Written By: ©Tiffany Anne
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Twisted Fate
Chapter 17
(C) Tiffany Anne and Tiffany Leigh 2002
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Arianna watched from the window as leaves danced on the sidewalk. Yellow, gold, and red, they swept along the pavement, oblivious to the chaotic world that surrounded them. Occasionally, one would be smothered underneath the shoe of a man or woman who was hurrying along, more intent on their destination rather than on the simplistic beauty of their journey. Arianna sighed as she thought about the turn her life had taken. Two weeks ago she had been exactly like those people, only concerned with herself and where she was going. Never taking time to revel in the simple things that could bring her such joy. Now, as all the things she had cared about were torn from her grasp and she was faced with the extreme possibility of dying. The doctors had met with her right after Justin had left and they wanted to do the transfer immediately. The thought of Justin brought burning tears to her eyes. She wrapped her arms around her middle and leaned against the cool window. She had seen it in his eyes; he had slept with Alexis. He had made love to another woman, while she was in the hospital. When she needed him the most. The guilt had been so bright in his deep blue eyes that it left Arianna with no doubt and a shredded heart. Alexis had looked guilty also, but an air of satisfaction had surrounded her and lit up her pretty face. Salty tears rolled down her porcelain-colored cheeks as images of Justin and Alexis together filled her mind. She hated him, hated him for stealing her heart and hated him for breaking hit. She hated him for making her love him and most of all, she hated herself for not being able to stop love him. He had captured her heart from the moment she had set eyes on him and he would hold it in his possession for all eternity. Wiping the wet tears from her face she looked at the clock. In four hours she would begin being prepped for surgery and the thought terrified her. She was completely alone and the loneliness pooled like a hard rock in her stomach. She grabbed the phone and quickly dialed a number from memory.
“’Ello,” mumbled JC as he picked up the ringing phone.
Arianna’s voice trembled as she spoke, “Jayce?”
Sighing, JC ran his hand through his hair, absent-mindedly noting that he needed a haircut. “What, AJ?”
“I need you, Jayce. Please.”
“Are you okay, Arianna? I mean Alexis said you were sick but isn’t she there. What’s going on?” Worry laced his tone and he sat up straight on the couch.
“No.” Arianna twirled the phone cord around her hand, wrapping it tighter and tighter as if the pain it inflicted on her hand might ease the pain in her aching heart. “They’re both gone, JC. My sister is here but she’s in another room going through tests to make sure everything will go smoothly tonight. I’m scared, Jayce.”
Her tearful plea rocked him. “Where did they go, AJ? How could they just leave you like that? What surgery are you having?” He asked all his questions in one breath, not understanding what was happening.
“I have to have a bone marrow transplant, Renee was a match. It’s tonight at 7. Please come, Jayce. I don’t have anybody else. Justin and I broke up and he left with Alexis.”
Alexis. JC sighed. So that was it, she had chosen Justin. Justin. What kind of man deserted his fiancé when she was in the hospital, almost dying. “I’ll be there, AJ. I’m leaving now.” But not before I make a stop. He hung up the phone and ran to his room to shove a few things in a duffel bag.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Alexis slid her hand into Justin’s, intertwining their fingers as they left the airport. Slipping into the passenger seat she watched as he started the car and began the short trek to her house. He was quiet and she could see the tension tightening his shoulder and arm muscles. She gnawed on her lower lip and watched him as he pulled into a parking spot at her apartment complex. He switched off the engine and looked down at his hands. “You wanna come in?” Alexis touched his arm softly.
Justin glanced over her, drinking in her honey blond hair that curled in soft ringlets around her face and her shimmering emerald eyes that were fringed in dark lashes. Her luscious pink mouth was full and soft, curved into a slight smile as she watched him carefully. Her skin was slightly flushed in a radiant glow that only made her more beautiful. Alexis. His Lexie. He had loved her since they were kids and he had never really stopped. Arianna was his heart and his soul but a part of it still belonged to Lexie. Reaching into his pocket his eyes met Alexis’. “Lexie. Alexis Rae.” His heart was in his throat and he could barely speak. “Will you marry me?” He pulled his hand out and held out the ring Arianna had placed in it earlier.
Her eyes wide she stared at his hand. An exquisite diamond rested on his palm, an engagement ring. A ring promising that he would be hers forever. “Yes,” she met his eyes, a wide smile on her face. “Of course.” Hugging him she giggled as he slid the ring on her finger. “I love you, Justin.”
“I love you, too.” Tears burned his eyes as he held her against his chest.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~**~*~*~*~*~
JC knocked on the door and stepped back. He rocked on his heels as he waited for someone to open the door. His eyes widened slightly when Justin answered the door, bare-chested. “Is Alexis here?” He didn’t meet Justin’s gaze. He couldn’t, he was afraid of what his reaction would be.
Nodding, Justin moved aside so JC could come in. He watched as Alexis stood up from the couch and looked uncertainly at him.
“Hi, JC.” She stared down at her hand and JC’s eyes followed hers and he shook his head as he saw the ring on her left ring finger.
“I just came to say I was leaving,” JC whispered, barely containing the raw emotion that threatened to spill from him in wild fury.
Alexis looked up surprised. “What?”
Glancing at Justin, JC said, “Age called me. She’s scared and alone. She’s needs someone to be at her side right now and since neither of you are willing to do that she called me.” He stared at Alexis for a moment and then brushed past Justin to the door. He paused and looked over his shoulder, “You know what the worst thing is?” He didn’t wait for either one of them to respond, “She could die tonight and both of you are too self-absorbed in your own damn worlds to care. I hope your happy together.” He slammed the door, filling the room with a hollow, empty feeling. A feeling felt deep within Justin’s chest.
“Wow.” Whispered Alexis, not knowing what to say, but needing to say something.
Justin simply nodded and went to her, his arms wrapping around her slender waist. The sweet scent of her filled his nostrils and made him heady. Without a word he scooped her into his arms and carried her to the bedroom. He needed to lose himself in her warmth and love. He needed to forget, if only for a little while.
Chapter 18
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