Page 26 of Magnetic God

His eyes darken. “Anything for you, Angel.”

5

Hannah

“Still nothing?”

This is like the tenth time that Jess has asked, and it’s starting to get on my nerves. I know she doesn’t mean anything by it, but it’s really, really pissing me off because I don’t have an answer for her.

I take in a deep breath and exhale.

“I’m sure he’s just busy.”

Except Brooks always texts me, even if he’s busy.

For the past two months, we’ve texted or called nearly every day, even when he was so tired that he just sat there and listened to me talk about my day.

So, yeah, I’m worried, but I don’t want Jess to know.

“When’s the last time you heard from him?”

I look at our text thread. “Two days ago, when he said he had just landed in Denver.”

The plan was that he was going to take care of some business in Denver before hopping on a plane to see me. He said there was something he wanted to talk to me about. Something that would change our lives as a couple. Something that would require him meeting my dad…

I’ve tried not to jump to conclusions, but this feels like we’re about to get serious. Maybe even marriage serious. It’s crazy, but I’m ready for anything he has to throw at me.

But I haven’t heard from him since he made it to his house, and I am worried.

What if something happened to him?

“Should I call him?”

Jess gives me a sympathetic look. “Maybe.”

“I don’t want to bother him. He’s probably sleeping.”

Filming the movie was more work than he expected, and he’s told me more than once he felt like he could sleep for a week when he got home.

Jess asks, “Did I show you that meme I saw online about him? The one claiming he’s in a secret society?”

“No. Let me see.”

She scrolls on her phone before handing it to me. It’s a photo of Brooks with a black hood photoshopped over his head. The caption says something about a secret society that controls the world and claims that Brooks is the spokesperson for them.

I laugh. “Jeez. People will say or think of anything.”

“Right? It’s bananas. Now, let’s go watch some TV before my man gets home.”

Jess and Matt have been dating on and off, but took things to the next level. So she moved into Matt’s apartment. Peter wasn’t too happy when he found out that his best friend and little sister were an item but has since gotten over it. They still get to hang out, even when it annoys Jess. But things are going to change soon, because Peter enlisted in the Army and is leaving for the Basic Officer Leader Course next month. Because of his college degree, he’s entering the military as an officer. Pretty impressive for the guy who used to eat glue.

We go from the kitchen to the living room. Jess sits on the couch, turning on her favorite celebrity gossip show. Jess lives for this show and rarely misses an episode. It comes in handy when we play trivia at a local pizza place, though.

Jess turns up the volume, and I cringe.

“I’m going to grab a soda. Do you want one?”

I’ve been feeling icky, and today is no exception. The only thing that makes me feel better is Ginger Ale or Sprite. Luckily, Jess has both.

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