Free The Geek's Guide to Unrequited Love by Sarvenaz Tash

minutes. One hour and three,” he says. “The guy in front of me had a rolling suitcase and he had forty-seven individual covers signed. I counted. And then, then  . . .” He takes in a deep breath. “Robert Kirkman signs mine and an assistant next to him takes it from him and hands it to me. And I step away to look at it and . . .” He’s holding the issue so hard as he thrusts it in front of my face that I’m pretty sure he’s doing his own damage to it, a sure sign that he’s legitimately shaken up. “I mean, if I ever need to ID the moron . . .”
    Upon closer inspection, I can see that the silver streak is actually a perfect thumbprint. “Wow,” I say. “You didn’t say anything?”
    â€œOh, I tried to get back on the line. But Kirkman’s time slot was already running over and they couldn’t ‘accommodate’ me. Did I mention rolling suitcase guy? And his forty-seven comics? I bet each and every one of them has a freaking perfect autograph on it.”
    â€œOh, man. I’m sorry, Case,” I say, shaking my head.
    â€œI didn’t even make any of my other signings.” He looks around the convention floor morosely. “That’s an excellent Howard the Duck,” he mutters as he points out a costume.
    I look over. He’s right. The white feathers, bill, and leather jacket were put together with extra care. I give the guy a nod of appreciation. Howard the Duck was one of the movies I inherited from my mom’s extensive collection, which was heavily centered on films of the 1980s, and one of the few that Casey seems to like more than Roxana does. Though we’ve all picked up a few of the original comic books since and appreciated it for its irreverent, oddball humor.
    Casey lets out a final sigh, and then I can actually see him regrouping his emotions to focus on the next task at hand. “Where’s everyone else? I’m pretty hungry,” he asks.
    â€œThey should be coming. I left them to go check out the Zinc panel situation. See if there was any way in.”
    â€œAnd?” he asks, but he doesn’t seem terribly surprised when I shake my head. “I think it was pretty obvious this morning that we weren’t getting in,” he says in a slightly obnoxious matter-of-fact tone. “You have to let it go, Graham.” Easy for him to say. Sure, Casey gets upset and angryjust like everyone else, but his ability to quickly reassess the situation and then move on is slightly inhuman. And, I should add, a little indecent.
    â€œLet what go?” I hear Roxy’s voice and turn around to see her, Devin, and Felicia approaching us.
    â€œOh, the Zinc panel,” Casey answers. “Graham went to see if he could get in.”
    â€œOh, is that where you ran off to?” Roxana looks at me.
    â€œYeah,” I mutter, feeling kind of pissy toward Casey. I didn’t exactly want to bring it up to Roxana again unless I had miraculously done the impossible and could be suitably revered for it.
    â€œYeah, but no dice.” Casey continues his winning streak. “It’s impossible.”
    Roxana sighs. “Figured as much.”
    Thanks a lot, dude, I think as I glare at my friend. Probably unfairly, but it doesn’t matter too much because he doesn’t notice. Picking up on social cues has never been Casey’s strong suit.
    â€œWell, look, we shouldn’t mope around while the panel comes and goes, right?” Devin says, and I immediately reposition the direction of my glare. “How about we do something so spectacularly fun that we all forget we’re missing Mr. Elusive Comic Book Writer?”
    He asks Felicia if he can look at the schedule she’s holding, and she hands it over. But I notice that even Roxana is looking at him incredulously, and I can’t help but be a little pleased. Maybe she’ll tire of this jerk soon