Zinger by Nikki Lynn Barrett (16)

Chapter Sixteen

Zeke tried calling Ariel as soon as he could. He had no idea about the news until it was said on air. Whether using Ariel's name as an example was intentional or not, he could only imagine how upset she must be. He got her voice mail all five times. Finally realizing she wasn't going to answer, he left a message. “Ariel, please call me back. I'm not sure if you were watching tonight, but I want to talk to you about what happened. Talk to you soon.”

“Do you know who gave the okay about the announcement tonight?” Tucker approached Zeke, a frown across his face. “I thought we'd have more time to put this together before throwing it out there to the public, and I don't like that they used Ariel's name like that, ya know?”

“Trust me, I know. I don't know where Jared is. I don't think he'd give the thumbs up to say anything, so it had to be an accident, but it sucks that it's out on live television now.” Zeke raked a hand through his hair, checking his phone even though he had it on loud. No calls. No texts.

“Somebody's gonna have to run some major damage control.” Tucker shook his head before walking away.

That much was for sure.

Zeke stalked off in search of Jared. He found him walking down the hall in the back of the venue, his phone to his ear. He caught Zeke's gaze and held up a finger, his eyes full of concern and his expression grim. “Thanks. I'll be right out there. I'm going to catch a flight right now.”

Zeke pounced when he hung up. “What's the meaning of this?”

Jared held up a hand. “I swear to you I had no idea. I don't know who leaked the information, and yes, I'm just as pissed that Derek used Ariel's name that way. He was just reading from the teleprompter. I will clear this up as soon as I get home.”

“Where the hell are you off to?” Zeke roared.

His friend flinched. “It's Lucy. I gotta go, man.”

“I'm coming with you.” He wasn't about to take no for an answer, either.

“She's not out of the woods yet,” the doctor informed everyone. Her mother came down to the hospital as soon as Ariel called her. “But this is a sign. She's responding. Now we see what kind of permanent damage there is, if any. With these comas, especially being this long in and the swelling she had, there's no telling until weeks after what the long term effects will be.”

Five agonizing hours after the rush of doctors in her room, finally, they had word. Ariel breathed out a sigh of relief. She'd worried that after so long the news wasn't good.

Lucy had come out of her coma!

“Can we see her?” Lucy's mother asked.

“For a little while. She needs her rest, and we'll be monitoring her all night.”

Ariel didn't understand the terms the doctors used, but knowing her best friend still fought for her life comforted her. She wouldn't be leaving tonight, either. She offered to grab coffee for Lucy's parents.

As she headed down the hallway to buy the coffee, a familiar voice called out her name.

She whirled around and blinked. Jared ran down the hall, with Zeke trailing behind him. He wore the same disguise he did when taking her to the airport the other day. No one else would easily recognize him, but she did.

“Is she...?” Jared's eyes were haunted and full of torture.

“She's awake! Not talking yet, but she's awake!” Ariel flew into his arms, everything else from tonight temporarily forgotten.

“Thank God. I thought the worst. I got here as soon as I could. Aunt Lea is here?”

“Yeah. I'm buying coffee right now. We're all going to stay the night, in case something changes.”

“I'm going to talk to her. I got your message, and we'll talk about that later, I promise.” Jared kissed her cheek before he let her go, darting off toward his aunt.

She faced Zeke, unsure of what to say. Anger still bubbled inside, though the events of the show were nowhere near the top of her list at the moment.

“I thought the worst when Jared told me he got news about Lucy. I had to come with him so I could be here for you.” Zeke broke the silence first. “Want some company while you get that coffee?”

Ariel nodded, unsure about what to say to him. Knowing he came out to support her when he had no idea the extent of what was going on touched her heart. Maybe she'd been mistaken and Zeke really did want to be with her for more reasons than music. Stupid overactive imagination!

They walked hand in hand down the hospital wing. “I know there's so much more important things going on, but I have to ask. Did you watch the show tonight?” Zeke asked softly.

“Yes,” she admitted.

“So you heard what was said.” Frustration tinged his voice.

“Yeah, I did, and I'm pissed about it.”

“I don't blame you, and I don't know how it got out, let alone why it was worded like that.”

“I still don't know if I'm cut out for music. I'm already embarrassed about the mockery I made of myself on Sing It!. To be honest, I've been worried you don't want to be with an average, naïve girl like me. So when I saw that tonight, I thought the worst. I felt set up, and now the world thinks I need mentoring!” Ariel tried to keep her voice low, but it wasn't easy.

“Here's what I know.” They rounded the corner. “Jared lost his position as the producer. He's trying to help put together another program for young singers. It was actually Tucker's idea, because of how he wished someone would have mentored him a little more after winning Sing It!. I knew about it for a few days, but it wasn't supposed to be announced.”

Inside the elevator, she slumped against the side: worn out, unsure, and so ready to end this nightmarish night.

“I'm sorry if I bring up you pursuing music so much. I hate that it makes you think I'd only want you if you were a singer. That's not true. Thing is, when I believe in something, or in this case, someone, I overthink, obsess, and push. I guess I didn't realize how unsure you were of this, because I see so much talent. I don't care if you don't go into music. All I want is to learn more about you. Everything.” He cupped her face, running his thumb along her cheek. “I want you to believe it, and it means I'll do whatever it takes to show you just that.”

Jared blew out a breath. “I get it if you're pissed at me,” he said to Ariel.

The three of them spent the night talking as the awaited any other word about Lucy.

“Oh, I'm mad all right, but I guess I get why you did it, and even though there were some situations I wasn't happy with, going on the show helped me learn.” Ariel yawned, trying to cover it up.

Zeke stifled a chuckle at her face when she did. He pulled her close, sliding an arm around her shoulders. Jared narrowed his eyes, but said nothing.

Her text notification went off. Zeke let Ariel go so she could answer. “Luce is talking and asked for me!” She jumped up quickly.

Zeke and Jared followed her, but waited by the door to Lucy's room. A minute later, Ariel stepped out and faced Zeke. “Come in with me?” Her smile was hopeful as she held out a hand. “Jared, she wants to see you next.”

Zeke closed his fingers over hers as he stepped into the room. Lucy peered over at him, her eyes wide as they approached the bed. She flashed Ariel a thumbs up.

“She approves,” Ariel said quietly.

He knew exactly what she meant. Zeke held Ariel close. “Hi, Lucy. Ariel's told me so much about you.”

Lucy sent him a weak smile. She closed her eyes, then peered back at them again.

“I'm so happy to see your eyes open and you smiling. I love you, Luce.” Ariel stooped to hug her friend. Lucy slowly moved her hand and patted Ariel's back. “I'll get Jared for you. He's beside himself.”

Lucy made some sort of gesture, and Ariel laughed. “I will.” Her eyes were on Zeke now.

“You will what?” Zeke asked as they left the room, passing Jared.

“Take a chance on you,” Ariel replied.

“Yeah?” Hope grew inside.

Her response was a kiss.

“I'll take that as a yes,” Zeke uttered, sweeping her into a tight hug.

Ariel sang with the rest of the singers from this season on the finale, knowing that this one was special because Lucy was awake and watching. Every day she showed more improvement, and she had even spoken a few words two days ago.

Those words were. “Zeke is hot. Keep him.”

While Ariel laughed and even cried, her friend said something else. “Sing. Always sing.”

“Only with you,” she'd whispered. “I don't want to do this without you.”

With tears in her eyes, Lucy hugged her. “We will. Together.”

Zeke called every night, and they'd texted often throughout the day. Last weekend, he came by just for a day so they could spend it together.

Now she was here, back where it all began, and it felt great to be back on the stage.

After the group song ended, everyone went back to their seats in anticipation for the winner announcement.

“It's been another amazing season. So much talent came across this stage. Look at all these highlights,” Derek said as the moments of the season flashed across the screen behind him. “The runner up this season is ... Sandrine Wilcox! And that means the winner of Sing It! this season is ... Bouquet!”

Yes! Ariel pumped a fist in the air. She knew the a cappella group would get it from the start!

Ariel's phone vibrated as Zeke led her out of the venue an hour later. A text from Lucy. Loved the show! Seeing you up there made me proud. You have it in you. Love ya! She showed the message to Zeke.

“I've got one to show you. I told my dad about you, so he watched for you on Sing It! tonight.” He pulled his phone from his pocket and showed her a message.

She's a pretty one. I'm happy for you, son.

Tears in her eyes, Ariel handed Zeke his phone back.

“I've never told my dad about any women. He wants to meet you one day soon. Will you go home with me when we're both free?” Hope shone in his eyes right there in the busy auditorium with everyone scattering left and right around them.

“I'd love to,” Ariel said softly, touching his cheek gently.

“Speculation about us is growing. I want to kiss you right here, right now, but that means the whole world will know Zeke Sketcher and Ariel Lexington are together. Are you ready for it? I will always protect you and your name, but everyone is going to want all the details about you.”

Her response was a kiss. She was ready to take a chance on living, and on Zeke Sketcher.

Cameras flashed, but neither cared. They were too wrapped up in each other.