Page 56 of The Broken Note

“That’s why I wanted to see you today. To talk about what working with Jinx means,” I admit to Serena.

“You want my permission?”

“I want to make sure that you’re okay with being her target.”

Serena goes pale.

“When I ask for what I want, you’re going to be on Jinx’s radar. All your secrets. Maybe even your mother’s secrets. I don’t know how far she’ll go.”

“But it’s just for evidence, right? It’s just for that night of the fire.”

“You know how powerful Jinx is. You’re only safe if you’re not in her line of sight. If I ask for evidence, she’s going to know you. She’s going to know you’re important to me. She might not stop at just the evidence for the fire.”

Serena swallows hard. Her fingers tremble so much she sticks them under the table.

I drop my gaze to the fries and admit the real reason I’m considering this. “In a week, Redwood Prep is going to sue you for the scholarship’s value.”

“What?” Serena’s eyes rip away from her jeans and find mine. Fear swims in their depths.

The desperation in her gaze is palpable and I find myself fighting back tears of my own. “I’m sorry, Serena.”

“How could they… how could they do that? I didn’t set the fire. I didn’t do anything wrong.”

“I know.”

“My mom… if she finds out, she’s going to take all the money we saved up for chemo and she’s going to pay them.” Tears spill down her face. “Cadence, if my mom doesn’t get treatment, she’s going to—”

I bite down hard on my bottom lip, my heart pounding. This is my first time seeing Serena break down.

“Go.” Breeze waves at me.

I give her a helpless look.

“Go hug her.”

Awkwardly, I scoot around to Serena’s side of the table and give her a hug. I didn’t grow up with PDA. The way I show care isn’t through touch. Serena doesn’t seem like the type to appreciate much hugging either. But, to my surprise, she turns and hugs me back as if it’s truly comforting her.

I pat her back, feeling her pain like it’s my own. “I promise you. If Jinx really does have evidence, I’ll do whatever it takes to get my hands on it.”

Serena eases back and wipes at her eyes. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to lose it like that.”

“It’s okay,” Breeze says kindly.

Serena inhales. “I don’t mind Jinx looking into me.”

I arch an eyebrow. “Are you sure?”

“Yes.” Serena swallows hard. “She can destroy my entire life. If it means I get to keep my mom alive for one more day, I’ll do it.” She winces. “I’m just sorry that you’re the one who has to pay the price. Is there any way we can switch? I don’t think it’s right for you to suffer when I’m the one who’ll benefit.”

Breeze shakes her head. “Jinx doesn’t seem like the type who’d take a stand-in.”

“Breeze is right.” I hand Serena a napkin and she thanks me with a trembling smile. “And I really don’t mind. I hate feeling helpless. This way, I have a chance at making things right.”

“Thank you so much, Cadence.” Serena squeezes my hand.

“Cooper!” One of the waitresses gestures to me and then points at Frankie.

I look through the kitchen window and see my boss staring me down from behind the grill.

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