My Heart to Yours

By Taliesin Govannon, Dominick Domingo and Katie Kent

Love stories are as old as storytelling itself. When we meet that special someone, we feel their pull, and we want to be with them. Fewer things ignite passion as fiercely as a kindled romance.

My Heart to Yours is an anthology of six LGBTQ+ love stories. Each story moves through experiences both romantically familiar and thrillingly origi

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jazz House Publications
• Release date: Jun 22, 2021
• ISBN: 9781736600931

Book preview

My Heart to Yours

Edited by

Tiffany Curry, Seamus King, and Ebony Brown

Copyright © 2021 by Jazz House Publications

All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

Printed in the United States of America

First Printing, 2021

ISBN 978-1-7366009-3-1

Jazz House Publications

300 Lenora Street # 1119

Seattle, WA 98121

www.JazzHousePublications.com

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Supervising Editor: Tiffany Curry

Cover art: Fay Lane

Formatting: Nicole Scarano 

Contents

Truth or Dare

Katie Kent

The Crimson Ghost

Taliesin Govannon

Fragments

Laurel Ashgrove

In the Cards

Stephanie Parent

To Mars and Back

Laura Kalab

The Distance Between Stars

Dominick R. Domingo

Author Biographies

Truth or Dare

Katie Kent

B ea. Truth or dare?

I swallow hard as I look at Liam. I really don’t want to pick either- I’m wishing I hadn’t even agreed to go to this party- but everyone is looking at me with expectant faces so I grit my teeth and say, Truth.

Are you a lesbian?

I bite my lip. I can’t see a single person who isn’t looking in my direction. Nope, I say.

Some of the expectant looks are replaced by confused ones. I fight not to laugh. Technically, I didn’t lie.

When it comes round to my turn again I say Dare, knowing full well that had I said truth again, the next question could very well be, Are you bisexual? or Do you fancy Grace Kennedy? Neither of which I could truthfully answer no to. Despite the fact that rumours that I’m not straight have obviously been circulating, I’m not yet ready to come out properly.

I dare you, Andrew says, to kiss Grace.

I wince inside- not because I don’t want to kiss her, obviously, but because I don’t want to give anything away. Any hesitation on my part will just give my classmates more ammunition. I shrug nonchalantly. Okay. If I must.

I look over at Grace, who is looking distinctly unimpressed. Cheers guys. She picks up her bottle and takes a long swig, wiping her mouth with her hand. I feel kind of bad for her. She must know about the rumours. I’m sure that kissing me is not high on her list of things to do.

I’m sober enough to know that I need to judge this right. Too keen, and it will be obvious that I do indeed have a thing for her. But if I make it too short, everyone will be suspicious that I’m covering.

Let’s get this over with, then. Grace scoots along the floor towards me until our knees are touching. She takes a visible deep breath. As she moves her head closer to mine, I swear I can hear her heart beating fast.

She launches into the kiss without further hesitation. Her lips are soft and taste like a mixture of alcohol and cherry lip gloss. The feeling of her lips on mine is indescribable. I don’t want it to end. But I pull away first.

Someone wolf-whistles and Grace gives them the finger. Thank goodness that’s over. She reaches for her bottle and immediately gulps the rest of her drink down.

I wrinkle up my nose. Yeah. The feeling’s mutual. Again, not a lie. She may have everyone else fooled, but I felt the emotion she put into that kiss. There were sparks between us. I’m surprised, for sure, but I’m now in no doubt whatsoever that Grace is into me as much as I am into her.

A little while later, I head upstairs to the bathroom. Grace is outside, legs crossed, hammering on the door.

You okay? I ask her.

She turns and blushes when she sees me. This idiot won’t get out of the bathroom, and I’m about to wet myself.

I knock on the door. Are you almost done?

A male voice comes back. I’m going to be a while yet, sorry. I think I must have eaten something that doesn’t agree with me.

Grace groans. Fuck, she says, under her breath, running her fingers through her long blonde hair as she squeezes her legs together tightly.

An idea forms in my head. I live about five minutes away, I say. If you can hold on a bit longer, you can come and use my toilet? I was thinking of heading home soon anyway.

She hesitates, but the pain in her bladder obviously wins out over her embarrassment at our kiss earlier. She gives a small nod. Alright, thanks. But we need to leave right now. I can’t wait much longer.

We rush down the stairs, gather our things and leave. Luckily, people are too busy drinking, dancing to the pounding beats and making out to notice that we’re leaving together.

We walk to my house in silence. I’m not really sure what to say to her, and Grace is far too distracted by her bladder to make conversation. When I open the door to my house, she rushes past me and up the stairs, then hesitates at the top.

Shifting from one leg to the other, she says, Bathroom?

The door to the left.

She immediately pushes the door open. I hear it lock behind her.

A few minutes later, the bathroom door opens and she steps out, looking much more composed. She gives me a sheepish look. Thanks. You’re a lifesaver.

I smile. My pleasure.

Well I’d better be heading off, then. She picks up her bag.

Wait. I reach my hand out towards her. You want to stay and watch a film or something?

She chews her fingernail as she looks at my hand on her arm. Um.....

I move my hand away. Come on, you owe me. I did just save your life, after all. I’m dying to ask her about the kiss, but I’m pretty sure that would just scare her off.

I don’t know. I should probably get home. She looks at the door, but makes no attempt to walk towards it.

I know that if I let her go now, I might never get another chance at this.

I’ll let you choose the film. And we have popcorn! I’m grasping at straws here, but I’ve had a crush on this girl for so long, and I don’t want this opportunity to be wasted. It’s still early.

Okay. Why not? But can I ask a favor? She looks at me. Can you please not tell anyone about this? Her tone is pleading.

I shrug. Sure, no problem. I don’t want to make her request into a big deal. Her reaction is just another indication that she likes me. She’s afraid, and I get it. At our age, sexuality is a big thing. I’m fairly comfortable with mine, but even so, I haven’t been able to admit to anyone except my best friend Chloe that I’m bi. There have been rumours, sure, but I haven’t said anything to confirm them. I’m not even one of the cool kids. Grace is, though. She’s popular. All the boys want her, and all the girls want to be friends with her.

I’m really curious about her sexuality. I know she’s been out with boys. Is she bi like me, or is she actually gay and just putting on an act? I want to know so bad, but now is not the right moment to scrutinize her. Either way, I’m convinced that she’s not straight. I can feel the chemistry between us so strongly. I’d always thought it was one-sided, but I haven’t hung out with her alone before. Or kissed her.

Are your parents not home? She looks around, as if checking for evidence.

It’s just me and my dad. He’s out with his mates tonight. He won’t be back until the morning. I go into the living room and gesture for her to follow me.

She sits down on the sofa, pressed right up against one arm of it, as if she’s worried I might bite her or something. Ah, right.

You can ask if you want. I sit down next to her and she shifts her body even closer to the edge.

She furrows her brow. Ask what?

What happened to my mom.

She shakes her head. It’s cool, I don’t need to know everything about your life. We’re just hanging out. Her voice shakes slightly, as if she’s trying to reassure herself that this is nothing more than a couple of girls spending time together.

Okay. But I want to tell you. I’m not sure if I’m pushing too hard, but the urge to confide in her is overwhelming.

Go on then. She turns so she’s resting on one elbow.

She died. Two years ago. Breast cancer.

Grace gasps. Bea, I’m so sorry.

I smile. It’s fine. It was hard, but shit happens. She always wanted me to get on with my life. Anyway, I just wanted to tell you.

I’m really glad you did, she says softly, looking deep into my eyes.

My eyes flicker to her lips. I really want to kiss her again. I cough, forcing myself to resist leaning in towards her. So, what film do you want to watch? I ask.

She shifts in her seat, tucking her legs up below her body. The tension between us is almost unbearable. This time, I shuffle slightly further away from her. I’m not sure I trust myself to keep my hands to myself otherwise.

What do you have?

I show her my film collection, and she picks Ready Player One. I keep meaning to see it, she says. I’m a sci-fi nut.

I fall ever so slightly more in love with her, if such a thing is possible.

It’s gone midnight when the film ends, and Grace is falling asleep. As I stand up to take the disc out, she snaps awake suddenly. Oh my God, I’m so sorry. She yawns. I missed the end of the film.

I chuckle. Maybe we could watch it again sometime.

You must be so annoyed with me. She doesn’t respond to my comment.

I shake my head. Not at all. You looked... I trail off, biting my lip.

She raises her eyebrows. I looked what? Oh no, was I drooling? I sometimes do that when I fall asleep.

Actually, I was going to say you looked kind of beautiful.

The silence stretches between us. She can’t even meet my eyes. Eventually she stands up. I think I’d better go. Thanks for the film and everything.

I nod. Do you want me to walk you home? It’s late.

No, it’s cool. See you around. She’s out the door before I have a chance to say anything else.

I curse myself. I knew that I had to play it cool, not come on too strong, and I messed it up. I just really like this girl. I take a deep breath, go up to my room, put my headphones on and blast music into my ears.

Hey, Dad. I’m just running the duster over the bookcase when he walks in, eyes slightly bloodshot.

He does a double take. What’s happened?

I shrug. Can’t I clean without there being something up?

He shakes his head. You hate cleaning. Last time I caught you with a duster, your boyfriend had broken up with you. He goes over to the sofa, sits down and pats the space next to him. Come and tell your old man all about it.

I abandon the duster on the coffee table and sit next to him. It’s Grace, I say.

Ah. He gives me a knowing look. There are no secrets between the two of us, and I’ve mentioned Grace before, many times. The party?

I nod.

So, what did she do? he asks. Was she snogging a guy in front of you, or something?

Actually, I say, looking down at my fingers, she kissed me.

His eyes go wide. Way to go, kiddo! He punches my shoulder playfully with his fist.

Not so fast. I sigh. We were playing truth or dare. It was a dare. For me.

Ah. His expression went from joyous to sympathetic. So you were right that people suspect, then?

Yeah.

Well at least you got to kiss her. He puts his arm around me. What was it like?

I take a deep breath. Well, that’s the thing. It was amazing. And I kinda think that it was amazing for her too. That is, I think she enjoyed it. I mean you can tell, right? When you kiss someone you like and they like you back? I’m sure I felt something. Well, I think I did, anyway. Something from her, I mean. And then she came back here and we watched a film. I mean…

Dad holds his hand up. Woah- slow down, kiddo.

I feel myself go red. I’m aware I was rambling. Sorry, I mumble.

She came back here and watched a film with you? A smile breaks out on his face. I’d say she likes you. Why else would she come here? It’s not like the two of you are friends or anything, right?

Well I was just getting to that, I say. She was desperate for the loo, and the one at the party was sort of out of action, so I suggested she come here and use ours.

But she stayed to watch a film? He raises his eyebrows. You can’t blame that on her needing the loo.

No. I suggested she stay, and she did.

Okay. So how was that? he asks.

I shrug. It was nice. That is until she fell asleep and the film ended, and she woke up and I told her she looked beautiful. Then she couldn’t get out of here quick enough.

Ah. He gives me another sympathetic smile. Sounds like she’s maybe not ready to admit anything yet. But the rest of the signs are positive.

I guess. I twirl my ring around my finger. But what do I do now?

My first class on Monday morning is Spanish, which Grace and I have together. I’m excited and nervous to see her again, but I wonder how she’s going to act around me.

I soon have my answer. I’m already sat at my desk when she walks in. Her eyes wander over in my direction, and I smile at her, but she immediately looks away and starts talking to her friend. A slight blush on her cheeks is the only sign that she’s still thinking about our kiss as much as I am.

I rest my elbows on the table and lower my head. My God, this girl is driving me mad. Dating boys is so much easier, but I want this girl so bad. In fact this is probably the strongest crush I’ve ever had on anyone, regardless of gender. It’s all-consuming.

She and her friend sit at the desk in front of me. As she takes her seat I look up and watch the back of her head. Imagine me running my fingers through her hair. Remember the feel of her lips on mine. I pick up a pen and start doodling hearts on my exercise book.

Ben, sitting next to me, peers over at my book and sniggers. I shoot him a look. He shrugs and I shake my