Chapter Nine

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PRESENT

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Eden got into Oliver's car after classes were done for the day. Oliver was letting her drive since he didn't know where they were going. Eden wondered what his reaction would be once he figured out where they were going.

Would he even know? Oliver hadn't been to Gus's house since their sophomore year of high school. Had it been long enough that he wouldn't remember? It was probably just wishful thinking on Eden's part.

Once Oliver was in the passenger's seat, Eden took off. She had been fine when she had planned this, but now that she was doing it, she was nervous, if not scared. She didn't know how Oliver would react. He hadn't mentioned Gus in years. And Gus... she knew how he would react.

For the fifth time that day, Eden wondered whether she should go through with this. She would probably stir up trouble. Maybe the bad outweighed the good.

But she was already almost to Gus's house. If she backed out now, Oliver was sure to notice.

"Richie," Oliver said.

Uh oh. He didn't sound happy.

"Where exactly is this 'surprise'?"

"If I told you it wouldn't be a surprise, now would it?" Eden told him. She hoped he wouldn't ask any more questions.

Wrong.

"Please tell me we aren't going where I think we are."

"Of course I won't. I don't know where you think we're going.

Oliver glared at Eden. "Don't play dumb. This is his neighborhood. You know we don't get along."

So much for him not remembering.

"Who would that be?"

"You know who it is."

"Do I?" Eden was milking it for as long as she could.

"Stop the car."

"No."

"Eden." She could almost FEEL the look he was giving her. She was glad she had an excuse not to look at him.

When Eden didn't respond, Oliver said, "Eden, I'll ask you one more time. Are we going to his house?"

Eden glanced at him. His face was eerily calm, like his voice. He wasn't smiling, nor was there any suggestion of joking in his voice. When was the last time she'd seen Oliver like this?

She shuddered. She knew exactly when it was. That was one of the worst memories she had.

She blocked her mind from recalling the past. She couldn't face that right now. Not while she was driving. Hopefully, never again.

Eden decided to start telling the truth. She didn't know what Oliver would do if she continued to beat around the bush.

"Yes," she said.

Oliver said nothing.

*****

"Hey, Eden," Gus said when he opened the door. He had a smile on his face. Then he saw Oliver standing next to Eden, who had an iron grip on him to make sure he didn't bolt. Gus no longer had a smile on his face.

"Hi, Gus," Eden said. Gus didn't let her in. She pushed her way inside, dragging Oliver along after her. Gus closed the door and turned around.

"Are you just gonna stand there all day? I don't have all night, you know." Eden released Oliver and walked into Gus's kitchen. "Do you want anything to drink?" she asked Oliver.

He didn't respond.

"Okay, I'm taking that as a no," Eden said to no one in particular. She got herself a cup of water. She walked back to the living room. Gus was still standing in front of the door, staring at Oliver. Eden didn't like the look he was giving him.

"What game did you want to play?" she asked Gus.

Silence.

Eden waited.

Nothing.

She looked back and forth from Oliver to Gus. Gus was glaring at Oliver. Oliver was staring at the floor.

"Am I gonna be talking to myself all night?"

"Why is he here?" Gus said, his voice low. Eden could almost swear she heard a threat in his question.

She glanced at Oliver. He heard it, too.

"Why can't he be here? He's my friend."

'Oh, gee, you're right. How could I be so rude? Come here man, I've missed you!' Gus said. At least, that's what happened in Eden's mind anyway.

In reality, Gus said nothing.

"He used to be your friend, too, you know."

Gus finally looked away from Oliver. Unfortunately, now Gus was looking at Eden with the same murderous expression.

"Key words: used to be. As far as I'm concerned, Butler is dead to me."

"Same here, Mathis." Oliver spoke up.

"You're one to talk."

"I could say the same thing about you."

"You wanna go?"

"It would be my pleasure."

Oliver took off his jacket. Gus rolled his sleeves up. Eden stepped between them. There was no friendliness in their eyes.

"Stop it!"

They ignored her.

"You have the nerve to show your face in front of me?" Gus was shouting now.

"It wasn't exactly my idea!" Oliver shouted back.

This was going way worse than the worst scenario Eden had imagined. At worst, she figured they would ignore each other. She hadn't expected this. She'd underestimated the feud between them. Once again, she wondered what exactly had taken place to make them hate each other so much they couldn't be in the same room together for ten minutes without fighting.

Gus took a step forward. Oliver did the same.

This was bad. Really bad.

"I'm warning you," Eden tried again. "Stop, before somebody gets hurt."

"Move, Richie," Oliver said.

"I won't! Not until you stop this stupid feud of yours."

"I said, move!" Oliver thundered. Eden was so scared she was shaking, but she held her ground.

"No!"

Oliver grabbed her arm and jerked her out of the way. His grip was like steel. He was squeezing her arm so hard, Eden thought it was going to break. But only for a moment. When he let go, her momentum was too great. Normally, she only would've stumbled. As it was, Oliver used more force than a person normally would. Eden went barrelling into the wall.

There was a loud thud. Then the room went quiet.

Eden was laying on the floor. She'd smacked her face into the wall. On the way down, she'd hit her head on a side table. She was still conscious, but her head hurt. It also felt strangely wet...

She heard Gus's voice. He was cursing. Then she heard another voice. Oliver? She couldn't make out what he said, but apparently Gus didn't like it. Oliver received a solid punch in the jaw and stumbled backwards.

The next thing she knew, Gus was at her side.

"Are you okay, Eden?" he asked her. He was cradling her head in his hands.

"My head... hurts..."

She saw Oliver from the corner of her eye. He was looking at her. She couldn't make out the look in his eye. As for his expression, she couldn't tell as he was holding his face.

Gus followed her gaze.

"What are you still doing here? Get out!" He screamed at Oliver.

Eden winced. The noise did not help her massive headache.

She saw Oliver turn around and walk out the front door without a glance back. Then she closed her eyes.