Rules of Survival(79)

Patrick’s eyes traveled over the paper, and he let out a breath. For a moment, I misunderstood. I thought he was disappointed. But then he spoke. “I’m never going to be father-of-the-year material,” he said, voice cracking just a bit. He thumped a hand on Shaun’s shoulder. “I’m probably not fit to parent a chimp. Hell, look at him. But I’m here for you now. For whatever you need. I’m cranky and work-obsessed and, God bless her—Melissa always used to say—the sloppiest pig on earth, but I’m here. For you.”

I’d been undecided when I got off the bus. Mom was gone and there was no need to run anymore. Like her life, my old one was over. But unlike her, I had a chance to start fresh. Be and do anything I wanted. It was a miracle I’d never imagined possible. I’d wished for this on every homemade birthday candle since I was five years old, but never expected it would happen. And now that the possibility stretched out in front of me, I found that I was terrified. Of the unknown. Of disappointing Mom, of letting Patrick in, of where things might go with Shaun…

So I did what I knew Mom would do in my situation. I sucked in a deep breath and faced it with strength and determination.

“I think Mom would like that,” I said, taking his hand. “I’d like to stick around, if that’s okay. If—if you have room. Get to know you.”

The wind kicked up, and despite the icy temperature, I wasn’t cold. This was my moment. The one that would turn it all around. I took a deep breath and turned to Shaun. I’d craved normal for so long, and now that I was on the verge of getting it, I wanted to savor the moment.

With a tentative smile, said, “Both of you.”





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Acknowledgments

As always, a huge thank you to my family. Without them I would be lost.

To my first readers, Gia, Beth, and Mary, you guys continue to rock my wold. Here’s to sharp eyes, hot coffee, and full pages forever.

To the wonderful people at Entangled, and Liz, who is always willing to take a chance on my crazy ideas, thank you. It’s amazing to be part of such a supportive community.

And a heartfelt thanks to anyone who has ever picked up one of my books. It’s you who makes what I do possible. It’s you who truly give the characters life. Thank you from the bottom of my very endless coffee cup!





About the Author

JUS ACCARDO spent her childhood reading and learning to cook. Determined to follow in her grandfather’s footsteps as a chef, she applied and was accepted to the Culinary Institute of America. But at the last minute, she realized her true path lay with fiction, not food.

Jus is the bestselling author of the popular Denazen series from Entangled publishing, as well as the Darker Agency series, and the New Adult series, The Eternal Balance. A native New Yorker, she lives in the middle of nowhere with her husband, three dogs, and sometimes guard bear, Oswald.

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