by Jenna Moreci
in the mood for, so I just grabbed one of each.” She leaned over a single thermos,sniffingitcuriously.“Thisonesmellslikefeet.”
“Pomegranateblueberrysoundsdivine,”Heathercooed,pluckingoneofthe
containersfromHayden’sgrasp.“Youcanhavetherest.”
Hayden’seyeslitup.“Forme?”Shegrinned,stilljugglingherarmload.
“You’re sogenerous.Like,really, reallygenerous.”
Eveglancedbackandforthbetweenthetwogirls.“Whatisthis?”
Heatherwrappedherarmaroundthepint-sizedlackeyandsqueezedher
tightly.“HaydenandIarebestfriends.Haven’tyouheard?”
“Sincewhen?”EveturnedtoHayden.“WhathappenedtoMadison?”
“Itookyouradvice,”HaydensneeredassheguzzleddownoneofHeather’s
juicemedleys.“Butdon’texpectathankyou,becauseyou’renotgettingone.”
“MyadvicewastosteerclearofMadison,nottoreplaceherwithsomeone equallyunhinged.”
“Weshouldgo,”Heathercutin,steeringHaydendownthehallway.“We
havespringclassestoenrollin,afterall.”SheofferedEveapatronizingwink.
“Itrustyouhaven’tselectedyours—hasty,carelessdecision-makingseemsto
beyourforte.”
Thetwogirlsscurriedaway,Heatherwithadelightedspringinherstepand
Hayden with a thermos straw lodged between her lips. Just when Eve thought shewasfinallyridofthem,Heathersuddenlyswiveledinplace.
“Youknow,alittlebirdietoldmethatsomeInterloperswereslainon
campus—createdquiteastir,apparently.It’sashamewemissedalltheaction.I
wasengrossedinmynovel,andyou—well,youwerebusyinthenookienook,
right?”
Andwiththat,thetwogirlsmadetheirwayoutofsight,leavingEve
standinginthemiddleofthehallwaywithherlipspartedinafoolishmanner.
Shecouldn’thelpbutgawk,dumbfoundedbyHeather’swords,andevenwhen
sherealizedthatshewasnolongeralone—Percywasnowwaitingbesideher
—shestillsaidnothing.
“Hello,crotch-face,”Percybarbed,playfullyelbowingherintheribs.“Or
shouldIsay,sexualdeviant.Yourphonylibidoisthetalkofthetown.”
Everolledhereyes.“It’sfunny:somanypeoplehavescrewedinthatcloset,
buttheminuteJasonandIdo,it’sascandal.”
“That’s because you’re not people, you’re chimeras,” Percy scoffed. “And chimeras don’t screw, they procreate—like animals. Don’t you know these things?”
Evedidn’trespond.HereyeswerestillfocusedonthespotwhereHeather
oncestood.PercygazedcuriouslydownthecorridorandthenbackatEve.
“Youokay?Youlooklikeyou’vejustseenaghost.”
“Yeah,I’mfine,”Eveanswered.“Justhadastrangeencounter,that’sall.”
“Well,youbettergetusedtothat.ThewholecampusthinksyouandJasonare
exhibitionists.”Heloweredhisvoice.“Youshouldbeproud,though—our
lasthitwaspracticallyseamless.Regardlessofwhateveryonethinks,
Remingtonisalivebecauseofus.”
BeforeEvecouldrespond,anewsightcaughtherattention:Madisonhad
justenteredthebusinessbuildingandwassaunteringdownthecorridorinan
extravagantshirt-dresslikeastunningmodelonaEuropeanrunway.
“Lookwho’shere,”Percymutteredsarcastically.“Mybeautifulgirlfriend,
theappleofmyeye.”
“Youmean ex-girlfriend,right?”
“Well…notexactly.”
Evefurrowedherbrow.“Whatdoyou mean,‘notexactly’?”
“Ineverformallyendedthingswithher.Ijustsortof,youknow,phasedher
out. I mean, for God’s sake, it was just one date. It’s not like we’re actually together.”
Evecriticallyeyedtheheir.“Hasshecalledyou?”
“Maybe.”
“Howmanytimes?”
“Afew…dozen.”
“So,basically,you’vebeenspinelesslyignoringherforaweek.”
“Hey,Iwouldn’tcallit spineless.I’mjustkeepingmydistance.Imean,thegirl threatenedtokillyoujustbecauseshelikesyourboyfriend.Idon’twantto
beonthereceivingendofherwrath.Unlikeyou,Idon’tmiraculously heal.”
Evesighedloudly.“Youneedtodumpher.”
“What? Why?”
“Becauseshe’sahumanbeing.Yousaidsoyourself:‘Blondie’sthe real deal.’”
“She’sa psychopath,”hehissed.
“It’stherightthingtodo.”
“Oh,don’tlecturemeaboutrightandwrong.Weusedthegirlfordiamonds,
remember?”
Evefoldedherarms.“Percy,dumpher.Now.”
Percygroaned.“Youknow,youcanbearealpaininthecock.”
“Doit.”
“Iknow,Iknow.I’mgoing, Mom.”
Withthematurityofamopingchild,Percystompeddownthehallway,
quicklycombinghishairintoplacebeforeapproachingMadison’sside.She
turnedtofacehim,herlipsturnedupintoadazzlingsmile.
“Percy!Mydeliciousredvelvetdevil,wherehaveyoubeen?I’vebeen tryingtogetintouchwithyoufor days!”
“Lostmyphone,”Percymuttered.“Look,weneedtotalk.”
“Um,yeah,Iknowthat.WhyelsewouldIbecallingyou?”shesnorted.
Percyofferedheracondescendingsmile.“I’llgofirst—”
“I’mbreakingupwithyou.”
Percy stopped short, aghast. “What?” he snapped. “You’re breaking up with me?”
“It’snothingpersonal,”Madisoncontinued.“You’rehandsome,youhave
amazing style, and God are you a good kisser—a little shy, but still pretty tasty.” She trailed her finger down the buttons of his shirt and sighed. “I just can’tleadyouonlikethis.Itwouldn’tbefair.”
“Whatdoyoumean,‘leadmeon’?”
“There’ssomeoneelse.”Madisonstoppedandconsidered.“Actually,there’s
acoupleofthem…”
“Look,IalreadyknowaboutLionel—”
“Butthenthere’sJason.”
Percywrinkledhisbrow.“Jason?You’renoteven datinghim.”
“Iknow,butIwillbesomeday—somedayverysoon,oncethat slopholeisout ofthepicture.”SheglaredatEve,whowasstillwaitinginthedistance.
“Don’tyousee?I’minlovewithJason,andI’minarelationshipwithLionel.
Twomenatonceismylimit—three’sacrowd.Youunderstandthat,right?”
Percywassilent,hisexpressionamixofshockandshame.“I’veneverbeen
dumpedbefore.”
“Iknowithurtstoloseme.It’sadeeppain,I’msure.”Sherestedahandon
hisforearm.“Youcankeepthediamonds,though.”
Percysmirked.“Trustme,thatpartwasn’tupfornegotiation.”
Madisongavehisarmonelastsqueeze.“Goodbye,Percy,”shecooed,
slowlybackingawayfromhim.“IfyouseeJason,tellhimthatIlovehim?”
Andwithonelastflipofherhair,theheiressdisappearedaroundthecorner,
leavingPercyaloneinthecenterofthehallway.
Eve made her way to his side. She stared at his bewildered expression, her browtwistedwithconfusion.
“How’ditgo?”
“Don’task.”
“But—”
“Don
’t.Ask.”
Theywalkedtogetherincompletesilence.EveglancedatPercyoutofthe
cornerofhereye;hisbackwastautandhischeekswereanunusualshadeof
red.ShelookedoverhershoulderatMadisononelasttimeandshrugged.
“Sheseemedtotakeitwell.”
“Eve.”
“Sorry,”shemumbled,tryingherbestnottosmile,“ass-sack.”
***
Thecoolbreezebrushedacrossherface,blowingherhairfromher
shoulders.EvewasaccustomedtoDecemberinSanFrancisco—tothe
blisteringwindandfoggyhaze—buttheweatherinCalabasaswasonlyslightly
chilly,andsosheremovedhercoatandsetitofftoherside.Jasonhadinsisted ontheirmeetingthisevening— “I’mstealingyou, ” he’d said with a wink—
andsothereshesat,onhisfadedquilt,atopthegrassyhillthatoverlookedthe entirecampus.Shefidgetedwithherblacktieandmatchingpleatedskirt,
adjusting them into perfect position, and then, deciding that perfection was simply unattainable, she allowed the fabric to flutter with each gentle gust of wind.
Jasonwasrummagingthroughhisshoulderbag,butstoppedforamoment
togazedownatthebaseofthehill.Aclusterofphotographerswasgathering,
theircamerasflashingastheywatchedthetwochimeras,andJason’sface
becameconsumedwithirritation.
“Someone’stippingthemoff,”Evesaid.Sherestedherhandonhis.“They
would’vefoundusnomatterwherewewent.”
“Still,maybeapicnicwasn’tthebestmove.”
“Ithinkit’sromantic.”
Jason’seyesflickedfromthephotographerstoEve.“Good.”Hesmiled.
“Thatwastheidea.”
Hecontinuedtodigthroughhisshoulderbagandatlastpulledouttwo
glassesandabottleofmerlot.
“Wine?Butwhy?”
Jasonchuckled.“Youknow,somepeopleactuallydrinkitforthe taste.”
Hehandedheraglass,andtheyclinkedtheircrystaltogether.
“Atoast,”Jasonbegan,“tous.Tofuturesuccess.“
“Tokickingass,”Eveadded,downingherdrink.
“We’redoingit,youknow.Littlebylittle.Wecouldactuallywinthis.”
“Iknow.”Sheexhaled,relaxingherbodyintothequilt.“Forthefirsttimein
mylife,allofthat”—shepaused,cockingherheadtowardthepaparazzi—“that
noiseseemsinsignificant.LikeIcanfinallybreathe.”
“Icantell.”
“Whatdoyoumean?”
Hesmiled.“You’redifferentnow.”
Evehesitated.“Differenthow?”
“Moreatpeace,Iguess.”Hestaredoutatthecampusbelow.“Thereare
somethings—some burdens—thatnevergoaway.Igetthatnow.But Billington shouldn’tbeoneofthem.Nottheprotestors,nottheflyers,notevenMadison
—”
“Shehasn’tspokentome.NotsinceherdatewithPercy.”
“Good,”Jasonsaid.“Nowyouwon’thavetobebotheredbyallofher
whininganddaddyissues.”
“Daddyissues?”Everolledhereyes.“Madisonhasissues,butIdon’tthink herdadisoneofthem.”
Jasonfurrowedhisbrow.“Whatareyoutalkingabout?”
“Whatare youtalkingabout?”
“Mr.PalmertotallydisregardsMadison.Theyhaven’tspokenin years.”He
sethisemptyglasstotheside.“Don’tgetmewrong,thingswerenevergreat—
he’s alwaysputworkbeforeher—but,Idon’tknow, somethinghappened.
Somethingmadeeverythingevenworse.”
Evelookedoverathim,perplexed.“Idon’tunderstand.Henamedhis
companyafterher.”
“Isthatwhatshetoldyou?”Jasonlaughed.“MadisonDiamondswas
launchedfouryearsbeforeMadison Palmerwasevenborn.Whichmeans—”
“Henamedhisdaughterafterhiscompany.”Evefaltered.“Butallthegifts
—”
“Toystoplaywith,tokeepheroccupied.”Jasonshrugged.“Orquiet.”
“Wow,”Evemumbled.“I’dalmostfeelbadforherifshehadn’t slappedme.”
“Whyareweeventalkingabouther?”
“Whatshouldwetalkabout?”
“Howbeautifulyoulooktoday.”
“Oh,God,”Evechuckled,blushingtheslightestbit.“Guessyoubrought
somecheesetogowiththewine,huh?”
Jasonstaredather,studyingthedetailsofherskin,thedarkflecksinhereyes, andthethree,maybefourfrecklesonhercheeks.
“Alothashappenedtheselastfewmonths.TheInterlopers,theteam—”He glared at the photographers below. “The press. But I want you to know that, above all else, what matters most to me is this.” He stopped and wrapped his fingersaroundhers.“Whatwehavetogether.”
Evewasquiet.Sheconcentratedonthefeelingofherpalmrestinginhis,on
hownaturalitfelt.Itstruckherthatonlyafewmonthsprior,theverythought
ofsuchathingwouldhavebeencompletelyforeignandunfamiliar.
Afterabriefsilence,Jasonleanedinclosertoher.
“Stillcheesy?”heasked.
“Yes.”
“Youlikeit.”
“Ido.”
EvesmiledasJasonbroughtherchinclosertohisanddelicatelykissedher
bottom lip. He dragged his hand up her back and to the nape of her neck, running his fingers through her hair as he kissed her again, this time firmly and passionately. Eve ignored the blinking lights of the faraway cameras and closedhereyes,openinghersensestothefeelingofhispricklycheekagainst
hers,thetasteofwineonhistongue,andthesoundofferventshoutinginthe
distance.
“GUYS!Hey,guys!”
Sanchowasbarrelingupthegrassyhillside,wavinghisarms.Jasonpulled
awayfromEveandscowled.
“God,this alwayshappenstous,”hegroused.
Sancho stopped at the edge of the quilt, eyeing the wine bottle and empty glasses.“Sorry,”hemumbled,“lookslikeI’minterrupting.”
“Youthink?”Jasonhissed.
Sanchoglancedbackandforthbetweenthecoupleandthephotographers.
“Youdoknowtherearepeopletakingpicturesofyou,right?”
Jasonrolledhiseyes.“Whatdoyouwant,Sanch?”
Sanchohesitated,loweringhisvoicetoanunnecessarywhisper.“Weneedyou
guys…youknow,backatPercy’splace.”
Evewrinkledherforehead.“Why?”
Sanchowasquiet.Again,helookedatthepaparazzibelow.
“Theycan’thearyou,Sancho,”Evesaid.
Heturnedtoher,hiseyesbrightwithexcitement.“There’sbeena
development.”
Jasonglowered.“Can’titwait?”
“Trustme,youwanttoseethis.”
JasonsighedwithannoyanceandofferedEveanapologeticglance.“Fine,”
hemuttered,gatheringtheirthingsbeforefollowingSanchodownthehill.
ThethreesometraveledacrosstheBillingtongroundsbacktoRutherford
Hall.SanchoopenedthedoortoPercy’ssuite,andasheusheredthetwo
chimerasintotheroom,Eve’seyesimmediatelylandedontheunexpected
visitorbesidethekitchencounter.Hesatononeofthebarstools,hisshortlegs danglinghighabovethefloor,andthoughhisbackfacedher,hisshaggy,
unkemptheadofhairwasinstantlyrecognizable.
“Armaan?”
&
nbsp; “Eve!Jason!You’rehere!”Armaanspuninhisseatandhoppedtothefloor.
Heglancedatthetwochimerasandblushed.“Sorrytointrudelikethis.”
“Youhearthat?He’s intruding, ”JJsaid,crossingherarms.“Areyougoing toyellathimlikeyoudidatme?”
EveofferedArmaanareassuringnod.“Don’tapologize.You’rean
invaluablepartofourgroup.”SheturnedtoJJandsneered.“Armaan’sthefirst
friendImadehereatBillington.Didyouknowthat?”
JJgrumbled.“Dynamic.”
“Sowhat’sthisnewdevelopmentwe’veheardsolittleabout?”Eveasked.
“It’s the second skin.” Armaan raised a small jar, filled with creamy, foul-smellingflesh,andscurriedtowardtheseatingarea,urgingtheothersto
follow.“Kindofembarrassinghowitallhappened,actually.Iwasrunning
moretestsandgotalittlecareless—itwastheexcitementofitall,Iguess.
Anyway,Iaccidentallyspilledthestuffallovermybedsheets.”
“Well,that’sashame,Iguess,”Jasonmumbled.
“Hardly.Itactuallyledtomymostsurprisingdiscoverythusfar.Look.”
Beforeanyonecouldobject,Armaanpoppedthetopfromhisjarandpoured
thebeige-coloredcontentsontoPercy’scoffeetable.
“Motherof ass! I justreplacedthatthing,”Percygroaned.
Armaandidn’trespond;instead,hefocusedintentlyontheooze-covered table,hisgazefierceandhisbrowtwisted.Ashestared,thesubstancestartedto bubble and seethe as if heated by a burning flame, and then the coffee table begantobulgeandcontortintostrangeandunnaturalshapes:thewoodenlegs
expandedlikelungs,thedrawersshriveledintonothingness,andtheblackened
tabletop shrank in size, its surface morphing from hard and sleek to soft and textured.Soon,thecoffeetablewasnomore,havingbeenreplacedbyablack
velvetthrowpillowidenticaltotheothersthatadornedPercy’scouch.
“GoodLord,it’smagicslime,”Percysaid,staringinaweatthepillow.
“Itoldyouyou’dwanttoseethis,”Sanchogrinned,pluckingthepillowfrom
thefloorandtossingitupintheair.
“Idon’tknowwhyitdidn’toccurtomesooner,”Armaanadded,pleased
withhisdiscovery.“Thesecondskinworkson anything,livingorotherwise.”
“Butwhat’sthepointofit?”Jasonasked.“Imean,Iunderstandwhytheywould