Page 15 of Vicious Titan

“It wasn’t like that. She kept telling me not to visit … I just didn’t listen. The thought of her there alone, without anyone, kept me going back.”

“I told you that you’re her favorite,” he teases. I feel a sense of relief hearing the joke he’s said a million times, mostly when he’d interrupt one of the many art-centered hours I’d spent with Olivia. Whether we were discussing technique, drawing quietly, or just hanging out, I enjoyed every moment spent with her, and he’d always make a point to interrupt, commenting that I was her favorite artsy child.

“You’re her son. Nothing transcends that.”

“Unforgivable words might.” His arms release me as he turns, looking to the wall opposite his bed. I don’t have to guess what he’s studying—the dream catcher. I’d hung it on the door leading to his closet last night when I’d arrived. Only he doesn’t know the truth behind his nightmares is far graver than it appears.

“That says otherwise. She sent it to help you because she loves you. Nothing will change that.”

“Yeah, well … enough of this mushy shit,” he mumbles, walking towards the bathroom.

“You promised me.”

He stops, his back to me. Without a word, he continues walking, steps into the bathroom, and closes the door behind him. I’m not sure what I’d expected him to say. It’s not like he’s in the same frame of mind from last night, but he’s not good. The “mushy shit” is obviously getting to him, but he’s not ready to deal with it. Can’t say I am either. Even so, I need to go home. I’ll be lucky to make it to school on time as it is.

Hurrying into the closet, I grab a pair of sweats I’d left here at some point. A few of my shirts are folded neatly beside them, but I opt to reach for one of his instead. Damn it. I’m such an idiot, but it doesn’t stop me from pulling the soft T-shirt over my head. When I step out of the closet, the bathroom door is still shut. I grab my phone and keys, moving to the bedroom door. Quietly, I open it a few inches and peek into the hallway to make sure the coast is clear, then slip out. It’s unlikely for Susan to be here this early (or for Richard to be here at all), but I still feel the need to double check that no one arrived for some unexpected reason.

The entire way home, I feel like I’m heading in the wrong direction. As I steer into the garage, I debate again if I should call him or send a quick message but decide against it. Hurrying through the doorway, I halt in the kitchen when I spot my dad.

He glances at his platinum watch before studying my appearance, lingering on the large T-shirt that doesn’t belong to me. “Where were you?”

“At a friend’s house,” I respond. When he gives me a look that says he expects more than a four-word explanation, I continue, “They were having a difficult time last night, and I ended up staying longer than expected.” I knew when I’d left for Elliot’s house that I’d be staying the night. I just hadn’t wanted to waste time getting my things. I was too eager to get to him.

“Were you at Nathan’s? I know that little girl staying with him is having a difficult time. She has your brother flying off the rails even more so than normal.”

Obviously, because I’d been a witness to Asher’s tantrum the other night after he picked a fight with our father. “Quinn? No. I wasn’t there. I was at Allison’s.” I respond with the first name I think of because something tells me that if I lie and say I’d been at Nathan’s, he would respond even worse than if I were to tell the truth and say I’d been in Elliot’s bed.

“Good. It’s probably best you avoid Nathan’s house for the time being. There’s a lot going on, and I don’t want you caught in the middle.”

I’m too nervous to ask questions so I agree. He said avoid Nathan’s house, so I’m assuming it’s not Quinn he has a problem with. It seems the tension between him and Nathan has returned and is not going away anytime soon. “Yes sir.”

“Good girl. Get upstairs and get cleaned up.” He tenderly pats me on the arm as I step around him. There’s nothing about his tone or posture that should be alarming, yet there’s an unnerving tension radiating from him, making me want out of the room fast.

Just as I reach the doorway, he booms my name. My feet slide to a stop as I slowly turn to see a relaxed smile on his face as he says, “There’s a reason you put on your own oxygen mask first when the plane is going down. If you’re gasping for air, unable to get a grip, you can’t be of any use. Even if those around you get theirs on, they could easily turn on you, stab you in the back, leave you to suffocate without any regard. Always take care of yourself first, even if you have to let them suffocate.”

Nodding, I play along like I understand, but his eerie smile implies there’s so much that I don’t understand. The notion, I get. You can’t help others if you’re not in a good place yourself. But that’s not the indication I got from him. It felt more like claw your way out of the wreckage, even if you have to sacrifice others to do so. That, I’m not okay with.

Attempting to push the unsettling conversation out of my mind, I hurry to my room, quickly freshening up in the bathroom before pulling on a neatly laundered uniform. Thankfully, there isn’t much time for me to dwell on it because I’m running so late.

Darting down the staircase, I hurry through the kitchen, greatly relieved when I don’t see my dad. I just want to get to school. I want to see Elliot with his stupid, arrogant smile on his irritatingly charming face. Even though I’d guess it’s fake most of the time, when it’s not there, I know he’s truly in a scary place.

It’s not long before I arrive at school and am flooded with relief when I spot the NSX, safe and sound in its usual parking spot. Jogging into the building, I stop in the hallway, attempting to catch my breath. When I spot Elliot, he’s got a full-blown smile on his face as he laughs with Wade about something. His eyes meet mine and I see no trace of the person who’d woken up next to me this morning. He’s in happy, cheerful ringmaster mode. Once again, I can’t help but feel like one of his clowns. I worry that not only would I put his mask on first, but I’d offer him mine in addition if he needed it.