Page 13 of Cruel Titan

I’m not so sure our definition of hip is the same, but I’m pleased that Nathan wants my input on something that seems to be particularly important to him. “I’ll try my best.”

“And you’ll do fabulous! Come and grab me if you need anything. I’m going to finalize the menu with the caterer. Any requests?” She smiles, waiting at the door while I draw a blank on every food I’ve ever eaten but picture Tanner and his love for cake and all things sweet.

“Not for the main course, but definitely some good cake for dessert.”

She gives me a thumbs up, then leaves me alone in the conference room, the silence feeling eerie. Walking over to the window, I peek out over the view. It’s not as breathtaking as the one from Nathan’s office but still serene enough to put me at ease. Taking a seat at the table, I search the list of bands and get started on the quest of booking the best available. The research I’m here to do will have to wait until later. Getting comfortable with being here before I start snooping is my first goal, and there’s something in me that wants this fundraiser to be the best ever so Nathan’s dad will be proud of him. There’s no doubt in my mind that Barker Bennett is just as intimidating in person as he is in the eight-foot image that towers over me daily, watching as I walk the halls of Golden Olympus, and I’m sure I’ll find out soon enough.

11

Quinn

The school week should be over, but thanks to the stupid showdown with Asher, I have to return first thing in the morning. Candace wasn’t pleased about the whole incident, but thankfully, she didn’t question me too much on what led up to me throwing Asher’s phone across the classroom. It wasn’t difficult to convince her that Asher was just being a jerk. It doesn’t take much convincing at all for anyone who has spent even a short amount of time around the dickhead. He’s been unnervingly quiet the remainder of the week, with only some snarly stares in my direction. He is doing the same thing now as I make my way to the student parking lot with Grant at my side, rattling off about something that I don’t care to listen to. Walking next to him isn’t near the top of my list of things that I want to do, but sadly, I enjoy the furious stare it elicits in Asher as he tracks our daily walk to the parking lot. Today is no exception, and I’m met with furious green eyes, watching as we exit the school doors.

“It’s time!” Elliot yells after bursting through the doors.

I attempt to ignore his theatrics but in normal Elliot Bass style, he refuses to be ignored.

“Quinnster!” Elliot hollers, jogging to the bottom of the stairs. Asher doesn’t move from his spot at the top of the stairs, but fixates his intent glare on Grant, who has also stopped at Elliot’s loud request. “It’s time!”

“Yes. It’s time to go home.” Although I’m not heading home because I need to visit Lindsey and Davis. I’ve spent every evening at Vast Perception, so I’m itching to check in with them.

“Yes. Go home. Get dressed. Then come to my house for the party.”

“Hard pass,” I reply, looking to Asher.

“Oh, come on. It’s just what you need. Drink. Relax. Work out some frustration without breaking shit.” He laughs, but the humor is lost on everyone standing around him.

“No. Plus, I have to be back here bright and early tomorrow.”

“Me too!” Elliot replies in a chipper voice … way too chipper to be talking about returning to school on a Saturday.

Damn. His fight with Grant pops into my mind as I look back at the other person that will be sharing a Saturday of misery at Golden Olympus.

“Great,” I mumble under my breath. Why can’t Principal Huntington just suspend students or make a torture chamber that doesn’t involve the three stooges standing around me?

Elliot points at me with a grin. “It will be great. Party tonight will be too. You know where I live if you change your mind.” Elliot looks to Grant, his grin fading. “You show, and you’ll have bigger problems than you already have.”

Rolling my eyes, I hurry away before I can hear Grant’s response. There’s no way I’m going to the party, so they can hash it out amongst themselves because there’s somewhere more important I need to be.

* * *

Knock, knock. I tap on the door, peeking at Davis who looks back at me for the first time in weeks. I never thought I’d be so happy to see his face, but here I am, fighting back tears of relief at the sight of him sitting in the hospital bed awake. Lindsey had called to inform me that Davis had woken up but I still hadn’t known what to expect. The last time I’d seen him, he had tubes and wires hooked to every area of his body. Looking at him now, he looks almost like himself. He’s even wearing a T-shirt and sweats instead of the hospital gown he’d been in before.

Lindsey rushes to me, pulling me into a familiar hug. “Quinn, I’ve missed you.”

“Me too.” I hug her tighter, not realizing how much I’d missed her. It was hard being away from the hospital for so long. Though she called me to give updates, it just wasn’t the same as seeing both of them in person. Lindsey mentioned that Davis didn’t remember anything about the accident or the day of it. I should be more disappointed, but the relief of him being awake and talking is all that matters in this moment. Cautiously, I walk beside the bed, my eyes drifting over the gash on his cheek that looks much better than it did when he arrived. “I’m so glad you’re okay.”

“I’ve been better,” he replies with his usual sarcasm. I let out a laugh as a tear slips down my cheek.

“I’m so sorry,” I whisper, unable to think of the million things I’d wanted to tell him when I’d thought I may not have the opportunity ever again.

“Hmph. Accidents happen, and thankfully I don’t remember any of it, so I just had a really long nap.”

Lindsey laughs, clasping his hands in hers. “You always could sleep through anything.”

A smile covers my face at the sight of Lindsey having her husband back.

Davis looks to Lindsey. “Could you check on that cup of ice that the nurse said she would grab for me? She never came back with it.”