Page 40 of Brutal Titan

Elliot

Snuggling against her, I whisper, “I have to go,” before planting a kiss behind her ear as she stirs, sighing as she shifts away from me.

“Mh-hmm,” she says softly, watching as I climb out of the bed.

“I’ll call you later.” I give her a slow, lingering kiss before heading to the door.

The morning sun is already pouring through the window, so I pray no one sees me coming out of her room. I should’ve left hours ago, but I couldn’t let her go. I’m not sure what’s freaking me out more at the moment, the fact that I got in a few hours of restful sleep with her beside me again or the fact that now there’s no going back after last night, not that I’d want to. I just don’t know how to do this without collapsing everything to the ground. Asher is my best friend. Surely, he’ll understand. I hadn’t meant for it to happen, but it had, she’s become a vital part of my world, and I can’t lose either of them.

Stepping out of her room, I breathe a sigh of relief as I go downstairs to find the house empty. I’m thinking I need some time to figure out how the hell I’m going to explain this one. Hurrying out of the house, I drop into my car, speeding out the driveway as my phone rings through the car’s speakers.

My heart races when I see Asher’s name displayed on the touchscreen.

“Hello,” I answer, holding my breath.

“You hauled ass before I had a chance to ask you something.”

“What’s that?” A million different ways to begin to explain float through my mind, but none of them seem good enough.

“Wade said we’re going to his place tonight instead of yours. Is that the plan?”

My hands grip the steering wheel, squeezing tight. I’m relieved that is the something he wanted to ask. “Yeah, man. That’s fine. I actually have something to take care of, so I need to bail anyway. I’m sorry, dude.” But not about tonight … about last night. And about every lie, some small, some big. That’s the only thing he hates—being lied to—and I’m doing it at every turn.

“No problem. I’m thinking about skipping out too.”

We talk for a few moments before ending the call. I’m pulling into my driveway when I spot Susan’s car. It’s not that odd, but usually she gives me a call if she drops by on the weekend and I’m not home.

Entering the house, I call out to her, and she walks out of the kitchen, arms folded across her chest. Damn. She looks pissed.

Flashing her a smile, I do my best to soften whatever I did to irritate her. “Good morning!”

“Get in here now.”

Uh-oh. She’s mad mad so there’s no getting out of this one.

I follow her into the kitchen, spotting my principal sitting at the table. Shit.

Susan looks to me, her arm lifts as she eyes her watch. “Is there somewhere you’re supposed to be?”

Dropping into the chair, I avoid her eyes and Huntington’s. “I’m sorry.” And I really am. I had every intention on showing up for my detention, but once again, I flaked out because I was distracted with everything, mainly her. Last weekend I was so busy taunting Victoria and her date that I skipped out.

“And this isn’t the first time, apparently. Do you care to explain?”

“No ma’am. No excuses,” I say, looking to her before turning my eyes to Huntington. “I had intentions on following through when I said I’d be there every day and on time, but I didn’t keep my word.”

“I’m here to issue you one last warning. Take responsibility or you will be repeating your senior year while everyone else leaves you behind and goes off to college. Normally, I wouldn’t give out this many chances, but with everything—”

“Please don’t say it. I’ll be there. On time.”

Huntington stands from the table, extending his hand, and I stand to accept it. “I’ll see you first thing in the morning.”

I agree. Susan walks him to the front door, leaving me in the kitchen. I lean back in the chair before she returns shortly, having a seat in her usual chair.

“Let me have it,” I say, waiting for the remainder of the lecture.

“It looks like you’ve had a rough enough night as it is.”

Eyeing her, I’m unsure if I’m hallucinating or just blocking out the actual words she’s said. “So, you’re not going to tell me I’m an irresponsible idiot who’s about to flunk high school?”