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“You wanted this?” The unthinkable lands and my nostrils flare. “It had to be him? He’s an Aldente!” I step out of her arms shouting in her face. “He’s who killed your mother!”

“I know,” she whispers, jutting her chin out. She jabs a finger at my chest. “Don’t claim to be innocent in this.”

My eyes widen. Disbelief fills me. “Cinnamon. Who are you?”

“A bad luck charm.” She states plainly, her eyes glassy. “I—fuck, Orzo. I told you that I’m not yours. You don’t get to stake your claim on me. All it will do is lead to your death.” Her scarlet hair is in disarray, her bright eyes are kaleidoscopes of pain.

I’m an idiot.

I reach for her, attempting to fix this, but she shoves me off.

“I’m sitting in the car. Leave me alone.”

Her words are acid.

Alone. Alone. Alone.

Worthless.

No one will ever love me.

A monstrous voice screeches inside me.

She doesn’t wait, bending down she picks up jeans off the grass, grabbing keys out and throwing the pants to Kale.

“Figure your shit out.”

And then she gets in the car.

Kale puts on his jeans before standing unsteadily to his feet. He offers me a wary look.

“Reuben put a hit out on me,” he says plainly, watching my face.

I’m pleased to see his lip has split, and there is already a bruise forming on his left eye.

I don’t acknowledge his statement. “You should stay away from Cinnamon.”

“You don’t know, do you?” Kale rubs his face, offering a ruthless smile.

But I don’t have time to understand what he’s saying.

His car reverses jerkily away from us and then whips a U-turn in the road.

Cinnamon rolls the window down, shouting, “Don’t kill each other! Or I won’t forgive either of you!”

And then she’s gone down the road.

I sprint to my motorcycle, but as I pat my pocket…

I can’t even be upset.

“She took my keys.” I drag a hand down my face and turn back to face the last person I want to be stuck with out here. “And my phone is dead.”

53

When Life Gives You Lemons

Cinnamon