Page 58 of Wicked Titan

Stripping off my dress, I twist the faucet as I step into the shower, standing under the hot water as it pelts my skin. My thoughts are jumbled. I stand unmoving under the spray until my fingertips are wrinkled.

Stepping out of the shower, I wrap a towel around me as I walk into my room to find Asher sitting on the edge of my bed.

“What are you doing in here?” I clutch the towel tighter around me, knowing he has seen everything hidden beneath the towel, but Candace is downstairs, and I’ve already had enough sex talks for the day. Hurriedly, I step into my closet, pulling on a tank and pair of shorts before I step back out into my room to find Asher patiently perched on my bed, appearing extremely comfortable.

“I couldn’t wait. I followed you and was going to sneak into your shower before you got up here.” He hooks a finger under my chin, bringing my eyes to his. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.” I clear my throat, hoping to keep emotion out of my voice. “Candace and Nathan are downstairs.”

“Nathan let me in, sort of.” He grins at my confused expression. “He was standing under the back patio where I climb up to reach your balcony. He told me he just wanted to remind me that there are forty-two cameras covering the outside of the house.”

Clenching my eyes shut, I shake my head. “Great.”

“Everything is fine. He gave me a lengthy lecture and told me to let you know you could’ve done worse,” Asher laughs as he pulls me onto his lap. “He also said he still wouldn’t go easy on me because no one will ever be good enough for you.”

Tucking my face against his chest, I hide from him. I can’t contain my emotions—those are the words my dad should’ve told him. The words Candace should’ve said. And the words I’m having a hard time believing.

Stroking his hand down my spine, he leans back, trying to meet my eyes, but I bury my face deeper against his chest. He shifts, throwing the blankets back as he lays me in the bed, then moves to slide beside me, pulling me to him as he covers us up with the blanket. I feel his lips kiss my hair as he whispers something I can’t make out because I’m crying. Asher being so kind is messing with me in addition to everything else.

His hand glides rhythmically across my back as we lay there in silence until I drift off to sleep, wondering when the next blow will come because I feel safe and secure in his arms, but I know it won’t last. I don’t belong in this world, and no matter how much I try, I never will.

47

The last week has been bliss. I’m still in disbelief. After my meltdown, I’d truly expected Asher to retreat, pull away from me like some guy who gets weirded out by girl emotions. Instead, he’s been kind and caring.

Victoria had made comments about how “less of an ass” her brother was being too. She even quit complaining after a couple of days when Asher, Elliot, and Wade started sitting with us at lunch. Well, mostly—she still seems to have some hostility towards Elliot. And if I’m reading him right, I’d say Asher is more aware of what’s going on between his sister and his best friend than they realize. I’ve avoided bringing up the topic because I won’t betray Victoria’s trust, so I just steer clear of the situation altogether.

It’s hard to not think about it right now as I watch Elliott dance across the smooth wood of the bowling lane before falling to his stomach, moving his arms like he’s swimming … which he does every single time he makes a strike.

When Elliott mentioned beating Wade at bowling, I’d thought he meant playing a video game or something. No, there’s a bowling alley in the Hastings’ house. A freaking bowling alley.

There’re four lanes in total, but we’re only playing on two of them, teaming against each other. Wade had been less Asher-watchdog-like this week too. He’d even stopped cackling in shop class when Grant tried to talk to me.

I’m so involved in the game that I don’t notice the redhead staring at me until she calls out Victoria’s name. It hadn’t been a question of if but when I’d see Monica Hastings again. I’d hoped it would be less unpleasant than our initial meeting where she’d made her disdain towards me clear. And that had been before I was involved with her son. I won’t call it dating, but we are more than buddies hanging out on a Thursday night, but she currently looks like she doesn’t approve either way.

She steps to where we’re playing, saying something to Victoria out of my earshot before looking to me. “Quinn. I wasn’t expecting to see you here.”

Asher exchanges a confused look with me before turning to his mom. “I hadn’t realized you two have already met.”

“Oh, we haven’t,” Monica catches her slipup. If she tells him how we met, she’d have to tell him where, which is suspicious under the best of circumstances. “I’m just assuming since Candace mentioned you’ve been hanging out a lot with Quinn lately.”

Ugh. Yeah. She’s lying. I know she hasn’t talked to Candace because Candace made a point to tell me that Monica isn’t the kindest person. That news hadn’t surprised me after our run-in and after meeting her son. I know firsthand how unkind a Hastings can be.

“Asher, your father wants to see you in his office.” Asher gives her a tight nod before turning to tell me he’ll be right back. “Oh, why don’t you bring Quinn with you. I’m sure your father would love to meet her too.”

Why do I feel like I’ve just been thrown to the wolves? According to the look on Asher’s face, I know I’m not off base.

“Maybe next time,” Asher says as he glares at his mother.

“Don’t be silly, Asher. Unless there’s some reason you don’t want your father to meet her.”

It’s a challenge. She’s forcing his hand, which makes me even more concerned as to why she wants me to meet Victor.

Asher looks to me. “Do you want to come with me?”

“Yes.”

I’m not going to refuse to meet him. Maybe that’s her plan. I don’t know. All these people have so many ulterior motives, I don’t even think they know which way is up. All I can think to do is face whatever this is head-on.