Page 112 of Goode Tidings

Eden carefully takes a coffee from me. "If anybody wants coffee, the cafeteria is open. The selection isn't great, but caffeine is caffeine."

The group declines, moving over to occupy an empty section of the waiting area near Justin. I walk over and hand him one of the two cups I'm holding.

He takes it from me. "I'm not saying thank you."

"Great, because I'm not the one who brought your sorry ass coffee." We're talking in hushed tones, but the person closest to us, Dominic, has overheard and now he's looking at us with a curious expression.

Everyone sits down. Purses and water bottles are tucked under seats, everyone getting as comfortable as possible in these seats.

"Poor Ollie finally gets you to agree to the camping trip, and then this happens?" Klein's speaking to Eden. "You'll probably never let him out of your sight again."

Eden frowns. "How do you know about the angst surrounding the camping trip?"

Klein shrugs. "Ollie texts me."

"Just wait until you have a kid, Klein." Eden rubs at her eyes. "Every day your heart will walk around outside your body, and you'll know what real fear feels like."

Paisley leans forward, her hands on her knees. "Eden, you know this had nothing to do with you, right? You're constantly looking for ways you could have prevented something, but there was no preventing this."

Eden taps her cup with her fingernail. "Logically, yes, but⁠—"

Justin interrupts her with a scornful roll of his lips. "I'll say what no one else will. Oliver's in there because you're too busy boffing my brother to take proper care of our son."

Eden pales. Justin knows just where to hit her to inflict maximum pain, no physical contact needed.

My hand curls into a fist. Eden sees it and covers it with a palm. She shakes her head at me, the tiniest motion. How does she remain so calm around Justin? Years of practice?

"Boff? Who says boff?" Klein matches Justin's scorn. "Say something like that about my sister again and I'll drag your ass outside."

I like Eden's brother. If I had a sister, I'd be dragging someone's ass outside, too.

Justin returns Klein's glare. "You were a lot nicer when you were younger."

"At least I evolved. You were always a tool."

"Can confirm," Dominic says, then glances at me. "I take it you're the brother?"

I shake my head at him. "My single mom was married to his single dad for six years, two decades ago."

Dominic's eyebrows raise. "Which makes you⁠—"

I stare hard at Justin. "Not related. At. All."

His lip curls. "Doesn't change the fact that Eden agreed to this camping trip because she wanted Oliver gone for the weekend so she could f⁠—"

I'm up. I'm turning. I'm grabbing Justin by his shirt and I'm hauling him in close to my face, just like I did earlier today in the cabin. "If you keep talking about Eden like that, you're going to need medical attention. Good thing we're already in a hospital."

Justin's jaw flexes. His eyes narrow. It's a familiar look, one I remember from way back when.

"Callum," Eden whispers.

I give Justin a harsh look and throw him back into the chair. Coffee blooms over one thigh of his jeans, dripping down to the floor.

I look at Eden, but she's looking across the room.

To Dr. Mendelson.

CHAPTER 51