Page 43 of Brutal Titan

“Oh,” I reply, confused by the overload of information as my brother stares at me.

“That it? I need to proceed to the next interrogation if you’re done.”

“Yeah,” I reply, not acknowledging his sarcastic comment.

He hesitates for a moment before asking, “What did Quinn say?”

“Just that she wasn’t sure where you were.”

“Okay.” Asher says before disappearing into the house.

Elliot hadn’t been hanging out with friends last night and hadn’t called me. His phone being out of commission didn’t mean he couldn’t have driven over here.

He’d done it again. He’d chickened out. Except this time, he hadn’t pulled away in the heat of the moment, he’d taken it all the way … and now he was backing out.

Walking to my car, I jerk the door open and drop into the seat. My destination is Golden Olympus Academy because there’s no way I can wait any longer to confirm what I already know.

Jogging up to the school, I step inside, making my way through the deserted hallways before stopping at the only occupied room in the school. Peeking through the doorway, I spot a teacher I don’t recognize and two idiots that I do. Grant is looking at his phone while Elliot has his head on the desk, most likely sleeping.

“Can I help you?” the teacher asks as my eyes stay pinned on Elliot. I’m enjoying the shock on his face when he looks up to see me standing there.

“May I speak with Elliot for a moment? I just have a quick message to relay to him.”

A snort comes from Grant as the teacher agrees, signaling to Elliot that he may leave the classroom for a moment. Elliot doesn’t move for at least a minute before reluctantly standing and walking out into the hallway. I move to the right a few steps, out of Grant’s line of sight before turning to face him, my hand propped on my hip.

“Did you have any intention of telling him or was being a chicken shit the plan all along?” I keep my voice steady and low, not wanting the conversation to be overheard.

“I wanted to tell him.”

“But?”

“But I couldn’t. I will. I just need some time to figure out how.”

“And is that why you disappeared on me?”

“It was one night, Victoria. I just need some time to figure shit out.” His disregard hurts more than if he would just admit to being an idiot. But no, I’m the one looking like the crazy person begging him to care about me.

“You’re right. It was one night and the one before it was nothing but a mistake.” I move to walk around him when his hand grasps my arm.

“That’swhy I disappeared. Because I figured you would think it was a mistake and bail on me. Again. And I couldn’t take you sending your brother to babysit me again.”

“Good call. And don’t bother figuring shit out, because whatever it was is over.” Jerking my arm out of his grasp, I continue down the hallway, hurriedly leaving the school. Unsurprisingly, he doesn’t attempt to follow.