Page 48 of Vicious Titan

“Was she here? What did she say?”

“What was she not supposed to say?”

“I don’t have time for your riddles.”

“They’re not that complex. I just want to know what you’re so frazzled about. You’ve already moved on, so why do you care?”

“I want to work it out. She’s the one refusing me.”

“Can’t imagine why. It’s not like you got your mistress knocked up or anything.”

“I’m trying the best I can.”

“Damn. I’d hate to see if you weren’t trying.”

“I don’t know why I even bother.”

“Yeah, me neither.”

My father finally gives up, heading back into the house. I sincerely don’t know why he’s bothering. He hadn’t tried before, why wait until he has his new Start-a-Family ready to go?

“How is your mom?” Asher asks.

“I don’t know how she is. I couldn’t tell before and I sure as hell can’t tell now. But she did invite me to lunch, of all things.”

“Well, you have to eat sometime, so maybe just try it out and see how things go.”

“Stick to speeches because that’s a crappy plan.” Not that mine are any better. “Want to go with us?”

“I will if you want me to, but I think Victoria is better suited for this one. She’s close to your mom and they can talk about art all night. They never let us get a word in.”

That’s right. And that makes me feel better about the lunch date. The few minutes we’d stood in the garage had been awkward, so I couldn’t imagine sitting down to eat for an hour or more and having to make conversation. We’d need buffers. “Double date.”

“What?”

“Double date. Wait. Is Quinn still speaking to you or did you screw that up again?”

“Not yet.”

“Good deal. Double date. Bring Quinn and I’m sure between her and Victoria, all the awkwardness will be filled in.”

“My plans aren’t the only bad ones apparently.”

“Tomorrow. Lunch. Bring Quinn if you haven’t pissed her off by then.”

“Whatever.” Asher moves his arm over his eyes, leaning his head back.

“That’s the spirit,” I joke, but I’m right alongside him. It sounds like a terrible plan, but that won’t derail me.

As night falls, Asher stands from the chair, stretching, as he looks to me. “I’m going to head to Quinn’s house.”

“Okay. I’m gonna head to your house.”

He shakes his head as he walks away and I follow, getting into my car. I wasn’t crazy about leaving earlier, and I’m even less crazy about spending the night without her.

Once I reach her bedroom, I’m thankful to everything on the planet that the door is unlocked. I was fully prepared to sit on a numb ass until she let me in, but I’m grateful I don’t have to tonight. I quietly shut the door behind me, spotting her snuggled comfortably in the bed. I lift my shirt off, pulling it over my head as I drop it to the floor, then unbutton my jeans. Kicking them aside, I adjust the waistband of my boxers, which stay in place.

Pulling the comforter back, I slip beneath it as I move behind her, her body molding with mine as my arms hold her tight against me. “Thank you.”

“For what?”

“For sending your brother to babysit me.”

“You weren’t so happy the last time I did that.”

“Because I needed you last time. This time, I needed to hear he didn’t hate me.”

“You know he could never hate you. The bromance is too strong for that.”

I laugh, breathing in her. Eventually I drift off to sleep, relaxed against her. I pray I get some sleep, because I’ll need it for tomorrow.