The One with Max in an Angel Costume

So... sometimes you're editing something and your brain just kind of gives out on you. Like so...

And you keep telling yourself to power through. To keep going. You eat some chocolate, drown yourself in caffeine, and then jump back in. And if that doesn't work, you try something like this: 

Except, you know, I'm not much of a gun person. So, I decided to do something different. Just to take a quick break and have some fun, I decided to start something I've been thinking about doing FOREVER. 

I call it... FLASH FICTION FRIDAY. 

Here's the gist of it. Every Friday, I'm going to make a post on my Facebook page calling for writing prompts. You can pick any character from my books-- main characters like Garrick or Cade or minor characters like Rusty and Spencer. Comment on my post with that character's name and then a place or object for a prompt. Heck, you can even post things like songs or pictures. Anything you'd like to see me write. 

Then, I'll pick one and write just a fast and fun little snippet to post here on my blog. 

So, I posted my first call for prompts an hour or so ago, and though there were some awesome suggestions (like Bliss in a Sex Shop), I decided to go with the very first comment. 

PROMPT: Max (from FAKING IT) outside a church in strange clothes. 

What can I say? I like a challenge. 

So, without further ado, here's my Flash Fiction Friday entry NUMERO UNO! 

WARNING: POSSIBLE SPOILERS FOR FAKING IT. 

WARNING PART TWO: This is unedited. Like... I wrote it in fifteen minutes. So, if there are errors, don't judge me. 

WARNING PART THREE: This is NOT an excerpt from any upcoming book. This is just for fun. If I ever decide to write about Max and Cade again, I promise I'll tell you all. 

“Stop staring at me.” I pulled at the polyester costume, already uncomfortable.

Cade didn’t even blink. “I’m sorry. I just can’t stop.”

Between gigs on stage, years spent dressing up for my parents, and nights spent dancing at Trestle, I didn’t think there was an outfit in the world that I couldn’t handle. Then again, I hadn’t ever really thought I’d be standing outside a massive Baptist church in Fort Worth, Texas decked out in an angel costume.

“I’m still not quite sure how your Grandma convinced me to be in this play thing.”

Cade touched the tip of one of my glitter-vomit wings and shrugged. “She’s persuasive.”

“I know, right? I mean, you think she’s this sweet little old lady, and then bam! She just gets you out of nowhere. I’m kinda worried I’m gonna wake up tomorrow without my kidney.”

He leaned in and placed a kiss on my cheek. “Yes. That’s my Grams. The black market organ dealer.”

His kiss settled me a little bit, but not enough.

“Why couldn’t you be the angel? I don’t even go to church here. Is this what happens to every girl you bring home to visit?”

“One, the angel dress looks much better on you than it would on me.” His hand smoothed across my waist around to the small of my back. “And two, it’s just you. You’re the only girl I’ve ever brought home.” 

His other hand touched my cheek, feather soft and sweet.

“I guess it’s only fair. When I brought you home, you were subjected to a complete family fallout. I suppose I can handle being an angel for twenty minutes.”

He titled my chin up and kissed me slowly.

I forgot about the itchy polyester and the wings that were shedding glitter all over the place. Cade was good about that… making me forget everything else but him.

He leaned his forehead against mine and smiled. “I promise to make it up to you with a few less than angelic moments later tonight.”

“Damn right, you will.”

He laughed, and his Grandma appeared then at the back door to the church, waving a hand at me that said it was almost time.

Time for my acting debut.

Halo, wings, tattoos, and all. 

Well, there you have it! A little peek at Cade and Max after the events of FAKING IT. So, I'll be doing this every Friday. So start brainstorming prompts for what you'd like to see me write! They can be ridiculous or serious. And make sure you're following me on Facebook, so you don't miss out!

P.S. I'm going to have HUGE announcement early next week! Get excited!

P.P.S. Starting Tuesday, we'll be expanding the FINDING IT preview on Facebook by one chapter every week until the book releases! You can already read the first forty or so pages here!

P.P.P.S. FINDING IT releases in less than a month! Oct. 15th!  And the paperback version of KEEPING HER releases October 1st! You can pre-order it now from Amazon or B&N for less than $4. Not bad, right? It likely will be difficult to find in stores since it's just a novella, so I highly suggest pre-ordering if you want one!

Okay. I think that's it. Probably.

See you next Friday for some more Flash Fiction!