Page 149 of Share with Me

“Your ribs?” she asked.

“They’re fine.”

“I see your cast is off.” Brinley pointed to his left wrist in a splint. “Does it hurt?”

He didn’t reply.

“How long have you been standing there?” she finally asked, trying to appear insouciant about her memories, but failing.

“Long enough to see that you transposed the key.”

She hadn’t even realized it. He had somehow sneaked up on her near enough to compare the notes on screen with the notes on the piano.

“Does that mean you’re back?”

“Back where, Brin?”

“Back to music.”Back to me?

“I’m done with music.”

“What are you—”

“We need to talk, Brin. See me in my studio?”

* * *

“You can’t come here anymore, Brin.” Ivan tried to remain impassioned, but he felt uneasiness in his heart at having to tell Brinley these things.

“Shouldn’t we let Yun determine that since it’s her house?”

It wouldn’t be her house for long once it’s foreclosed.“I need to get my life back in order.”

“It’s out of order?”

“It’s been a mess since you and I started dating each other.”

“So it’s my fault?”

Ivan sighed. “You’re a distraction.”

“I’m a distraction.”

“Stop echoing me, Brin.”

“I don’t get what you’re saying, Ivan. I thought we had something special. You kissed me twice.”

“Mistakes. They won’t happen again.”

The pain in Brinley’s face was too much to bear. Ivan turned away.

“You’re taking it out on me because your wrist is broken.” Brinley’s voice was tearful.

“My career is over.”

“But not your life.” Brinley frowned.

“My career supports my life.”

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