Page 36 of Wicked Titan

The grin is replaced with an intense expression. “Fix it.”

Mason screwed my former best friend and now wants me to help him remedy their issues. Hell no. “Not my problem.”

“Yes, it is. Everything was fine before you stirred shit up.”

“‘Stirred shit up’?” I laugh. “Sure, it’s all my fault.” I reach around him to open my door, but he counters the move, stepping in front of me. Grabbing my arms, he swings me around and my back slams against the car, knocking the breath out of me as I try to comprehend a side of Mason I’ve never witnessed before.

He towers over me, rage exuding from every pore. Harsh, heated words are spewed at me. “You did this. Pushed us together by disappearing, blowing me off after a year of holding out only to show up and screw things up when you realized I was happier with her. You’ve always been a spiteful bitch that can’t—”

A swoosh of wind blows past my face as Mason’s grip suddenly releases me. Asher hauls him backwards, releasing Mason with a forceful shove before stepping in front of him. “Get your fucking hands off her.”

Elliot steps in front of me, his back a solid, protective wall, as I catch my breath. Asher and Mason yell obscenities at each other, their words blending together. I step to the side, watching in shock as Asher tells Mason to get the fuck out of here before he beats the shit out of him.

Mason looks to me, peeking from behind Elliot, and teases, “Which one’s your new fuck buddy, or is it both of them?”

Asher lunges forward, but Mason retreats, laughing as he speaks. “Answers that question. Good luck getting the frigid bitch to give it up.”

Mason is still laughing, unprepared for Asher’s sudden swing, his fist connecting—fast and hard—with Mason’s jaw. Mason stumbles back, only to be caught by Asher’s fist clutching his shirt collar.

“Leave. You won’t get another chance to walk away because once I start, I won’t be able to stop until I beat every bit of life out of your fucking body.” Asher thrusts Mason back as he releases his hold.

Mason cocks his head to the side, spitting blood that splatters on the pavement. Finally walking away, he hops in his truck and speeds off, tires screeching.

Asher doesn’t look my way, he just storms off. Sliding into his car, he peels out of his usual parking spot.

Elliot rubs his palm up my arm as I startle. “You all right?”

I nod my head, looking in the direction that Mason disappeared. Mason was always short tempered with his buddies but nothing like the display I’d just witnessed.

He gives me a slight smile, his usual jokester ways no where to be seen. “Don’t forget, party tonight if you want to hang out.”

I slide into the driver’s seat, relieved to be in the safety of my car. My fingers dig into the steering wheel as I maneuver down the winding driveway. Turning onto the highway, I’m relieved to not see Mason’s truck anywhere in sight. I drive faster than I normally would because, for the first time, I can’t wait to get to Nathan and Candace’s house and the security it provides. There’s no way Mason knows where their house is, at least I hope not. I don’t even think Haley has the exact address.

Once I park in my usual spot in the garage, I reach for my phone, wanting to text Haley, but that will probably make everything worse. Instead, I shut my phone off. There’s really no one I’d want to talk to now. I just want to hide away and not deal with anything, but I know nothing is that simple.

28

Sliding into my flip-flops, I slip out of the back door of the house. The fact that they never set the fancy house alarm shows just how comfortable Nathan and Candace feel in their fortress. I will admit, it does feel safe and almost comfortable. Why else would I be wandering around outside in the dark at midnight in my pajamas? I’m restless—anger has overtaken the shock of what happened with Mason. I’m mad because I didn’t defend myself. I’m furious about who did come to my defense. Glancing in the direction of the Hastings’ house, faint sounds of music hang in the air, so I’m assuming the party is still going strong, but there’s no way I’m going.

Pressing the code into the door panel, the latch clicks as I push the door open, tiptoeing into the garage. I doubt Candace or Nathan would mind me hanging out in here, but I’d rather not explain why I’m sitting out here—mostly because I’m not all that certain myself.

Clicking the button on the small wall lamp, a faint glow lights the garage. It has four slips for vehicles but the only two spots are occupied by vehicles that are supposed to be mine. One in pristine condition, the other rusted, its engine refusing to come to life.

My thumb pushes hard into the button on the door handle before slowly pulling the driver side door open as it creaks in the silent garage. My hands rub the torn fabric as I move into the seat, pulling the door toward me, but not fully closing it. The battered Corvette envelops me as tears trail down my cheeks, I don’t make a move to wipe them away or attempt to stop them from falling. I’m so tired. Tired of not knowing why my dad was lying to me. Or how he could have lied to me. It was something big. Something that cost him everything.

A movement near the door catches my attention, my head darts up. Asher stands just inside the door, watching me as he slowly walks towards me.

I franticly wipe the tears from my cheeks before pushing the car door open, sliding out as I stomp over to him. “What are you doing here?”

He doesn’t say a word, just steps forward, lifts his hand, and cups my cheek in his palm. His rough skin presses against my face as he soothes his thumb over my tear-stained cheek, his rugged touch tenderly wiping the moisture away.

My hands fly to my face, brushing his away as I wipe the remaining evidence of my tears off my face. I step away from him, embarrassed that of all people, Asher is the witness to the moment where I let my emotions overtake me.

His hand falls lazily to his side. “I hate when you cry.”

“Shouldn’t you be at your party?” I attempt to direct attention away from the fact that I’m crying. He’s not supposed to see me cry. He’ll use it against me later.

“Yes.”