Page 30 of Wicked Titan

My arms fall to my side. None of these clothes seem right, so I decide to go with something I already own. A simple black halter top, jeans, and black sandals. At least I’ll feel comfortable wearing my own clothes for a change instead of the appointed uniform.

Walking downstairs, I find Candace in the formal living room talking with Nathan. They both look up as my sandals click against the floor.

Candace gives me a warm look before telling me I look beautiful as Nathan seconds her opinion. I almost expected her to ask me why I wasn’t wearing one of the countless overpriced dresses in my closet. I guess it’s progress between us.

“Headed to the big bonfire?” Nathan asks.

“You know about the bonfire?”

“Oh, yeah. The Golden Olympus bonfire is the official beginning of the school year. Plus, there was always a pretty girl I was chasing after.” Nathan gives Candace a wink.

I give Candace a look as her face flushes, “You two knew each other in high school?”

This is major news to me, not that I know much about their relationship since it happened after she walked out on us.

“We had some mutual friends, so we’d hang out from time to time,” Candace says, as she stands, smoothing her already perfect dress. “Are you driving or is someone coming to pick you up?”

“I’m driving myself.”

Grant had insisted on picking me up, but I want to drive my own car so I’ll have the option to bail early if I want to. The last thing I need is to be stuck there without a way to leave when I choose to.

Candace hesitates before speaking, “Call if you need anything. A ride or anything.”

“Okay.”

“Seriously, Quinn. I’d rather a phone call to come pick you up than you getting in trouble or hurt.”

“Okay.” For the first time, I bite back the angry words I want to spew at her. There’d been so many times I wanted to call her but couldn’t just hit a button to reach her.

“Anytime—day or night.”

I nod, walking out of the room as they both tell me goodbye. That was the most awkward conversation we’ve had in a while and one of the few that didn’t include fighting.

It’s already dark out as I drive to the address Grant sent me. It’s not too far away, but it feels like I’m getting further and further from reality as I drive. I consider turning around but another awkward conversation with Nathan and Candace keeps me moving forward into the unknown. The only typical thing about the night is my outfit and it will probably stick out like a sore thumb, as my dad used to say, but here goes.

A short time later, I roll to a stop next to a line of cars parked along the stone driveway of a mansion as big if not bigger than Nathan’s house. Stepping out of the car, I follow two girls heading around the side of the house and send Grant a quick text that I’m here.

I stop when I glimpse the back yard—it looks like a tropical paradise. There are lanterns strung from end to end around a pool that is filled with more people than I can count but there’s still plenty of room for more. A guy jumps off the stone waterfall and another jumps in right behind him.

Beyond the pool area, there’s a field where even more kids are gathered around a roaring fire with flames at least ten feet tall, music blaring from somewhere.

Out of all the scenarios I pictured of a Golden Olympus Academy style bonfire, this wasn’t it. And the best part, I don’t feel that out of place dressed as me. I chuckle as I watch a guy jump in the pool wearing boxer shorts. Yeah, they aren’t worried about clothing choices here.

My phone dings with a text from Grant saying he is by the fire, so I head that way. He’s walking to meet me before I reach the fire, a red plastic cup in both of his hands.

“Quinn!” he hollers cheerfully, pulling me into an embrace. I move out it quickly, and he shoves a cup at me. “Drink up!”

He grabs my hand as I stumble behind him. Pulling my hand out of his, he gives me a quick look back but continues walking to the fire. Hopefully, Party Grant isn’t too much different than School Grant.

We join a group standing near the fire as I set the cup on the tailgate of a truck. Grant grabs the cup, thrusting it at me again.

“Drink up, Quinn!” He lifts his cup, taking a big swig.

I set the cup back down. The last time I drank was at Haley’s party … the night everything changed. “I’m going to grab a water for now.”

“Want me to come with you?” He stumbles a step forward as I hold my hand up, pressing against his chest.

“No, I’m good. I’ll be back in a few minutes.” Maybe. It depends on if I can find Victoria somewhere around here or how much more Grant has to drink before I return.