Page 240 of There's No Us Without You
Before I fucked everything up.
Before Tyler died.
Koby’s face drops, and he tilts his head, narrowing his eyes on me.
Shit. I should have known he’d see right through me, so I slap him on the shoulder, directing his attention elsewhere. “Want a beer?”
A sly grin spreads over his lips. “Does a bear shit in the woods?”
I ruffle his wayward blond hair, making it stick up in all different directions. “Fuck, I’ve missed you, bro.”
He grins at me, wiggling his eyebrows. “I suppose I missed you too.”
SIXTY-SEVEN
Eden
I checkmy hair in the rear-view mirror of my mother’s car. It’s pulled into a tight bun, the front slicked back. My eyes are also bloodshot, and the dark circles under them give away the fact I’ve been miserable for the last week.
My mother has mostly left me alone. Although I have spent most of my time at the restaurant or at Stella’s house. I feel bad because I’m taking her away from Carter, but I also like seeing him because he updates me on Emerson.
Will, on the other hand, has made himself invisible it seems. Apparently, he’s barely spoken to Emerson these last few days.
Breathing deeply, I step out of the car and straighten the front of my black dress. Today is Tyler’s funeral, and as much as I know Will doesn’t want to see me, I wouldn’t miss it for anything.
Tyler accepted me the moment we met, no questions asked. And although I didn’t spend a great deal of time with him—our lifestyles getting in the way—he was one of my favourite people in the entire world.
So I’ll say my goodbye, then I can let Will and Emerson move on together.
Even if it breaks me.
There’s a small crowd of people gathered at the head of the path leading down to where Tyler’s casket is sitting on the lowering device. They all seem to know each other, making me the odd one out.
I squeeze my lips together, willing my bottom one to stop trembling. When Stella offered to come with me, I should have accepted—now that I’m here, I don’t want to be alone.
A familiar clean and earthy scent infiltrates all my senses, and I turn just as Emerson wraps his arms around me. “Hey, baby,” he says against the top of my head. “You look beautiful.”
I close my eyes and breathe him in, being in his arms a familiar yet distant memory.
God, I miss him so much. It’s the first time in a week I’ve been able to take a deep breath. He hugs me tighter when I grip onto his suit jacket like I need him to survive—which I do.
It goes against everything. No-one should need another person to survive, yet here I am in need of two.
“Where’s Will?” I say when I release him from my grip and step back.
Shoving his hands into his suit pants, he nods towards the casket. “Thought I’d give him some alone time before”—he shrugs, a sad smile turning down the corners of his lips—“we say goodbye.”
I link my arm through one of his, the warmth of his body a slight comfort. “How is he?”
“Honestly, I’m not sure.” Emerson rubs the back of his neck, wincing. “He hasn’t been around much. Spends most of his time at the bar—sleeps there sometimes too.”
Poor Emerson. But most of all poor Will. I wish I could hold him, tell him I love him—and will continue to love him—no matter what was said and done.
“Are you okay?” I glance down at Emerson’s left leg.
He lifts the limb, a small grin spreading over his face. “I’m walking without crutches.”
I smile for the first time since leaving him. “Yeah, you are. I’m proud of you.” I search his face, blinking back my tears.
