Magic's Song by Genia Avers Page B

They would have been preferable to the black gloom descending around her. She closed her eyes and tried to refocus her mind.
    “If not for your hair,” a voice intruded into her misery. “I wouldn’t have seen you.”
    Tanith opened her eyes. Brent towered over her. A haze of sunlight served as a backlight, making his profile look surreal.
    “Huh?”
    “Huh? Huh, she says.” He sat down next to her. “Fine talk from the brainy woman who called us dumb asses. What’s wrong?”
    Despite the ache that clutched at her lungs, she felt a little twitch in her checks. “Nothing. I’m fine. Go celebrate with the other dumb asses.”
    “I know you’re fine !” He traced the collar of her jacket, his fingers barely touching her neck. The contact ignited a fire, overheating her body despite the chilly spring day. “I also know the semester ended last week. What gives?”
    How did he know that? “I have other plans.”
    “I have other plans too.”
    He studied her face. Too closely.
    “Other plans?” Tanith cursed her impromptu question. Now he would talk about the new woman in his life.
    “Yep. I’m hoping to celebrate with my girl. You see, I was a bit of a fool. To make amends, I’m doing something I don’t usually do. I’m putting it out there—hoping I haven’t misread the signals and she cares about me. Despite the ass I’ve been.”
    There it was. Expected, but no less painful. She couldn’t look at him.
    Good for you, you big cockroach. She nodded, pretending to look for the bus.
    “That is,” he put his finger under her chin and forced her to face him, “I have plans if a certain lady doesn’t reject me. Can’t say I’d blame her if she did. I’ve been an ass. A dumb ass and a dumber ass. My only excuse is I’m…I suppose I’m scared.”
    She brushed his hand away, confused. His words made perfect sense, but why did he touch her.
    “You’re still mad at me.” He reached for her hand.
    She stood up to avoid his touch, resisting the urge to stomp her foot. Her anger and hurt pushed her go-with-the-flow personality aside. “What kind of game are you playing, Brent? Okay, I was going to be cool about this, but you’ve made it an issue. Leave me alone. Go to your new girlfriend, and quit playing with my head.” She’d walk home. Or at least to the next bus stop.
    “Come on, Tanith. Talk to me.” He darted around her, blocking her path. She could smell a hint of mint.
    “No. It’s too late for talk.” She shook her head, determined she wouldn’t cry. “You know what? I thought I could handle this, but I can’t. I quit.”
    The bus pulled alongside the curb. Finally, luck was with her.
    She tried to walk around Brent to get on the vehicle, but he shifted, blocking her path. “What do you mean, you quit.”
    “I mean, I’m not singing anymore. I got a list of possible replacements for me from my voice instructor. I’ll email the names to you.”
    His mouth flew open. She took advantage of his shocked expression and skirted around him to get on the bus.
    “You can’t quit. We have a contract.”
    Tanith didn’t turn around as she fumbled for change. “Tell it to my lawyer.”
    Note to self. Get a lawyer.

Chapter Thirteen
    Tanith stepped off the bus and walked toward her apartment. She felt as if some whacked surgeon had removed all her vital parts. Only cold emptiness remained. And a bone weary tired.
    Reaching her building, she fumbled for her keys, almost stepping on a man on the steps.
    “Oh. Sorry.”
    The man stood. “Finally, I’ve been waiting for almost fifteen minutes. You could have saved your bus fare.”
    She jerked her head up. “Brent. What are… Why are you here?”
    He grinned, his beautiful smile filling her empty parts with grief. “We need to talk.”
    “Brent, let’s not do this. I get it, we had a bit of fun and you’ve moved on.”
    “I tried to get you out of my mind. I poured my feelings into my songs, trying to purge you, but your beautiful