Page 21 of Brutal Titan

Finally, it’s the end of Sunday’s punishment, and I hurry outside, dropping into the NSX. I waste no time as I head to my house, wanting to actually be there for the first time in a really long time. As I pull into the garage, I’m disappointed to not see her car anywhere in sight. Shit. This is an even bigger problem than I’d thought. I need to get a grip, but instead, I send her a quick message, letting her know I’m home.

Quickly, I hop in the shower and get dressed in record time, then check my phone again. No response. Tossing it aside, I fall back on my bed. Damn it. Having her near has only made me want her around more. Hopefully, it doesn’t get worse because here I am, grabbing my phone and calling her. No answer.

When my phone rings a few minutes later, I get excited until I see Asher’s name on the glass screen. Does he know? Is that why she hasn’t responded?

I answer, holding my breath as I wait for my best friend to speak.

“Hey. I’m heading over in a few.”

“What? Why?” I ask, unsure of what’s going on. He sounds normal. Not mad. Not upset. Not ready to strangle me for inviting his little sister into my bed. Again.

“Victoria told me that you didn’t want to stay in the house alone. Why didn’t you tell me, man? You know you are always welcome here, and I don’t mind crashing over there if you’re having a hard time.”

“What did she tell you?”

“She mentioned that you looked exhausted this morning and after she questioned you, you finally admitted that you were having nightmares and didn’t want anyone to know … but I don’t understand why you didn’t tell me.”

“I didn’t want anyone to know.” But she took care of that. Sending my best friend to babysit me out of pity. “Is she around?”

“No. She left. Something about staying a few nights at our grandparents’ house. Do you want to grab something to eat or did Susan leave us food?”

She left.The words echo in my mind, recalling how I’d pathetically asked her to stay, pleading with her not to leave me too. Like my mother attempted to do.

“You there?”

“Ah, yeah. Don’t worry about coming over. I tried to tell her I was okay. It was just a bad night.” Really bad because now I know how she feels, how I feel when she’s in bed with me.

“I’m heading over anyway, so tough shit.”

“Thanks, man,” I mumble, disconnecting the call after assuring me he’s on his way. I don’t want his pity, but I can’t help but appreciate the fact that he cares enough to show up, unlike her.

My fingers clutch the phone, then without thinking, I hurl it across the room, and it smashes into the wall, splintering into pieces. Hurrying downstairs, I yank a fifth of whiskey out of the fully-stocked cabinet beneath the bar, downing a long swig before heading to the backyard. Plopping down on one of the lounge chairs, I take another drink, looking around the deserted patio. It’s been decorated as an oasis for the upcoming bonfire where everyone I know, and some I don’t, will laugh and have a good time, completely unaware of the torment trapped inside the walls of the house. And the one person who eases the agony is nowhere to be found.

Less than twenty minutes later, Asher steps out the back door onto the patio. Dropping onto the lounge chair beside me, he asks, “Is that supper?”

“Yep.” I hold the bottle to him as he grabs it, takes a swig, then returns it. “Thanks for coming.”

“Anytime.”

My eyes stay focused on the darkness as we thankfully sit in silence. I’m scared my words will betray me, revealing the beast I’m trying to tame tonight. Even as her emerald eyes flash in my mind, I have to remind myself it’s better that she’s nowhere around. To think, I was willing to gamble my friendship on her stupid ass when she doesn’t even have the decency to pick up the damn phone to tell me she’s bailing. At least she did so before I lost my best friend—he’s the only person I’ve been able to count on through all of this. She did us both a favor, but that doesn’t do anything to stifle my anger.