Page 58 of Magnetic God

“Fucking hell, Hannah. Why didn’t you tell them to fuck off? And don’t say it’s because of your reputation. We both know you’d be just fine, even if you turned them down. There’s a room full of people out there to prove it.”

Well, there goes that excuse.

I look my best friend in the eyes. “I didn’t turn them down because he means nothing to me.”

“Hannah…”

“I mean it, Jess. What we had is done and over with. I have no desire to go down that road ever again.”

“Why didn’t you tell me about him?”

I snort. “Let’s just say I knew you’d react just like this. Besides, he wasn’t supposed to be here tonight. I didn’t invite him.”

“You know I’ll kick his ass if you want me to.”

The thought is laughable since he outweighs her by at least a hundred pounds and towers over her by a foot and a half.

“Thanks, but I think I’ll be fine.”

“How are you going to handle being around him tonight?”

“Easy. I’m going to treat him like any other groom. They’re not my target audience. They mean nothing. He means nothing.”

She smiles. “That’s right, bestie.”

“Come on. I need a drink before I make my rounds.”

“Deal.”

I mean it. Brooks means nothing. Was it a surprise to see him tonight? Yes. Am I going to go out there and act like he’s not here? Double yes.

14

Brooks

I stand against the wall, hidden by the shadows of the dark hallway. Hannah obviously didn’t want guests to come this way, which is why I followed her. I didn’t know her friend was with her until I heard them speaking.

Her words dance around my mind.

He means nothing.

Fuck.

I deserve that. But I also don’t plan on accepting it, either. Hannah doesn’t know the entire story, which is my fault. But I plan on telling her everything. From the Brotherhood to my first wife to how I ended up engaged to Jacqueline Chanel Minty-Smith. If she still wants nothing to do with me, then I’ll accept it. But I’m not going down without a fight. Not again.

I make my way to the main room where people are gathering. My gaze goes to Hannah right away. She’s at Dave the Douche’s side, his arm around her waist.

“Easy there, Brooks,” Ace says from next to me.

I glare at him. “You don’t know what I was going to do.”

He dips his head toward Hannah. “I can guess it has something to do with the man at your girl’s side.”

Isa joins us and says, “He’s not her type at all.”

I smile. “You’re just biased.”

“I didn’t say you were her type, either.” But she’s smiling.

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