Page 41 of The Breakaway

Daaamn it. Normally I brought my violin home in the afternoon before class, so it hadn’t even registered that I didn’t have it.

I backtracked, retracing my day and landed on my answer. Crystal dragging me and Maddie out of the arts center, giddy with excitement over our impromptu spa day. I'd been so distracted that I must have left my violin under the table.

Panic propelled me out of my room and into the kitchen. Rob stood at the counter making a cup of coffee. Work. Right. He was about to head out for his night shift.

"Hey." He leaned against the counter, his brow furrowing. He didn’t have to ask what was wrong, his concern was written all over his face.

I ignored the flutter in my stomach. "My violin. I left it at the arts center, and I need it for my audition on Wednesday."

His jaw worked. “The building’s closed.”

I’d been preparing to explain that fact. “There’s not a show tonight.” I paced, rubbing my temples. “I could go over. Maybe there’s someone—” I turned back to him. “On the janitorial staff.”

This wasn’t literal life or death. I knew that. I had tomorrow to practice, but I also understood that brains synthesized music better overnight. If I only had one day, I wouldn’t feel as prepared. That felt like enough of an emergency to me.

Rob wet his lips, his thumb dragging over the counter’s edge. “I’m assigned to the GRB.”

The science building. “But you have a key?”

“I do.”

My heart sped in my chest. “But?” His eyes flicked down, then back up to mine. “Rob?—”

“Help me with my shift.” His jaw ticked, his hand now clenching the countertop. I opened my mouth and closed it. “I have a conditioning assessment tomorrow and a physics exam. If we work together, we could be done by eleven or so. Then we can go get your violin.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Are you blackmailing me?”

He blew out a breath. “I’m . . . asking a favour.”

Something in my chest flipped. His shoulders were tight, his breathing quick. Rob was stressed. I’d been so focused on myself when I walked in, I hadn’t noticed.

“Yeah, okay. Just let me change.”

“Wear something you don’t mind getting piss on.”

I flipped him off and strode to my bedroom.

Chapter

Sixteen

I pulledon a ratty T-shirt and faded jeans, the uniform of the glamorous janitor's assistant. Rob waited by the door, his foot tapping an annoyed staccato on the tile. He smirked when he saw my expression.

He held the door open, and I swept past him into the frigid night air. It wasn’t until we were a block away that I realized I hadn’t eaten dinner.

We trekked across the quiet campus, street lamps casting gentle halos on the brick buildings of Douglas. The scent of ginger and soy sauce tickled my nose as we passed a little noodle shop kiddy corner to the bookstore, its neon sign buzzing “open.” My hunger pangs grew claws.

"Pit stop," I announced, veering toward the shop. Rob rolled his eyes but followed me inside. I paused. “Is this going to make you late?”

“I’m flexible.”

The cramped interior was a steamy cocoon of savoury aromas and clattering dishes. I slid into a booth and ordered a bowl of ramen. It came blessedly quickly, the broth fragrant with star anise and chilli oil. Rob slouched across from me, armscrossed. "You realize this detour is cutting into valuable practice time.”

I slurped down noodles. "Hey, I need sustenance to clean all night.” I motioned to the counter. “Are you sure you don’t want anything?”

Rob fidgeted with a loose thread on his sleeve. "I already ate."

I narrowed my eyes. I hadn’t seen any dishes. Another mouthful of rich umami broth. Heaven. “Is school stressful for you this semester?”

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