Page 1 of Hooked on Marshall (Hooked #9)

“Congrats, Marshall,” my big brother says. “I’m proud of you.”

“Thanks, man,” I say with a smile. “And a year earlier than I had hoped, too.”

“Right,” he laughs. “So, now that you own the building free and clear, what’s next? You finally going to start dating so my girls can have some cousins?”

“Jesus, Mark,” I laugh. “You’re as bad as mom.”

“I can’t help it,” he sighs. “Your bar has been your life for the last six years. Now that you’ve got nothing but profit ahead of you, you should enjoy it.”

“Who says I can’t enjoy it on my own?”

“You know as well as I do that life is sweeter when you-”

“Share it with someone you love,” I finish. “I know, I know. But I can’t help that I didn’t meet my dream woman in high school like you.”

“You can say that again,” he sighs dreamily. “I am one lucky man.”

I smile and shake my head. Because he’s right.

I take a breath to tell him so when the sound of tires squealing, and glass breaking, and screeching metal makes me pull my phone from my ear.

It seems to last for an eternity as my heart stills in my chest. As soon as its quiet on his side of the line again, I say his name.

When I get no response, I say it again, but louder.

Then I scream his name until the call disconnects.

And my life is forever changed in that moment.