Page 26 of Wicked Titan

Nathan’s feet splash in the water next to mine as he plops down next to me. I watch the ripples fade beneath the water.

“Your mom was worried about you,” he says, interrupting the silence.

“That’s a first,” I mumble, pushing my palms against the smooth cement beneath me. Up until a few weeks ago, eleven years’ worth of time had passed where she hadn’t cared enough to find out if I was sick, hurt, happy, or well.

“It’s true. We were both worried.”

“Here I am.”

“Haley called.”

“Lucky you.” At least she called someone because she couldn’t be bothered to call me. I’m not even sure I cared about Mason. At least not like I had before. It’s the sting of her betrayal that slices through me. The lies. Maybe if she would’ve just told me, I’d feel differently. Too late to find out now.

“Do you want to talk about it?”

“No.”

“Okay.” He pauses for a moment. “If you change your mind, I’m here to listen. Or maybe you can talk to your mom. I’m sure she’d be better at the advice giving.”

“I don’t need advice.”

“But it does seem like you need a friend.”

“What’s the point? They do nothing but lie.”

“Everyone makes mistakes.”

“‘Everyone’ is an asshole.”

“Yep, major.” His answer startles me. When I finally turn my head to meet his gaze, he continues, “But that doesn’t mean we don’t care … even angels fall.”

I’m silent as Asher appears in my thoughts, the beautifully angelic face that I still feel the urge to slap. “Sure.”

“Seriously, there’s a song about it and everything,” he laughs, swinging his feet and creating waves throughout the swimming pool.

“Or maybe there’s no such thing as angels, and there’s nothing but a bunch of evil assholes everywhere.”

“Perhaps,” he hesitates before continuing. “But wouldn’t you want your dad watching over you?”

“No, I want him to tell me why he lied to me.”

“He’s the only one who can answer that, but I’m sure there was a good reason.”

“Sure,” I repeat, but there is no good reason. He could’ve told me anything. Maybe if he had, we could’ve figured it out together and he would still be here.

Nathan rises. “The offer still stands. Although, I’ll tell you, the house is already yours.”

“I’m not sure I want it anymore.”

“Either way, it’s yours. The money is waiting for you after graduation, but I’ve already purchased the house and had your name put on the deed. Keep it, rent it, sell it, burn it down … just, whatever you do, make sure you do it for the right reason.” He walks away as if he didn’t just give me a house.

A house I no longer want. What am I going to do, live there and watch Mason and Haley enjoy their happily ever after?

The plan had always been to go to college with Haley. I guess that changes now too. It’s not too late to apply to other schools, and the best scenario would probably be as far away from here as possible. Maybe a new, fresh start would be best. Maybe I could eventually forget everything I left behind. The only problem is I have to make it through this year before that can happen. And that seems more impossible that anything else.

21

Monday. I’ve always loathed Mondays but this one is major suckage. I’m standing in front of school, watching as everyone walks through the doors like it’s not a big deal, and it’s really not. But I wasn’t supposed to walk through them again, yet here I am.