Page 47 of There's No Us Without You
Great. Now I need to wait for the next one.
Kent steps in front of me, blocking my path of escape.
Bloody hell, he just can’t take a hint.
“What are you doing?” I frown and step to the side to get around him a second time.
Again, he steps in front of me and throws his arms up as well. “You said you needed time. I’ve given you time.”
“It’s barely been a week, Kent. I can’t just forget what happened.”
“For fuck’s sake, Eden.” He steps even closer, getting right into my personal space until his body heat is flush with mine. “If you know what’s good for you, you’ll come back home.”
My heart slams against my ribcage, a tightness in my chest the first sign of an impending panic attack. My fingers are now numb from the grip I have on the bags.
But I’m not his to boss around anymore, so I stand up taller, squaring my shoulders, and look him dead in the eye. “I’m not coming back. Ever.”
Kent’s face contorts, a vein in his forehead bulging under the pressure of his impending tantrum. “Is this because of de Silva? You’re fucking delusional if you think someone like him would ever look at you”—he drags his eyes over my body, the muscles in his upper lip spasming—“let alone fuck you.”
And there it is.
The cruelty of Kent’s words has me deflating. Why is it so hard for someone to genuinely love me? Am I that horrendous?
The sting of tears has me blinking rapidly until another familiar presence steps up beside me, and a bag is removed from one of my hands. I don’t have to look at who it is to know why Kent’s face is now pale. I know just by the spicy cinnamon scent now overwhelming my senses.
“You okay?” Will says, tilting my chin up with his free hand.
His eyes soften as he searches my face with such intensity, I get the urge to climb him and wrap myself in his warmth.
This is the first time he isn’t looking at me as though he wants to erase me from his brain. Maybe he doesn’t hate me after all.
“I’m fine,” I say, before nodding at my ex. “This is Kent.”
Kent scoffs, his top lip curling. “And who the fuck are you?”
Will’s attention snaps to the cheating bastard in front of us before he cocks his head, a hard smile creeping onto his perfect lips. “Who I am is none of your business, arsehole. I’d suggest you leave. Now.”
Kent’s eyebrows shoot up, his lips parting as he glances quickly from me to Will. “Eden, are... are you just going to stand there and let this criminal-looking motherfucker talk to me like that?”
I almost laugh. As if I have any control over the ready-to-erupt volcano standing beside me.
Will literally growls, although only loud enough for me to hear, as he takes another step towards Kent, shielding me from my ex’s scrutiny even further by his giant body. I instinctively grab his free hand and press myself to his side. The warmth of his body calms me, even though I know he’s anything but calm.
Our fingers fit together with ease, and it’s the most natural thing in the world to have his hand in mine.
“You must have misheard me,” Will says, shoving Kent in the chest, the bag in his hand swaying as he does. “Leave.”
“Jesus. Fine.” Kent holds his hands up and steps back, giving me one last glare. “But don’t think this is over, Eden.”
When Kent disappears, my entire body relaxes against Will’s side, and I press my forehead to his upper arm, squeezing my eyes shut.
Will allows me a moment of deep breathing before he steps away. “Come on,” he says, taking the other bag from my hand. “I’ll take you home.”
Without another word, he stalks off down the street, leaving me to chase after him until we’re in the carpark at the back of his bar.
When we’re both seated in the car, Will starts the engine, but instead of putting the gear into drive, he stares straight ahead, jaw clenched, hands gripping the steering wheel. With each ragged breath, his nostrils flare.
“Will?” I say, my voice strained. “Are... are you okay?”
