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30. Julianna
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Consolation Prize 31. Julianna
When someone else’s happiness is your happiness, that is love. —UnknownColton straightened with surprise. “Wait, what?” His eyes went wide and scared as they darted between me and Tyla. “Pregnant?”I blinked at my roommate, utterly confused. “Yeah…what?” I asked Tyla.“Well…” She blinked at me, clearly confused. “You said something about jostling your ovaries.”I glanced toward Colton. He glanced back at me. And we both burst out laughing.Tears were streaming down my face and Colton still couldn’t calm down enough to help me explain our inside joke when Tyla finally lifted her hands, and said, “Never mind. I don’t want to know. You and your happy new relationship is making me ill.”“No, wait.” I dove at her, grabbing her arm. “I’m sorry. We’ll stop. I’ll behave, I swear.”“Yeah, I won’t touch her for the rest of the night,” Colton promised, right before sending me a big wink and then scooting me off his lap. Then he turned all his attention to Tyla. “This is your night. We’ll
Consolation Prize 32. Colton
Find a heart that will love you at your worst and arms that will hold you at your weakest. —UnknownI stayed with Julianna until morning, and I swear we held each other a little tighter all night long as if we both feared someone was going to barge into her room and physically tear us apart, namely her dad.After her alarm went off, we knew we needed to get up and prepare for a day full of classes, but we didn’t want to move just yet. We lay there, staring up at her ceiling as we remained wrapped around each other in our safe little cocoon.“Is it bad that I want to hunt down your ex and kick the shit out of him for telling your dad?” I asked.She huffed out a laugh. “Honey, get in line. I would love nothing more than to punch him in the throat right about now.”“I can’t believe he and your dad still talk. I mean, your dad knows why you divorced him, right?”When Julianna swallowed audibly, I looked at her. “Julianna?”With a sigh, she closed her eyes. “I just told him I felt li
Consolation Prize 33. Julianna
Being deeply loved gives you strength; loving deeply gives you courage. —Lao TzuSitting on the damp floor with my back to a crumbling wall, I tugged off one of my gloves with my teeth, then picked open a scab on the tip of my finger. I’d spent all day yesterday trying to claw my way out of this concrete tomb that seemed to be some kind of small underground storm shelter. The only thing I’d managed to accomplish, though, was to give myself two hands full of broken fingernails, ground down to tattered bloody stubs.When fresh blood welled through the dirty flesh, I stuck my thumb into my mouth, sucking greedily so I could at least wet my tongue.There’d been a small puddle in the corner just under the air vent in the ceiling where water had probably leaked in when it had rained. But I’d already drank that dry, knowing it’d probably make me sick but needing it anyway.I almost wished for an insect to crawl by so I could eat it. I was literally starving to death down here. I’d screame
Consolation Prize 34. Brandt
The couples that are “meant to be” are the ones who go through everything that is meant to tear them apart and come out even stronger than they were before. —UnknownI wiped down the counter of the bar and glanced at the time. Twenty minutes until opening. I’m not sure why I was so obsessed with checking the time these past few days, but I did it constantly.Obsessively.It’d just passed the fifty-seven-hour mark since Julianna had gone missing. Twelve minutes since I’d called in to check on my brother. And about twenty-five seconds since I’d fought the urge to ditch work and drive the streets again, searching for my lost coworker.Colton was a fucking mess. I’d never seen him this out of sorts before. He’d wept this morning, losing his shit all over Aspen, and none of us had known what to do to help him.I didn’t like this powerless feeling. I had no idea what to do to ease my brother. None of us did.They said he wasn’t eating or sleeping. When he wasn’t out looking for Juli, o
Consolation Prize 35. Colton
Missing you is my hobby, caring for you is my job, making you happy is my duty, and loving you is my life. —UnknownSometimes it was better not to think. As a frozen, blood-covered Julianna shivered and whimpered in my arms, smelling of piss, mildew, and all manner of gross, I watched the police cover the dead body lying five feet away with a tarp, and I tried to process what I was seeing. But I’m pretty sure my brain wouldn’t let my thoughts travel far or I would’ve had a meltdown right then and there.I was shaking as much as Julianna was. Or maybe she was trembling so much for both of us it just felt like I was too. She was like hugging an ice cube.“Blanket,” I said, lifting my face to address anyone from the horde of people gathered around us, standing there and gawking like dumbasses.Juli’s dad immediately began to shed his coat. Somewhere in my head, I wondered why I hadn’t had the forethought to take off my own coat for her, but then, I wasn’t all that sure I was able to s
Consolation Prize 36. Julianna
I love you more today than yesterday, but not as much as tomorrow. —UnknownChad’s words were flowing through my head as I came awake.We’re all basically the same. We smile when we’re happy, cry when we’re sad, eat when we’re hungry, sleep when we’re tired.Then I pictured Colton weaving his fingers through mine and examining the contrast we made together, like piano keys.And then the strange dream was gone. I was suddenly awake, afraid and frozen before I realized I wasn’t in my concrete cave anymore. And I wasn’t even cold. I was in a bed with lights and warmth and soft blankets and pillows.A rustling sound made me tip my face that way and open my eyes to watch Colton hang a dream catcher in the window. His back was to me, so he didn’t know I was awake yet. It gave me a moment to glance around the room and take in the fact I was still at the hospital. An IV was hooked to my arm and something seemed to be wrapped around my head. I lifted my sore arm and bandaged fingers slowly
Consolation Prize Epilogue
A woman can’t change a man because she loves him; a man changes himself because he loves her. —UnknownMy wedding day started just shy of seven o’clock on a warm June morning, about two weeks after my twentieth birthday. It was the summer break before my senior year of college. My soon-to-be wife had graduated two years earlier and was actually working for Ten’s architectural firm, in the accounting department. And we’d been living in our own place—no other roommates—for about eighteen months now.I liked to tease her about becoming my nerdy, numbers-crunching accountant wife while I peeled off her conservative cotton panties and stripped her bare. She’d just blink at me dryly and then demand I go down on her in reconciliation. I didn’t exactly mind: eating my favorite pussy wasn’t the hardship for me she seemed to think it was.But this morning, there was no stripping or pussy. I woke on Noel and Aspen’s lumpy, too-short couch to two-year-old Lucy Olivia and five-year-old Beau watc
Consolation Prize Acknowledgments
Thank you to…The Bestest Friends EverLindsayLaurenAdaI’m pretty sure you’ll never realize how much you mean to me. No matter where you go or what you do in your lives, a little piece of you will always be protected safely in my heart and cherished forever. I’m always happy to hear from you. Thank you for being you.My FamilyKurt, Lydia, Sadie, and all the others!You guys are my home and my foundation. I couldn’t do anything or be anything without you. You keep me going and make me feel loved. Thank you.My Beta BeautiesLauren, Lindsay, Sasha, Ashley, Ciara, Tyla, Amisha (the blurb queen!), Amanda, Alaina, Shi Ann, and Ana.You took the time to read my story in its worst possible shape and give me your honest feedback. I can’t even properly express my appreciation for that! Thank you.Julianna RatcliffeThank you for letting me borrow your name for my heroine just because I liked it! And then thanks for not getting upset at all when I changed the spelling of Ratclif
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Consolation Prize About the Author
Linda writes romance fiction from YA to adult, contemporary to fantasy. Most Kage stories lean more toward the lighter, sillier side with a couple meaningful moments thrown in. Focuses more on entertainment value and emotional impact.Published since 2010. Went through a 2-year writing correspondence class in children’s literature from The Institute of Children’s Literature. Then graduated with a Bachelor of Arts, English with an emphasis in creative fiction writing from Pittsburg State University.Now she lives with her hubby, two daughters, cat Holly, and nine cuckoo clocks in southeast Kansas, USA. Farm girl. Parents were dairy farmers. Was youngest of eight. Big family. Day job as a cataloging library assistant.Harry Potter House Gryffindor, Patronus White Stallion, character match Hagrid. Supernatural Team Dean. Game of Thrones Team Jon Snow and Tyrion Lannister. The Walking Dead Team Daryl. Outlander Team Jamie Fraser. Teen Wolf Team Stiles. Avenger Team Thor...or Hulk (can’t
Consolation Prize Acknowledgments
Thank you to…The Bestest Friends EverLindsayLaurenAdaI’m pretty sure you’ll never realize how much you mean to me. No matter where you go or what you do in your lives, a little piece of you will always be protected safely in my heart and cherished forever. I’m always happy to hear from you. Thank you for being you.My FamilyKurt, Lydia, Sadie, and all the others!You guys are my home and my foundation. I couldn’t do anything or be anything without you. You keep me going and make me feel loved. Thank you.My Beta BeautiesLauren, Lindsay, Sasha, Ashley, Ciara, Tyla, Amisha (the blurb queen!), Amanda, Alaina, Shi Ann, and Ana.You took the time to read my story in its worst possible shape and give me your honest feedback. I can’t even properly express my appreciation for that! Thank you.Julianna RatcliffeThank you for letting me borrow your name for my heroine just because I liked it! And then thanks for not getting upset at all when I changed the spelling of Ratclif
Consolation Prize Epilogue
A woman can’t change a man because she loves him; a man changes himself because he loves her. —UnknownMy wedding day started just shy of seven o’clock on a warm June morning, about two weeks after my twentieth birthday. It was the summer break before my senior year of college. My soon-to-be wife had graduated two years earlier and was actually working for Ten’s architectural firm, in the accounting department. And we’d been living in our own place—no other roommates—for about eighteen months now.I liked to tease her about becoming my nerdy, numbers-crunching accountant wife while I peeled off her conservative cotton panties and stripped her bare. She’d just blink at me dryly and then demand I go down on her in reconciliation. I didn’t exactly mind: eating my favorite pussy wasn’t the hardship for me she seemed to think it was.But this morning, there was no stripping or pussy. I woke on Noel and Aspen’s lumpy, too-short couch to two-year-old Lucy Olivia and five-year-old Beau watc
Consolation Prize 36. Julianna
I love you more today than yesterday, but not as much as tomorrow. —UnknownChad’s words were flowing through my head as I came awake.We’re all basically the same. We smile when we’re happy, cry when we’re sad, eat when we’re hungry, sleep when we’re tired.Then I pictured Colton weaving his fingers through mine and examining the contrast we made together, like piano keys.And then the strange dream was gone. I was suddenly awake, afraid and frozen before I realized I wasn’t in my concrete cave anymore. And I wasn’t even cold. I was in a bed with lights and warmth and soft blankets and pillows.A rustling sound made me tip my face that way and open my eyes to watch Colton hang a dream catcher in the window. His back was to me, so he didn’t know I was awake yet. It gave me a moment to glance around the room and take in the fact I was still at the hospital. An IV was hooked to my arm and something seemed to be wrapped around my head. I lifted my sore arm and bandaged fingers slowly
Consolation Prize 35. Colton
Missing you is my hobby, caring for you is my job, making you happy is my duty, and loving you is my life. —UnknownSometimes it was better not to think. As a frozen, blood-covered Julianna shivered and whimpered in my arms, smelling of piss, mildew, and all manner of gross, I watched the police cover the dead body lying five feet away with a tarp, and I tried to process what I was seeing. But I’m pretty sure my brain wouldn’t let my thoughts travel far or I would’ve had a meltdown right then and there.I was shaking as much as Julianna was. Or maybe she was trembling so much for both of us it just felt like I was too. She was like hugging an ice cube.“Blanket,” I said, lifting my face to address anyone from the horde of people gathered around us, standing there and gawking like dumbasses.Juli’s dad immediately began to shed his coat. Somewhere in my head, I wondered why I hadn’t had the forethought to take off my own coat for her, but then, I wasn’t all that sure I was able to s
Consolation Prize 34. Brandt
The couples that are “meant to be” are the ones who go through everything that is meant to tear them apart and come out even stronger than they were before. —UnknownI wiped down the counter of the bar and glanced at the time. Twenty minutes until opening. I’m not sure why I was so obsessed with checking the time these past few days, but I did it constantly.Obsessively.It’d just passed the fifty-seven-hour mark since Julianna had gone missing. Twelve minutes since I’d called in to check on my brother. And about twenty-five seconds since I’d fought the urge to ditch work and drive the streets again, searching for my lost coworker.Colton was a fucking mess. I’d never seen him this out of sorts before. He’d wept this morning, losing his shit all over Aspen, and none of us had known what to do to help him.I didn’t like this powerless feeling. I had no idea what to do to ease my brother. None of us did.They said he wasn’t eating or sleeping. When he wasn’t out looking for Juli, o
Consolation Prize 33. Julianna
Being deeply loved gives you strength; loving deeply gives you courage. —Lao TzuSitting on the damp floor with my back to a crumbling wall, I tugged off one of my gloves with my teeth, then picked open a scab on the tip of my finger. I’d spent all day yesterday trying to claw my way out of this concrete tomb that seemed to be some kind of small underground storm shelter. The only thing I’d managed to accomplish, though, was to give myself two hands full of broken fingernails, ground down to tattered bloody stubs.When fresh blood welled through the dirty flesh, I stuck my thumb into my mouth, sucking greedily so I could at least wet my tongue.There’d been a small puddle in the corner just under the air vent in the ceiling where water had probably leaked in when it had rained. But I’d already drank that dry, knowing it’d probably make me sick but needing it anyway.I almost wished for an insect to crawl by so I could eat it. I was literally starving to death down here. I’d screame
Consolation Prize 32. Colton
Find a heart that will love you at your worst and arms that will hold you at your weakest. —UnknownI stayed with Julianna until morning, and I swear we held each other a little tighter all night long as if we both feared someone was going to barge into her room and physically tear us apart, namely her dad.After her alarm went off, we knew we needed to get up and prepare for a day full of classes, but we didn’t want to move just yet. We lay there, staring up at her ceiling as we remained wrapped around each other in our safe little cocoon.“Is it bad that I want to hunt down your ex and kick the shit out of him for telling your dad?” I asked.She huffed out a laugh. “Honey, get in line. I would love nothing more than to punch him in the throat right about now.”“I can’t believe he and your dad still talk. I mean, your dad knows why you divorced him, right?”When Julianna swallowed audibly, I looked at her. “Julianna?”With a sigh, she closed her eyes. “I just told him I felt li
Consolation Prize 31. Julianna
When someone else’s happiness is your happiness, that is love. —UnknownColton straightened with surprise. “Wait, what?” His eyes went wide and scared as they darted between me and Tyla. “Pregnant?”I blinked at my roommate, utterly confused. “Yeah…what?” I asked Tyla.“Well…” She blinked at me, clearly confused. “You said something about jostling your ovaries.”I glanced toward Colton. He glanced back at me. And we both burst out laughing.Tears were streaming down my face and Colton still couldn’t calm down enough to help me explain our inside joke when Tyla finally lifted her hands, and said, “Never mind. I don’t want to know. You and your happy new relationship is making me ill.”“No, wait.” I dove at her, grabbing her arm. “I’m sorry. We’ll stop. I’ll behave, I swear.”“Yeah, I won’t touch her for the rest of the night,” Colton promised, right before sending me a big wink and then scooting me off his lap. Then he turned all his attention to Tyla. “This is your night. We’ll
