crumples under my tightening grip, and my jaw muscles ache from the pressure of my back teeth grinding together.
I close my eyes and down half the water before I do something else stupid. Like murder my best friend.
Speaking of whom, he’s now staring at me, head tilted, eyebrows drawn in as he mouths,are you okay?I wave him off, then drop the bottle into the recycling bin and round the island to grab the suitcase from beside Eden.
Her pupils dilate when her eyes meet mine, and all I get is a tight smile before she clears her throat and glances to Emerson.
Fuck me.
I know that look. I’ve seen it plenty of times.
She’s unsure. Skittish. Although, the way she keeps glancing at me through her long lashes and licking her lips tells me she’s also slightly aroused.
Interesting.
I nod, mimicking her smile, just as Emerson wraps an arm around her shoulders.
“Don’t worry about Will,” he says, side-eyeing me. “You’ll get used to him. He doesn’t like anyone, so don’t take it personally.”
I shake my head. “You’re a dick.”
He shrugs. “Just speaking the truth.” A smirk lifts the corners of his full lips when he slaps my shoulder and leans in close to my ear. “But I still love you, big guy.”
His warm breath races over my skin, and I fight the urge to lean into him, instead taking a step back. “Whatever,” I say. “I have to be back at work, so...”
Anywhere else is better than having to endure this torture. Seeing my brother would be less painful at this point.
I motion for Eden to go first, but she glances at Emerson again. Is she looking for reassurance I’m not some psycho? Notsure she’s going to get it, but Emerson does what he does best: smiles and everything in the world is right again.
“Well, I can take the suitcase,” Emerson says, reaching for it. “If you need to go, that is.”
I snatch it back from his grasp. “I can do it.”
Rearing back, he scrunches up his nose as though he’s smelt something off, and frowns. “I see we’ve got our grumpy pants on again today.”
