Release (Release #1)

by Aly Martinez

I didn’t know it then, but that day, Ramsey Stewart saved my life. And six years later, I’d repay him by ruining his.

Thea and I were two of a kind. Lost. Broken. Forgotten. Stuck. But it didn’t feel like I was stuck when I was with her. She was a code I couldn’t crack, but the challenge alone made me obsessed.

I’d often wished we had a cool story about when our relationship transitioned from that of tolerating each other to discovering we were two halves of one soul. But the truth is Thea and I evolved much like the seasons: slow, steady, and unstoppable.

Love changes a man—even when he’s not yet a man at all. We were friends, but Thea was still quiet, stoic, borderline rude a lot of the time. However, in that tree, suffering alone and also together, I fell in love with her like the stars falling from the sky.

“Nora told me she thinks you started your period. Good news, you probably won’t die from that.”

“I hear it’s a once-a-month thing. But I can promise I’m not going anywhere, okay?” A chill went down my spine as his gaze dipped to my mouth. “Swear to me.” “I swear. It’s me and you forever, Ramsey.” “I swear too.” His voice only became more urgent. “I can’t do this without you.” “Do what?” He lifted one shoulder in a half shrug. “Breathe.”

There was so much I should have said to her. I love you too. I’ve always loved you. I’ve been rotting away from the inside out for years knowing someone was going to take you from me. You’re my Sparrow, and that will never change.

“You’re mine, Ramsey. You can try to fight me. You can hate me. You can lie to yourself for the rest of your life.”

“There was never a day when I didn’t want you to be mine, Sparrow.

I just loved you enough to hope you wouldn’t have to be.”

to be mine, Sparrow. I just loved you enough to hope you wouldn’t have to be.”

“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. I choose you. I choose you, Thea. I choose us. I promise. I have absolutely nothing to offer you but headaches and stress, but if you keep me, I swear I’ll spend the rest of my life providing you with love and Tylenol.”