Demon: Book 1

Chapter 23: Final Hour

I stayed up late that night, waiting to see if Titus would come. After not showing up at Beaver Lake, I wasn't sure if he would. The lights downstairs had been off for a while. I glanced at my phone to see that it was close to midnight.

A light rhythmic tapping came from the window. I smiled, though nothing could make me feel happy tonight. Climbing off the bed, I walked over and opened it.

Titus leaned in for a kiss, but I pulled away.

He looked at me, confused. "What's wrong?"

"My dad knows." I took a deep breath. "We have to break up."

Titus gritted his teeth. "Why?"

I shrugged. "My dad wants me to wait until college because the people around here aren't very accepting. He was so mad when he found out we'd been doing things."

"You told him?!"

I rubbed my arm. "I can't lie to him anymore. My parents have never been disappointed in me before. I didn't know what to do."

"So you're going to go along with it? That's it?" He looked me in the eyes. "Just like that, we're done."

"They're my parents, Titus. My dad made it clear that he doesn't want me to see you."

"Most people don't give a damn if they piss off their parents. God, Aden." He rubbed his forehead. "Why can't you, for once, stand up for yourself?"

"I'm sorry." I bowed my head. "He said we could try again after I graduate if you wanted to." I peeked up at him.

"What if I don't want to?" Titus stated, looking off in the distance. "Still the same, Aden. You'll always be fine with letting everyone walk all over you." He crawled to the end of the roof.

"Titus, wait." I stuck my head out the window. "I'm sorry. School will be starting soon, and when I graduate, we can get back together and move away together. I want to be with you but—"

"I don't want to wait." He swung his legs over the side.

"Please, Titus," I begged. "I'm sorry. Next summer—"

"There won't be a next summer," he stated. "I love you, Aden. I thought you felt the same."

"I do," I pleaded. "I do love you."

"It's not the same. It never has been, right?" Titus shook his head. "Hearing you say it almost made me think it could be true." He peered back at me. "Bye, Aden." Titus slid off the edge.

"Titus, wait!"

I didn't get a reply, and soon after, I saw a large wolf run off into the neighboring field. I sank to the floor and clasped my forehead. What had I done?

***

I shuffled down the stairs the next morning and into the kitchen.

My mom gave me a sad smile and waved me over. "I'm sorry about yesterday, sweetheart."

I nodded. "We broke up."

"Oh my god." She hugged me. "Aden." Rubbing my back, she rocked back and forth.

"I shouldn't have done it," I whispered. "Dad was so mad at me. I couldn't lie to him anymore."

"Your father is adjusting." She cupped my cheek. "Give him time. I don't understand why he's so determined for you not to have a boyfriend. I personally really liked Titus. It was nice to see you so happy for a change."

"Mom," I breathed. "I was happy before."

She sucked in her lips. "No. No, you weren't."

I leaned against the counter as she returned to making pancakes. Had I really not been happy before? I had been led along by Katy, pushed around by Chris, and teased by everyone else. Maybe she was right; I hadn't been happy before I met Titus.