You've Been Jingled Novels & Stories

He held my ring up to the light and examined it closely, his brow furrowing in concentration. The longer he took, the more nervous I became. I fidgeted with the strap of my purse and shifted my weight from one foot to the other. Finally, the jeweler set my ring down on the velvet pad and turned to face me. My heart raced as he opened his mouth to speak, bracing myself for the worst.

Everything went silent. My ears rang. My chest burned. "What?" Is this a joke?

He was about to slam the door open when— A furious voice behind him rang out, sharp and trembling. “What did you just say? The pup isn’t Kane’s?!” Jennifer. Her face was ashen. Her lips trembled. And in her hand—the silver rattle she had just proudly secured—slipped through her fingers and crashed to the marble floor with a hollow, devastating clang. ********

Jennifer followed, her crimson heels clicking frantically and hollowly against the floor. ​I watched them go through the reflection of my monitor. I expected to feel a surge of joy. I expected to feel a weight lift. Instead, I felt a cold, hollow satisfaction.

I look up and catch Zade staring again. My nerves spike. My elbow nudges my water glass and it tips, spilling toward him. “Shit,” he mutters, jumping back. The staff rushes in, cleaning it quickly. I inhale deeply. Lola rubs my back. “You okay, baby girl?” “I’m okay,” I whisper. “Just nervous.” “You’ll be alright.” Janine sets her fork down. “So you’re saying the hospital stole your jewelry? Who steals from a baby?” I shrug. “I don’t know.”

"Why don't we just leave my car and all go in the SUV instead?." "The necklace!" Naelis shouted, gesturing to the vibrating necklace around her neck. "It’s already reacting to Zoran from this far away. If he gets in a confined space with me, the necklace will blast him through the roof. Jamie is harmless, the locket won't hurt him... Go! Now!"

JC went out of the café to breathe fresh air. He paused and stood at the door thinking. Then he went back inside. With no place to go, he used the remaining coin to dial another number. “Hello,” Kate answered in her classic soft voice. “Hello, Kate. It’s JC here. I’m outside in a café. Can you meet me here?” “Are you ok? You sound weird, JC. Am I wrong?” “You’re right. I am worried as hell.”

She was vibrating with enough irritation to light up the room, but she didn’t stop us. “Sure,” I said, my voice flat and bored. “Let’s see how it goes.” I reached for another ring. My movements were slow and deliberate. I tossed it. The metal gave a satisfying clink as it settled perfectly around the Moon Pillar. I didn’t smile. I just reached for the next one.

More giggles. "Me too Ginger, in a heartbeat. Have you ever played with yourself in front of anyone?" I asked. Ginger said, "No, but right now I'm willing to give it a try if you all are." Giggles erupted again from everyone. "Is everyone going to do it? I will if you all will," said Jody.

“Sоundѕ gооd, I wоuldn’t be ѕееn dеаd walking with a ріnk ѕраrklу lеаd.” “Rеаllу? I think іt wоuld gо wеll wіth уоur outfit,” I tеаѕеd. Before I hаd tіmе tо finish lаughіng, Jоеl grаbbеd my rіbѕ tickling mе hard. I jоltеd in surprise, іnѕtаntlу wakening Rubу.