Page 58 of Brutal Titan

“I didn’t see you last week. How’s your mom doing?” Jack looks between Elliot and myself, probably waiting for an introduction because that’s what polite, nonliars would do.

“She’s okay, but we really have to go.” I wave, successfully giving Jack the brush off I wish would have taken place after Hey, Victoria. He tells me he’ll see me next week, then makes his way into the building. Oh, shit.

Moving towards the car, I avoid looking at Elliot. He jerks his hand out of mine. Slowly, my eyes meet his, and I see a mix of shock, sadness, and anger as he looks toward the building before pinning a dead glare on me.

“Last week? Next week? He knew your fucking name!” he yells, causing me to flinch. Stepping back as he surges forward, I can’t bear to meet his angry glare. “How long? How long have you been visiting her?”

I can’t find the words to respond, and it doesn’t take him but a second to figure out why.

“The entire time.” He takes a step back as I reach for him, his fingers catching my wrist with a harsh grip as he continues in a flat tone. “You’ve been coming to see her the entire time.”

“Please, let me explain.”

He leans forward his face in mine as he speaks with hatred, “Please explain to me how you’ve been visiting her … the source of my nightmares. The reason I can’t close my eyes without seeing her lifeless body on the floor. The reason I’d rather sleep on a lounge chair in my backyard than in my own bed. The person who chose death over me.”

“That’s not true.”

“Thank you.” He releases my hand. “You just made the choice easy. Now I know for a fact that you’re not worth any of the trouble.”

“Stop it. I understand that you’re upset with me but don’t do this. I came to visit her because no one else was. She needed someone to ask her if she was okay.” I throw his words back at him, knowing it’s a low blow, but I can’t let him walk away, hating me, not knowing the truth about his mom. The words are on the tip of my tongue, but I fear more for Elliot than I do for myself, so I remain silent.

“You chose her. I’d decided to choose you. I was going to throw a lifelong friendship aside if it meant staying with you. But now, I realize that you’re a manipulative, needy bitch.”

“Stop it. I didn’t choose her, and I never asked you to pick me. You wouldn’t leave this alone,” I say, my voice breaking as I point between us. He laughs, completely disregarding that he’s ripping my heart from my chest, and instead of just walking away, he stomps it into the ground further.

“You’re nothing but a convenient piece of ass that can and will be easily replaced … and won’t cost me someone I actually care about.”

Watching in disbelief, he drops down into his NSX and speeds away as I stand in the parking lot.

He left and I know for a fact that he’s not coming back. Reaching into my pocket, I debate who to call, staring at the screen. I won’t bother Quinn with something as stupid as a ride when she is dealing with so much. I can’t explain to Asher what I’m doing here and why I’m stranded and all my other friends are somehow intertwined with Asher, which is directly tied to Elliot. His brash comment about me being a convenient and replaceable piece of ass echo in my mind.

“Is everything okay?” Jack asks, as I jump, spinning around to face him.

“Oh, yes. Just waiting on my ride.” The one I request as Jack looks at me with fatherly concern, the same look I’ve seen him give his son in the visiting room upstairs.

“Do you want me to wait with you?”

“No, I’m okay. They should be here any moment. Thanks for the offer though.” I give him a half-smile, but the tear trailing down my cheek says I’m anything but okay.

“Well, I’m going to be around for a few minutes making some phone calls, so if anything changes, just let me know.”

I nod, looking to the ground as I check the status on my ride.

I just want to leave. Get as far away from here as I can. Not just from the place I’m standing in now, but from everything. My life, the world I live in where the truth proves to be just as suffocating as the lies we keep … and promises which are just as hopeless as the people who make them.