RustCity Flash Fiction: Sage Spelling

Please welcome Sage Spelling for her Alpha Heroes debut! Sage agreed to wrap up our Contemporary Realistic story and I must say, I think she delivered a wonderfully satisfying ending, despite being swamped with crazy (and just possibly, maybe, more important) deadlines than our fun little game.  Thanks so much Sage!

Given all that, we decided to cut through the chit-chat and get straight to the story.  Sage's challenge words are: Banana, Wrench, Wood, Sterile, and Peacock

Doll-Face

Part 1, by Rue Allyn
Part 2, by Azriel Johnson
Part 3: by Robin Nadler

Part 4:

There is nothing like seeing the love of your life covered in bandages and surrounded with the steady rhythm of machines to put life in perspective. Arielle loved Van and yearned for the small things she’d taken for granted now that they were apart. Exhaustion washed over her and she’d realized she’d slept very little since before she’d gone home to visit her family. She missed falling asleep to the warmth of his body wrapped around hers and the comfort his arms provided after a long day.

She'd spent the evening watching a documentary about peacocks on the Animal Planet channel while Van slept peacefully in the hospital bed. The room was the typical depressing hospital room with white washed walls and sterile equipment. They’d been at the hospital for nearly six hours, but she’d kept her post at his bedside waiting for him to walk up. She’d been terrified of losing him and hadn't left his side from the moment they’d let her see him. She’d forgiven him. Yes, he’d cheated with some random girl, but she wasn't an angel. She’d kept her friendship with Baxter even after he’d made his intentions to get her back clear and enjoyed every second of the attention he bestowed. Her heart heavy with guilt, she remembered the kiss that Baxter laid on her when they’d taken a walk in the woods. She’d secretly hoped for that kiss and always wondered if there was more between them. But she’d felt nothing when their lips finally met. No spark. No fireworks. No toes curling or girly parts melting. She’d would have probably felt more if she’d kissed a bark of wood.

“Hey, beautiful.” Van’s groggy voice awakened her from her thoughts.

“Van.” Arielle leaned in and caressed the stubble on his cheek. “How do you feel?”

“I’d be better if you were still shirtless.” His lop-sided grin melted her heart. “Is that a large banana... wearing shades? on your shirt?”

She’d laughed despite the uneasiness in her chest. “Officer Dan had this t-shirt in his truck.”

“Arielle, I’m sorry. Sorry for everything.” His hand covered hers.

“Lets not talk about it now.”

“No, I have to say this.”

She nodded, too afraid to speak and not brave enough to voice her own feelings.

“I’ve been such a wrench.”

“Wrench?”

“Yeah, like the kids say.”

“You mean tool?” She suppressed a laugh.

“Whatever.” He grinned. “Anyway, I was so afraid of losing you, I pushed you away. I didn’t think you would ever think I could compare to Baxter. But I love you. Baby, when I saw you fall, my whole life flashed before my eyes and I know that I’d be nothing without you.”

“Van.”

“Please, Arielle. Forgive me.”

Her throat tightened. “I forgive you, but you might not forgive me.”

“What are you talking about?” His blue eyes darkened.

“Baxter kissed me and I let him. I wanted to see if you were right and I’d really been in love with him.”

“And?” His voice was barely a whisper.

“I don't love him. I love you. Only you. It's always only been you, Van.”

He reached for her and groaned in pain. “Kiss me,” he whispered.

“Sure thing, Dollface.” When their lips finally touched, she’d moaned and he deepened the kissed by cupping her face within his hands.

“Marry me?”

“Ask me again, when you're not high on pain meds.”

“I already have the ring.”

“Still, ask me again when we're not in the ER.”

“Will you say yes?”

“Yes.”

-------------------------------------------

I love that! Despite some unconventional twists and turns, Sage gave us a romantic happily-ever-after, and I have to say it took mad skillz to do that. I would read the hell out of a full-length romance based on this story.  Three cheers for Van and Dollface!

For more from Sage, please check out her website.

Con Information:

 

Don’t miss your chance to meet some amazing authors at Rust City Book Con next week! Come join us as we celebrate the authors who write the stories we love to read in the Motor City! Walk-ins are welcome. 

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