Variation

by Rebecca Yarros

The second her gaze lifted to lock with mine, I forgot how to fucking breathe, let alone think. I’d never been hit by lightning, but I bet this was what it felt like. And she was bleeding.

Observant could easily be mistaken for quiet, especially with that many siblings around.

“Because”—she straightened her shoulders—“you’re my biological mother.”

She reached into her back pocket and threw a picture on the table. I gasped at the photo. We were outside the Haven Cove Classic the day I’d won. Hudson’s arm was around my shoulders while I cradled the beautiful bouquet of flowers he’d brought me. Our smiles were bright and happy, and we looked so full of hope that my heart hurt. Those two had no idea what was coming for them in just a few short hours.

“Want to skip the rest of the gala and find out? I promised you hours, if I remember correctly.”

“And I wish I was above using sex as a way to get you, to keep you. But I’m not.”

“Truth always differs depending on who’s telling the story, and in complicated situations, there are countless variations. But when it comes to that summer, in every single variant, I’m the asshole who wasn’t strong enough to hold on to her.”

“I want you.” I lowered my forehead to hers. “I will do anything to be with you, to keep you, to make this work. I have never felt anything more real in my life.”

“It would never work. I’m going back to New York.” “I don’t care. You’re here now. Give me your now.” My hands flexed on her waist. “Tell me you feel it.” She squeezed her eyes shut, then nodded. “I feel it. It’s real.”

“You, Allie. You scared the shit out of me. Do you have any idea what you mean to me? You’re my air. And I know you don’t even want to

So wrapped up in you that I couldn’t breathe in that ER because I needed to be here with you.”