Page 60 of Unholy Obsession

---

I drop a pin, my thumb hovering before I add the kicker.

Me: I want to introduce you to my brother.

I hit send before I can chicken out.

Then I stare.

And wait.

The screen stays blank.

No reply. No dots. Just the harsh glow of expectation burning into my retinas.

Maybe he’s just busy, I lie to myself, heart pounding like a drumline. Maybe his phone’s dead. Maybe he’s?—

…

I suck in a breath, not realizing I’d been holding it.

Then the dots disappear.

Pop back up.

…

Disappear again.

My pulse pounds in my ears. “Answer me back, you motherfucker,” I hiss at the phone like it owes me something, frantically waving my hand through the lingering weed smoke like that’ll help.

Finally—ping.

Bane: I don’t know. I might have to be on a call with the worship committee tonight. Can we have your brother over for dinner another time?

I blink.

The worship committee?

WORSHIP COMMITTEE?

Me: Lie

My thumbs type furiously.

Me: You just said you were free.

He tries to call me, but I silence it. More fucking smooth talk isn’t going to cut it. I’m seeing red. The petty, righteous kind that demands satisfaction. My thumbs fly over the screen.

Me: I’m at work

I type, fingers hitting the keys like they personally offended me.

Me: And maybe I’m done with your secrets. Meet me tonight where I said or we’re over.

Send.

The second it flies off, regret crashes into me like a freight train.

Fuck. Did I just ultimatum him?

---