Page 53 of Wicked Titan

His arms hang at his sides as he cruelly, grimly looks at me … like he hates me.

The silence hanging in the air is suffocating as I bite back tears. “Wh-why do you hate me?”

He lowers his head, glaring at me under hooded eyes. “Because you weren’t supposed to be there.”

“What?”

My question goes unanswered yet again. I wanted to hear him say he didn’t hate me. That he was just pissed at me for some stupid picture. Something. Anything but what he just confirmed. There’s not a part of him that cares about me. I’m truly nothing to him.

Riddles.

Lies.

Deception.

That’s all that exists in my life … plus pain.

Fury fills me. Tears fall down my cheeks. I’m standing in front of him, feeling more vulnerable in the moment than I had when I was sprawled out naked and exposed in front of him.

I ram my shoulder into him as I stomp out of the room. Wiping my face when I step out into the hallway, I fling the door wide open, knowing he still hasn’t moved. How can a person be so vile and heartless?

My vision is tunneled as I walk down the hallway, pushing the door open only to find Allison standing on the step of the school, smirking as I continue past her. “Now I know why you didn’t stick around to watch me and Grant. You like joining in on the fun.”

Every bone in my body wants to swing around and take my wrath out on her but I can’t because the tears won’t stop falling, and I won’t allow her to enjoy my pain.

Grant is leaning against my car by the time I get there. He pushes off, watching me as he steps to the side. I yank the door handle open, sliding into the driver seat as I move to close the door when his hand catches it, keeping it open and exposing me when I just want to disappear.

“Quinn,” he mumbles, bending down in the doorframe so he’s eye level with me as I keep my gaze forward, staring out the windshield. Right then, Asher storms out of the school door, approaching Allison.

“Hey,” Grant whispers, “are you okay?”

I keep my anger fixated on the source of my pain.

“Asher’s not worth it, Quinn.”

It’s almost as if Asher hears Grant speak his name. Unhurriedly, Asher’s head lifts, his eyes bore into me, which causes my fingernails to unconsciously dig into the smooth leather of the steering wheel. “I need to go.”

“Okay.” Grant sluggishly stands as Asher’s glare shifts to him. “I’ll see you around.”

The door shuts but my hands remain on the steering wheel. Methodically, I reach over to shift the car into gear. He’s not worth it, but that’s not going to stop me from inflicting his misery right back on him.

44

Scribbling notes, I’m too focused and don’t see Elliot take his seat, but he makes sure I know he’s there, just like usual.

“Quinnster, it’s time.” Elliot snatches my pencil out my hand, tossing it over his shoulder, it hits the back wall of the classroom.

I turn my head to see his smiling face. “Go find my damn pencil.”

He ignores me as he continues being annoying. “Party tonight. Don’t bail on me again.”

I’m well aware of the party because Victoria had asked me at lunch if I wanted to go. It almost sounded fun until she mentioned the location—her house which also belongs to the maddening presence that is impossible to ignore and sitting at the table beside us.

“And don’t worry, Allison won’t be—” A deep throat-clearing cuts Elliot off.

I can fill in the rest of it. Allison won’t be there. Victoria mentioned that too, alleging Allison was responsible for the text Wednesday. It wouldn’t surprise me in the least, however it doesn’t change Asher’s response, or lack thereof. And even if Allison hit the send button, she still had to have gotten it when he took my phone. No matter what, who, when, why, where … it all leads back to Asher.

“Don’t care if she is.”