“I did.” I fold my arms over my chest. “So what?”
“With what fucking money?”
“My uni money,” I say quickly.
His mouth drops open. “Wes, that’s absolutelycrazy.”
“It’s crazy to pay back your debt?”
“Yes,” he explodes. “I don’t want you involved. You can’t—” He shakes his head. “You can’t give your fucking address out to anyone and everyone. I need to know you’re out of this and safe.”
“Why wouldn’t I be safe?”
“I don’t want everyone thinking they can come find you and get their money. Use your brain, for fuck’s sake.”
How many more debts does he have? What does he mean by “everyone”? Fear slithers along my spine.
“Wes,pleasejust trust me,” he says, his tone cajoling now. “Stay out of this. I promise you that I’ll be okay. I’m sorting it, yes?”
My heart is breaking. How did it come to this? It used to be that my brother was the person I trusted above all others, and so of course, I would believe every promise he made. But all that’s been erased and it’s so fucking sad. I remember what Ben had told me.Tyler’s an addict.I make a gasping, choking sound as pain engulfs me.
“I’m sorry,” he whispers, and for a second, he’s my Tyler again—my big brother.
He pulls me into a hug. He smells terrible, and his clothes are creased and dirty, but I grab him as hard as I can—as if I can keep him safe through the strength in my grip.
He pulls back slightly, cupping my face with his hands. “Wes, I?—”
The door suddenly opens, and everything turns to shit.
“I forgot my wallet,” Mac says as he enters the flat, carrying his keycard.
He freezes, his eyes taking in the scene. Me standing in Tyler’s arms. Of course, I make things worse by taking a fast step away from Tyler and holding up a placating hand. “Mac,” I say. “This is my?—”
“What thefuckis going on?” he slices through my stupid explanation. His eyebrows slam together over icy eyes, and his hands fist at his sides. I realise I’ve never seen him purely and simply enraged.
“It’s not what you think,” I blurt.
Tyler takes a step toward Mac, his gaze quickly scanning Mac’s expensive suit before bounding to the rest of the flat and bedroom.
When his gaze lands on me, I know he’s joined the dots. “Tyler, don’t,” I say quickly.
“He’s no uni friend.” He grabs my arms and gives me a shake. “Is this where the money came from?” he says, his eyes wide. “This bloke is giving you money tofuckhim?”
“No! Tyler, please calm down.” I stay him with a shaky hand.
Mac talks over me, his voice cold and dark with threat. “Take your fucking hands off Wes.”
I blanch. “Mac, stop. It’s not what you think,” I try again.
Tyler tosses my hand off him. “You’re fucking him!” he shouts at Mac. “You’re paying my brother forsex.” He charges Mac.
Mac doesn’t feint or bob, of course. He simply slams his fist into Tyler’s nose. There’s a sickening crack, and blood sprays everywhere.
“Oh, fuckingwonderful!” I shout. “Stop it.”
Tyler, groaning with rage and pain, charges Mac again, shoving him against the wall. There’s a thud, and the pictures rattle. The two men tussle, grunting.
“Tyler, stop!” I grab at his arm to pull him away, but he flails and I take a backhand to the face.
