Page 54 of Wicked Titan

Asher’s low snicker mocks me. Why can’t I just get him out of my head? Probably because he’s always there, lurking just within sight but out of reach, tormenting me. Even when he’s not around, he’s still there—in my bed, in my shower, in the freaking garage.

“I’ll be there.” The words come out with more force than I intend as I notice Asher’s jaw tighten. He loathes me so much the only thing that causes him a reaction is my presence, so I’m about to smother him with it as much as he is suffocating me. He’s about to see just how confining I can be.

45

I’ve made plenty of stupid decisions in my life—taking the fake threesome picture being one of them—but this decision has to be the most idiotic. It was made even worse by the fact that I took the time to get dressed up, selecting a short black minidress that Candace had picked out and hung in my closet. I feel out of place wearing it as I tug the hem down, trying to figure out what Candace had been thinking when she’d bought it for me. Unless she hadn’t even taken the time to select the outfits and had someone else do it. That’s possible; even so, I was hoping to look the part even if I don’t feel it because I’m not in the mood for a party. I just want to hide in my room, and I almost backed out and did just that but memories from last weekend changed my mind.

I walk through the open side gate as cars pull up the drive, parking anywhere there is an open spot, and there aren’t many, even though the area is as big as the stone mansion it sits before. From the looks of it, it rivals Nathan’s house in size, which makes sense as I remember Victor competes with Nathan in all aspects. It’s a toss-up on who has the bigger house, but the one thing for sure is they are both overcompensating because a small village could live in half of either house.

Carefully stepping up the uneven stone path, I’m glad I decided to forgo heels in favor of my sandals instead. The dress felt out of place enough, I had to have something that felt like me even if it was just my shoes.

Stepping inside the enormous red door, I decide Nathan won the battle of houses. Don’t get me wrong, the Hastings’ mansion is immaculate, elegant, and gorgeous, but even filled with the swarm of partygoers, it feels cold, intense, and museum-like. Nathan’s is welcoming, homey, and comfortable, which explains even more why Victoria said they’d hid out there when they were kids.

The loud music overpowers all the celebrating voices as I make my way to the kitchen. Victoria said she would be waiting there when I’d messaged her that I was headed her way.

Stepping into the kitchen, I spot her sitting on the counter, a drink in her hand as Elliott stands next to her. His usually playful expression is nowhere on his face as Victoria stares past him, a look of pure boredom on her face.

She waves, her face lighting up when she sees me walking over. Elliot is staring at her but she’s still ignoring him.

“Quinn! I’m so hap-py you are here!” She slurs a bit as she speaks, which tells me she’s been enjoying the party for a while. She pats the black granite countertop next to her as she holds out the shot glass in her hand.

I haven’t had a drink since that night, haven’t even wanted one until now. Hopping on the counter next to Victoria, Elliot looks to me. “Just keep her from doing stupid shit.”

“Worry about yourself, Bah-ass,” Victoria says. Downing a shot, she refills the glass, then passes it to me.

The shot of amber liquid burns my throat, causing me to cough a bit before handing it back to Victoria. She immediately refills it, passing it back. I hold it for a second before downing it too.

Elliot curses under his breath as he shakes his head. “Come get me if there’s a problem.”

Victoria pours another shot, gulping the liquid in a swift move before slipping her hand across her mouth, wiping away a drop that trailed down her chin. “You are the problem.”

A stare down ensues as the liquor is poured again. Just before she is about to swig it, Elliot snatches it from her hand, splashing the liquid on her bare thighs before downing the remainder of the amber liquid in the shot glass.

She brings the bottle to her lips, tilting her head back to take a generous swallow. Her bleary eyes challenging him.

He steps next to her, his hand wiping the liquid off her thigh as he leans forward, saying something in her ear. She tenses before he turns to walk away.

Damn. What the hell did I just step into?

She looks to me, panic on her face. “Don’t—”

“I won’t.” She doesn’t want me to tell Asher because it’s more than clear that whatever is going on between her and Elliott is anything but brother-and-sisterly and something I’m sure Asher wouldn’t approve of happening between his best friend and sister.

The liquor is taking effect as I glance around the kitchen. Spotting a group looking like they’re having the time of their lives on the makeshift dance floor, I ask, “Wanna dance?”

“Yes!” Excitedly, she takes another drink, passing me the bottle from which I take a liberal pull before handing it back to her.

We hop off the counter, dancing our way through the crowd as the music takes over my thoughts. Smiling, I welcome the pleasurable buzz that’s overtaking my mind.

My eyes close as I dance with Victoria, swaying along with the music. When my eyes open, I meet Asher’s gaze. He’s standing on the staircase, propped against the wall as he watches. Satisfaction sails through me, enjoying his rigid stance. A mischievous smile spreads across my face as I turn my back to him, rotating so Victoria is dancing in front of me.

Raising my arms above my head, I dance with abandon, enjoying the free feeling as my hips sway with the beat of the music. The crowd grows, closing in, bodies are swaying all around us. A guy I don’t recognize moves in front of Victoria, placing his hand on her waist as she turns to him. A guy from math class—Connor, I think—dances in front of me and I follow along. He moves his arm around me, pressing his palm to my lower back as my arms drape over his shoulders. Feeling the beat and in sync, we move together until he stiffens beneath my touch, his eyes locked over my shoulder. Rotating to who I know is standing there, I find Asher still as a statue in middle of the crowd that dances on.

“Go. Away,” I yell, turning back to my dance partner who’s also stopped moving. Instead of sticking with me and ignoring Asher, he backs away before disappearing in the crowd. Pussy. I twist around, looking squarely at Asher, who still stands in the middle of the dancing crowd. “Go away!”

Turning my back to him, I continue dancing as I see Elliott pull Victoria away from the dance floor as he yells, “I got this one.”

“What the—” My feet leave the floor as I’m hoisted over Asher’s shoulder, my hands gripping the T-shirt covering his back.