Page 197 of There's No Us Without You
“But Tyler didn’t know.”
“It’s for the best.”
Eden points to the front door, indicating to my brother outside—he’s likely spiralling. “How could you tell him like that?”
I scoff and attempt to walk past her, but she stands in my way. “Get out of the way, Eden. I don’t need a lecture right now. And how I decide to deal withmypersonal life is none of your goddamn business, so stay out of it.”
“No,” she says, slamming her hands against my chest, her green eyes darting between mine.
Any other time, I’d have her pinned against a wall while I fucked her within an inch of her life, or at least until neither of us could see straight.
Right now, though, I doubt either one of us is in the mood for that. I’m barely hanging on to my temper as it is, and I don’t need Eden on the receiving end of that.
I’d never forgive myself if I hurt her.
I grab her hands and pry them from my body, staring her down with all the anger I’m feeling. “Move.”
“You’re a bastard, you know? He’s your brother. My god, I only wish I had someone else to share my pain with.”
“Please,” I say, huffing out a laugh. “I don’t need you to change me, Eden. You know nothing about my family or what Tyler and I had to endure growing up. You know nothing, do you hear me? Nothing.” I get into her face, practically spitting the words at her.
“Then tell me, Will. Please, just talk to me.” She grabs my hands, bringing them to her chest. “I’m here.”
I snatch my hands out of hers and shove past her towards the stairs. “I’m done talking. Where has it ever got me before? Nowhere.”
“Will, please don’t do this.”
“Just leave it. You aren’t special, Eden. You think I’m just going to get on my knees and give you everything? Not fucking happening.”
Racing to the bottom of the stairs, she calls out after me, her words slapping me in the back. “You don’t mean that.”
I turn on her before reaching the top step, my hands clenched at my sides to stop them from shaking. “Sure I do,” I say. “I don’t need you. Just go. I’m fucking done.”
I don’t wait to see her reaction before I keep going. I know I just broke her heart the way Emerson did when he attacked her.But I can’t think about that right now—I’ll fucking crumble if I do.
Moments later, the front door slams, bringing with it a heaviness in my chest I’ve felt twice before.
Once when I lost my brother to drugs.
Then again when I thought I was going to lose Emerson.
And the third time’s the charm because I’m pretty sure I just lost my woman.
FIFTY-SIX
Eden
I stormout of the house and text Tyler to let him know I’m coming over. After the nuclear bomb Will just dropped, I’m sure he’s confused as hell, so all I can do is be there for him if he needs me.
Plus, the last place I want to be is here, with Will and his ability to make me feel like I mean nothing with just a few words.
He’s such a prick. It’s not my fault he doesn’t know how to handle his emotions.
That’s all on him. I’m sick and tired of trying to bend myself into a pretzel to please everyone else around me.
I get no response from Tyler, and to be honest, besides seeing him today, I think he’s been avoiding me after he dropped me into the shitstorm with Emerson.
An Uber ride and fifteen minutes later, I’m on Tyler’s doorstep. A woman’s voice, followed by Tyler’s, can be heard just inside the door, so I knock, and then wait, my heart practically in my throat.
