Page 20 of Wicked Titan

Wade.

Not only would Asher not drop this stupid game, he was going out of his way to make my life miserable, again, by sending in his friend. It’s highly unlikely Wade has the brain capacity to think for himself.

Throwing the doors open, the student parking lot is almost empty. Everyone had already raced away as soon as school let out. There are a few cars left, including mine and one that I’d noticed more than I wanted to, Asher’s car, that he is currently standing next to, watching me with a lazy grin.

“Need a lift?” he asks, crossing his ankle over the other as he rests against the car.

“Give me my keys and my phone now.” His casual stance heightens my wrath. This is nothing more than a stupid prank to him. I’m nothing more than a silly game to him and that pisses me off even more because I shouldn’t want to be anything to him.

“I don’t have either.” His lie is outed by the smug expression on his face. My phone and car key might not be in his physical possession at this moment, but he knows exactly where my stuff is at.

“You couldn’t give me one day … just one day where you weren’t the nastiest, vilest person that I’ve ever met in my life.”

He pushes off the car, standing in front of me. “I’m just getting started. And trust me … the more you learn about me, the more you’ll wish you’d never met me.”

“I’m already there.” I turn on my heel, stomping off as I hear him chuckling behind me. “It’s a long walk home. I’m headed in that direction if you want a lift.”

I’d travel any length to make it back to my real home, but it doesn’t exist anymore. Spinning around, I march back up to him, getting as close to his face as I can without touching him as he has done me so many times. “I’ll never be that desperate.”

Cocking his head to the side, he brushes his cheek against mine as he moves his mouth next to my ear. “You sure about that? ‘Never’ is a strong word.”

“Never … you unhinged motherfucker.” Rotating, I stomp away, preparing for my walk home. I could probably go back into the office and ask to borrow a phone, but I’m so enraged right now I just want to get out of here. And I don’t want to explain this to Candace or Nathan.

Trudging along the winding driveway of the school, a black Mercedes pulls up next to me. The window rolls down, revealing a bruised but smiling Grant.

“Everything okay?”

“Yes. I seem to have misplaced my keys.”

“Hop in. I’ll give you a ride home.” Grant nods to the passenger seat.

Looking back at the student parking lot, I see Asher still leaning against his car, watching the result of his latest scheme. This should really piss him off, and it sure beats the alternative of walking the entire way home. “Sure.”

I walk around the car as Grant reaches over, pushing the door open. Sliding into the seat, I click my seat belt before looking up to see a smirk on his face.

“He did this, right?”

“Yep.”

“And you’re hoping this will piss him off.”

“Yep.”

“Good deal.” He winks, shifting the car into drive before weaving down the driveway.

Good deal, indeed. Maybe if his schemes backfire a few times, he’ll move onto the next victim. Doubtful, but I can wish. It is my birthday, after all.

15

Candace used Tanner to lure me to the table. Sneaky but effective because here I am having a “family birthday dinner” with Nathan, Tanner, and Candace, but wholly missing the most vital part of my family.

Candace clasps her hands together, folding them under her chin. “Francis made spaghetti with meatballs, your favorite.”

“Yes, my favorite when I was seven.”

Candace shifts uncomfortably before she looks back to me. “What’s your favorite meal now?”

“Ask Dad, he knows.” My voice is flat as I enjoy her flushed expression. My own mother doesn’t know me. The seven-year-old she remembers died when she walked out on her.