Page 47 of Unraveling Fate

“I guess that’s better than waiting around for him to break your trust again?”

Reyna’s fingers stilled on the keys, and she sighed. “I hope so. Because once it’s gone, I can’t get it back even if I want to.”

Cadenza didn’t know what to say. She had about as much experience with boyfriends as she did with any friends, so who was she to say what was healthy and what wasn’t? It wasn’t as if her parents had been a great example.

Reyna shook her hair back. “Shall we sing?”

Cadenza sat on the bench next to her and nodded. “Just, you know, if you decide you do need a hug or something, I’m here.”

Reyna smiled and bumped shoulders with her. Strings plucked briefly to life at the contact. “Thanks, friend.”

Cadenza’s heart glowed.Friend. “Anytime. I was thinking we should start on measure twenty-three.” She pointed to a spot on the sheet music.

An hour passed with “The Flower Duet” and critiquing each other’s solos. When Reyna went to the kitchen to make iced tea, Cadenza took a closer look around the living room. Iron work hung over the mantelpiece. Spirals and curlicues and diamonds. More delicate and intricate than the souvenir horseshoes and picture frames that sold in the smithy.

In the center of the wall hung a piece shaped like a pitchfork with only two tines. She touched it, and energy buzzed her fingertips.

“Is this the same piece from the smithy?”

Ice cubes clinked as Reyna handed her a glass. “Yup. I take it back and forth with me.”

“It’s like, two feet long and solid iron. Isn’t that a pain to carry around?”

“It’s my favorite out of everything I’ve made; I like having it with me.” She looked at Cadenza curiously. “Most people don’t even notice it. You’re the first one to ever comment on it.”

“How do you not notice a giant tuning fork?” Cadenza asked, incredulous.

Reyna shrugged and laughed. “I guess not everyone’s a musician. Next week still good for you?”

Cadenza nodded and scooped up her things. “Yeah, see you then.” She skipped down the stairs, banjo notes teasing her ankles, and tossed her things in the backseat. The boys in Norroway Auto’s body shop had banged out the dents from the accident and replaced what couldn’t be hammered straight. Drostan refused to let her pay him for the work or the parts. Her stomach clenched in knots thinking about it.It’s ok,she told herself.When I’m famous, I’ll get him box seats.

She settled in the driver’s seat and turned the ignition. The sedan hummed, tame and predictable. Maybe she’d have time to run the Ferrari when she got home. Or even better, take the Ferrari out with Taran after he got back from wherever it was hespent his days. When she asked, he only said he was working off a debt.

She revved the engine, imagining the Berlinetta instead. Reyna jogged down the stairs waving a binder in the air.

“Cadenza! We mixed up our music, I think you’ve got mine.”

Cadenza opened her binder and found Reyna’s notes scribbled over the sheet music instead of her own.

“Oops, looks like we did.” She hopped out of the car, met Reyna halfway up the stairs and swapped binders. “Sorry about that.”

“No worries. Just glad I caught you.” Reyna sniffed. “Is something burning?”

Cadenza turned. Dark smoke poured out from under the hood of her car. “Oh my—” She ran down the stairs just as the hood exploded and flames jumped up to eat at the air.

Reyna sprinted inside the apartment and came back with a fire extinguisher. “Isn’t this the same car you just got back?” she asked, covering the engine block with white foam.

“Yesterday,” Cadenza groaned. “Doesn’t even make sense, they just fixed it.” She squeezed her arms around her middle, watching her plans go up in smoke, and the knot in her stomach burning like the engine. Blood rushed in her ears. “I was supposed to sell it.” Her breaths came quick and shallow. “A week, I just have… I can’t…” Her fingers dug into her ribs. White stars hemmed her vision. Her head vibrated like a wasp nest.

“Cadenza?” Reyna asked.

“I can’t, I can’t.”

“Hey, hey.” Reyna touched her arm, made her look her in the face. “Breathe. It’ll be ok. How about I give you a ride back up the hill, and we can have your boss tow it. We’ll figure something out, ok?”

Breath slowing, Cadenza swallowed the lump in her throat. “Yeah. Thanks,” she said. “I’ll owe you.”

“There’s no owing, Cadenza. Friends don’t owe.” She rubbed Cadenza’s arm, her string melody shimmering. “Besides, I’ve been there. Come on.”