Longing for You (Touched by Magic Book 1) Read Online Free

Jonah set this whole thing up. He was the one who insisted they do this gig before hitting the studio. If he thought they needed the practice, why wouldn’t he help?
    As much as he didn’t want this to blow up into a wicked fight, he couldn’t accept his brother’s refusal. After a few quick strides across the sitting room, he moved into the hall, working his way to the bedroom. When he reached the doorway, he noticed his brother standing near the foot of the bed.  
    Jonah unzipped the suitcase sitting atop the mattress and opened the cover. While he busied himself with the items strung across the bed, Theo caught a glimpse of the shirts already inside. Guess his brother had been packing before he showed up.
    Great. As if he didn’t feel bad enough asking for Jonah’s help, now he was keeping his brother from doing what he needed.
    A high-pitched chirp came from his brother’s phone, but he ignored it and tossed socks in his suitcase. Did Jonah plan to ignore him, too? His brother should know better than to try. He would bug him until Jonah had no other choice than to speak to him, just like when they were younger.
    Clearing his throat, he waited for Jonah to acknowledge him, but his brother didn’t turn around. He continued stuffing his suitcase, adding his shaving kit next. The tension between them built with every silent second, and when it finally ended, it wasn’t with the words he wanted to hear.
    “Sorry, Theo. I can’t do it. My flight leaves in three hours.”
    “So what?” he grumbled. “Fly back tomorrow instead.”
    If that was the only excuse Jonah had, this battle was won. Though he didn’t like guilting his brother into doing things for him, desperation had a way of making the most virtuous person do contemptible things. Theo’s merits were already sketchy.
    Before he could continue hounding Jonah, his brother released a sigh. “I haven’t played in a solid year. This isn’t about rearranging my schedule. It’s about you finding the right guy. Somebody with talent.”
    When Jonah peered in his direction, he clenched his jaw and fought the urge to yell his next response. “You can sell that bullshit somewhere else, Jonah.” He folded his arms as he leaned against the doorway. “Tell me you won’t, but don’t tell me you can’t. We both know better than that.”
    His brother didn’t respond, so they stood there, exchanging disgruntled glares. He couldn’t believe Jonah was being so stubborn. It was only two days ago when he offered to cancel his trip home to L.A. He was only supposed to be gone for three days anyway. Something else was going on with him.
    The longer Theo thought about it, the more frustrated he grew. He moved forward with hesitant steps but kept his eyes locked on Jonah. His brother gawked at him, at least until his phone beeped again. The sound drew his attention toward the nightstand and what Theo assumed to be a text.
    Jonah reached for his phone. “See.” His voice rose as he grabbed the phone and shook it in Theo’s direction. “I have other shit to take care of. I can’t stay.”
    Theo drew his brows tighter and advanced on his brother. Wasn’t family supposed to come first? He remembered making that promise to Jonah years ago. Had his brother forgotten the one he made in return?
      “You lined this gig up months ago. Convinced me how important it was to prepare for our album recording. You should be responsible for finding a replacement!”
    His voice cracked as he hit a higher pitch, and just as quickly as his temper erupted, it diffused. He didn’t have the right to blame his brother, and he sure didn’t need to hurt his vocal chords before singing. If he wanted to get through to Jonah, he’d have to do the one thing he hated—admit he needed help.
    “Jonah…I wouldn’t be asking if Jeff could make it, or if we had anyone else.”
    The next round of silence dispelled his confidence. He should have known better than to think this battle was won.