Page 74 of Magnetic God

“He went to my mom’s house and spoke to her and the Pastor. He was looking for me so he could explain everything, but I wasn’t there.” I meet her gaze. “They lied to him, Jess. Told him I had moved on with another man.”

The tears are falling now, and I couldn’t stop them even if I wanted to.

“They knew that my heart was broken and didn’t tell me he came.”

“Maybe they wanted to protect you.”

I scoff. “We both know that’s not true. I made them mad when I left to stay with Dad, and that was their way of punishing me.”

“You know I’m team Hannah, but now that I’m a mother, I can see how your mom would want to shield you. You were devastated after the story broke, Han. You could have died in that crash. Maybe not telling you that he came to see you was her way of protecting you.”

I look down at the table, my emotions warring.

“Jess, there’s something you don’t know about what happened during that time. Something that I should have told you.” I meet her gaze. “I was pregnant when the story broke about Brooks, but didn’t know until the crash. I lost the baby a few weeks after, probably because of the stress I was under.”

“Hannah—”

“I know I should have told you, but it was all too much. They knew there was a guy and doubled down on their rules, making sure I barely left the house. Said I had embarrassed them enough by being a whore.” I wipe at my eyes. “When I went to stay with my dad, it was because I had reached rock bottom. I didn’t want to be here anymore.”

“Hannah, what are you saying?”

“I wanted to die. Dad randomly came to visit, and he must have seen how bad off I was, because he told me I was leaving with him. Mom and the Pastor were pissed, but Dad was firm. He saved my life, Jess.”

“I had no idea.”

I reach across the table for her hand. “Because I didn’t want anyone to know. I thought it was my pain to bear. But my mom did know what I’d gone through and still chose to lie to Brooks and not tell me that he came looking for me.”

“Yeah, it’s a bit harder to defend that.” She’s silent for a moment. “Are you going to talk to her about it?”

I snort before I can stop myself. “Unlikely.”

“I know you don’t want to, but it might give you closure.”

“She’s not going to change just because I tell her that she hurt me.”

“You’re right. She won’t change, but it will give you a chance to say your truth and then move on.”

“Look at you using your psychology degree.”

She laughs, knowing I’m teasing. “Just think about it.”

“I will.”

“And I promise I’ll lay off Brooks. Like I said, I haven’t seen you this happy in six years and the fact that he’s back in the picture can’t be a coincidence.”

“It scares me how happy I am,” I admit. “I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop.”

“Want me to answer that statement as a friend or as a psychologist?”

I snort. “We both know I’m going to get a little bit of both.”

“True.” She holds my gaze. “You’re afraid because of what happened last time. I can’t tell you that everything is going to be fine, but there are some things to consider. You’re both older. From what I can tell, you’ve both been honest about mistakes in the past. Keep that trust and keep moving forward. If it doesn’t work out, it won’t be because of issues from the past.”

I smile. “God, you’re good.”

She grins back at me. “I know. Now, please tell me you’re free tonight. Matt and I want to go out.”

“Still trying for baby number two?”