Page 14 of Wicked Titan

Smiling, I envy his innocence and joy at something as simple as having a piece of chocolate cake. Hopefully, he will enjoy the simple pleasures as long as possible and not have to deal with reality anytime soon. It’s all on you, Candace. She’d left when I wasn’t much older than he is now. The only difference time has presented is me; I won’t make it easy for her to walk away this time. Tanner deserves better than the pitiful excuse I’d gotten for a mother. One of us should have a happy childhood. One of us shouldn’t know what it’s like to watch their mother—the person who should love you the most—walk away.

10

Standing in front of the floor-to-ceiling mirror inside the walk-in closet, I solemnly loop my tie. Adjusting the knot, I laugh at the memory of trying to teach Dad so he’d stop wearing clip-on ties. I eventually gave up and tied them all for him, leaving a loose knot so he could adjust them as needed. My finger smooths along the gold stitching between the maroon and black fabric. What would Dad say if he saw me wearing a tie for school?

Shaking my head, I run my hands over the crisp white button-down shirt that’s tucked into my pleated skirt that matches the dang tie that seems to be getting tighter and tighter around my throat. I grab one of the blazers that hangs neatly with the others. There’s five of everything related to my school uniform. Maybe I should leave a spare at school in case there’s another mishap.

No. I’m going to control my temper. Asher wants a rise out of me. Not giving it to him will bother him even more.

Why is he already invading my brain? It’s not like it has ever really stopped since I’d first laid eyes on him yesterday, but I was hoping the morning would clear the lusty haze. I don’t need the desire that fills my thoughts every time his chiseled abs pop into my mind. I force the image out with the reminder of his warped mentality.

I slide on a new pair of black ballerina flats, opting to forego the pair that went swimming yesterday, but once again, that’s not a problem since there are several pairs lined neatly on the shelf. I won’t ever adjust to having a pre-filled closet that’s larger than my old bedroom.

I grab my phone noticing a text from Mason. Morning, beautiful.

He’s sent something along the same lines every morning even though I haven’t replied.

Taking a deep breath, I debate on responding but decide against it. The guilt of being with him—or more like on him—the night I lost my dad is still too much. And the pesky realization that I’d never experienced a tenth of the desire for Mason during the year we were together that Asher has conjured up in less than a day, psychotic ways and all, is really pissing me off.

Heading downstairs, I spot Tanner at the table, his nose in an iPad, as Candace looks like she is deep in conversation with Nathan.

They both greet me with a “Good morning,” as Tanner looks up with a cheesy grin before focusing back on his game.

“I’m not really hungry.”

“You need a healthy breakfast, Quinn,” Candace says without looking up from her phone.

“I’m good.”

“We have a surprise to show you.” Nathan’s smile beams while Candace is less than enthusiastic for the big reveal. “Follow me.”

We weave through several hallways before entering the garage. He presses a button as the door lifts open. I continue following him as we walk to the detached garage. He punches in a code and the door opens.

The battered paint that appears gray rather than its original black captures my eye immediately. My car.

“It’s here whenever you’re ready to work on it or even if you just want to come out here and hang out. There’s every tool you can imagine in those toolboxes, and if you can’t find what you need, let me know, and I’ll get it for you.” Shoving his hands in his pockets, he looks over to the Corvette then back to me. “I get if you don’t want me to help, but if you do, I’m happy to work on it with you. My dad enjoyed tinkering on vehicles, so I picked up some skills. They aren’t that great, but I think we could get it running.”

“Thank you.” It comes out as a whisper, and I let a tear fall down my cheek, not feeling the need to hide it from Nathan.

“You’re welcome, Quinn,” he says before turning to look at the spot next to my car. “I figured you’d need something until yours is up and running, so … this one is for you too.”

Looking at the exquisite black car and back to him, I try to figure out his play. “Why?”

“You need a way to and from school, and it might be awhile until your ’Vette is functional. Plus, what teenager doesn’t want a new Audi R8?”

Looking at the car, his excitement drops a bit. “We can trade it in if you want something different. I figured it wouldn’t hurt to have options even when the ’Vette is in driving condition.”

“I just don’t understand why you’re being so nice to me. I haven’t exactly been the most pleasant house guest.”

“You haven’t been that bad of a houseguest,” he teases, “and I want you to know you aren’t just a houseguest. I understand this isn’t the house you’ve known your entire life, but you’re welcome to call it your home—if the day ever comes where you want to. And maybe I’m trying to ease the transition a little with material things … but you have to admit, it’s not all that bad.”

“True,” the slight smile that peeks on my face surprises even me.

Nathan tosses me a key fob. “Give ’em hell, again. It’s the only way to make it out of that place intact.”

“Yeah … thanks for the warning, Barker Bennett’s son.”

He grins, knowing I’m referring to his dad’s eight-foot tall towering picture that stares at me as I pass it several times a day.