Page 9 of Wicked Titan

“Yep. Especially when you’re trying to eat lunch.”

I make another mental note to avoid the library during lunch. I’d considered it before coming out to the courtyard but hadn’t felt like getting lost, again.

“I’m Victoria.” She twists the lid of her bottled tea before taking a generous swallow as her deep-green eyes stay focused on me.

“Quinn.” Friends aren’t in my plan, but I guess it won’t hurt to be a decent human. At least she’s blocking some of the view from the main courtyard where I’ve seen more than a few intense looks directed my way.

“I know. Everyone knows the name of the person who pushed Asher into the lake. And I’m sure he deserved it.”

Looking over to the group, I’m met once again with a relentless glare focused solely on me. He might be trying to intimidate me or he might just be letting his psychotic ways shine bright again, but either way, I’ve seen more than enough of him today. Thankfully, he and his pitiful excuses for friends haven’t been in any of my classes. His mouth turns up in a slight smile as he sits on the stone wall, arms across his muscular chest that is finally covered by a T-shirt, but it doesn’t stop the image of his ridiculously ripped stomach from overtaking my thoughts. Frickin’ A. Without thinking, I lift my hand and flip him off, which—insanely—only causes his smirk to grow.

Victoria turns to look at the source of my focus, no doubt spotting Asher since he makes it more than obvious that he is looking our way as he keeps his entertained smirk directed to me. “Don’t let him get to you.”

Too late. I can already feel him clawing his way under my skin, touching every good and bad nerve along the way. “He’s not.”

“Okay,” she giggles before shoveling more food into her mouth. “I think the feeling is mutual because I’ve never seen my brother so … engrossed with someone before.”

My heart drops as the alarm sounds in my head. “Your brother?”

“Yep,” she replies as she finishes shoveling the salad into her mouth before moving onto her slice of pizza. “Why’d you push him in the lake? I’ve heard all the rumors, but I’m curious about the real reason you pushed him, especially since I’ve officially witnessed the connection.”

“There is no ‘connection.’ I pushed him because he was being a dickhead.” The memory of Asher mentioning my dad sends another jolt of rage through my body. I’m still questioning the truth of the man who raised me, but no one—especially Asher—is allowed to make him into a joke.

“Yeah, that’s Asher. I’d warn you to stay away from him, but I have a feeling that’s pointless.”

Looking over, I note the same group surrounding him, including Allison who seems to be trying even harder to be the center of attention than she’d been this morning. A pang of jealousy washes over me when I consider she’s probably one of the many girls Asher has bewitched with his obnoxious yet alluring charm. “I plan to stay as far away from him as possible. Him and his little following.”

“Yeah. They’re all dickheads.” Victoria looks back at the group before turning back to me with a look of regret. At least I think it’s regret. I’ve known her all of five minutes and I’m still not sure if she’s playing “the game” for her brother. I wouldn’t be surprised by any sleazy move he tried to pull.

“Is this part of your brother’s game?”

“What game?”

“Whatever game he has planned. Just so you know … I’m not playing, and I don’t want any part of it.”

“Good thing, because I’m not playing either.” She pushes the empty plate away before starting on a strawberry shortcake.

I search her demeanor for any signs indicating deception, but I’m not getting a read on anything as she focuses on her dessert. “Where do you put all that?” I haven’t made it through a quarter of my food even though I was starving moments ago. It’s hard to stomach much right now—mentally and physically.

“It’s one of my many talents.” She winks before continuing with random talk, thankfully nothing that includes her brother. It’s enough that every time I look his way, his eyes meet mine, and even when I look away, I still see them in my mind in all their stupid, unyielding, captivating glory.

7

Victoria volunteered to walk with me to my next class, so I took her up on the offer. The campus seems to be nothing but a massively endless maze. Maybe it was designed that way to keep the students occupied so they wouldn’t escape.

“Here you are.” Cheerfully, she pulls me into a hug before releasing me. Gripping my arms, she says, “Thank you for having lunch with me.”

“Um … you’re welcome,” I say, surprised at the sudden closeness. Maybe it’s a thing with their family, not recognizing boundaries or something, because she pulls me into another hug before finally releasing me to walk down the hallway. As she does, I spot Asher headed in our direction.

Great. Please don’t let him be in this class. I’ve been fortunate all day, but I already know my luck has run out.

“Mind your manners, Asher,” Victoria turns back, yelling to her brother before getting lost in the sea of students.

I’m standing in the doorway, hoping he will keep walking, when he stops in front of me, stepping just close enough that I push back against the door frame to put more space between us. Much-needed space because I’m still trying to turn off the stupid portion of my brain that is drawn to him. No, it can’t be my brain because nobody in their right mind would be drawn to such a lunatic, even if he looks like a Greek god.

“Manners are for beggars. And I won’t ever be the one begging.”

No shocker there, of course. Asher wouldn’t be inconvenienced by saying a mere “please” or “thank you” to anyone.